Gummy Smiles

Today was a good day! Julianna rolled over from her belly to her back today for the first time. It was so much fun watching her lay on her tummy and pick up her head. Just yesterday she was not able to pick up her head so well and then all of a sudden she mastered it.

It really amazes me how much she changes day to day. She has come so far in the last 4 months. I remember not that long ago holding her little pulsh blue elephant in front of her to motivate her to reach for it. Then the next week she was reaching and actually making contact and ocassionally grapsing it in her hands. Now she can reach for grab and put her elephant and many other items in her mouth.

These days she is drooling all the time, fussing a bit and chewing on mama's fingers for some comfort. I had better get some pictures of her and her gummy smiles before she has a mouth full of teeth.

I truly feel so blessed to have Julianna. I never would have imagined having another child and now I go back and forth about wanting a fifth one that would be close in age to her. Doesn't she need a little buddy! Call me crazy but family is such a blessing and we are blessed beyond belief! God is good!

My Other three

Alexis, Megan, and Francesco are getting so big. Time really passes quickly before your eyes. Alexis is in fifth grade this year and Megan is right behind her in fourth. Francesco just turned five and he keeps us all on our toes.

Alexis is one of the most caring young ladies I know. She is always a help and her generosity makes me very proud! I love watching her sing and dance she sure can put a smile on my face most days. She is always there when mommy needs a hand to set the table or to hold her sister or just when things get hectic around here. Recently I overheard her reading something she had written and I realized she has a gift for writing. She is very intuitive as well and puts her thoughts on paper in a beautiful way. I also admire her commitment to the game of soccer. She has practice three nights a week and games on the weekends and she is there never missing a day. I don't think I would have that dedication to do what she does. I have watched her play soccer knowing her shins are all torn up from playing lots of games and being in shin gaurds all day and she just deals with it. Not every kid has that kind of dedication not to mention the desire to play goalie for her team. I am proud of her

Megan is also very caring and always looks after her family. She is always checking to make sure Daddy doesn't fall asleep without his mask (for fear of his sleep apnea), or checking on her sister when she wakes from a nap crying. Megan is a reader and she loves to curl up with a good book. Megan also loves doing Tae Kwan Do and has come along way. She and her sister are about to test for their green belts so don't mess with her! I love how Megan is so creative and thinks of things in ways I would never imagine. She is just so special and yes I am proud of her too!

Francesco is another story. This boy makes me laugh, yell, cover my eyes for fear of what I might see, smile, and just happy to be his mom. Just look at this picture I took of him skipping back from a pit stop while we were on the road this summer. I love how he is wearing a super man pajama shirt two sizes too small while out and about, to have that freedom! He is quite a character and yes boys really are different. I love listening to him tell a story with his gestures and his "well actually" phrases thrown in there. He is fearless and quite gifted athletically. Watching him play at the little gym or during Tae Kwan Do never fails to bring a smile to your face.

Thank you God for blessing me with such a beautiful family! I pray that I can honor you with the way in which I mother them.