Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch: Giada's 1st Visit!

When I was teaching kindergarten my favorite field trip was to Hillcrest Pumpkin Patch. The kids would have so much fun learning about the pumpkin life cycle, walking through the patch, taking a hay ride and picking out their very own pumpkin! When I told my friend Alex that we were heading to the pumpkin patch this weekend she said, "You have to go to Hillcrest, they have a real train..." or something along those lines. Duh. How did I not think of that patch since this is the very place I would enjoy with my kinder kiddos a few years ago. So we headed out to Reedley today; me, Jason, Giada, Ken, Peggy and Michelle.

I have always been a kid at heart, I have always loved to do "kid" things, or things you do when you have kids. Every year I would drag Jason out to the pumpkin patches or corn mazes, just the two of  us. He would put on a smile and humor me. This time, it meant so much more. Things like this are so much more fun now that the baby girl is with us. Even though she is only 5 months and doesn't understand much of what is going on around her and won't remember any of it...it is still so awesome. I think it is knowing that in the years to come it is only going to get better. Today I kept thinking how excited she will be next year and the year after and the year after and so on. I could see excitement in her today, she enjoyed the train (except when it blew its whistle), she held on to the steering wheel of the tractor, she was drooling over the kettle corn she wished she could enjoy, she helped pick out her very own little pumpkin, and she was all mostly all smiles. Gosh, life is just so much better with her in it. What a day, my tank is full.

 Had such a wonderful day with family that we love so much!

Happy Fall! Jason, Annie & Giada Rose

Dear Giada

You, my peanut, have changed my existence. You are just this little slice of perfection so dependant upon your dad and me. I don't want to mess it up, I want to give you your perfect life, whatever you decide that may be. It is the least I can do for the love you have brought to my life and for the gift of change you have given me. Before you silly things mattered to mommy, little things seemed like such a big deal. Today, I would rather stay at home with you and sacrifice shopping, dinners out, lavish trips out of town, and bi-weekly manicures and pedicures. Those things don't truly bring happiness, they are fun and I enjoy them but not like I used to. I enjoy you more. The desire in my heart my whole life has been to be a mommy, but I never knew what a fulfilling dream and desire that would be. I never knew I would get this perfect angel. I never knew it would allow me to re-evaluate my life. I have realized that the desires I have for your life were falling short in my life. You are re-focusing my idea of what is important in life. What to not waste time on and what to invest in more. Some of the things I don't want for you I was allowing in my life.  I want you to have friendships that build you up, confidence that soars above the mountain tops, dreams that aren't held back by fear to take risks, the ability to laugh at yourself and not take everything in life too seriously, a love for Jesus so big that allows for unwavering faith, and a heart so big it aches to do for others. I will be by your side every step of the way, that I promise you. I just ask that you have grace with me. I may will mess up. I will make you mad. I won't ever give up, I will always fight for you and I will do my best to teach you right from wrong. I will love you with my whole heart every single second of every single day. And I will always be grateful for the change you brought into my life on May 14th, 2012. Giada Rose, you have made me a better version of myself, a more selfless version (with so much more to go) with a melted heart. I know you won't understand these words for a long time but when you do I can't wait to share them with you. You are mommy's world. Thank you for bringing so much joy to daddy and me. Thank you for being the change that I was desperately longing for.

I love you to the moon and back,
Mommy

Giada Rose is 5 Months!

Wow, month 4 flew by. Our baby girl is getting so big and such a personality! Every day gets better and every day we fall more in love. Her love for us is becoming more and more evident. It's the little things she does like turn to bury her face in my shoulder when someone talks to her and she is being her shy self, or the smile she gets the minute we walk into the room.I love this. I know she can't verbally express her love so these physical acts of love are what it's all about. Giada is wearing a size two diaper, 3-6 month clothing and can finally wear some of her size 2 shoes (it's okay if they are a little big)! She rolled over from her back to her tummy this month and is reaching and grabbing things like nobody's business. Watch out...she doesn't care if it's your dinner so it might end up on the floor (sorry mom)! She can sit up in a tripod position for a short while and can FINALLY tolerate tummy time. She knows what she wants and she knows how to get it. I do not worry about the success this girl will have in life. I wouldn't have it any other way. She is a happy little camper lovin' life and we are enjoying the ride.

