Imagine if I had my own plane. I could fly in for a visit with friends and family, watch American Idol with Kelly, have a date with Bobby while our parents watch Gia, and fully appreciate Utah's lack-of-humidity after returning from the South. The only problem would be that I hate flying.
But I'd like to have these moments more often:
"One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
Two can be as bad as one,
It's the loneliest number since the number one."
~Three Dog Night
This is the song that's been playing in my head all day. Bobby has been gone this week at a conference, so it's been just me and Gia. Originally, I was going to hang out with other adults everyday and get a bunch of errands done. But then Gia got sick, and I had to cancel hanging out with people. This is how the poor thing looked for the past 3 days.
Instead, I've been inside, rocking the baby when she's tired and trying to distract her when she gets fussy. I've had sweet friends offer to have me over and help me, but I couldn't really take Gia anywhere, and I didn't want to get anyone else sick, so I've been just here at the house, taking care of my sick baby. We were able to get some things done on Monday and Tuesday, but then yesterday and today she's felt worse and been more fussy, so I've been stuck inside all by myself.
Gia says, "We miss you, Daddy."
So, right now I'm drowning my loneliness in American Idol and a bowl of Death By Chocolate ice cream.
These are the moments when I espeically wish that we had family living nearby... it's okay to give them the baby's sickness, ha ha. I know that both our moms wish that they could have helped me out, but just having them call to check in on me helps a lot. At least I have Gia to give me snuggles and Nola to keep me safe. But Bobby, I'm ready for you to come home!
So, we had three days of gorgeous weather: sunny, warm, and slightly breezy. It caused my tulips to bloom, and Gia & I were able to just get out and sit in the yard. I did some gardening, which ended up being hazardous to my health. I got a splinter 1/2 inch long stuck in my thumb (thank you to my neighbor for saving my thumb with your pocket knife), and then the rose bush stuck me and made me bleed. Remind me why I bother getting the dandelions out?
However, the weather has turned cold, rainy and windy. Gia and I got one more walk in before the rain came, but now it's nasty outside. And, according to the news, it's supposed to stay this way for four days. What a tease. I love the snow and the cold of winters here in Utah, but after 4+ months of it, I'm ready for spring!
At least I got some cute pictures while we had the sun.
Praisin' the Lord for the beautiful weather!
Remember that ending scene from Steel Magnolias, where they are at the Easter Egg hunt with Jack? And remember the scene in the beginning of the movie where they talk about hacking into the ugly armadillo cake? Combine those two mental images, and you have our experience. Not only was there an Easter bunny at our community hunt, but there was also a person dressed up like an armadillo. That's right, nothing says "Happy Easter" like getting your picture taken with a giant armadillo. I meant to get a picture of it, but forgot.
Today Bobby, Gia and I woke up early to go down to the local Easter Egg Hunt. Let's just say that we were not even 2 minutes late, and all the eggs were gone. The hunt was so over that people were all leaving just as we were just getting to the park. To be fair, I was warned by our city news letter that this would happen if we were late, but good luck getting us out of the house on time on a Saturday. Next year we will be ready.
Anyway, the real reason I dragged us down there (Bobby went with a cheerful heart, but would not have gone if I hadn't been excited about it) was to get pictures with the Easter Bunny. I'm all about capturing the big moments of our lives, particularly all the "firsts" of Gia's life, so that we can share them with her as she grows up. It also builds holiday tradition, which I'm really into.
I wasn't sure how Gia would react to the human-sized, furry bunny that reached out to hold her. Would she stare at it curiously or cry, making it impossible to get a picture? But no, she LOVED it! The moment she sat in his/her lap, she lit up a smile right at the camera. My little ham loves any attention she can get, even if it's from a fake, large rabbit. She wasn't scared in the least bit! Apparently, all that time she's been spending with our big dog has really paid off. So, here she is with the Easter bunny!
Once Upon a time there was a girl with the hope of marrying a handsome, kind, Jesus-loving man. She looked far and wide, dreaming of the day that he would ride in to pursue her, woo her and love her. But most of all, she wanted him to love the Lord and lead her as they discovered His will for their lives together.
Four years ago today I married that man, and he made my dream come true. He is kind, strong and selfless. He provides for our family, puts his whole heart into our marriage, and would give up everything he has for our daughter. He makes me laugh, hugs me when I cry, cooks dinner for me when I get stressed out, and tells me I'm beautiful.
I always thought I would marry a man no taller than 5'6... Bobby is 6'3. I thought I would marry an Italian... Bobby is a hodge-podge of backgrounds (and Italian is not one of them). I was NEVER going to get married before dating someone for 2 years... Bobby and I got married 7 months after we started dating (or 9 months after we met). For all the things I thought I wanted, God gave me better. When my dad spoke at our wedding and said that he couldn't imagine a better man for me to marry, I cried knowing how truly blessed I am.
When I think back on this day, surrounded by so many of our friends and family who love us and witnessed our marriage, my heart feels full and satisfied. It was hard to leave what I knew: my family, friends, church & home in Boone. But God has given us what we need, and blessed us with a strong marriage where we had to rely on each other. I miss our family, but am so grateful for what we have... from the South, to New Orleans to Utah, following the man of my dreams. I love you, Bobby. Happy 4th anniversary!
My baby is inching her way closer to a year, and I'm less and less ready for it. I feel like a year means she's not a little baby anymore, she's growing up. And I want Gia to stay a little baby for a while longer. I guess this is why parents have another baby.
Her personality continues to develop and charm us. She now takes a minute to get situated in a place or study unfamiliar people, and then proceeds to blow lots of kisses at everyone. She has begun eating pretty much anything we do, including macaroni and cheese and coffee cake. Granted, we don't give her much of this processed food that I know isn't good for her, but really, you try sitting on the floor when Gia crawls up to you, puts her hands on your knee and begs with an open mouth. We (especially Bobby) melt like butter. And yes, Gia spends way too much time with the dog. Do other kids beg like this?
Here are some updates from the month:
Got a second tooth
Fed the ducks (sort of)
Starting cruising a bit.
Started feeding herself daily in her high chair (as in, eating finger foods)
Fed herself with a spoon.
Went down her first slide
Went fully to the bottle
Started crawling under things (like the table and the church pews)
Here are some 10 month pictures:
