Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Gia at School
One of Gia's teachers wrote to us about her observations and how Gia's doing at school after 3 months there, and we were so amused that we wanted to share with you:
As far as Gia's personality, she is definitely warming up. Last week she went up to other teachers and showed them toys. She also started talking a lot at nap, which shows she is comfortable. A few of the other children do that as well. Gia is so sweet. I can always count on her to help. She is probably the only child who knows where everything goes and who actually helps in clean up. If I change around the toys' locations, she always puts them where they used to be. Overall she has been talking a lot more. She is always smiling and says "hi." She has started to become aware of the other children. Although she tends to play alone, which is completely normal at this age, she does go up to friends and hugs them or will share with them. She loves playing with Brady. She will go up to him and wiggle his ears and point to his nose and then they both laugh. Gia comes to me when she needs help and she expresses her needs just fine. She puts her shoes on by herself, puts her hat on and her jacket on. She tells us when she goes poop or has a wet diaper. Gia enjoys playing with the dollhouse, putting the little people in bed and have them sit on chairs. She also enjoys wearing hats and shoes and playing with dolls. She is very easy going and she is doing great!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Gia just before 23 months
In less than 2 weeks, Gia will be 23 months. She's very clear about where things go and how things should be, when she wants something and when she's done. She continues to love school and her classmates, as well as pretty much all animals. We talk about her baby sister arriving most evenings before she goes to sleep (she can't help but notice that she's running out of room on my lap as I read her stories). Gia wants her to be here now, and sometimes lifts up my shirt and says "Come out!" but seems to understand that baby sister is still growing, and will say, "Baby -- napping." In the meantime, she's happy to talk about the pink shoes and binkies that she will give her. Gia is learning to speak new words every day, and putting phrases together. Here are some of the things she's been saying in the last few hours:
- "Binky fall down!"
- "Blankie on!"
- "Wake up!"
- "Flush now." (She's just started to respond to what "soon" and "now" mean.)
- "No Nana home."
- "Miss Nana. Miss puppy. Miss Ahnee." (Auntie)
- "Naked!"
- "More. Peez" (Please)
- "Neh-neh" (Thank you)
- "Puppy home. Keep!" (We had 2 puppy visitors in the last few days, and she wanted to keep both of them.)
- "Gia turn!" (You can imagine that she uses this one whenever she wants to do something we're doing.)
- "Guk lick nose." (Gus -- the dog -- licked my nose.)
- "Wobba hining (Turkeys are hiding. We taught her that turkeys say "gobble gobble," and she says, "Wobba wobba," and now just calls turkeys wobba.)
- "Clean hand!" (She also declares when she wants us to clean her mouth, nose or face)
- "Sippy. Cup."
- "Baby Shister."
- "Mommy booties on. One. Two."
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Gia at almost 22 months ...
Gia continues to grow in delightful ways. She loves to laugh and make us laugh. When we stayed at a friend's home during a recent trip to LA, she woke up the first morning with a very happy, "Yay!" ... the next morning with a "Daddy! Hi!" and the next declaring "Gia up!" She kept waking up earlier and earlier because she was so excited to be in the same room as we were, and really more excited because there were two other little girls ("Babies!") in the house. She was so happy to have other kids to play with in the morning (no matter that we could have slept for 2 more hours before the other girls were actually up). It was during that trip that we went to a pumpkin patch and she instantly learned the word "Pumpkin" and easily identified that it's "Ohnge" (orange).
This morning, she surprised me with two new words: "Tie!" when she wanted me to tie her shoes, and "Cook!" when she was at the play kitchen at school and I was trying to get her attention to say goodbye.
A few things she loves these days:
This morning, she surprised me with two new words: "Tie!" when she wanted me to tie her shoes, and "Cook!" when she was at the play kitchen at school and I was trying to get her attention to say goodbye.
A few things she loves these days:
- Her picture book of family and friends
- Animals and babies
- Cuddling, especially with Nana in bed in the morning
- The color blue, and secondarily green
- Counting ("one ... two ... three ... nine!")
- Going to the park
- Heart-to-Heart cereal ... with Os and Heart shapes
- Brie, hummus, baba ganoush, and grapes
- Cleaning up
- Dancing
- Drawing
- Chatting
- Hugging her friends at school. This week, we picked Gia up from school and she wanted to give all the other kids a hug goodbye. When one on the teachers saw her give a hug and let go she said, "Wow, you have learned to let go. Last week you just held on until you both fell down!"
