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.