May 21

Dear Julie,

After weeks of not sleeping, and regularly waking 2-3 times each night, last night you finally slept! You inhaled a jar of carrots, a few bites of peas, some prunes, and 5 ounce bottle with cereal, and nursed for six minutes. It took you a little while to fall asleep, but you were out by 8:30PM. You woke up once at 3AM, nursed, and went right back to sleep. You didn't wake again until 7:45AM! I however, was up at 3AM with you, and couldn't fall back to sleep until 5AM. It was still a LOT more sleep than any of us have had since you were three months old and waking 1-2 times a night was your regular. Daddy woke up this morning and said, "she slept!" Then he changed your diaper while singing, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight!" 

Day 28 - December 21

Dear Julie,

Today was very low key. It's been a long few weeks, full of parties and events, so today, we stayed home and cuddled on the couch. We wore our pajamas all day long, and you wore your monkey house shoes for the first time. They don't mean anything to you, but they were the house shoes we used in our pregnancy announcement! They were definitely too big, but were so adorable!

You also began noticing and wanting to play with the cats today. It was hour first took really looking at Ani and Obi, and acknowledging them. I propped you up on the boppy, and you thought it was so cool! Ani was just as curious about you, as you were about him. He's rub agains your toes, and give you kisses!!

Obi helped with tummy time, and you wanted to pet him so badly! He just laid there, and purred, while you looked with longing eyes! 

We sang songs, and played with the cats for hours. I love this stage, where you're learning about your surroundings. Your expressions are adorable, and I am so in love. 

Day 27 - December 20

Dear Julie,

Today was a special day. It was your nana and Papa'll's 35th wedding anniversary, and we celebrated with a Christmas open house. You got to meet so many new people, and everyone loved getting to hold you! I got dressed up for the first time since having you, and my outfit lasted about fifteen minutes before you spit up all over me! We both changed clothes, and you pooped all over both of us, so you ended up in Christmas pajamas! You stayed pretty well on schedule, and loved showing off for the old ladies who gushed all over you. 

We stopped by and saw Uncle Frank on our way home, and he was so excited to meet you! It was a quick visit, then we headed home for bedtime! 

Day 161

Dear Julie,

Today was the first time that I didn't put you to sleep for bedtime. I'm a little heartbroken, but it was unavoidable. Daddy was working, and Miss Emily injured her foot, so I had to be able to teach tonight. Nanny and Poppy were here from your dedication, and offered to stay and help. Nanny put you to bed, and you've slept most the night so far! You're growing up little one, and as much as I love this new independent stage, I miss the baby who once relied on me for everything. Good night, Julia Rose, mommy loves you.

Day 25 - December 18

Dear Julie,

You have to be the happiest baby I've ever met. You are always smiling, and I love to watch your little personality grow! Today you had some of the cutest and funniest faces I've seen, and I fall more in love with you with every face. 

Today you also watched my very favorite Christmas movie, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I have loved this story for as long as I can remember, and love that we got to share it together. Just the two of us! It was a special moment for me, even if you slept through the movie. 

We finished up the evening with more Dr. Seuss, and your bedtime story was, "Green Eggs and Ham." I can't wait until you're able to read these stories with us, but for now, it's fun to see your reactions as we read to you. 

Day 21 - December 14

Dear Julie,

Today, we played at the farm all day! Lilly and Madi made sugar cookies with Papa'll, and you and Eliza played together with Nana.

Nana sang songs to you, and her words flowed very easily. You are sooo little compared to Eliza. 

There's only 8 weeks difference in age, but she is twice your size. However, I expect that you'll soon catch up with her. I absolutely love watching Nana interact with you. 

She has her good days and her bad days, but when she gets to hold you, she talks more and interacts better with everyone. Nana hasn't always been this way, and oh how I wish you could have met her when I was a child. Your Nana loves you more than you'll ever know, and you love spending time with her. You just look at her and smile. Though it's hard for me to watch her deteriorate slowly, I am so happy you are able to spend so much time with her, and I truly believe that being around you is helping her mentally. Please, one day, let me have the same happiness through your children. Grandparents are a blessing, and you have some extra special blessings in your life. 

Day 17 - December 10

Dear Julie,

Today, your umbilical cord finally fell off, and you got to take your first bath! Your furry brother came to inspect your belly button once you woke up this morning, and was not impressed. Not too long after this photo, when we changed your diaper, the stump fell off! I'm sad to report that we did not keep the stump. Both daddy and I believed that you really wouldn't care if we kept the dried up piece of flesh, and also thought you'd think it was weird. So, when it finally fell off, we threw it away. Sorry. Haha!

 

We spent the day at the farm, and nana and Papa'll played with you, and sang to you, and rocked you all day! They are head over heels in love with you, and nana talks so much when you're around. She hasn't talked much lately, but the more time you spend together, the more she communicates with everyone.

Everyone finally went home today for a few days, and we were officially a family of three, with no extra help. Your umbilical cord fell off early in the morning, but we waited all day for bath time, so we could bathe you right before bedtime. Your first bath was on the counter, in the baby tub. I gave you a bath, while daddy took pictures, and Ani and Obi stood watch. You screamed through the entire bath, but it didn't last long, and made for some adorable photos! 

Daddy wrapped you up in a towel once you were clean, and after a good 10 minutes of screaming, you calmed down and we stated bedtime. We swaddles you, and read one of my facorite Christmas stories, "The Sweet Smell of Christmas." It's a scratch and sniff story, and the smells bring back memories of my own childhood. 

As you look back on your childhood, I hope you always know how loved you are by mommy and daddy. You are loved, you are loved, you are loved little one. And, after today, you may be traumatized by the bathtub, but I am so glad that we no longer have to give you sponge baths!