Most of our days in Lewis Land are pretty ordinary. There are day that are fun and exciting and days that are L-O-N-G!!!! They are, however, sprinkled with comments and antics that make life so enjoyable. When my daughter was born, my childhood friend, Mary, suggested I begin a Jelly Book - which is basically a simple notebook that you jot down all the wonderful moments you don't want to forget. She called it a jelly book because it's supposed to be an old notebook you keep in the kitchen where it's apt to become worn and stained with jelly and other marks of childhood and life.
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{melt}
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* * * * *
Me: Gianna, do you know how much I love you?
Her typical answer is 'BIG MUCH!"
This time:
Gianna: "Finally!"
* * * * *
After a rough little patch after some poor toddler behavior, she obviously sensed I was outdone.
Gianna: Mommy, maybe you can stop being angry.
* * * * *
Gianna: Mommy, get me some milk!
Me: Gianna, that is VERY bossy. Ask nicely. Please don't be bossy.
Gianna: That's right. Only Mommy be bossy.
yikes
* * * * *
Gianna: Aaaaah! A mosquito. A mosquito. Get it Mommy.
Me: Calm down, Where is it Gianna?
Gianna: (exasperated) Right there on Tomahawk Drive. (name of our street)
* * * * *
Snuggling in bed on a Sunday morning, Gianna told Iain,
* * * * *
She said, "Well, Mommy - could you teach me how to howl like that?"
I realized my blog was my version of a Jelly Book, so this is where I keep all those precious treasures.
Thank you, Mary, for the idea.
The newest ones are at the top.
The newest ones are at the top.
Grief Edition (shortly after her daddy died)
August 2011
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August 2011
Gianna talks about him a lot. A few days after he died while she was giving us one of her 'live concerts' with her guitar in tow - I mentioned that I bet Daddy was in heaven telling all the people,
"Would you just look at my baby girl! She is amazing! Yep, that's my Monkey-Doo!"
She was intrigued by that comment and it began an interesting occurrence...
Regularly (most often when we're in the car) she asks me,
"What do you think Daddy is saying to me right now?"
"What do you think Daddy is saying to me right now?"
Early on she said, "You be Daddy."
So, I lower my voice and tell her what I think Iain might be saying.
G: Oh Daddy, I miss you so much.
Me as Daddy: Oh, sweetheart, I'm really really close to you. I miss you too, but I'm watching over you from heaven.
G: Daddy I laid on you and kissed you and talked to you (at the funeral home.)
Me as Daddy: I know, sweet girl, I remember everything. I hear you every time you talk to me.
G: Daddy, I whispered to you to wake up.
Me as Daddy: Oh I know. I wish I could have woken up for you - but now I have to love you from heaven.
G: Can you give me hugs and kisses.
Me as Daddy: Oh yes. I do all the time. We call them heaven hugs and heaven kisses.
G: Daddy, can you please love Mommy big big. She is really really sad.
Me as Daddy: (Almost not able to speak) Oh yes, I promise I will always love your Mommy in a very special way.
G: You live in my heart, Daddy.
Me as Daddy: You live in my heart too, Gianna I love you so much.
G: I love you big much too Daddy.
Sometimes the conversations go on for 20 minutes.
Sometimes she tells him what she's been doing. Sometimes she asks him big questions. Sometimes she shares her love and longing. Sometimes she even shares her sadness and anger.
Sometimes she tells him what she's been doing. Sometimes she asks him big questions. Sometimes she shares her love and longing. Sometimes she even shares her sadness and anger.
And sometimes, I am choking back tears and can hardly answer her.
Thank God this precious child is still communicating with and loving her Daddy.
Thank God this precious child is still communicating with and loving her Daddy.
I am sure he is beyond proud.
I know I am.
* * * * * * *
She comes to be fairly often with tears spilling from her eyes saying,
"Mommy, my heart is brokeeen."
:(
* * * * * * * *
G: Oh Mommy, my drips keep coming out. (tears)
Me: I know, my love, but that's how God helps to heal our broken hearts. Our tears help release some of the sad from our hearts.
