We are so very proud of Julia and all she has accomplished so far.  We know that if it were not for the blessings of God and the incredible help she has received from her therapists and doctors she would not be where she is today.  Each day it is a joy to watch her grow and develop new skills.  Skills that came so easily to our other children require a great deal more effort on Julia's part to attain.  Every milestone is a cartwheel and handclap occasion!  Go, Julia!!

I have waited a long time before I would give Julia credit for speaking her first word.  I wanted to be sure that she was REALLY aware of what she was saying and that the sounds represented a word to her...not just an immitation of our making sounds.  I do feel that Julia TRULY understands that "mama" means me (Beth), baba is drink (or bottle) and that baah is bath.  So...she began speaking her first words at 26 months and we are so excited to watch her vocabulary develop!

Our family and friends, the professionals that work with Julia, and even complete strangers rejoice with us over each new milestone that she reaches!

Julia -6 months old

Smiles..............................................................................................................7 weeks

Coos..................................................................................................................7 weeks

Recognizes family.............................................................................................3 months

Rolls from tummy to back..................................................................................5 months

Rolls from back to tummy..................................................................................3 months

Finds hands and fingers.....................................................................................3 months

Holds head up....................................................................................................5 weeks

Holds toy..........................................................................................................3 months

Laughs out loud..............................................................................................5.5months

Eats baby food.................................................................................................6 months

Hand exchange.................................................................................................8 months

Holds bottle......................................................................................................9 months

Rests on elbows...............................................................................................7 months

Lifts up on arms to look around...........................................................................8 months

Sits with support...............................................................................................8 months

Brings legs under body......................................................................................7 months

Claps..............................................................................................................14 months

Bangs............................................................................................................13 months

Feeds herself some snacks.............................................................................10 months

Sits briefly without support................................................................................11 months

Reaches out for us...........................................................................................11 months

Drinks from a straw..........................................................................................13 months

Sits independently (hands free).........................................................................13 months

Transitions from lying to sitting position independently .......................................13 months

Crawls............................................................................................................15 months

Signs for "more" and "eat"................................................................................15 months

Pulls to stand..................................................................................................17 months

Speaks first word (mama, baba, "baah"-bath).....................................................26 months

Cruises along furniture......................................................................................25 months

Points to objects.............................................................................................36 months

Takes first independent step.............................................................................35 months

Takes consistent independent steps.................................................................39 months

Waves "Hi" and "Bye-Bye"...............................................................................16 months

Developmental Milestones

Julia at 25 months

Smiles spontaneously and regularly....................................................................4 months

Imitates every day activities..............................................................................25 months

Here are a few of Julia's accomplishments...

Stands independently for 10 seconds................................................................28 months

Uses walker independently..............................................................................30 months

Walks alone...................................................................................................47 months

Uses 3-5 word sentences independently............................................................47 months

RUNS..............................................................................................................4.5 years