Such A Big Girl

Gianna and I are eating lunch at the Y. It is crazy how independent she is. For one, she is sitting here feeding herself, going back and forth between her yogurt and chili. Gia has been clean and dry all day with the exception of her nap. She even sung herself to sleep today! I love how capable she is, but I don't want her to grow up!

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Rotary Lights

Uba and Grandpa came to visit after Christmas.  We took our annual trip to the Rotary Lights following a delicious dinner at the Freight House (yum!).  The lights were beautiful as usual.  The display is mesmerizing.  Last year, we got a picture of Gianna with the Nutcracker that I can still picture, and I can't get over how much bigger she is!

Fox Valley Power Tumblers, Here I Come!

1. Working on coordination with the princess popper

2. Moving forward and backward fearlessly

3. Demonstrating readiness for the mat

4. Pocket full of M&M's, and I'll be over and up for the judges in no time

Love,  

Gianna

'Tis the Season

Gia's just requesting her favorite carol, no worries. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Christmas with the May Family

I love holidays at Aunt Debbie's house, and Gia must too.  She already understands that Aunt Debbie, Uncle MiKke, and Brody (sorry Britt) live there.  This year, someone decided we should all wear ugly sweaters.  The picture of Uncle Brian and Ryan doesn't do the gold thread in Uncle Bri's sweater justice.  The borrowed get-up I had for Ry would have been a halfsy turtle neck with a busted open vest if he wore it.  I don't understand why, but he chose not to.  Surprisingly (yeah right), my cousins and I participated.

Gianna was very excited for her gifts until a big audience arrived to watch her.  We fit the elephant game and clothes in before the break down.  Elephants and clothes have been favorites of hers since I can remember, so maybe that is where the excitement came from.

Look at that handsome dad in the background.  Ry helped pack up everything in efforts to avoid prolonging the Gia's already late bed time.  All in all, it was another great time with family.

Christmas with the Cerers

On Christmas morning, eager Uncle Clay and Grandpa woke up before Gianna!  We all went downstairs to find loads of gifts from Santa and family.  Gianna, all dressed in her Christmas jammies from Aunt Debbie, wanted to climb onto her princess truck right away.

We put on our big girl undies and Santa slippers, and Gia started unwrapping.  She even found more new undies from Santa!  Ornaments, crayons, and anything you can think of distracted our little elf from her actual gifts.

Some of her favorite "non-gifts" included rides on Daddy's new travel bag, an icicle from Grandma, and playing Ring Around the Rosie with Grandma.  Grandpa seemed to think Gia's fit was funny as usual, and Uncle Clay was clueless.

We wouldn't have wanted Christmas morning any other way (well, I could have had Miracle on 34th).  I loved being able to relax and spend time with my family.  Thanks for everything!

Christmas Eve with Dziadzia

This year, we planned for more time with Dziadzia which was really nice.  Poor Gia was sick and irritable though, and she slept for most of the time we were there.  We also missed the Wisnios Christmas for those reasons.  Ryan, Dad, Gia, and I still loved watching Gianna open her gifts at his house, eat like a teenage boy (a lot), and run around.  Gia was worn out again after all of the unwrapping and excitement.  Thanks Dziadzia!

After Picture

Like I alluded to, Gianna pretty much just got "the party in the back" cut off. She's pretty cute, huh?

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Snow Fun

Gianna is officially ready for her first snow day after a day of practice.  Since she was just sick, I haven't let her play outside recently.  Today, it actually hit 20 degrees, so we bundled up and enjoyed the two plus feet in our front yard.

After the tears over getting dressed in layers inside, she ended up pretty happy.

Buh Bye Mullet

This little monkey had her first haircut on Saturday. Here are the before and during pictures. I'm sorry, but you'll have to check back for after pictures tomorrow. I just couldn't seem to remember to snap those. Until then...happy shopping, crafting, and wrapping!

18+ Months

On November 25th, Gianna May turned one and a half years old. She is full of spice and everything nice. Dr. Thurman said that she is somewhere in the 20th percentile range for height and weight (23.5 pounds), and her head is in the 30th, smart girl! I am pretty sure that I could make this the longest post yet with stats and updates, but I'll keep it short because I am not even sure where to start.

Gia has LOTS of words and repeats just about everything I say including short phrases. She is becoming a choosier eater but continues to excel in the sport. Same goes for sleeping. One of my favorite new "things" is that Gianna sings, so sweet. She has been requesting her favorite songs in the car for a while now, cute but broken recordish. The other is that she goes in reverse, every once in awhile, until her heals hit my leg, and then she plops down on my lap to cuddle for a second. And yes, we are starting to potty train.  Ryan and I are suggesting more than training at this point. If Gia wants an M&M badly enough, she finds a way to drain even three drops from her bladder. This typically happens at least a couple of times a day. Santa might just take all of our diapers to the North Pole on accident though!
 

