Dear Claire,

Happy Birthday sweet girl! I am so excited that you are two! What a wonderful year it has been, you have become a full-fledged toddler, hit so many milestones, and developed into a loving, sweet, spirited, caring, opinionated, and adventuresome girl. At times I don't know what to do with you, as you have entered that stage of the *terrible two's* where every lesson is met with a push to test your limits. Although I will be more than happy to see those challenging moments pass, I am also in complete awe of seeing you grow, learn, and develop. You are full of fun and personality, already your own person!

Being two is wonderful for discovering so much about the world around you. You are developing a love for books, and I am so excited about that! You vocabulary is growing exponentially each day, you amaze us by voicing your thoughts into longer and longer sentences. You have a little language of your own too... we love the way you say swim'soup' and {when refering to your My Little Pony} 'Pink-a-pye'. Sometimes you are a little parrot, mimicking your big sister. You are just a little sponge and I pray I am able to foster the growth of your curiosity.

To look back at the past year as a family: We spent last summer on a fabulous road trip to Lake Tahoe and Boise, Idaho. You and Hannah had a wonderful time meeting and spending time with family! September brought Hannah's first day of preschool, where you enjoyed visiting throughout the year, ever asking when we dropped her off "Where Hannah go?". The times she was at school gave you and I a little one-on-one time. I learned of your ability to use your little imagination to play alone or share your games with me. When I started going to the gym regularly in September, you weren't quite sure about the daycare, but after a few rough days you were walking in without even looking back... so independant! For Halloween, we attended Zoo Boo with the Debbas family and you and Hannah dressed up as little witches in tutus. You didn't quite understand trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, but were definitely into the candy! After a wonderful Christmas with Nanny, Poppi, Auntie, Jeff, and GG, we spent a few days in Bass Lake with our good friends the Castigliones. This was your second trip to the snow, and you LOVED it! It was a little tough getting you into the layers of clothing, but once you realized that we could go out and have fun, you were ready to sport the hat and gloves :) The turn of the New Year brought on a challenging time for us as a family... Daddy was unfortunately let go from work, however it allowed for some bonding time for all of us and especially for you and Daddy. This past spring has brought on more changes for us as I have started working in the evenings and photographing on the weekends. You and Hannah have spent more and more time with Daddy and even some time with Nanny, Poppi, and Auntie. Daddy got a new job, and we are again changing as a family as we get used to him being at work everyday.

This summer so far you have enjoyed our little pool and getting in and out of the pool at Nanny and Poppi's house. You enjoy riding your tricycle while Hannah rides her bike. You have started doing your "homework" by writing little scribbles in a drawing book. You enjoy spending time with friends and are getting better and better with sharing and learing to be a kind and gentle friend. You love dressing up and playing imaginative games with Hannah. I pray that the two of you will be as close as two sisters can be. You seem to enjoy playing together, and I am so excited to see your relationship grow!

I look forward to this coming year! I look forward to seeing all you will do and how much you will grow. I can't wait to see that spunky personality of yours develop even more. I pray you will be safe and healthy and continue to grow into the thoughtful, kind and squeezable girl you already are.

God has AMAZING plans for your life! I am so thankful that He chose your Daddy and me to be your parents!

I love you Claire!

Love, Mommy
(6.29.09)