- Ice Cream (uh oh!). The other day, Drew was eating ice-cream. Gia saw him, and asked for some too. Drew gave her a small spoonful and she frantically made her sign for, "I like it." Drew gave her one more bite and she pointed at the bowl and said, "Happy."
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
We're happy to report that the last two days at school have found Gia both eating lunch and napping for an hour and a half. Yippee!! We suspect that she's feeling safer and more at home there, and we're thrilled. She returned home very engaged and energetic, with lots of ideas to make us laugh. Yesterday, in fact, she did a funny desperate little dance when she really wanted brie. She exclaimed, "Brie! Brie!" while she frantically waved her arms and danced her cute little legs. We'll try to capture it on video for you.
Gia is very observant ... she likes to watch and study first, she likes to understand how things work., and she's learning to discern many things. As we mentioned last time, she's getting colors (even says "purple" and "orange" appropriately!) She signs consistently that Daddy's nose and feet are "big" ... then she makes the sign for "small" and says, "Mine!" And yes, she does have a rather small and adorable nose. She knows that she wears a "big" diaper at night (we discovered that one size up makes a big difference in the number of sheets we wash), and small ones during the day. She knows which binkies are reserved for Nana's room (the red ones) and covets them, and is also clear which ones she wants at any given time (pink, blue, orange, yellow). She also knows that the red diaper changing pad is for when we're out.
Most importantly i her book, she knows that the "park" is where she goes "wheee!" on the swing ... that's where we're headed tomorrow morning!
Gia is very observant ... she likes to watch and study first, she likes to understand how things work., and she's learning to discern many things. As we mentioned last time, she's getting colors (even says "purple" and "orange" appropriately!) She signs consistently that Daddy's nose and feet are "big" ... then she makes the sign for "small" and says, "Mine!" And yes, she does have a rather small and adorable nose. She knows that she wears a "big" diaper at night (we discovered that one size up makes a big difference in the number of sheets we wash), and small ones during the day. She knows which binkies are reserved for Nana's room (the red ones) and covets them, and is also clear which ones she wants at any given time (pink, blue, orange, yellow). She also knows that the red diaper changing pad is for when we're out.
Most importantly i her book, she knows that the "park" is where she goes "wheee!" on the swing ... that's where we're headed tomorrow morning!
Friday, September 25, 2009
So much has been happening over here, and we haven’t had the time and energy to update until now! We’re delighted to share lots of great news with you.
The BIG news is that we’re expecting a little sister for Gia in early February! We’re excited and quite frankly, surprised, to welcome another girl. We would have been excited and not at all surprised to welcome a boy. My women’s intuition apparently does not apply during pregnancy, even though it’s supposed to be heightened during such times. Oh well. I’m sure that it will return someday.
After a couple of months of terrible morning sickness, being in bed for 20 hours a day, complete exhaustion, nausea (and yes, vomiting … and really, it wasn’t as fun as it sounds), I started to feel much better in the middle of August. If I’d had morning sickness with Gia, she’d be destined to be an only child. Drew heroically took on intense daddying while I was sick, and the two of them had oodles of quality time together. My mom also helped a lot when she was home, and I’m not sure what we’d be doing without her!
Gia started to walk at about 17 months. We were relieved that it took her so long, and have loved watching her be on her feet, walk, run, dance, and become more independent. Another big move toward independence: She started preschool the day she turned 20 months, and is loving it. She’s there 3 days a week for about 8 hours (!) … I miss her while she’s gone, but we know that it’s the right thing for her development and fulfillment. her teachers are wonderful, and report that she enjoys stacking blocks, helping, putting things away (and knows where things go – hey, genes and early training do pay off!), art, the sandbox and water play, and is starting to play with other kids. I’ve personally witnessed her enjoying eating bubbles, burying her legs in the sand, and saying an enthusiastic "Hi!" to a couple of her classmates. She’s also started to nap there, and after 2-1/2 weeks does not need us to visit, so our family system is starting a new groove. We’re really happy to have found a loving place for her to learn, explore, play and build relationships, and that she will have a solid “second home” by the time her sister arrives on the scene.
