Thanksgiving: Roadtrip to Phoenix

Jeff and I decided that we'd bite the bullet and go on an adventure for Thanksgiving weekend. We've sort of limited our excursions of late to those that don't involve a long car trip. Just because we, you know, have kids. Enough of that. We hit the road to visit Uncle Godfather aka Uncle Johnny aka Unk aka Wonderful Johnny. A six hour roadtrip.

We packed up the kids and left in the dead of night. Actually, 3:30 am to be exact. We thought Enzo and Gianna would sleep until at least 6 am, which would mean that they'd have to survive a three hour car ride. With a reststop or two, and maybe a nap, no problem. Right?

It was actually great. Enzo was taking in the sights and Gianna babbled to herself and swatted at her dingle dangle toys. She was pissed she was rear-facing, however, and couldn't see the DVD player (thanks Kim family for the loaner!!) I was the one grouchy and uncomfortable!

Thanksgiving Day started off with a hike up to South Mountain in Tempe. And by hike I mean car ride. It was a crystal clear sunny day with just a little chill in the air. Standing on top of this mountain, overlooking all of Arizona, I counted my blessings and felt very grateful.

It was like Gianna had done this before. My mom handed me the turkey leg during our Thanksgiving Dinner at "Hole in the Wall" and Gianna grabbed it with both hands and started sucking. There was grease and juice dripping down her chin. Easy, girl.

Look at her savoring the flavor. Eyes closed.

Mom and Josie, who made the roadtrip as well. About two hours ahead of us.

Uncle Johnny and Gianna, with the exact same expression. Ha!

What I'm thankful for most!

We hit the Phoenix Zoo, partly because it was ranked in the top 5 zoos in the US for children. It was definitely a cool zoo. And the weather was perfect! Check out the giraffes behind us. With super long - and sticky - tongues reaching for the trees.

We see something in the brush. I think we see big-horned sheep.

I love that my mom mounted this oryx, with a boost from me. Enzo wanted a ride, too.

Of all the animals in all the world -- a fox. Just like Enzo's precious, and overloved foxy buddy. With the chewed-off nose that he pulls the stuffing out of. "Booogers."

Monkey buddy.

Enzo discussing his sleeping arrangements on the last night of vacation. He was a super big boy, sleeping in a queen-sized pull-out sofabed in the hotel!

Our little boy is 2 1/2

He drives.

He is silly and likes to laugh.

He likes to "play cars" and "play churucks." He is an expert truck and car engine-sound maker. He even positions books placed open on the floor with the spine up in the air and calls them "raaamps."

Enzo waving to his fans (with Uncle Godfather). He has quite the charming personality.

Celebrating his first public-toilet pee-pee in the potty with a bribecandylollipop.

I taught him how to take a self-portrait.

Acting shy and coy.

Sneaking into the potty lollipop stash.

On his half-birthday, we reflect on what Enzo can do and who he is becoming.

* Enzo is a very happy and cheer-filled child. He loves to jump and dance. He moves his shoulders up and down, twirls, rolls on the floor and kicks. When he hears music, he moves. A lot. He has begun to experiment with tap dancing, too. Wondering if I should get him in a class.

* He has just begun to seek out other children and intitiate a bit of contact. Up to this point, he has been satisfied parallel playing with kids, as long as they don't move into his personal space.

* Enzo weighs about 30 lbs and likes to be measured on the yardstick in our laundry room every three months. It appears that he grows about an inch and a half every three months.

* We have been potty-training for a few months now. His interest wanes. We continue to bribe him with candy and wonder if it's time for the potty bootcamp. Or the let him roam naked for 2 days.

* He still likes his baby sister, Gianna, even though she has begun to play with his toys. Here's his tactic: If she's playing with something he wants, he calmly brings her a different toy and politely tears the other toy from her hands. He exchanges a random toy for the one he wants. Genius, actually.

* A recent conversation:

Me: Enzo, what were you for Halloween?

Enzo: A cow.

Me: What does a cow say?

Enzo: Trick or treat.

* He wears size 2T in pants and 3T in tops. All the 2Ts are crop-tops on him. I guess he's just too tall. He also wears size 7.5 in shoes.

* He loves to give zerberts on our backs, especially when we are not looking while laying on the floor.

*He gets a kick out of getting his fingernails and toenails cut... hoping the the nails will hit us in the eye. (The only way we can get him to let us cut his nails.)

* Some of his favorite foods include: raisens, almonds, popcicles, chicken nuggets, fruit leather, cheese, salad with ranch, yogurt, ketchup, carrots and snap peas, smoothies and mac n cheese. He's pretty much a vegetarian.

Little Enzo Mateo brings us so much happiness and fun. He has challenged us in new ways but is one of our biggest blessings and greatest accomplishments. We love you GUP!!!

Fall outings

The past few months have brought with them several opportunities to have a lot of fun!

Gianna learned how to drive from Mimi.

Kayden and Enzo drove circles around each other in the backyard.

A train rolled through the kitchen! (I mean, look at that adorable caboose!)

The La Habra Children's Museum has been lots of fun to visit. Thanks, Target, for First Free Saturdays!!

...And after a hard day playing in the museum, we had a nice picnic in the park.

And the most precious piece of video. Ever.

Kayden turned 1, and we had a lot of fun celebrating at his "I Dig Being One!" party.

And, right in the middle of Kayden eating his first chocolate cake, he passed out! Talk about FOOD COMA!

7 months old

* Gianna is drinking formula a little better now and has grown accustomed to the oatmeal and rice cereal. She is eating rice crackers and really loves the way they crunch. She's just not sure what to do once she has a big piece in her mouth. And, she's still a champ on the breast. She nurses 3-4 times per day.
* Her cheeks are ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as her thigh rolls.
* She twists and turns objects over in her hands.
* Gianna had her flu shot and a booster. Just a little cry and done.
* Jumping and bouncing in her activity center are her favorite passtimes.
* She laughs at funny things. And likes TV.

* Today, she sat up unassisted for the first time.
* Her two bottom teeth are in, protruding, and razor sharp!
* She still takes a bath laying down in a sling, although her kicking and splashing give me more of a bath!
* She likes the wearable blanket, which she wears to bed. And she sleeps better when the sound of the ocean/rain sends her off to slumber.
* Gianna takes her daily naps mostly in the swing (and occasionally in the Pack N Play), which has begun to get a little sluggish because she's such a big girl. Put a blanket on her in the swing, and forget it. Doesn't. Swing.
* "Dada" is now a repeated word. That, and a high-pitched "AAGGGHHHHHHHHHHH. (pause and smile or giggle."
* It appears as though she knows her name. She'll turn her head if you call her name.
* She wakes up most nights and occasionally falls back to sleep on her own. We have gotten better with the sleep training (meaning that we don't fear she'll wake up Enzo and go racing across the house to her at her first whine.) As we did with Enzo at this age - and a little earlier, we see if she can soothe herself back to sleep after a few minutes.
* She has begun to wear 9-month old clothing. The size 3 diapers are holding steady. The baby socks are about done, though. She started to wear her first pair of everyday shoes, size 1.
* She adores Enzo and is fascinated by whatever he is doing. And when he screams at the top of his lungs at her ("NOOO DAAANCE, SISSSSSY!" or "MOOOVE OVVVER, SISSSY!" or "MYYYY TOOOY, SISSSSY!"), she just innocently looks at him or gives a little smirk.
Happy seven months, sweetie!