A Birthday for Clara

Was this really a year ago? Why do they have to grow up so darn fast?! Clara turned 1 year old on the 11th (I was watching my sister's kids all last week, so I couldn't post until now. Luckily she has no clue what's going on because we won't be able to have a party until almost two weeks past her b-day). It's exciting and fun, but it makes me sad. I don't want her to get big! My consolation is that she doesn't look like she's 1 year old. She's so petite, most people are very surprised to find out her age. But, it's true- our sweet little baby is 1 year old. Just to recap, she was born November 11th, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. She weight 7 lb. 6 oz. and was 19 1/2 in. long. At her year check up she weighed 16.9 lbs. and was 27.75 in. long. That puts her in the fifth percentile. Tiny little thing! It has been a wonderful year. We absolutely adore her, and we're constantly blown away by her cuteness. We could never get enough kisses. In fact, we could eat her up for every meal of the day, plus snack times. We love every minute we have with her, and our hearts ache that she won't be our baby much longer. But, if she's been this much fun as a baby, I can't wait for what lies ahead.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of her from the last year. Here are some fun facts about Clara as of late:

1. She can drink from a sippy cup. Sometimes she'll do the thing where she takes a drink but opens her mouth and lets the water run down, soaking her shirt.
2. She is learning to walk and thinks she's pretty hot stuff when she does it. Unfortunately, we've now entered the stage of bumps and bruises.
3. Has a mullet, poor thing. I really should cute it, but it took her so long to grow some hair.
4. Only has 4 teeth in front- 2 on top and bottom, but strangely enough she has two molars coming in. Is that weird?
5. Has an attitude
6. Just learned how to put the phone to her ear (well, it's more on the back of her neck than her ear)
7. Has 2 reactions to animals- barking or growling
8. She first learned to bark from seeing a picture of a dog in a book, so now she will often bark when she reads, no matter what the book's about.
9. Loves to play peek-a-boo
10. Loves food with lots of flavor. The other day I made Taco Soup, and she devoured it. I wish her brother would follow her example when it comes to eating.
11. Loves music. She'll dance or clap when she hears it. She loves our music makers we play with, and she loves to play the piano. She also, apparently, can sing. A couple weeks ago I was giving a voice lesson. We were doing a vocal exercise, and Clara did it too! It was so funny!
12. Knows how to "drive" a car.

P.S.- Check out the "Quoting Noah" section on the side. I have two new entries.

*Thanks Erin! I deleted all my enters and the space is gone!*