Life is good. Life is busy. Every day is filled with little joys and little victories here and there. Every day I get to be with you, Aidan and Julia, is fulfilling, and fun, and frustrating (at times), and amazing.
The work days fly by, as I can't wait to get home to you and your mother (and dog brothers).
The weekends I try to slow down, so that these long summer days where we're together for a whole day seem to last forever. Or at least tide me over until the next weekend.
I was greeted at the front door one day by you Julia, as you scooted over to see me with a huge smile on your face.
One day, Aidan, you said "Hi Daddy! You came back!" (as if I don't often come back!)
You also greeted me once this week with "Hi Daddy! You have fun at bounce house?" (I promise, I was NOT at the bounce house all day).
I've been getting some good Julia laughs and smiles as I feed you dinner. You and I also have gotten into several book eating contests, much to your delight!
And I've been a special guest in Aidan's bath (by invite only) for three nights in a row.
I've been sprayed in the head with the hose and had my finger chomped on a bit. And I love it all. I can't wait to get home to you both for more magic and more living.
Julia, I can't believe it, but you have been out here in the world now for as long as you were in your Mommy's tummy.
In nine months you've gone from this:
To this:
To this:
With every day you grow into a funnier, happier, more complex, more amazing young lady.
You have some issues with sleeping, as in you don't really like to do so more than 4 hours at a time (which is a bit troubling at night) but when you're awake, you're mostly all smiles.
You love to chase your brother and wake him up. But, you don't like it when he messes with you. That said, the foundation of a great friendship is there, and you guys love each other so much. Aidan asks you everyday "Julia, you want play with me? Okay!"
You figured out how to use your eyebrows and do so liberally.
You love to wave hello, and scoot around everywhere in your walker.
But, you're fast enough of a crawler now that the walker just slows you down. You are fast and determined to get where you're going.
You still love to clap and make silly noises. We even think you're trying to say the "J" in your name...it comes out like blowing raspberries...but that's still pretty dang good!
And, on top of all this, you can stand on your own...without assistance!
You do know your name, and respond to it readily, and with a smile.
You're quick with a smile, but also don't mind just contemplating your surroundings.
You also really like to see the world from different perspectives.
You LOVE the dogs' bowls and we constantly have to race you to their water bowl, which you so desperately want to splish splash in.
You're a sweetheart, and you're funny (and you know it), and you love to make people laugh.
And when you get happy, there's no stopping you. Check out this "avocado inspired happiness" from a few days ago, and see the many faces of a 9-month old you:
You have three teeth (all on the bottom), and your top two teeth have just about come through. They'll be here any day.
You officially weigh 18 pounds and are 27 and 3/4 inches tall. That means you are the 50th percentile on weight and height. But, you are at the 100th percentile on awesomeness.
You are a super kid, Julia. And your Mommy and I (and your brother too) are so in love.
The 9-month period that you were growing in your Mommy's belly seems so long ago, and seems like it went by so quickly. But the 9 months that you've been here seem like an eternity; you are amazing and I don't remember life before you joined our growing family.
We love you for all that you are- no sleep and all- and you lighten our days with your beaming smile, your curiosity and your spirit.
The journey continues, and I'm so happy that we're all on it with you, you sweet girl.
Julia, recently we took a trip to the beach...it was your very first time ever going to the beach!
Aidan, you've been before, of course, but you loved it even more this time!
I actually came down a day after you guys, and you both seemed to have grown magically over night, as if the power of the sea helped you transform before my very eyes.
Aidan, you were suddenly singing the alphabet perfectly- and loudly- and many other songs at the top of your lungs!
Julia, you suddenly had become an expert crawler, zooming everywhere happily.
We were in good company: Yaya, Baba, Joe, Sham, Scott and Mommy and Daddy were so happy to be at the beach with both of you.
And we had oh so many adventures:
Julia's your adventures included: crawling in the sand, splashing our little legs in the ocean, early morning daddy-and-daughter strolls on the beach.
One-on-one time with Joe and Baba. Your first taste of ice cream!
Aidan, you were chasing girls, crashing other family's parties, looking at fishheads and jelly fish and fish and crabs.
Playing fetch with Yaya. Peeing in a sand dune. Ring-around the rosey a million times. Pirates! Sharks!
3 hour naps in the top bunk!
CANDY STORE!!!
It was a wonderful respite and a beautiful time at the beach.
Our first time as a family of four, and our first time vacationing with Mommy's side of the family in a long time.
We'll have to do it again and again!
Photo Album!
VIDEOS!
We had such a fun time, it's no wonder that on the drive home, as we approached the sparkling city of Dallas that, you Aidan, asked "where are we going?" When we said "Dallas," you said "NO!!!! Not Dallas!!!!! BEACH AGAIN! Beach Please!!!"
Well don't worry kids, we'll go again...very soon!
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