Just Josie

Happy Birthday sweet Josephine!

You are our little firework and burst of energy and enthusiasm. Our Kicky Kicky, Munchy Munch, our Josie Jo!

Your first nick name was "Josie Jo on the Ones and Twos" since you had your hands up next to your ears all the time when you were little little. You have big blue eyes, a crooked little smile and an infectious laugh that can only be described, in a loving way, as a cackle.

Last year when we had our first growth scan and saw our first 3D images of you, we wrote this in the blog: "Baby B, who we affectionately call Bam Bam, was totally cooperative for the camera. I personally think Baby B looks just like daddy :)" The doctor even took a picture of your foot, since you were kicking me all day and night. Who knew we had you pegged so early on?

But you surprise us all of the time. You love everyone and your charm wins everyone over. You really couldn't care less whose arms are available, you just want to be held in them. Well, more like, carried around, because you are not one to want to sit still. You were anxious to start moving and early on if we turned our backs we would find you had wiggled to a new location, well before you learned to crawl.

You love being active. You loved kicking your piano and being held to stand up. Daddy bought you a Jolly Jumper and you went wild! I think you would stay in that thing all day if we let you - you would start jumping before we even had you secured in it, and wouldn't stop even as we were taking you out.  You worked so hard until you finally mastered crawling and now no one can stop you. You love pushing your baby push walker all over the house.

Just like your mom, you are the Princess and the Pea and know when something just isn't right. You mastered the "woe is me" cry very early on letting us know exactly when we weren't doing what you wanted. You have what your grandma Barbara calls your "boo boo" lip that you employ at any opportunity. We know that it usually doesn't last too long.

While you aren't initially on board with nap or bed time, you do love your sleep. You surprised us and started sleeping through the night very early on. You love sleeping on your tummy with your face planted into the mattress. You love your pacifier and I am sure you would take it with you everywhere you go if we let you, but for now you use it only at bed and nap time and we hear all about it if you lose it!

You are a total ham. You weren't sure of the camera at first, but now my goodness your giant smiles the minute we take your picture.  You love Sesame Street and go wild when you see Murray open the show. You have the cutest voice and will yell with excitement when you like something. You have been saying "hi" and "yes" and "dog" and even "doggie."

You weren't totally into milk. We would have never guessed you would be our good eater now. You love food. All food. I think if we let you, you would eat all day. From cheese, meats, veggies and fruits, you love it all, and finished off all of your birthday cupcake. Even though you don't have teeth, you take little bites of things and take your time to enjoy what we have given you.

You love the bath. I will never forget the first time we put you in the bath when you were about two weeks old, you were protesting in your way. Then your face changed and you realized you loved it. You might have actually smiled. As soon as you hear the water now you race to the bathroom and can't wait to get in and splash.

It is impossible not to love you with every fiber. It is an honor being your mom and watching you grow!