Julianna's Nemesis

It's minuscule.

It moves at a snail's pace.

It wakes her up at 4am.

It's not witty but it certainly is sharp.

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Here's a hint:

A villan usually comes under the cover of darkness, but not this pearly white culprit!

(Like I said, it's minuscule, but Jules will definitely let you know it's there!)

Booo to Tummy Time.

This is what happens when you have only figured out how to scoot backwards.Currently, sitting is the preferred playing position.

Supposed to be Packing

We are supposed to be packing for a trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Colorado. I've never been good at packing ahead, and I'm definitely not a "compact packer". And now I have to pack for two!

The second one comes a lot of STUFF (baby monitor, white noise machine, medicine, toys... the list never ends!). We are really looking forward to the trip, but the packing is going to take me all day. Especially since it suddenly seems imperative for me to post to our blog. :)

A friend of ours, Kelly, from Texas, recently sent us a really cute numbers book for Julianna, and since we don't have very many books yet, we were really excited to receive this one! As a thank you, we emailed her a video of Julianna enjoying her new book. And I thought it was just so cute, that I should share it with all of you as well.

Now... back to packing.

Post Swaddle

Breaking the Swaddle

I think laying her down those first few times without the swaddle was probably harder on me than it was on her. Would she still be comfortable? Would she be cold? Would she be able to stay asleep without that security blanket? But the transition didn't seem to bother her much. A quiet, dark room, Mommy patting her back, the addition of a new white noise machine and she settled right down, laying her head on my shoulder and wrapping her tiny little arm around my neck. A smooth transition from my arms to her bed required a little more planning since she was no longer wrapped like a mummy, but after a few days, she relaxed enough to hardly wake as I laid her down.

Now, just before I walk out of her room, I'm able to admire her tiny little body which used to be hidden beneath a blanket. Perfect little hands and feet, tiny fingers and toes, relaxed and peaceful as she exits this world and enters dreamland. My baby is growing up. Not yet a kid, but no longer an infant.

Happy 1/2 Birthday

March 1st, 2010
Dear Julianna,


It seems you are growing up so fast, and yet, you are only 6 months old. Because I'm a new mommy, everything mommy-related is now of interest to me. I like to read mommy blogs, chat with other mommies, see what moms are doing to capture every moment of their child's life. And in doing this, I find myself very often wondering, did I already let some of those precious fleeting moments pass me by without properly documenting them? Did I get those tiny little fingers and toes when they were itsy bitsy and oh so new, before they could hold on to things or reach out with intention? Did I video record your first noises and capture the pride on your face when you realized you were the one making those sounds? Did I take a picture of the look in your daddy's eyes when he came home after work those first few weeks and couldn't bare to put you down long enough to eat his dinner? Did I record the love that your grandparents' showered on you when they met you for the very first time? Did I write down all your measurements and save your hospital bracelets and tiny little knit hat? Have I done more (or less) than every other adoring mom who recently experienced this miracle called new life?


Capturing every day life has always been a favorite hobby of mine, from working on the yearbook staff in high school and college to taking pictures, journaling and scrapbooking. I guess it's my sentimental side. My deep, yet simple side. The one that recognizes that the best parts of life are celebrating human relationships and experiences, the fleeting moments; good morning smiles, chubby baby cheeks, kiss sandwiches, lazy, snuggle days, listening to the rain, admiring a full rainbow of colors, big bear hugs... Having you has ignited a new drive in me to recognize and appreciate these precious moments as often as I can. You, little bity baby, show us how vulnerable our big, adult hearts really are.


I love you little munchkin, I hope everything I do reinforces that.
(If you received this post in an email, you will have to go to the actual blog to see the video:
thegeorgesinseattle.blogspot.com )

A Seat At The Table

Julianna, at 5.5 months, you are devouring quite a variety of foods. For breakfast you have your choice (which is whatever mom gives you) of peaches, applesauce or bananas. And for Dinner, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots and green beans have all been introduced. By far, sweet potatoes are your favorite and you show us this by waiting with your mouth open while we are scooping the next bite out of the bowl.

Up until about a week ago, we were feeding you while holding you on our laps. It was quite a challenge to wipe the excess off your face with the spoon or to even get everything in your mouth before you turned your head, all while holding down your arms so you wouldn't stick your hands or your bib in your mouth. We finally decided on a high chair, and I think we are all quite happy with it. It has a lot of size adjustments so it will grow with you, and it even has some removable padding that keeps you from sliding around since you are such a tiny squirt. It's also great to have a place to put you while I prepare your food. We mix rice cereal into your solids and you watch us intently while we do it. There is no allowance for us to get distracted. That rice cereal box is the promise that food is coming, and if we are not looking at you or mixing food, we hear about it.

So far we are able to keep you fairly clean by wiping your face with the spoon after each bite. But I have a feeling it's only a matter of time before we have to spray you down after every meal. You already are showing a lot of interest in the bowls we serve you from. Luckily, right now, the high chair tray is wider than your arm is long.