- Speaking of Baby #2, Julia is getting more and more excited to become a big sister (only 8 weeks to go!). However, we may have a problem in that Julia seems to think we are expecting 3(!) babies. We don't know whether the baby is a boy or a girl, so in addition to buying gender neutral clothing (mostly ducks), Julia also helped us pick out a "coming home" outfit for a boy and for a girl. She will tell you that the "polka dots" are for the girl, the "puppies" are for the boy, and the "ducks" are for the baby! So hopefully she's not disappointed when she comes to the hospital and only meets one baby! She loves to hug and kiss my tummy and talk about all the things she's going to do with "our baby." Next week, we are going to set up the crib and reorganize their room and do (hopefully) our final shopping. Baby is due April 7, and my mom will be in Israel until the 2nd, so we are praying that Baby stays in utero until she arrives so that Julia will have her Marmee while I am in the hospital.
- Julia's biggest accomplishment of the last few months has been POTTY TRAINING! After a few rocky attempts in September and November, our December attempt was much more successful. Julia basically trained herself in the course of a week and a half, and we've now moved on to only wearing diapers at night (no pull-ups during nap time or outings anymore!), although she usually doesn't need the diaper at night, either. So proud of her and glad we crossed that hurdle before welcoming our new munchkin.
- Sadly naptime has become somewhat of a rarity, but she does still take up to a 2-hour rest-time every afternoon which she spends reading, singing (usually the refrain from "Angels We Have Heard on High" or "Away in a Manger"), and playing with her stuffed animals.
- Reading continues to be one of Julia's favorite activities. The "Alfie"stories continue to be favorites, especially since she received two new books for Christmas. Julia also received a "Curious George" book for Christmas, sparking her interest in our collection of "George" books. Other favorites are "The Philharmonic Gets Dressed," Peter Spier's "Rain," and "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish." It's amazing how many of these books she has almost memorized!
- Julia is continuing to enjoy being a part of the two-year-old Sunday school class at our Lutheran church. Her favorite parts of Sunday school are singing and hearing/watching her teacher tell the Bible stories with a felt board. At home, we've been working on some preschool activities. Counting: she can count to ten, but we've been focusing on the numbers 1 to 3 (counting objects and identifying the numerals). The alphabet: she knows most of her letters, but we are learning about "mommy and baby" letters and the sounds the letters make. Spelling her name. Bible stories (her current favorite is the lame man who comes through the roof to Jesus). Singing (she can sing most of "I Am Jesus' Little Lamb." And learning the Lord's Prayer. We're looking forward to starting homeschool preschool in earnest in the fall, but this has been a fun start!
- Other random accomplishments: Julia can identify her right hand/foot from her left the majority of the time. She likes to pick out her own clothes (she has a pretty good idea for fashion... hasn't tried too many outrageous combinations yet!), and she lines them up on her floor so they're ready to put on. We've also been working on her learning to dress/undress herself. The last of Julia's two-year molars is coming through! We are so glad to be through with teething! And Julia is learning to set the table...she especially likes folding and putting out the napkins.
- Favorite playtime activities (besides reading and being read to): She loves playing with her new kitchen and cookie making set she got for Christmas. She cooks meals for us, makes coffee, and goes "grocery shopping" with her toy food. She likes to "talk" to Daddy or Marmee on her toy phone. Still loves playing with her Little People (house, car, zoo, and playhouse). Also loves her "dress-up bears" and lacing cards. She likes to take her babies for walks, share her drinks with them, and put them down for naps. She's decided that my alarm clock is her GPS. She loves to wrestle and roughhouse with Daddy! And play the piano with Daddy. Cooking with Mommy is lots of fun (especially when it was Christmas cookie baking time). And she has shown a recent interest in playing "dress-up."
Well, that's all I can think of for now. She's quite a fun little person and an interesting conversationalist. I'm so grateful that I am blessed to able to be home and watch and foster her development. :-)
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