Clara on her birthday only minutes alive: March 1, 2009
She loves books and reading books, going on walks, Bear, singing, talking, water, playing outside, her sandbox, dancing, music, me (her mommy), daddy, swinging at the playground, playing peek-a-boo or hide and seek, "treats" (chocolate, cookies, sweet food) and chips, and so much more.
Her dislikes: being taken away from any of the above. And she has become a "picky" eater-not enjoying vegetables too much.
She is always happy; except when she wakes up in a grumpy mood from her nap. Then she is such "fun" to be with (not). She does like to say "no" a lot now. But her way of saying yes is "k" and she she uses that "word" a lot too so there are times when she is agreeable.
Clara 1 year old, 2010
She has started to request certain foods to eat for breakfast and lunch. Her dancing has gone from bouncing to moving the arms up and down over her head and leaning to each side. Oh and speaking of dancing, we were out at Champs for dinner and she started dancing around the restaurant to the music. Another memory I need to jot do wn in my memory book.
She is learning new ways to move her body and how to make new sounds with her mouth. It is cute to watch her experiment with sounds and movement. She has learned her ABC's and can count to 10. I am working with her on counting how many items are in front of her. And I have flash cards of the alphabet letters to help her recogn ize them. She has learned the song "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" (I'm impressed I taught her that) and has started to learn "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and the "Wheels on the Bus." One day in the car, she had me singing the "bus" song all the way home. She'll even do hand movements to "Twinkle, Twinkle" and the "bus" song (again, all me teaching her :) ).
I know I say it often but it is amazing how this little "bundle" has become a little girl with her very own personality. I now often feel very overwhelmed and wonder what I have gotten myself into but when she cuddles up next to me and her smile makes it all worth while.
I remember thinking in the beginning, wow, this is hard work. I was constantly worried about how and what I was doing. Her cries were her way of communicating I'm hungry, tired, wet. Then I remember when she became more alert of her surroundings and she could sit up on her own. She "talked" and babbled and needed lots of stimulation. Before she could crawl, she rolled everywhere. Once she started crawling, she loved her new found freedom and crawled around the neighborhood. Ever since she could walk, she hasn't stopped. There are days when I wish we could go backwards and I keep telling Clara to slow down on growing up. Each stage is different and just as cute as the others. Now she is becoming more and learning all about independence. Her crying usually means she is mad or disappointed. Oh to go back to the days when it just meant hungry, tired, or wet. Speaking of tired, boy when she is overly tired, it shows.
Clara 2 years old, 2011It is so hard to remember what all to write in these posts. I usually think of what to say when not at the computer (isn't that the way). I just pray I remember everything that happens as Clara grows up.
