Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Time sure can get away from us!
I can't believe it's been a years since my last update. Wowzers! I am hoping this post from my iPad goes over ok.
Well, Julia is 3.5 and every bit embracing the terrifying 3's. Oy vey! Independent, sassy, smart, funny, challenging, inspiring and every bit enjoyable. In a few days she will be starting a new school year of preschool and later this year embarking on her first Disneyland trip. That should be enough for a follow up post before another 12 months goes by.
She is somewhere in the neighborhood of 44 inches tall, 43 lbs and wearing a size 6. Petite, she is not -- just overall a tall girl and proportioned perfectly. She has been fairly healthy and hasn't really gotten sick. Knock on wood.
Besides enjoying her new preschool (we moved her in May) she absolutely looks forward to Friday's with Nana and Papa. We are both so thankful she has a good relationship with her grandparents. Gives us a chance to have date night!
I will try to make it back to post first day of school pics and of course, Disneyland too. I am getting ready for a business trip to San Diego for 4 days and I am already missing my family and I haven't even left yet! I know everyone will be fine...FaceTime is all set up and I bought Julia a couple new toys to find while I'm gone. She loves Princess Merida from the movie Brave so I got her a Princess Merida doll so she will be a Brave girl for her Daddy!
Well, Julia is 3.5 and every bit embracing the terrifying 3's. Oy vey! Independent, sassy, smart, funny, challenging, inspiring and every bit enjoyable. In a few days she will be starting a new school year of preschool and later this year embarking on her first Disneyland trip. That should be enough for a follow up post before another 12 months goes by.
She is somewhere in the neighborhood of 44 inches tall, 43 lbs and wearing a size 6. Petite, she is not -- just overall a tall girl and proportioned perfectly. She has been fairly healthy and hasn't really gotten sick. Knock on wood.
Besides enjoying her new preschool (we moved her in May) she absolutely looks forward to Friday's with Nana and Papa. We are both so thankful she has a good relationship with her grandparents. Gives us a chance to have date night!
I will try to make it back to post first day of school pics and of course, Disneyland too. I am getting ready for a business trip to San Diego for 4 days and I am already missing my family and I haven't even left yet! I know everyone will be fine...FaceTime is all set up and I bought Julia a couple new toys to find while I'm gone. She loves Princess Merida from the movie Brave so I got her a Princess Merida doll so she will be a Brave girl for her Daddy!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
How in the world has it been 6 months since my last post??
We're still here, still living life.
Not a lot to post but maybe an update or two. David and I have both been extremely busy with our careers and when we aren't working we are savoring every moment with Julia.
Now to Julia...
This week was her first week of the new school year at Four Seasons Academy. She is in kind of a Junior Pre-K class. It is meant for 2 year old's and is complete with curriculum. She loves her teachers and friends and recently took first place in their Little Caesar's fundraiser!
She turned 2.5 on August 2 -- and wears a 4T in clothes, 8.5-9 in shoes, measures 38.5 inches in height -- and I am sure is a decent weight too...but she won't stand still on the scale and thankfully we've not had to visit the Pediatrician for any reason lately.
Julia's new favorite past time is art. She loves to color, draw, trace and, of course, scribble. She prefers blank paper over coloring books. We bought her an easel as a prize for potty training (more on that later) and she is obsessed with it.
On the July 4th weekend we stopped using diapers cold turkey and I am happy to report that we are completely using the potty for pee pee and poopy! She asks when she needs to go, loves to celebrate her successes, enjoys a story or 3 when on the potty. She prefers the big toilet (with a seat insert) over the portable potty, but we do pull out the portable potty when we can tell she is too occupied to make the trip to the bathroom. Julia's teachers have been an integral part of her success and we are so grateful for their support.
Julia also speaks Spanish! Or at least that is what she will tell you. She learned to count to 10 in Spanish and when ever I say something about speaking Spanish -- she proudly tells us she also can speak Spanish and then follows it up with "Uno, Dos, Tres," etc.
She does great with her colors, shapes, ABC's, 123's, and animals. She L.O.V.E.S. to read books to us. Most she has memorized from us reading them to her and she does so well reading them back. Right now her favorites are The Big Green Monster, Where the Wild Things Are, Dora's Bedtime, Goodnight Gorilla, anything with Clifford in it and many Dr. Suess books. At this age I found (or I think someone tipped me off) that they First Look and Find books are a great way to encourage independent reading. She has Dora, Princess, Mickey Mouse and Elmo Look and Find Books -- and really loves them. Some have concepts to teach them things like potty training, brushing her teeth, school, etc. And some are just fun books.
