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Our sweet girl turned 2/3 of a year old last Friday - oh my how fast she is growing! Proof? Besides the fact that she is getting heavy, she now sleeps in 12 month pajamas! She’s so long that the 9 month ones just weren’t cutting it anymore. Speaking of sleeping…she’s now doing so unswaddled! It’s much easier to cuddle with her before bedtime now, and she just looks so darn cute rolled over on her side or on her tummy with Mr. Elephant close by.

Claire babbles constantly, usually some combination of “ba” or “da”, although we’ve heard just one “ma” - not “mama” - just “ma”. She’s a bit shy in front of strangers and doesn’t say much, but the minute she’s in the car it’s talk city! She also loves to blow raspberries. Her favorites are the big, slurpy ones that take a lot of concentration. These are fun for Mommy & Daddy too…when we’re not trying to feed her!

No new foods this month. We’re still trying to work out some mealtime kinks. It has not been a happy time lately, with Claire either pressing her mouth shut with a force you wouldn’t believe, or throwing an all-out crying fit. The good news is we’ve made some adjustments (mainly just taking her out of the high chair if she’s not readily eating and trying again later), and I’m happy to report that the past few days she’s gobbled down both fruit AND veggies. She’s not interested in eating the puffs just yet, only playing with them. She enjoys holding a piece of zwieback toast, but doesn’t eat much of it yet either.

Without a doubt, her favorite time of the day falls between 7 and 8 pm, during bedtime routine. She dances around with Mommy and Daddy to a slew of The Wiggles songs (appropriate, yes?) - her favorite being “The Monkey Song”, with “Shake Your Sillies” coming in as a close second. Next up is a bath with Mommy where we splash and play for up to 15 minutes or so. After bath, there’s crime to be fought, so Claire Super Cluck takes her nightly flight around the apartment. The fun ends and the fussing begins as teeth are brushed, nose is sucked and hair is brushed.

Claire is not very interested in crawling. When put on all fours, she’ll look up and smile for a minute before appearing very frustrated that she can’t go anywhere. Then she gives up, flops on her belly and wails.  Now WALKING - that’s a different story! She absolutely loves to hold our hands and “walk” around! She’s a bit of a daredevil, trying to stand on her own or with just one hand supporting her. She bounces and pants (yes, pants) after a couple of big high steps, tongue sticking out for the most part. She hasn’t started cruising yet and doesn’t understand that she needs to step to keep up with her push toy, but it looks like those milestones are right around the corner. I’m working on getting a video up of Claire showing off her new favorite talent.

She has spent the past few weeks chewing, drooling and fussing more than usual and her nose is constantly overflowing - more teeth are on their way! I even became her first biting victim…ouch! She’s been having a bit of trouble sleeping through the night, but Tylenol seems to be helping with that. I think she’s working on her top front teeth, as well as some more on the bottom. She likes to gnaw on her finger, usually sticking it in the sides of her mouth. A photo below to illustrate the unbelievable runny nose. Notice the part that broke free and landed on her cute shirt from Aunt Nancy…take it shirt!

She still loves to read books. Her Lele sent her two new ones and she enjoys patting the furry animals and counting down the ladybugs. Anything with textures, counting or animals are favorites.

Her little personality is really starting to shine through. She loves interacting with us, having “conversations” and tickle-fests. We’re hearing a lot more laughter these days and we couldn’t be happier about it! She likes to ride on my hip in the sling, whether we’re cooking dinner or shopping. Any toy that requires her to stand is a favorite - the piano and the activity table (thanks, Cousin Cash!) are both in need of new batteries from all their recent use. Claire is also a big help when it comes to laundry….minus the sock eating!

We continue to take her to rhyme time and are looking forward to the summer when she’ll start gymnastics and the weather will be playground-appropriate. And, of course, trips to the beach!

More pictures have been added to the February 2009 photo gallery - take a look!