Juliette turned ONE!

Dear Juliette,

What a spunky, funny, and special little girl you are!  During my last ultrasound, the doctor informed me we were going to have a "female moose" because you were going to be a big baby.  We welcomed you into our family on your due date July 7, 2010 weighing in at 9lb 4 oz!  The doctor wasn't kidding... you were a big baby!  You had such a sweet personality from the very beginning.  You are easy going and fun to be around.  It has been a joy to get to know you over the past year, and we look forward to all the fun times ahead! 

You began crawling at 4 months and walking at the end of 9 months.  You said your first word "hi" (always while waving your arm) when you were 10 months old.  You do your very best to keep up with your big brother!  He loves you, but occasionally can be a little rough.  You are squeezed, he carries you around, sometimes you are dropped, but you take it all in stride and are a good sport about it. 

The Italians love you and you have the cleaning ladies here at our hotel wrapped around your finger.  You say "hi" to everyone, love attention, and when you go unnoticed, you tend to scream until someone talks to you.  You are still easy going and a good baby!  You climb on anything and everything, without regard to the consequence of standing on the edge of a sofa.  You keep me and your daddy on our toes!  You love to laugh and you always make us laugh.  You can out-eat your brother.  You will eat pretty much anything and sometimes it's hard to keep up with your pace.  When you finish your meal, and we haven't offered something else, you scream at us.  Screaming seems to get things accomplished! 

Sleep is a bit of an issue, as in you don't do much of it.  Nap time generally isn't a problem, but boy oh boy you can keep us up all night!  It doesn't help that you are sleeping in our room because of living in temporary housing.  We are looking forward to you having your own room!  There is a defiant strain in you too.  I have no idea where that comes from!  Ok, maybe it could possibly be from me!  Here's an example:  We are shopping and you are riding in the front of the shopping cart.  Everything is going along great, except I turn to grab a bag of bread and when I turn back, you are standing where you should be sitting.  I tell you "no Ma'am" and sit you back down in the seat.  You promptly begin to stand up again, while keeping direct eye contact with me.  It's like you are challenging me and daring me to do something about it.  This makes for a very long shopping trip!  This is only one example, there are several along the same lines!

You are so special and we are blessed to have the chance to raise you and be Godly examples for you.  My prayer for you is that you are blessed beyond measure and that you always remember God supplies those blessings. That you know who you are and Who's you are. I pray you grow up to be anything you want to be, but most of all a Godly, strong, courageous, and honorable woman, leaving a positive  impact on your world. Always dream as big as you can, always stand back up after falling, always be kind, and always do the very best you can.


Juliette, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He show you favor and grant you peace.

We love you!