Bouncy! Bouncy! Bouncy!

Well, Gianna has finally figured out how to use the Johnny Jump-up and she loves it! I think that practicing in both Nicolas' and Hayden's at playgroup helped though. Thanks for sharing guys! One caveat: she totally knows when I leave a room so today I thought I was being clever by putting it on the bathroom door while I took a shower but the second she couldn't see me she was so upset! Lately shower time is getting shorter and shorter and I can only imagine how it will be once she really has the crawling thing down. Any advice from seasoned moms is appreciated :)

Wow, okay back to the topic at hand...

Anyway, now that she has the whole jumping and bouncing thing figured out, I can't get her to stop!!! It was so funny a few weeks ago when Chelynn put Nicolas on her lap and he started jumping up and down...but I guess Gianna and Nicolas have been spending a lot of time together because now she does it everytime she's standing on my lap, or standing at the couch, or in her exersaucer, or trying to crawl or kneeling at her activity table, or...well, you get the point! It is very cute though and she gets the biggest smile on her face. The picture at the beginning of this post is during one of her bouncing episodes, you can see how happy it makes her(and her big teeth)! The adorable thing is now when I say "Bouncy Bouncy Bouncy" and bob my head she smiles and starts bouncing. It's like she's really starting to understand. Now only if I could get her to understand, "Let go of my hair that really hurts a lot,"!!! She's too cute to care when she does it though. Oh boy, she's gonna be a hand-full!

It's hard to believe she was ever so small

It's hard to believe that just a few months ago Gianna was this small. Last night she was soo close to crawling. It seems like she might do it any day now. If she could only get that right leg to move like the left one :) I just always liked this picture, it's an old one but a good one.
Love,
Justin

Escaping the Heat

We had to get out of the crazy Livermore heat for the weekend so on Saturday we took the long way around (due to the Bay Bridge closure-ahh) to San Francisco.

It was fun, we were so happy to get out of the heat and Gianna got to take her first trip to the Japanese Tea Garden and Golden Gate Park Conservatory of Flowers. She loves plants and being outside so it was the perfect trip for her!

We also got some amazing pictures of her on the lawn in Golden Gate Park. She thought she was getting away with murder because we set her on the grass and let her play with the flowers. It was so cute!

After a great day out we found out that Grandma and Great Grammy were in San Francisco too so we met them for Dinner. The after dinner we headed down to Great Grammy's to stay for the rest of the weekend.

On Sunday Gina (happy birthday!) came by with Alexia and Portia so the 2nd cousins got to hang out, although the age differences are so great they don't really play together. But we did get a few pictures. In this one they are all looking at my mom, ha ha! At least no one is blinking :)

On Monday we went over to Stanford Shopping center for a walk. We didn't walk long though because Justin's bee sting that he got on the arch of his foot Saturday just as we were leaving Golden Gate park was still all puffy and bothering him. Next we headed back to Great Grammy's for a BBQ and visit with some of Mommy's cousins and Gianna's 2nd cousin, Courtney. Courtney has gotten even bigger since we last saw her! She is the most mellow baby though. Even when Gianna tries to attack her she just keeps hanging out. She is so cute! And she is definately heavier than Gianna.

Well, now we are back in Livermore and we went on our walk this morning, Gianna was so cranky! Sorry to everyone who was there. She's having a hard time napping, but hopefully the weather cooling down will help her sleep better.

Playgroup At Gianna's

Well, Playgroup was at Gianna's house today, we had 6 babies (and Mommies) come over to spend the day out of the 105 degree weather! It was nice to finally have a big group here and Gianna was in a really great mood. She was also really good about sharing her toys and except for her scratching Nicolas (sorry again!) and Sean's "fussyness" (I still think he is a perfect angel) it was perfect!

Sean wasn't in to being part of the picture so here is a picture of Gianna (clockwise), Nicolas, Madison, Hayden and Sophia. That's right, we had an even number of girls and boys! Although I think that Gianna is going to be able to hold her own with the boys judging from past playgroups. There is also a really great picture of Gianna trying to eat Sophia's face on Sophia's blog (just click the link in the margin!). I am so excited for all of the babies to grow up together...today we got to talking about trips to the park and girls' (and boys if they want) trips to Libby Lu.

How amazing that Gianna has these friends who she will be able to truely say have been in her life "forever".

Here is a video of one of Gianna's favorite things- swinging with Mommy. She loves anything that involves moving fast, swinging, being upside-down or being tossed in the air. She is a daredevil!

We went to the Dr. today to have a quick check-up because she hasn't been eating or sleeping well, but I guess she's doing better than I though because she weighed 16 lbs! Just 6 weeks ago she was 14lbs 12oz, she is growing so fast. Anyway, the doc said she looks great and doesnt think anything is wrong. For now we are just going to keep an eye on her sleeping and eating because the Dr. said she looks great but wants to just keep checking on it, I'll let everyone know how it turns out. She is getting even closer to crawling, she can even move from a crawling position to sitting with grace, pull herself to standing, and laughs and smiles a lot despite the lack of sleep...I wonder how she does it!

