Winnie Juliet Johnson

Two years ago on this the eighth day of September, I gave birth to this beautiful, big-faced baby girl.  Winnie Juliet smiled the very first day she was born.  I suppose she thought it was pretty funny that mom had to endure 14 hours of labor knowing full well that no amount of pushing would propel her noggin through the birth canal.  She's been smiling ever since.        

Winnie, we love you for so many reasons, and here are some things about you that make us smile these days:

1.  You sing happy birthday to Uncle Jimmy in a deep, smoldering voice every day.  And deep down, you know he hears you!

2.  Your gappy grin is always plastered over your face, as well as most of your peanut butter sandwich from lunch.  Sometimes you even save a little for later in the creases of your neck.

3.  You have perfected the art of sauntering into a room, your left shoulder always tucked tightly under your demure face.

4.  You ask dad if he is okay each and every time he coughs or sneezes.  What a compassionate little lady.

5.  You and you alone can push big sister June's buttons at the drop of a hat.  Heaven knows how many of June socks we have found shoved under the kitchen oven.  All in a days work for a wreaker of havoc.

6.  You may be as white as snow, but you dance like a soul sista - all in the hips!  

7.  You have used your feces as an artistic medium only once.  We are so happy you moved on to more sophisticated substances such as desitin, toothpaste, and red dye number 40.

8.  Your cheeks are as squeezable as the Campbell Soup kid's.  And you never complain that mom's favorite thing to do is snuggle right into your wrinkles!

9.  Without fail, you offer a polite hello to the clock and the picture of Jesus that hang above our table at meal time.

10. You beg for more kisses at bedtime and never forget to say "I ub ooo mama and dada."  

We love you so much Winn!  Happy 2nd Birthday!