(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.

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.

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!!

Silly Sweetness on Saturday

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!

Finally...

...she is walking (by herself)!

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? :-)

Break dancing or natural sugar high?

Julia was having fun at Nana and Papa's... not sure if she is practicing her newest break dancing skills or just had a little too much pineapple at dinner time.

Aqua Babies - Swim Lessons

Birthday Girl

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.

Look who's turning ONE!

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.

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.