G: But my sad won't stop leaking out.
(Neither will mine, sweet girl.)
(Neither will mine, sweet girl.)
* * * * * * *
Gianna asked the other night if she could have some medicine before bed.
I asked her why she needed medicine.
"To take my sad away." she replied.
* * * * * * *
Tonight during prayer she asked me if I loved her.
"Oh yes! My heart is so FULL of love for you it feels like it will burst!"
"Oh," she said, "My heart is full of sad."
* * * * * * *
Be assured that, overall, this precious child is doing remarkably well....all things considered.
She is my sunshine and my amazing grace.
We laugh a lot and have a lot of 'normal' moments sprinkled throughout our grief.
We continue to ride on the prayers of SO MANY people.
I'm certain those prayers are the reason I'm able to get out of bed every morning and function with some sort of regularity.....even with grace and peace. There is no explanation, but prayer!
Thank you to all you prayer warriors who continue to lift us up.
I am so very grateful.
* * * * * *
Spring/Summer 2011
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Gianna often wants to know if random people are happy. Usually she asks us right after she gets into trouble. When we went to Florida we were driving to her uncle's house:
G: "Is Uncle Robert happy?"
Me: Oh, I bet he's in heaven right now. (Referring to him having his whole family visiting him.)
G: Uncle Robert died?
* * * * *
Me: Gianna, why are you blinking so much?
G: Well, I think my allergies are trying to come out.
* * * * *
G: No, Mommy - not in the sun! I want to live in the dark shade.
* * * * *
At a children's concert talking about the song, "Whatcha want to be when you grow up?"
Me: What do YOU want to be Gianna? (She usually says doctor of fireman.)
G: Frweee.
Me: You just turned three, Gianna.
G: Oh. Then Frwee and a half.
* * * * *
Prior to that same concert, I'd asked G several times what she wanted to be when she grew up.
Consistantly her answer was, "A boy."
Well, I did tell her she could be anything she wanted. (Gosh, I sure hope I'm not going to be in the same support group as Cher!)
* * * * *
G: Mommy, come with me. Quick!
Me: What's wrong, Gianna.
G: Jesus, is on the ceiling. Come look!
My curiosity piqued, I quickly followed her.
G: Look Mommy, he's up there!
(Pointing to the crucifix above the door.)
G: You see him? He rose from the dead!!!!
* * * * *
During nighttime prayer:
Me: Is there anything you're are thankful for tonight?
G: Black.
Me: Umm..... Black? You want to tell me more about that?
G: Yes...I am thankful for black choc-o-late. When I'm four could you make me a choc-o-late cake? I like the white cake, but I LOVE choc-o-late cake!
* * * * *
Another night during prayer:
G: ...God bless Sophia, baby Joseph, and Ms. Nichole...(smiles)...Rock and Roll, Ms. Nichole.....(proud grin)....that rhymes!
* * * * *
After a a good ten minutes of her attempt to fight her nap, I entered her room only to find her out of bed (which she rarely tries) and playing with her dollhouse.
"Gianna?!" I said sternly.
"Oh, hi Mommy, I had a lovely sleep!"
"Oh, hi Mommy, I had a lovely sleep!"
Nice try, dumpling.
* * * * *
As I was driving (about 35mph) after being stopped at a traffic light for several minutes Gianna said in a very concerned voice:
"Woa! Mommy. What are you doing? Why are you going so fast? Gentle, Mommy, Gentle!"
* * * * *
Gianna's not sick very often, but every now and then after she cries (new pastime) she complains,
"Oh no, Mommy! Now I'm all 'snuffy!'"
* * * * *
Gianna was crying after she had gotten scolded and said,
"Oh NO! I can't see."
I started getting concerned and asked, "Gianna, why can't you see?"
"Because of the drips in my eyes."
* * * * *
One day we stopped for a train on our way home. As we watched it pass, Gianna asked me,
"Hey Mommy, Is that train going west?"
(Not left, but WEST. I actually had to see where the sun was setting to figure out that the train was indeed traveling westward. Geez!)
