July 6, 2009

because I can

Behold. My new violet tresses. I found some demi-permanent hair color and chose purple, of course. I LOVE it. It makes my eyes REALLY green. Unfortunately my hands and ears were also sacrificed to the purple gods.

July 6, 2009

for my patient lurkers…

Hidy Ho to the Internets! Yeah. Sorry I’ve been away so long. You see, Julia had developed a sixth sense. Whenever my butt touches the chair in front of the computer, I suddenly hear the pitter patter of little feet running over to me. Then she starts to cry. Apparently it’s a very traumatic sight, me sitting at the computer.

Julia is now 14 months old. Behold:

That’s right, Julia wants YOU.

Keep in mind that I started this post a couple of days ago and haven’t been able to get back to it until now.

Julia has a handful of garbled words in her vocabulary including:

  • Meemee (mommy)
  • Dadum (daddy)
  • pop-pop (popcorn or anything that goes in the microwave)
  • uh-oh
  • purple
  • thank you
  • hi
  • dye dye (bye bye)
  • hat
  • hot (accompanied with a mouth blow to differentiate from hat)
  • up
  • yesh
  • trash

She knows and can tell you what the following say:

  • dog
  • cat
  • owl
  • pig
  • The Count from Sesame street

She knows how to get to the potty and the playground and Connor’s house. And if you ask if she wants ice cream, Oh. My. God., she gets so excited.

She loves to wear hats and if she sees one, she says Hat over and over until you put it on her head. If there is a second had in the vicinity she insists that you wear it.

Lately, she’s been trying to put her own shoes on.

During the day, there are several times when she picks up her purse, cell phone and keys, puts the purse on her shoulder and says “bye bye” while waving and starts to go to the front door.

She is JUST. LIKE. ME.

June 5, 2009

Behold how smart and silly Julia is:

May 29, 2009

long time, no see

So many firsts this month.

First fat lip (and second), first black eye, first time climbing on the playground equipment, first time in the pool, first pigtails, first official word.

If you ask her what a kangaroo or bunny do, she’ll hop (read “bounce”) up and down. What does a kitty say? (in a very high pitched voice) “Eeeeaaaaaahh.”

What does a dog say? :: insert panting sounds ::

We’re working on an owl.

She does all of the motions right to blow bubbles, but her air aim is a bit off and nothing comes out.

She knows that she should only color on the paper taped to the floor, but will try to color everything, including your back. And if you say, “Don’t color my back,” she’ll stop and hug you and then try to color your back again.

She LOVES her purple crayon (much to her daddy’s dismay).

She adores Grover, Elmo, her stuffed dog Coco, and her stuffed monkey (aptly named Mr. Monkey).

She ALWAYS wants to be outside. Rainy days really stress mommy out.

She loves to brush her teeth. Oh, did I mention that she got teeth 2 through 6 in the span of a few days?

What else is new? I really can’t tell you. So much. I’ve been running around a lot.

As for me? I’m thinking about making a slipcover for our couch. It’s a daunting task. One I’m both looking forward to and not so much.

And now I’m just staring at the screen thinking of things to tell you, but really, it’s been same stuff different day. No big insights. Just trying to get enough sleep, eat well, and keep the family healthy and happy.

Here, have some more photos:

Trying to blow bubbles.

First time in the pool. Didnt stay long, it was cold.

First time in the pool. Didn't stay long, it was cold.

Julia and her purple crayon.

Julia and her purple crayon.

May 1, 2009

Newsletter: First Birthday

Dear Julia,

You are now one year old. Good job.

We celebrated today by going to Dunkin Donuts with the working man’s crowd to get 25 chocolate Munchkins. You watched Elmo at home while taking one bite out of each donut and handing the rest to me.

This first year of your life has been exhausting, hectic, a true learning experience and a lot of fun. I’ve grown in ways people who don’t have kids don’t know to be possible. I’ve seen you grow from a baby Donald Duck in my tummy to an adorable little girl on the verge of becoming a full-fledged toddler.

Lately you’ve grown one whole tooth and are trying to get 4 more out at once. You’ve decided now that you’re one whole year old, that you can walk. You look incredibly pleased with yourself.

Your grandmother (one of many) sent you a stuffed dog holding a stuffed birthday cake with stuffed candles. When you squeeze the cake, it plays happy birthday. Twice. The second it stops, you grab a candle, hold it up to me and go “mmhhrrrrph!!” which apparently means, “Play again mommy!”

play again

Oh, by the way, you can finally say mah-mah, and it’s the sweetest sound ever. It helps me overcome my exhaustion and burning arms so that I can hold you and carry you around even longer.

Your daddy and I have switched evening duties. I bathe you and he rocks you to sleep now. I don’t know how I feel about it since two out of the last three nights you’ve pooped in the tub. And your daddy just scrubbed all of the soap scum out!

You love to slide and swing. You try really hard to be like the big kids at our play dates at the mall. This week you discovered all of the strollers and think they’re toys. You’ve tried to escape play land and steal a stroller or two. You’ve also tried to make a break for the ill-placed stairway that runs up and over the play area. The builders left a few gaps in the play fence. Someone should really tell them that just because they couldn’t fit through there; it doesn’t mean a toddler can’t.

Joules, you are the light of my life. You’re the most beautiful little girl I’ve ever seen. You’re sweet and loving and clever and determined. You’ll try any kind of food. You love edamame, French fries, and black olives (ewww).

I am SO lucky that YOU came out of my belly. You rock, child.

Love,

mommy