September 9, 2010

More than a week has passed since our last entry, and many eventful days have occured...everything of course was a first for Julianna...her first McDevitt Football Game (go Crusaders), an open house pool party in her honor, a trip to Grandma and Grandpa Licata's house, her first Labor Day, as well as other first foods for her. 

Julianna has learned some of our language...I would say enough to survive including sign language.  Some of her best words/signs are "Stop, please, " - directed at Angelo and Vinnie...."more juice please" - directed at Momma - "play ball" - directed at anyone who will go outside and play with her.  She knows the concept of counting to three and how many one, two , and three actually are.  We are working on colors,...blue is her favorite.  When she doesn't get her way, she pouts, and sometimes cries for Poppa, who is her all time favorite.  Today she wanted to be with him while he was working out on the eliptical.  I asked her to sit with me and Angelo...no go.  She said, "No momma.  Poppa...Domie,...Chechie...Gabby...VMinnie..."  So, she has learned everyone's name and knows when to call for them. Julianna can recite the first part of one of the family graces that we say at each meal and she often attempts to sing along with the shows that the kids watch in the suburban.  She  

She has exceptional eye-hand coordination and understands joking and kidding around (good thing in this house).  Julianna loves to play with Vinnie after school and enables Angelo to be a baby - which is not necessarily a good thing, since he has his 3 yr old eval next week.  Her favorite foods still tend to be bread, butter, and crackers.  She knows the signs for all.  She also knows how to sign for drink.  We are teaching her to initiate on her own the sign for potty.  This is important for school, which we hope will start soon. Signs like shoes, socks, later, thank you, and sorry are an integral part of her vocabulary.  She knows when she must apologize and is quick to say sorry.  This is good!  WE are working on building emotion and her understanding of emotions.  Angelo is very good at this.

Julianna has wowed us and Angelo's physical therapist with her physical prowess.  We looking at a Special Olympics basketball program for her for the winter, as well as swim lessons....Ang will be getting these too. 

Angelo has gained much from being with Julianna...He verbalizes more and wants to do what she does.  For the most part, she is a great role model. Any bad habits are slowly fading...we predict by Thanksgiving, we won't have those habits anymore.

Julianna and her two closest brothers in age got haircuts tonight.  She got her bangs trimmed; Vinnie got a great parochial school cut, and Angelo...he looks adorable.

Hoping that Gabby feels better tomorrow for school as it is her class Mass and she is singing a duet...I'm going with Angelo and Julianna.  WE are also taking our neighbor friend whom we call Gramps.  It should be fun!

I mentioned to Kenny about posting pictures...I hope he can soon.  He has been swamped with work and his newest child tends to want him for everything...Oh, to be so loved...

Until next time...
Annie