Daily Clara: July 2011

Dear Clara,

It has been a while since I updated the world on your many new skills. Lately, you are into containers. You like picking things up in one area of the house and moving them to other areas. Taking DVDs off shelves and stacking them on top of your dinosaur push toy, or on the stairs, or in your bag. I can't imagine why you would need to take Ocean's Eleven or Mean Girls to daycare with you, so I usually put them back on the shelves. Also, just for the record, shoes go UNDER your toy box, not inside it. But thanks for helping me remember that they do not go in the middle of the floor!

Your mobility has really taken off since you turned one. You are now able to go up and down stairs, more or less on your own. You climb out of your carseat and off the couch on your own. You sometimes will deign to help me put on your shoes or take off your shirt, though for the most part you remain uncooperative on the clothing front. You and your dad have a routine of hand and face washing after dinner, which you think is pretty great. You are kind of obsessed with washing your face, preferring to carry a diaper wipe with you at all times just in case some face washing needs to happen in between squirreling things away in your bag and building a tower of blocks. You like to high-five people and can correctly identify your nose when asked. You like dancing to music, playing your xylophone and drum and helping your dad play guitar. Your favorite book is a book full of pictures of babies. You never get tired of those babies!

You want to do everything that bigger people do, especially at the table. You pick up pieces of food and take small, dainty bites. You have 7 teeth now and are learning how to use them in various ways. You love forks, though you are not the most graceful forker and often get more food in your hair or on the floor than into your mouth. Similarly, you like drinking out of non-baby cups, but it's still hit or miss whether you have an appropriate seal around the mouth of the glass. As often as not, you end up with a very wet shirt, which is also okay because it is a hot summer in DC. Your appetite has recently picked up a lot too. You are eating actual portions of food (a whole piece of pizza, a tiny taco) and signing "MORE!" to everything.

Last month was a big month for travel. We flew to Rio de Janiero to meet your dad's extended family. His grandmother turned 100! It was a huge party. You experienced a lot of new things and we had a great time. Shortly after we got back, I went on a short vacation with your aunt Eli and you stayed at home. While I was gone, you and your dad came to an understanding about night time, and since then, you have slept in your room, all night, with very minimal fuss.

You are growing up so fast, with the mobility and attitude that makes you officially a toddler. Watching you learn and think is one of the coolest things I have ever done.

Love,

Yr Mom