Claudia hasn't been taking naps. She is very happy to go to bed at night. However, she pretty much shuts down around 5:30pm. We had people over last night and she was very tired.

Aunt KA came over for awhile and had big fun with Claudia. Apparently they played with ALL the toys and climbed on EVERYTHING.

Claudia is learning new words. She says snack now. She can also roar like a lion.

Claudia has been sick and tired this past week. She had the stomach flu and has been fairly miserable. She is shutting down around 6pm each night. However, she has been an excellent patient. Kasey got sick at the beginning of the week as well.

Claudia can walk if I hold both hands now for about 5-10 steps. She is a crawling/climbing maniac when she feels good (see video below).

Claudia and mommy get caught in a tube.

New Haircut.

Claudia got her first haircut today. She isn't nearly as shaggy. Kasey said she did just great at the place.

As you can see by our map we got a click in South Africa (thanks Shelly and Susannah). There are at least 20-30 of you who log in here every day. Lets work on those other blank spots.

We are watching her "language" expand very fast. She has another 5 or so "words" in the past week. She has added 2 more signs, although we can't figure out what they mean yet. She is getting much better with "hot". Or "hhhhhhhhhhhhhhoht". She is doing "all done" with her whole body. We will try to tape it. Its very cute.

Claudia wants to thank all of her friends who came to her party. She had a great time. She was real tired, but she held up. She found the fact that everyone was playing with her toys to be very curious.

Claudia has a friend named Lauren. Lauren likes cake!

Many of you log in here everyday and we really appreciate it. We are also convinced you need something to do. If you look at the clustrmap on the right there are many blank spaces. If we can use our network to get some more red dots that would be fun. Good luck. Anyone who gets Africa gets a prize.

Claudia did great at her one year appointment. She was a trooper for all the shots and blood work. Sat thoughtfully for most of it. Today we went to Fairfield to hear Mr. Kurt and had a great time for lunch. Groovy's in Fairfield. We recommend!

Claudia has her big one year doctor appointment tomorrow. She has been eating much better so we think her weight will be better than last month. Claudia had sushi when we went out last week! It was a sweet potato roll. She loved it. Mommy wouldnt touch it.

Her Winnie the Pooh party is this Sunday. A few little and big friends are coming over for a short party. I think she will have fun. We will probbaly go to see Mr. Kurt play his drums in Fairfield on Saturday. Claudia loves listening to music. And she is starting to play the drum her grammy gave her much more. Uh-oh. Maybe we will bring her little keyboard so she can sit-in with the band.

She loves watching all the videos of people we have on the computer. She would sit on my lap for hours watching them. If you have a digital camera send us a short video clip.

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.