Look out... Crawling ahead

23 Weeks Old

Here's what I think of that!

Exersaucer

The effort of decoding the instruction manual to put this together was worth it. She entertains herself for 10-15 minutes at a time, which translates into 1/4 of dinner prep, 1/2 of a load of laundry folding or, best of all, 2/3 of a shower!

Ode to the Ceiling Fan

22 Weeks Old

Daddy's magic

Peek-a-boo

Where is Clara?

There she is!

21 Weeks Old

We took a trip to Michigan to wish Grandma and cousin Ben a "Happy Birthday."

Then Clara and I went to Orlando and Tallahassee to go to Auntie Emmy's harp recital. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so the above picture is all the proof I have of our trip until someone shares their pictures with me (hint, hint).

To tide Grammy over...

20 Weeks Old

Sitting silly,

Sitting sweet!

Dressed for a trip to the beach!

By the bear,

Sunshine on her golden hair.

Sitting and singing

Easter

Clara was going to wear the beautiful smocked dress and bonnet that Great Grandma gave her (pictured in the Florida post), but we had a cold snap. This frock was mine. My mom saved it for me and I just brought it home from Florida. Thank goodness we had a chilly weekend - a June baby born in Chicago and November baby born in Houston are not likely to be able to share clothes very often!

Visit to Florida

Clara's first visit to Florida was full of love,

smiling faces,

and taking a bath in odd, new places!

Clara Suzanne Polderman, daughter of the King

On February 17th, Clara was baptized as a sign of God's covenant promises to His people and as our response to His faithfulness to all generations. We were blessed to have Clara's Great Grandpa and Grandma, Grandpa and Grandma, Grampy and Grammy, Uncle Geoff and Aunt Rachel, and Aunt Emily all acknowledging and celebrating this occasion with us. A special detail was that Clara's gown was made from my mother's wedding dress - a new heirloom!

Although I was baptized upon public profession of faith, I have seen how God worked through my family to draw me to Himself and to protect me from many snares. This post expresses in many ways why I have been more and more convinced that the gift of the covenant is not only for us, but also for our children: http://taylorwest.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-beautiful-baptism-our-children.html

I thank God for the heritage of faith that He has blessed us with and pray each day for Clara, that she will claim God's promises for herself and that we, her human parents, may be used by God as a path, and not a stumbling block, to her Heavenly Father.