THE THINGS THEY LOVE...

As we enter 2009, I wanted to write about all of the things Garyn and Gianna love!

Garyn loves the movie Cars. A typically morning starts with getting the basket of cars, and then reenacting most scenes. His favorite scene is tractor tipping with Lighting McQueen and Mater (ya know, like to-mater, but without the to.) He also likes to spend time with his best friend, Caillou. Oh boy, Caillou.... and that is all I will say about his best friend. Garyn loves to pretend play. There isn't a day that goes by where we are not a Tiger (kung fu warrior), a "woof woof," or fireman Sam. Garyn's imagination is fascinating, he lives in a wonderful world!

Does he love the "potty?" Well, not exactly, but we are continuously working on having a successful poop (just for the record, Garyn pees on the potty with no problems!) McDonald's....the golden arches...they are everywhere! And Garyn can find all of them! Needless to say, he loves McDonald's french fries (I mean really, can you blame him? They are sooo good!) And well, Garyn loves french fries and french fries....he is attempting to try new things but, like his father, he is a very picky eater. He likes to eat crunchy, salty, and sweet things. Garyn is a very neat eater... he does not like his hands or mouth to be dirty. So, when we eat things like peanut butter and jelly, we have to eat it with a fork!

Blankets...Garyn loves his blue and white blankets! They are definitely his comfort and security when his head hits the bed! It is amazing, he can form them into a pillow, he can wrap himself in them like a burrito, and then on a rare occasion, they will be used as a "real" blanket. And lastly, I could not leave out his most prized possession... the "bebe." His green soothie pacifier is his ultimate love!

And for Gianna, what doesn't she love? She is such a pleasant baby. Gianna loves to laugh (both of my children have the most contagious laugh, it is a deep belly laugh.) And as she enters her 10th month in this world, she is learning to love more things everyday. For starters, Gianna is in love with her brother. When Garyn enters her view, her entire face lights up. She will bounce, giggle, and try her hardest to earn his attention. Her basket of toys.... she likes nothing more than to dump the toys on the floor and shuffle through them (making sure everyone has reached her mouth.) As for her favorite toy right now, well, it is probably Talking Elmo (a gift from her Uncle PJ.) She loves to hear him talk and dance and then usually tries to eat his face.

Completely opposite from her brother, Gianna will eat anything. At her 9 month doctor's appointment we received the okay to start letting her have small amounts of table food. And the little peanut will eat anything given to her. So far she has tried cheese, noodles, and bananas. She is chewing and swallowing better everyday!

As for sleeping... she loves to take her naps. Gianna takes a 2 hour morning nap and a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. And as for sleeping through the night.... everyweek is better and better. What can I say, she loves to have her Mom hold her...

Gianna loves to be on her feet and belly.... I can't wait to see what she does first. Will she walk or crawl? At this moment, I am going to say walk. Everyday she stands longer (while holding onto furniture) and is beginning to cruise around furniture. She is determined to move one way or another.

Garyn and Gianna are beautiful, fun-loving, and special little beings... we are truly blessed. I can't wait to experience 2009 with them!

My life is good, my love is strong, and my children bring the laughter to my world.... I love my life.

LIFE.....IS SOMETIMES UNPREDICTABLE

December marks the time for decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping, and being with friends and family...and ours started in just that way. We decorated the house the first weekend in December! We put up a new tree, added a few new tree decorations, and hung the stockings and rehung the stockings (the entire month because they kept falling down.)

The second weekend in December was full of FUN!!!!! On Saturday, December 13th, we took Garyn and Gianna to see Disney on Ice. And as I write this, I am still trying to figure out who had more fun.... me or the kids. It was an amazing ice show, but it what was more amazing was that I was reliving my childhood with my children! And that was an incredible feeling... As a child, I was fortunate to vacation at Disney World alot, and as I sat there with my children, specifically Garyn, I finally understood why my parents didn't mind taking us to "the best place on earth" as often as they did. Garyn's excitement was priceless....needless to say, Ryan and I are in the process of planning our spring vacation to Disney World.

Sunday the 14th, we celebrated Christmas with Garyn and Gianna's great grandpa and grandma Sanford. Our children are very lucky because they still have both set of great grandparents and both sets of grandparents. That doesn't happen too often...and to have great grandparents like Charlie and Martha, well, that is rare...My children are lucky to have them and ...so am I!!

The week of December 15th was full of activity... we were preparing for Garyn's Christmas party at school and our Christmas trip to Chicago. Garyn's Christmas party was a success! The children sang songs, played a game, and ate cookies! It was great and yes, still very hard to believe my first born is in preschool! Then the unsuccessful part of the weekend... well, the only thing I have to say is life and weather are very unpredictable! Yes, the weather spoiled our fun filled Chicago trip, but was replaced with a fun cul de sac Christmas party on Friday and Christmas at the zoo on Saturday. We had a great weekend despite the weather, in fact, Garyn is still talking about the Tiger. It's amazing how different the zoo animals are at night! We were all very spooked by the prowling Tiger.

