Merry Christmas!

Thanks to Jenny Green for this great idea--it's a for-sure tradition for us now!

Happy Birthday Claire!

In my previous life, I was brainwashed to think birthdays weren't that big of a deal. Why treat someone better one day of the year, when you should treat them good every day? A while ago, I began to realize that birthdays are not just about treating someone special on their day, but about celebrating their birth and life in your own life. So on Monday (and on Tuesday because Rhett was studying all day Monday), we celebrated Claire's one-year birthday. Hooray! I think fondly of her birth story and of the miracle that we still have her in our lives after her little accident. What a joy she is to us (except for on nights when she keeps us up late) . . . (but maybe even then . . .).

Thanks to grandparents who gave wonderful gifts, and a big sister who shared yummy cupcakes, I think Claire enjoyed her special day(s).

My sister--a while ago--had the idea at each birthday to make a video of that child from clips and pictures throughout the year, then give it as one of their birthday presents. I thought it was a great idea, and though Claire probably won't appreciate it now, I think she will enjoy it in the future.

* * *

I spent hours and hours and hours putting it together, adding music, editing clips, transitioning pictures, etc., and now it won't load onto our blog. :(

So for now, just know we had a great celebration and are so happy to have little Claire in our lives!

Pictures at last

The Weather: For a while, we had quite a bit of snow coming. It was beautiful--though a little unnerving to drive in. It's calmed down now and has melted a bit. Here's a picture of what we had. (This is a picture from our balcony.)

Death of the Whip Cream: One night, I was in a hurry trying to get dinner in the oven before we headed down to pick up Rhett from school, and when I turned around, I noticed why the girls had been so quiet:
(This picture was taken before Claire started smearing it all over the carpet and Summer started washing Claire's hair with it.)

Our First Snowman: We had a lot of snow, but it was soooo cold that we couldn't really go outside and play in it. So, Rhett brought some in for Summer and they made Summer's first snowman together. It's miniature in size--we used toothpicks for the arms, but Summer loved it.

The First Taste of Snow: We've all done it--that memorable moment of first tasting snow. Okay, so I can't really remember it, but it would be a cool memory to have--the first time snow melts in your mouth. Claire loves it too. When we'd walk outside while it was snowing, she would throw her head back and let it fall onto her face. It was especially a treat when it landed in her mouth.

Gingerbread Houses: The girls got to make gingerbread houses while Grandma and Grandpa Searle were here, and boy did they love it. Summer would carefully place the M&M's on the frosting, then purposely push it so deep that the frosting would get on her finger. With a smug smile, she would lick her fingers in triumph. She couldn't resist the frosting.

Claire, on the other hand, had a ball just pushing the M&M's into the frosting. Grandma would put the candy on, then help Claire push her finger to press the candy deeper. Claire would laugh and laugh. She loved it.

The Makeover: While Grandpa Searle was taking a nap, Grandma and Summer were doing makeup. I'm not sure if it was Summer's brilliant idea, or a little urging from Grandma, but Grandpa got a makeover too. When he finally opened his eyes, he had globs of mascara in his lashes. We laughed so hard. It's a shame the picture doesn't do him justice.

And we are so excited for our new Barney cousin coming in June!!!

Breaking News II . . .

Summer just led the kids at the gym in ten rounds of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."

Similarities and Differences

Since I haven't had a chance to upload pictures for a while, I've decided to post anyway. Here's a list of similarities and differences about the girls.

Similarities:
*Both girls started going on the potty at age 7 months. (Nothing permanent, but usually once daily they would go when we sat them on it.)
*Both girls got their first teeth at around 12 months. Summer--right before she turned one, and Claire is sooooo close.
*Neither girls were talking much around age one.
*Both girls are small for their ages. The doctors call it "underweight," but we like to call it "petite."
*Both girls started crawling around 5 months and walking at 12.
*Both girls eat frozen peas like candy.

Differences:
*Claire is very cautious. It always seems she has to think about what she is planning on doing--deciding whether it's worth it--then she does it. (Definitely a Brittney-trait.)
Summer, on the other hand, is a risk taker. If it was up to her, she'd probably want to go sky diving for her third birthday. (Definitely a Rhett-trait.)
*Claire is a very content child. She's happy just sitting and looking around. She'll crawl over to me and give me loves all the time and remain in my lap just to cuddle.
Summer is always on the go. She never holds still long enough for more than a 30-second cuddle. She's always running or climbing or jumping around.
*Claire does not like cheese.
Summer loved cheese at Claire's age. She would eat it all the time.
*Claire drinks cow's milk.
Summer never drank cow's milk. She's just barely started drinking a little here and there. Claire's probably had more milk than Summer has her whole life!

Breaking News . . .

* Claire walked all the way from the TV to the couch without falling down--the most steps she's ever taken.
AND
*she sang "Boolah, Boolah," with us. It was more of a "Booyah, booyah," but it was a definite "booyah." So now I don't know whether to say "Owie" is her first word or "Boolah!"