Clara is in motion!!

Clara has had an amazing fall!! She is now fully crawling. She started out by doing a commando crawl and pulling herself all over our house. Then she decided that was too tiring and started the conventional crawl. I'm sorry, but there is nothing cuter than a crawling baby.

In our kitchen we have three stairs leading down to the mudroom, and it didn't take her any time at all to learn that if she crawls over there she gets LOTS of attention. Now she starts crawling over there and turns to look at us with a little grin--she KNOWS that she shouldn't be going over there--how do they get so smart so quickly!!

Clara also got her first four teeth this fall. Her two middle bottom teeth first, then her first middle two top teeth. She experimented with her new teeth while nursing, but her mom's loud reaction put a quick stop to that. Can you say PAIN???

Clara is always extremely interested in everything that her sister has. She will make her way across a room just to see what Sophie has. This can present somewhat of a problem sometimes (the beginning of parent-referee!!). Clara also has generally zero interest in any baby toys. Any non baby toy--fascinating!!! Smart cookie that one!

Clara is very vocal about her likes and dislikes!!

Likes--her sister, anything her sister has, bathtime, being carried, her small black stuffed hen (to suck on of course), stuffed animals, anything small and chokeable, fruit of ANY kind (especially raspberries!!) the top of the stairs, Sophie's potty (there have been some near misses!), sleeping (thank goodness)!!!

Dislikes--having her face cleaned, having her bum cleaned, having her nose cleaned, being put down (will make herself stiff as a board so I can't put her down!), having something taken away that she was heading towards (like the potty!!!)

She is such a character and adds an incredible amount to our family. I can't imagine our family without her. She smiles constantly, and has the most adorable little laugh. She is such a consistent good sleeper, and goes down well and easily. She lets us know what she needs with her voice (she can be LOUD!...I've heard each child you add gets louder and louder!!)

She is such a gift. I love her so much. She is so precious. Sometimes it physically hurts my heart to look at her because it feels like it is going to burst.

Clara is now starting to pull to standing. I'm sure there is more excitment to come.