It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve updated, so I thought it was time for me to sit down and actually spend some time writing about sweet Clara.

The months leading up to her second birthday were exciting because I absolutely love celebrating her birthday. Aunt Crystal came to visit, just like last year, and we were thrilled to have her here again. We celebrated Clara’s birthday with neighbors and friends and took off to DC the next day. Crystal got to do a little exploring, and we all had a pretty good time despite the freakishly cold weather. We had pea coats on! In March! Not weird for some parts of the country, but definitely weird for Virginia.

Clara wasn’t talking as much as I thought she would be by the time her birthday rolled around, and I of course worried more than I probably should have. She was communicating just fine but wasn’t putting two words together very often (which is the milestone for 2 year olds). Then Mother’s Day came around, and we were out to brunch. Clara was eating a scone with honey butter. Once the scone was gone, she was just eating the butter. And hey, we totally let her because she was (then) in the fifth percentile for weight. When it was time to go, I moved the butter so I could wipe her off. She very clearly said “more butter.” I was thrilled. Less than a week later, she was saying three word sentences like “sit down, Mommy.” Now, she’s saying five or more word sentences like “brown eyes on Abby dog.” It is crazy how fast it changed, and I feel like a fool for worrying so much (typical).

Now that she is talking nonstop (except around strangers; she’s still so shy), Eric and I have actual conversations with her. It kind of blows my mind. She has such a great memory, too. Last week, Clara and I met my friend Nicole and her family in Newport News. We went to the Virginia Living Museum and saw dinosaurs, turtles, and plenty of other animals. Clara is still talking about it, saying things like “see turtles, see dinosaurs, see friend Char Char (Charlotte) and mommy.” She’s also been talking about our trip to Alabama last month. Pretty much anytime we get in the car now, she says “short car ride,” and we assure her we will not be making another drive that long again anytime soon. She frequently asks to go to the mall to see the train and to go on a “mall walk.” I just love hearing her sweet voice.

She’s gotten so tall, especially the past few weeks. She also learned how to open door knobs, so that’s been fun. I have to remember to take my keys outside if I run out to the garden because she’s also learned how to lock the door.

Some of her favorite things right now include: running fast, Hello Kitty, Mooshka dolls, books (always), looking at pictures on our phones, trains, dinosaurs, being outside, helping us cook and helping start the washer and dryer. This is such a fun age, and we are having a blast with her. It’s so amazing to see the little person that she’s become and to see her personality shine through more and more.