2 Months

Julie, Jewel, Jewels, Juju, Jujie...Julie Emma- we call you by so many names you must be so confused! You do seem to recognize and respond with a smile, though, no matter what we call you! You are growing so fast- getting bigger, cuter, and more alert every day. You are so laid back you seem to enjoy all things and activities- even tummy time! But you do seem extra interested and focused when there are exciting toys hanging above you. Its so funny to watch you stare at a toy...stare at your hand...stare back at the toy...then take a swing at it. My favorite part is the surprised/scared look on your face when the toy clinks and jingles back in response.

You are very easy going and happy about almost anything except for one thing...

While pregnant, I was so excited and had so much fun making bows and headbands for you to wear and you don't like wearing them! After about 5 seconds of me putting a headband on, you give me your warning pouty face. Then, I have another 5 seconds before you start to cry! Your little pouty face is pretty stinkin cute though!

Another favorite activity is laying on the quilt Grammy made for you!! Ok- so you probably don't really notice or appreciate it as much as you should, but you do enjoy it. This quilt was well worth the wait- its so intricate and beautiful. Grammy- you out did yourself with this one. Thank you!

Goggles

Lizzie went to her little friend's Little Mermaid Birthday Pool Party and enjoyed one of the last warm days of the summer season. The swimming, cake, presents, and food was all very exciting, but I think Lizzie's favorite part of the evening was when she found her friend's pair of goggles on the side of the pool.

She ran over to Dave and screamed, "Look Daddy!!! Glasses!!" She was even more pleased when he put them on her. It was very suprising but she actually kept those silly looking goggles on for a reeeally long time! We had to pry them away from her when it was time to go home.
Dave and I got alot of laughs just looking at her. Maybe we should buy her a pair to wear around the house. I'm sure it would keep us all amused!

Our Family

Currently, there is not a single person in our family who is attending school. Despite this, September still seems like the starting point of a new year, a new beginning. It seemed like a great time to get some family portraits done (thanks Jamie!)


This past year has really been somethin...to say the least. We bought a house, a dental practice, and brought a new little person into our family. These are all high stress events but highly rewarding as well!

We may not be starting school this year, but I'm looking forward to spending another great year with my sweet little family! The past year has been all about change, transition, stress, work, and progression. I can't wait to reap the rewards of that, this year, enjoying a little stability, adjusting, and settling into our new circumstances and family dynamic!

Julie's Baby Blessing

Julie had her baby blessing this past Sunday! It was great to have the family and friends present for this special day, especially my parents from out of town!


Julie looked so precious in her blessing dress- the same dress my mom made for me to wear as a baby, then Lizzie, and now Julie!

Julie- you're a true blessing to our little family! We love you so much!

The Advocate

Julie is lucky to have a big sister who is so interested in her and her needs. Not to say that Lizzie never displays jealous behavior, but for the most part Lizzie is Julie's advocate.
For instance, when Julie is laying on the floor while I'm cooking, Liz will alert me when Julie spits up. The first time this happened, Liz didn't know the term "spit up" so she said, "Uh oh! Baby Julie spilled in the mouth!!"

Every time Julie makes a peep Lizzie will say, "Uh oh! Baby Julie crying!" or "Uh oh! Baby Julie poopy diapy! She's my continual 24/7 Julie status update..."Baby Julie happy!" "Baby Julie smiling!" "Baby Julie sleeping in the bed!"

Her favorite time to interact with Julie is when she's in her bouncy seat. Most mornings she'll lean on the seat with her sister and say, "Good morning baby Julie! Huggies!" Then the smothering will begin.

I'm still trying to work on discouraging the "Identifying Facial Features" game. Its a kid classic- Liz will point and name parts of the face like "ears, nose, mouth"... Its the naming and touching of the "eye" combined with Julie's lack of eyelid reflexes thats most troubling.

Smiles for Grandpa

It was so fun to have Grandma and Grandpa here in town! It was Grandpa's first time meeting little Julie and she loved him! She would stare and stare then give him plenty of smiles and coos. It was a short visit, but we had a great time and the kids especially loved Grandma/Grandpa time of course!

Big Girl

Lizzie is 22 months old going on 22 yrs! She's talking in full sentences and insists on doing everything herself. The desire for independence is strong in this one. Dave and I have really had to step up our game to match Lizzie's increasing skills in the continual battle for control! We've found that we can no longer TELL her to do something...leads to her refusing and trying to push our buttons by doing things like putting her finger in her nose. She'll respond really well though if we ask her to do something with an additional clause like, "Do you want to clean your room and then we will play a game with Lenny?" She'll then run around her room throwing all the toys in the basket and have the room spotless in less than a minute.

The other day I gave Liz a complex set of directions, "Will you go get the white burp cloth for Julie? Its in Julie's room on top of the rocking chair. Then bring it to Mama please!" (wasnt sure if she even knew what a burp cloth was) She continued playing like she didn't understand. So I said, "Go get it fast and I'll play the ABC game with you!" After that she flew out of the room and was back with the burp cloth in about two seconds.

Liz loooves to wear my shoes around the house and she says, "Mama's shoes are too big!" over and over then laughs.

Lizzie: You are right. Mama's shoes are too big for you. Someday, though, that won't be true. You'll be all grown up, probably faster than I'd like.

But, for now you're still my little one year old and i like it that way!