September 25

Dear Julie,

Today, you were fussy and clingy. You slept all night again - from 7:30PM-7:00AM - and woke up in a great mood. You and dada watched Star Wars in bed, and you couldn't take your eyes off the TV. Dada was so proud! After about 1 minutes, dada too you to play in the living room, while I got ready for church. You were happily playing, until I entered the room. You came crawling towards me, and started climbing up my legs. It was so sweet! However, when I put you down, you started crying. I handed you to dada, and you continued to fuss. Dada tried to feed you breakfast, and you refused to eat. I tried, and again, nothing. Do we got you ready for church, and left early so you could take a nap in the car. I let you sleep as long as possible in the parking lot, then we went in to church. You were out of it when we got there. You wanted to sleep, but couldn't. You eventually started singing along to the music, and laughed and bounced through the first few songs. Then you got restless, and I took you to the nursery. I usually just drop you off, and head back to the service, but since you'd thrown a fit already this morning, I decided to stay. You kept hacking to make sure I was there, but relaxed, and played. You also snuck a marshmallow today, and ate it before we could stop you! After church, we went home, and you took a really good nap. Then we headed to Nana and Papa'll's house for lunch. You refused to eat again, but we're content with just a few bites of chicken and dumplings. We played not with Nana and Kathy Prusa for a little while, then headed home for another nap. When you woke, we went shopping. You were not impressed, and our shopping trip was cut short to make you happy.

You made up for your lack of eating at dinner. I stopped by Taco Bell, and picked up an order of black beans and a cheesy roll-up. You are all of the beans, half the roll-up, a strawberry, and a full pack of baby food! Then you nursed for five minutes! I believe you have a hallow leg! You were still fussy st bedtime, and I had to repeatedly nurse, rock, sing, etc. for about an hour before you finally settled. Eventually, you fell asleep. I hope tomorrow you're back to your spunky self! Good night, baby girl, mama loves you.

September 13

Dear Julie,

Today was a very long day. Let me start off by saying that I love you, and that I wouldn't trade motherhood for anything. However, after today, I understand why people shake babies. You cried. All. Day. Long. I am so over today, and have never been so happy for you to be sleeping soundly. 

You didn't sleep well last night. You were up every hour from 7PM-midnight, then again at 3AM, 4:30AM, and got up for the day at 6AM. You got to wear one of my favorite outfits today, and I can't believe that it still fits. You're so little, that this outfit has lasted six months! 

We went to Nana and Papa'll's house to help Papa'll bake a cake, and you refused to nap. I put you down at 8:30AM since you'd gotten up so early, and you cried for an hour. I checked on you, and you just kept crying. I got you up, fed you some yogurt, nursed you, changed your diaper, and out you back down. You slept for 45 minutes, and we're ready to take on the day. 

You played with Nana while I helped Papa'll in the kitchen, and then it was time for lunch. 

I forgot to pack food for you, so you got to try oatmeal today! You loved it! You've had oatmeal in your bottle, and to thicken foods, but never as flavored food. You had Quaker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, and couldn't get enough. 

Then it was time for another nap. I out you in the pack n play at noon. You screamed for half an hour. Then I decided to try to get you to sleep ok the car. I knew otherwise, you wou don't nap, and with class going until 9PM, not napping wasn't an option. 

You fell asleep by the time we were out of the neighborhood, but, again, only slept for 45 minutes. We went on to the studio, and you did really well until 4PM. 

You started to get really tired, and fussy, but refused to nap. I'd out you down, and you'd scream. We went to Nana and Papa'll's house during class to write up a bill of sale for the Subaru. We sold our car to one of our dancer's families, and had to get the paperwork ready before their class was over. My hope was that you'd fall asleep on our way to the farm. Unfortunately, you had different plans. You stayed awake, and didn't nap again for the rest of the night.

Every time I'd put you down for a nap, you'd scream. I finally gave in, and just out you in the bouncer. 