Julia didn't go to swim lessons this summer, instead we thought we would see how it went with instruction from us -- and I am happy to report she is doing great. She floats, kicks, jumps off the side, and will swim across the pool with her floatation device. We like to have her swim back and forth between us without wearing a floatation device but we play more than swim so the device is on more than it is off.
A family friend recently gave birth 13 weeks early and I have been glued to her story. Little baby Allie is at UC Irvine and as of last I heard is quite the fighter and getting stronger every day. After a little hiccup (well, not so little, actually a horrible intestinal infection called NEC, and coincidentally the same infection Will passed away from) she had to have half her bowel removed and get put onto a ventilator. I am happy to say she is recovering well and off the vent. Prematurity seems like it is everywhere. Stephen Bowen, a Defensive End for the Washington Redskins, and his wife gave birth 16 weeks early to twins. After 10 days lost their little girl, while their son is still in the NICU with other health related issues. Prematurity does not discriminate. Young, old, rich, poor, celebrity or not...it is a problem that is rising.
We have almost reached 4 years since little Will was born and I can't believe is has been so long but it also seems like it was a lifetime ago. We miss him and think of him everyday. We are so grateful to be his Mommy and Daddy, to have spent everyday of his life by his side, we are so proud of the fight he fought while he was on this earth.
Not a lot to post but maybe an update or two. David and I have both been extremely busy with our careers and when we aren't working we are savoring every moment with Julia.
Now to Julia...
This week was her first week of the new school year at Four Seasons Academy. She is in kind of a Junior Pre-K class. It is meant for 2 year old's and is complete with curriculum. She loves her teachers and friends and recently took first place in their Little Caesar's fundraiser!
She turned 2.5 on August 2 -- and wears a 4T in clothes, 8.5-9 in shoes, measures 38.5 inches in height -- and I am sure is a decent weight too...but she won't stand still on the scale and thankfully we've not had to visit the Pediatrician for any reason lately.
Julia's new favorite past time is art. She loves to color, draw, trace and, of course, scribble. She prefers blank paper over coloring books. We bought her an easel as a prize for potty training (more on that later) and she is obsessed with it.
On the July 4th weekend we stopped using diapers cold turkey and I am happy to report that we are completely using the potty for pee pee and poopy! She asks when she needs to go, loves to celebrate her successes, enjoys a story or 3 when on the potty. She prefers the big toilet (with a seat insert) over the portable potty, but we do pull out the portable potty when we can tell she is too occupied to make the trip to the bathroom. Julia's teachers have been an integral part of her success and we are so grateful for their support.
Julia also speaks Spanish! Or at least that is what she will tell you. She learned to count to 10 in Spanish and when ever I say something about speaking Spanish -- she proudly tells us she also can speak Spanish and then follows it up with "Uno, Dos, Tres," etc.
She does great with her colors, shapes, ABC's, 123's, and animals. She L.O.V.E.S. to read books to us. Most she has memorized from us reading them to her and she does so well reading them back. Right now her favorites are The Big Green Monster, Where the Wild Things Are, Dora's Bedtime, Goodnight Gorilla, anything with Clifford in it and many Dr. Suess books. At this age I found (or I think someone tipped me off) that they First Look and Find books are a great way to encourage independent reading. She has Dora, Princess, Mickey Mouse and Elmo Look and Find Books -- and really loves them. Some have concepts to teach them things like potty training, brushing her teeth, school, etc. And some are just fun books.
Julia didn't go to swim lessons this summer, instead we thought we would see how it went with instruction from us -- and I am happy to report she is doing great. She floats, kicks, jumps off the side, and will swim across the pool with her floatation device. We like to have her swim back and forth between us without wearing a floatation device but we play more than swim so the device is on more than it is off.
A family friend recently gave birth 13 weeks early and I have been glued to her story. Little baby Allie is at UC Irvine and as of last I heard is quite the fighter and getting stronger every day. After a little hiccup (well, not so little, actually a horrible intestinal infection called NEC, and coincidentally the same infection Will passed away from) she had to have half her bowel removed and get put onto a ventilator. I am happy to say she is recovering well and off the vent. Prematurity seems like it is everywhere. Stephen Bowen, a Defensive End for the Washington Redskins, and his wife gave birth 16 weeks early to twins. After 10 days lost their little girl, while their son is still in the NICU with other health related issues. Prematurity does not discriminate. Young, old, rich, poor, celebrity or not...it is a problem that is rising.