We are amazed at and delighted by how smart, communicative and adorable Gia is … she knows and says our first names, knows whose shoes, clothes and cars are whose, and which auntie is which and has given her something specific (Auntie Wendy has a dog and gave her bubbles, a hat and sunglasses, Auntie Alice taught her about the "wee wee" toe and gave her the tweeting birdie, Auntie Grace lets her go through her treasure chest of a purse and gave her books, Auntie Sara has a swing – "whee!" …). She’s learning to count (one … two ... three ... nine!) and identify colors … so far, she’s pretty consistent in saying "blue," "pink" and "yellow" for appropriate objects. Two days ago when we were in the car, she suddenly said, "Yellow!" And I asked her, "Gia, what’s yellow?" Instant response: "Pee!" We didn’t teach her that, really! She answers that a baby dog is a "puppy," and that a baby goose is a "gosling," and knows what she wants to wear in the morning, often opting for her teal crocs (she makes the signs or says the words "shoe" and "croc") and her turtle shirt ("turtle!") from Uncle Art and Auntie Sima. Gia will loudly declare "Done!!" when she’s done, or when she wants us to be done with something (like the dishes, a phone call or computer time), and also knows what is "Mine"” She also likes to be funny and make us laugh, and has a hilarious laugh herself.
Gia has a continued fascination with other kids, with buckles (on her stroller, high chair, carseat, anything she can get her hands on …) and the way things work, as well as with phones, computers, running water, sprinklers, and really anything we do or are interested in. I accidentally discovered one day (while not wanting to get out of bed) that she really loves being under the "tent" (i.e., the comforter) and being sung to. This morning, she pulled on the comforter and said, "Pop! Mop!" … which meant, sing (she’s associated a song from Gymboree that talks about popping bubbles) and get my milk! She’s especially fond of Twinkle Twinkle and this morning requested the ABCs (conveniently the same tune).
About feet: One evening about a month ago, a barefoot Gia played with mommy’s bare toes, saying "Wee wee wee!" … then pointed to daddy’s toes, which were, as usual, hidden in black socks. When he pulled them off, she recoiled … I eyed the black lint on them and imagined the scariness of his size lint-dotted 10-1/2 feet to a 32” tall toddler. "Do you want daddy to wash his feet?" "Yesh!" So he washed them, but upon his return, she still avoided them, and in fact hugged me closer and indicated that he should put his socks back on. The next morning, she pointed to his feet under the covers, and when he pulled out a bare foot, she looked at them for a moment, and then said, "No! No!" So he hid them again. That evening as they sat on the couch, he was purposely barefoot to get her used to the idea. She was about to climb off his lap when she spotted them … and immediately crawled up higher in avoidance. After a number of subsequent exposures to daddy’s feet, Gia finally got over her fear, and now will even pet his feet. She’s so brave!
Ok, this has been a ridiculously long update. I see why we decided, months back, to do more frequent, short ones. We'll aim for that again! Live and learn.
Briefly, on the parental side … It’s my plan to give myself some time to rejuvenate and create some reserve before I give birth again, so that I really have as much as possible to give to this fresh new life we call Baby #2. When called, I’m doing a bit of work in Northern and Southern California (those trips end with the end of my second trimester), but have not been focusing in building a business yet. During the times that Gia is playing at school and I’m not doing work, I’m going to yoga, spending time with friends and family, resting, seeing the myriad of doctors, and focusing on sustaining relationships and financial consciousness (that is, catching up on email, phone calls and bookkeeping). We'll post more of an update about Drew soon.
We’re looking forward to keeping you abreast of our family developments, and hope that you’re thriving yourselves.
The BIG news is that we’re expecting a little sister for Gia in early February! We’re excited and quite frankly, surprised, to welcome another girl. We would have been excited and not at all surprised to welcome a boy. My women’s intuition apparently does not apply during pregnancy, even though it’s supposed to be heightened during such times. Oh well. I’m sure that it will return someday.
After a couple of months of terrible morning sickness, being in bed for 20 hours a day, complete exhaustion, nausea (and yes, vomiting … and really, it wasn’t as fun as it sounds), I started to feel much better in the middle of August. If I’d had morning sickness with Gia, she’d be destined to be an only child. Drew heroically took on intense daddying while I was sick, and the two of them had oodles of quality time together. My mom also helped a lot when she was home, and I’m not sure what we’d be doing without her!
