Julianna Clay

Julianna’s Playset

Eric and I couldn't think of anything better to get J-bird than a playset for the backyard.  I worked with a local builder to create a custom set for her complete with a flower garden and tire swing.  Julianna loves, loves, loves it and we know we have built something to last for years and years!  Enjoy!

These are a few of my favorite things…

We are just beginning to really notice some of Julianna's most favorite things.  She loves to play keep-away (especially with the dogs) and peek-a-boo (especially with mommy).  She also has a puppy pull toy we have named "Toto" that she happily drags behind her around the house (inside and out).  In addition she has fallen in love with board books.  She picks one from her collection each morning and I read it with her at least 20 times that day.  She turns the pages for me and points to the pictures on the pages while I read them.  She has even begun to sit with books and just turn the pages.  On our deck is a water table and Julianna pounds on the door to get out there.  She splashes the water everywhere and giggles with wild excitement.  Finally, she is still in love with flowers.  Any kind of flower she wants to touch it and they make her smile 🙂

Play Time is Fun Time

Saturday morning was so exciting for Julianna -- we went to Honeycutt Park and she had a blast.  The discovered a tunnel that had peek-a-boo windows and  a slide that was the perfect size for her.  Of course, we couldn't leave the park without some fun times in the swing.  What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning!

Gaining Independence

Julianna continues to surprise us as she grows.  She now has a walker that she can walk behind and push all over the house.  She loves to sit and play with all of the buttons and knobs almost as much as she likes to walk.  Oh, and her hair is beginning to really curl!

Fergie the Frog

Julianna LOVES rocking on Fergie the Frog.  The rocking frog was one of the very first things I purchased for her nursery and it's great to see how much she loves it at this age.

Konnichiwa, Ni Hao, Hai and Hello from Asia

Hi baby girl.  I am blogging from Singapore today.  I have been to Tokyo, Japan, Johor Bahru, Malaysia and I am now in Singapore.  Yesterday I had the good fortune of traveling into Malaysia for a day of Malay Culture.  We were greeted with a traditional Malaysian horse dance and we toured a farm of fruit trees (mangosteen, coconut, oil palm, papaya) and herbs.  We watched how rubber trees are tapped for latex and how peppercorns are grown and harvested.  We also learned how batik paintings and fabrics are created by hand and had a demonstration of the process.  In Singapore I revisted James Koa a local master Chinese calligrapher to have your name written in Mandarin.  I reminded him of the calligraphy lesson I had with him two years back and created a card just for you.  While in Chinatown we saw the great snake -- as in February the Chinese New Year will being and it is the year of the snake.  I miss you so much but in my travels I have picked up a few things for you.  I know you are too young to appreciate today but hopefully one day these things will make you smile.

Only 5 more days and I'll be home to you -- I cannot wait to see you and papa!

Mommy

Bird Watching

Julianna spends time nearly every day watching the winter birds feed off the side of our deck.  She gets so excited as they fly by for landing and then take back off.  Very special to watch as it reminds me of how much my father loved to sit and watch his birds.

Julianna loves Wildlife

Julianna loves spending time in her high chair looking out our kitchen windows.  There is a bird feeder close by and she is fully entertained by the large variety of birds and pesky squirrels that frequent the feeding station.