Since the last post, Laura has started standing on her own, even taking a couple of steps, but is not quite ready to start walking regularly. Her first words are "What's that?" as she points to something. She is such a darling. She loves to snuggle with mom, and big sister can always be counted on to get Laura laughing.
Laura continues to eat like a horse, easily eating twice as much as Claire. Her 1 year stats are: height 30.5" (84%), 18.9 lbs (16%) and 16% for head size. So basically she is tall and skinny. We had her first year photos done this week, I will post them when we get them. We had to go twice, because someone didn't nap the first time and was miserable.
Claire continues to develop and grow. She is going to be a great role model for Laura. FINALLY, she is starting to use the potty. No accidents in the last two days. She is also starting to come out of her shell and is interacting more with kids in the neighborhood. On Saturday we are having Claire's birthday party at the bounce house. It is all she can talk about, "and don't forget my birthday cake"! There will be about 10 of her friends there as well. I'll post photos from that event as well.
Claire is becoming fluent in Spanish, according to our wonderful nanny. Luzma says she only speaks Spanish to Claire and Claire responds in Spanish. When we speak to her in Spanish, Claire barks like a dog, woof, woof. I didn't think our accents were that bad.
I've started using a CPAP machine, like my mom, and my brother will soon join us. Admittedly I am less tired during the day, but there is one annoying side-effect. I wake up every morning feeling like the
Michelin Man, completely bloated with air. 30 minutes of blurbing and passing gas, and blaming Claire, I am back to normal. "Claire did you just fart?", [Claire laughing] "No Daddy, that was you" .
Well, I will try to get back on track with the posting.
The girls continue to bring such joy to our lives. Laura is starting to mimic many gestures she sees and words she hears. From "What's that?" to barking like Kayla, she is a hoot. And she is super mobile now, walking out of our sight when ever possible. She seems to be drawn to the stairs like iron filings to a magnet. To the right is a photo Luzma took at her house. Maybe she will have Laura potty trained before she is 2. 
Claire is the pee-pee on the potty champion. Accidents are becomeing increasingly rare. At times it seemed like this day would never come. She has taken to saying the funniest things. The other night I was rocking Laura just before her bed time and Claire comes in the room and announces that she has to check her email. Or reminds me that I need to charge her iphone (yes she has one) over night so she can watch Caillou in the morning. She has really taken to her baby sister in a protective way - unless Laura is playing with something Claire wants. Laura will be the rough and tumble one. It is only a matter of a few weeks when the girls will have their first and only first cousin, as my brother and Taya are expecting soon. We are taking the girls to Canada in the summer to meet their new cousin. Speaking of which, I need to get Laura a passport, pronto!