* * * * *
I can count on my right hand how many times I've had to wake Gianna up in the morning.
Last week was one of those times.
She was so groggy and could barely open her eyes.
Me: Wake up, Sleepyhead, we have to go to swimming lessons and the funeral home.
Gianna (barely able to lift her head): Ummm....maybe Saturday.
Me: (laughing) No, not Saturday, today.
Gianna: Or how 'bout Christmas?
* * * * *
Lately, we've had a lot of family friends who have passed away. I'm pretty impressed by her understanding of the difficult concept.
G: Mommy, George died?
Me: Yes Gianna, he did.
G: George went to heaven?
Me: Yes Gianna, that's right.
G: Mommy, we're all going to die.
Me: Well, eventually - yes.
G: But Mommy, I don't want to die yet.
Me: Me neither, Gianna. Let's wait.
* * * * *
I gave Gianna some frosted mini wheats for a morning snack.
About 20 minutes later she came up to me,
G: Mommy, can I have something to eat?
Me: Gianna, I just gave you mini wheats that you didn't eat.
G: But Mommy, I DID eat them.
Me: Gianna, the bowl is full.
G: Yeah, but I only ate the 'cream'.
* * * * *
Another time she did the same thing with pretzels....licked the salt off, left the pretzels.
* * * * *
Soaking wet after playing on the Slip-n-Slide, Gianna says,
"Mommy, can I go on the swing?
Not wanting to stay outside, I replied,
"Well, Gianna you're all wet. It'll be very slippery."
Gianna's response:
"So, Mommy.....how bout you put me in the swing.....and then if I'm too wet and slippery, THEN we can go inside."
Who's going to say no to that logic?
* * * * *
On the swing:
"Hey Mommy, wanna push me Super Pie?''
* * * * *
G: Oh no. It's brokeeen.
(I love the way she says broken and rarely correct her.)
* ** * *
My dad was recently in the hospital and on our way to visit him we spoke with a hospital worker emptying out a trashcan in the hallway.
G: And what is YOUR name?
Worker: I'm Carmen. What is your name?
G: I'm Gianna. What are you doing Carmen?
Worker: I work here.
G: Oh, good. My PePaw is here and he's sick. Can you make him better?
G: And what is YOUR name?
Worker: I'm Carmen. What is your name?
G: I'm Gianna. What are you doing Carmen?
Worker: I work here.
G: Oh, good. My PePaw is here and he's sick. Can you make him better?
{melt}
* * * * *
The first day of swim lessons, the precious instructor tried and tried to get G to put her head under water. Finally, she looked at him, tilted her head and said,
"Mr. CJ, I'm just a little kid!"
"Mr. CJ, I'm just a little kid!"
* * * * *
We had a large packing box that Gianna turned on it's side and turned into a rocket.
We just read a book from the library called Mail Harry to the Moon (so cute) and she asked me if I could send her to the moon in her rocket.
Every time she got in the box I'd begin the countdown....
Five, four, three, two, one....
The door (lid) would fly open and Gianna would have a panicked expression and
say, "Ummm....Mommy, can you come to the moon with me?"
Me: Oh Gianna, I can't today. I have to cook supper.
G: Well, can Max come with me?
Me: No, silly. Max is a dog. He can't go to the moon.
You'll be okay. Ready? Five, four, three, two, one.....
G: NOOO. I don't want to go to the moon!
Me: But I thought you wanted to go?
G: Yeah...but I'm just a little nervous.
Me: Really? Why?
G: Mommy? Is this for pretend?
* * * * *
March 2011We just read a book from the library called Mail Harry to the Moon (so cute) and she asked me if I could send her to the moon in her rocket.
Every time she got in the box I'd begin the countdown....
Five, four, three, two, one....
The door (lid) would fly open and Gianna would have a panicked expression and
say, "Ummm....Mommy, can you come to the moon with me?"
Me: Oh Gianna, I can't today. I have to cook supper.
G: Well, can Max come with me?