Things I love about month 5...

1. The way you hold my finger when you eat

2. The way your bury your face into my shoulder

3. Your laugh

4. Taking your for walks

5.Listening to your endless babble

6. Your excitement over the little silly faces I make

7. Your desire to go, go, go

Things YOU love in month 5...

1. Walks

2. Kisses from mommy in your neck (oh the giggle!)

3. Flying

4. When mommy sings "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"

5. When daddy comes home from work

6. Helping mom hold your bottle

7. Sophie

8. Chewing EVERYTHING!

9. Holding my finger as you eat and fall asleep

10. Playfully screaming (I think you are talking really loud but I call it screaming)

We are beyond blessed. Beyond grateful. Beyond humbled. Thank you Jesus for our perfect gift.

"I am 5 months...no way!"

 "You are kidding me?!"

 That smile.

 Slobber on the shirt...of course

 Getting so big!

To think she was just a 7 lb. 6 oz. bundle of joy 5 months ago!

 

Love, Jason & Annie

 

Precious Pictures of a Perfect Month

Just wanted to share some of my favorite pictures of Giada throughout the past month...I will warn you, there. is. a. lot.

Seriously Smitten

 4 generations

 I love when she laughs at me!

 "Giada, show me your serious face..."

 She loves her Sophie!

 My favorite...so sweet

 Happy girl loves her walks!

 What mom?

 Figuring it all out...

 Playing on the floor

 This face...

 Cousin love, Ethan and Giada

 "I don't think my bow is big enough."

 Sweet sounds of laughter

 C'mon, I am not in the mood (and she wasn't), Hayden's Baptism

 Relaxing in the bath

 My girl is getting so big!

Hope you enjoyed our little peanut!

Hugs, Jason, Annie and Giada

Big Fresno Fair

On Saturday we ventured out to the good old Fresno Fair for some food, and some more food, and of course a little more food. Seriously...that is pretty much all we did, eat. What else are fairs for? We did spend some time walking through the exhibits...in between meals. I love the corn on the cob, carne asada tacos and of course the infamous cinnamon roll. Giada was an angel, she spent half the time sleeping and the other half taking in all the colorful lights...and some rather interesting peeps. It was a wonderful afternoon with my little family, I savor every single moment with my loves.

My blue eyed girl

 In mid-babble

 Laughing at Daddy

 My girl...

 Can't wait until she is "big" enough to start looking at the camera without me sounding like some animal trying to get her to and usually failing miserably.

 Look who it is...George! We had a great visit with him at the channel 47 booth.

 Giada had a great day!

Hugs, Jason, Annie and Giada

Giada's 1st Trip to Minnie and Mickey's House

Last weekend we shared our favorite place with our sweet princess...Disneyland! We weren't sure how she would handle all the stimulation the park entails but she LOVED it. She loved to look around at EVERYTHING...she didn't want to be in her stroller in fear of missing something. When we entered the main entrance Minnie and Mickey were walking to the front to take pictures...perfect timing! I was so excited Giada would meet Minnie and Mickey on her first trip. We were sceptical about how she would react but to our amazement she was excited! She began her dramatic storytelling as soon as we walked up and she even put out her hand to hold Minnie's. It was such a sweet moment. I know at 4 1/2 months she won't remember her first trip but I will never stop telling her the stories of it. I can't wait to see Disneyland through Giada's eyes...if she was this excited this young I can only imagine all the thrills to come. We had a wonderful day walking down main street, eating, taking pictures, and introducing Giada to our favorite place that will hold a lifetime of memories for her! We re-newed our season passes so we can experience the happiest place on earth all year round! It was a wonderful weekend away!

Heading into the park...

 

Her Minnie

 Halloween is one of our favorite times at Disneyland!

 Minnie showing love for Giada's bow

 Telling Minnie all about it...

 So sweet

 My happy little family

 Giada's first set of ears

 Precious

 Happy Halloween

 Daddy's girl

 Mommy's World

 All the excitement led to a weekend of thumb sucking!

We believe in MAGIC! Jason, Annie, and Giada