Juju's Fourth Birthday

Last year on Juju's birthday I blogged about how hard it had been to celebrate her birthday because it seems every year we are battling some bug. This year we were fortunate enough that everyone in our immediate family was for the most part healthy-- extended family, well not so much.

Grandpa was healthy and he stopped over for yet another yellow cake. This girl really has a thing for yellow, although purple is quickly gaining ground. Dh was kind enough to make meatloaf instead of the planned ham and asparagus dinner. Most four year olds I know would prefer meatloaf and Juliana certainly did, although if really given her choice I think we all would have had cereal (yo-yo-yo in Juju speak) for Sunday dinner.

I know this is a horribly out of focus picture, but I didn't get a good one of Grandpa. Although the picture quality leaves something to be desired there is a cute baby belly to make up for it. Plus you get a glimpse of Banana's new bangs...

She enjoyed the day and all the attention lavished on her especially by her older sisters. They each wanted to pick something out for her birthday. She got a new t-shirt, a new box of crayons, and a pair of pink sunglasses. All of which were a big hit with her.

On her birthday, I pray for those girls in her native country still waiting for families, for those who care for them, for those working to bring home a new child, for those involved in the endless paperwork, for those who shared our journey, and especially those who gave Juliana the gift of life. She is such a blessing to our family.

This sweet girl has grown so much this year. We call her our noisy cricket because despite her small size (Gabriel weighs more than she does), she makes quite the racket. She talks, and sings, and chatters, and makes noise. She lights up a room with her smile, especially when she sweetly says, "I love you very much!"