2

Julia is 2 today. She's been talking about it for weeks now.

She knows that she gets presents. She knows she's supposed to blow out the candles. She's knows that when someone asks her how old she is she's to proudly say, "Two!" and hold up at least 5 fingers.

But, wasn't she just this big a few months ago?! Wasn't I just crying over her first birthday?!

Cause, this is how big she is now and I can't quite fathom it.

Did you know Julia can count to 10? She can. She skips 5 a lot and gets stuck on 7 and will say "sebenteen" until you prompt her with 8.

Julia likes to sing now. It's only taken almost 2 years, but she will let us sing songs with her. Her favorite is Itsy Bitsy Spider. And "Up Down" from Winnie-the-Pooh.

She has friends. She is in love with Baby Noah who says Eh! She talks about him every day. She also loves Henry, Mabel, Peter, Kayleigh and Baby Caleb. And, sometimes, she even enjoys the children at the Y. :)

She keeps talking about Illinois. She doesn't know what it is, but she knows that her NinaPapa and MemawPepaw live there. As do Aunt Kyky, Matt, Effen and Baby O. She thinks Papa's red truck is a fire truck. She'll get over her disappointment when she actually gets to ride in Papa's truck.
She is Evan's child. I always said that Elisabeth was all Evan's, but Julia has proven me wrong. She's even more of Evan's child. She loves to watch sports on tv, has a passion for cars and motorcycles, dislikes strawberries, and may have a tiny bit of a temper.
She's our cuddle bug. Our drama queen. Our bully. She loves Elisabeth but will tattle on her in a heartbeat. She loves to sit and hug us. She makes the funniest faces. She follows Elisabeth around and demands equal access to everything Elisabeth has. She knows what she wants and is quite stubborn about getting it. She's rough and tumble and has made Elisabeth cry when they've bonked heads. She's our comedian.
She loves dogs and cats and chickens. She knows some of her animals and the things they say. She loves Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh. She plays with baby dolls and Barbies. She really wants to jump rope and to have her own bike. She is fearless on playground equipment.
She is Ethan's soulmate and I can gauge what her next stage will be by asking Kyle what Ethan was doing just a few months before. Balloon obsession? Check. Mickey Mouse problem? Check. Garbage truck watching? Check. Flags? Check.

Julia is the reason I have a love/hate relationship with being a stay-at-home mom. Getting to stay home with her is both overwhelming and rewarding. Seeing her grow from the tiny baby that needed held constantly to the toddler who can do it by herself has been amazing.

I love her giggle...the way she lights up when Evan comes home...that she calls Elisabeth "Didi"...how she still needs rocked at nap time...her love of bath bubbles...her apple juice addiction...how even though she is rude when you meet her, she melts everyone's hearts...the way she runs...her chubby hand in mine...
Happy Birthday, Juju. You are truly loved.