Gia started to walk at about 17 months. We were relieved that it took her so long, and have loved watching her be on her feet, walk, run, dance, and become more independent. Another big move toward independence: She started preschool the day she turned 20 months, and is loving it. She’s there 3 days a week for about 8 hours (!) … I miss her while she’s gone, but we know that it’s the right thing for her development and fulfillment. her teachers are wonderful, and report that she enjoys stacking blocks, helping, putting things away (and knows where things go – hey, genes and early training do pay off!), art, the sandbox and water play, and is starting to play with other kids. I’ve personally witnessed her enjoying eating bubbles, burying her legs in the sand, and saying an enthusiastic "Hi!" to a couple of her classmates. She’s also started to nap there, and after 2-1/2 weeks does not need us to visit, so our family system is starting a new groove. We’re really happy to have found a loving place for her to learn, explore, play and build relationships, and that she will have a solid “second home” by the time her sister arrives on the scene.
We are amazed at and delighted by how smart, communicative and adorable Gia is … she knows and says our first names, knows whose shoes, clothes and cars are whose, and which auntie is which and has given her something specific (Auntie Wendy has a dog and gave her bubbles, a hat and sunglasses, Auntie Alice taught her about the "wee wee" toe and gave her the tweeting birdie, Auntie Grace lets her go through her treasure chest of a purse and gave her books, Auntie Sara has a swing – "whee!" …). She’s learning to count (one … two ... three ... nine!) and identify colors … so far, she’s pretty consistent in saying "blue," "pink" and "yellow" for appropriate objects. Two days ago when we were in the car, she suddenly said, "Yellow!" And I asked her, "Gia, what’s yellow?" Instant response: "Pee!" We didn’t teach her that, really! She answers that a baby dog is a "puppy," and that a baby goose is a "gosling," and knows what she wants to wear in the morning, often opting for her teal crocs (she makes the signs or says the words "shoe" and "croc") and her turtle shirt ("turtle!") from Uncle Art and Auntie Sima. Gia will loudly declare "Done!!" when she’s done, or when she wants us to be done with something (like the dishes, a phone call or computer time), and also knows what is "Mine"” She also likes to be funny and make us laugh, and has a hilarious laugh herself.
Gia has a continued fascination with other kids, with buckles (on her stroller, high chair, carseat, anything she can get her hands on …) and the way things work, as well as with phones, computers, running water, sprinklers, and really anything we do or are interested in. I accidentally discovered one day (while not wanting to get out of bed) that she really loves being under the "tent" (i.e., the comforter) and being sung to. This morning, she pulled on the comforter and said, "Pop! Mop!" … which meant, sing (she’s associated a song from Gymboree that talks about popping bubbles) and get my milk! She’s especially fond of Twinkle Twinkle and this morning requested the ABCs (conveniently the same tune).
About feet: One evening about a month ago, a barefoot Gia played with mommy’s bare toes, saying "Wee wee wee!" … then pointed to daddy’s toes, which were, as usual, hidden in black socks. When he pulled them off, she recoiled … I eyed the black lint on them and imagined the scariness of his size lint-dotted 10-1/2 feet to a 32” tall toddler. "Do you want daddy to wash his feet?" "Yesh!" So he washed them, but upon his return, she still avoided them, and in fact hugged me closer and indicated that he should put his socks back on. The next morning, she pointed to his feet under the covers, and when he pulled out a bare foot, she looked at them for a moment, and then said, "No! No!" So he hid them again. That evening as they sat on the couch, he was purposely barefoot to get her used to the idea. She was about to climb off his lap when she spotted them … and immediately crawled up higher in avoidance. After a number of subsequent exposures to daddy’s feet, Gia finally got over her fear, and now will even pet his feet. She’s so brave!
Ok, this has been a ridiculously long update. I see why we decided, months back, to do more frequent, short ones. We'll aim for that again! Live and learn.
