Claire is 3! – Personal – Lebanon, TN Child Photographer

I swore to myself that I would do Claire’s birthday post on her actual birthday, but it appears I’ve missed it already since it’s just after midnight as I write this! Claire turned 3 today, and we’ve been celebrating her all weekend long, with a few more still to come! Every year on this day, I think back to that CRAZY day we had when she was born, complete with tornado sirens at the hospital. Apparently, her birthday is synonymous with weather events as there were tornados the day she was born, and we’ve had snow 2 out of 3 birthdays so far! If you’re new to my blog, weren’t around when I still wrote on my personal page, or haven’t had the pleasure of hearing my birth story, you can read it HERE. I love reading it, and it’s still surreal to me that it all went down the way it did. Now, a liitle about the festivities!

Claire decided she wanted to have her birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. The only problem with this is that she doesn’t want Chuck E. Cheese to come anywhere near her. So…we decided to invite some friends to go with us on Saturday, but didn’t book a party. We got there right after they opened, and they were SUPER accomodating! I’m so glad we went this route! I think Claire enjoyed her time there, although she was a little shy as always. She was so excited about the gifts that she received and opened many of them at the restaurant or in the car! She was exhausted when it was all over, and so was I!!

Her cake was made by our good friend, Elisabeth. She always outdoes herself! Loved it!!

When I asked Claire what she wanted to wear to the party, this was her response: “skinny jeans with my boots, so I can ride that horsey.”

Today is her actual birthday and is usually a day that she goes to Mother’s Day Out. We had plans for cute cupcakes, but instead spent the day at home playing in the snow! Claire usually won’t go out in it, but today she wanted to. She had a blast & helped build a snowman! All she really cared about was that he had a carrot nose though!

Sweet Claire, I fall more in love with you each day. Your personality has really blossomed over the past year, and while it’s very strong and sometimes a little too much like mine, I absolutely love seeing it shine. You amaze me with your memory, your concentration, and your motherly instincts. You keep telling me that we are not done having babies, though I’ve about decided that we are. I would love to see you as a big sister, but I also love seeing you as a little one that still tries to take care of everyone. You have started telling me you are “so sorry” when you do something wrong (even really little things) and it just melts my heart! One of my favorite things that you do is “read” your books. I love listening from afar as you make up stories to go along with your many books. Tonights story had something to do with Jesus, Smiley, and a unicorn :). Although you rule the roost at home, you are very shy and often just stare at strangers in public. It surprises me sometimes because I know what a little pistol you are. I love it when you let your guard down around others and they get to see the real you! They are always shocked by your vocabulary and the things you say. I say you’re 3 going on 15, and I mean it. You are totally obsessed with fake tattoos, nail polish & lip gloss. I have a feeling we’re going to be in BIG trouble one day not too far away! My hope is that I can raise you to be a strong, caring & confident young lady that loves God and her family. I am so thankful to be your momma and I love watching you grow….just slow down a little bit!!

Edited to add: Annalee’s little girl is 1 day older than Claire & she has the CUTEST blog! She interviewed Adelaide for her birthday post, and I copied her & asked Claire some of the questions & thought it would be good to record them here!