Happy half birthday, Julia!

Julia turned 6 months old on the twelfth of the month.  I can't believe half a year has already flown by!  It seems like only yesterday that we were welcoming our precious daughter into the world.

Julia is not quite crawling, but she scoots around quite well.  She's in constant motion, and she must have really strong abs and arms with the number of crunches and push-ups she does!  She sits up on her own like a champ and she is getting more and more used to solid foods, after her first foray into the world of food - Grammy's mashed potatoes on the evening we finished taking boards.  Raspberry yogurt seems to be her favorite food thus far, but she also likes rice cereal, peas, and bananas.  Applesauce has made her gag every time she's tried it!  Julia continues to make fun sounds and we're pretty sure she's begun trying to use one of the signs (milk!) we've been trying to teach her for months now!  It's amazing to see her trying to communicate with us!  After a few months of only wanting to eat books, Julia is getting a little more patient, which makes it easier to read to her once again.  Julia loves being outside, swinging, playing in water in the tub or pool, playing with toys, jumping around in her activity center, playing with her feet and her hands (lately, she loves moving them in the air like she's conducting an orchestra!), and music.  She is such a happy little baby and she loves to smile and laugh.  Julia is also very affectionate, and loves snuggling, hugs, & kisses.

These six-month photos were so hard to capture because Julia was so squirmy!  Here, you see her about to dive out of the chair!

Doing push-ups!

And sit-ups!

Julia, I want you to know that the past six months have been the best six months of our lives! You are so beautiful, so full of life, wonder, and joy.  Thank you for the lessons you have taught us.  Thank you for being you.  We love you so much, and we come to love you more and more with each passing day. You bless your daddy & I more than words can describe.  May God bless you always, precious Julia Grace.