Briefly, on the parental side … It’s my plan to give myself some time to rejuvenate and create some reserve before I give birth again, so that I really have as much as possible to give to this fresh new life we call Baby #2. When called, I’m doing a bit of work in Northern and Southern California (those trips end with the end of my second trimester), but have not been focusing in building a business yet. During the times that Gia is playing at school and I’m not doing work, I’m going to yoga, spending time with friends and family, resting, seeing the myriad of doctors, and focusing on sustaining relationships and financial consciousness (that is, catching up on email, phone calls and bookkeeping). We'll post more of an update about Drew soon.
We’re looking forward to keeping you abreast of our family developments, and hope that you’re thriving yourselves.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Evidence of Gia's intelligence ...
Gia is both smart and funny! The latest evidence:
- By 6am, she's signing to put on her shoes and go outside to see the birds and squirrels (and has recently added "Nana!" to remind us that she wants to go out with Nana).
- She goes directly for the "outside clothes and shoes" box by the door and opens it when she deems that it's time to play outside.
- She has 38 signs, and is starting to put them together (turkey = "big" + "bird").
- She loves goat brie cheese, and refused to eat her broccoli until it had at least a smudge of brie on it.
- She hands us the remote control to the ipod dock and starts to dance when she wants us to play music.
- This morning, she removed from a canister one roll of toilet paper (TP) wrapped in paper, and I asked her to put it in the cabinet. She opened the cabinet and sized up the contents (many rolls of TP, and the stack closest to her was made of two unwrapped rolls on top of two wrapped ones), then carefully took out two unwrapped rolls and put them on the ground, and put her wrapped roll on top of the "matching" ones ... then tried to stack the unwrapped rolls on that. Hm.
- Before Drew put her in her crib tonight, she pointed to the white noise machine to remind him to turn it on.
- Before bed, she kisses pictures of the family.
Monday, May 25, 2009
What Gia's like at 16.5 months
At 16.5 months, Gia is becoming more fun by the day. She's very chatty (her spoken communication isn't quite as clear to us as her signing, but she has a lot to say either way), she gives great hugs with her strong, short arms squeezing tightly around the neck of her object of affection, and sweet little kisses on the lips. She's walking more (though mostly with the help of a finger to hold onto), has about 35 signs and 15 spoken words (a few of which overlap), and is very enthusiastic about expressing what she wants. Mostly, that's to be up in someone's arms, eat strawberries, crackers or avocado, or to be outside feeding the squirrels and birds. She's thriving being surrounded by family and nature in the Bay Area.
Gia is still a mommy's girl (which, I have to admit, I really enjoy!), loves being with daddy and Nana, and yet is expanding her horizons to give and receive lots of love from her aunties, uncles, cousins and fans. She enjoys climbing, eating, throwing food, drinking water and milk, and is fascinated by riding the escalator. She loves flopping and playing on the bed, and wants to get her little hands in anything she can ... to figure out how it works. She loves pens and paper (now where did she get that?), and likes to draw on things like ... pillows, books and comforters. Oops. Don't worry -- we won't let her do that at your house.
We love watching her learn, grow and enjoy being this beautiful little human being, and hope that you are, too, whether that's in person or in cyberspace or both.
Gia is still a mommy's girl (which, I have to admit, I really enjoy!), loves being with daddy and Nana, and yet is expanding her horizons to give and receive lots of love from her aunties, uncles, cousins and fans. She enjoys climbing, eating, throwing food, drinking water and milk, and is fascinated by riding the escalator. She loves flopping and playing on the bed, and wants to get her little hands in anything she can ... to figure out how it works. She loves pens and paper (now where did she get that?), and likes to draw on things like ... pillows, books and comforters. Oops. Don't worry -- we won't let her do that at your house.
We love watching her learn, grow and enjoy being this beautiful little human being, and hope that you are, too, whether that's in person or in cyberspace or both.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Movies - 16 Months
Gia shows off her baby sign language in the bath
Gia plays with water in the bath
Where is your nose?
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Crib ...
Tonight before bed, Gia was more distracted than usual. Instead of pointing to her books or to the door or making some other indication that she'd prefer not to go to bed, she signed these words to tell us what she had in mind:
Food - Bird - Outside - Shoes - Door.
Translation: "I want to feed the birds outside. Get my shoes on and let's go!"
She repeated this multiple times, just in case we didn't understand and were replying, "No, honey, we'll do that in the morning" to something else. Thanks to Gia TV (aka the video monitor), we know that she is now sound asleep and adorable face up.
