This Is What Democracy Looks Like!

Yes, I went to Madison on Thursday.  The sound bites I'm thinking of are: amazing, lasting-impression, importance of politics, sights and sounds etched in my brain...  I can't put them into sentences that will do my feelings or experience in Madison any justice.  Let's just hope Gia views this as a rough patch in history and not a horrific, political landmark when she can understand.

This was followed with thousands of people singing the National Anthem together.  Powerful!

Valentine's Day

Gianna looked adorable on Valentine's Day if I do say so myself (thanks for the outfit Uba).  She brought cupcakes to share with her friends at day care.  Gia didn't feel the love though when Tricia denied her a second cupcake, so she threw a fit in protest.  Gianna made a valentine holder and received numerous yummy treats.

Ryan surprised me with Lena, one of our sitters for Gia, dinner at Kate's Pizza Amore, and mint chocolate chip ice cream from The Pearl.  Both the pizza and ice cream were delicious.  For not being big Valentine's Day celebrators, we truly had a perfect evening.

Cuddle Time

Gianna has been more cuddly lately than Ryan and I ever remember. We LOVE it!

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Gianna Starts Swim Lessons

Gianna started parent/child swim class on Tuesday night. Ryan and I were happy to find out that we can both be in the water with her. Jenny, Gia's instructor, lead us through songs and movements in the water. We started by sitting on the edge of the pool, and Gianna was eager to jump in and play.

She kept asking to get down. Jenny told us that we can take Gia to the ramp so that she can walk around. We'll have to remember that for this Tuesday. Even in our arms though, she was all smiles.

Class is 40 minutes long, and at about the 30 minute mark, all of the babies were shaking. Ryan had the brilliant idea of beating the rush to the showers, so we did just that. Gia loved the warmth of her cover-up from Aunt Lea. We are looking forward to this Tuesday for class number two!

Igloo

Look at the amazing igloo Uba and Grandpa built for Gianna.  It is absolutely perfect with all of the snow we have gotten in La Crosse.  We haven't seen grass since the first snowfall, and more is on its way!

Timeline

Sorry that I have been on a hiatus.  Even now, I have 100 papers to grade that are haunting me...I have just been busy.  For Gia's sake in 20 years, I am posting holiday pictures according to the timeline in which they occurred (Christmas Eve pictures are marked as posted on 12/24).

Funny Gia stories while I am blogging:

1.  I laid her down for her morning nap today which is a song-filled rest instead most of the time.  She was quiet for the first five minutes followed with a steady cry for ten or so.  I went in to find her distraught over a booger on her thumb.  Once removed, it was blanky, thumb, and quiet again (for a little while).

2.  Later, at the post office, Gianna was not happy that I was holding her, so she, naturally, hit me.  Wanting to avoid my glares and stern comments, she looked at the man behind us in line, batted her eyes, smiled, and said, "Hi precious."

Christmas with the Fawvers

We celebrated Christmas over New Year's weekend.  Cooper, Gianna, and Brecken were troopers in patiently waiting until Friday afternoon to open presents!  Santa was extremely good to everyone.  In addition to opening presents, we sang songs, danced, played games, ate, and drank.

When Lea is around, there is always a camera out, and I find myself slacking.  Sorry that I don't have more pictures. I know many of you already skipped from our blog to the Zwettler's to see how our weekend progressed.  Regardless, you can see that we spent our time laughing and playing together.  Thank you Uba and Grandpa for a fun-filled weekend!