One!

Our little Clara turned one a week ago.  This has been the BEST year for our family and she's a big part of that.

Clara:

Loves books. She carries them around with her, she looks at them, and loves to be read to.  I haven't had near as much time to read to her as she or I would like, but I'm so glad she is starting her life out with a passion for books.

Is funny. She laughs a lot and loves to give cheesy smiles.  She laughs whenever her brother and sister laugh, but way louder and sillier.

Walks.  She's been walking full time for a couple of weeks now.  My earliest walker. She's also mastered stairs and getting off the couch without falling.

Is happy. She's a pretty content little girl. We go out for a run/walk most mornings and she never fusses or tries to climb out of the stroller. That's a first for me.  Occasionally she's bothered by her brother and will scream about it, but most of the time she's just a happy person.

Talks. Well, only a little. She says mama, dada, uh oh, eye, down, and dog.  She loves animal sounds and can do bunny, dog, elephant ( her favorite), bear, and cat.

Sleeps. A little better, anyway. She takes pretty good naps and occasionally sleeps through the night.  She has a favorite blanket that she loves now.

Eats really well.  She often eats more than her siblings at lunch and dinner.  She still refuses to be fed for the most part, so breakfast is usually a handful of Cheerios dumped on her tray.  She still nurses a little bit. She was my least interested nurser of the three until recently, when she became my only child to ask to nurse.  Usually at inopportune times.

Loves people. She's not afraid of going to other people and is often held by others at church. She loves and recognizes all of her grandparents.  She's not bothered by me being in another room in our house, but does cry if I go out the front door.

Is mischievous. She gets into more trouble than my other babies ever did.  When we were visiting my parents a couple of weeks ago, in one day she fell down the stairs, fell off the couch, electrocuted herself, and slipped on the floor. All while being supervised. She's quick!  Last Sunday she found a jar of cookie butter in the pantry, opened it by herself, and smeared it all over herself, the carpet, the couch, and  the ottoman.  All in no more than two minutes!

Is sweet and fun and cute and easy. We just love her to pieces!