Julia's Birthday Party

Last Sunday was Julia's birthday party.  We kept it small-a friend from the nursery at church, our neighbors, my sister-in-law, and my JD's parents.  We ate pizza, cake, and opened presents.  Still can't believe she's one, and she's taking more and more steps every day.  I still think we're a month, at least, from her walking all the time, but she can take several steps in a row now. 

Here are some pictures from the party:

 

Her "smash cake":

 Then, she opened her presents:

 

 Aunt Sarah made her a lovey "replacement" for that just in case type of situation:

 Mrs. Maria made her a hooded towel:

There was cake for those older than one, too:

B

Julia is one!

 Julia turned one last Thursday.  I can't believe our baby is one!  It's amazing how many changes we've observed with her since we got back from vacation.  Her vocabulary has really grown.  We've counted nine words that she knows if you include knowing that a sheep says "ba".  She knows ball (ba), baby (ba ba), juice (zeus), more (mo), shoe (sue), toe (ta and she points to her toes), cheese (sees), and uh oh (uh uh).  She isn't walking yet; she's not really close yet, but she will stand unassisted for many seconds at a time.  She also takes steps every day. If we prop her up and get her balanced, she'll sometimes take one or two steps.  I still think we're at least one month, but more likely a couple of months, before she takes off with walking.  The crawling phase is really cute, so I'm trying to enjoy it while it's here, but there are times, like yesterday at the playground, where it would have been MUCH easier if she were walking.  I actually think we'll avoid playgrounds until she is walking because she just gets so frustrated. 

She cut her 7th (and possibly 8th but she won't let look long enough) tooth.  She's sleeping better and is only taking one bottle (when she first wakes up).  I'm trying to cut that one, too, but she'll only drink milk from a bottle (not a sippy cup).  At her 12 month check up, she weighed 20 lbs, 1 oz and was 30.25 inches long (36% and 85%). 

We had a birthday gathering for her on Sunday, and I'll post pictures of that in a different post, but here are pictures from her actual birthday.  Notice that I could only get good face photos when she was strapped down.

Quick Lake Anna Recap

I'm trying to stay motivated with keeping up this blog, but it's hard.  Finding the time to update it, even if it's just once or twice a month, is harder than you'd think.  The main thing that keeps me going is that it's an easy way for me to look back and remember things that have happened in our lives, how the kids progress, etc.  I've stopped putting really personal stuff on here-you never know who's reading.  I know I could put privacy blocks on the blog, but that only puts so much limitation.  If someone with the know how wants to read, it will be read.  So, if you're still checking in from time to time, thanks.  I can't stay I'll get much better, but I do promise to post cute pictures from time to time.

We went to Lake Anna over the week of Independence Day.  We went with JD's immediate family and despite having a rainy first 3 days, we had a great time with some great weather at the end of the week. 

 Gotta love freezer pops:

Good to the last drop:

Some front yard fun while waiting for fireflies to emerge:

Sunset:

Caroline keeping an eye on Julia:

Pierce loved the water.  We had to wear life jackets or be in a float the entire time.  The water was 27 feet deep at the rental house's dock:

Rub a dub dub, three girls in a tub:

Julia enjoying some Uncle Allen love:

Julia did not enjoy being stuffed in her dad's shirt:

Independence Day fun:

Madelyn getting ready to ski.  For a look at the action, see the previous post.:

She's praying:

Trying to figure out how to move that bench:

This girl loves the water: