By far the fastest year of our lives

I can not believe it's been an entire year since we got to meet our sweet little Claire.  I know it sounds so cliche but it literally feels like we've only had her for a month.  It's been an amazing year.  Don't get me wrong, it was certainly tough at times adjusting to parenthood and new jobs for the first time in 8 years (for both Mommy and Daddy) at the same time....but one look at Claire or sound of her voice and it made everything WELL worth it.

Claire has grown into quite the little lady with her own little funny personality.  She can be shy but once she's warmed up to you, she won't stop talking your ear off.  She's super affectionate but will also let you know the second she's not happy with something.  She usually yells in her own language.  I think we're all in for an earful once she learns words we can understand. She's super curious and interested in the way everything works...always opening and closing things, stacking things, hiding things, and hitting buttons.  She'll even see what buttons she can push on us.  Lately, she's been carefully watching us as she drops food from the tray of her highchair onto the floor.  No matter how we react to her, she just sits there and studies us.  We might be in trouble.

Although she can have her moments, Claire is super pleasant 90% of the time.  She's just so much fun to be around.  She's officially a walker which is helping her curiosity grow even more and allowing her to do funny things like chase us around or let us chase her...one of the easiest ways to get her giggling :)

Claire has 8 teeth (4 on top and 4 on the bottom).  She started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks and has never looked back since (thank God!).  She enjoys all of the things above as well as bath time, being read to, rocked, cuddled, listening to music, dancing, and how can I forget, EATING.  She has the appetite of an 8 year old.  Not even kidding.

Her one year checkup isn't until Friday so I'll have to save her official stats for the next post.  In the meantime, here's a look at some of our favorite moments from Claire's first year.

Finally getting to meet her after a long 9 months.

Taking her to the beach.

1 month

6 months

9.5 months

Her Christening Day.

6 weeks

Claire cute as a strawberry on Halloween.

3 months

Going to games.

6 weeks.  Remember that face?

8 months

2.5 months

5.5 months

Walks in the park.

3 months

6 months

Meeting the Phanatic.

3.5 months

And Santa in Savannah.

4 months

NYC

Almost 4 months

Christmas.

4.5 months

Swinging.

5.5 months

8 months

Eating....

5 months

And eating...

8.5 months

And eating.

10 months

Swim class.

6.5 months

Parades.

Thanksgiving Day Parade

St Patty's Day Parade

Learning to crawl.

5 months

And walk.

8 months

Riding bikes.

10 months

And going to the zoo with friends.

11.5 months

So many fun memories over the past year but the memories I'll cherish the most are the everyday things.

Like bath time.

3 days

3 months

11.5 months

And taking naps.

6 weeks

6 months

9 months

Seeing her smile.

4 months

8.5 months

10 months

And spending time with family.

4.5 months

10.5 months

10.5 months

 ESPECIALLY with her Daddy.

2.5 months

6 months

10 months

11 months

I don't get to capture it on film too often since it's usually without warning or notice but Claire is a super  loving little girl.  She'll wrap her arms around you at any given moment and bury her head into your chest with a nice big hug or pat your head and say "ahhhhh" or give you a nice open mouth kiss to your arm or leg or blow kisses without being prompted.  Those are by far my favorite moments. :)

Claire has taught me so much this past year.  She's taught me that those everyday moments are what's really important in life.  To surround yourself with those that you love, to play, laugh, and to take advantage of every minute you can (even if that means skipping naps as she does all too often).

She's also confirmed what I always knew, that she has SUCH an amazing father.  Seeing Patrick with Claire and the way he takes such good care of her...and me...blows me away everyday.  And if you've ever seen the way she looks at him, you can tell Claire thinks the world of him....just as I do.  

She's an amazing little girl who has brought so much love and joy to those lucky enough to know her.

We love you more than you'll ever know.  Happy Birthday Peanut!!

2 days old

1 year old