Almost 8 months and 3 Years Old!

Little Ms. Giselle went to the doctor today for her routine check-up and weighed in at 17 pounds, 2 ounces. She is in the 95 percentile for her height, as she is 28.5 inches long. No wonder she is busting out of her clothes, it is because she is tall! Still no teeth as of yet. She is crawling all over the house like crazy and if you turn your head for a second, you might just find her in the next room.
Isabella weighed in at 32 pounds and is 38 inches long.

As Summer Comes to An End

Why does summer always seem to fly by in Illinois? It seems like you just get warmed up and then the cool air sets. The air conditioning goes off and you open up the doors and windows to welcome the cool air breeze.
I get excited for fall. One of my favorite seasons. It means that you get to cook those warm, belly filling meals and not feel guilty about really chowing down. Like a pot roast with carrots and potatos. Or chili. You get to wear your favorite sweater or scarf.
Before I get too excited about fall, I must say the girls are enjoying these last few days of summer. This morning we went on a two hour bike ride through the forest preserves. Afterwards, we treated ourselves to a Portillo's hotdog. Followed by a two hour nap. Then we hit the pool and swam for a few. Then we all made a homemade pizza together.
Hope you all are enjoying these last days before we reach a new season to welcome.

Shredding Paper is FUNNY - Giselle

Back in April of 2009, I shot a video of Isabella Marie laughing her head off to the sound of shredding paper. She was about the same age that Giselle Eloise is now. Amazing how time can grant you the "deja vu" moment where you feel as though you may have experienced something before and then all of a sudden it hits you....YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED it before.
Go back in the blog and click on April of 2009 to see Isabella laugh to the sound of shredding paper. Today, I captured baby G doing the same.

A Rainy Day.....

the rest of the world is busy working away. It's pouring rain out. What do we decide to do? DANCE! Because WE have the moves like Jagger! We turned up the volume during the pouring rain and rocked it! Isabella is sporting her new "birthday haircut!"
Afterwards, we decided to bake confetti cupcakes complete with pink frosting and sprinkles.

A Fun Filled Weekend

Filled with family, laughs, fishies, the outdoors, crafts, sports, nature and more!

The First's...

LOVE documenting things on camera. LOVE capturing moments on film. LOVE writing things down. All to create or recreate a memory or to remember. This past weekend, Giselle - 6 1/2 months old proved to be a weekend of "firsts."
She held her bottle all by herself for the FIRST time. She sat up by herself for the very FIRST time. She is almost crawling for the very FIRST time. When you carry a child for 9 months, you WORRY. Then you give birth and you WORRY some more, when you see the growth progress and the babies transform, you feel a little more at ease. And with time, you begin to EXHALE just a little bit more. Or at least I DO.

I captured all of these special "firsts" on video or picture and would like to share them with each and every one of YOU. ENJOY.
I say this often and I will continue to say this, but each day or week continues to bless us with a SURPRISE from one or both girls. I WELCOME it and I EMBRACE it. Whether it be something new and surprising OR prove to be CHALLENGING. Love you all and am thankful you are a special part of our lives and theirs. Be well and SMILE.

Swimming

There is just something about her. From the moment I met her she has captured my soul. The way she looks at you or the camera when you are taking her picture. I think it is her angelic eyes that look so relaxing to me or her blonde hair. Or her chubby cheeks. Her smiles and laid back nature. I'm talking about Giselle here. Because we all know Isabella is a fireball. Full of ENERGY all day everyday. Until her batteries run low and then she crashes. Just like her mommy. Who knows, Giselle could turn out just the same. They tell me she only take 2 20 minute naps during the day at school. And for all of you that know a baby about 6 months, know that she should be sleeping about 4 hours per day if not more. Not Giselle or Isabella.
I captured Giselle over the weekend in the pool. She looks like a pro, looking into the lens of the camera. Meanwhile, big sister Isabella is learning to swim. Before, she would only go in the pool in or on a raft. Now she jumps in all by herself and floats around the pool with her swimmies on. She never wants to get out!