Me: No, silly. Max is a dog. He can't go to the moon.
You'll be okay. Ready? Five, four, three, two, one.....
G: NOOO. I don't want to go to the moon!
Me: But I thought you wanted to go?
G: Yeah...but I'm just a little nervous.
Me: Really? Why?
G: Mommy? Is this for pretend?
* * * * *
* * * * *
Me: Gianna, do you know how much I love you?
Her typical answer is 'BIG MUCH!"
This time:
Gianna: "Finally!"
* * * * *
After a rough little patch after some poor toddler behavior, she obviously sensed I was outdone.
Gianna: Mommy, maybe you can stop being angry.
* * * * *
Gianna: Mommy, get me some milk!
Me: Gianna, that is VERY bossy. Ask nicely. Please don't be bossy.
Gianna: That's right. Only Mommy be bossy.
yikes
* * * * *
Gianna: Aaaaah! A mosquito. A mosquito. Get it Mommy.
Me: Calm down, Where is it Gianna?
Gianna: (panicked) Right there. Right there. Get it Mommy!
Me: Gianna, I don't see it where is it.Gianna: (exasperated) Right there on Tomahawk Drive. (name of our street)
* * * * *
Snuggling in bed on a Sunday morning, Gianna told Iain,
"Hey Daddy, I like your nipples."
* * * * *
* * * * *
I was cooking in the kitchen and she was sitting in a chair watching me.
G: "Whatchya doin', Tartamella?"
(my maiden name -- don't ask me how she managed to orchestrate that sentence!)
Me: What did you say, Gianna? (not believing what I heard)
Gianna: Watchya doin', Mommy?
Me: What did you call me the first time?
Gianna: (laughing) Tartamella
Me: What did you say, Gianna? (not believing what I heard)
Gianna: Watchya doin', Mommy?
Me: What did you call me the first time?
Gianna: (laughing) Tartamella
* * * * *
Iain took Gianna to Lowe's and Gianna told him, "That lady has a baby in her tummy."
Iain panicked because he saw a lady down the isle who was clearly not pregnant - just stout. Iain was trying to change the subject with her to spare an awkward situation from happening. Once they came upon the 'non-pregnant' lady - a visibly pregnant lady passed them up.
"See, daddy?"
* * * * *
Gianna to Iain: Therese broke her leg, daddy.
Iain: Who?
Gianna: Therese did.
Iain (rolling his eyes): Gianna, Therese didn't break her leg.
Gianna: She really did, daddy.
Iain looked at me as if I would talk some sense into her.
Me: She really did, daddy.
* * * * *
We were at a birthday party of a story-time friend and Gianna was swinging next to another little two year old.
Gianna: Mommy, what's her name?
Me (not remembering): Ask her.
Gianna to the little girl: Hi Oscar, I'm Gianna.
(I almost peed in my pants laughing at that one.)
* * * * *
Anytime I tell Gianna no for something her repsonse is always,
"Maybe see, mommy."
(As in maybe we'll see.)
Along the same lines, if I tell Gianna, "Not right now." Her response is
"Maybe Fursday, Mommy." (Thursday)
I hear this at least 10 times a day and think it's just so cute.
* * * * *
Leaving story time at the library, Gianna ran up to Ms. Elizabeth (lead story-teller) and told her,
"Thank you so much for coming."
* * * * *
I was matching socks in Gianna's room while she played with her kitchen. She walked up to me and said, "Mommy, thank you so much for working so hard."
Dear heavens....that was better than gold.
February 2011Iain panicked because he saw a lady down the isle who was clearly not pregnant - just stout. Iain was trying to change the subject with her to spare an awkward situation from happening. Once they came upon the 'non-pregnant' lady - a visibly pregnant lady passed them up.
"See, daddy?"
* * * * *
Gianna to Iain: Therese broke her leg, daddy.
Iain: Who?
Gianna: Therese did.
Iain (rolling his eyes): Gianna, Therese didn't break her leg.
Gianna: She really did, daddy.
Iain looked at me as if I would talk some sense into her.
