J is for...

Name: Julia Elizabeth McCarthy
Date of Birth: August 9, 2008
Age: 22 months
Favorite Activities: swimming, gymnastics, running, jumping, climbing, running & jumping off of things she's climbed on top of...
Favorite Toys: Baby dolls & all of their accessories, a bunny blanket called "NingNing", & her little brother, Liam
Favorite Foods: Toast with Vegemite (yep, she's an Aussie), just about any fruit, Thai chili tofu, any kind of cheese, & the (newly discovered) stash of Junior Mints that Mama keeps in the freezer -- she has very eclectic tastes!
Favorite Words/Phrases: "Nice!" & "Not yet" & "Moo-mease" (move please) -- the last is not only directed at people in her way but also chairs, tables, locked doors, etc.


Julia is an incredibly active child who can outrun/outclimb most 3-year-olds at the playground. She loves going to gymnastics class and is a pro at swinging on the bars and rings. She runs or hops most everywhere she goes, and when I take her walking in the stroller, she turns into a personal trainer and commands me to go faster or run! She is also a fantastic little swimmer (just like her Daddy) and could spend hours jumping off the edge of the pool to whoever will catch her!

Although a bit slow to get started, Julia's language is improving rapidly. She may not be able to say as many words or phrases as other children her age, but she certainly understands the subtleties of language and has a great sense of humor. Recently she added the word "nice" to her vocab, e.g. As it's cold here (our winter), when Julia crawls into bed now (hers or ours), she props herself up on a bunch of soft pillows, tucks the duvet up to her chin, and says, "Niiiiiice"

Julia is a sweet big sister most of the time. She pats Liam when he cries, brings him toys, covers him with blankets, & tries to put his pacifier in his mouth. She still thinks he's one of her baby dolls and will try to pick him up as she would her dolls. Liam loves her and just lights up when she's talking or paying attention to him. We do have issues when he's playing with toys that used to be hers and when Julia's tired and wants all the attention; then hugs turn to squeezes and pats turn to slaps. But Liam's growing so fast he'll outweigh her soon enough and will be able to hold his own!

While I'm at classes, Julia spends one day a week at a Montessori school and has been complimented on her nice manners (glad to know that those teachings have rubbed off even if we don't always see it at home). I like to peek in the window when I go pick her up and watch her with her teacher, Kim, and her other 5 classmates. Last week they were all sitting in a semi-circle, working on putting on and taking off their socks and shoes...very cute! The other two days she spends playing with Nana -- beach, playground, storytime at the library, crafts & puzzles at Nana's apartment-- such fun!! They even got to ride the bus together to meet Mama at school!

We love our sweet girl!!