Julia- 11 Months

One day I described Julia's current stage as "annoying" while talking with my sister-in-laws and then felt horrible all that night and the days following. I didn't mean that I thought she was annoying. She is sweet and funny and a constant delight. It was the putting everything in her mouth, not sleeping, and repeatedly bumping her head and then crying that was less than desirable. And then I found out that the crying was really due to an ear infection and a tooth coming in and I felt even worse about saying that. Luckily, that only lasted a week (antibiotics took all the "annoying" away). And now we're having fun!


Julia's personality is really coming out. She is really intense when she gets excited and her whole body shakes. She is very busy but will still stop for snuggles. She loves to watch other kids playing and will sit contently in her stroller to watch all the commotion when we go to the park. One little thing I really love is that she is very particular about giving kisses. She will not give them on demand and so when you get one you know you have really made her happy and it makes it all the sweeter.


She pushes around anything she can to "walk" and is starting to stand alone for a bit.  

If she hears any door open she crawls over at the speed of light.  She especially loves the fridge and even made it into the shower one day. 

Her new trick is "so big." She is very happy to perform and then clap for herself. I can't believe she is almost one. Crazy!

Preschool Graduation

I feel so fortunate that Macy had such a positive experience with preschool.   She looked forward to class every time and was so happy to report all they did when she got home.  We love Macy's teacher, Miss Debbie (or as Macy pronounces it "Stebbie"), and I am so glad Macy gets to have her next year too.  Miss Debbie wrote three strengths for each child on flowers they colored.  She wrote smart, problem solver and happy for Macy.


The program was adorable.  She even taught the kids a little square dance.   It is so amazing to watch your kids grow up!

Here are some of our favorite projects from the year:

Also, for the first three weeks, Macy wanted me to take her picture before school.  

Here are those pictures:

If the Shoe Fits . . .

I drive carpool for preschool on Thursdays. Unfortunately, that almost always means that I have to wake Julia from her nap so that we can go pick up the girls. Today when I got her out of her crib, she actually stayed asleep. So I quickly slipped my shoes on while carrying her, put her in the car seat, and congratulated myself on a successful sleeping transfer from crib to car.


The class was a little late getting out today, so all the parents were out of their cars waiting for the kids.  As soon as the little neighbor girl saw me, she asked why I was wearing "those shoes." I looked down and this is what I saw:

Julia Updates-- Catch Up

SEVEN MONTHS

Oh, this sweet girl is so much fun.

She is sitting up like a champ and will laugh harder for Macy than anyone else.

She has done really well on baby food.  This month she had her first ear infection and she was one sad little girl.

EIGHT MONTHS

She still just has two little teeth on the bottom and very little hair.

Firsts: at 8 months, 4 days Julia started to crawl and she LOVES to be mobile.

NINE MONTHS

weight: 21 pounds

height:

head circumference:

skills: clapping and speed crawling

firsts: pulling herself to standing on anything she can grab,

eating small finger foods

favorites: bananas, pears, and avocados

TEN MONTHS

firsts: swimming, playing in the sand, signing milk (and using it appropriately), cruising the furniture, and

walking while pushing her cart

special skills: squealing, yelling out dadadada

she still gives the best (albeit wet) open-mouth kisses on the cheek.

the end

St. George

picture taken by my sister-in-law Heather

We took off with most of the Ashby clan for a weekend in St. George.  The weather was cold and wet but we took advantage of any time we could be outside at parks and the sand dunes.  The kids all got along very well and I thought it was a very fun time together.

Our little family stayed the rest of the week and had a great time.  We went on some hikes, back to the sand dunes, more parks, did a little shopping, and went on lots of walks.  It is such a magical place.  We are so lucky and very grateful to my parents for letting us stay.

A Smashing Good Time

We hosted my side of the family for dessert on Easter (just pretend this was posted two months ago).  After seeing the idea on Oh Happy Day! we decided to spice things up a little.  Here is the video with a twist on the game at the end as Jono dialed it up a notch.

this collage was blatantly stolen from Jenn

Easter 2011

Another post with video about the game we played at our Easter party will come later.