Gianna's birthday, part deux

I apologize for taking so long to post birthday photos (again).  Several things (sickness, children, a fussy commputer, etc.) have conspired against me. But I will persevere! Even if that means that you, dear readers, are viewing June birthday photos at Christmastime!  Okay, where were we? 

To recap, Gianna had a small birthday party in the park.

For her 1st birthday dinner, she ate pizza for the very first time. She is a fan of pizza.

Her brother snuck cupcakes when he thought nobody was watching.

Well-wishers gathered around to sing Happy Birthday.

One man showed up to bestow birthday wishes, and to load the truck up, I think.

Many birthday presents were opened:

 Along with her very first pony, she has a handy stable boy who helps her when riding.



She loves this green chair.  She loves climbing up on it and then sitting. She is the Queen Bee, and I guess this is her throne.

 

More photos to come!

xo

Rolling in the Deep

  This song pounds in my head and in my veins this summer. Love it.

Make up time

I was down and out for 5 days while sick, but I clearly made up for it these past 3 days!  I have taken the babies to the park, sometimes twice a day, and we hit the library and the farmer's market.  I have been driving the QEII this week, which makes me feel like the Big Girl. I have loaded it up with all sorts of sand toys, snacks, drinks, and the Bob double stroller. Bode loves it when I honk the QEII's loud horn.  He doesn't know it, but I honk it as a warning: "Look out, here I come in the QEII!"  We have been on the go-go-go!

Babycakes enjoying a swing.





I love that boys come up to Bode in the park to talk about cars. I've been bringing his big construction vehicles with us to the sandbox, and they have been a great conversation/play starter for Bode. It is also interesting for me to see that Bode doesn't get rattled (right now, at least) when a boy walks off with one of his cars. He just watches  him for a minute, and I'll say something like, "It's so great to share your cars with other boys. Why don't you go show him the other truck, too?" He enjoys watching other boys to see how they play with the cars. Love it!

Hello, Aunt Mary Lou.

It was so cold Thursday morning that we all wore fleece jackets on our walk! I was in running shorts, a short-sleeve shirt, as well as a fleece. It warmed up quickly, though.  The fleece jackets were removed about 10 minutes into our walk.

Gianna's first official visit to the library. All babies love the big stuffed Curious George.

Bode shows Gianna the germ-infested Lego table. Notice Gianna is standing!

 Bode with the dog statue.

We went to the library, and I am pretty sure it was Gianna's first visit. She may have "traveled" as a baby in the past, but this was her first real time spent at the library. Bode showed her the ever-popular cesspool of a Lego table, but she wasn't too interested. She was more interested in the stuffed animals and sofas the library has stocked in the children's section.She is standing all the time now, and the library provided a lot of easy pull-up spots. So far, it looks like Gianna does not share the "reading gene" that her brother Bode has enjoyed. She is not interested in sitting to read at all. Of course, she is learning all kinds of ways to be mobile so that holds more interest for her now. I hope (fingers crossed) that she is a big reader. Behind the library is a tiny park. We stopped there so that Bode could play.  On the way out, he saw the dog statue. The dog statue is infamous in our history here in Los Altos. The story is, one night, Bob and I were out, and the dogs were with us. I think we had been somewhere far away hiking, and the dogs really needed to stop for a potty break.  It was dark, and I had no idea where we were at the time, but now I know we were here. Kelly got out, ran right up to this dog statue and sniffed its butt!  It killed me; it was so funny.  Now, when I see this dog statue, I think of Kelly.  I'm happy that I have a picture of Bode with this dog statue, for historical purposes.

