She's got moves!

Julianna LOVES to sing and dance and I am not quite sure where she learned her moves from but I am secretly thinking that she may have gotten them from Jeremy:)

Oh Joy

As I sat on the couch on Saturday evening watching my husband and Julianna play, I couldn't help but get teary eyed.....as a mother so often does......just out of the joy of Julianna and Jeremy playing. Julianna scream-laughed over and over as her and Jer played a little game with Mr Potato head (which, by the way is her FAVORITE toy). It brought such joy to my heart to see my amazing husband having as much, or maybe even more fun, than Julianna. These "happy tear" moments only continue to increase and get better as the days go on.

Here are a few recent pictures of Julianna:

Julianna wearing a dress that grandma and grandpa Ruck sent from Africa

Jer putting lipgloss on Julianna because she went potty in the big girl potty:)

Ben and Jules playing the drums at Christmas

She is getting so big!

Jesus Loves Me

Julianna loves to sing. She does exactly like mama does and when a song comes on the radio that she doesn't know, she still tries to sing the song... it is quite funny. Lately she has been singing Jesus Loves Me. She sings it to her babies, in the car, or even in the costco check out line to the checker. I love this girl!

P.S. Jeremy named Julianna's other baby Cindy:)

Santa Clause

We went to see Santa Clause this morning for the third time in Julianna's life. The first year she was only about 5 weeks old so she slept through the picture. Last year and this year were about the same as she panicked the minute we tried to put her on Santa's lap. This year it was a family Santa picture so I wasn't able to snap any pictures of my own:) We even tried promising her a Starbucks vanilla milk if she would sit on his lap but she didn't bite. However she still held us to that promise after Santa:) We had some fun walking around the mall afterwards as well. I wonder if she will like Santa next year????

Getting ready for Santa

Family picture

So cute....Daddy and Julianna walking through the mall

Playing at the mall playground

Vanilla milk...obviously quite satisfied:)

Tea for 3!

Julianna went to her first tea party this morning. She has had many "firsts", but this is her "first" on the list of girly things that I am going to get to experience with my daughter. We got together with Julianna's friends Lily, and Kaya ( and my friends Chelle, and Darla:) ) to celebrate birthdays since the girls were all born within a week of each other. Chelle graciously invited us over to her house and set up a Christmas tea party that would be any little girl's dream. She served them hot chocolate with marshmellows, cinnamon rolls, and m&m's, and let me tell you...Julianna was in HEAVEN as she not only finished her hot chocolate with marshmellows and made a good dent in her huge cinnamon roll, but attempted to finish off Kaya's hot chocolate and marshmellows as well. The girls also did a gift exchange and Julianna got a tutu that she did not want to take off. I hope that this becomes a tradidtion that we get to do with the girls every year because this tea party was so much fun!

The Cute tableJulianna's place setting

Julianna thoroughly enjoying herselfLily, Kaya, and Julianna

Oh the things she says

Julianna is always saying something that cracks me up so I figured I needed to write some of them down before I forget them. Here goes.

• "mama, I yuv you"
• me: "Julianna, are you my girlfriend?" Julianna: "Nope. I'm a crazy chick"
• "Daddy, don't say that"
• "Daddy, don't do that"
• me: "Julianna, do you have a poopy diaper?" Julianna: "Nope. Its just a peepee one" (she says that EVERY time )
• "Lets be reasonable"
• "I do not want it. I want a pink one". (when I gave her a gold purse. Since when does she have an opinion about the color of purse she prefers?)
• "Mommy, I want to hold Jesus" (refering to the little willow tree sculpture of a mom holding a baby)
• "I'm scared. Mommy will you protect me?"
• "Oh my gosh. I dropped my juice"
• "Jesus, help me"

All of this at the ripe old age of 2, which is why these all make me smile. It just amazes me what she retains and what comes out of her mouth. This girl is hilarious!

My baby turns 2!!!!!

Julianna eating her cupcake

Singing happy birthday

Opening a present from a good friend

Birthday lunch at Red Robin with grandma and grandpa, stuffing icecream into her mouth

Julianna is now OFFICIALLY not a baby anymore, which makes me somewhat sad but also so excited for what and who she is developing into. She definately has a mind of her own, and is NOT afraid to speak it. She is such a love when she wants to be and if she thinks mommy is sad or hurt she will walk right up to me, look me in the eyes, and very clearly ask "mommy, are you ok" with the most empathetic little voice you have ever heard. She communicates what she wants or feels very easily which is incredibly nice and helpful when taking care of a toddler. She will tell me that she "loves me with all of her heart", and well, I love her with all of my heart too, as does so many others :) She is such a joy, full of laughter and silliness and we cannot wait for what is next to come!