Quality time with Grandpa Hoagland

Ready for FUN!

Grandpa & Duke - finally buddies


Kisses for Grandpa


Julia & Grandpa


Hanging out...


Butternut squash... JJ's favorite!


Outside the aquarium

Julia and Grandpa looking at the 'weedy sea dragon'

Mesmerized by the 'pot-bellied seahorses'

Beautiful San Diego day...

Cheese!

So intrigued by the 'fishys'

My Dad came for a visit and we so enjoyed our time together! Julia took to him immediately! Grandpa fed her, played with her, took her on walks and even changed some diapers. :) During Dad's visit Julia began saying 'ma-ma', became a skype social butterfly, began eating pureed foods and FINALLY graduated from newborn diapers to size one!!! Girl was busy!

While Dad was visiting we enjoyed delicious food and wine, most that Dad 'whipped up' - he always makes it look so easy! Dad and I took Julia for her 6 month pictures; it was so nice to have and extra set of hands, made it much easier. Julia was so cooperative and happy, the photographer was able to capture some great shots! We also went to Balboa Park and the La Jolla Birch Aquarium, both Dad and Julia's first time. Julia absolutely LOVED the 'fishys' and seahorses; all of the vibrant colors and movement. It was so amazing to experience the aquarium through her eyes. It was also extremely special to spend the anniversary of Jacy's passing with Dad. It's always a special but hard time of year and day, but really nice to spend it with Dad. We concluded the celebration of the day with going out for Sushi and then to Claim Jumper to indulged in some dessert, of course I had 'the usual' - toffee pudding in honor of Jacy Carolina! She continues to be such an inspiration and such a bright light in my life...

We REALLY missed Dad when he left. Actually, I think Duke was the most depressed! He went from 'mad dogging' dad, growling and snagging Dad's spot on the couch when he would get up, to becoming a faithful walking partner, snoring in Dad's lap and giving him kisses! It was so funny to see Dukes transformation with Dad. Crazy Duke - loves affection, but if you're a 'stranger' to him he doesn't think he wants anything to do with you. I guess in Dad's case he figured if he wasn't gonna leave then there were two extra hands that could be made to good use petting and loving on him! We miss you Dad!!! :)

1st Rice Cereal & Julia's Jumperoo!

Julia was introduced to rice cereal and did really well with it! We had her set up in her Bumbo and she tackled rice cereal and a sippy cup the same day. She was relatively accepting of both. She was like a little bird; opening her mouth for each bite... smiling and jabbering away! Andy of course captured yet another 'first' on video... we really are appreciative of how precious these times are with our little miracle! She is growing so fast and developing into her own little person right before our eyes. She amazes us daily!

Her most favorite activity is her Rain forest Jumperoo! She bounces and babbles, and dances to the music and plays with all of the fun toys all around her. I love it because I can take it from room to room; she bounces in the kitchen... the living room... the bedroom. The only time she's had enough jumperoo time is if she is HUNGRY... and boy will she let you know. That is really the only time JJ gets upset. Even though she is a little string bean she takes her food VERY seriously.

Tis the SEASON!

Picking out the perfect tree!


At the La Jolla Christmas Parade


Julia lounging with GiGi and Great Uncle Tony


Our snowman (it was too cold to make a big one, so we improvised)


Beautiful Oglebay


the 'tiny' hill... no one brought a camera to the 'big hill... with bumps'


Julia spending time with Great Aunt Barb


Watching sports with Uncle Wayne

Andrew, Julia, Andy and Krystina

Maggie and Julia

Auntie Suz lovin' Julia's 'all i want for christmas is my auntie' onesie

Auntie Suz and Julia in their Christmas footed pj's

Julia snuggling with her Great Uncle Joe

Julia and cousin Ryan getting to know eachother

1st time in the SNOW all bundled up!

~ Sisters ~

Our friendly Oglebay deer...

