We’re noticing new stages with our girl. She’s sitting up really well right now – still wobbly but much stronger than she used to be. It’s to the point where she is trying to pull herself up from laying down to sitting. She’s not quite doing a full crunch, but pretty close. She’s also reaching for toys and playing while she’s sitting up. I use the word “playing” but our girl is quite serious about her toys and often “plays” with a frown. She’s absolutely her Daddy’s girl and “works” to understand her toys with a wrinkled forehead. The other way she’s her Daddy’s girl is that she’s starting to get a sense of humor and likes to make people laugh. She’s started to understand it’s a good thing when I throw my head back and laugh out loud. It used to scare her a little bit, but now she kind of likes it and has started repeating the thing that made me laugh in the first place. She had me going a couple days ago in the bath tub when she was kicking so hard that water was going over my head. The more I laughed, the harder she kicked. It was so special to see my little girl trying to make me laugh.

One phase that she’s passed now is the raspberry-blowing phase. Raspberries are few and far between these days, so I think it’s safe to say that we’re moving onto other noises. She’s still quite chatty and is experimenting with different pitches and patterns with her voice.

We had a wonderful visit with Grandma T and GranDan. Grandma T spent her birthday playing with Clare all day – I loved it because I got a bunch of work done, and Clare and Grandma T always love spending time together. Clare also met GranDan, and of course enchanted him in minutes. I think it’s safe to say that GranDan has joined the “Clare Adoration Society.”