Me: She really did, daddy.
* * * * *
We were at a birthday party of a story-time friend and Gianna was swinging next to another little two year old.
Gianna: Mommy, what's her name?
Me (not remembering): Ask her.
Gianna to the little girl: Hi Oscar, I'm Gianna.
(I almost peed in my pants laughing at that one.)
* * * * *
Anytime I tell Gianna no for something her repsonse is always,
"Maybe see, mommy."
(As in maybe we'll see.)
Along the same lines, if I tell Gianna, "Not right now." Her response is
"Maybe Fursday, Mommy." (Thursday)
I hear this at least 10 times a day and think it's just so cute.
* * * * *
Leaving story time at the library, Gianna ran up to Ms. Elizabeth (lead story-teller) and told her,
"Thank you so much for coming."
* * * * *
I was matching socks in Gianna's room while she played with her kitchen. She walked up to me and said, "Mommy, thank you so much for working so hard."
Dear heavens....that was better than gold.
We march a lot. Gianna often requests marching music, but when I can't provide it - she starts marching anyway and calls back over her shoulder, "Can you feel the beat?"
* * * * *
We were driving and Gianna spotted something, "The KEY!!!" Completely confused by what she said, I responded, "What Gianna?" She looked down, shook her head and said, "Never mind."
* * * * *
Gianna: Mommy, I wanna go play on the diving board.
Me: Umm....we don't have a diving board.
Gianna: Yes, Mommy - in the sunroom. I'll show you.
(She dragged me into the sunroom to point out the treadmill. Ha.)
* * * * *
Gianna was hanging on the arm of the treadmill....swinging
Me: Gianna, do you remember what happened the last time you swung on the treadmill?
Gianna: Yeah, I broke my back.
* * * * *
The weather has been super cold lately, and on our way to my mom's house we saw a man doing yardwork. He was bundled up in a black parka coat.
Gianna: Mommy LOOK!!!!!! (In an excited whisper) It's a gorilla!!
* * * * *
Gianna: Mommy. Don't you want to hold me?
or Don't you want to play with me? - kinda hard to say no to that!
* * * * *
At prayertime.
Me: Gianna, should we pray that God sends you a brother or sister.
Gianna: Oh yes. How 'bout Benjamin.
Me: Well, he's already got a family...but that's really sweet.
* * * * *
overheard on the baby monitor in a sweet soft voice
Gianna: Umm...does somebody wanna come get me?
* * * * *
I let G watch a youtube video of a little girl singing a Whitney Houston song on Britain's Got Talent
I asked her if she wanted me to teach her that song.
She said, "Well, Mommy - could you teach me how to howl like that?"
* * * * *
My mother watched Gianna for me while I was on jury duty. When I left her house one day, Gianna asked my mom, "MeMaw, where's mommy going?
MeMaw: Well, she went downtown to a big building and with a bunch of other people and they have to wait to see what the big important man says they have t do.
Gianna: No, MeMaw. She's at the courthouse for Jury Duty!
* * * * *
Gianna told me, "I feel sick, Mommy."
I looked at her quizically since I'd never heard her say that before.
She then said,
"I have temperature."
I figured she was pretending, but went ahead and felt her forehead, and it was warm.
Took her temperature and by golly, she had a low-grade fever.
That's one of the blessings of having a verbal child.
* * * * *
Following the "I feel sick." comment, I called for an appointment with the doctor.
At bedtime I told her we were going to the doctor the next day. I may as well told her she was going to Disney World.
"Go see Doctor Decker!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, Gianna, that's right." I said.
"Check my heart."
"Yes."
"Check my ears."
"Yes,"
"Check my mouth. Aaaaah."
"Yes."
"And check my feelings."
Check my feelings! That made me smile. I guess I ask her fairly often how she's feeling and it made perfect sense to her that the doctor wanted to know the same thing.
I thought that was so cute.
"Doctor Decker give me a 'rellypop?' (a.k.a. lollipop)
Before I could say anything, she pointed her little index finger at me and said,
"Don't ask!"