We have almost reached 4 years since little Will was born and I can't believe is has been so long but it also seems like it was a lifetime ago. We miss him and think of him everyday. We are so grateful to be his Mommy and Daddy, to have spent everyday of his life by his side, we are so proud of the fight he fought while he was on this earth.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Birthday Party at School, Disney on Ice and more from 2011
This year sure has already started to fly by! January offered a warm and sunny weekend so we took full advantage by riding to the park, playing with sidewalk chalk and soaking in the sun!
February started off with a very Happy Birthday and a wonderful viewing of Disney on Ice. Julia teacher, Miss Stephanie, helped us to celebrate her birthday at school with her friends Gwynne, Abigail and Andrew. Complete with Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes for morning snack time and McDonald happy meals for lunch -- topped off with gifts! Julia had a great time.
We took Julia (on David's birthday weekend) to Disney on Ice at Stockton Arena. We decided to go all out and purchase front row seats -- and those seats were worth every penny!
Julia continues to completely blow us away with her vocabulary, her humor and her (ahem) persistence! She displays so many personality traits of both David and I while definitely having her own. Weighing in at 29.5 lbs and measuring 38 inches tall, she is proving to be a tall and slender little girl. Her hair is getting long and lighter than we ever imagined.
.
She loves Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Barney and Kipper. Enjoys reading books, singing songs and playing with Lincoln Logs. Is sleeping in her toddler bed (or at least that is where she starts off), front facing in her car seat and refuses to use a high chair. Loves anything from Chipotle, Cheeseburger Happy Meals and Chocolate or Vanilla Milk. Insists on getting horsey rides from Daddy, playing piano and singing with her microphone and reading with her V-Tech V.Reader. Bath time is a favorite as is running around naked after. She is showing interest in potty training but it is a daily love-hate relationship so we are not pushing it but embracing it when she shows interest (1 M&M for pee pee and 2 M&M's for poopy).
.
As went venture into the 2's -- we are ready, loving every minute of it and wishing Baby Will was with us here on earth to help pave the way.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Sunday, October 31, 2010
(Not) Julia's 1st Halloween and a Special Birthday
Though this is not actually Julia's 1st Halloween, it is the 1st time she is partaking in the festivities. Last year we were in Carmel for a mini-vacation to get away and be a family as we honored what would have been Will's 2nd birthday.
As Will's would-be-3rd-birthday is approaching we chose to focus on Julia and celebrate the holiday with our sweet baby girl complete with TWO costumes! First she was a kitty-cat... but we knew this costume would only last a very short time -- with a school parade and party + a visit to Nana and Papa's we knew we should have plan B ready to go. So we decided on a 49er Cheerleader! Both costume's were a hit and a great time was had by all.
As Will's would-be-3rd-birthday is approaching we chose to focus on Julia and celebrate the holiday with our sweet baby girl complete with TWO costumes! First she was a kitty-cat... but we knew this costume would only last a very short time -- with a school parade and party + a visit to Nana and Papa's we knew we should have plan B ready to go. So we decided on a 49er Cheerleader! Both costume's were a hit and a great time was had by all.
Tomorrow, November 1 is the day I will slow down from the hectic day to day life and reflect on our sweet baby boy who is now an Angel in Heaven. I took the day off from work, not because I needed to be away, but because I needed to stop the everyday and take this time in honor of Baby Will. I plan to visit the NICU at Dameron Hospital in the morning and then visit Will's grave site in the afternoon. On this day 3 years ago my life was changed forever. Yes, I am still pretty much the same intense, bossy, strong-willed person I have always been... but there is something different, something has softened me a little, something has changed me deep inside my soul. It may not be noticeable but it is different and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I love and miss you Baby Will and as we wait to see you again, please keep your watch over us and your baby sister.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Pixie Woods and a new petticoat
Before Julia was one we purchased a super cute hot pink petticoat from Costco... well, as any non-dress wearing daughter of mine, she hated it! Recently I purchased another one, this time a super cute black and white polka dot with green trim... and in a completely crazy turn of events she LOVES IT!
On Saturday we took Julia to Pixie Woods in Stockton. I'm not sure if I went there as a child or not (chances are pretty good that I did, it's been around since 1955) but it was a tad bit familiar. Julia had fun playing on the slides, going on a train ride and most of all the merry go round!!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day
To our hero, our rock, our pillar of strength. To the one who loves us unconditionally, would rather spend time with us than anyone else... Father of my 2 children, Daddy to Will and Julia.
