So This is Christmas

The chaos began on Christmas Eve. Gerry tried to take a few pics of the girls and I before we left for the evening. Maria was not feeling very well because of her busted lip, so she was more uncooperative than usual.




We headed over to my grandmas's house to celebrate. I was looking forward to this because Santa always makes an appearance and I couldn't wait to see Maria's reaction. She was standing in the middle of the room when he walked in the door ho, ho, ho-ing. I think she jumped three feet in the air. She was scared, but still seemed interested in him. She waited patiently as he handed out presents to all the other kids, and he finally called her name. Maria received a doctor's kit and Naomi got a play cell phone from Santa. Maria would not sit on his lap. Naomi, on the other hand, didn't mind at all.




We had a great time visiting with family that we usually don't see much of the rest of the year. Maria and Naomi received some very nice gifts - clothes from my dad and Anita, and they each got a baby doll and some clothes from my grandma. Maria also got a shopping cart from my grandma. After getting home around 10:00, Maria helped me put out milk and cookies for Santa and carrots and oats for the reindeer. Both kids were passed out while Gerry and I had some last minute wrapping to do.






As long as Naomi has been alive (which is 7 and a half months) there has never been a time when both of the girls slept past 7:00 in the morning...until Christmas! It killed Gerry and I to have to actually wake both of them up at 8:00 am. We turned the Christmas music up loud and opened their bed room doors. Maria ran right to the plate of cookies and guess what? Santa ate them all. Well, almost all...there was half a cookie left, but Maria gobbled it up. Then she wanted to check if the reindeer ate their carrots and oats. Most of it was eaten, but I guess she decided eating after the reindeer was gross....because she didn't touch the carrots!




The girls opened their presents...slowly...but we made it through. Maria enjoyed playing with Naomi's stuff more than her own! Santa brought Maria a Bilibo (giant, green bowl to use your imagination with), lots of clothes and pajamas, a Memory game, some puzzles and an Uno Moo game. Naomi got some soft taggie blocks, an O Ball, soft stacking rings, and clothes as well. Maria was excited to see that Santa brought Devon something as well...a new bed!














We went to Gerry's parent's house for brunch on Christmas Day. Then we opened presents there. Maria and Naomi made out like bandits! They got so many nice things including a drum set, a xylophone with other instruments, pajamas, books, push toys, a little doll house with animal figurines, etc, etc, etc! So many things...I can't even mention them all! They were very lucky to get so many nice things and we were very blessed to be able to spend the afternoon all together!










Later that day, we headed over to my mom's house for dinner! Once again...the girl's had a ton of stuff to open up! Some of their gifts included a mini-trampoline, a small bike for Maria, a jumping activity play area for Naomi, lots of clothes, books, a Kai Lan doll, a Yo Gabba Gabba boom box...again...so many things I can't even mention them!

Wow! What a crazy, busy, fun holiday! Surviving Christmas with two small kiddos is not an easy chore, but we managed to do it! We are super blessed and thankful for everything we received and we are so lucky to have all our family in town so we can all be together! I think Naomi would agree that her first Christmas was a success, and it was even a little White.

The Wall: 2, Maria: 0

My little girly is going to look like she just lost a boxing match for Christmas!

Incident #1

This past Sunday, Maria was running around in the living room when she took a dive and smacked her face on the corner of the wall. Within seconds she had a bruise on her cheek. We felt so bad for her. Afraid that she may have even fractured her cheek bone, we called her doctor. He told us to look for asymmetry of her face, or make sure her cheek bone wasn't caved in or dented. Thankfully she didn't show any of these signs. The doctor also explained to us that even if it was fractured, there's not much anyone can do. She seemed to be okay after an hour or so. Of course, she wouldn't let us go anywhere near it with ice. Today, the bruise is fading, but it's still noticeable.