I have been trying to help her understand the concept of not asking for things like candy and apparantly it's starting to sink in....although she still asked when got to the clinic.
She then said,
"I have temperature."
I figured she was pretending, but went ahead and felt her forehead, and it was warm.
Took her temperature and by golly, she had a low-grade fever.
That's one of the blessings of having a verbal child.
* * * * *
Following the "I feel sick." comment, I called for an appointment with the doctor.
At bedtime I told her we were going to the doctor the next day. I may as well told her she was going to Disney World.
"Go see Doctor Decker!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, Gianna, that's right." I said.
"Check my heart."
"Yes."
"Check my ears."
"Yes,"
"Check my mouth. Aaaaah."
"Yes."
"And check my feelings."
Check my feelings! That made me smile. I guess I ask her fairly often how she's feeling and it made perfect sense to her that the doctor wanted to know the same thing.
I thought that was so cute.
"Doctor Decker give me a 'rellypop?' (a.k.a. lollipop)
Before I could say anything, she pointed her little index finger at me and said,
"Don't ask!"
I have been trying to help her understand the concept of not asking for things like candy and apparantly it's starting to sink in....although she still asked when got to the clinic.
* * * * *
The topic at Story Time at the Library was "SHAPES."
The next day we were driving and came to a four-way stop. "Look, Mommy -- an octagon! I found it!" she said excitedly as she pointed to the stop sign.
* * * * *
Speaking of Story Time: While we were there waiting for it to begin, Gianna reached into my purse and pulled out a great big purle wrapped maxi pad. Before I could confiscate it, she held it up and announced,
"This is Mommy's toilet paper!"
Her first show and tell.
Lovely.
* * * * *
Every time we pass a schoolyard, she asks, "Gianna go to school?"
I told her she can go when she's a big girl.
"Gianna big girl!" says the smart child.
I then told her she can go to school when she's five.
The next day she asked me where Tyler (our neighbor) was.
I told her he was in school.
"Oh," she said, "He five."
* * * * *
She was sitting on her new toddler bed as I was putting her socks on.
She pointed her little index finger at me and said,
"No jumping on bed." she told me.
She was a BIGtime jumper in her crib.
"That's right, Gianna." I said, nodding.
Then she said with a furrowed brow and pointed finger in my face,
"Dis is a bed. It NOT a 'jumpoline'!!!" (a.k.a trampoline)
I agreed as I laughed at her serious scolding, assuming she was repeating a warning dished out by her daddy.
I later asked my husband if he ever spoke those words to her.
Nope. Apparently that was her own little note to self. :)
* * * * *
Me: "Gianna, who's not listening to their mommy?"
Gianna: "Therese." she said matter-of-factly.
* * * * *
There was a kid in Wal-mart who was throwing a tantrum.
Gianna looked at me with wide eyes and said,
"He not being good listener."
* * * * *
Lately, every time we see an African American women in public Gianna calls loudly,
"OPRAH!"
* * * * *
"Hey Mom." Gianna said casually as she passed me in the kitchen.
(What is she? TWELVE?)
"Um, Mom? Excuse me, Gianna, but that's not my name."
Her very quick reply, "Hey Maria!"
Turkey.
"No jumping on bed." she told me.
She was a BIGtime jumper in her crib.
"That's right, Gianna." I said, nodding.
Then she said with a furrowed brow and pointed finger in my face,
"Dis is a bed. It NOT a 'jumpoline'!!!" (a.k.a trampoline)
I agreed as I laughed at her serious scolding, assuming she was repeating a warning dished out by her daddy.
I later asked my husband if he ever spoke those words to her.
Nope. Apparently that was her own little note to self. :)
* * * * *
Me: "Gianna, who's not listening to their mommy?"
Gianna: "Therese." she said matter-of-factly.
* * * * *
There was a kid in Wal-mart who was throwing a tantrum.
Gianna looked at me with wide eyes and said,
"He not being good listener."
* * * * *
Lately, every time we see an African American women in public Gianna calls loudly,
"OPRAH!"
