December 2009 "I'm the winner!" and "Me first/I'm the leader!" plus "Open/Close"

Not sure where Julia picked it up from, school or TV? But this month she started saying "Me first, follow the leader" when we'd get out of the car and walk into the house, walking up the stairs, etc...then when she'd get to the top of the stairs it was "I'm the winner!" So I started telling her it's not always so important to win...but to always try your best and be a good person. After a few days of telling her this now when she gets to the top of the stairs she says "Daddy, I tried my best!" One step at a time!

Another new thing for Julia is automatic doors - it's so funny when she stands/walks toward the doors and yells "OPEN" and then after we walk through she turns around and yells "CLOSE." The first time she did this was at St. Johns Medical Center when we visited Mommy and Baby Rosie!

Dec. 16, 2009 - Over Due Update

Since Julia became a big sister on 12/4/09, life for the entire family became busier and even more full of joy! Stella Rose was born 12/4/09 and on 12/5 when Julia met her baby sister, all the way home whenever I would refer to Julia as Babe or Sweetie she would correct me and say "No, I'm not Sweetie, I'm Big Sister Julia." How cute!
Another thing that makes my heart smile is when I drop Big Sister Julia off at school at Undercroft Montessori and from the car pool she gets out of the CRV, puts her canvas school bag on her shoulder and starts walking on the white line into the school - really such a "big girl". Makes me so happy and proud that she's growing up and loves Montessori school!
Julia still loves music, dancing, singing, art, books and playing games.
Whenever Meme or I are eating or drinking something, Julia is sure to ask what it is and when we say it's spicy drink or spicy food, she says "When I'm bigger I'm going to eat/drink that spicy food/beverage."

Yesterday we made our first gingerbread house - it was loads of fun and of course both Julia and I had a lot of creative juices flowing and our girl was focused on decorating the house with the colorful candies.

Big Sister - December 4, 2009

Well, Stella Rose was born at 7:19am today and after Mommy got moved to her regular room in the labor/delivery unit, Daddy went home to pick up Julia and Grandma Ping Sou. Julia LOVES being a big sister! She got to hold Baby Rosie today and on the drive home whenever I said "yes sweetie" or "yes Jules" she would say "No I'm Big Sister Julia." It was soooo cute! Also whenever we tell someone that Stella Rose was born, Julia said, "No, her name is just Rosie!"

Aside from all the excitement of being a big sister, which Julia is adjusting to quite nicely, her latest favorite things is Rainbows. She loves to help Mommy make banana bread, she loves her Ms. Shelly's Dance Class, art, singing and kind of ordering people around. Hide n seek is still popular as well as running around the house in general.

Life as well know it is changing with two wonderful daughters - Stella and Julia - two apples of their parents' eyes!!!

Sat. Nov. 28. 2009

What a day! Julia went with Daddy to his WW meeting (of which she told me before we left "Your meeting is boring") where she kept occupied with coloring a couple pages of her Dora coloring book, then off to Hardesty Library where we borrowed 3 books and 3 movies, then back home for lunch and the Wiggles DVD we borrowed, before an hour at LaFortune Park and a stop at Lulu's Bakery To Go.

During lunch, Julia ate some Mac & Cheese, green beans and grapes. Attached is a photo of her bowl of grapes and the "small" ones that she wanted to "save for Baby Rosie." What a great big sister - so thoughtful and kind!

We had a great Daddy/Daughter day while mommy got to sleep in a little and then she took Grandma Ping Sou shopping.

Julia fell asleep right after we left Lulu's, so she napped for 90 minutes in the car while Mom and Dad got to catch up sitting out in from of the garage and then we headed to dinner at Asian Cuisine (the best Chinese food that T town has to offer)...

11-24-09 Folk's Day at Undercroft Monessori School

Today Mommy and Daddy had a chance to spend the day with Julia at her school. She was so happy to show us her Montessori "work" and we were so proud to see her do her work with independence, focus and such enjoyment! Undercroft also had a bake sale, gift basket raffle and Scholastic book sale going on - the school was humming with happy kids, a lot of adults guests and festive activities! What a nice morning we had! Here's a bunch of pictures from a typical day of Julia's life in Montessori!

11/20/09 Weekend!

Here's a pic of Julia reading a book to Daddy right before bedtime on Friday 11/20. Mommy needs extra rest lately as she's still fighting a cold and can't sleep through the night at all being 8 months pregnant.

Saturday morning Julia went with Daddy to his Weight Watchers meeting, then a trip to the library where we borrowed 3 DVDs and 2 new books and then off to the grocery store before getting home to prepare lunch, go for a scooter and tricycle rides around the block, then haircuts for Julia and Daddy, then a stop at Woodland Hills Mall for some new fall/winter wear for Julia, some playtime in the kids play area and a delicious dinner at The Cheesecake Factory!

Sunday was breakfast with Daddy again, then we went for a great Korean buffet (at least great for Tulsa) and some fun time at LaFortune Park while Grandma Ping Sou shopped at the mall and Mommy got to chat with Yee Mah (Aunt Nini). After all this, Mommy got to rest upstairs while Julia and Daddy chilled downstairs watching "I SPY" during which Julia said "Hi I'm Julia and this is my best friend Daddy." Melt my heart!!!

11/17/09 - Lunch at Daddy's Office

Today we had an impromptu family lunch at Daddy's office - it's funny how excited kids get to visit a parent at work...and how delighted the parent gets! After our meal, along with a little In Between The Lions and Clifford The Big Red Dog - ala the TV in the break room - Julia's visit wouldn't be complete without drawing something. So here she is making a "rainbow" which she proudly took home to show Grandma Ping Sou.