SATURDAY, JANUARY 24TH, 1998

Julia has just finished having a bottle and eating cereal. So enjoyable for both of us! She is now sitting in her carrier/car seat and playing with the toys that stretch accross the handle - very contentedly. Amazing. She has been doing great in that seat lately and she used to hate it. As everyone in Indiana can attest to. I think it must have something to do with the fact that I started feeding her in it. I put the seat on the kitchen table and feed her cereal and occasionally a bottle. And she will sit there and watch me wash dishes and clean up the kitchen for a long time with no fuss. Wonderful!

She had her first Peaches last night and this morning. Hard to tell, but I don't think she liked them quite as much as the Applesauce and Pears we have already tried. She made sort of a funny face the first couple bites. I love to watch her eat. It is very satisfying. She has her own little spoons and bowls. The night before she was 4 months old, I got them out from the store of things I received before she was born and had put away for later. Three little bowls and several little spoons. I carefully washed them with a great sense of anticipation.

At Julia's 4 month checkup she weighed in at 13 lbs 12 oz and was 24.25 inches long. The 70th percentile for each. I was glad to see her leveling off just a little. Last time was 80th weight and 90th length. She had 3 immunization shots, one in each leg and one in the bottom. No fun. I distracted myself warming her bottle in the sink. She screamed and I cried, but it was over quickly. And then she was fine. No reactions. The doctor pronounced her in perfect health in every way. He recommended getting an exersaucer. Will go shopping for it, probably at Toys-R-Us or Sears, this weekend. And Johnny Jump Up which we had already received as a gift but hadn't used yet. The goal is to exercise her legs. He said to get her to play with her feet which she already does. And he loved her foot rattles that have Pooh & Tigger rattles on them. He said to go ahead with the rice cereal and fruit. The reason for the fruit is the vitamin C in it helps her absorb the iron in the cereal.

I am down to nursing usually two times per day now. Once in the morning, first thing, and once in the afternoon or night. Seems to work out perfect for both of us. She is very content to have her bottle the rest of the time.

Every time I look at Julia's beautiful canopy crib I feel happy. It suits her. She looks like she's right at home there. I long for a nursery for her, but I have thouroughly enjoyed having her in our room. Being able to look up and see her there sleeping or playing. Knowing I'm only a little over an arms length away is a good feeling for me. Funny, I don't remember exactly the first time she slept in the crib instead of the cradle all night. Must have been somewhere around the time Mark built the changing table. I have to admit I have really enjoy the changing table. I didn't think I needed one, but I love it!

We have been enjoying a lot of books and music lately. Got some CD's this week called 101 children's songs which are great! She especially loves Head & Shoulder's, Knees & Toes and The Hokey Pokey.

Work has been really hectic lately. I've been exhausted these last few weeks. Feel better today than in a long time. Julia slept particularly well these last two nights, so I did too. Last night was marvelous! She went to sleep all by herself for what I think is the very first time. About 11:00, I put her in her bed and she played with her feet, baby doll, mobile (she kicks at it now), and blanket until she fell asleep. She has been taking her pacifier some at night too. I stayed nearby in the room. Replaced the pacifier a couple of times, but that's all. When she fell asleep, I left the room and started cleaning up the kitchen and making bottles. At about 11:30 I heard her fussing and headed for the room. But I didn't go in, just stopped at the door and peeked in. I could see her but she couldn't see me. I thought I would give her a couple minutes to see if she could quiet herself down, and she did! She played for a few more minutes and then went back to sleep! Made me feel so good. I have been spending hours for months up and down with her. So it's quite an accomplishment I think. She has been rolling over back to front when coaxed, but not too much on her own initiative. And she does not like laying on her stomach much at all. She can hold her head up pretty well though while on her tummy. She just starts fussing pretty quickly. And makes no attempt to roll herself back over. Sure she will sooner or later.

Anyway, we have been doing little more than playing with & caring for Julia, keeping up with Thomas, working, eating, sleeping, cleaning house. I guess that's life for now. I told Mark the other day that if we ever got caught up I wanted us to start going out on a date, dinner, movie, museum, anything, once a month or so. Maybe someday.

I started walking some more last week. It felt so good! Went to the track one day and walked about 3 miles with Annie along side and Julia in the stroller. Had rain a couple of days, but today looks nice, so I plan to go back to the track this afternoon. Julia is napping now. Sometimes she naps for a couple hours but usually only 20-30 minutes or so.

Thomas is at his Debate Team practice today. I thought they had a meet in Macon today but I was mistaken. It's Tuesday. They will leave school a little early. Don't know if Mark & I will be able to go or not. We'll see.

Julia is still enjoying all her wonderful Christmas gifts (see list on her page). She is about too big for all but a few of her 3-6 month clothes. The 6-9 months are great. Some fitting perfectly and some with plenty of growing room. Her hair is growing a little too. Her eyes are georgeous, deep blue with long dark eyelashes. Looking forward to taking new pictures pretty soon. And then at Easter will do pictures with live bunnies. And she'll be sitting by then I imagine. Wow!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD

59 Days until Spring Break! I am counting already. Excited about Julia & I going to Indiana.

Julia likes bouncing in her Johnny Jump Up. During my lunch hour, I put her in it and I sit on the floor in front of her and eat my lunch. I'm thankful my workplace is only a couple minutes from home.

Bedtime is going much smoother and she is sleeping better and longer...finally. Last night she slept from 9:30 P.M. - 7:30 A.M.!! The Bedtime B's...
1. Books
2. Bath
3. Bottle
4. Burp
5. Blanket
6. Baby Doll
7. Binky (sometimes)
8. Breathe a sigh of relief!