You were so overtired, and your teeth were hurting, and we were both miserable. We left class an hour early tonight so you could go to bed. 

You cried all day, and thought you were still smiling and happy, you weren't your normal self. As soon as we got home, I nursed you, and you fell asleep before I left your bedroom. Hopefully, you'll sleep tonight, and tomorrow will be better. I love you Julia Rose, even when you're overtired. 

Day 77 - February 8

I love when you learn new skills, and also how proud you are of yourself. I love you little one. Dear Julie,

Today, you looked like an adorable little boy. You were dressed in your penguin pajamas, and played with Chewy.

So, to let everyone know that you're a girl, I added frilly socks to the ensemble! It was a little funny looking, but adorable nonetheless. 

We headed to the studio for dance class, and it started snowing again. Schools were closed, but we met with the competition team to practice. Everyone ended up leaving early, and we got to head home too. 

When we got home, you played on your playmat. You were so excited that you finally caught the fish! 

Day 76 - February 7

Dear Julie,

Today, we visited nana and Papa'll. They FINALLY are home from Florida! We've missed them so much, and FaceTime just isn't the same as being in their arms. You and nana were so thrilled to be reunited. You cuddled right up to her, and I took my favorite photo ever of the two of you. 

You were so sweet with her, and nana talks so much when you're in her arms. I miss nana talking, and so which hat you could know the woman that I grew up with. You'll know your nana, but you'll never know her as she used to be. In her prime, she was the smartest, kindest, and most loving woman I've ever known. She's my best friend, and I hope that you and I will be just as close. 

After playing with nana and Papa'll, we headed home, and daddy read your library books to you! You especially love the Click Clack Moo series, and we were excited to find another book from the collection. Daddy chose the Star Wars book, and Ani and Obi joined you when he was reading! 

Day 75 - February 6

Dear Julie,

Today, we bonded over the Food Network. You don't really care for television, and it's not very often that we actually sit down to watch. However, today, I had Chopped playing in the background, and you really enjoyed watching the show. You stared at the competitors, and thought it was so cool! 

Chopped definitely made tummy time more enjoyable! I got to watch a show that I enjoy, and you got to participate while working your neck muscles. You have such a strong neck, and hold your head up so well! Mama is so proud of you! 

While you napped today, mama made a special hanging for the wall. I frames the items from the hospital that mean so much to us. 

Your one side we had made as soon as we found out we were expecting, your hospital blanket, hat, umbilical cord clip, blood pressure cuff, and wrist bands, the pregnancy tests that showed we were finally expecting a baby, your first paci, and a vile of medicine and needles that helped with your conception. I can't wait to display this in our house, and to one day pass it along to you. I can't wait to share the story of your conception with you. You're not like most kids. You're extremely special, and were more wanted than you'll ever know. 

You also took a nap with Chewy today, and it was adorable. It was like you were saying, "I can't even..." I could watch you sleep all day. We worked so hard on rolling over that you crashed for nap time. Mama loves you, little girl. 

Day 74 - February 5

Dear Julie,

Today, your competition outfits arrived in the mail! I can't wait to see you in them! I still have to drop off the jacket to be embroidered, but its official. You're a competitive dancer! 

Day 73 - February 4

Dear Julie,

Today was a crappy day. Literally. You crapped all over the place. Mama got to clean up poop from places she didn't know poop could be! I'm not sure how you had so much poop in you, but you have to feel better now that it's out! I also believe you lost five pounds. Wow, kid! Let's not repeat this blowout situation again. Please? 

It never fails that you only have blowouts when you're wearing white clothes! And to top it off, these were fleece pajamas. If I didn't like them so much, we'd just trash them. However, they fit you so well that I'll try my best to get them clean. Here's to soaking pajamas in blue dawn and oxiclean for a few days, and hoping it works to clean the mess! 

Aside from the crap show, today included relaxing, and watching baby tv. The cats were especially fond of sand art today! I could watch sand art all day long and never get bored. I'm sure one day soon, you'll also enjoy watching!