Movie - Gia and her new potty

Movie - Gia says her full name

Movie - Gia and Gus the dog playing

Photos - 24 months

What Gia's crazy about now ...

Gia loves lots of things, but here's what's at the top of her list:

1. Animals! (She knows the names of all the animals we meet, but is also partial to stuffed animals. She declares her missing of specific animals as soon as they're out of sight, and laments the absence of photos of certain ones she sees often.)
   
2. Babies! (especially a "teeny, teeny baby." This bodes well for what's coming next week!)
3. Lying in the bottom of baby-sister-to-be's co-sleeper
4. Cuddling, especially with mommy
5. Bye-bye kisses (and getting to tell which body parts get them) when we drop her off at school or leave the house
   
6. Running around naked
7. Wearing cute hats
   
8. Singing songs (especially to process something she likes or feels upset about, and even more when daddy plays the guitar and sings)
   
9. Lemons
10. Pineapple
    
11. Learning new words, names and sounds
12. Finding items in their homes, where they "should" be
13. Electronics
14. Popping big packing bubbles
15. Did we mention Nana?

We'll have more news for you soon ... hope you're having a wonderful kickoff to 2010!

Happy Second Birthday, Gia!

Gia is now 2 years old, and we know her now to be even more of a miracle than the day she was born. She's a very happy, expressive, sensitive, funny, clear and affectionate little person, and we are deeply grateful to be her parents. This year she believes that birthdays are about singing, eating, balloons, wearing hats and opening anything in a box or wrapping paper. Her favorite present this year, though, was extra time with Auntie Wendy's dog, Gus. We'll have pictures soon!

Loved and Safe

Today before her nap, Gia wanted to cuddle in bed (under the blanket) with me. So I held her and we talked a little. I started listing off some of the people who love her (there are a lot!), and taught her how to say, "I love you!" We've been working on that one for awhile, and today, she finally said it! It sounded more like, "I yeh-yohw," which is suspiciously close to "yellow," and I'm not totally sure if she knows what it means, but I happily accepted it, anyway! Then, she paused and said, "Safe, too." I was so surprised and warmed to hear her say that. I usually tell her as I put her in her crib, "Gia, you are so loved and safe, and all is well." Just more evidence that what we say really does stick, and just could make a big difference! I hope she holds her sense of being loved and safe through her life ...