Lemonade

Sydney wanted to have a lemonade stand in our yard all summer, so when our friends, the Edens, called and wanted to do one too, we immediately said yes! We all decided it would be a charity lemonade stand. Sydney and Isaac chose SOFT (Support Organization for Trisomy) in honor of Julia, and the Eden kids chose a camp for kids with cancer that their mom attended as a kid.
The Edens organized everything and we set up in our yard. After a slow first hour, business really picked up, and we sold out of all of the lemonade! The kids had a blast! We will definitely have to do this again! Thanks to Tamara, Emily, Brian, and Megan Eden, and to all of our friends and neighbors who stopped to share some lemonade with us!

Basket Photos

Here are a few of our Cohen in a basket photos...

These are reminiscent of our Isaac in a basket photos...

and the Julia in a basket photos...

and last, but certainly not least, Sydney in a basket.

A Year Ago Today...

...we celebrated Julia's 10 month birthday.  It was a beautiful fall day, and Julia was feeling good and in good spirits.  Julia, Isaac, and I went for a walk and played on the playground. We celebrated that night with a celebratory cake just like every month on the 30th.  She was definitely something to celebrate.  Julia, we miss you terribly, and are thinking of you on your 22 month birthday.  We think of you every single day. Many times a day.  We love you!!! - Mom, Dad, Sydney, Isaac, and Cohen

Cohen at Four Months

At 4 months I can...

Smile

Laugh

Roll

Balance in the exersaucer

Reach for and grab onto toys

Wear 6-9 month or 6-12 month clothes

Measure in at 15 lbs 12 oz and 25.75 inches

Likes:

Laughing at Isaac

Being held by Sydney

Riding in the baby bjorn or beco carrier

Going for long walks in the stroller

Stuffed animals

Chewing on my hands

Watching the mobile

Playing in the play gym

Exploring the exersaucer

Dislikes:

Diaper changes

Shots!

Being sleepy or hungry

Oh, how we love this boy! 

Mommy and Julia Photobook

For 9 months I carried you in my womb.

For 12.5 months I carried you in my arms.

Forever I carry you in my heart.

I miss you, sweet Julia.

                                         Click here to view this photo book larger

Growing Up

Isaac started kindergarten this week. Sydney also started a new school at the same time. I already miss both of them terribly. I love having them around all of the time, even the moments when they make me a little (or a lot) crazy. However, my sister reminded me recently of a very important point as her son started kindergarten. This day, this first day of school, of kindergarten or third grade, is a milestone and therefore it should be celebrated as such. One of Julia's legacies to our family is the idea that every day is a gift. My son beginning kindergarten is a gift. My daughter's new school and the new possibilities it brings is a gift. Cohen's amazing growth and all of his milestones are a gift. So I tried to remember that my tears (and there were not too many!) on Isaac's first day of kindergarten and Sydney's first day of third grade, are tears of joy that we get to share such milestones. I am excited for the new school year-- for new friends, new experiences, new independence, and new growth.