15 months

Fun at the museum beach party.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art had a "beach party" all summer long in front of the museum. They painted huge game boards on the concrete, had sandboxes with toys, ping pong, bean bag toss, and more. It was very cool and fun to explore. Julian loves to play with other kids, and "yells" when he sees them. He gets very excited to see other toddlers and babies, and goes right up to them to see what they're doing.

cardboard castle at the museum

We had fun at "Art Splash" at the museum. They had kids activities, story time, toys and kid-friendly exhibits all summer long. 

The Free Library had this book house outside that you could take out some of the books and read in the big chairs. 

We all went to Longwood Gardens this month. It was beautiful, with tons of flowers and plants in bloom.

Julian had some crazy dance moves at the Penn State concert.

Julian's cardboard condo

Relaxing at the beach party.

We all went to Penn State University for a few days. Michael was asked to be a juror for a big art show there, so Julian & I went along to hang out and see the show, the campus, and the music. We ate ice cream and watched the ducks in the evenings. And as always, the flowers there were a hit.

Julian & Dad touching the soft plants at Penn State.

Julian and Mom hung out at the hotel room at Penn State and partied!

Julian got a new bean bag chair from his dad. He loves it and sits in it every day during Sesame Street.

Julian's favorite veggie at the grocery store.

Julian is really looking more like a kid, and less like a baby. Unbelievable. When did this happen. He understands a lot of what I say, like "get your shoes", airplane, balloon, up the stairs, eat (you will go to your high chair), more (you do the sign language), milk (you start whining for a bottle or cup), brush our teeth (you go into the bathroom & wait by the sink), and more. Julian's favorite foods right now are red bell peppers, broccoli, cheese, peanut butter toast, pears, peaches, apples, crackers, Morning Star chicken nuggets, and muffins. He hugs me when I come home, and he smiles and kisses me.

Julian started walking backwards, it is very funny and cute. He also spins in a circle and makes himself dizzy. He has a funny personality, and will sometimes talk in a funny voice, like Barney on the Simpsons.

He also has learned how to turn into a limp noodle when he doesn't want me to move him, and he is getting good at throwing tantrums! He gets furious if I take something away from him, or if he can't do something he wants to, and he sometimes yells or screams. Yikes.

It is also getting harder to shop or eat out in a restaurant. Julian doesn't like to sit still for too long, and will demand to get down. We usually pick very casual places to eat out, and either Michael or I will have to follow him around while the other one scarfs down their food. To go grocery shopping, I have to give Julian a whole piece of fruit or a pepper to eat, and that keeps him busy for about 20 minutes. 

Julian says "Dat! Dat!" all the time, he points to things and wants to know what it is or he wants to touch it. He is obsessed with locks and holes, and puts keys or coins in every hole he sees. Or he will touch every hole or dent or crack. 

I often find random things in cupboards (like a cup in the food pantry, or a toy in the spice drawer), or toys or objects under cushions or under boxes. I have to watch him closely, because sometimes my keys or small computer connector will end up in a hiding spot. 

Julian loves books, we read about 15 or more books a day. He loves to bring me books and listens closely and loves pictures. 

He is a happy and loving boy, and I am so glad to have him in my life. 

14 Months

Julian and I went to Wisconsin this summer, and it was a real treat. Julian got to hang out with all of his cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends.  He now thinks that every little kid he sees is his cousin, and he shouts at them and runs right up to them. It was so much fun, and we are grateful to have such a loving and generous family.

Julian loved his personal pool at grammies house. He also loved filling it up with the hose.

We loved watching the amazing clogging Mabrys! They were so awesome!

JC and grandpa Greg hanging out on the patio.

I love ice cream cones, and my grammy!

Enjoying some milk with aunt Julie.

Julian loved his cousin Elyse. He misses her so much.

Auntie JoJo and cousin Louis came to hang out with us, hooray!

Zonked out with my grammy.

Louis read books with me. 

I love my grampa Louie!

Grampa and Julian playing with toys.

Louis carried me around and took care of me.

My cousin Leo shared his toys with me.

Check out this water table Louis!

Julian & Elyse having fun eating noodles.

July 4th was a great day...Grandma's birthday! Aunt Renate and Uncle Jack made delicious food and got an awesome pool for JC to play in. It was a lot of fun!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

13 Months

Enjoying puddles at the park.