* * * * *
"Hey Mom." Gianna said casually as she passed me in the kitchen.
(What is she? TWELVE?)
"Um, Mom? Excuse me, Gianna, but that's not my name."
Her very quick reply, "Hey Maria!"
Turkey.
* * * * *
After noticing her dad's new haircut, without prompting she says,
"Hey Daddy. Your hair cute."
* * * * *
Me: Gianna, come here.
Me: Gianna, come to Mommy so we can put your shoes on.
I finally looked up to see what the hold up was.
She was standing in the doorway watching me.
Gianna: Count.
(As in: Count to 3 so I can see what you're going to do when you get to three, Mommy.)
* * * * *
Gianna was eating chicken for lunch and dipping it in ketchup. Jessie and I were eating chicken burgers and had all the condiments on the table. Gianna said, "Please have yellow ketchup?" (mustard)
* * * * *
Lately she wakes up saying, "Mommy, want some grits? C'mon Mommy."
* * * * *
Along those same lines, her current food blessing begins, "Bess us, uh Lawd, and dees dy grits...."
* * * * *
She recently tried cottage cheese for the first time and likes it.
Yesterday she asked, "Please have Cot-to cheese?"
* * * * *
After she ate dinner I asked, "How would you like some orages or some yogurt or maybe some pineapple?"
She looked upward, tapped her finger on the side of her jaw as if to be in serious thought, and said, "Hmmmmm. How 'bout a popsicle?"
* * * * *
As she was quietly drifting off to sleep performing her routine Gianna Lewis Variety Show, I heard her jumping in her crib (I don't fight it) and then she stopped and said, "Look Mommy, I getting out!" She didn't, but I fear it won't be long now. I seriously didn't think she'd figure out that she could escape.
* * * * *
Usually she's in bed at 7pm and wakes up precisely at 7am. For some reason she has been waking up VERY early this week. One day, when I realized she would not go back to sleep, we stumbled walked down the hall and into the living room. She glanced out the window and dramatically gasped...
"Mommy! I see DARK!"
* * * * *
When Iain mows the lawn or has an especially dirty day at work, Gianna often tells him,
"Daddy stinky. Go take shower?"
* * * * *
If she hears our keys jingle, she comes running from the farthest corner of the house, straight to the door yelling,
"C'mon. Jonna. Let's go Jonna. Wanna go in car, Jonna?"
* * * * *
My parents were over and Gianna did something she wasn't supposed to, so I took her hand, led her to the hallway and put her in time out. (It was a new place for her and she was intrigued.) She was quiet and after a minute or so, I set her free. A few minutes later she started to do something and I said rather calmly, "Gianna."
She turned around and smiled,
"I go Time Out."
I said, "No, Gianna you don't have to go to time out."
"I go." she said.
And she did.
* * * * *
On my phone I'm able to call people by pushing a button and saying their name.
I don't use it often, but it comes in handy when I'm en route somewhere.
When I call Iain, I have to say his name loudly and annunciate perfectly, or it will call someone else.
Last week I let her play a game on my phone when, all of a sudden, I heard the sound of my voice activated calling device. At that familiar tone, she spoke clearly and loudly into my phone,
"CALL IAIN LEWIS".
And my phone called him.
I laughed all day.
* * * * *
She calls a trampoline a "jumpoline" - which makes a whole lot more sense to her - and to me.
* * * * *
The other day, Gianna was playing and singing. We heard her singing "The Farmer in the Dell" and chuckled when she sang the second verse which is usually "The farmer takes a wife..."
"Hey Daddy. Your hair cute."
* * * * *
Me: Gianna, come here.
Me: Gianna, come to Mommy so we can put your shoes on.
I finally looked up to see what the hold up was.
She was standing in the doorway watching me.
Gianna: Count.
(As in: Count to 3 so I can see what you're going to do when you get to three, Mommy.)
* * * * *
Gianna was eating chicken for lunch and dipping it in ketchup. Jessie and I were eating chicken burgers and had all the condiments on the table. Gianna said, "Please have yellow ketchup?" (mustard)
* * * * *
Lately she wakes up saying, "Mommy, want some grits? C'mon Mommy."