Happy Father's Day, Babe! Xoxo!
Happy Father's Day, Babe! Xoxo!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Words Galore
Mama
Dada
Apollo
No
YumYumYum
Baby
Ball
Wow
Whoa
Nose
Eye
Mouth
Milk (sounds like 'Mak')
Choo Choo
Bunny
Night Night
Hi
Buh Bye
Uh Oh
Frogger
Nana
Papa
Bubbles
I'll get it (sounds like 'I gig git')
All Gone
Up
Down
Thank You
Diaper
Poo Poo
Pee Pee
Star
Happy Birthday
...all these words at 16 months old! Now, if she would just let go and walk by herself, dang it!
Aimee
Update - 6/9/2010 at 8:59 pm
A quick update. Julia will walk... when she is not focusing on walking. She will walk and sometimes even run if we hold her hand. But the funny thing (or not so funny, if you ask me) is that she will walk when she is distracted by something else and doesn't realize she is taking one step after another. On demand? No. She refuses. Stubborn little one... I wonder who she gets that from? :-)
Dada
Apollo
No
YumYumYum
Baby
Ball
Wow
Whoa
Nose
Eye
Mouth
Milk (sounds like 'Mak')
Choo Choo
Bunny
Night Night
Hi
Buh Bye
Uh Oh
Frogger
Nana
Papa
Bubbles
I'll get it (sounds like 'I gig git')
All Gone
Up
Down
Thank You
Diaper
Poo Poo
Pee Pee
Star
Happy Birthday
...all these words at 16 months old! Now, if she would just let go and walk by herself, dang it!
Aimee
Update - 6/9/2010 at 8:59 pm
A quick update. Julia will walk... when she is not focusing on walking. She will walk and sometimes even run if we hold her hand. But the funny thing (or not so funny, if you ask me) is that she will walk when she is distracted by something else and doesn't realize she is taking one step after another. On demand? No. She refuses. Stubborn little one... I wonder who she gets that from? :-)
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Break dancing or natural sugar high?
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Birthdays, New Daycare and a Cold... Oh My!
Julia's 1st birthday party at Nana and Papa's was a success! My mom, the catering extraordinaire really went all out. I don't proclaim to be an over the top girly girl and I am glad that my mom knows that. The place was tastefully decorated to my liking, the menu was just right and the company was priceless. At one point many of the little ones were all out back playing in the yard, which I think made Julia a little envious... but besides that she had a great time with cake and presents! It is so fun to see new favorite toys emerge from the sea of toys she has at her disposal. I am still lacking on uploading birthday pictures and sending out thank you's. I am just lame in that department!
After 3.5 months of daycare at Bright Beginnings Educational Childcare, we moved Julia. I got along well with the provider, but Julia never seemed to settle in. She would fuss most the day, sometimes not eating and napping too well. A few times I would pick her up, get the report for the day and leave in tears knowing that she was so upset and unhappy throughout the day. We tossed around ideas of nannies, daycare centers, another home based daycare, and me staying home. We landed on Four Seasons Academy in Manteca. It is a daycare center based inside Crossroads Grace Community Church. It includes ages to Pre-K and has a structured environment with lots of activities, play and love. After just a day or two, Julia settled in well and found her favorites. In 5 days she has already created 3 art projects, learned new songs and created many new friends. She is really a new baby! So happy, content and is enjoying her new surroundings.
And Lastly, David and I got kicked down AGAIN by this dreaded cold! Third time since Thanksgiving. Julia is fighting off the symptoms and has been showing a bit of a cough but nothing serious. This things will not go away! Typical sore throat, cough and sinus pressure. Absolutely dreadful during the day and almost unbearable at night.
Oh, one more thing, just in case you are interested... I have almost given up nursing. I am so sad about this. I am thrilled to have gone a year but wished stopping was more on my terms instead of my body's decision. I have completely stopped pumping at work and am trying to still nurse at night and in the morning. So far the limited time is still working and she is taking formula and whole milk fairly well. She has never been a huge bottle baby, more so with sippy cups but she is getting the fluids she needs, so we are thankful.
As for now, her favorite toys are her LeapFrog My Pal Violet, Fisher Price Little People Blocks and her Playskool Laugh and Learn Walker that allows her to walk and push all over the family room. I see walking in her very near future.
