Tuesday, August 21, 2012

3 Month Pictures by Peppermint Plum Photography

You know those friends you have that you secretly wish you could be? Well, I do and I have one, but since I can't be her I just surround myself with her. My friend Alex, who IS Peppermint Plum Photography is my, "I secretly wish I was you" friend. She is incredibly talented, extremely devoted, has the utmost professionalism, is incredibly stylish, is an inspiring woman of God, and has a heart of gold. Anytime I am having a bad day, in need of some encouragement I know I can count on Alex. Mommyhood has been a whole new experience for me and she has been there every step of the way to reassure me, she doesn't sugar coat, she tells it like it is. She is who she is, and she will share that with you. One thing she is...without a doubt is talented. Below are Giada's beautiful 3 month pictures. Alex captures the moments that I wish would stand still. She gets shots of Giada that mark who she is at her 3 month stage and I love it because this way I will never forget it. She gets her toungue sticking out, her hand in her mouth, her storytelling in mid-sentence, and her eyes closed because we worked her too hard to get these beautiful shots. I got a text from Alex today that she would be dropping my disc off; I was so excited to get home. On the counter was a brown box neatly put together with a sticker, inside was the disc packaged perfectly in a matching sleeve, laying on tissue paper with a package of pastel salt water taffy tied with a blue and white piece of yarn...perfect. She doesn't have to do all that for me, she is one of my nearest and dearest friends. BUT, that is Alex, professional, personal, crafty and talented. Simply said she is pretty much amazing. I am blessed by her daily. Thank you Alex, Peppermint Plum Photography, for capturing those moments I will never get back. Enjoy my Giada Rose...













Love, Annie, Jason and Giada

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Giada Rose is 3 months!

So, since the day Giada has been born I have heard the same thing...you come out of the darkness at 3 months. Well, I would never classify anytime with this girl "the darkness" but there have been the fussy times and trying moments. As we were driving in the car the other day I said to Jason, "well, do you think we have come out of the darkness? She seems to be content and happy more than fussy these last few days." So...here we are, 3 months old and I can agree, things seem a little easier, she seems a little more settled in to "the world." Maybe it is that at 3 months they finally give up on wanting to go back in the nice, cosy womb or maybe we just know our babies wants and needs better. Whatever it is, it's nice. There are more smiles, more stories, more play time, but always the same amount of kisses. I love this girl more with every passing second. It's unreal. She is still in a size one diaper, wearing 0-3 month clothing and although I don't know her exact weight (we don't go back to the doctor until 4 months), I can tell she is filling out and stretching out! She is full of toothless smiles, big ones. Her sweet coos wake me in the morning and when I reach over to pull her out she kicks her little legs in excitement. It just keeps getting better...Giada Rose Papi, I love you BIG!

Things I LOVE:

1. Waking up to your smile every morning
2. Your sweet voice
3. The way you play with your hair when you are eating and falling asleep
4. Tickling your tummy
5. Reading stories
6. Listening to you tell me stories (oh the drama!)
7. Those bright blue eyes when you wake up from a nap, they are piercing!

Things YOU LOVE:

1. Telling stories!
2. Jellycat Books
3. Laying on your boppy and talking
4. Sitting up with help from mommy
5. Looking in the mirror...oh the smile!
6. Sucking your hand
7. Playing with your hair

Melts me completley
 Happy 3 months!
 Sneak peek of her 3 month pictures...my angel

Hugs, A&J

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Santa Cruz

Every summer we escape to Santa Cruz to enjoy some family time with the Papi's. Sometimes it is the entire clan and sometimes it is just us...Jason, me, Peggy, Ken and Michelle...this year we had a new addition...Miss Giada. Grandma and Grandpa couldn't wait to take her to the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz and introduce her to family tradition. She is such a good girl on these trips, I think she likes to go, go, go like her daddy. She loves being pushed along in her stroller, she will sleep for hours this way (it's when we get home she won't take a nap)! We had such a great time eating at our favorite places, laying out by the pool, eating ice cream on the boardwalk and of course shopping downtown! My sister and Derek joined in on the fun Wednesday, it was so great to have them there! The weather was beautiful, perfect 70 degree weather. Thank you to Ken and Peggy for a wonderful trip and memories we will cherish forever! I am so excited for Giada to really experience Santa Cruz in the years to come...she is going to love it!

Getting lunch at the Italian Deli downtown
 Dinner at Stagnarro's
 Giada was telling us she was over the pictures...really? How does this happen! Haha
 Beach in Capitola, My mother and father in law
 Thursday night on the Wharf
 Beautiful view
 Enjoying Capitola Beach
 Wendesday night after we came back from the boardwalk...she looked like such a big girl in her warm clothes!
 Walking in from the Boardwalk...
 The new Santa Cruz Beach sign in front of the Boardwalk
 Ice cream on the boarwalk...every night!
 My sissy and Giada's auntie! Love her!
 We take a picture on this bench every year, this year we have a welcome addition!
 Emily and Derek on the wharf
 My Love
 Giada after one day out at the pool...she was relaxed in this cool weather!
 Emily and I relaxing at the pool
 Watch out...don't make this girl mad!
 My baby girl
 Starbucks...of course
 Breakfast at the Walnut Cafe...best breakfast around!
 Downtown after dinner at Kianti's, yummy!
 The original Papi clan!
 My little family at Kianti's
 View from our hotel room
 Headed downtown for some fun!

 Giada with her grandparents...so good to her!
 Giada and daddy!
 Dinner at Ideal's
 Our last night on the Boardwalk!
What a great trip we had! Can't wait until next year!
Hugs, Jason, Annie and Giada