* * * * *
Along those same lines, her current food blessing begins, "Bess us, uh Lawd, and dees dy grits...."
* * * * *
She recently tried cottage cheese for the first time and likes it.
Yesterday she asked, "Please have Cot-to cheese?"
* * * * *
After she ate dinner I asked, "How would you like some orages or some yogurt or maybe some pineapple?"
She looked upward, tapped her finger on the side of her jaw as if to be in serious thought, and said, "Hmmmmm. How 'bout a popsicle?"
* * * * *
As she was quietly drifting off to sleep performing her routine Gianna Lewis Variety Show, I heard her jumping in her crib (I don't fight it) and then she stopped and said, "Look Mommy, I getting out!" She didn't, but I fear it won't be long now. I seriously didn't think she'd figure out that she could escape.
* * * * *
Usually she's in bed at 7pm and wakes up precisely at 7am. For some reason she has been waking up VERY early this week. One day, when I realized she would not go back to sleep, we stumbled walked down the hall and into the living room. She glanced out the window and dramatically gasped...
"Mommy! I see DARK!"
* * * * *
When Iain mows the lawn or has an especially dirty day at work, Gianna often tells him,
"Daddy stinky. Go take shower?"
* * * * *
If she hears our keys jingle, she comes running from the farthest corner of the house, straight to the door yelling,
"C'mon. Jonna. Let's go Jonna. Wanna go in car, Jonna?"
* * * * *
My parents were over and Gianna did something she wasn't supposed to, so I took her hand, led her to the hallway and put her in time out. (It was a new place for her and she was intrigued.) She was quiet and after a minute or so, I set her free. A few minutes later she started to do something and I said rather calmly, "Gianna."
She turned around and smiled,
"I go Time Out."
I said, "No, Gianna you don't have to go to time out."
"I go." she said.
And she did.
* * * * *
On my phone I'm able to call people by pushing a button and saying their name.
I don't use it often, but it comes in handy when I'm en route somewhere.
When I call Iain, I have to say his name loudly and annunciate perfectly, or it will call someone else.
Last week I let her play a game on my phone when, all of a sudden, I heard the sound of my voice activated calling device. At that familiar tone, she spoke clearly and loudly into my phone,
"CALL IAIN LEWIS".
And my phone called him.
I laughed all day.
* * * * *
She calls a trampoline a "jumpoline" - which makes a whole lot more sense to her - and to me.
* * * * *
The other day, Gianna was playing and singing. We heard her singing "The Farmer in the Dell" and chuckled when she sang the second verse which is usually "The farmer takes a wife..."
Her version: "The famer takes a shower...."
Smart girl.
* * * * *
Gianna was contorting her body in order to more intently inspect her elbow. She gasped. "Mommy! Anovver belly button!" I laughed. "It DOES look like a belly button, Gianna, but it's called a dimple. Did you know you have dimples in your cheeks too?" Her curiosity was piqued. I brought her to the mirror and pointed to her cheeks. "Now smile, Gianna." She did. She saw. She giggled. Over and over and over.
The other night, I made quesadillas for supper. Later on Iain put Gianna the bed and came back laughing. He told me he asked Gianna for a kiss. She gave him one....and proudly proclaimed it a "Kiss-a-dilla."
* * * * *
Four year old Hunter's first meeting with Gianna. He sat down with Gianna on his lap, unwrapped her blanket, looked at her feet, looked up with wide eyes and exclaimed, "Hers got hand feet!"
* * * * *
Ten year old Annabeth's announcement that, "Gianna is so sweet, that if I had a cup of coffee right now, I'd just have to dunk her right in it."
* * * * *
When Gianna was a week old and my friend, Rose, came to visit for the first time she was overcome with emotion and just kept thanking God for His goodness. Holding this little five pound answer to prayer, Rose said through her tears..."Oh my gosh! I haven't even finished thanking God for IAIN yet!!!" - Me neither, Rose