Food - Bird - Outside - Shoes - Door.
Translation: "I want to feed the birds outside. Get my shoes on and let's go!"
She repeated this multiple times, just in case we didn't understand and were replying, "No, honey, we'll do that in the morning" to something else. Thanks to Gia TV (aka the video monitor), we know that she is now sound asleep and adorable face up.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Gia's words
Gia loves to communicate. Some of you might remember that her first word was an enthusiastic "Hi!" ... she also says: Bye, Mom, Da, Dog, Ball, Belt, Beh ("baby"), Boh ("boy") Hat, Hot, Uh-uh, Uh-oh and Nana (actually meaning "banana," and accompanied by a dance). I think I'm forgetting one or two more. Now she's also excited to sign words: Yes (infrequent!), No, More, Eat/hungry, Apple, Milk, Cracker, Up, Bath, Shoe, Cat, Bunny, Bird, Elephant, Squirrel (her latest fave), Book, and Bye. Naturally, she's always pointing to what she wants, and I suppose that's sign language, too. Of course, her receptive language is much broader than her expressive language, and it's amazing to see how much she understands. Like all of us, she's thrilled to speak and be understood.
Gia kisses a boy!
Well, it happened. At just 16 months, my little girl hugged and kissed a boy! His name is Rafa, and he’s a really adorable, affectionate, expressive, smart and playful boy, about 3 weeks younger than she. We met Rafa and his mom Allison at a Gymboree class about a month ago, and he was the one she liked. Gia tends to be interested in looking at all kids, but is quite particular about whom she wants to play with.
I like Allison and Rafa a lot, too ... she's kind and generous, we are very compatible in our beliefs and behaviors, and Gia and I feel very at home with them. The four of us had a playdate at the park a couple of weeks ago. And yesterday, we had a joyful 3-hour playdate at their house. The two kids engaged in some remarkably graceful parallel play, as well as direct play with each other and the mammas.
We were all playing with a plushy stuffed soccer ball in the wide, sunlit hallway ... Gia got in my lap to give me a hug and kiss, and then Rafa (who’d been coming to sit in my lap and hug me on and off) saw this and came into my lap, too. They turned to each other and ... kissed. And hugged.
Adorable.
She said "bye" to him all the way home and AT home about 20 minutes after we left, until she fell asleep.
I like Allison and Rafa a lot, too ... she's kind and generous, we are very compatible in our beliefs and behaviors, and Gia and I feel very at home with them. The four of us had a playdate at the park a couple of weeks ago. And yesterday, we had a joyful 3-hour playdate at their house. The two kids engaged in some remarkably graceful parallel play, as well as direct play with each other and the mammas.
We were all playing with a plushy stuffed soccer ball in the wide, sunlit hallway ... Gia got in my lap to give me a hug and kiss, and then Rafa (who’d been coming to sit in my lap and hug me on and off) saw this and came into my lap, too. They turned to each other and ... kissed. And hugged.
Adorable.
She said "bye" to him all the way home and AT home about 20 minutes after we left, until she fell asleep.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Courageous Gia
Gia recently rediscovered a bunny puppet that comes out of a black hat. See below.
It may not be clear from the picture but it is not one of those really "cute" bunny animals. Well, Gia is terrified of it. She saw it today and pointed at it. So, I brought it to her. She immediately started frowning and shaking her head side-to-side until I took it away (not to be confused with when she gets really excited and vigorously shakes her head from side-to-side). To my surprise, after I put it away she started pointing at it again. So I brought it back to her and sure enough she frowned, backed away and shook her head. I thought that was curious but put it away and we went on playing in another room.
Several hours later, Gia did the same thing with Amy. It seemed that she was really intent on overcoming her fear of the bunny. So we brought it out and put it down several feet in front of her. She held on to us but kept looking at the bunny. Eventually, she pointed at it again so we brought it a little closer. Then I went over and pet its ears, and hugged it (trying to show her the bunny was friendly). This continued for quite awhile until she could have the bunny right next to her. Granted she still didn’t want to touch it but she would pick it up by the hat and move it.
