Trip to the State House

Today we decided to drive to downtown Columbia and see what all we could get into with the kids. Our first stop was the State House grounds where we ran into (almost literally) what seemed like hundreds of (very tame) birds and squirrels. They would come right up to your feet and even try to eat out of your hand... the kids got a big kick out of getting so close to these animals. A guy walking by gave us a handful of roasted peanuts to feed the squirrels and we soon found out that the birds were pretty fond of the gerber graduate little puffs we had in the diaper bag for Juliana. We finished up there by letting the kids climb up the State House steps (allll thoseee stepsss... whew!).

We rounded out our trip by walking a few blocks down to visit USC (Memories... ). We spent a lot of time walking around reminiscing about our old school days and where we took our classes at. And all the walking we had to do while we were there. I remember it taking me 15-20 minutes to walk from one class to the other. Allen of course reminds me every time that he has me beat as he had to walk at least that far carrying an upright bass for school (taller than he is, mind you!). Oh the good ol' days. They were good then, and they are good now.

And yes, we forgot Juliana's shoes. She didn't mind. ;-)

Wordless Wednesday Wobbly Wednesday

I shot a little video with my camera a few weeks ago as Juliana was just learning to walk at the ripe old age of 12 1/2 months. Though the quality is pretty bad, I thought she was just the cutest little wobbly walker (and you can hear me getting a kick out of it).

Also...

Im a tad bit late (Im always late... I just wouldnt be ME if I wasnt late to and late on everything) on this but we took the kids at the end of July for their 1 and 2 year physicals. We decided to be super brave and take them both at the same time and have them in the same room. What a handful! Neither one of them are overly fond of going to the doctor but Juliana was still too young to REALLY know what was going on. As soon as we pull into the parking lot at the doctors office with Noah in tow, he knows where he is and remembers getting his immunizations all too well and he is NOT a fan. I think it went about as well as could be expected though. Noah was 32 lbs ( 90th percentile) and 50th percentile for height (I didnt quite catch his height while they were measuring him; I was more concerned with the ear piercing screeching but he is between 34 and 35 inches). Juliana was 21 lbs and close to 28 inches making her 50th percentile for weight and 10th for height. She has stayed consistantly 10th percentile since birth so I think she may just be a little shorty- and thats fine with me! Everything else checked out A-Okay with them too. They are both doing well in the speech department, Juliana now has well over 50 words and occasionally puts two words together while Noah is stringing along full sentences and adds more words on daily. Some of Noah's words are starting to become more clear and I can pretty much understand everything he says. I guess all that worrying I did over Noah talking was not warranted after all... but Im a mommy and worrying is my job! I think... But so far, so good. No more checkups for Noah until hes 3 (::Whew!::) and Juliana doesnt go back until 18 months. I cannot believe I have a 1 year old and a 2 year old.

Birthday party

A family friend created this slideshow for me with pictures from the kids birthday party this past Sunday at the Saluda Shoals spray park. I'll upload some pictures that I took later but for now I'll share this! Thanks Rick!

My girl

My baby, my youngest, my little girl, my princess, my Juliana is 1 year old. One whole year has passed since the moment I saw her sweet little face. Love at first sight, without a doubt. Born on a hot wednesday evening at the hospital where I was working at. I came in early that morning to be induced and pitocin was started at 8:30am. I wanted so badly to go into labor without the aid of medication, in the familiarity of my own home. Around week 34, my midwife realized that Juliana had stopped growing well inside of me and the best option for her at that time was for me to be induced when she was full term. The ultrasound that I had before she was born showed that she would weigh very little over 5 lbs full term. My dream of my water breaking and going into labor naturally didnt happen. My dream of a daughter to love, did happen. My little girl came into this world a little after 7:00 that night with a head full of jet black curly hair and she weighed..... 7 lbs 1.6 oz. Not bad for what was supposed to be a 5 pounder. And you know who she looks JUST LIKE... Thats right, her daddy. While Noah is my mini me (for the most part) Juliana is a little girly clone of her daddy. We celebrated her first birthday by taking a trip to the beach for the day, just like we did with Noah last year. The kids had such a great time playing in the sand and water and we ate hot melted cupcakes in the sand and enjoyed the day. Happy Birthday Juliana.

Juliana always has a ready smile, showing off her 6 teeth.

3 bottom teeth, 3 top.

Born with blue eyes but now they change between blue, gray, and hazel.

Black hair was replaced with lightly curly brown hair.

More social than her brother.

Will let a stranger hold her, depending on her mood.

Prefers still to be carried around the house.

Still not walking but swiftly cruises all over the furniture and can stand alone briefly.

Has an amazing vocabulary including mommy, daddy, kitty, puppy, ball, eye, nose, ear, hair, toe, bottle, no, all done, thank you, duck, papy, milk, shoe, jump, and much more.

She hits (yikes!)

Is a water bug... loves to swim and even goes under the water.

Wears mostly 12 months clothes. Some 18 month tops.

Size 4 shoes

Hates her carseat... still.

Counts to 3 "Un... two... teee!!"

Size 3-4/4 diapers.

Toenails painted for the first time a few days ago just for fun.

Sleeps 12 hours at night.

Prefers to be rocked to sleep.

Loves to sing.

Loves to dance.

Loves her mommy and daddy.

And they love her too.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy 2nd birthday, baby of mine.

July 2, 2007 - 3:16 pm

My first born baby is two years old now. He came into this world at 3:16 pm on a Monday afternoon after Allen and I watched Titanic over and over on the hospital tv just waiting to become first time parents. He was born weeks early, two days before July 4th, and I was in labor for 17 hours straight. He was more than worth it. Two years ago I met that precious little boy for the first time and I had never been more scared and more elated at the same time. He was so beautiful... Looking into his face I remember thinking that he was flawless, amazing... much more beautiful than I had ever imagined. I examined his teeny toes, his little fingernails, his sweet little ears. He changed my life that day, he made me a mother. Every decision I made after that included him somehow. Most everything I do, I do it with him in mind. I am so thankful. I love that kid.


I love his hugs...


His blossoming sense of humor


His patience for his baby sister


His smile

I love when he sees me and excitedly shouts out "My mommy!!"


His love for "appa juice" "fruit nacks" and "chee toast"


His curls


How he has adopted the role of protector of his little sister.... "No sissy!! Not a toy!!"


How he loves me even when I lose my patience


I even love how he throws toys at us from the backseat of the car to get our attention



I love his everything.


Happy Birthday to my Noah. I am so proud to be your mommy.

Wordless Wednesday