Claudia is one year old!

This time last year Kasey had the same picture, but Claudia wasnt here yet. About this time last year we were going for a walk with Abby, Claudia would start arriving later that night, then stretch it out until noon the next day.

Grammy and Aunt Susannah arrive soon. Judy and Stuart are coming for dinner and then tomorrow is a small family dinner for Claudia. She has invited some wee ones over in Janaury for a Winnie-the-Pooh party.

Claudia had big fun at the Zamary's last night, but got real tired so she wasn't her normally bubbly self. She has been sleeping real good, but is completely overwhelmed. She is saying several new "words". We are pretty sure she is adding "dog" (which she says a lot at the dog park) and "Pooh" for her favorite Winnie.

She absolutely loves watching videos on the computer of her friends and relatives. So if you are a far flung correspondent we'd love you to send us a 20-30 second hello to Claudia on a CD or email. Have your face fill the screen and wave a lot and say your name a few times. We hope this helps her remember some of the people she doesnt see everyday. It seems to work.

Claudia had a great Christmas. She has been very patient with everyone. I think she needs a few days off before her birthday. She is really thankful for all the gifts that she got from around the world. Tomorrow will involve setting up a lot of things and finding a place for everything. Grammy and Aunt Susannah arrive for a second round of Christmas presents and birthday celebration on Wednesday.

Claudia had a great time at the Kopec's for Christmas Eve. She stayed up way late and is in bed, for now. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Claudia's birthday is on Thursday and it has been interesting to look back over the year using this blog. It has worked better than we expected in keeping people informed about Claudia. Its saved a lot of time and money making pictures. And its a great scrapbook. I find in school kids will log on and slowly weave their way backwards or forwards through the year.

You can see by the map on the right that a lot of people visit Claudia here on her blog. We get about 30-40 different "regulars" visiting each week. We know this blog is read by lots of school children and teachers, former students, and friends and family. But we also have lots of "mystery readers". We can't figure out who is reading us every week in Iowa, for example.

We ask that you all send Claudia a "birthday card" by leaving a comment on this entry. Who are you, where are you from, etc...It will be fun to read them back to her each year. It will also be fun for "the community" to read.

It wont be long until she is typing these entries herself.....

Claudia is becoming quite the active piano player. She likes to play everyday and loves to listen to Mommy play. Abby likes to listen as well.

Claudia says Happy Holidays!

Claudia has been a barrel of laughs lately. She is really enjoying everything. She is starting to "tell" little jokes. Especially at Mommy's expense.

Yesterday Claudia made lots of candy with her Grandma and Kasey. She had lots of fun.

We have finished all the shopping for her birthday as well and I made her special present in the workshop. Grammy and Aunt Susannah are coming for her birthday and we hope to see lots of family and friends over the next few days.

This is one of the funniest videos yet. Claudia loves to count.

Claudia has been quite busy. Friday she went to see Amahl and the Night Visitors where her friend Karolina was singing. She enjoyed it very much. She also saw the holiday show at WCSU which she thought was spectacular.

Claudia also helped put up her christmas tree. She had big fun with this and really enjoyed putting up the lights. We also went out for Mexican food and Claudia really enjoyed listening to the guitar players. I think we should hire them for her birthday party.

Claudia is talking more and more. She definately says hi, bye, and baby. She also probably says whoo, ghost, daddy, and Abby. We think she is signing "more" and I think she signs a few others, but we havent figured it out yet.

She is watching Elmo on the DVD right now. Its the funniest thing she has ever seen. She is a pretty happy kid.

Claudia has had big fun with her grandpa!

Grandpa is here!

Claudia went to get her Christmas tree today. She also called her grammy so she can practice saying hi. She had fun with that. She called and left a message with her godmothers in Boston. Claudia loves the phone. We can definately say hi and baby now. Baby applies to just about any dog or baby. (I think she might be saying baby AND Abby, but I'm not sure). We also say "ghost" and "hi daddy". Or "hidaddie".

This week her grandpa arrives for a few days from Las Vegas. Very exciting.

Claudia likes playing with her friend Winnie.

Claudia is eating much better, but sleeping a bit worse. She is climbing on everything right now. Claudia also says "Gelukkige verjaardag aan Judith en Gelukkige Sinterklaus aan Huib en Nore". Hopefully soon we can all get together.

Claudia had a great thanksgiving seeing all her relatives. She had many fun walks and we think she is eating better after about 8-10 days of not really eating. She was very good at Thanksgiving meal and other meals and had very good manners. She also travelled very well. Of course, Abby was great as well.