Rotary Lights

Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Clay, and Chad came to La Crosse for the weekend to watch Gianna while I had class. Blizzard or not, I didn't feel right sending them home without seeing the amazing display of lights at Riverside Park, so we went. From the comfort of our cars, the snow added a nice touch to the wintry scene.
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Friends Forever

Dziadzia loves Genevieve for the simple fact that Gianna loves her so much, and he tells me they are going to be friends forever. Yesterday, the girls were surprised with a play date. Josh, Genevieve's dad, said that Gena shook with excitement when she heard she was going to Gia's house. When Gia heard Gena was coming over, she yelled, "YEAH! Ge-na."

good night kiss

I started with the cute story and pictures. Let me continue. We began by the girls eating green beans while I made some dinner. Then, they jumped around, played with noisy packing paper, read books, and danced. After awhile, Genevieve wanted to play in the basement, so I brought her down there and ran back upstairs to find Gianna stuck in the bathroom. She shut the door and opened the bottom drawer...so far that she couldn't push it back in. When I shoved my fingers in the crack, the door pushed the drawer so that it wouldn't follow the tracks back in. I kept saying, "Gia, stand next to the potty," so that I didn't take her out in the process. Remember, the little sweetie I am babysitting is in my basement alone this entire time. My heart is starting to race...Do I call Molly and Josh? Ryan is going to kill me. Am I gonna have to break this door? Oh great, Gia is getting upset. Stay calm. I thought I was going to lose it. To my extreme relief, I managed to pull the drawer out completely and open the door. Gia was fine, and Gena was still happy as pie downstairs! That must be why people put safety clips on their drawers.

We sat down to eat dinner (tacos followed our green bean appetizer). Playtime again. I hear, "Rachel, Vito's getting me!" Gena comes racing around the corner with Vito attached to her blanky. She climbs to safety on the chair while I put pj's on Gia. "Vito, NO!" I look over to see Vito on Gena's leg, going to town. Vito spent the rest of the night locked in my room, Gia slept soundly in her bed, and Genevieve and I cuddled while watching The Santa Clause and making gifts for Mommy and Daddy.

Do you think I'll get asked to babysit ever again?

Sweet As Pie

Here is the video of Gianna giving Great-Grandpa May a kiss.

Our last couple of visits at Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa's have been lots of fun.  Gia has been her animated self running around their living room, giggling, and throwing out plenty of "No's."  Recently, Gia overcame, well almost, her fear of Bongo, Great-Grandpa's African Gray parrot.  She used to step foot in the room, let out a scream, and run the other direction.  Now, as long as she is near someone else, Bongo is actually somewhat interesting!  She enjoyed talking and dancing with him.

Thanks for having us Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa.  We can't wait to see you over Christmas.

Sickie

Last night, I was at work waiting to work the high school basketball games when Ryan called me with Gia crying, crying, crying in the background.  He told me that Tricia, our day care provider, said that Gianna woke up screaming from a short nap, and she had been crying pretty much for the past couple of hours.  I raced home to find the saddest face resting on the bed with Daddy.  Her eyes were swollen and droopy.  She was so sick.  We took her in right away, and she started on antibiotics for an ear infection.  Here is a picture of her on our way home. Nope, her hat is not in her eyes.  Poor thing.

Gianna felt much better today, but her cough prevented her from napping.  She has been so healthy.  I am hopeful that she'll kick this bug quickly.

Shutterfly To The Rescue

Shutterfly makes my heart sing. I can’t get enough of personalizing cards and gifts, especially with Gia’s cuteness. When I can’t find the right gift, or I need just a tad bit more for a special someone, Shutterfly comes to my rescue!

Ryan and I were given a photo book after our wedding, and I made one for Gia’s first year and one for her to read about her amazing daddy. Our wedding book took the place of a traditional wedding album, and after a year and a a half, the pages in Gianna’s “My Daddy” book are still in mint condition!

Grandma loves the calendar that Ammy (Amber) made her. I think Grandpa might need a calendar poster for his office. As a teacher, I love the 18-month option.  Did you hear about the feature that allows you to put in pictures and notes on specific dates? I think a picture of Gianna on May 25th or a big, fat 30 on April 19th (cough, Ryan) would be great additions to a Fawver calendar.

Gianna gave Great-Grandpa an adorable mug last year. I bet Dziadzia would love a mug (shhh). I have also personalized cards and invitations on Shutterfly. Here are a few of my favorite holiday cards (there are hundreds).

I love the playful design of the Joy Wishes Ornament folded card. 

Mod Love and Retro Love are bright and cheery. Pictures in Shutterfly cards, calendars, and books turn out crisp and colorful.

Glitter And Gold 2011 has just the right sparkle and may be just what I need if I’m too late for Christmas cards…

The Happy 2011 Damask design comes out beautifully in black and white or color.  I know both from experience!

Happy Shopping = Shutterfly Shopping

Hey fellow bloggers - Shutterfly is giving away 50 free cards to those of you who want to do a little advertising for them.  I found it very easy since I am familiar with and do love their products!  Check out the Shutterfly blog for details.  

We Are Thankful

for Gianna’s warm hugs

for siblings and nephews

for parents and grandparents

for family get-togethers and shared recipes

for each other