Julia turned one on September 16th!
The kids and I went to New York over her actual birthday because Eric had to be in Seattle for a conference. Julia enjoyed a fun day! We went to the mall play area in the morning and the kids got a chance to run, crawl, and play. We sang happy birthday to her too! Being the girl she is, she decided to draw her birthday out for a bit.
Over Labor Day weekend, we were all supposed to go to New York for a birthday party that would celebrate Julia turning 1, Lucas turning 1, and Timothy turning 3. Julia had other plans and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. She still managed to get a cake and presents sent back to Ohio for her (courtesy of Aunt Kara- making it, and Aunt Coco- transporting it (and Oliver and Parker)). She had her first birthday cake on Monday, September 2nd.
The party in NY was a jungle them so Julia wore her birthday attire while eating her cake in Ohio. She also got to open some presents this day.
The party continued on September 11th with a FaceTime date with Grandma and Grandpa Shook where she opened her birthday presents from them..
On September 13th, our family of five celebrated her birthday with cake and presents. Julia had fun eating cake and opening presents (with some help from her big brothers).
On the 14th, we drove off to New York and Eric flew off to Seattle. On the 16th (her actual birthday), we played at the play place at the mall.
Julia and Luke also had fun playing in cousin Michelle's kayak
Julia got a few more presents in the mail in the next few weeks- she is a pretty lucky girl. She also got cake (again) yesterday when we took her in for her one-year pictures. We do a cake smash picture for their birthday. She seemed to enjoy all of the cake :)
She had her 1-year well baby visit on September 20th. She is 22 lbs, 13 oz and 30.9 inches long. That puts her just above 75th percentile for weight and around the 95th percentile for height. She is pretty healthy. We continue bloodwork and ultrasounds to monitor her kidneys and liver for cancer, but have always received good results. She is starting some of the follow-up care from her tongue reduction. We also have an upcoming appointment with a surgeon to discuss her belly button and an eventual surgery for that. She has her first dentist appointment at the end of this month too.
Now the fun stuff. Julia is such a happy baby and loves to be on the move. She is easy going and enjoys everything we do. Here are some of the things our baby girl can do:
-Stands on her own for a few seconds
-Took her first step without holding onto anything last night!
-Takes 2 naps (morning and afternoon)
-Goes to bed between 7:30 and 8:00 and wakes up between 7:00 and 7:30
-Loves almost all foods- especially cheese
-Wears 18 month clothes
-Loves playing with toys- especially little people, pounding benches, and stacking cups
-Is infatuated with her big brothers
-Uses a sippy cup or a straw cup with no problem
-Had her last bottle yesterday morning
-Cruises along furniture and has started walking behind push toys
-Likes to climb on chairs and bins
-Likes to draw
-Loves to get Parker's trains (especially when he is playing with them)
-Likes to splash in the bathtub
-Says mama and dada
-Plays peek-a-boo
I know there are lots more things she does everyday. She is such a fun little girl and makes us smile all the time. When I think back that just a year ago, she wasn't here yet, I can't believe how fast the time has gone. At the same time, the last year seems like it was forever ago. I have lost track of how many doctor visits we have had, two surgeries, three hospital stays, and lots of stressful times. But we have had millions of smiles, endless hugs and cuddles, and one amazing little girl through it all. Julia Marie- we love you like crazy baby girl!! Happy first birthday!
