By the Numbers

Mara had her four month doctor's visit which yielded as encouraging news as ever.  Mara has grown 4 INCHES in 4 MONTHS!!  Her doctor couldn't be more thrilled, although the downside of her bionic growth is a condition our doctor has never seen before:  her toes have actually outgrown her own toenails!  Poor thing:  her nails are growing in at the right size but at the top are too narrow for the size of her toe.  It obviously hurts but we just have to wait for them to grow out. 

Clare had to travel to Detroit & Calgary for her work, so she was able to bring Nick and Mara along to visit her grandparents, Aunt & Uncles and cousins.   Here Mara at the airport checking in her baggage.  She is quite the explorer:  loving the airports and airplanes.  All of the passengers and crew commented on how well behaved she is on the plane!

Mara loved seeing her family, and it was particularly touching to see her with new cousins, Alex and John.  Here at her Grandparents and Uncle Ed's house in Detroit.

Cousin John worked at a camp with special needs kids and was really good with her.  John said he loved her smile, said she smiled from the inside.

Another shot with John in her cute winter clothes!

Mara absolutely adores her Auntie Linda, always wanting to talk and play with her.  She took a bath at her Nona's house and ran through the house naked - if only I had captured that to use for future ammunition to embarrass her!

While we were in Detroit, we got to see Clare's first University of Michigan game while Uncle Dan, Cousin John, Nona & Grandpa babysat (and as always Mara behaved like an angel, loving the attention from everyone and playing with the ipad).  To say that Michigan's stadium is impressive is an understatement!

Even while miserably losing to Nebraska, the crowds were insane.

It was fun to tailgate before the game with our rockstar parking space right next to the stadium and thankfully it wasn't too cold.  Clare even tried Alex's wheat free beer!

Here the crew at the game!

After leaving Detroit, Nick and Mara traveled back home (and again, Mara was an angel although her Mommy missed her terribly) and Clare traveled to Calgary.  Calgary was a beautiful charming little town and of course Nick gave Clare fabulous restaurant recommendations.  Clare enjoyed a brisk walk down to the river to enjoy a fabulous meal at the River Cafe.  First squid from Vancouver.

And then smoked ahi with boar proscuitto.

Even being gone for a day, Clare was so happy to be back home with her family and to see Mara.  The first day back Clare and Mara were inseparable.  Here Mara cooking with her Momma making soup in her chef costume, cooktop and utensils that her Auntie Maia, Emily and Sarah gave her - as Mara says "so much fun"!!!

Of course her Granny missed her terribly so the first thing we had to do this past weekend was to visit.  Here Mara and Granny playing the piano together.

Celebrations

Mara experienced her first birthday party other than her own - her Granny's!  At first she was confused that we weren't singing to her but then quickly caught on (helping her Granny open her presents).

Mara is getting much better about eating on her own.  She makes quite the mess (thank goodness for Rosa who helps us clean each week) but it's incredible to think that she was being hand fed baby four months ago!

She is also brushing her teeth more, thanks to watching the other kids at day care and practicing herself.  We still need to take her to a specialist dentist since has "issues" with doctors.  Due to the malnutrition her teeth aren't the best our pediatrician says it's okay since it's only her baby teeth.  

At peace with Biko, playing in bed.  Biko has adjusted beautifully with Mara, realizing that she gets the attention so he gets as close to her as possible.  Now if we could just stop the meowing at 4 am in the morning?!

 

What more can a girl want than muffins and iPad Elmo counting game?  Yes! Singing the muffin man song while you eat!

What's a posting without Mara flaunting her great sense of style.  How many little girls do you know that can rock the rainbow leg warmer look?

This was Mara's first Halloween and it took her a while to figure out what it all meant (thanks to her friend Dora she started to understand quickly).  First came her appreciation for pumpkins (including the one her Mommy carved for her of Dora).  Then, she learned about costumes and candy.  Here dressed as Snow White at her school.

Here with another of her classmates at school.

Her school hosted a Halloween festival, complete with pumpkin patch, face painting and treats. 

Mara's favorite though was the parent who dressed up as Elmo - she fearlessly stalked him throughout the entire festival, demanding to have her picture taken with him!

At first we were going to pass on taking her out trick o treating, since we were afraid she would get scared of the decorations and massive crowds that swarm our neighborhood.  But, when we got home, Mara with her mind of her own, announced that she wanted to put her costume back on and go out!  Here Mom & Mara making their way out into the neighborhood.

Rocking her Snow White costume, complete with pony tails (which Mara calls "pone" tails) and Ugg's.  Too bad Mom had to carry her most of the way!

One final close-up of Mara, compliment of her Auntie Janelle.  She is such a happy kid!  Next week we hope to hear back from the county who are assessing her for special education.  Not only does she continue to have a voracious appetite for food, she also craves learning.  She loves her puzzles, A-B-C's and 1-2-3's.  We want to support her development and also keep her stimulated - hope to hear good things from them!