Incident #2

Today, Maria was, again, running around the living room. She threw a blanket over hear head, then tripped and landed right on the same corner. I had no idea what her face was going to look like when I lifted that blanket. Of course blood was running everywhere. Maria was screaming and spitting blood all over. It was so bad I couldn't even see her teeth. I had no idea where the blood was coming from, as she wouldn't let me wipe it. She was frantically running around the kitchen screaming her head off - blood pouring all over her and the floor. After I got her somewhat calmed down, I called Gerry and asked him to come home, assuming we were heading to the ER.

Maria was frightened at the sight of her own blood. Heck, I was frightened by it. But I knew I had to stay calm - for her.

Again, I made the call to the pediatrician, who said if she stops bleeding within the hour, and she didn't bust her lip all the way through to the outside (which she didn't...thank God!) than I just needed to keep an eye on it. He said there's not much they will do for cuts on the inside of a mouth.

Although I am relieved that she didn't need stitches on the inside of her mouth (could you imagine her in the ER fighting the doctor who was trying to numb that???) I feel terrible for her. The bruise and the busted lip are both on the right side of her face. She looks awful.

After some Tylenol and a large sippy cup of milk, Maria is napping soundly in her bed and Gerry is on his way back to work. On his way home, he is going to swing by Babies R Us to get some foam corner protectors. Next time, Maria might not be so lucky so we're taking every precaution!

Poor baby!

Gerry's Birthday

Gerry's birthday was pretty low key this year. He had to work late, so that was a bummer. Maria and Naomi made him birthday cards. The girls held their cards and waited for him. Maria was so excited to yell "Surprise!" when he walked in the door. It was so cute! She told him happy birthday about 50 times last night. I made a yummy dinner (salmon, rice and asparagus). I'm a terrible wife for not making a cake, but I just ran out of time. I stuck one candle in a bowl of ice cream and we sang happy birthday. Maria helped Gerry blow out his candle. She also helped him open up his present (3 pair of work pants). Overall, it was a fun night. We got to hang out together and play, which was what Gerry wanted.

Happy Birthday, Ger! Hope it was a good one!

"These Are a Few of my Fav-or-ite Things"

Milk : $2.50 a gallon

Ski Hat : (don't know the price since it was a gift)

Pink Tutu : $5.00


All three of these items caught in the same picture...plus snuggling with Dad:

PRICELESS!!!!

Cookie Mania

So, the Sunday after our wonderful date night, my brother and Kelly decided to have our family over to bake Christmas cookies. This worked out great for us because everything we needed was already at their house...including our kids. It was awesome to get to their house and hug Maria and to see little Omi smile! Jeff had already started on some of his cookies. Soon, my mom and Galen showed up and so did Marc and John.

The house smelled of cookies, pizza and Cinn-a-bun chapstick, which Maria decided to have for a snack. She found some in their guest room while she was "napping" and decided to eat some and smear it all over her face. It was kind of funny, but gross. She did break out a little on her face. There were no other negative side affects from it besides stained clothes.

Family, football, cookies and Christmas! What a great day!

Our Big Date

Some of you know that Gerry and I had planned on going out of town the day after Halloween to see 'So You Think You Can Dance' in Kansas City. This was the first season of the show that we watched and we both really liked it. The season started right around the time I came home from the hospital with Naomi, so Gerry and I would DVR it and watch it during those early morning feedings/struggles with a new baby.

I guess you could say he and I kind of bonded over the show. I was actually surprised that he would sit through a reality/game show like that. So booking tickets to see them live just seemed like the natural thing to do once the season ended. One big problem: they came to St. Louis on Halloween! Bummer! Then we realized they would be in KC the day after Halloween. Gerry suggested we find a sitter for the kids, pack up our stuff and drive down there for one night to see the show. I was excited! We hadn't really had a night out since Naomi was born. (which was MAY, for those of you who don't remember.)

Unfortunately, 3 days before the show my mom (the babysitter) got really sick. We weren't sure if she was going to be better by the weekend, or if we should try to make other arrangements. My brother tried his best to work something out with us, but since we'd be in KC on a Sunday night, it made it hard for him to figure out the carpooling situation for Hailey on Monday morning. The cards were not in our favor and we had to cancel our big weekend. We wound up eating the tickets because we couldn't find anyone who wanted to drive to KC for the show.

