Julia - Seven and a half months (yeah, yeah, I missed the seven-month mark)

So June had lots going on for us and was such a crazy month I missed taking that seven-month picture. I was a little sad that I didn't get it accomplished, but we are all happier when we have a busy schedule (every morning Caroline asks me, "Where are we goin' today, Mommy?") and I try to enjoy the moments as they come and impress them on my heart, even if I don't get as many pictures as I would like. So here are some pictures of Julia at seven and a half months:

I put this last one in because that's the way Jujy rolls now -- not ever in one place for long, always ready to crawl off! She made a few tentative crawling moves at 7 months 1 week old, and in the last week or so she has really figured out how to move! She is really good about entertaining herself now (if she is not hungry or tired) -- one afternoon she played happily on the floor with her toys for a whole hour and a half. But once I stepped out of the room to put some laundry in the dryer and start a new load in the washing machine, she started crawling off down the hallway looking for me. She wants to be where the action is, I guess!

I also just love her little shoes that she's wearing. I like Robeez because they are so flexible (good for little feet that are learning to stand and walk), nearly impossible to kick off, washable, and just so darn cute! I almost got her some with a little brunette princess on them (like her), but I could not resist these butterfly ones. I remember her big sister in Robeez too and cannot believe how fast time flies.

Julia's had a busy time since she turned seven months old. She started to get to a sitting position on her own (without the tripod for support), went to her first Vacation Bible School, went down the slide at the park for the first time, and started to crawl! She laughs and squeals and just observes things all the time. I think it might be a little hard on Caroline because she has started to talk baby talk quite a bit, and she's quick to say "Look at me!" if Julia gets cheered for something. Sometimes she feels generous and shares with Julia, but more often if she sees Julia holding something of hers, she runs over and takes it away. I am trying hard to give her attention and recognize the things she does too, but I think these are the beginnings of some natural sibling rivalry that I won't be able to praise away. Oh well, my sister & I once had a swordfight with hot curling irons, so I know a thing or two about sibling rivalry. And we turned out fine.