First Big Boy Bath

Sammy loves taking baths and he is even happier now that he get's to go in the big tub.

 Gigi had western day at preschool and this was the best shot I could get of her. That vest was from when I was little.  Sammy just got his two top teeth and battled his first cold.  Thankfully he is now healthy and back to being his happy little self.

Zoomars

Last week Sara, Mom and I took the kids to Zoomars petting zoo.  I had purchased a groupon that expired on the 31st so we had to make sure and use it. We had fun petting and feeding animals, riding the little train and playing on the playground outside zoomars. Sammy stayed home with Daddy and it was so nice to get some time with just Gigi.  

Grandma Gene feeding the Zedonkey

Gigi loved holding the guinea pigs and had fun trying to catch them. 

Sara found a bunny

Cayden wanted to ride in his own cart on the train ride

Zachary and GG were cracking up when we would yell, "Choo Choo" as they went by. 

Sleep Who Needs It?

Sleep is a mysterious thing when it comes to kids. Prior to being a mom I wouldn't have given kids and their sleep habits a second thought.  With Gianna we were spoiled by her amazing sleep habits. She was sleeping 10 hrs a night by 3 weeks and eventually slept 12 to 13 hours a night. Sammy is a wonderful baby but he wakes up once or twice a night still. I know a lot of people would let him cry it out but I am just can't do it. He is also teething pretty badly and I think he wakes up in pain.  I am okay with him waking up because I know that soon he will sleep thru the night.

Gianna on the other hand is now 3 yrs old and is going through a super tough phase...She is no longer napping which is fine but the problem is that no matter what time she goes to bed she wakes up between 4:30 and 5:30 every morning.  If I get to her to nap (which is a huge accomplishment these days) she stays up until around 9ish and then is up at the crack of dawn. So we have abandoned naps all together and just do a stay in your room and read books rest time. The lack of sleep and early waking has put a huge strain on our relationship and made life pretty unpleasant. I am already getting up with Sammy 1 or 2x a night so when I have G at my bedside at 4:30am it is not fun.  This has been going on for 3 weeks and I am really wiped out. Not to mention the fact that I miss my sweet girl and I am sure she misses her nice mom.   I know I am crabby when I don't get enough sleep and so is she. Every day that hubby works and I am on my own I feel like I have accomplished such a huge feet by making it to bed time.

Bedtime has also become a big drama.  Each night she comes out of her room and asks me about 10 different questions.  After trying so many different strategies I think the one that is really working is the super nanny tactic of no conversation just putting her back to bed.  Tonight will be the first true test because she took a nap at preschool and will have renewed energy (ahhhhhh!!!). There have been plenty of nights though where she has pushed me over the edge and I have not been proud of the way I have handled things. I guess G is getting to see how human mom really is and that I make many bad decisions also. I make her apologize when she does something wrong and I do the same when I mess up.

So lately I have been getting her to sleep around 5:15pm...I know that sounds early but she is not napping and wakes up super early. I am praying that this will let up soon and even wonder if any of it has a spiritual element to it. Man can Satan mess with your family by ruining sleep. I keep saying this too shall pass I am just wondering if it could come soon.

Gigi the breadmaker

Each Monday Gigi and Frank go to see Nonno Sam at the deli and Gigi helps him make bread.  She always says she has to go to work.  

Nonno even pays her $2 per week:)

Sammy got to come and see his sister in action

Sammy got his first taste of one of Nonno Sams buns 

Great teether

August

Sammy tried out some oatmeal but was not a huge fan.  I tried is again a couple days later and thought it was all going down the hatch only to later find it all over his back.  I guess it had slipped right down his chubby cheeks, around his neck and down his back. I am going to wait a bit and then start off with some avocado instead. 

Sammy recently figured out that he can grab both of his feet 

Here are some random scrunchy face pics of Gigi 

 We went to the San Diego Children's Museum and had a great time. Sammy took all his naps on the go.

Gigi loved the jumpy tunnel

We attempted to get a picture together:)

First Haircut

Gigi got her first haircut last week.  It wasn't too much of an event because it was only about an inch off the bottom. 

 She liked sitting in the little train while Sarah trimmed her hair. 

When it was all done we left with it wet because Gigi was a bit tired and did not want anything else done to it. So there is not really anything to show and we forgot to take a final picture. I know what were we thinking!!!!  The end result is that it looks a bit healthier and it has a tiny bit of shape. 

4th of July Fun

Our Neighborhood has a big 4th of July Luau.  They start the day off with the kids doing a little parade.  Gigi rode with her friends Avery and Kelsey in their wagon.

They also had rides on an old fashion firetruck

Pony Rides

Hula Hoop Contests

Sammy tried to sleep but it was really hot - thankfully this all takes place on our street so he and I  strolled home a couple of times. 

Gigi got a beach ball from the hula hoop contest and our neighbor dave blew it up for her. A fun time was had by all!