Today marks the one year anniversary of the day that Kenny and I met our daughter, Julianna, in person. It's amazing how time has marched so quickly and Jules has grown so much since her homecoming in August. Yesterday, I received an excited e-mail from her speech and language clinician noting that Julianna was indeed reading decodable words...and reading sentences. Of course one of Julianna's other teachers knew this several weeks ago. Yes, academically, Julianna continues to marvel all with whom she interacts.
We love watching Julianna's routines each day. She always comes to our room in the morning - early. Sometimes she gets a little extra snuggle time before school. Always, she brings mom her slippers w/o even being asked. Julianna enjoys brushing her medium length hair- quite a novelty that she has never experienced until now.
Julianna likes to talk a lot. We are beginning to make sense of her sometimes complicated stories or explanations. Articulation continues to be a struggle for Jules. Tomorrow Julianna is having tubes placed in her ears to remove excess fluid. The goal is for her to improve her hearing which is compromised in her left ear. We'll see after a few weeks how this procedure may help, and eventually improve her ability to articulate some words.
Julianna is a gem. She helps with Angelo and argues with Vincent, her closest sibling in age. Jules likes to be pretty and grown up like Gabby and Chechie. Of course, she tells Domie that she is his girl, but we all know that her heart belongs to Daddy. This morning, she cried when I told her that Daddy wasn't home and that he was still at work. She ADORES Kenny and sits on his lap for endless periods of time whenever she gets the chance. Her affectionate behavior is contagious. Those who are with her cannot help but smile and want to squeeze her.
Julianna has what I would call "moxie." She has confidence and shows fear of almost nothing.
Julianna has made us better people and a stronger family. We are blessed to have her in our life and as our daughter.
I'll have Kenny post some updated photos...
Until another