++Claire's Baptism++

We like to be efficient in our family (yes, I know, that comes as a surprise to all of you). Since we have struggled with finding a church home in Memphis (just can't do the mega church thing...sorry), and because we will be moving SOON, we decided to have Claire baptized while we were back in Minnesota. It worked out well because we could have it at Mount Olivet where my parents and sister were married and where Wyatt was baptized. Even though it's a large church, Claire had the show all to herself on Sunday. She didn't disappoint.

She listened intently to the pastor as he spoke. Flashing him smiles the whole time. He even commented to the congregation after he was done that she listened better to him than his wife or kids ever have. Here she is in her outfit. She wore the same dress as Cora and booties that were mine.


Unfortunately she didn't stay awake so the photos are of a sleeping Claire. Here she is with sponsors Matt and Taylor (her other sponsors Aunt Susan and Uncle Brett were there in spirit).

We were so blessed to be able to have Busha join us as well. The one-hundred-year-old decided that she couldn't miss this event and decided to make the trip.

We really lucked out and found a great place for a reception. Kozy's in Edina has a great brunch served family style. We were able to have the private room (read: our kids running laps around the table didn't bother anyone else). They even had live music.

It also worked out that my dear friend Mel could join us too. It's special for me as Mel and I were best friends at school but also grew up at church together. Claire warmed right up to her and snuggled in for a hug.

We had a great day surrounded by friends and family. Unfortunately the Halbach contingent couldn't be there...but we will be together for a lot of Sundays very soon! So excited about that.

++First flight++

Claire took her first flight. It's all old hat for Wyatt. Nothing too exciting to report about it. We felt the need to block traffic in the aisle of the plane while we took this photo though.
Her next trip will be a little longer. Memphis to Seattle. One-Way.

++Reader input required++

I need your help. According to my little blog counter 12,000 of you have read this blog so there are enough of you out there to get a decent sample size. (Don't think I don't know that 11,000 of those visits were from my in-laws, my parents and Mark while on conference calls at work).

Here goes:

When I started this blog I named it "eight hundred miles" which was the distance from Minneapolis to Memphis. It was supposed to be all about the adventures of moving to this crazy place but I ran out of things to say about Memphis long ago so I just started posting pictures of my cute kids.

Well, let's just say that the Pacyna family were to relocate once again (insert giant sigh here that we already used up all the P's AND Q's in your address book----when will you learn to use PENCIL?). What should I do about the name of the blog? I'll make it multiple choice for your convenience:

a. Leave it the same. It's so well branded why change it now.

b. Call it twenty-three hundred miles. The distance from Memphis to our new home.

c. Call it sixteen hundred miles. The distance from Minneapolis to our new home.

d. Call it three thousand miles. Roughly (so it sounds pretty) the distance from Minneapolis to Memphis plus Memphis to our new home.



Vote now!



And just so you can sleep tonight and don't waste too much time figuring out what is 2300 miles from here, I'll let you in on the secret.



Seattle here we come!!!!!

++Four Months++

Weighing in at 14lbs 4oz (a whopping 3.5 lbs less than Wyatt at this age) we have our little Claire. Around these parts she is also known as "bear", "little one", "pretty pants" and a personal favorite "dirty bird" (due to her lack of baths).
She is all smiles these days. They say that about this time is when you start to see a glimpse of their individual personalities. I'm hoping that's true. Claire is happy and smiley. I took this shot of her in her bouncy but it's the same response pretty much anyone gets from her stroller if they talk to her.

We can't keep her on her back for more than about ten seconds these days. No need to schedule tummy time for this one. EVERYTHING is going into the mouth as well. I'm glad for this as she can now "play" on her own a little bit. I actually strap her into her bouncy once in a while to give her a break from the workouts.

I used some gift cards we were given to buy this little seat for Claire. We never had one of these for Wyatt...but I had free hands a lot more often with him. She is finally strong enough to sit up in it (again...not to compare...ok so I am...but Wyatt was well versed in the Exersaucer at this age!). It's kind of handy. I like the little tray. Claire likes that it helps her with her favorite pastime: Wyatt watching.

I was playing around with my camera (are you sensing a trend here?) and took these funny shots of Claire checking herself out in the mirror. I didn't realize until I got down to her vantage point how distorted she looks (it's a good thing she doesn't know it's herself yet so she doesn't get a complex).

Here's the real view. Just to prove she doesn't have a huge chin...in case you haven't seen any pictures of her before.

There are lots of fun adventures for Claire in family in the month to come. Stay tuned!

++First Swim++

Claire went for her first swim last week. We all know it's been hot enough here to make the pool feel like bath water. She was not quite sure what to make of the whole thing...but there was no crying at all. We actually took her again and that time she kept splashing in the water and getting it all over her face and she just thought it was funny. Maybe she'll be a swimmer like her mom?

++Eleven years++

About eleven years ago I met this guy. I knew he was a nice guy. I decided to keep him around for a while. A few years later (in Prague...on the river...in a rowboat) he asked me to marry him. I was pretty sure he would make a great husband so I said yes. I was right.

What I never imagined (because it's something that you just don't get until it's real) was what a great Dad he would be. I've never seen greater joy in a child than Wyatt's face when Mark walks through the door after being away on a trip. There's a part of me that is envious but it is overshadowed by the fact that I am so glad that my children are blessed with such a great Dad (and that I still have a shot that Claire will be a Mommy's girl.)

Happy Father's Day Mark! (may my kind words be worth more than the wallet we got you!)

++Mother of two++

Is there anything that more accurately depicts what life is like when you have two kids? It is impossible to focus on both of them equally at the same time. We have been talking about how this has been good for Wyatt. He is slowly learning an important life lesson: that it is not always all about him. Claire seems to already have this figured out.

About the photo. I would be lying if I told you I set out to do this. I know my camera can do it, I think I maybe could replicate this again if I tried. Pretty much it was just an accident that happened when Wyatt decided to jump into Claire's photo shoot. Kinda cool though!