After 3.5 months of daycare at Bright Beginnings Educational Childcare, we moved Julia. I got along well with the provider, but Julia never seemed to settle in. She would fuss most the day, sometimes not eating and napping too well. A few times I would pick her up, get the report for the day and leave in tears knowing that she was so upset and unhappy throughout the day. We tossed around ideas of nannies, daycare centers, another home based daycare, and me staying home. We landed on Four Seasons Academy in Manteca. It is a daycare center based inside Crossroads Grace Community Church. It includes ages to Pre-K and has a structured environment with lots of activities, play and love. After just a day or two, Julia settled in well and found her favorites. In 5 days she has already created 3 art projects, learned new songs and created many new friends. She is really a new baby! So happy, content and is enjoying her new surroundings.
And Lastly, David and I got kicked down AGAIN by this dreaded cold! Third time since Thanksgiving. Julia is fighting off the symptoms and has been showing a bit of a cough but nothing serious. This things will not go away! Typical sore throat, cough and sinus pressure. Absolutely dreadful during the day and almost unbearable at night.
Oh, one more thing, just in case you are interested... I have almost given up nursing. I am so sad about this. I am thrilled to have gone a year but wished stopping was more on my terms instead of my body's decision. I have completely stopped pumping at work and am trying to still nurse at night and in the morning. So far the limited time is still working and she is taking formula and whole milk fairly well. She has never been a huge bottle baby, more so with sippy cups but she is getting the fluids she needs, so we are thankful.
As for now, her favorite toys are her LeapFrog My Pal Violet, Fisher Price Little People Blocks and her Playskool Laugh and Learn Walker that allows her to walk and push all over the family room. I see walking in her very near future.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Time flies when you're having FUN!
My original intention when creating this blog was to post more often that I actually have. Working full time and everything else that goes along with being a wife and mother takes up so much time... and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Aside from the daily to do's of an almost-one-year old like crawling, standing, wanting to walk, teething, separation anxiety, refusing to nurse, eating only when she wants to, sleeping only when she wants to and finding her voice (and a loud one at that) it has been business as usual around here.
We are planning for Julia's 1st birthday party or should I say Nana is planning for Julia's 1st birthday party, as all the festivities will be at her castle. How do you create a guest list to include family, close friends, including those who stood by us during the loss of Will to include the journey of my pregnancy with Julia without inviting everyone under the sun? There are so many people in our life that have been there for us that I don't want to leave out, yet we have space limitations. Now mind you Nana's castle is fit for a princess and her posse, but seriously, we must be realistic!
I went through some pictures recently and can't believe how much Julia has grown over the past year. Just late summer she was a little chubby with those cute cheeks, rolls in ther arms and legs, but now she is a tall, thin little girl with the will to do anything! She is very determined, outspoken, stubborn, loves her Daddy, playing with her BlackBerry, beating Daddy at crawling races, pointing at everything, having conversations with us (still completely clueless what she is saying), loves to sing, take a bath, look at herself in the mirror, hang out with Nana and Papa, and watch TV commericals.
a.k.a. Mommy
P.S. Please pray for the Flowers family during this time. My cousins and their families lost their Dad this weekend as he has gone to be with Jesus.
Aside from the daily to do's of an almost-one-year old like crawling, standing, wanting to walk, teething, separation anxiety, refusing to nurse, eating only when she wants to, sleeping only when she wants to and finding her voice (and a loud one at that) it has been business as usual around here.
We are planning for Julia's 1st birthday party or should I say Nana is planning for Julia's 1st birthday party, as all the festivities will be at her castle. How do you create a guest list to include family, close friends, including those who stood by us during the loss of Will to include the journey of my pregnancy with Julia without inviting everyone under the sun? There are so many people in our life that have been there for us that I don't want to leave out, yet we have space limitations. Now mind you Nana's castle is fit for a princess and her posse, but seriously, we must be realistic!
I went through some pictures recently and can't believe how much Julia has grown over the past year. Just late summer she was a little chubby with those cute cheeks, rolls in ther arms and legs, but now she is a tall, thin little girl with the will to do anything! She is very determined, outspoken, stubborn, loves her Daddy, playing with her BlackBerry, beating Daddy at crawling races, pointing at everything, having conversations with us (still completely clueless what she is saying), loves to sing, take a bath, look at herself in the mirror, hang out with Nana and Papa, and watch TV commericals.
Julia, as we approach your first birthday, we are so proud of you, love you more than words can say and I know your big brother Will feels the exact same way! Here's to many, many more years of love and life.
a.k.a. Mommy
P.S. Please pray for the Flowers family during this time. My cousins and their families lost their Dad this weekend as he has gone to be with Jesus.
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