My Fashionista Strikes Again

I was getting ready after my shower the other morning and Gabriella was in the bedroom while I was in the bathroom. Well, she had opened my sock drawer, pulled these socks out (that I got for snow skiing since no, we don't wear those here in FL!), put them on and then went into my closet and put some sandals on. I almost bust a gut when I saw her. It cracks me up that they look like legwarmers on her. Of course, I had to run and get the camera.

Awesome Opportunity to Help

My blogger buddy Tricia is by far one of the most generous, giving people I know (well, come to think of it, we've not met, but I sure feel as if I know her!). Seriously, if you read her blog, you know exactly what I'm talking about.


Anyway.... Please go over and visit her blog here for an amazing way you can help brighten the upcoming Christmas holidays for some children who will likely spend their childhood in an orphanage in Guatemala. And just by helping out, you're entered to win some FABULOUS prizes.


Tricia, you rock!!!


And you didn't think I'd leave without at least posting a couple of cute pics, did you?

FFF - Messy Spaces

Today's FFF theme is Messy Spaces or Disorderly Conduct. This proved a challenge. Not because there isn't a lot of mess around here. But, because I don't take pictures of it!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I am just posting pics of Gabriella's messy face eating her yogurt this morning. Actually, I'm proud to say it isn't all that messy because she is getting pretty good with eating with her spoon finally. She was able to even scrape the yogurt out of the bottom this morning.

Operation Toddler Bed Update

I am amazed to report that the transition to the toddler bed was seamless. She went right to sleep last night and this morning, she was just laying there talking and playing when I went in her room.


Today at naptime, I expected the worst. Again, to my amazement, I put her down and she went right to sleep(heck, even less fussing than she usually does) and I had to go wake her up at 5pm after 3 hrs. She woke up and stirred around and made a little noise several times and just went back to sleep.


Tonight, she was excited to get her bath and go to bed. So, all these months of this worry being in the back of my mind so far has been for nothing. Now, of course, I know that we may hit some bumps down the road, but for now, I get to count my blessings once again in the sleep department.


I'm still contemplating what we will do for travel. We have a week-long beach trip coming up in September and then Guatoberfest in October. My plan had been the pack-n-play. But, if she's doing fine in the bed, I may just bring the inflatable bed rail that I'm using and hopefully with the bed against a wall, she would be fine.


I tried to sneak in and get a picture before she woke up, but it didn't work.





Poor cat never gets a break.

Week Recap

Well, we had a nice week with daddy off from work! We went to Sea World and to St. Augustine and had a nice time, despite the heat. Gosh, it's going to be a hot summer if this is any indication.

We went to the Elmo & Friends show at Sea World and Gabriella loved seeing them all up close and life-size!



Checking out the pelican.



A little fashion icon, don't you think????



She had a blast running in the water misters.



OK mom, let's go and change my diaper...









We were lucky enough to happen on the Clydesdale's just as they were getting harnessed up and ready to head out. Talk about majestic animals. They are so big in person and the pictures just can't capture that.







And we decided this has to be the most unenviable job there. As Ferdy put it, "Driving the poop Zamboni". I have to admit, I've never seen this before.











We really didn't take pictures in St. Augustine. We did stop at the beach on the way out to stick our toes in the sand and water and Gabriella enjoyed that. She kept calling it a pool. Mighty big pool!



















And just some other cute pics from the week.











And lastly..... sigh... I knew it was coming. But, I really thought we had more time. The toddler bed. You might recall she had climbed out of her crib late last year and was having fits at nap time. Well, for a couple of months, she napped in the pack-n-play and then I was able to get her back in the crib for naps and nighttime. She's been fine for quite a while now and no more escapes.

We had some friends over today and had put Gabriella down for her nap. We were outside by the pool and had all just come inside. Suddenly, Gabriella's door opened and out she walked..... We took her in her room and put her in her crib and asked her how she got out. She promptly hiked her body right up on the side and over. So, we knew we better go ahead and do it before she gets hurt.

Amazingly, she went right to sleep tonight. And it's still light out when she first goes to bed. So, I'm praying naps aren't a problem either, though I suspect that might not be the case. Of course, no more 20-30 minutes of staying in bed after she wakes up unless we want her room rearranged.

I expect a lot of this.

But, maybe I will be surprised and the transition will go smoothly. I must say, we have been BLESSED in the sleep department. She has slept through the night(at least 11 hrs) since the first night home at 5 1/2 months and with only a few occasional periods of a few days of naptime issues, she is an excellent napper too(she still naps 2-3 hrs a day). I think that's why I was so dreading this. I don't want to upset the great thing we have going. I've been spoiled.

A rare treat for Bing. He doesn't get to spend much time in her room, so he zonked out in the chair while the bed transformation was occurring.

Hey Bing, you look too comfortable here.