We are so proud of how courageous she is. I would like to say that we modeled overcoming our fears to her but there really haven’t been many occasions in her short life. I guess that is just who she is. Pretty amazing…
It may not be clear from the picture but it is not one of those really "cute" bunny animals. Well, Gia is terrified of it. She saw it today and pointed at it. So, I brought it to her. She immediately started frowning and shaking her head side-to-side until I took it away (not to be confused with when she gets really excited and vigorously shakes her head from side-to-side). To my surprise, after I put it away she started pointing at it again. So I brought it back to her and sure enough she frowned, backed away and shook her head. I thought that was curious but put it away and we went on playing in another room.
Several hours later, Gia did the same thing with Amy. It seemed that she was really intent on overcoming her fear of the bunny. So we brought it out and put it down several feet in front of her. She held on to us but kept looking at the bunny. Eventually, she pointed at it again so we brought it a little closer. Then I went over and pet its ears, and hugged it (trying to show her the bunny was friendly). This continued for quite awhile until she could have the bunny right next to her. Granted she still didn’t want to touch it but she would pick it up by the hat and move it.
We are so proud of how courageous she is. I would like to say that we modeled overcoming our fears to her but there really haven’t been many occasions in her short life. I guess that is just who she is. Pretty amazing…
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
First Solo Steps
Gia has been cruising since October. We thought she'd walk by her first birthday. Nope. Like her mom, she's an early chatter but later walker. She's been crawling and cruising, and walking with help, slowly developing and getting steadier. She reaches up for a finger to help her. This morning, however, at 15-1/12 months, she took her first two SOLO steps! She was standing and reaching toward her "car," and stepped toward it! Soon she'll be walking and running ... we'll keep you posted!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Gia falls for Nana
[Post by Amy]
Gia LOVES her Nana (my mom). Like a little spritely shadow, Gia is always following her around. I'm getting used to being #2. This morning after Gia had some milk in bed with me, we were singing and playing. Suddenly, she heard Nana's hair dryer. Gia's eyes got big, she sat up straighter and went into alert ... YES! That is Nana. She quickly got on all fours (and I suddenly realized I had to get up). She crawled as fast as she could to the bottom of the bed, beating me there, and was so excited that she forgot to slow down, turn around and get down. Nope, instead, she crawled off, head first, flipped and fell. She was startled and cried a little, but I picked her up, loved her up, and brought her into the room next door. Gia forgot her upset as soon as she saw Nana in the next room. With a big smile, she looked at the snaps on Nana's pajamas.
I didn't get her back for an hour.
Gia LOVES her Nana (my mom). Like a little spritely shadow, Gia is always following her around. I'm getting used to being #2. This morning after Gia had some milk in bed with me, we were singing and playing. Suddenly, she heard Nana's hair dryer. Gia's eyes got big, she sat up straighter and went into alert ... YES! That is Nana. She quickly got on all fours (and I suddenly realized I had to get up). She crawled as fast as she could to the bottom of the bed, beating me there, and was so excited that she forgot to slow down, turn around and get down. Nope, instead, she crawled off, head first, flipped and fell. She was startled and cried a little, but I picked her up, loved her up, and brought her into the room next door. Gia forgot her upset as soon as she saw Nana in the next room. With a big smile, she looked at the snaps on Nana's pajamas.
I didn't get her back for an hour.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
These Are A Few of Her Favorite Things
At 15 months, Gia is a happy, healthy, active, chatty, almost-walking, absolutely adorable and beloved little girl. Here are some of her favorite things!
In the Mouth
Berries, avocado, bananas, cheese, crackers, eggs, pears, apples, things off our plates, (and kale)
Binkies
Milk
On Her Own
Riding in her new "car" (thanks Shirreffs family!)
Opening and closing doors
Taking off her shoes
Emptying drawers and putting things back
Fridge Farm (thanks, Frane-Meyers family!)
Eating and reading her books.
Playing with balls
With Company
Being with Mommy, Daddy and Nana
Pointing to what she wants and where she wants to go
Hugging and patting stuffed animals (and her parents0
Touching trees, plants and flowers
Playing with other people
Being around other little kids
Listening to music
Dancin and Groovin
Being twirled
Clapping
Warnings to Visitors
Tearing open snapped tops (like Nana’s PJs)
Pulling up shirts and sticking her finger in the uncovered bellybutton
Blowing raspberries on smooth tummies
Whipping eyeglasses off the faces of unsuspecting people (well, maybe no longer unsuspecting)
Things we love that she loves
The food dance
Rubbing her tummy before a bath
Patting our backs
With a big grin, tossing her head back to expose her neck, waiting for kisses when we say, “Gia, where’s your neck?”
