Happy Birthday, Juliana!!!

 Hurray!!  It's this beautiful girl's birthday today!  Wow.  I can't believe my Juliana's already ONE.  Where did the year go??

Well, I'll just start by saying what a blessing it has been to have Juliana in our family.  She brings sweetness and joy to each of us.  She is busy, determined, and happy!

Juliana has a special connection with each of her siblings as well as her parents.  If Juliana wants a hug or plops down on a lap with one of her puppy books, no amount of grumpiness stands a chance!  It's amazing how much influence one little girl can have...even though the only words she can say are "Mama," "Dada," and "Doggie."

 Juliana's personality is in full effect.  She loves dogs.  Boy- oh-boy does she love dogs!  She gets very excited when we go outside and our neighbor dog, Lucy, comes out to greet her.  She loves going on walks and waving to all of the doggies she sees.  Her favorite books all have dogs in them. It's very cute indeed.

 Like her big sister, Kari, Juliana loves shoes.  She loves to try on everyone's shoes and try and walk around in them.  Even if they're Daddy's!  She gets very excited when she finds her shoes and even knows that they are her shoes and they go on her feet.  A regular prodigy!

 Juliana loves to be a "pretty girl."  Sunglasses and necklaces (and shoes) assist in this quest especially.

 Juliana loves the great outdoors!  She gets very excited when she realizes it's time to go out and play.  Grass and sand do not phase this girl either!  Her favorite activities outside are swinging, playing with bouncy balls, and rolling around on the trampoline.

Juliana gives the sweetest hugs, pats, and kisses.  She is so affectionate and gets very excited when any of her family comes home.  It melts my heart to see the affection she has for us all.

 True to her Lindseth heritage, Juliana is a baldy who will (eventually) be a blondie!  Her cute little round head gets covered in spaghetti sauce and brownies, avocados and clementines.  I'm crossing my fingers that it will be this child who completely demolishes her cake and makes a tremendous mess.  We shall see come Sunday when we have our family over for cake and presents!

 One of my favorite times with Juliana is anytime she nurses before naps/bed.  She gets so happy and silly and starts cooing and making all these funny noises that she likes me to parrot back to her.  She gets all smiley and giggly.  It's really fun and wonderful.

Once again, we have been so incredibly blessed by having welcomed Juliana into our family.  Aside from what a great baby she's been (my best sleeper by far!), Juliana has brought a whole new dynamic to the group and has allowed for each of the older children to develop different aspects of their own personalities as they interact with her.  

I love the affection and care that each of the older children show their baby sister.  Emily takes on the "mother hen" roll.  Juliana brings out the tender and sweetness in Christian.  Kari and Juliana are already becoming fast friends and playmates and Kari is able to be the "big sis."

Having four young children hasn't been easy, but, it's been completely worth it.  (And, honestly, having just two young children was tougher!)  My days are busy and sometimes hectic and my house is never as clean as I (or my mother) would like it.  But, I'm betting there will come a time in life that I will miss the mess.  Someday.  Just not today :-).

Juliana is friendly, sweet, affectionate, spicy, head-strong, funny, silly, smart, and beautiful.  I am so grateful to be able to celebrate her first birthday today!

We love you Ju-Ju-Bee!!!!