Update! Update!

Okay, so we've been sort of lazy since Justin got home...and I haven't updated. :)





Lets see...Gianna and I got up early Saturday and went to get Justin at the Airport (after a quick stop at Jarrod and Kelly's to get their extra carseat-I highly recommend having one! and play yard--Thanks Guys!). Gianna knew who Justin was after just about 1 second and was so happy to see him and flirt with him. We spent the rest of Saturday just hanging out, it's nice that he's home.





Sunday we had a playgroup picnic which was so much fun! I meant to take a picture but I think I was too excited about Justin being home and all the Daddies getting to meet all of the other Mommies and Babies that I just forgot! We'll have one again soon though and I'll be sure to take a picture then and post it.





Monday was also a nice lazy day (Justin had it off) so it was nice to spend a little more time together before he went back to work. Plus He and I were recovering from Gianna's wild nights. She is just so excited to have Justin home that she has been awake almost around the clock, with the exception being the occasional nap in the car--how's that for irony? For those of you who don't know (or have blocked out the memory) Gianna HATED the car for the first 5 months of her life or so. We tried everything, even about a week where the only places we went were by foot or bus-that was interesting. Anyway, she is better [most of the time] now.





One really exciting (and scary) thing is that Gianna is getting really close to crawling and also can pull herself onto her feet from sitting if she has a really good grip and really wants to. I took her shopping for some standing and sitting toys and she really loves them so much more than that old "Baby" stuff.





One last funny thing: At the Picnic Gianna was being her usual verbal self and commanding attention and today Chelynn told me that her husband Rick said Gianna was the typical Girl- talkative and attention grabbing!





Love,


Jessica

Justin Is Home!

Yay!

Video?

I know, I know....I just finished posting but I wanted to see how hard it would be to post a video.

I know the quality is terrible, but I took it on my regular digital camera.

Justin is almost back!

Well, it is late Thursday night here in California. That means that it is now Friday afternoon for Justin, and he is about to begin is arduous journey home. I am sure knowing that he is coming home will make it fully worth-while though!!! :)

Gianna and I have been keeping busy walking with our playgroup friends, cleaning house, and we even went to Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek with our friends Chelynn and Nicolas for a nice day of shopping and lunch. It was amazing how well the babies did without ever taking any naps!!! It was also so nice to escape the heat in Livermore, although it was still plenty hot in Walnut Creek.

I am posting a picture of Gianna is the beautiful romper she got from my cousin, Gina. I think she looks so cute in it--and it is perfect for the weather. She is laying on the adorable quilt her 'auntie' Erica in North Dakota made for her. We are all excited because just this week we finalized plans for traveling to North Dakota this November to go to Erica and Corey's wedding. It should be a blast and Gianna might even catch her first glimpse of the snow!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the time that Justin has been gone particularly easy for Gianna and I, we are so grateful, especially to: Johnny, Sarah, Grandma C., Dawn Sean & Brian Hogan, Chelynn & Nicolas, Great Grammy (thanks for the dishes), Mandy & Hayden, Jenny & Sophia, Cheryl Ashley & Ryan, Renee & Spencer, Toni & Madison (& Noah), Jadyn & Cole, and anyone else who helped. You made the time fly by!

Almost time to leave Japan :) !!!

Well, it is finally time to leave this place, in like 15hrs. I am very excited and can't wait to leave!!! I love you Jess and I will see you and Gianna very soon.
-Justin

Jessica's Night Out!

Well, Over the past few days we have been winding down a little bit. Both Gianna and I are ready for Justin to come home...and we know he's anxious to make the 20-hour trip back.

Anyway, on Monday Aunt Sarah and Grandma C. (who drove to Livermore for the night) watched Gianna while I went and had a night out with a few of my friends from the Mom's Club. It was a bit strange being out without Gianna or Justin, it was definitely a first since Gianna was born (but hopefully not a last!). It's nice because Justin and I have been in Livermore for over a year but it's just now starting to feel like home now that we are meeting people and getting out a lot more. We are both looking forward to our Playgroup Family Picnic this weekend even though I'm super bummed that not everyone can go :( By the way...The margarita's are AMAZING at Casa Orozco in Livermore, I highly recommend them to anyone who has the chance.

Sarah and Mom left today and Gianna and I joined Jenny and Chelynn for our usual walk in the park, but wow was it hot!!! Gianna seemed bothered by it so she got to be a naked baby - her favorite. She seemed a lot happier once I had her down to just a diaper, hat and sunscreen!





Other than that, Gianna has just been eating a TON! She is getting much better at bottle-feeding and she eats those Gerber star-puffs by the handful (along with just about every veggie we can find). She talked almost continuously all day and we had fun just spending some time together. I can tell she is going to crawl any day here. Lets hope she waits until Justin gets home!