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We all did the "Marathons of Hope" - which was actually a walk for us to support the Park Nicollet Cancer Center last weekend. We didn't make it through the whole route - as there was a playground in the middle that Alley got stuck at for a while. But it was a fun event with coworkers, their families and even a few patients.

Claire still isn't saying much - but has finally used the sign language words "MORE" and "MILK" a few times. I really hope she picks up more sign language because she it doesn't seem like she is going to talk any time soon and gets so frustrated and realizes that a high pitch scream is just as affective as talking.

Growing bigger

Claire still loves to eat! She had her one year old checkup and she is 21 lbs 11oz - which is actually only 60th percentile - but almost 3 lbs bigger than Alley was at this age. She's pretty tall 70th percentile and still has a big head 97th percentile!

She is very active- getting into everything. She keeps climbing up the stairs and trying to gracefully go down - but has tumbled down a few times- somehow that doesn't deter her though. She is now cruising the furniture and walking behind push toys, but doesn't walk on her own. She did however pull herself up and open the shower door this morning. She then slipped and caught the edge of her eyebrow on the metal edge coming down. It bled quite a bit and we were afraid it would leave a big scar. She fortunately avoided stitches but did get Dermabond (the super glue stuff).

Still partying

We really had a great time in Fargo on Claire's birthday. We started the weekend by seeing her great Aunts and Uncles on her mom's side in Valley City and Jamestown. Then the big party on Sunday Aug 17th. She was a little overwhelmed by all the presents. Fortunately she had her sister and cousins to help her. Alley and Claire had a rare moment of playing together putting a puzzle together that Grandma Erlys gave her. Otherwise, Alley pretty much believes all of Claire's new toys are just for Alley to use. I got all the kids balloons and Claire thought they were pretty neat to look at- but not so much touch. We finished the vacation by going to Grandpa Alley's lake place where Claire got a little sun.

She was lucky enough to have 2 more parties all in honor of her first birthday. At daycare they had cupcakes and all the kids "signed" a card for her. The week after her birthday it was our turn to host the ECFE picnic - so we went to the park across the street, played on the playground, ate hot dogs and beans and of course cupcakes. Claire was worn out by all the partying though by the end of the night.

CLAIRE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

Claire enjoyed her first birthday. She enjoyed opening her presents:

She did not like the elephant wash cloth and book Dad and Mom gave her:

The cake seemed to make up for it:

So much to do!

Claire liked getting down and dirty with the chalk, as she helped Alley color on the sidewalks.

" Mom - there's a waterfall over there! Why are you looking that way - there's a waterfall over there!" - If she could only talk - we all went to the Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, which neither Rob and I had been too- living here all these years.

Just plain exhausted from all the excitement and all the growing up she is having to do lately.

This week we are weaning her from bottles and turned her carseat around for the first time tonight. I have a feeling it isn't going to be so easy to wean her from the pacifier.

Just imagine how tired she will be after the big birthday party on Sunday - number 1!

Climbing to new heights

Claire has started climbing the stairs and made it to the top of the 14 high stairs. She is pretty fearless though, so you have to stand behind her. She easily pulls herself up and even took some very akward steps pushing the Bumbo chair.

She is almost one - but still seems like such a baby to me. Lots of cute fat rolls still and still likes to cuddle. We are excited to celebrate Claire's birthday in Fargo with all of the Grandparents, Robs sister and my brother who is flying in from South Carolina. It is hard to know what to get her - except maybe something of her own - since she has had mostly hand-me-downs from Alley most of her life.

No significant words yet - I tought I heard her say "Mommy" the other day, Rob thought she said "Thank you" - and daycare thought she said "ball" and "All done". She likes to clap spontaneously and shake her head no to everything.

Feed me!

Claire is certainly a good eater! She eats better than the picky 2 year old that Alley is. Claire hasn't learned patience though and becomes quite vocal when she is getting hungry. I am trying to teach her a few signs in sign language like we did with Alley - but she so far just gets frustrated - almost saying Just Feed Me Already!

She is however starting to use her hands for clapping and trying to figure out a wave - so far she just puts her hand up in the air. No real words yet - a lot of babble - Ba, mamamama, Heyah.

She is pulling herself up on furniture but hasn't lean to cruise or walk along beside them. She is quite the crawler though and quickly is off if you don't watch her. She finds her sister very neat and wants to do everything her she is. I anticipate some fights in our future, as Claire at her young age has figured out how to throw temper tantrums - mostly over a sought after toy.