1st Birthday Party and Home One Month

Since we were not with Julianna on her 1st Birthday on April 17, we decided to have a 1st Birthday Party this past Saturday, July 18. She turned 15 months on July 17 so we thought it was a good time to celebrate! We had a small party with just family. We had pizza, birthday cake (Thanks for getting the cake for us, Mimi!), and homemade ice cream. Julianna didn't really know what to do with the cake so Mama had to help her get started eating the icing. Of course, I didn't mind since I could live off buttercream frosting. :) She had a great time and played with everybody. Some of her big items that she got were a swing set from Mama and Daddy and a sandbox from Mimi and Pop.

Also, we were home one month on Friday and we are continually amazed at the progress Julianna continues to make. She is crawling now and pulling up on us and on furniture. She is so proud of herself! I am sure she will be walking in no time. She can say duck and dog. She loves playing with her cousins and loves to go on walks in her stroller. She can point out my mouth and nose. She has gained 1.5 pounds since coming home according to the doctor's office. We are so blessed to have her in our lives and we thank God for her every day!

Here are some pics of Julianna's birthday party:

Julianna, Mama and Daddy


Julianna getting read to tear into her cake


Julianna and Mama opening presents


Opening presents with cousin Sarah Beth helping

1 Month Ago Today

It's hard to believe that it's been a month, but one month ago God brought Ed, Julianna and I together as a family. Julianna is the most precious child we could have ever asked for and she is perfect for our family. She is learning and growing every day. She is crawling now - well actually it's an army crawl but she can move all around the house like that. She is also sitting up now from being on her stomach and she is standing a lot with us holding on to her or with her holding on to furniture. She is saying dada, mama, and bye bye. We can ask her where her belly button is and she will pull up her shirt and pat her belly. We have also found two things she won't eat - turnip greens and cabbage. She also loves music and will start dancing when she hears it. It seems like every day almost she is learning new things.

If you are in the adoption process, please remember that there is a reason and a plan for why you are waiting. Jesus has a plan. Isaiah 55:8-9 says "For My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." If it would have been up to us, we would have had a child 5 or 10 years ago. But God had a perfect plan to bring us Julianna. I can honestly say that she was WORTH THE WAIT!


Ed,Julianna and I with her Uncle John, Aunt Melanie and cousins Martin, Steven, and Oliver on the 4th of July


Her shirt says "Daddy's Little Firecracker"


4th of July - Our 1st holiday with Julianna


Time for Bed - Her PJ top says "Hand Picked"