The End of Summer

According to the calendar, summer is coming to an end rather quickly.  Of course, here in the sunshine state, it will still feel like summer for months to come!  It has flown by because I guess as Juliana would say we have been "bizzy bizzy bizzy" 

We have been to the beach.  Juliana loves it all...the sand, the water, the "sunsine"

We have played outside.

Which leads to much of this.  Our poor girl sweats so much on her head.  Makes for some wild hair!

Taking Louie for a walk in the courtyard.

We had a wonderful visit from from my lifelong friend, Deann, and her daughter, Mackenzie.  Dee and I have known each other since we were 2 years old.  She moved away when we were in 2nd grade but we have remained the best of friends.  Here we are way back in the day pushing her cat in the stroller!

I pray my girl will have such a friend.

Dee & Mackenzie loved up on our girl nonstop.  Juliana was way more than spoiled by the time they left!  But we are thankful for their love.

Our 2 girls.

Mackenzie is my Goddaughter.  She has grown in to such an amazing woman.  She is smart, kind and beautiful.  Juliana loves her Kenzie.

Deann loves to take pictures.  I wish she lived closer to be my personal photographer!  She spent the entire trip one step behind Juliana with her camera in hand.  These are just a few of her shots.

We have continued with swim lessons.  Juliana is loving the water and making wonderful progress.  She & I practice between lessons.

This weekend Bill's sister and her girlfriend came for a visit.

We had a wonderful time with them, including a trip to the zoo.

Aunt Cindy & Marsha took Juliana on the train.

Juliana got to sit in the front and ring the bell.

She loved that and asked for more, so they rode it again!

They also fed the giraffes.  Such beautiful animals.

It is hard to imagine we have been home with little miss for 7 months.  She has grown so much.  She talks a blue streak.  She loves music and singing.  One day she was waking from her nap.  I saw her on the video monitor sit up and sing "Row, row, row"  while pumping her arms for the rowing motion.  I wish I could have recorded that precious moment. 
She wants to dress herself.  She likes to add extra layers.  Here she is with another shirt under her skirt.

And other days she goes for a more minimalist look...just diaper and shoes!

She loves to be tickled.  She will even tickle herself!

I could go on and on about the many things she says or does that we just find irresistible.  Our daughter has changed our lives in so many ways.  Although some days we feel frazzled or wiped out, she is so worth it.  We can not imagine our life without her.  We are blessed and grateful to be her Mama and Dada.