Gianna 6 Weeks & So Many Good Things!

Gianna has changed so much in the last 6 weeks! She's getting those cute roly poly cheeks and thighs and is trying so hard to hold her head up by herself. She gets the li'l munchies around 3am, but other than that, sleeps like a champ. She's sweet, cuddly, loveable, and generally scrumptuous in every way. She really reminds us a lot of Natalie at this age. Big Sis Natalie loves to kiss her, caress her head, then proceeds to find the nearest (and most fascinating) toy and ignores her entirely. We love our girls!

Bath time last night...
Have I mentioned that both of our mothers are SAINTS?! Since I'm back at work, both of them are coming to Houston & staying at our casa with Gianna each week. We are so grateful to Nonnie & Mia for watching her until she's big enough to attend school with Natalie. Really, is there anything better than a grandmother's love? "THANK YOU!"
Oooooh FYI: I ordered the cutest legwarmers yesterday for the girls. You can find them at http://www.babylegs.com ... they are precious, comfy, and very high fashion/reminiscent of "Flashdance" :)

Lastly, we are so elated that this beautiful baby was found alive. If you haven't been following the story, it's here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,571888,00.html. Truly a miracle.

Uh-Oh

Ah yes, it was bound to happen...We were mentally prepared for it; we just never thought it would happen so soon. It's heartbreaking to realize that your own child is capable of it, but it's a harsh reality nonetheless. Picture it: You're enjoying a tranquil Sunday evening with your family, the newborn is sleeping soundly, you and your husband are enjoying a conversation about, oh I don't know, the subtle difference between mayonnaise and salad dressing. Then suddenly in the distance, you hear the one word that every parent dreads...."Uh-Oh" (= mama, I just did something bad.) It's so faint, you could have missed it. You follow the sound of the proverbial Uh-Oh and discover every parent's worst nightmare...New wall art. Well, at least Natalie is exploring her artistic side! (and thank goodness it was in pencil.)

The Evidence...

Proudly showing off her masterpiece...
"Squiggly Lines on Wall - Circa 2009"

Halloween Highlights

Before we get to Halloween, Gianna celebrated her 1 Month Birthday last week! Fun at the Farm Patch Petting Zoo

Halloween 2009
Our little ballerina and mouseEasily distracted, Natalie stopped cooperating for photos :) Gianna was growing impatient... Playing ball is MUCH more exciting than posing for pics...

Our Prima Diva, errrr, I mean Ballerina

OCTOMOM

My office is having a Pumpkin Decorating Contest today. My entry won................
OCTOMOM!

Low-rider

Natalie's favorite new lounge chair...the baby swing.

"Uhumm Nat, no offense, but there's a weight limit on these things for a reason, sister." -Gianna

For the Moms Out There...

Nothing quite prepares you for children. It's the greatest, most impossible love in the world. Those curious eyes, chubby cheeks...suddenly your rough edges are smoothed away and you look at life from a new perspective.

It is also a time for matted hair, dark under-eye circles, premature grays and many-a-day spent in your bathrobe. Your husband tells you "You're so beautiful, honey" and you really DO want to believe him...but the unsightly reflection in the mirror (that looks more like Gollum from Lord of the Rings than YOU) begs to differ.

Today was a tough day. I went back to work after only 4 short weeks at home with Gianna. It was hard, I miss her precious face and sweet baby noises but ... Whatta ya gonna do, ehh???

Feeling a bit sorry for myself, I decided to cure my baby blues with a Big Mac and Diet Coke. As I'm pulling through the McD's drive-thru, a much younger (albeit semi-cute) male cashier said "That'll be $5.37, sweetie." Good lord, am I hearing things? Sweetie? SWEETIE? Is this a cruel joke and my ears are playing tricks on me? I stuck my chin up, flipped my hair, and tossed him my credit card. He handed it back and said "Thanks, sweetie". As I drove away I thought: "Hmmm, I came here a million times while I was a chubby pregnant slob...and was certainly never called "sweetie"... I have to admit, it's nice to feel semi-attractive again - even if the compliment is from a 15-yr. old junior manager at McDonald's.

(Legal Disclaimer: No one in the entire world means more to me than my husband/soulmate/best friend Clay, but he's under a strict marital obligation to pay me compliments :)

To all the hard-working, tired, beautiful moms out there..."You've still got it, girls!"

Bubbles & Big Kisses

Aren't y'all loving this beautiful Texas weather lately?! We had to get some fresh air and get out the bubbles recently!
Clay obviously had a little too much fun with the bubbles :)
"Uh-oh, here Gianna...these pacifiers always help me when I'm feeling emotional."

And a big sister kiss to make it better...