11 months old TODAY!

Our sweet Clare Ann is 11-months-old today. WOW!

Disclaimer: This post has far more "Mommy Gushing" than usual. I'm using this as a virtual baby book, so I want to have some of the little things recorded. Feel free to simply scan the pictures and ignore the text if you're not one for all of the sentiment.
A majority of her waking hours are spent with a smile on her face.
Some of the things that really make her giggle:
-Grandma Durham
-Letting her feed you
-Peek-a-boo (classic baby giggle inducer)
-Tickling right under her neck (and triple chins)

She's a true Beach Bunny!
She would stay in the water all day if we let her. She loves the pool, the ocean, and even the bath tub. It's fun to watch her experience the water...and drink it all in (literally and figuratively!).

She hates having things on her head or around her neck. She tears off her hats, pulls off the hoodies, and rips off her bibs.

She is extremely flexible. She bends her legs in ways that seem physically impossible, and she continually puts her feet in her mouth. We wonder if diving/gymnastics might be in her future.

She has lots of hair. This was the first, and only, Bam Bam sprout. We can't bring ourselves to cut her hair, but it's getting too long to leave unattended. The barrette is a newly accepted accessory in our home, but Daddy still strongly vetoes the sprout.

Every day brings a new experience for Clare, and I am blessed to watch her grow up. As of 11 months, she is saying a few words: Ma-ma, Daddy and Da-Da, Uh-Uh (her version of uh-oh), Ba-ba (for baby), and several other strings of sounds (ne-ne...which I think is for Annie) and syllables.

I would have to guess that Clare's favorites activity is reading. She does the baby sign for "book" all throughout the day, and it's impossible to resist such a request. She also signs for "eat" and "please," and we're still working on "more" and "thank you."

Even though she isn't walking independently yet, she takes steps all over the room. I don't think it will be long before she realizes that she can do it on her own.

She's had six teeth (4 on top and 2 on bottom) since she was 8-months old, but I think she's working on a few new ones.

Her favorite foods, as of right now, are: watermelon, cantaloupe, Cheerios, cheese crumbles, apples, and good old Mama's milk. :)

She waves hello and goodbye, and she claps whenever she sees/hears someone else clapping.

Clare averages about 11 hours of sleep at night and 1-2 naps during the day. I'm thankful that she is such a solid sleeper, and I think the quality Zzzz's make her happier during the day. Imagine that!

My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE thing is hearing Clare giggle. When she's really excited, she squeezes her hands into tight fists, shakes her arms, and plasters a huge cheese ball grin on her face. I love it!

I could write MUCH MORE, but this will have to do for now. Clare is the JOY of our lives, and we can't wait for many more happy months with our Little Peanut. :)