Needless to say, I was very sad. I had been waiting so long to get away with my husband and it broke my heart that we couldn't go. It wasn't really even about the show...it was about spending time together. I honestly couldn't wait for the 5 hour drive to talk and catch up on things and just be together. My brother knew how much it bothered me and he graciously offered to take the kids over night for a different weekend. So, of course we took him up on it.

This past Saturday (December 12)Gerry and I dropped the kids off at Jeff and Kelly's at 10:00 in the morning. We started the day off with a shopping spree for clothes for us. We got some great deals at JC Penney and Kohl's. I got several new dress shirts,a new pair of shoes, some long sleeve T-shirts, some comfy sweats, and a new dressy coat. Gerry got some shoes, a few shirts and ties and a new pair of work pants. Next was lunch at the Olive Garden. We sat at the bar and got the all you can eat soup and salad lunch special. We had a few glasses of wine which made for an interesting afternoon of shopping. (FYI: We didn't drink and drive. All the stores were in the same plaza as the Olive Garden. Okay, so maybe we drove through the parking lot.)

After we finished shopping, we headed out to the Lumière Hotel and Casino. We had awesome Sushi for dinner and headed over to the black jack tables. We were a little rusty, but wound up ahead. Coincidentally, Gerry's sister, Karen's work Christmas party was in the hotel lobby. So we harassed her and John for a little while, then decided to do some more gambling. This time, we didn't do so hot. Of course we wound up losing everything we won...and a little more. So we decided to wallow in our sorrow by having a burger at the Burger Bar. One word describes this hamburger : WOW!!! Yes, they are a little pricey, but it was the best burger I have ever had in my life...and I would definitely go there again!

One of the things Gerry and I were so excited to do on our big weekend out?? SLEEP!

I can't really remember the last time I slept for an entire night without being woken up from someone crying. My body literally ached for an entire night's sleep. So, we were in bed before midnight and slept in until 8:00 am. It felt terrific!

The entire weekend was awesome and I will never forget it. Thanks to my husband who just understood how much we needed this time away. Thanks for planning the whole day and for making me feel special. I had an amazing time with you and I can't wait to do it again!

Thanks, also, to Jeff and Kelly for taking the kids! Words cannot express how much this meant to us! We appreciate everything!!!

We didn't take that many pics from the weekend...only a few of ourselves being silly. (Also, my feet were killing me from the heels I was wearing so I had to switch shoes half way through the night...which meant I also had to change my shirt. That's why I am wearing 2 different shirts and Gerry isn't.)

Mr. Giammanco Goes To Washington

Gerry left yesterday for a workshop in Washington D.C. He will come home late tomorrow night, but still...it feels like forever.

This is the first time he has gone out of town since Naomi was born.

That means this is the first time I have taken care of 2 kids by myself for more than a typical work day.

Wow. After today I really have a new respect for single parents. I don't know how anyone does this day in and day out. I guess they really don't have a choice. And maybe it's safe to assume that most single parents aren't staying home with their own kids all day long. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my kids. But let's be honest...one is 2 and the other is 7 months. They are definitely not self sufficient in any way, shape or form. If I could teach Maria how to give Naomi a bottle things might be a little easier.

I had all these plans to get the house really clean so Gerry would think I actually did something really productive while he was gone. I had plans to do all the laundry...maybe even vacuum. Yeah... none of that happened. In fact, by 5:00 pm, I was so exhausted that Maria ate Eggo Waffles and yogurt for dinner and I ordered Chinese food.(I am so excited that I found a place that delivers to our house!!!)

I decided something tonight. I decided that I really miss my husband. Not because he is a tremendous help around the house, with the girls or the daily ins and outs of life. But because he really is my friend. I miss hugging him when he comes home from work, telling him about my day and goofing around with him while we clean up the kitchen after the girls go to sleep at night.

So, Gerry, if you're reading this...I can't wait for you to come home.

See you soon! I love you!

The Ones We Didn't Use

Since our Christmas cards went out earlier this week, I thought I would put up some of the pics we didn't use. Some of them were really cute!