Saturday, October 20, 2007

Clara Elizabeth at 15 Months


Clara was 15 months last week. I know it doesn't seem like much of a milestone, and this post is going to be the epitome of self-indulgence. Long and picturey. But I feel the need to stop and record exactly the way she is right now, because it seems like she is different every day and her babyness is slipping away.
Clara really wants to communicate with us now. She will nod her head vehemently "yes" or "no" to a question, and if she doesn't understand the answer is always "yes". The kind of yes that would give anyone over age 3 whiplash. She knows about 15 words (or word-like-sounds) and a couple basic signs like "more" and "up" and "bye". I think sometimes this bit of knowledge is even more frustrating than before. She will often make the sign for "more food" when I have nothing to offer, or for "I want up" when she is in the car-seat. And when we can't comply, boy does she get mad. She has a temper that girl and has already started yelling and hitting when she doesn't get her way.
It is already clear to us all how different she is than the rest of our children. For starters, her favorite foods are fruits and vegetables. Honestly, she eats like a rabbit. Cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, green beans, peas, carrots and tons and tons of fruit. Shane and I just stare in amazement. Also, she has this schizophrenic personality where she is cuddling you one moment and smacking you in the face the next. She's can really be a bruiser and takes be tackled by her brothers without a whimper. She has none of the fear or sensitivity of her siblings.

She is still not walking although she can stand alone now and she took her first independent steps last week. However, she is not letting her lack of upright mobility keep her from being more determined and mischievous than I remember any of our other children being.
Oh, and she drives her brother, Ben, crazy. The sound of "Cwara-NO!" rings out dozens of times throughout the day. She's always messing up his toys, turning off his television shows and grabbing his hair, clothes and face. Ben loves his sister though, and really wants to include her in his play. He just becomes frustrated with her more bulldozer like qualities.
I can't help but wonder what kind of child and eventually adult she will become. As much as I would love her to be girly, the signs of a rough-and-tumble personality are already there. We are already fighting the battle of the hair bows. I put them in, and just as quickly she rips them back out with a determined grin. Then she hands them back to me with a look that says "Go ahead. Give it your best shot." And I do.
I have found this hairstyle to be particularly successful though. So much in fact that I almost changed her Halloween costume to "Pebbles".


She has 9 teeth now and I must say that first molar made her a tyrant for a month straight. We got her back to her sweet self for a few weeks and then started in on the next one. It's almost through now. When she's not teething though, she has a mostly very sweet temperament. (ya know, when she's not beating people up). She loves music and the people in her Gymboree class call her "The Dancing Queen" because even though she can't walk, she boogies all the way through class. She also attempts to sing a handful of songs. She is particularly adept at our bedtime song where she sings "Night-Night" to the different members of our family.
It melts my heart every time.



Over all, I have to say...She's a blessing beyond measure.

And if you are still here, reading this til the end, you deserve a gold star, or a chocolate cookie, or something.
Because this was mostly for me. To help me remember.

17 comments:

erin k said...

ok. where's my cookie?

Maybe it was mostly for you, but it was fun to read.

Kyla said...

I don't even need a cookie, this was sweet enough for me! :)

She's so beautiful, Joy.

amy said...

I read the whole thing, and do not require a cookie, but do think a playdate is in order, because I think our young Misses may be soulmates. =)

She's absolutely precious, by the way!

S said...

Awww...she sounds divine.

Amanda said...

Indulge us, so sweet.

Chrissy said...

Joy, she is adorable. I love the Pebbles look! I'm such a picture junkie, I could look at them all day. She is so cute.

Lori said...

I think it is wonderful to write these things down, to help you remember. Because honestly, I don't remember well at all what my boys were like at that age, and I wish I did (although when I look at pictures, it helps take me back). Thank goodness for photographs!!

She is such a doll, and I love the description of her bulldozer-like personality!

Beck said...

What a beautiful girl.
And I love little monthly updates, this shining motherly love.

Lynn Stallworth said...

Clara is a doll! I wish we could see y'all more. I know the boys would love her and she wouldn't be too offended if they pushed her around. They do that with each other so much that they think they can do it to other kids. We're working on that :o) Blake loved a little girl he saw at the mall last week. He was touching her hand and smiling at her. Until she pinched him and he came running to me crying-lol! Sissy-boy!

I really haven't seen her in awhile and can't believe how much more "toddler" she looks. Enjoy those bows while you can! Sounds like Ms. Clara will be replacing those with baseball caps in the near future-hee-hee!

erin k said...

okay, fine, I don't need a cookie.

Oh, and tag...

RAY AND TINA said...

OH JOY SHE IS JUST TOO PRECIUOS!!! I SURE MISS U GUYS. WE'VE ONLY SEEN EACHOTHER WHAT, ONCE THIS YR SO FAR. THAT'S SAD. AS FAMILY WE REALLY SHOULD SEE EACHOTHER MORE. I HATE THAT DADS NOT HERE. EVERYTIME HE CAME WE GOT TOGETHER WHICH WAS MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR. IF WE COULD DO IT THEN WHY CANT WE SEEM TO DO IT NOW? I KNOW OUR BUSY LIVES GET IN THE WAY OF SO MUCH BUT SOMETIMES I GET SO MAD AT MYSELF FOR LETTING IT. FAMILY IS JUST TOO IMPORTANT TO NOT SEE MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR. I MIGHT JUST HAVE TO MAKE IT A POINT TO COME SEE EVERYONE SOON. AND I MEAN IT. ILL JUST HAVE TO CALL YALL UP AND HOP IN MY CAR AND HEAD UP THERE. OFCOURSE ILL CALL FIRST CAUSE THATS A LONG WAY TO DRIVE IF NO ONE IS THERE. (HAHA) LOVE YALL!!!

painted maypole said...

MQ STILL will not keep bows in her hair. We have a drawful of them that we never use.

Christine said...

she's a doll. a perfect little doll!

Catherine said...

Ah...sweet girl! My little guy is 15 months as of yesterday...and I'm trying to hang on to the memories too...

Heather :) said...

I loved reading that! Thanks so much for the update. What a doll! I know that my Claira has 2 personalities as well. Most people see the sweet, adorable, high pitched voice, precious smile Claira and then, then... you can only imagine. Is there something in the name?! ;)

Anonymous said...

That was worth reading through to the end - I know what you mean about wanting to remember. I do my best to squeeze every last drop out of each moment.

Clara is soo cute and I love the 'Pebbles Do'!

thirtysomething said...

God. She is absolutely precious. I LOVE those roley poley arms in the Pebbles picture! And the hair is too cute. Revel in her sweet babyness, show us often! I love to see these pictures, and I know what you mean about watching the fourth, last baby grow into a big kid. There is just something about it.