The week of Christmas....oh my, where do I start? The excitement for Santa was increasing daily! His beard was almost full of cotton balls and soon the house would be filled with toys. Ryan and I were very excited to watch Garyn and Gianna on Christmas morning. But in order to prepare for Santa, we first wanted to celebrate with family and friends. Ryan and I planned to have a "light up night" in our neighborhood, so, we bought 500 luminaries and passed them out to the neighbors with hopes that the entire neighborhood would shine bright for Santa to know where to land...and then we invited everyone over for hot chocolate and cookies (homemade cookies provided by no one better than my mom.) Well, once again, life and weather is unpredictable. Mother nature decided to provide us with an impressive ice storm. And as a result, no luminaries.... however, the neighbors found a way to eat cookies and warm up with hot chocolate. And again.... despite the weather, we had a lovely time!

NOW.... talk about unpredictable! After the party, my entire family(including my parents and brother) were eating snacks and laughing at the 200+ filled luminary bags in Ryan's car... after the belly laughs, we went to bed. When suddenly at 5:30 am we were woken up by Garyn having a crouping attack. Let me tell you....watching your baby not able to breathe, choking, is the most scary thing you will ever experience!! So, here we are Christmas eve in the ER with a sick little guy. After an oral dose of steroids, we came home and Garyn rested the entire day. Even though we had a sick little man, we still were able to enjoy my favorite meal of the year...beef tenderloin, mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans, endive salad with blue cheese, corn casserole, and fresh bread......ummmmm, there is nothing better!

When Ryan and I returned from church, we put Garyn to bed. He slept through the night and woke up, well, not too excited to see toys. The little guy was soo sick! All of our excitement was turned into concern for Garyn...and this concern somewhat overshadowed the excitement of Gianna's first Christmas. Garyn went to bed early Christmas night, missing the celebration at Ryan's parents.

And again....at 3:30am, we woke up to Garyn choking and with an incredible fever. He was so sick he actually asked to go to the "doctor." So, trip #2 to the ER consisted of a breathing treatment, x-rays of his throat and chest, and a shot of steroids.

And just when we thought we were turning the corner, up again the following night screaming with an ear infection. The next morning we went to an urgent care and sure enough... an ear infection.

Today, we believe he is turning the corner. Garyn's energy level is increasing and he is starting to be "Garyn" again!!!!

This holiday month has taught me a lesson.... make the best of what is given to you. Even though the weather complicated some of our holiday events and Garyn's illness didn't allow him to truly enjoy Santa's gift....our Christmas was pretty damn good. I had my family.... and nothing is better than that!!!!

My life is good, my love is strong, and my kids bring the laughter to my world...I love my life.

Laughter with teeth....

Miss Giggles is what we like to call her...but now we will have to address her as Miss Giggles with teeth!

Last night as I was feeding Gianna dinner (sweet potatoes and green beans,) I noticed two little white teeth breaking through her gums! What a bitter sweet moment...

As I remember back to Garyn at this age, I could not wait for him to accomplish milestones. Whether it was getting teeth, crawling, cruising the couches, walking, signing, talking... and with Gianna, well, I am okay with her staying a baby!

Don't get me wrong, I am so excited that Gianna is growing and discovering new things everyday and I couldn't be more excited to see those little white specs in her mouth, however, knowing that she is probably my last baby... I don't mind her staying one for alittle while longer!

My life is good, my love is strong, and my kids bring the laughter to my world...I love my life!

LIFE

Today I will start blogging....about our lives. My family life, my kids lives, my life with my husband!!!

As I look back on my own life, I wish I would have kept better journals...but mostly, I wish I would have documented the milestones and special moments in Garyn's life better. So, today, I promise to both Garyn and Gianna that this blog will help me with keeping the memories of our life alittle sharper in our minds!

Life is special and short...it seems like just yesterday I had Garyn and now we are potty training him. This weekend is extra special because Garyn told us he no longer wants to wear a diaper. Friday night he was standing at the top of the stairs with no diaper...he told Ryan, "no more diaper Dada." And that was the end of the diaper (except for naps and nighttime, of course) and he will only wear pull ups now? Isn't it amazing the growing and learning that takes place in 2 1/2 years.

Life travels by entirely too fast.... my first baby is no longer a baby and my baby girl is waving and saying "dada." How I wish I could stop time for a while and keep my babies, babies...

In life there are the ups and downs, the good day, the bad day, the relaxed day and the hectic day....but it is only when you put all these days together do you have life!

My life is good, my love is strong, and my kids bring the laughter to my life! I love my life!