Happy 2nd Birthday Julia!

Has it really been two years? Our sweet little girl turned 2 years old today.  She is reminding us daily that she is no longer a baby as she continues to do new things every day.

Reminiscing... 

 Jeff and Julia- taken Saturday when Jeff was watching the Bison win again (3rd straight National Championship). Jeff and Julia watched the 1st National Championship together too when she was just hours old in the hospital.

We had a small birthday party for Julia today, but family will be coming later in January. We did get to Skype with grandparents though, so that was great. Plus Julia and I got to hang out all day since there was no school today for me due to the extreme cold.  The week she was born we were in the upper 50s.  What a difference.

This girl loves Sesame Street, especially Elmo ("Melmo" as she calls him).  Holding up 2 fingers!

Checking out her new toys!

Julia was eyeing that cupcake.  She worked pretty hard at blowing out the candle, but it always lit back up. Sneaky thing.

Julia's first time eating cake at her 1st birthday party last year.  Why does this Mommy always do red frosting?!?!

Julia and I made cupcakes for her to bring to daycare. Well, Julia contributed by eating lots of marshmallows! 

Now, for a little summary of what Julia is up to these days so I have a record of it! : )

Julia is starting to say more and more words every day. She will usually try to repeat words you say if you ask her to try.  She is getting really good at colors and is able to tell us what is green, red, orange, blue, pink, yellow, etc.  She tries to count to three, but it is difficult to understand what she is saying.  For some other words like pickle, sticker, blanket, cookie she just says the first syllable ("pick", "stick", "blank", "cook").  "Clip" is "blip."  She has a few other words where she mixes up one of the letters.  She does a few multiple word sentences like: "Where'd he go?"  "There it is."  "Bye-Bye Gus."

She has lots of toys that she likes to play with.  She loves her dolls and enjoys wrapping them up in their blankies.  She got some great gifts for Christmas that she loves to play with, too.  She really enjoys having Daddy and Mommy listen for a heartbeat with her new toy stethoscope. (I am hoping that her playing with the Dr. kit won't make her 2 year appt. next week so scary!)  She still loves puzzles and is even starting to do the jigsaw ones now.  We read lots of books.  We have piles of them, but I think you can never have enough books!  

This child LOVES to watch Sesame Street (Elmo), Dora, Bubble Guppies and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Honestly, she would love it if her mommy would leave it on all day for her (sorry, little girl, not gonna happen).  She will usually just sit in a chair or on the floor and watch and every once and awhile she will go and play for a bit.  She also wants to take over my phone.  She has a few apps on my phone that she gets to play with every once and awhile.  However, she has figured out how to get on to Netflix and YouTube on my phone so she can watch Elmo or Curious George.  Unbelievable.

Favorite foods:  clementines, soup, chili, tator tot hotdish, applesauce, bread with PB (not chunky, I found that out today), MILK, juice

She and Gus are still good buds.  Gus got some new toys for Christmas and they play tug-o-war with them or Julia throws it for Gus.  She just giggles and giggles when she plays with Gus.  It is adorable.  She will also pet him very nicely and give him kisses.

We absolutely love this little girl and are so thankful for her health.  Praise God!

I'm sure there is so much more I could write, but I've gotta go clean up the kitchen before I head to bed.  It was nice having a few days off of school this week due to the "Polar Vortex" (too bad we have to make them up in June).