Welcome to the World Ava Elizabeth!!

Miss Ava

My sister in law gave birth to a beautiful baby girl yesterday morning, Ava Elizabeth.  She was born 3:37 am, 7 pounds 5 ounces and 19 inches long.  Absolutely perfect.

Big brother Landon checking out his new baby sister.

Frizzy haired Aunt C with baby Ava.

A while ago I made Gianna a bow holder that my sister in law fell in love with, so of course I made one for the new baby.  Instead of painting the background like I did with mine I modge podge'ed scrap book paper to the wooden plaque.  I am really happy with how it turned out.  I made the final touches last night because my in laws didn't have a name for Ava until she was born.  I haven't given it to my sister in law yet and only hope my she likes it as much as I do.

I am so excited to see Gianna and her newest cousin, Ava, grow up together.  I foresee lots of baby dolls, barrettes, and Barbies in our near future.

First Trip to the Zoo

On Friday I met up with my mother-in-law, my two sister-in-laws, my cousin-in-law (is that even a word?)  and all their boys for Gianna's first trip to the zoo.

Gianna and her cousins.

I have no recollection of ever going to our city zoo so I was super excited to see it myself and to see Gianna's reaction to all the animals.  We decided the best plan of action to tackle the large park was to take the train from the front of the zoo all the way to the back.   We would work our way up the zoo instead of down it and then have to turn around and go back up.  It was hot out. Not unbearably hot, but pretty darn close.  I was not too sure how Gianna would handle sitting in her stroller all day in that heat.  Going on that train was the best idea ever. We were able to see all the animals in record time, fight the crowds, and leave the park before we melted.

Gianna and Grammy on her first train ride.

The first stop was the safari animals.  My favorite to look at.  I would point at all the different animals to Gianna but she could have cared less.  She was too busy people watching.  I think it could have been that many of them were too far away for her to see or it could be that she is a Nosey Norah.  I am thinking its the latter of the two.  

I was all "Gianna,  look!!! It's Sophie".  She did not buy it.

Hungry hippo?  More like lazy Hippo.  He did not even move an inch.

Gianna's favorite exhibit was probably the polar bears.  This exhibit is awesome.  You walk round this large hill like area with pockets of water filled with seals and otters.  You then go into the hill to see this:

I pulled Gianna up to the glass windows and she just contently watched the seals and polar bears swim around.

You then walk through an underwater see through tunnel to get out of the exhibit meanwhile the polar bears and seals are swimming above and next to you. Totally awesome and Gianna loved it.

Gianna in the underwater tunnel.

Do you see the bear poking his head out to say hello?

When we took a potty break we decided to let the little ones roam around for a bit in the shade.  Gianna played in the dirt, tried to eat the dirt, and got adorably dirty.

Gianna and her cousin James.

James, Landon, Gianna and Devin.

Grammy and her grandchildren.

Overall it was a great experience.  Gianna was a amazing and was the perfect little angel, even with the heat.  You know you had a good time when you leave the zoo like this.

And this.

There is something about pudgy baby toes with a dash of dirt that turns my heart into goo.

Summer Fun.

This weekend was the perfect summer weekend. It was one of those weekends where you do not have anything overly spectacular planned but in the midst of it all you think to yourself this is what it should be all about.  Spending time with those you love, exposing your child to new delights, and enjoying your weekend to the fullest.  


It started with Hubs coming home late Friday evening from Corn Country and surprising me with a bouquet of flowers and a 12 pack of beer. What a man, right?!  We both had semi difficult week and so we both jumped into our pjs cracked open a beer or two and snuggled into bed to watch a movie.  Never have I thought I would be watching a movie and drinking beer in bed but it was fun, comfy, and felt like home with Hubs next to me.  Regardless of where I am in the world when I am next to Hubs I feel at home. 

