The Banks Family: Leaps and Bounds

Claudia is into everything these days. She can completely bomb a room in a few minutes by pulling out every toy she owns. She is always on the move and is getting more brave to try new things. She had her first big tumble when she fell trying to climb up the kitchen drawers and got a bloody lip. She is cruising furniture like a pro and letting go for a second or two to practice her balance. She has 5 teeth and really likes to use them. She likes to bite crackers and cereal, and unfortunately sometimes people. Although she was afraid of hats when she was a little baby, she now really likes them. She especially likes to play the on/off game, but will keep it on if we're in bright sun. She is getting less fussy with me touching her hair and will sometimes let me put a headband on her head or a rubber band in her hair.

She started a new classroom at daycare called Pandas, which is Toddler 1. There are eleven kids in the room and she she has two new teachers, but luckily her favorite teacher from Infants can still come over a bit some afternoons to make the transition easier. Claudia had hip dysplasia as an infant, so she had an X-ray for her 1 year follow-up. She was a champ and held still for the nurse and didn't even cry. The X-ray showed normal development of her hips and she's in the clear for another two years and then will be checked again.

Glen went out of town for the first time since Claudia was born. He had a 5-day muscle conference in Ottawa, Canada. He was very busy and didn't get a lot of sleep, but it was a successful conference and he even won a poster prize for his work on muscular dystrophy. Claudia and I managed better than expected on our own, but we still missed him a lot. He's back in town for a week and then has to leave again for another 5-day conference, this time for gene therapy and being held in Washington D.C.

And last but not least, I celebrated my 2nd Mother's Day. I was still pretty dazed and confused last year, so this year I was more rested and had time to reflect on how much fun this year has been and how much joy Claudia has brought to our lives. We had a really cool weekend too. It was sunny and beautiful in Seattle, so Neely & I took the baby to the zoo on Saturday before we went to pick Glen up at the airport. Then on Sunday, the women in my family participated in the Breast Cancer Network of Strength Walk that Neely organizes for her company. We start at the Seattle Center and then wind down through the market, down to the waterfront, and then back. It was an absolutely perfect day for it and we were supporting a great cause. That afternoon, my dad made dinner for everyone and we had a relaxing time socializing.

I get lots of comments on Claudia's pretty blue eyes and blond hair. She sure is beautiful.