Elisablog: Julia is 6.

Six years ago today, our Julia came into the world. She was my second baby and showed me that I could, in fact, love another child just as much as my first.

She made Elisabeth a big sister.

Evan fell instantly in love with her and vice versa.

From the get-go, Julia was demanding. She needed cuddled, loved, rocked, nursed, swung, swayed, and slung twenty four hours a day. Her sweet smiles made up for it, but there was a time when I was pretty sure I was going to expire from lack of sleep. Julia was definitely that "high needs" baby I had heard so much about from others.

She was a pacifier baby. An eyes on me constantly baby. A has the ability to roll, crawl, move, but chose not to baby.

But, regardless of her high demands, Julia has always been generous with her love. Hugs and kisses are still her favorite gift to give and receive from those she loves.

Julia is passionate. Currently, that comes out in talking excitedly (and LOUDLY) in exclamation points, crumbling into a pile of tears if she is upset or frustrated, and being enthusiastic in everything she tries to accomplish. While that passion is often overwhelming, it is something that, once honed, will serve her well in life.

Julia is my sleeper. Lord help us if that girl does not get in her 12 hours of much needed rest.

Julia is a reader, which you all know makes me endlessly happy. She can read on her own now and will occasionally read quietly to herself, but as with most things, she prefers we read to her.

Julia favorites:
Color--Pink
Food--Apples
Drink--Water
Book--Junie B. Jones
Movie--Frozen
TV shows--Play doh YouTube videos

Julia loves to: dance, sing, ride her scooter, dig in mud, play with play doh, be outside with her friends, go to the pool, visit the library, make art projects, draw, color, dress up, play Legos with Evan, have tea parties, play catch, help me cook, make pancakes on Sunday with Evan, listen to Elisabeth read to her, make Vivian giggle.

I think today may have been so bittersweet today because, of the three of my children, Julia was my baby the longest. Elisabeth and Vivian are both of the mentality that they can do it themselves and quickly shed off a lot of "baby" habits early (naps, pacifiers, being held, etc.). Julia is slow to change. She napped until the month before she turned 5, has the most lovies out of the three, needed held and snuggled longer than the other two. But, lately, I've been noticing her slowly starting to grow up.

She's gotten taller and has lost all that toddler chub in her thighs, arms, hands, and even her cheeks. She's not relying on us as much for things, taking matters into her own hands, becoming slowly more independent. Julia is less shy, more outgoing. Watching her go from a preschooler to a truly big kid has been an amazing journey full of lots of heavy sighs, tears, laughter, and joy (and those are just my reactions to it all!!!).