My cousin recently graduated from High School and my Uncle and Aunt threw her a  graduation party on Saturday in their back yard.  They rented a bouncy house so all the little ones would have something to do.  For those who personally know me know that I was all about having Gianna "jump" around in this bouncy house and Hubs was all mother hen worried that she was too little.  Well, Gianna "jumped" around in the bouncy house and she loved it.  Lesson to Hubs, listen to your wife.  She knows what she is talking about. 

Then the bouncy house deflated with Gianna and Hubs in it.  I have never seen Hubs scramble as quickly as he did trying to get himself and Gianna out of that bouncy house.  Not gonna lie.  I laughed.  Hard.  Shortly afterward I asked my 2 year old nephew who broke the bouncy house and he said his Uncle did.  Priceless. 

Sunday we got up and went to Hubs hometown festival and spend the afternoon with his side of the family.  They had a carnival in the small downtown area and a parade.   

It was interesting to see what Gianna was and was not afraid of.  The roller coaster made too much noise for her taste but she enjoyed pretty much everything else about the carnival.  It was super hot and humid but she sat contently the whole afternoon just looking around at all the lights and moving machinery.  Her favorite thing to look at was the big ferris wheel. 

Afterwards we all sat in the street to watch the parade.  I am so proud of my little Pretty Girl.  The day just kept getting hotter and muggier and it was nap time but Gianna was a trooper.  She quietly watched the parade pass by while noming her sophie and sippy cup.  We waved at all the pageant queens and HS dance squads.  Her eyes got big and round when the police cars came by with their loud sirens and flashing lights followed by these army like trucks with their loud banging guns.  It was such a fun fun afternoon.  

So much so that I told Hubs as we were driving home in our car from yesterdays events that this weekend was the type of weekend I always envisioned we would have as parents, as a family. He agreed.  


Later that evening after Hubs left to drive back to Corn Country my parents and I went on a walk with Gianna through their subdivision.  Gianna was being unusually quite so we peaked around her stroller and this is how we found her.

The momma in my life

With mothers day just around the corner I have been thinking a lot about all the mommas in my life. I am seeing mothers day in a whole new light. Now that I have entered the world of motherhood I have a better understanding what is means to be a mother, and with that my appreciation for all the other mommas in my life has grown. I understand the scarifies they have made, the things they have accomplished, and the amount of hard work it is.

Not only is she super mom, but she's beautiful too.  

Especially my momma.  She raised three intelligent, strong, independent, loving, family orientated daughters.  Meanwhile always being a lady with such class. The crazy thing about it is that she did it mostly on her own. She had no help from her own mother who was too busy raising her own young daughter, her inlaws all lived in another country, and my dad was working afternoons and weekends to bring income into the home. She was a work at home mom and she worked her butt off making sure she could provide for the extras for us. Family vacations, designer jeans, piano lessons, and ballet lessons were all paid for by momma. Homemade Italian dinner was always on the kitchen table and the house was immaculate. Still somehow keeping a loving relationship with my father and maintaining all of her friendships.

Not only was she a mother figure to my sisters and I she was our also our confidant, our best friend. I remember the times she would sit in bed with me as I cried over this or that boy who broke my heart, the time I did not make the cheer team, or when the nasty kids were just being plain old nasty. She would hold me tight, me brush my hair off my face, and give me the encouragement and advice that I needed. Sometimes she would cry along with me. She would say that my pain brought her pain. She attended every piano competition, dance team event/game, and ballet recital no matter how busy she was. She tucked us into bed every night and made sure we said our prayers. She was the person I went to when I decided I wanted to go on BCPs because I was thinking of finally doing "it" with my college sweetheart. She was first person I told when I finally did loose my virginity. Yes, you read that right. That is how awesome my momma is. I could and still can count on her for anything.

I marvel at how she was and is able to juggle it all. A successful marriage, happy, healthy, and well behaved children, a thriving career, and be a loyal friend to many. I can only hope I can be half the mother to Gianna as my mother is to me, wife to my husband, and friend to all my besties.


