4 months...and Happy New Year!

Julia at 4 months

Not ALL Smiles and Giggles

Little Miss also has the occasional temper tantrum...

Leigh, check out R in the Sahalie fleece.

Minor Milestone: Found Her Feet!

Julia found her feet today! She woke up from a record-setting 3.5 hour nap, she was lying on her back on the sofa, and she grabbed onto her feet for the first time I've seen!

I read my baby book and the baby books of my siblings with renewed interested while I was home in Georgia, and I loved the detail my Mom managed to put in them. (I was quite impressed she was able to get this done, especially since she has 4 children!)I'm going to try to capture more of these little developmental milestones.

Home, Sweet Home

We are home from our Christmas celebration in Georgia. I have such mixed emotions about this long-anticipated Christmas being behind us. I loved introducing Julia to the rest of my family, and it was so great for my entire immediate family to be together for Christmas. I've missed those Christmases of 200 Waverly Way. It was chaotic, wonderful, and noisy.

On the way home, Little Miss decided that she wasn't in the mood for a flight. She cried much of the way, and all of our attempts to pacify her didn't help. Her first three flights were easy, so I guess we were due this experience. Thankfully, it was a short, nonstop flight.

This morning, Jake is quietly snoring on his dog bed. (I really, really missed him. Thanks to Roger for taking such good care of him.) Julia is sleeping contentedly in her swing. It's peaceful and quiet. I want to eat something before I start unpacking all the suitcases. I decided on the only appropriate breakfast for a Southern girl with a tinge of post-holiday letdown. I've got a pot of grits bubbling on the stove.

First Christmas

Apparently, I was too busy behind the camera for us to get a family photo. Here's a picture of Julia and her Dad on her first Christmas. Note the adorable sleeper, a gift from Grandma.

Papa & Julia
First Christmas, Dec 2007

Making Biscuits with Grandma

My nephew, Scott, enjoyed making biscuits with his Grandma.

Step 1: Pat the dough

Step 2: Cut the dough

Step 3: Pick up the biscuit

Step 4: Put the biscuit on the pan

Step 5: Put the pan in the oven

Step 6: Move the ladder

Step 7: Clean up the boy

Who needs an apron?

Tractors, Cows, Haybales, and Dirt Roads

Hello from south Georgia! Julia and I are here to visit my parents, immediate family plus my grandmother and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Robert arrives on Sunday. It has been so much fun introducing Julia to the family. There have been some priceless moments with my Grandma holding Julia and Dad singing to her. The two Julias have happily spent hours of quality time together. I don't have Internet access at my parents' house, but my uncle was kind enough to let me use a computer at his office. I'll have many, many pictures and a few videos to post when I return home.

Hope you all have a very Happy Holiday!

Four Generations

When we arrived in South Georgia, we went straight from the airport to my Grandma's house so she could meet Miss Julia as soon as possible! Introducing her to my daughter was a very special moment.

Four Generations

Fashionista Files: Doggy Jacket

Thanks to Amber & Bill for the adorable Gymboree clothes!

Here's the cute jacket with polka dots and a doggy:

Fashionista file: doggy jacket

Time for bed!

Time for bed!

A Conversation with Opa

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Happy 2nd Jake-iversary

Two years ago, Jake selected us to be his family at a Lab Rescue event, and he has been my shadow and constant companion ever since. He was a great source of comfort when we lost Trooper, and he has adapted well to being an only dog.

He's a persistent playmate, source of laughter, and diligent watchdog. It's been two great years with our funny, affectionate, goofy yet dignified, sometimes needy, loyal, tennis-ball-obsessed, charming, flatulent, atheletic, and completely wonderful dog. Hopefully, there will be many, many more Jake-iversaries in our future.

Jake
Dec 7, 2005

Jake & Trooper
Aug 26, 2007

Jake
Nov 17, 2007

For more about Jake, check out our update on the Lab Rescue site. (BTW, Jake was MUCH older than 4.5 years when adopted him.)