Andy, me, Julia, Auntie Suz, Nana & Papa

Our Family (minus Duke)

Max, me, Suzanne, Tom, Nana (Gigi), Julia, Sam, Kate, Ryan & Anne

Julia's 1st Christmas... what an amazing time! The holidays were even more special this year sharing it with our Julia-bug! We kicked off the festivities earlier on in the month by going to the La Jolla Christmas Parade and tree lighting ceremony and of course our trip to the Christmas tree lot! Julia loved all of the sights, sounds and smells of the season. Everything is more enjoyable with Miss. Julia in our life!
Julia experienced her first plane ride, as we spent Christmas with my mom's side of the family in a huge cabin at the Oglebay Resort in West Virginia. Julia was a trooper on our cross country plane ride into Pittsburgh! She ate, slept, played and went on several walks throughout the cabin with her Auntie Suz; she caught part of a movie on someones laptop and even spit up in the lap of the guy behind us - good thing he was the daddy of the little girl Julia 'chatted' with earlier on in the flight! Mommy was quite embarrassed - but the couple was so great about it. Julia experienced her first snow fall, first snowman, first Christmas gifts, got to meet and spent time with all of her Great Aunts and Uncles and cousins (even celebrated Ryan's 1st Birthday with him) and she was quite the little night owl! She had a difficult time adjusting to the time change, soooo she stayed up with all of the adults just soaking up the attention - our little social butterfly!!! :) I even got to sneak away for a little while and sled down the 'big hill with the bumps' with Suzanne and our cousins. So fun... but I swear I thought I could have walked up that hill more times before I was exhausted. All and all we had a great time with great company, great food & drinks, and games, games and MORE games! It was hard to say goodbye to everyone but we are hoping we all get together soon and by then Miss. Julia won't be the youngest - by then Baby Ricci will have arrived!

Once we got home we spent a belated Christmas with Andy's folks and the kids. We again were surrounded with family and spent a relaxing day playing games and eatting great food! Once again Miss. Julia was spoiled with all kinds of christmas gifts! Above are some of the pictures...

Gobble 'til you wobble

All ready for the thanksgiving day festivities with her "gobble 'til you wobble" turkey onesie

Julia hanging out with her cousin Krystina

Spending time with Grandma Reed

Julia with Auntie Suz and Gigi

Julia's 1st Thanksgiving! We spent thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa Reed's house with the crew. We had a delicious meal with three turkeys... oven baked, smoked and fried - DELISH! Then we drove to LA for a belated thanksgiving over the weekend with another yummy meal at Nana & Papa's. We ate, played games, relaxed, and watched the Chargers win!
I have so very much to be thankful for... especially this year! We have our health, wonderful family and friends and most of all our little miracle. I am also incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be a stay at home mommy. I have been given the precious gift of being able to share in each and every new moment Julia experiences. We are LOVING our newest addition. She brings us so much joy and keeps us laughing constantly! God Bless!

Julia's Tree...

...courtesy of Auntie Suz!
The Love Bird comforter that goes with Julia's Nursery

Auntie Suzanne has been working away in Julia's nursery to finish her tree - it compliments Julia's Love Bird bedding. It turned out so beautiful! Thank you Auntie Suz for sharing your amazing talent with us in Julia's nursery. Julia loves it, she looks at all of the colors and shapes, and 'talks' to it! :) She painted the tree in the corner of the nursery where the glider is... so it has become Julia's reading tree.

Trip to South Carolina

Beautiful Charleston sunset
The Citadel

Julia with her Auntie Suz, Gigi, Nana & Papa at Auntie Suz's race

Andy's Citadel reunion was in early November. This was our first trip without our little girl... boy was it hard to leave her! I knew it was best for her... but SUPER hard for me!!! She had so much fun with her Nana & Duke. Papa and GiGi came down over the weekend to hang out with them and go to Auntie Suz's race. It was a special time for Julia to spend some quality time with her Nana.

As for Andy and I, despite both of us getting sick (along with others we stayed with); we had a great time in South Carolina (minus missing our little one terribly!) I really enjoyed seeing Charleston and the Citadel. It was beautiful! We stayed in a beach house in Charleston with some of Andy's closest friends and their wives...we had a great time catching up, eating, drinking, and playing a lot of bean bag toss (aka; 'cornhole'). We made a lot of great memories!

Naa naa naa naa naa naa naa naa BATGIRL!

I know I am repeating myself but, we are having so much fun with all of Julia's firsts! Halloween was no exception... my parents came down and we spent Halloween at the Lilly's with two sets of Grandparents and some of Julia's cousins and Aunt Annette & Uncle Wayne. It was a good time had by all! We spent most of the evening around the fire pit handing out candy to the trick or treaters. We took a picture of Bat Girl and Bat Boy before the festivites...