To me this mothers day is not a celebration of me as a new mom but to my mother whom I love so dearly and am so thankful for.

Easter

Other than being overwhelmingly tired from the night prior Easter was perfect. Below are pictures of Gianna with her first basket.

She was more interested in eating the receipt then what was in the basket.  (Yes, the easter bunny shops at the Gap.)

We then took pictures before we had to head out to Grammy's and Papa's for Easter lunch. 

Once we got there Gianna got another basket from her Grammy.  

We stuffed our faces with some awesome food and took a crap load of pictures.  My youngest sister-in-law announced that she is pregnant with her second child.  So now both my SIL's and pregnant with their 2nd child!  Gianna also sat up for the first time with no arms!!  (She has bee tripoding for a few weeks now.) In the end, it was an amazing but exhausting holiday.  

The Hubs and Gianna passed out on the floor. 

Grazi, Prego, Ciao.

These are just a few of the words that my little family will be saying come September.  Heck yes, we are going to the mother country!!!  Not my mother country but my mother's mother country... and my father's too.  Still confused?  I am talking about this little slice of Heaven on earth:

The hubs and I are travelers.  We love to go travel and discover new places.  (Which I think makes living the gypsy life a bit easier for us then for most.)  We try our hardest to get out and see somewhere new at least once a year.  It could be only a few states away or it could be oceans away.  It doesn't matter.  Sign us up we are ready to go.

Well, I have not gone to the Boot and Ball in over ten years.  That is ten long years since I have seen my cousins, aunts, and grandmother on my dads side.  We both have really wanted to go for a while now.  I want to introduce MY family to my family.  The Husband has not been to Italy since he was a teen and even then remembers nothing due to going for a soccer tournament and not fully understanding what a great opportunity he had.

We decided that if we are going to go we might as well take advantage of airlines policy that no child under two has to pay full price for a seat.  We have been researching flights and seasons.  Trying to find the best time of year at the cheapest price.  We found it today so we booked it. For the three of us to fly to Rome early September, round trip, $ 980 total.  How fucking amazing is that!?!? In the scale of amazingness I give it a 10, no 11, out of 10. We are using our frequent flyer miles ($70 taxes and crap) to cover one tickets cost, paying $90 for Gianna, and paying $ 820 for the other ticket for two weeks in Italy.

Another awesome plus to this whole trip is that my mom, dad and youngest sister are coming with us.  Same flight and all.  This is going to be help out in so many ways.  1) More people to help us with Gianna for the two long 9 hour flights. 2) Interpreters for the foreign language. I understand everything but can not speak or read too well.  3) BABYSITTERS!!!!!  Nonna has offered to watch Gianna while The Hubs and I explore Italy.  I am not sure how much we will take advantage of this offer but if we want we can.  I am just hoping that my eldest sister and her family decides to come too.  It would make this vacation even more perfect to have my whole extended family there.

Now I have tons of planning to do....

Light up the cigar. It's a Boy!

I am an Aunt once again to a beautiful baby boy.  Dante Elliot was born February 20 at 9:21 AM; 6lbs, 10oz and 10" long.  This would be my sisters second child and son.  He is as perfect as they come and looks like the Italian grandchild that my mom always thought she would have.  Check out the thick black hair and beautiful olive tone skin.

It must have been the weekend for babies to be born because one of my besties sister had a baby 24 hours earlier than my sister.  Beautiful baby girl.  This too is their second child and girl. They named her Sierra Brielle.   On top of that I had three other acquaintances who had babies this weekend.  We got babies coming out of our ears, folks.  

My lovely husband had the gall to say that he wants another baby while we were waiting to meet our nephew at the hospital.  He told every one, including my parents and his parents that he is ready.  I am beginning to think he is on crack.  Baby crack. He has had a taste of it and wants and craves more.  More babies.  Hell to the no!  That is what I say.  If he wants another he can birth it.  One is enough for me right now.  I am going to love and cuddle and enjoy the one I got. Thank.you.very.much.