4 and so much more

Claire is 4 today - our miracle baby who owes her life to her sister who was so wonderful we knew we needed another; who owes her life to her mother who was too stubborn to let a scary first pregnancy keep her from trying again; who owes her life to her father for getting up to feed her night after night for so many months; who owes her life to the people who make baguettes and 7-Up - the only two things her mother could keep down for 34 weeks.

Claire is forthright, confident, entertaining, easygoing, sensitive, and generous, to name a few. She notices other people's feelings with concern and often says exactly the right thing to comfort, cheer or encourage. Her little hands are so graceful and coordinated. Her curly hair is always a big mess and we leave it that way rather than pull on it every day. She is whimsical in her play - making wings and capes and hats out of whatever she picks up. She looks up to her sister, but also loves to tease her. When she farts she says "Pardon me!" When she makes a mistake she says "I'm sorry, it's OK, right?" She can't bear to be in trouble. Claire has a lot of nicknames: most often Clairie, bunny, missy magoo, and noodle.

Claire has a love affair with fruit, and we always worry she'll eat so much she'll give herself a stomachache but that never happens. Gone a pint of blueberries or boysenberries, a dozen strawberries, slices and slices of watermelon, and she is perfectly fine.

Claire's daily schedule is pretty boring for a little one - lots of time with a busy mom. She plays with the bubbles when I do dishes and enjoys her TV time while I do freelance work. We do get out every day whether for work or fun and she is a good companion and lunch date. She loves to go to Trader Joe's and help shop. She also loves Vietnamese pho and any variation of rice and beans. She takes a nap after lunch and when she wakes up her sister is home and the homework, dinner, bath time, bedtime routine begins. Claire can dress herself and put on her own shoes, butter her own bread - although she lays it on super thick, ride her bike with training wheels and pick up her own toys if pestered. She is also trying to write her name. Claire draws the sweetest happy faces - now with bodies that always look like they are dancing. She has been saying very long prayers since she has started going to Primary on Sundays, but she won't close her eyes and often laughs through the whole thing.

Claire likes knock knock jokes and listening to mommy practice for choir in the car. She requests her favorites and then we move on to the rest. She is eager for the first of our peas to grow so she can eat them all. Pretty soon she is going to preschool and she is definitely ready to participate in all the fun crafts and recess she has watched Audrey do for so many years. She still has a sensitive respiratory system, but is doing well and we pray and pray she has gotten over the worst of it.

Claire has a tender heart but is also easily comforted. A kiss and a hug go a long way. She wants us to be proud of her and reports her accomplishments reliably. She has a cheerful and peaceful presence and makes our home a happier place. She has gotten so tall it is hard to pretend she is still a baby, also she insists she is not a baby, but her cheeks are still nice and chubby and she sleeps in a little ball. Holding her hand is pure joy.

We love Claire so much and are trying to soak up every moment.


Claire the night she was born.

A few weeks later.

First smile - about 6 weeks later.


One year old.

Two years old.

Three years old.

Four.

Good Morning!

A couple of weeks ago I got up with the girls and instead of throwing cereal and milk at them I told them to get their shoes and coats on and come with me for an adventure. They weren't sure they wanted to leave their toys and the predictability of Saturday morning at home, but I convinced them, and we got out the door without waking up Mark. We stopped by McDonald's and bought a few McMuffins and OJ and then drove to the beach. Rain was in the forecast, but there were only a few clouds in the sky. We played tag and dug in the sand and the girls traversed the new sitting wall. The sky was such a beautiful blue and the waves were turning over like machinery - sleek and silver - and crashing so loud. You can see a few of them behind the girls. They had so much fun and maybe next time they will hop to when I say we're going out for an adventure. The rain did come and I was so glad we'd filled up on sunshine before it did.

Valentine's Day - better late than never

We went to the Los Angeles flower mart for Valentine's day and Mark bought me some gorgeous orange tulips. It was one of those days when I dressed myself and Claire exactly alike and did not notice until we had left the house. But I don't mind. After the flower mart we went to Greenblatt's - a Jewish deli we love - and stuffed our faces with pastrami and pickles (our idea of romance, I guess). Fabulous, just fabulous.