10 months!

*#sorrynotsorry there are A LOT of 10 month pictures - I can't narrow it down, I love them all

My Juniper at 10 months:

• 20 lbs 9 oz
• new foods: apricots, spinach, mango, pineapple, plums
• loves the exasaucer
• aaaalllllmost crawling
• waving (1st waved at grandma)
• shakes her head like she's saying "no" in answer to every question
• can get up from laying down to sitting all by herself
• throws a serious fit if you take something away from her

I love the face and hand motion she's making in this photo, like she's saying, "YOU!"

Wendy's First Harp Lesson!

Wendy at her very first harp lesson

When Ryan and I were newlyweds and discussing our future children, we decided that when it comes to extra curricular activities, we would let each of our children, participate in one physical activity and one artistic/musical activity. Ryan had this grand plan to have each one of our children start piano lessons as soon as possible practice at least an hour a day before homework, then, when they turned 12 years old he would allow them to switch to a different instrument if they wanted to. 

When Wendy was about 3 1/2 or 4  years old she saw a young girl play the harp in church and decided she wanted to skip this whole "piano til your 12" thing and go straight for the harp. 

A week ago we met with Wendy's future harp teacher for the first time. We discussed schedules, finances, and what to expect. The teacher wanted to meet Wendy and get a feel for her personality and readiness level. But Wendy wouldn't talk! I have NEVER seen my child like this. "Wendy, what's your favorite subject in school?" Lips closed she stares at the floor. "Are you a good student, Wendy? Do you like school?" Nothing. "What are some of your friends names?" She doesn't even move her eyes from the floor a little. At that point, I can't stand it anymore and interject, "Wendy! Sweetheart, why aren't you talking? Tell her just three of your friends names." At this point, her cheeks turn red and I think she's about to cry, so I stopped pushing it. I don't know if she was just overwhelmed  or intimidated but it was weird. When we left that night, I told her she didn't have to take harp lessons if she didn't want to. I wondered if I was pushing it on her, like trying to live vicariously through her, but she said she still wanted to. She had told all her friends that she was having her first harp lesson that night, so I KNOW she was excited about it. But when Ryan or I tried to talk to her about what happened, she just said she didn't want to talk about it. I just told her that if she wanted to take lessons she'd have to look her teacher in the eye and talk to her because it's rude to ignore adults. 

The next week, on the night before she would start actual lessons, in her bedtime prayers she prayed that she wouldn't be shy and that she'd have the courage to talk to her harp teacher. I thought it was so sweet. I knew in that moment she'd be okay because she wanted to be okay.

Wendy's first harp lesson was last night. I felt so many emotions watching her ... but mostly I felt proud. Proud that she had the courage to look her teacher in the eye and speak up (even if her voice was much quieter than normal), proud of the fight in her that motivated her to step outside her comfort zone for something she wanted so badly, proud of her determination to take in what her teacher was saying to learn and grow. I'm so thankful I had the chance to give her this opportunity and that I got to witness it. On the way to our car, after her lesson was over, she asked me if she could play in the church talent show at the end of this month. I love the faith she has in herself to become a talented harpist and I know that because of that faith and her determination, she will do it. (I just gotta help her keep the faith if/when practicing becomes a chore).

I know everyone says it, but I cannot believe how fast my baby is growing up! The whole day she was saying and doing things that made her seem so old. And surprisingly, it didn't bum me out. Actually, I was really enjoying her witty, six year old sense of humor. I'm excited to watch her develop this new talent that she already seems so passionate about. I seriously love this girl!

 IMG 0470 2 from heather williams on Vimeo.

After only 3 weeks of lessons!

A name and a blessing for Junie B

June's blessing day was the warmest, most beautiful day in December this year. We had a great day and an amazing turn out for a baby #3 blessing. (Sometimes I feel like the first baby gets the most attention and celebration. Then, with each consecutive child that is born in a family, the celebration and attention slowly reduces). But we were surrounded by so many friends and family that day, love and support we felt was overwhelming. 

At church that day, while Ryan was giving our baby a name and a blessing, he felt inspired to change her name. When we left the hospital, her legal name was Juniper Bea Williams. The "Bea" was for the letter B which for her grandmothers: Beth and Bobbi. But when we received her social security card in the mail, it hit me a little that it didn't quite look right. Maybe it was because that was the first time I saw her name typed out, or maybe it's because her first name is a little unique and I didn't think it was fair to ALSO give her a middle name that most people wouldn't quite know how to pronounce either. It also kind of looked like the name of the city we live in, which is Brea. I don't know, it just didn't sit right with me. I talked to Ryan about this a little and he agreed, but we didn't think we'd do anything about it. 

