Happy Birthday to Clara!!!

        

I know this post is late...shame on me! This doesn't mean I don't love my precious niece, Clara, I've just been busy.  Well Clara turned one. I can't believe it! I feel like it was just yesterday when Janelle and Gavin headed to St. Vincents to deliver their precious baby girl.  In fact, every time I hear a certain song by George Strait I get teary eyed because it reminds me of Clara.  The song, "I Saw God Today" by George Strait came out around the time Clara was born.  I'll always have a special place in my heart for that song because of her.  I remember Gavin saying he played it for them on the way to the hospital, and I nearly cried then too! If you would like to hear this special song follow this link...http://countrymusic.about.com/od/audiovideo/a/ISawGodToday.htm

Every niece and nephew is special in different ways.  Jack is special in that he is my little "frog." I fell in love from the moment I laid my eyes on him.  He was also the first born in the family so he was special in that way.  Clara is special because she is our little girly girl in the family.  She definitely takes after her mommy! I can already see the future shopping trips now-Gavin watch out! ;-) Clara is such a sweet baby.  She loves to coo, loves to observe, and she loves seeing her family.  She has developed the cutest faces lately! I love when I walk in to a room and smile at her because she smiles so big that her cheeks get squished and her mouth is huge! One of my favorite things to do with her is put her to bed. I always tell her how much I love her, and she is such a miracle baby! I don't know if a lot of people know about this, but when Janelle went for her visit to find the gender, they found a slight abnormality on her ultrasound.  The doctor saw something on the umbilical cord that looked concerning so they had them to a special ultrasound at UAB.  I knew in my heart that everything was going to be ok, and that Clara would be a perfect baby, but no matter what it is natural to be scared.  Thankfully God had everything under his control, and on February 26th of 2008 Clara Rae Ball was born 100% healthy.  Hunter and I are so very lucky to have the love of Jack and Clara.  We know we aren't ready for kids, but having them in our lives makes us better people.  

Here are some pictures from Clara's party! Janelle's mother-in-law, Cassie, water colored the most precious invitations.  It was a ballerina themed party that was "tutu" cute!