Opps, it's been a while.

I haven't posted anything in a while and I apologize. Things have been busy around here. Brian is out of town this week until Sat. snowboarding with Lindsay, Jeff, Fay, Wayne & some of Lindsay's friends. I am hoping that I don't go into early labor. Doesn't sound too fair that he is out having fun while I am at home preparing for the baby and keeping up with Gabriella 37 weeks pregnant, but what can I do. He will owe me once we have two kids. I am going to the doctor once a week now for check-ups. Last week they did an additional ultrasound because he has been measuring above average and they were right. The ultrasound tech said that Brayden, already weighed about 7lbs. On average in the last month babies gain anywhere from 1/2 lb to 1 lb a week. At that rate I could possibly have an 11 lb baby if I go to a full 40 weeks. I plan to not have that big of a baby, so at next week's check-up I am scheduling to be induced.


Gabriella is great. Almost 2 1/2 years old. She is a little girl now and not my baby. She says the funniest things and can hold good conversations. She has been talking to Brian on the phone every night and she asks him "Are you in Colorado? and Are you playing with friends?" She also tells him without my guidance "I miss you Daddy", which melts my heart. With this growing up she is testing us all the time to see what she can get away with. I am constantly trying to think of ways to get her to do things that she doesn't want to do without me bribing her or her pitching a fit. Choices seem to work very well for her. It is amazing how manipulative children can be.

I don't have any new pics, the camera is out in CO with Brian.

1st Hair Cut

We finally did it! We had Gabriella's hair cut (trimmed) for the first time. It was starting to get stringy and knotty. My baby isn't a baby anymore. :-(

I wanted to wait as long a possible but decided it was time. I was worried about how she would react. She doesn't like things on her head and I was afraid of a major meltdown. We went to Snip-Its after church on Sunday. That place is awesome... computers/videos at each hair station. Bright colors and sounds everywhere. Very kid friendly.

Mrs. Kim did a fabulous job. She didn't take too much and she made Gabriella's curls more fuller.

Christmas

Wow...what a wonderful Christmas/holiday season we had. We were able to spend time with Brian's side of the family and celebrate his Granny's 80th birthday. Coming from a relatively small family it is so nice to be surrounded by a big family. I loving watching all the younger grand and great-grandchildren interacting with each other and I think they came out of the party with some awesome loot.






Then on Christmas Eve we spent then evening with mine, Brian's & Jeff's (Lindsay's husband) parents at Jeff's parent's house. It was a delicious meal and a great time. It was really nice to have all three families together. We got back pretty late and was rushing around to make sure everything was ready for Santa to make a visit at our house.

Santa was very good to us this year, especially Gabriella. In he morning she came to our room to wake us up and she missed what Santa had brought her. But when she walked into the living room her eyes first saw the "Little People" Nativity Set and Gabriella yelled out "Look! It is baby Jesus". This year was so memorable and special because she really enjoyed Christmas but there was so much that at one point she asked to stop opening presents. It also was influenced by her being sick. She developed a cough and fever on Christmas Eve and by the next week, she had two ear infections (our first) and bronchitis/walking pneumonia, where she had to use an inhaler to treat her wheezing. Let's just say I questioned my mothering skills and intuition and felt so badly that my little girl was so sick.



"The Stockings were hung on the Chimney with care"





"Look! it is baby Jesus!!!"



Later, Christmas evening we went to Cici & Papa's house with them and Grandma for a lite meal and of course more presents.

Tis the Season

We are back from CO and in full swing of holiday festivities. Gabriella had her Christmas party at Preschool and parents were invited to their music class. Gabriella did not surprise us too much with her abilities and Brian learned quickly that our daughter is that child in the class.







We tried our shot at decorating a gingerbread house, which I don't recall ever doing one before and wow..it is not easy to make it look like the picture on the box. None the less it was a lot of fun spending time with Brian and Gabriella and not worrying about how much candy we had consumed before lunch.













We hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season. Merry Christmas and may your New Year be blessed!!!!

Colorado Ski Trip

We made it this time with no broken bones, hernias or separated shoulders this past trip to CO. We had a great 10 days of snow and fun. We were a little concerned on the timing of the year but everyone was happy with the conditions. We started off slow with Gabriella getting use to her helmet and ski stuff.






When we took her outside, she wasn't the most happiest child out there. Something about the skis and boots freak her out. But once we got her back inside she told us she had fun and she "skied REALLY fast".



She was most comfortable with Brian helping her out. Go figure, little girls always need there daddy.






Gabriella's favorite part of her vacation was the rides on the Gondola from the parking lot to the Base of Peak 8 in Breckenridge. Hey it was a free activity and it got us out of the house. Once we were at the base we shared a hot chocolate and brownie...yummy!

Santa, here we come!

On Tuesday, we got to enjoy an Atlanta tradition the "Pink Pig" at Lenox Mall. I had never experienced the pig before and I had great great time riding it with my daughter. Gabriella and I rode around a couple of times and she loved it of course.










Then we headed off to see Santa. This year Gabriella was extremely excited and wanted to tell him what she wanted, but as soon as we saw the big guy, she was nervous. We walked up to him and it took her a minute to realize he was OK and then she went over to tell him what she wanted for Christmas..."presents". Santa looked at her and said "I think I can do that!". After she got her say, Brian and I hopped up with Santa to take a quick family picture.










Every Christmas season Brian has to out do himself with his annual decorating of our house. You can see us from the main road, and people are always driving up out street to see the "light display". He told Gabriella this year that "this is the only way Santa will find our house". You decide.

Thanksgiving Fun

WOW, so much happens in just over a week. We got to celebrate my dad's birthday with a yummy Italian meal at our favorite restaurant Scalini's. Gabriella always enjoys a visit with her Cici and Papa, can't you tell by her expression. :-)









Gabriella had her Thanksgiving Feast at her preschool. It was so much fun to she her interact with her peers. It is amazing how different your child behaves when someone else is in charge.









On Thanksgiving we traveled to Columbus, GA/Phenix City, AL area for a great feast with the Napier Family (Brian's mom side). All of the children, grandchildren, & great-grandchildren & significant others were able to be there and celebrate this year. What a treat to have everyone there at one time!







Then on Friday, we celebrated with my parent's and grandmother. I love this time of the year, all you ever do is EAT!