18 months

Length: 31 inches (31st %ile)
Weight: 22.6 lbs (24th %ile)
Head Circ: 48.8 cm (95th %ile)

Since the last development update 3 months ago, Claire has changed so much and is growing up so fast!

She's down to one nap, sleeps 12 hours at night (now waking up at 7 instead of 6, yay!), no longer nursing - she stopped abruptly all on her own the day she turned 16 months (we were down to only one feeding anyway), she runs and dances and climbs everywhere, loves to 'color', listen to "moosssick", ask for marshmallows, jelly beans, cookies, "doughduts", any kind of sweet really, and imitate her big sister any chance she gets.

She's talking like crazy and is very good at communicating her desires and opinions (which are many), she will resort to fist clenching and screaming and sobbing on the floor if needed.

She loves Elmo and books and pushing the cart at Costco all by herself (Ben let her do it once and now she thinks it's her right), and going outside and shoes and teasing. She's still a good eater and generally out eats Paige at every meal (not too hard to do). She waves and smiles at everyone and they melt over her dimple and blond hair which is still so short that she is often mistaken for a boy.

She loved the pool at Easter and I know we're going to have lots of fun swimming this summer (and possibly some scary moments because she doesn't seem to have the same apprehension about water that her older sister does).

Just in the past couple of weeks she has been practicing her dirty looks. I catch her concentrating on furrowing her brow at no one and nothing in particular and it makes me laugh out loud to which she responds by turning her glare on me for a moment before she breaks into a smile.

Everyday I'm amazed at how fast she's learning. Just yesterday we were out for a walk before bed (yay for finally warm spring weather!) when we encountered another mom and two-year-old coming toward us. We all ended up on the sidewalk right in front of our house. Paige introduced herself to the two-year-old and then Claire walked right in front of her, pointed to her big sister and said "Paysh", pointed to me and said "Mama", and then pointed at our house and said, "housh". Smart, huh? and not shy.

If you ask her to say Claire she says "Paysh" every single time. With a big grin. Did I mention she likes to tease?

She is such a joy to have in our home and we can't imagine life without her. Her smile in infectious and her personality is delightful, opinions and all.



Oh yeah, she loves her mommy best, but often calls out "DaDEEE" from her crib in the morning, which makes both of us smile.