Claudia made lots of progress on the steps and was starting to stand up a bit. She's getting a lot stronger.

Claudia is enjoying her Thanksgiving here in Pennsylvania. Her Great Uncle Mark and Aunt Joan came in from Illinois to see her for the first time. Claudia had a great time dancing with Uncle Mark this morning while they watched the parade. Tonight there should be 11 people for dinner.

We arrived last night after a rather difficult and long drive. Claudia actually ate some food (she has not been eating)-- especially when Uncle Tyler helped. She seems to be slowly on the mend.

Claudia climbed stairs today! Video to follow when we get back to broadband connection at home. She is very excited.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. We have been checking the tracker on this and are amazed that this blog is viewed all over the world. If you read regularly please leave Claudia a message. She likes reading mail.

Claudia and Abby worked hard cleaning the yard yesterday. They are a good team. Claudia is having a bit of trouble with a new tooth. We also need to get her back on a good rest schedule. She also enjoying our hikes.

Rainy day....

Claudia is a good eater. Enjoy the video.

While this is kind of a newsletter for friends and family its also a scrapbook. We encourage you to leave comments for Claudia to read in later years.

Claudia enjoyed watching her friend Mr. Jack run in the NYC marathon today (4:13: unoffical time =3:59). She followed his progress on the internet. She also enjoyed watching Lance Armstrong run an amazing 2:59.

She also had a very fun conversation with her Aunt Susannah. Claudia likes talking on the phone.



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Claudia was a big hit at the XC State Open. Claudia also had a great time with her grammy visiting. They had big fun.

Claudia keeps looking out the window for grandma so she can show

her the new trick she does with her juice.

Claudia went to a halloween party and had fun with her friend Rebecca. Claudia can't wait to be able to walk around.

Claudia's grandma comes to see her on Monday for Halloween. Everyone is very excited. Claudia also has a doctors appointment this week to check everything out.

Claudia is crawling everywhere and pointing at everything. She can finally kind of tell us what she wants (especially when she is eating).

Claudia went to a cross country meet today. She had a real good time, but she didnt like sitting on the grass too much.

Click here to visit video on YouTube.

Claudia is starting to stand by herself. She can't get there by herself. But she can stand for awhile and have some fun. She has had a good week which included time for her cousin Jack's birthday where Aunt Patty gave her lots of Cheerios. Claudia was amazed because they are by far her favorite food. She tried to tell everyone about it.

Tomorrow we have swimming lessons and tonight we are all going out for dinner. Claudia always has good manners when we go out. She likes to sit and look at everyone.

Miss pumpkin went pumpkin shopping.

Claudia had a real good time at her friend Lauren's birthday party. She played very well with everyone, especially her new friend Kate. She came back home and wrote this song about the experience. Click here to view it.

She also had this to say to Melanie ---¡Gracias Melanie, el alimento y la bebida en el partido era excepcional!

Click here or click play to see video of Claudia crawling for the first time.

Time to babyproof everything.

Claudia went to the Tribury Bike Ride today with the whole family. Both parents rode in the ride and Claudia was there to cheer us on. Tonight Claudia went to the big town fireworks which she enjoyed very, very much.

Claudia had her 9 month check-up today and she did pretty well. She is not growing much at all so we have been told to feed her like crazy and come back in a month for a weight check. Everything else checked out well. We have to watch her teeth a bit as they come in (they are coming in very fast).

She is a real good girl.

¡Hola a todos mis amigos españoles!

Click here to see video of Claudia reading.

Click here to see video of Claudia laughing.

Claudia is enjoying reading a whole lot. Especially if she turns the pages herself. Each time she turns the page she leans forward and lets out a grunt/laugh. She really likes photo albums because they are easy to turn.

We think she is starting to talk a bit. But we aren't really sure. She is definately hearing her name, and "responding". She is also doing a bit of "singing" when the opera channel is on. We are going to hook up my keyboard on the floor so she can use it easier.

Her swimming lessons have been going well, but she hasnt really enjoyed them too much the last few weeks. I think she gets a little cold. She likes them best when we have our rubber ducky. She is starting to kick a bit (frog kicks).

Claudia visited Boston today for her godparents housewarming. They have a very nice house and everyone had a good time. Claudia rode with her Aunt Mary on the trip and did very well.

Claudia visited the Bethlehem Fair last night. Notice her excellent technique on the merry go round. She holds on very tight. Looking to her inside shoulder....