Happy 1st Birthday, Claira!

I've been avoiding this post...mainly because I'm still in disbelief that my baby is a one year old. It doesn't even seem possible that it's been a year since this sweet, tiny baby joined our family. Still, the truth is there looking at me in everything my little lady does these days...whether she's pulling her big sister's hair, stealing Elsie's waffle, banging on the pots and pans, pushing chairs around to get from place to place in the kitchen or smooching on her baby dolls, there's something different about the tiny baby I cradled in my arms a year ago. Her birthday has come and gone now, and I can't help but wish for time to slow down for me to steal a few short moments with my girls and the way things are now. Honestly, their screams, both the squeals of delight and screeching protests, give me headaches, but they also put a smile on my face whenever I watch Elsie and Claira together...two sisters growing up together. It's lovely. I warn you that this may be the most picture heavy post ever.

Newborn Claira:













First Bath!


Claira-1 Month Old










Claira-2 Months Old









Claira-3 Months Old







Claira-4 Months Old







Claira-5 Months Old









Claira-6 Months Old







Claira-7 Months Old







Claira-8 Months Old







Claira-9 Months Old







Claira-10 Months Old






Claira-11 Months Old










Claira-1 Year Old
Her First Birthday Party at Grandma and Papa's House:
She was a bit unsure of the cake at first, and once she really squished her hands into it, she had a meltdown!










Claira's First Birthday at our house:






















I can hardly believe how quickly this past year has gone by. I remember being pregnant with Claira and wondering how our lives would change once she arrived. Elsie and I had our own little thing going on, and it was hard to see how another little person would fit into that. Now, I can't imagine how our little family could be complete without the joy Claira gives us. She's become quite the little character in her own rights. As soon as I found out I was pregnant with Elsie, I started praying that she would have the heart of a worshipper, and that she'd love to honor the Lord through praise, worship, and prayer. Three and a half years later, I can see those prayers alive in Elsie everyday. When I found out I was pregnant with Claira, I started praying that this baby would know the heart of God and speak it forth. I thought for certain she'd be a boy, and I was wrong. When the sonogram told us we were expecting another girl, I knew she'd be one bold little girl, and she certainly is. I can hardly wait to see the plans God has in store for her.