Thursday afternoon, we went to the farmer's market. We have a very pretty farmer's market in our little downtown village.  It is full of organic produce brought in by local farmers, and farmers further out, like Half Moon Bay. They all set up under neat little white canopies, and two long streets are blocked off to traffic. People walk in throngs, some couples, some families roaming around looking for their next meal. There are food vendors at the end of the block. A lot of (smart) people make an evening of this farmer's market, buying their weekly fruits and veggies,  and eating dinner here. I really wanted to avoid making dinner. I like the idea of stopping and eating at one of the picnic tables set up nearbly. But the reality is, this doesn't work righft now for me and two babies. So we browsed the vendors selling burritos, falafel, barbecue, pizza, corn on the cob, etc.  I asked Bode what he would like to eat. What did he pick?  Kettle corn!  I was not happy with his choice, but I did buy him a small bag. (I have to remember to not give him free reign, but instead choices: "Would you like a piece of chicken, or a sandwich?" etc.) I bought a couple of vegetarian tamales for our dinner and had them wrapped to go.   There was a musician there who played a guitar and harmonica, "like Neil Young," Bode said.  He loves music. I let him out of the stroller so that he could leave a tip in the musician's guitar case, and dance to a couple of songs. Bode dances by bending his knees and just bouncing ever so slightly. It is hard to tell that he is dancing because it is so slight, and he has a serious concentrated look on his face. It kind of reminds me of that scene from the movie Forrest Gump, when Forrest is dancing in his leg braces to Elvis Presley. Except Bode doesn't move that much.

Gianna's first visit to the farmer's market, and she's gotta wear shades.

Dancing to "hey, good lookin' what you got cookin'" but barely moving.



Buying organic greens and the babies are ready to call it a day.



Today we ran a few errands, but because we had the double stroller in the QEII, I wisely (if I do say so myself) parked in a central location downtown, so that we could stroll to the park and hit Starbucks before heading home for our nap. Win-win, baby.

Raise your hand if you're ready for a mocha.

Bode enjoying a blueberry muffin from Starbucks.

Gianna has another toofy...wait for it...wait for it:

She now has both top toofys!

So, I think I made up for my lack of mothering earlier this week.  I hope to rest this weekend though! What are your weekend plans? Whatever they are, I hope that you have fun and relaxation in store.
Happy weekend.
xo

PS So sorry for the run-on sentences and typos! As much as I want this to reflect my best grammar and writing, I am also writing this with the one-hour-the-babies-are-napping deadline, or late at night after putting the babies to bed.

Why I have been absent

Bob was leaving for a business trip when I started feeling a lower back ache that travelled up my spine, into my shoulders and then worked its way all over my body.  Fever, chills, sore throat, and vomiting followed, to name a few symptoms. All I wanted to do was wrap myself in as many layers as possible and sleep. Did I mention that I have two children? Two babies that depend on me for food, shelter, clothing, diaper changes and other basic necessities? Did I mention that I was all alone? With two babies that need me for their every...well, need?

On the second day of sickness, I went to the doctor to see if there was any way of preventing the babies from getting sick (insert laugh track here). After determining that I had "just a virus," my doctor's only advice was to have family watch the babies while the virus worked its way through my body.  I almost cried. I said, "I don't have any family here."

I was so sick, and unable to take care of my babies. The headache and body aches made it impossible to do anything but lay down. I would try to sleep on the couch, and Bode would order, "No, mommy, you not close you eyes." So I would try to sit up and pretend to be interested in his 1,387 car game. I couldn't tolerate the sight or smell of food. So meal times were a hurried throw-the-food-in-the-direction-of-the-high-chair-tray, and make a run for the restroom while the babies ate.  At one point, I was lying on the floor with Gianna playing nearby when I heard a crash, a  scream and then crying. I couldn't even get up. I just asked, "What happened" with no energy in my voice. Bode came running up with blood all over his hands and chin. Ordinarily, this sight would have caused me to jump up in a panic. I had no reaction except dread, to see if I had to take him to the emergency room (Please God no I can not drive). He cried and cried. He wouldn't tell me what happened. So I guess he tried to climb a table, fell, and bit down on his lip in two places. Multiply this type of living for five days. It really was a sucky situation.

Fun times, let me tell you. So. Having experienced h-e-double hockey sticks (for those minors reading) all on my own, I am now ready for family.  FAMILY.  I WANT FAMILY! I NEED FAMILY.  I told Bob that we need family nearby. So, to make things interesting, let's make this a contest:  we will move to the town of  whoever posts a comment on this post first.  GO!

Just kidding. Kind of. This horrible sickness did get me thinking. Without getting too dramatic, I thought about a lot of different situations. In the end, I am incredibly lucky and grateful for everything that I have, mainly my health! 

I know that I still have more on Gianna's birthday to post, and other things. Today, I enjoyed my babies,  food, fresh air, sunshine...life! I am excited to be back.

