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. :)
These are some shots from our week in Delaware.
Our happy girl!
Staying warm in Daddy's fleece.
Playing with cousin, Lizzie.
Riding bikes in Delaware.
This was on our anniversary. 
The cousins!
Story time with Phil.
Snuggled up with Auntie Ann.
Okay, that was random.
Clare talked to Mommy on the phone whenever I had a small break during the conference. I missed seeing her face, but I could imagine her big grin as she grabbed for the bright buttons on the phone. She said, "Mama, Mama, Mama" as I sang to her. :)
She hung out with Daddy and begged for Mommy. That may be editorial licensing. 
She had a GREAT time with Grandpa...despite the bout of teething on his shoulder.
She got to bend the rules a bit. :)
She went in the pool EVERY day. 
Grandpa took her to the park EVERY day! He even reported that the ONLY time she cried was when he took her out of the swing. 
He chose a great butter/banana yellow color, and it goes perfectly with the other bright colors in our house.
Once again, I was overwhelmed by the amazingness (I know that's not a word, but it fits my feeling) of my husband. 
Awww....how cute!
We thought that Clare's drooling days had subsided, but this picture proves otherwise. Old wives tales say that drooling means teething, so maybe she's working on a new tooth or two.
It may be a stretch to call our kitchen the "dumpster," but Clare certainly dives into anything on which she can get her little hands. Thankfully, we were done with this magazine.
You can assume that Clare will taste-test anything that she puts in her hands. That has made for some interesting finger sweeps. Use your imagination, and then expand it!
A majority of her waking hours are spent with a smile on her face.
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.
In some ways, I can't believe that we've already been married for two years. In other ways, it feels like we've been married for much longer than that. I couldn't ask for a better husband, father, or friend. We are a perfect pair, and I look forward to many more happy years together.
We'll have to look at this post when she's a teenager so that we can remember the snuggly days.
This was my attempt to imitate her, and it was caught on camera. Clearly, she wasn't impressed.
Now we're smiling again!