But during June's blessing Ryan felt prompted to say "The name by which she should be known by is 'Juniper Belle Williams...'" Down in my pew, with my head bowed and my eyes closed I smiled to myself. It was perfect. Belle is Ryan's grandmother's name (technically it's "Isabelita" but she goes by Belle). I love it so much. I love that it's a family name. I love that it's still the initial B like both her grandmothers. I love that it flows with her first name and often call her "Junie-Bell." And I get the feeling that someday she will love that it is the name of a Disney princess. 

I really love all my childrens' names but I'm pretty sure I love Juniper's the most. I love her full name. Juniper is an evergreen tree, a botanical name, just like mine. It's covered in beautiful periwinkle-blue berries and smells just like Christmas. With her middle name, I think of Christmas bells on an ever green tree and it reminds me of the year she was my newborn during the holidays. There's something magical about having a newborn during the holidays- bunkering down in our cozy home, cuddling my fresh new baby with the christmas tree lit up, it was all wonderful. But her nickname, "June," I love just as much. Not only is it the most adorable name out there, but it makes me think of summertime and sunshine. She is my earthy, all-seasons baby. 

 

 

9 Months with Juniper Belle

Juniper Belle at 9 months:

• first time at the Williams Family Beach House
• on the first night of the beach house, she slept her longest stretch of sleep! 11 1/2 hours! From 8:20pm to 7:50am! (kinda sad that it's not a normal occurrence after nine freakin months). I think it was because we were in a room that was pitch black, with a loud fan, the room was a little warmer than normal, and she slept on her tummy. I've been trying to recreate the situation ever since, but it hasn't quite worked out. 
• first tastes of: squash, oatmeal, peas, blueberries, raspberries, and ICE CREAM! (actually it was pineapple gelato that her aunt Celestial gave her when I wasn't looking. Wish I could have seen her face!)
• had her first hair cut by her (great) aunt Ruth! To be honest, I was a little nervous to cut the rat tail for a second. I don't know why, it was kinda gross. Maybe thought it might change the look of my sweet girl, but the minute it was cut off I could tell it was a good thing. It was long overdue. She should have had her first haircut when she was a week old.
• went on her first bike ride! It was just June, mommy and daddy. We rode along the Newport Beach boardwalk at dusk. Everyone coming toward us on the boardwalk lit up at the sight of her, some smiled, pointed, giggled or waved, like she was her own little parade. She LOVED it.
• has started DANCING!! It's more like bouncing up and down and waving her arms around. Sadly... it's usually to "Gangnam Style," which is Harvey's favorite dance party song, so she's been hearing it since she was in the womb. I guess I should have been putting classical music up to my belly. I hope she hasn't lost brain cells.
• she does this adorable thing where she leans in and goes forehead to forehead with me. She lingers there with this adorable genuine smile across her face like she's the happiest little baby in the world. I love it so much.
• has been "singing" this song where she sticks her tongue in & out and says "Labalabaladalabalada." It's my new favorite song and I get to listen to it on repeat all day long!
• she has been trying to get on all fours and rocks back & forth like she's going to crawl any day now! I'm a little nervous for her to start crawling so young (well, young for our family. Wendy and Harvey never really crawled, and were late walkers) but I'm excited too! I think crawling is adorable and intriguing because my older two never did it. But I'm nervous to have to keep the floor clean and free of choking hazards with two other kids who love things like legos and littlest petshop. 

Harvey goes to "presthchool"

Highlights:

• Wendy's prayer for him the night before: "Please bless that he'll have a good day at school, make new friends, won't miss mommy or be sad, learn good things, have fun with Miss Lisa and Miss Julie" really touching for a big sister that he pesters and fights with all the time.
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• For his bedtime story the night before, we read the book "The Night Before Preschool" and changed the main character's name to Harvey.
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• laying in his crib, Harvey asks me what he's going to do there tomorrow. I answer, " You're going to play, do art crafts, have snacks, and play some more." Very concerned, he asks, "But when am I going to learn things?!"
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• Wanted just daddy to take him to school like Wendy so they took they're own car.
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• Did his hair with daddy's pomade and kept checking it in the mirror.
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• Had the biggest smile on his face all morning and especially when we got there.
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• Was so excited to go in he was holding my hand and jumping up and down.
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• We signed him into the classroom, got his heart shaped name tag and put his back pack in his cubby (#20) held his hand and showed him around the classroom. looked at all the toys, cars, animals...
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• Mommy was relieved when a friend from church, Max, unexpectedly came in with his mom. Harvey didn't know him, but I knew his mommy and we introduced the boys to each other and showed each other their back packs and led them to the pile of cars to play together.
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• Teacher had them sit on the carpet, went over the rules and where the potty was. Harvey keeps looking back and smiling at me. Teacher has them wave good bye to the parents. Ryan and I wave and walk out the door. Someone opens the door for me and I feel rushed. I go back and give him a couple big hugs and kisses, He doesn't seem nervous at ALL but I can tell he's happy I came back.

*with cutest girl Whitney Sneddon

*with best friend Max Chase