Guess who turned 2?

I can not believe it has happened but it is true.  Our baby turned 2!  She will proudly tell you that she is 2 while holding up 1 finger!  (We are working on that.)  On certain days she will tell you that she is not a baby but a girl.  Yes, our baby girl is 2!

We celebrated her big day with a music themed party.  She was so excited to play with friends, dance, sing, and make music.  They played the saxophone,

 

cymbals, 

 

maracas,

 

drums, tambourines, and every other musical toy in the house.

 

 

In between the dance party, they tried on bows,

 

 

and played with cars,

 

 

jumped in the bounce house, and then danced some more!

 

It was time to sing "Happy Birthday"!

Juliana has never had any sweets.  She gets an occasional Maria cookie (similar to maria cookies we bought in Russia) but we figure until she knows what sweets are why give them to her.  But a birthday is a big deal so we splurged with a banana creme cupcake.

 

 

I wish I had taken video of everyone singing to her.  I had every intention to do so but in the busy moment I forgot.  She had such an expression of joy.  She got that everyone was focused on her, singing endearing words to her.  She had just the sweetest smile on her face.

 

 

 

It was one of many times that day that my eyes filled with tears. 

Happy, thankful, joyful tears.

 

And then she got to try her first cupcake.  She was cautious at first, not sure what to think.

 

  but she quickly dug in. 

 Looks like she liked it.

 

The celebration continued all week to her actual birthday.

 

We had dance parties everyday. 

 

Received gifts in the mail-and tried on the new clothes immediately.

 

 

She tried to put all the clothes on at once, while wearing her pajamas.

 

She also received phone calls wishing her Happy Birthday.

 

She chatted up the well wishers.

 

 

On her birthday she received MORE gifts!

 

 

Pajamas to try on!  Tags to pull off!

 

And then she received THE gift.  A vacuum!  This child was so excited!  She was nonstop "vacuuming" the entire house.  We finally had to put it away so she could go to bed which made for an unhappy girl.  We didn't even put the vacuum in her room at bedtime for several nights for fear she would climb out of bed and get to work!  She loves to clean.

 

I would say our big girl had a good birthday celebration.  It breaks my heart to know we missed her first birthday.  On the day of her birthday party, I was a little on edge before it started.  I realized I just wanted her to have the perfect "first" birthday party.  I know she will not remember this and silly details did not matter to her.  Somehow I think I was trying to make up for the other birthday party she never had.  Now I choose to look forward instead to celebrating every future birthday with our daughter, our precious gift that radiates joy and love.

 

 

Have I told you lately how blessed we are to be her Mama & Dada? 

 

First Day of School

It was a big week around here with Little Miss starting preschool. 

 

Last week we went to her open house to meet her teachers and see her classroom.  That morning, she was waking up and starting her morning chat in her crib.  I could see her on the monitor laying there but she started saying "No no no!" and "Mine mine mine!"  I guess that was her mental prep for school!

 

 This week was the real first day.  She tried on her entirely too large backpack before we left the house.  It didn't look so big until after I had it monogrammed!

Juliana keeps her arm in the air when she holds a purse.  With her backpack, both arms stayed up.
 

 

Daddy walking her in to school. 

 

 

 

Outside of her classroom.

 

 

Quickly making new friends.

 

 

Actually, I think she was just laying it all on the table for this little guy.  In their toddler language, I imagine it went like this:

"Look I'm bossy.  I like to be in charge.  If you get that, we will get along just fine"

Isn't that sweet!

 

With this in mind, I received the best news of the day when I picked her up.  Her teacher told me she did great, just checked out everything and got along well with others.  I made her repeat that-she got along well with others!

 

We received good reports each day.  She is attending 3 mornings a week.  It was difficult to send her but we know it will be good for her.  She loves to spend time with other kids.  We look forward to watching her grow and learn throughout the school year.



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.

Independence Day 2012

Little Miss celebrated her first Independence Day with the same joy and excitement she finds in each new day.  Although she did not understand the significance of this special day, one day she certainly will.  This year she can remember it as All You Can Eat Watermelon Day!  I think she ate her weight in watermelon.  She kept her eye on the cooler.  Each time it opened she was right there looking for more! 

Our sweet friend, Carol, sharing her chair with a sticky girl!

All that melon made her giggle

and dance!

It gave her plenty of energy to play outside.

Spending time with Ba-Ba.

It was a wonderful day celebrating our country with friends and family, beach time, a cook out, fireworks, and of course,

watermelon!!