We have a pretty princess pumpkin to decorate our house for Halloween. Emily picked the placement of the pieces and Julia played keep-away and pushed the pieces around the room. Thanks to Daddy who was strong enough to push the pieces in!

We took advantage of a beautiful warm Autumn day and the girls and I took a mini-hike. I got some fun photos before the sun went to play behind some clouds. Emily loved the activity of collecting huge leaves. We found a large variety of different leaves and a few sticks. We hiked at Emily’s pace and in the directions of her choice, so we crossed one bridge six times. Both girls were ready for naps when we got back to the car, but sad to be leaving the nice hike.

Julia has had a lot of sweets over the last week. Here is the remaining plate after we all shared her slice of chocolate birthday cake. I know, I let her have some chocolate cake. I relaxed my standards for one day – her birthday. She really liked it and even tried to eat the plate when her share was gone. My standards were slack for Emily too and she got her share too. We will see if all the cupcakes and cake bites add up to a significant weight gain for her at her one-year checkup. I’m not too hopeful given that she has also picked up her general activity too.

Today was Julia’s one year checkup. She has been pretty fussy lately and the appointment wasn’t any different. She didn’t cry the whole time, but wasn’t her usual happy girl. Julia was not interested in showing off the teeth still hiding in her gums, didn’t like having her finger held or bandaged after the finger prick, and she was simply distraught after having her two injections. And if this wasn’t enough for the Mommy to keep up with – Emily was a bit trying also. I think at one point I was speaking loudly talking to the doctor over two crying voices. We all survived the visit, but maybe next time I will take Julia when Emily is not with us.

The doctor was pleased with how Julia looked and was doing, but noted that she has had a very slight weight gain since her last well visit. Today she weighed 15 lbs 10 oz and was measured at 28 inches long. This amounts to a half a pound weight increase and 3/4 inch longer. We discussed how Julia has become very active in the last three months, teething, still nursing, and how Emily had a similar dip in weight at this age. We decided to put Julia on whole milk and keep her foods the same and see in a month if her weight picks up. It is funny what the difference a second child is to the first. When I learned of Emily’s weight loss I worried and thought a lot about it. This time, it seems like I almost expected it and had a course of action ready. There just isn’t the need to worry and this time I know it.

Emily was learning how to use chopsticks to eat her dinner. Grammy was helping me out, so that I could offer attention to Julia. Emily was very enthusiastic about wanting to use chopsticks, but couldn’t hold it tight all the way to her mouth without help. She ate shrimp and squash with the chopsticks and the broth soup and rice with the soup spoon. She seemed to really enjoy the dinner as long as the cook didn’t make any fireballs.

What can be cooler than the bag being bigger than you! That sure is a cool thing about turning one. I loved the fact that she could pull the paper out of the bag and find the goodies in the bottom by herself.