Clara is 2

Clara's actual birthday fell on a Thursday and since Daddy was working until bedtime we didn't do much except spend a few hours at the Dr getting checked out and getting a shot.  I did buy her an Elmo balloon on the way home which she loved.  Oh, and she did wake up early enough that she could see Daddy before work and he got to see her reaction when we gave her her new Elmo hat that I had stayed up late making the night before.  She LOVED that hat and had it either on her head or in her hand the entire day.

The following Saturday Daddy was at work in the morning and I had to work the big kid's swim meet so she spent it having fun at a friend's house.  After we got home I was pretty exhausted but I used the little energy I had left to make some cupcakes and then we met Daddy at a restaurant when he got off work.  We ate and then came home and had a little celebration.  Clara was not a fan of the fire on her cupcakes....

But she did enjoy eating them.  And then she unwrapped her presents, a huge, huggable Elmo and a few new Elmo books.  Notice a theme?  She loves "Melmo" and everything that has to do with him.  I've never had a kid with an obsession so I think its fun.  

Clara at 2

-  As a 3rd child I think she says "no no no no no" and "mine" a lot more than my other kids ever did

- Besides loving Elmo she also loves to watch Charlie and Lola but doesn't really like many other TV shows

- She does LOVE family movie night (Friday nights) and likes to get the big bowls out while Daddy pops the popcorn and then sits on the couch between her siblings and watches the movie

- She is saying lots of words but not a lot of sentences.  Its such a fun age when they surprise you with new words out of the blue.

- If I ask her who she loves best she says, "Mama"

- When you ask how old she is she will say "2" and then hold out her hand with all 5 fingers outstretched, willing there to be 2 fingers up but not really getting there.  

- She likes having her hair done like her big sister but still calls the rubber bands "ouches"

- She loves seeing babies out and about and playing with her pretend babies at home.  She holds them close, pats their backs, and shushes them.

- She is already trying to give up her naps and often spends the time in her room awake instead of asleep (but she ALWAYS gets time in her room!)

-  She eats and likes all food.  We were trying to think of what her favorite foods were to feed her on her birthday and we couldn't think of anything.  She is an excellent eater.

- At her Dr appt she was 25% weight and height so I guess that makes her little but she seems really big to me.  I can't remember the stats but I'm pretty sure she was 25 lbs.

Sawyer:  "I like her because she's cute"

Kate:  "I like that she is in our family."