Happiness is....

....G I A N N A

Did I ever mention that I am the mother to one of the happiest children on the planet? Oh, she comes with her moments - but don't we all.

This is the most typcial version of our daughter.

I can check THAT off my bucket list!

Maria's Bucket List #37:

 Publish a children's book

CHECK!!!!!!

Yes, my nine loyal readers, that's right!  I co-authored a children's book and it is now in print.

It's called "A Crawfish Tale" and I am proud not only because it's complete, but because it's a really good story with really amazing illustrations. 

Soon I will tell you more about the story, the book and the journey in making our dream a reality....but for now, I'll just leave you with a sneak peak:

It makes my heart SO happy to see my daughter hold the book that her mommy helped write.

BIG NEWS COMING....

.....and I SOOO wish I could tell you that it's a baby, but it's not

(or if it is --- I'm sure not aware of it yet!!!)

Here's your clue... 

Far-away Friends

Isabel and Gianna are far-away friends.

We don't get to see her (and her momma and daddy) near enough.

When Isabel was born, Gianna was almost six months old.

That's a BIG difference at that age.

Then they became toddlers, but there was still a difference...

Now, they are getting closer and closer in size, speech and personality.

Watching about five minutes of The Little Mermaid.

Some quick hugs....and then OFF THEY GO!!!

Then a new friend, Ethan, came to play....

What a lovely quick visit.

Love you bunches, sweet Isabel.

Fleeting Fad

As a baby, Gianna took an occasional pacifier.  If we were trying to quiet her in public or she had a hard time settling her, we'd use one.

Last week I found an old pacifier when I was clearing out some baby items.  She got a hold of it and popped it in her mouth.  She thought it was an accessory....and had it in her mouth for a good 30 minutes.  I would have taken it out sooner, but I was enjoying the quiet. (So sue me.)

Don't worry....it was just a quick fad.  It passed.

New Friends at Old Navy

I'm not a big shopper. I know, I'm an anomaly.  Every now and then I venture out to hit a sale....and I usually don't take Gianna with me. 

Last Friday we had some time to kill between activities, so we stopped in to Old Navy to replace the white shirt that Gianna made red.

When we entered the store, the look on her face told me I had never taken her there before. 

She made fast friends, and after five minutes and when I told her we needed to shop, she asked if she could "stay here with the children?"

 If we end up with only one child, I am definitely calling Old Navy to beg them to sell me one of those mannequins.....this one in particular.  She'd make a great playmate for G.

 Puppy Love.

* * * * * * * * * *

Later that day, Iain met us in town after work and we decided to go out to eat at Dairy Barn.  May has well been Disney World.  She was so excited.

When she stands next to Sully, she reminds me of Boo....especially with those pigtails. 

She had a ball.

Clearly!

Monday Morning pick-me-up

We're on Day 17 of Gianna's EXHAUSTING sleep strike.  It's been so stressful, that I can't even blog about it right now.  But as I came across an amazing blog called Mila's Daydreams, I was charmed by the creative pictures of this beautiful sleeping baby.  Ahhhh......a SLEEPING baby!!!!  While the baby sleeps, the mom collects items from around the house to create enchanting scenes and then photographs them.  The concept is especially inspiring.....maybe I need to show these picturs to my own daughter in hopes of inspiring her (to sleep, that is.)

Just so sweet.

All I keep thinking is.....this mom must have a housekeeper if she's spending all those precious nap times setting up pictures.