First Visit with Santa

First visit with Santa
Dec 2007

Next year, we'll see if we can get Julia's waistband all the way up to her chin.

First Snow

Julia's first snow was last week, on the day we arrived in Denver. Yesterday, it snowed in Virginia, so she has already seen two snowfalls.

This morning, our back deck

Happy Birthday, Papa

Oma and Opa came over to help us celebrate Papa's birthday. We had such a good time!

Happy Birthday, Papa

3 months

Meet the Puents

I am thrilled that Julia finally got to meet her Aunt Leigh, Uncle Ronnie, and her cousins, Kalin and Jacob. Undoubtedly, these will be very important people in Julia's life.

(We're also looking forward to end of December when Julia gets to meet some other very important people!)









We can't wait to see you guys again at Christmas!

Fashionista Files: International

This time, the fashionista file is international thanks to a couple of gifts.

The outfit is a gift from Holland. (Dank u, Oom Dirk en Tante Ria)
The shoes are a gift from Canada. (Thanks, Slokker Canada)
The baby was made in the USA.

First Flight

We headed to Denver to see my sister and her family. Julia did well on her first flight. She had a couple of short fussy spells, but she slept most of the way. On the way back, Daddy gave us his seat in First Class, and he sat in a middle seat in Coach. (That is love, my friends, especially since middle seats were not made for 6'4" men.)

Giggles!

In the last couple of weeks, Julia has made sounds similar to laughter. Today, it was unmistakable. Daddy was playing with her, and she really giggled!


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Autumn Hues

First Thanksgiving

We spent Julia's first Thanksgiving at Oma and Opa's house. Oma butterflied the turkey, and the food was delicious, as Berty's cooking always is. (Yum!) Julia was a bit fussy all day, prompting Daddy to take her for a drive in the car. It proved to be a loooong return home trip for him.

By the end of the day, she worked her cute spells and charmed the family.

Guest Appearance

Awwwww....look who decided to enjoy our deck. It's a good thing Jake didn't see him.

Fashionista Files: Pink Stripes

A little striped hoodie with baby cords? Oh yeah, it's a fashionista moment. Thanks to Eva for the adorable outfit!

Looking Forward to Family Time

The reality of the modern holiday season is that it is not the most wonderful time of the year. It is more accurately weeks of stress, traffic, errands, and hectic schedules with a few golden moments spent with family and friends.

Thanks to Miss Julia, I greet the holidays this year with renewed joy and anticipation:

- Julia and I get to spend four full days with Daddy this week.
- We will enjoy Thanksgiving with Oma, Opa, & Uncle Roger.
- Julia will meet Aunt Leigh, Uncle Ron, Kalin,& Jacob the week after Thanksgiving.
- In early December, we'll celebrate Daddy's birthday with Oma & Opa.
- Later in December, Julia will finally meet Grandpa!
- She will also finally meet Great-Grandma, Uncle Marty, Uncle Charlie, Aunt Kylelyn, & Scott.
- She'll be the delight of a large number of great aunts, uncles, and a whole slew of cousins.
- Julia will have some quality time with Grandma.

So, there's family time in our future, and I can't wait!

Minor milestone

Julia has found her hands and started putting them in her mouth. Those long fingers are better than a pacifier!

Brrrrr....it's cold outside!

No worries! Julia is all bundled up and ready for the weather.

Fashionista Files: Hippie Shirt

Can I get some privacy, please?

Julia doesn't get a break from the camera, even at bathtime.

Who IS that pretty girl?

Lately, Julia has been fascinated by the mirror under the mobile of the swing.

Fashionista Files: Tea Collection Stripes

I love the color of this outfit. Thanks so much, Auntie Laura!

Cutest Thing Ever, Part 2

More Ian & Dylan! However will Little Miss Julia pick a prom date?!

More Dating Adventures

On their date, Max needed to relax; Julia was a bit too relaxed.