This is Julia, she's smiling a lot these days. Today (March 24 2008) I put her on her play mat and she started grabbing the rings. And the other day she started looking at her hands. I love seeing all the phases they go through, it's so fun. She has started to be more and more content, the older she gets. For a while there she had some rough crying spells, but I think we're through the worst of it. She was never that bad, but she's had her days when no matter what I do she doesn't want to settle down. Marc says whenever she gets away from the milk smell, she freaks out. But I think she's getting better. She watches Natalie as she runs around the house, I can already tell she adores her. Her face just lights up whenever she sees her. And Natalie loves to play with her and talk to her. I can't wait for them to get to play together.

Last Wednesday March 19, 2008 I took the girls to a place called the Oakland house. It's a big old house that they've redone. They open it up every Christmas and Easter. It's $3 a person. They do a puppet show, pet a real bunny, meet the Easter Bunny, and get to make a bag with candy in it. Natalie is so cute, she kept saying, "That's the mommy easter bunny, where's the daddy easter bunny?" Most of the kids were scared of the easter bunny, but Natalie went straight up to him and hugged him and asked him to pick her up. She had such a fun time. The little old ladies were so sweet, the kept telling me how beautiful my girls were. I bet they just love seeing all the kids come through there.

This week has been interesting so far. I am trying to get Julia to sleep in her bed in Natalie's room. The doctor said it was a good time to start. Anyway, I put her in there the other night and Natalie was so excited, she was say, "Julia is going to sleep in here with me?" with a big smile on her face. It was so cute. Then when Julia woke up while Natalie was trying to fall asleep she would say, "Julia, it's time to go to sleep, you need to be quiet", or "what's wrong Julia, you're OK." I wish I had a recorder to record the cute things she was saying to her. She always talks to her like she knows exactly what she's saying. She carries on her own little conversations with her and I love it. She loves having a sister around to kiss and read to, and she loves to hold her with the boppy pillow. I hope this transition will be an easy one with them sleeping in the same room, I think if I just get Natalie to sleep first she probably won't wake up while I'm putting Julia down, but we'll see how it goes. If anyone has advice about how to make this work, I'll take it, because I'm a little nervous about this new transition.
Julia's blessing is coming up on the 30th of March. A lady in my ward is making her dress and I'm so excited about it. She made Natalie's and I'm hoping to be able to give them their dresses when they grow up as an heirloom for their girls to wear. When I get the dress I'll post pictures.

I love my sweetie!

Ok, I deleted that last post, I'm feeling kind of bad about it. I should have kept this between the two of us. I think I hurt Marc's feelings and that wasn't my intention. I really am glad that he gets to do fun things with his family. We are so blessed to have family close. We get to see our family often and I think it's been good for us and them. This morning while I was getting ready for church I heard Marc talking to the girls in our bed. It was soo sweet. I know he cares deeply about them and they sure adore him. Marc if you read this, know that I love you and I'm sorry. You are a good dad and husband. I want you to have a break once in a while.

Love,
Michelle

I've been tagged by Gloria so here we go!

10. Years Ago...
I was 14, that means I got to start going to stake dances, which was a big deal for me. This was my world, I felt like the center of attention there, and I loved it. I was a Freshman in Highschool and that was a tough year for me because I signed up for all honors classes, and to this day I regret that. I could have aced regular classes with so much less stress.
9.Daily Uses...
Diapers and wet wipes, the potty chair(reminding natalie to go), water, the ellen show, scriptures, toothbrush, toothpaste, my washer and dryer, and my phone
8.Things on my to-do list...
Write talk on the Law of Sacrifice for Sunday, prepare for New Beginnings on Thursday, pick out material for a dress I'm making for Natalie(I got a sewing machine for Christmas from my mother-in-law), clean out my fridge and microwave, order Julia's blessing dress, work on personal progress(I have a goal to get the leader award in November), put the sheets back on the bed, and read the Book of Mormon.
7.Places I have lived...
Wyoming, Utah, Houston, Collinsville,IL,Fairview Hts., IL, St. Louis,MO, and Affton,MO
6.Things I enjoy...
Pedicures, spending time with friends and family, shopping, chocolate, reading to my girls, and play dates.
5.Facts you didn't know about me...
I want to learn to play the piano, I wish I lived close to all my family or atleast got to see them often, I'm an open book, I'll tell you just about anything you want to know, I get nervous teaching lessons, but usually feel good about it afterwards, I always think my kids are the best, but who doesn't?
4.Jobs I've had...
Chick-fil-A, St. Louis Bread Co., Bankhead and Firth Orthodontics, and Family Dental Services
3.Bad Habits...
(Only 3?!!) I talk too much and don't listen enough, I don't return phone calls or e-mails like I should, and I speed when I'm driving
2. Books I last finished...
Doctrine and Covenants(It was my goal to finish the BOM and D&C by the end of 2007 and I was about 7 sections away but I think it's Julia's fault for coming early, I love her!), and I can't remember the name of the other one, Masquerade, I think.
1.Favorite...
New favorite song- Our song by Taylor Swift, which is playing right now. I love it!

I tag Jill, Melanie, and Sarah Maddox

Here's another picture of Julia. I think she's beautiful.

I hope noone thinks this is inappropriate. Sorry if you do. We were so excited for Natalie to get princess panties. We've started potty training and finally feel like she's ready to wear them. She's pretty excited about it too, as you can see.

Look at that little belly! This was taken on Valentine's day. She has gotten so big already. This is a onesie that reads "Tax deduction" 'cause she came just in time. Her daddy had been hoping all along for her to come before the new year. And I have to say I wasn't complaining about getting her early either. Especially since daddy was off work the next 4 days after she was born. And she's so cute.

Grandma came over to take care of the girls for Valentine's Day. It was so sweet. Marc and I got to go see a movie. She brought Natalie a book about being a big sister, some things to stick on the window, and a kid's meal. She had so much fun. Grandma said Julia was so happy and fun the whole time she was there.

As you can see, Natalie got into my makeup the other day. She used my eyeliner to draw on her eyes. Luckily she couldn't open anything else. She started bringing me things to open and that's when I discovered what she was up to.