. . . and she’s 18 months old!!

Clare is officially 18 months old, and has more personality than any of us 4 combined.

Oh my does she demand attention. She is our 90-mile an hour girl. She is into everything, not so content with her toys, wants to run and jump and climb and play. She loves the outdoors.

She will do anything for a laugh and loves to entertain. We tease that she’s practicing for her role as an evil temptress with her laugh. It sounds so sinister.

She wants to be everywhere the big kids are, doing everything they are doing, well aware of their activities, and what fun they might be having. It’s miserable for her when they are doing school and aren’t paying attention to her. In fact, this past week she resorted to “yelling” and throwing things at Michael trying to get his attention. I’m certain she hoped he would stop and pay attention to her. He’s her most favorite playmate. I’m so proud of Michael that he wasn’t deterred…he had serious motivation this week to finish his school work before noon.

Clare is on top of everything. She watches and listens and mimics everything. Thankfully, her brother and sister are fantastic role models! We were with friends this past week and it was well past her naptime. I happened to mention that I should go and get her to bed. However, of course, I continued to sit and talk. It wasn’t long and Clare comes to me holding her jacket, my phone, and my keys that I had laid on the table by the back door. She crossed through three rooms to get them after overhearing me. The little stinker waited until I put on her coat and then waited for me to finish talking.

She was asleep in the carseat before we left the neighborhood! I love her shoe stuck in the crib bars (happens frequently) as she loves to prop her feet up over her head. She has also learned to wrap her blanket around her shoulders and grab the fringe that is seriously deteriorating from her little rubbing fingers. She’s made holes big enough now to fit her wrist into them. How I hope she’ll accept Grandma Lissa’s repairs come March.

Incidentally, this above photo reminds me so much of Katie at this age. I REALLY NEED to pull out pictures of the two and compare them.

Clare “talks” all the time and demands that we respond. She’s fond of screaming “Daaaa” and “Momma” until we acknowledge her. She also knows how to climb up onto the couch, open the drawer of Wii controllers, bring them to me expressing such unlimited excitement, certain that I’m going to let her watch Barney on Netflix. She’ll watch for about 15 minutes before she’s up and playing and distracted with other things.

She’s my little sidekick…following me everywhere. I’ve found she’s old enough now to even begin assisting me in the kitchen. She is quite fond of licking my spoon…any spoon I have in fact.

And today…6 weeks before delivery date…she decides it’s time to potty train. I was in the other room and heard her in the bathroom. Of course, I get up chastising her for playing in the toilet bowl again only to find her straddling the toilet bowl with her diaper on, but apparently trying to poop. I asked her if she wanted to go potty. “Yes. Yes.” I took off her diaper and she proceeded to poop into the toilet. Oh my! Yes. We have arrived. From 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., she had successfully gone 6 or 7 times. This girl who loves attention is in heaven. She hasn’t quite grasped that she has to actually GO into the potty to get her M&Ms though. We’ve had a few crying fits for sure. We’ll see how this week goes. We have a few “out of the house” events and of course full-time schooling, so hopefully I won’t lose my mind. Even more so, I hope that she doesn’t regress when Elizabeth comes. God has a plan, right?! Maybe she will be my easiest one yet. She’s the youngest for sure…never having trained anyone younger than 20 months. Here goes!

We love you sweet girl. We are so thankful for ALL of you; your energy, personality, humor, snuggles, smiles & laughter, and of course your presence. I can’t imagine life without you. I’m hopeful you will fall in love with Elizabeth (after you get over the fact she’s stealing your attention-getting opportunities) and become the best of playmates. I know I’m going to blink and you are going to be sitting at the table schooling with us also. Don’t grow up too fast baby girl! I love you!