In the Mouth
Berries, avocado, bananas, cheese, crackers, eggs, pears, apples, things off our plates, (and kale)
Binkies
Milk
On Her Own
Riding in her new "car" (thanks Shirreffs family!)
Opening and closing doors
Taking off her shoes
Emptying drawers and putting things back
Fridge Farm (thanks, Frane-Meyers family!)
Eating and reading her books.
Playing with balls
With Company
Being with Mommy, Daddy and Nana
Pointing to what she wants and where she wants to go
Hugging and patting stuffed animals (and her parents0
Touching trees, plants and flowers
Playing with other people
Being around other little kids
Listening to music
Dancin and Groovin
Being twirled
Clapping
Warnings to Visitors
Tearing open snapped tops (like Nana’s PJs)
Pulling up shirts and sticking her finger in the uncovered bellybutton
Blowing raspberries on smooth tummies
Whipping eyeglasses off the faces of unsuspecting people (well, maybe no longer unsuspecting)
Things we love that she loves
The food dance
Rubbing her tummy before a bath
Patting our backs
With a big grin, tossing her head back to expose her neck, waiting for kisses when we say, “Gia, where’s your neck?”
Monday, April 20, 2009
Long time no post!
As you can see it has been quite a while since we have posted. That has mainly been due to how busy we are. We have been taking picture though, so eventually they will be posted. Thanks in advance for your patience!
We thought that we would try something different to encourage us to post more. Instead of posting long blogs every couple months about everything that is going on with Gia, we thought we would try to do shorter more frequent posts. So here I go:
Gia is adorable as usual. In the last couple of days, she has been standing a lot. I wouldn't be surpised if she starts walking in the next week or two.
We thought that we would try something different to encourage us to post more. Instead of posting long blogs every couple months about everything that is going on with Gia, we thought we would try to do shorter more frequent posts. So here I go:
Gia is adorable as usual. In the last couple of days, she has been standing a lot. I wouldn't be surpised if she starts walking in the next week or two.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Gia turns 1!
You have probably noticed that is had been quite a while since we have posted anything to the blog. Drew’s new job has been keeping him very busy and he just hasn’t had time to go through pictures or write entries. Rest assured that we still have been taking pictures and they will eventually be posted.
Last weekend, Gia turned 1 year old. We can’t believe it has already been a year! We celebrated her birthday with a small party at our home. Many of our friends came. We had good food and everyone made birthday drawing for Gia using crayons. Gia is still a little too young to do anything with crayons but eat them, so she just watched.
She isn’t walking yet but loves to crawl and “cruise” around the apartment. She says, “Hi,” “Bye,” “Mamma,” “Dadda,” “Gia,” and “Uh-Oh.” Gia is really enjoying all the new foods she can eat now that she is one (there are a number of foods you aren’t suppose to give babies until they are one to prevent allergies). She also loves to eat things with her hands. Some of her favorites include eggs, chicken, ground turkey, avocado, and banana. It is also really nice for us because it means we can eat our own food without having to feed her at the same.
Also, Gia’s hair is long enough to put up in pig tails. Just wait until you see the pictures!!!!!
Last weekend, Gia turned 1 year old. We can’t believe it has already been a year! We celebrated her birthday with a small party at our home. Many of our friends came. We had good food and everyone made birthday drawing for Gia using crayons. Gia is still a little too young to do anything with crayons but eat them, so she just watched.
She isn’t walking yet but loves to crawl and “cruise” around the apartment. She says, “Hi,” “Bye,” “Mamma,” “Dadda,” “Gia,” and “Uh-Oh.” Gia is really enjoying all the new foods she can eat now that she is one (there are a number of foods you aren’t suppose to give babies until they are one to prevent allergies). She also loves to eat things with her hands. Some of her favorites include eggs, chicken, ground turkey, avocado, and banana. It is also really nice for us because it means we can eat our own food without having to feed her at the same.
Also, Gia’s hair is long enough to put up in pig tails. Just wait until you see the pictures!!!!!
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