JC and dad running in the park.Julian sneaking watermelon from the fridge. You might wonder, "how did he get into the fridge in the first place?" Well, I'm not perfect about shutting the door right away, and sometimes it seems easier to let him look around in there for a bit. 

Happy boy in a field of flowers.

JC and dad at the art museum.

Stirring split peas.

Julian working on the printer.

Baby robins at the park.

Food cart day! About 25 food carts rolled up near out house on my birthday.  We tried cupcakes, home-made popsicles, fried fish, and fried sushi :)

This has been Julian's obsession in his 13th month: hording all kinds of objects into small boxes and spaces. He will pack toys, receipts, potatoes, car keys and anything else he can find into boxes or under pillows. It is very funny.

Best buds.

Julian's first wedding party. We went to my friends' wedding at the Reading Terminal Market, it was so cool and Julian had a great time dancing. 

Brand new skateboard park near the art museum. Julian loved watching the skaters do jumps and screamed when they did tricks. 

Julian's favorite place to sleep: on his dad.

12 months +

There were some new and interesting things that happened this month. A big one was walking! Julian has started the wobble walk, and he looks so proud when he does it. I also feel so proud of him! 

Another funny thing he started doing is "squirreling his food" in his high-chair. He likes to take some of his food and stash it between the side of his leg and the high-chair, or on his lap. Then sometimes he will reach down to get some of the food and eat it, or else I will "discover" a whole bunch of food when I get him out of his high-chair. It is very funny. 

Julian is getting good at certain sounds, and he now knows what the crow says, and also a bear and cat. He sniffs his nose when I say "smell with your nose," and he smacks his lips when I say "kisses."

Walking!

Julian loves to brush his teeth, which usually consists of just sucking the water off the brush and chewing the handle.

Blinking eyes.

Stacking rocks.

Julian likes to hang out on the balcony and play with dirt and plants. He still loves to eat the dirt too. 

We took a ride to Valley Forge Park for Mothers' Day. It was a beautiful day, and we hung out in the grass and flowers. As a side note, this was a battleground during the Revolutionary War. 

Happy 1st Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Julian!Wow, I can't believe Julian is 1. I have been in complete shock and disbelief. For 2 days I just stared at him in amazement and a little sadness, for he is not a little baby anymore, he is a whole new person. Or rather, he is becoming closer to who he really is, and it has happened so unbelievably fast. I truly understand the importance of appreciating each moment of one's life, because that is all there really is.  I already miss that tiny (OK, big) baby, but I'm thrilled to see what is to come. 

Julian's birthday "smash" cake and cupcakes. The smash cake was carrot cake made with fruit juice, as I wasn't sure how he would do with a bunch of sugar. The cupcakes are chocolate with a little sugar, and the frosting is a cream cheese/whipping cream frosting with green tea for color, and strawberry juice for the face color. I got the idea for the cake from something I saw on the Internet. 

Julian and Aunt Sheila playing with blocks. Thanks Aunt Sheila for coming all the way from Boston to be at the party! It was a blast, and JC loved playing with his aunt.Reading books with Grandma Evie :) Grandma brought a whole bunch of great surprises for Julian. The two of them are always laughing at... well, nobody really knows but the two of them! It's like they have their own secret giggle club :)

Julian & Aunt Renate.

Aunt Renate and Uncle Jack came from NJ to be at the party. Hooray! They bring such a joyful spirit wherever they are. We are lucky to have them :)

 Julian really got into his smash cake. He loved poking holes into it and digging his hands into it. He liked patting it, and tasting it was nice too.

 Lots of people came to the party. Rob, Kathy, and Toni; Chloris; Espy; Daniel, Naomi and Sophie; Jack and Renate; Sheila and Evie; and Ms. Estelle.

Julian's birthday perfectly coincides with the blooming of the cherry trees, a truly amazing sight. They were given to Philadelphia as a gift from Japan, and there is always a Japanese festival called "Sakura Sunday" during this time also. My favorite part (next to the trees) is the Japanese drumming, and also the people who dress up like anime characters. Walking through the blooming cherry trees is like walking through clouds. It is a bit surreal, and completely amazing. There are also a ton of Japanese magnolias, red buds, and a ton of other flowering trees. 

My great friend Amy and her sweet dog Noodle came over on Sunday for a post-Julian-birthday celebration. We took a walk along the river and hung out under the trees.