E-i-e-i-o

This is Gianna's latest trick. She loves to say e-i-e-i...she can't say the "o." Sorry about my singing! She loves to mimic us, which on the weekends involves a lot of arms up in the air (touchdown) and clapping. Hilarious!

Monday Funnies

Here are some funny pictures I've taken over the last few days.

Mom, it's too early, and that light before the flash is too much!

Um...this may make switching to sippy cups difficult.

A Halloween preview...I'm trying to assure that she will keep this hat on for Halloween...otherwise she's just a girl in pink jammies.

Our Punkin at the Pumpkin Patch

Today, Gianna and I went with Grandma and Grandpa to Cox Farms in Centreville (way more than a pumpkin patch...actually not a pumpkin patch at all, but that's beside the point).

Anyhoo, it was a ridiculously hot day (for October anyway), so you will note Gianna's outfit change. Gianna would have gone hog wild if she was a bit older, but I think she still had a great time. She loved looking at the animals and was especially interested in the chickens.

Mostly she loved walking around and picking up wood chips and hay.

All in all, a fun day!

Patience and pasta salad

Way back in July Gianna had multiple pasta salads that she could not get enough of: namely, her Aunt Elizabeth's and La Madeleine's (a restaurant). Since then I have tried to make a pasta salad that she would enjoy. After at least three tries, I was ready to give up. Apparently, though, today I have happened upon the right combination of correct pasta type, correct dressing, and correct amount of cheese on top. My the princess is hard to please! I'm glad my efforts have not been totally wasted!

Also, meant to mention yesterday that over the weekend Gianna seems to have said her first words: "hi" on Friday, and "mama" on Saturday. She says neither with consistency and not always at appropriate times. But she does say them correctly often enough to know that she's really saying them!

Lately

I haven't posted much lately...and there's not been much to say, but nevertheless here's what we've been up to. We've been celebrating my birthday numerous times and taking advantage of babysitters, so that has been nice. Last weekend Doug and I went out to a Japanese steakhouse (a meal I've been craving for months for no apparent reason!) and to see Ghost Town (very enjoyable) while my mom and dad babysat. Apparently, Gianna had a great time at the Cheesecake Factory! Doug was out of town for my actual birthday, which was kind of a bummer, but my parents came over to celebrate and help out with Gianna. Gianna looked especially cute in her jumper (courtesy of Nonna and Pop-pop) that day.

This past weekend was momentous for Doug. He got Lasik surgery on Friday morning and is now glasses- and contacts-free for the first time in over 20 years! He's very excited, but hopes that the light sensitivity he's experiencing gets better. After a good day's rest on Friday, he was ready for a night out with my parents while Aunt Jenny babysat. We had a delightful gourmet French meal! And it was nice to spend time with my parents without Gianna...though we all missed her!

Today, though a holiday, Doug had to work, but Gianna and I got to spend the afternoon with my parents and grandmother, Nana. We had a lovely visit. I think Nana really enjoyed getting to see Gianna toddle all over and play since there's not much room or opporunity for this in the nursing home. Thanks for hosting Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa)!

And on a, "Are you kidding me?!" note...We got a bill for our trip to the urgent care center (see Doctor Drama entry). Luckily, we only owe $50 as a co-pay. But the total cost of the visit was $288. Are you kidding me? It cost $288 to sit in a room for 90 minutes, spend 5 seconds with a doctor, and get prescribed a cream that our pediatrician "wouldn't put on a kid," seriously? Oy!

Terrible 1's?

So I thought that Gianna's bad mood last week was just the effects of her shots, but it lasted for quite a while! Things have gotten better in the last two days, but she was a crazy woman Sunday night. Hopefully this is the beginning of her returning to her old self.

I was reading Dr. Brazleton's Touchpoints book and he described the typical one-year-old as basically full of baby angst: constantly struggling between dependence and independence, frustrated by the many decisions she has to make every day, crying a lot day and night as a result. When I read it early last week I thought, Gee I'm glad Gianna's not like this. Now I'm wondering if she read the book while I wasn't looking! She's been crying out during the night, begging to be held, but then squirming to get down, and throwing tantrums when she doesn't get her way.

BUT, despite these things, she is just getting sweeter and really developing an adorable personality. Our days are also full of spontaneous kisses, running to me to give me hugs, and laughing with glee when I chase her or jump out from hiding from her. Here's a video of her enjoying her slightly deflated Elmo balloon.

This bites

I thought I'd post this picture of Gianna's mosquito bitten face. It's pretty funny. I saw it happen, in the car, of all places, and I couldn't reach her to stop it. For some reason, she didn't understand me motioning to brush it off her face. Go figure!





Also, her one year appointment yesterday went just fine. She hated every minute of it, but she's in good health and didn't seem too affected by her shots. Although, I'm hoping today's extreme crankiness was a delayed reaction and will be gone by tomorrow. Here's a picture of how our day went too. Bedtime couldn't come soon enough! Isn't she still cute when she cries though?!