Dear Julius,

December was a very cool month as far as growth spurts go. You really have learned a lot! Here’s a few things you’ve learned so far:
1) How to put everything in your mouth. Your hands, other people’s hands, your feet, blankets, bibs, toys, shirts, hair…
2) How to laugh… you really have learned how to giggle and when you think something is funny, you crack and up and can’t stop!
3) How to stick your tongue out… and then you keep it out. Maybe you get this from dad.
4) You’re learning how to stick to a consistent sleep schedule FINALLY. We’ve implemented a written schedule and have followed it regularly the whole month and it seems to have paid off. You’re getting 15 hours of sleep a day which is what babies need. You get fed exactly every 3 hours, but that will change soon since your intake will require more liquid with less frequent feedings.
5) You’re recognizing people.
6) You raise your left eyebrow when you understand something for the first time. It’s like the “aha!” moment for you.
7) You like to jump up and down on people’s laps
You learning what your body can do. Often times, you’ll put your feet in your mouth or bend backwards so your head leans all the way back (on the floor) to see how close you can get the back of your head to touch your feet.
9) You’re not crawling yet, but if someone stands you up, you can manage standing on your feet with just the slightest of assistance.
10) Your cries are easy as pie to interpret now.

Is this not the cutest face?!

There are 49 photos that have been uploaded to “More December Photos” in the baby gallery. Enjoy!
Love
Mom

Dear Julius,

Your Grandma Velara spent a long long time knitting this baby blue outfit just for you! And you just look adorable in this, wow. It fits you perfectly - you are 4 months old in this photo! One of these days when I have more money, I’ll send a photo or two of you wearing this to your Grandma (she keeps asking, but patience is a virtue, yes?) - in the mean time, this is my ghetto way of sharing photos with people.

What I love about this outfit is that there are so many things to love about this outfit! You use the blanket absolutely every day, and it seems your fingers have a way of finding where the holes are so you can grab the blanket and pull the whole thing into your mouth. You tend to kick your socks off, so they barely even stayed on for the photoshoot - but they sure are cute on you when you manage to keep them on.

The hat is so comfy on your head to keep you warm… although I do sometimes worry you might choke on the ribbon attached to it since you put EVERYTHING in your mouth that you can get your hands on! What I really love the most is the sweater especially since it’s winter time. Several people have commented on how beautifully stitched the whole outfit is, the blanket, the sweater, the booties. Everyone who has ever seen you in this outfit just admires it!! So be sure to thank your Grandma when you learn to talk. I love the hearts in the stitching. It doesn’t take a genius to see how much time was put into each detail. The whole ensemble is a work of art. A masterpiece of sorts.

I love you, baby.

Feel free to see more photos of you wearing this in the photo gallery under the category “Hand-knitted Outfit by Velara.”

Love
Mom