First Tooth

Today was a special day, my son. Today you got your first tooth! You were sitting in my lap when you grabbed my hand, as you so often do, and bit my finger. And there it was, poking through your lower gums: your very first tooth. I was so excited, and quite emotional as well. You've been growing up so fast! It's so fun and exciting to watch, but it's so short I truly cherish each and every moment with you. Whether you are happy and content, or crabby and agitated, I just want to be with you, marveling at how perfect you are and wishing I could record every second of it.

This tooth is the first of so many growing pains you will face in your life. Some of them will be physical, others will be emotional. But I will always be there for you, with band-aids and kisses, ice packs and hugs. And when it hurts too much to be kissed away, I will hold you tight and cry with you. If I could take all of your pains for you, I would, but this is the way life works. This is the way we grow up. And it's so fast...my God, it's so very fast.

I love you forever Julian.
-mommy

Family

You made your first big road trip when you were only 3 months old. 15 hours in the car, from Chesapeake, VA to Niceville, FL. You weren't too happy on the last leg of that journey! But it was worth the trip...you got to see all of the family that loves you so much. Your Grandpa Purcell and gramma gilda, Grammy and Grampy and ALL of your aunts and uncles...your cousin Caleb, and your great grandma Winn! You and I got to stay in Florida for a whole month. You were loved to pieces by everyone there. We can't wait to go back!

You loved being at Grammy and Grampy's house. There was always someone to play with! You loved talking to Uncle Ben, snuggling with Grammy and listening to Uncle J play piano and guitar. He had a special lullaby he would play for you that always put you right to sleep. You also loved watching basketball with Grampy...

You also went on your first plane ride to get back home to Virginia. You were a good boy on the plane, I think you enjoyed it. Especially the part where mommy walked around the airport while you slept comfortably in your stroller! Everyone that saw you commented on how cute you were. My sweet Julian, you have had an adventurous life so far!

Love,
Mommy

How Wonderful Life is Now You're In the World

Julian Purcell Winn

March 14, 2010 at 7:01pm 

7lb 6oz 20.25in

This was your very first picture, taken by daddy on his phone only a few hours after you were born. We only got one of these precious pictures because our camera was broken so all we had were our phones. You were so sweet when I first saw you; you were very alert and you looked right into my face and stared at me as if to say "It's alright mommy, I'm here now!". It was a wonderful moment for me!

We stayed in the hospital for 3 days after you were born. We had some special bonding moments there as a new family, especially you and mommy. You picked up on the breastfeeding right away, just like a pro! We were all very tired at the hospital because no one would let us sleep, but when we did get a few minutes of rest we were always snuggled together. You loved taking a nap on mommy's chest after a meal, and I loved it too.

Home at last! We got our first picture of you with our real camera. You were snuggled in your car seat because we weren't too sure what to do with you! That was before the cool swing and you were much too small to sit in your bouncy chair. Mommy and daddy had a lot of learning to do. The hospital adventure was over, but the real adventure was just beginning!