I need some tips

Hey Blog Friends,

I have two things I really need your advice about:

1. Can you tell me some healthy infant finger foods you serve your kids? Gianna is 10 months and really wants to feed herself but I need some ideas of what to give her. So far she is eating, sliced turkey, cheddar cheese, eggs, bread, salmon, hamburger meat, cheerios, banana and cantaloupe.

2. I am on the war path to get rid of this baby weight so does anyone have any tips for low calorie snacks and foods they eat. My friend Annie introduced me to Vitatops and they are great! Tastes like you are having a treat but they are only 100 calories and full of good vitamins.

All comments are appreciated from all bloggers or blog readers:)

Thanks a million!

Jewels

Hometown Update

Diane Davis bought this outfit for Gianna (along with a ton of other clothes) and gigi wore it to celebrate her first fourth of July. I did not manage to get a smiling picture but I thought at least this would show off her cute skirt and top.

Happy Fourth of July ~9.5 months old~


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Gianna is changing so much everyday. Here is a list of some of the new things from the past month:

• First two teeth came in
• Started crawling and pulling herself up
• Saying Mama
• Figured out she loves eating salmon and tuna
• Started laughing at random times
• Loves swimming which we do almost daily
• Throwing all her binky's out of her crib
• Had her first major fall and a bruise on her forehead and cheek
  

It has been really fun experiencing all of these new things with her. Were having a beautiful summer here in San Diego. Working and being a mom has become especially challenging because although my business is thriving its very hard to keep up with the demands of my clients and taking care of Gianna. We are leaving Gianna with her Nana and Nonna overnight for the first time this weekend. It's hard for me to leave her but I know it's healthy for our marriage. She will love being with her Nana and Nonno. We are working our tails off trying to keep up with the expenses of living in CA and the shift in the economy. We are both picking up extra work whenever we can.

Off to work!

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

Yesterday my friend Brianna came over for a couple of hours to visit. She is originally from Minnesota but has been in San Diego for 2 years doing an internship in youth ministry. During that time we have developed a very special friendship. Brianna is someone that I can safely share my heart with and I know she will not sit and try to give me tons of advice or think of how to fix me. She listens with her heart and sits with me in my struggles. She is the kind of friend that makes you a better person. She lives with her heart on her sleeve and pursues her relationship with God without holding back. She has invited God into some of the most intimate parts of her life and he has healed and changed her. On Wednesday she is heading back to Minnesota to go to school and pursue her dreams. I will miss her dearly - friends like her are hard to find.

These Lips are Sealed

Last week I decided I was tired of spending money on store bought baby food and that I was going to make my own. I really got into it and I made carrots, squash, zucchini, green beans, apples and chicken. Here is a picture of some of food containers I have in my freezer. I was really feeling good about saving money and making Gianna such healthy baby food. Look below and you will see how Gianna felt about my baby food.

I tried to take my carrots and mix them with her favorite Gerber pears but even that would not disguise the taste! Yes, folks she hates my baby food. I thought maybe it was the texture but after pureeing it to oblivion she still sealed her lips! I later heard from another friend she had the same experience. I was so frustrated that I took some the baby food and cooked it into my enchiladas I was making for dinner so at least they went to good use. As you can see from the picture I made quite a few failed attempts to the get the food into her mouth.

Mr. F has gone back to day shift so my blogging hours are very limited. Gianna is doing a lot of rocking on all fours and is very frustrated that she cannot crawl. She is still all gums and will be 9 months on the 16th of June. She is saying Da da da da quite often and screams with excitment. She is still not much of a laugher but she loves to smile and wave her arms up and down. We are having a blast with her.



~I love this Hurley Girl outfit ~

April 2009

Gianna's first Easter -Nana got her an Easter basket with some shorts, shirts, hair clips and a cute bunny.

I bought this teether at the great children's boutique called Fancy Pants - They have new and used stuff. It was only 50 cents and Gianna loves it. What a deal!

Gianna wore shorts for the first time on Monday because it was 100 degree's

We have wanted to plant a garden for a couple years now but never got around to it. This picture features all the tomato plants Mr. F planted. Those Italians love their tomatoes. I think we are going to have a plethora of tomatoes all at one time so when they are ready I will let you all know so you can come and pick some up.

This is my zucchini plant. I can't wait to BBQ it up. We also planted peppers, eggplant, basil, mint and parsley.

Yesterday Gianna went swimming for the first time. She was very scared for about the first 15 minutes and held on to me for dear life. Then she began to relax and by the end she was sitting on her daddy's lap splashing and screaming with joy.

Look Who Got Her Ears Pierced

Gianna went with her Nana and Nonno and got her ears pierced today. I was nervous about it but figured it was better than a. being called a boy (which did happen to me quit a bit as a kid) or b. having to have it done at an older age. I had mine done in second grade and I was so terrified. I guess Gianna cried for about 5 seconds and then was so enthralled with all the fun things to look at that she stopped and decided to look around instead. I love them and am so glad we did it!

My Favorite Baby Items

1. Zip Sheets - these are the best!!! With zip sheets all you have to do is yep you guessed it "zip them off." No more stuggling while changing crib sheets!

http://www.cloudsandstars.com/quickzipcrib.aspx



2. Video Monitor - I have so much peace of mind being able to see Gianna while she sleeps or is trying to fall asleep. If she wakes up in the middle of night I can see if she really needs me or if she is just resituating herself. If she is crying and trying to go to sleep I know if she is about to work it out of if she has her binky stuck on her thumb. Once you have a video monitor I don't think you can ever go back:)




3. Baby Einstein and Praise Baby DVD's- These are a lifesaver Gianna will watch one of these and it gives me 1/2 an hour to run around the house and get some things done. She watches one about three times a week.


4. Baby Bjorn - It's fun going to a park with my nephews and carrying Gigi around in the Bjorn. She is so happy being able to watch everyone and kick her legs.





5. Nature's Touch Papasan Swing - During the first four months of Gianna's life she spent quite a bit of time sleeping and hanging out in her swing. Now she sits in it and plays with her toys while I am working in the kitchen.




6. Bouncer -The bouncer has been used in multiple places since Gigi was born. Today she spends most of her time sitting in it while we are outside gardening.

I was introduced to each of these items by my sister. Thanks Sis for helping make my first 7 months of motherhood so much easier!!!