Happy Wednesday.

xo



Gianna and Bode, shocked to be outdoors, after so long.



Thrilled to be at the park!

Are they trying to escape..from...me?

Gianna tries to keep up with Bode.

Mommy joins in the fun.

A simple task, like giving the babies a bath, was impossible for me to fathom a few days ago.

Yankee Doodle Dandy

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming (Gianna's birthday, part two)  for a special Fourth of July post:

Today, we had a town parade for the Fourth of July. Over breakfast, I gave Bode a simple history lesson of the Fourth of July,  and explained that we are proud citizens of the United States of America. He nodded and said, "Amerwica." We totally dorked out in the red, white and blue (well, I didn't) for our town's parade.  Like many things B.C. (Before Children), this is something that Bob and I would never consider.  Now, it's like, "Oh, yay! There's a Fourth of July Parade! Let's go!"

Their fun is now our fun.

We arrived at the parade just in time for the start. Every child there was blowing a whistle and it was deafening!  Bode was given some bling: red, blue and silver star necklaces, a small flag, and a red whistle.  Bode couldn't figure out how to use the whistle. Thank goodness.  As we strolled along, he put the whistle to his mouth and made, "Woo woo" noises to mimic the real whistles.

The real, old fire truck and Bode

Priscilla on the parade route.

My babies, going deaf, from the bleat-bleat-bleat! of the whistles on the parade route.

There was a real fire truck and a real old fire truck at the parade that Bode admired up close. Bode was completely star-struck when a real fireman approached him and asked if he would like to sit in the fire truck.  The fireman lifted him up and sat him in the front seat.  Bode didn't move a muscle the whole time, even though he was kind of slumped into the seat. 

Ruh-roh!

He couldn't move. He could barely talk to the fireman.

Babycakes was admired by many while she sat in the shade of a tree, chowing down on cool watermelon after the parade. This baby loves watermelon. Do not try to give her a bite. She wants an entire piece all to herself!

Love those chubby little hands and arms!



Chomp!



Priscilla joined in the fun, though it wasn't really her kind of fun.  She did very well with the kids and whistles though. 

We enjoyed watching the babies take in the festivities. But the fun's not over yet! We have a Fourth of July party at our neighbor's.  And, I also made dinner!  Tonight's menu:  pulled pork sandwiches on Kaiser rolls (why do I always think of my mom when I see Kaiser rolls?), cabbage slaw, and corn on the cob.  And a special Fourth of July treat, Firecracker Popsicles, for Master Bode William, the firetruck-riding patriot.

Happy Fourth of July!
xo

Gianna's Birthday, part one

Miss Mia Gianna is one year old, and very loved, as evidenced by the numerous birthday wishes and love sent to her across the miles. She had a fabulous first birthday. She was all smiles, ate well, napped well, and just enjoyed her big day.

Gianna received many presents for her 1st birthday. We had to pace ourselves.  We opened up the presents over the weekend. Once again, our family and friends were so generous, and sent a ton of goodies to our babies (both babies "celebrated" by opening presents).

Not surprisingly, Gianna woke up in a great mood. She was all smiles to start her day as a big 1 year old.

Breakfast: strawberries, banana, Cheerios

I made Bob pose with Gianna. I wanted the photo to be like one of my favorite photos of Bode's 1st birthday. Sentimental and contrived...that's me!  After breakfast, we opened a few presents. Gianna loved the tissue paper best!





Gianna went down for her morning nap. Bode played with some of his presents while I ran around trying to get last-minute party prep done (cutting strawberries and watermelon). I put Bode down for an early nap so that I could load up Bob's truck (!) with the high chair, paper products, sand toys, first aid kit, extra clothes/diapers/wipes, water, food, etc. etc. etc.  I could not believe how much stuff I had to take to the park! It was an insane amount of stuff, and I doubt if I ever willingly do this on my own again.  Once Gianna and Bode got up, I had to dress the children and then put them in the car for errands.  We picked up our balloons and cake, then made our way to the birthday party site, the park.

[ed: I apologize for taking so long to post. I took 238 pictures on Gianna's birthday. On Friday night, I edited them down to 131 pictures. I will post more photos, as well as, more written description of Gianna's birthday, tomorrow.  Thank you for your patience! Stay tuned!]

xo