More Genevieve

Since I finally figured out how to add videos I’ll share a few with you… and some pictures too!

Genevieve dancing…sorry I don’t know how to turn it around!

More dancing!

Practicing for her role in the next home alone movie.

Genevieve has been a big help decorating this year!

Oh Christmas Cat, Oh Christmas Cat…

Quinn’s had enough!

Smile for the camera!

Genevieve has been learning to eat her cereal like a big girl.

She is eating it with milk, on a spoon!

Don’t worry she ate all the cereal first!

Upside down

Look at me, mommy!

Warning: The following movie may cause motion sickness.

Trying to catch Genevieve as she walks the dog!

Hello Again

Ok, Heidi broke my promise to post again soon! As you can see there hasn’t been anything new since Genevieve’s birthday! I suppose I must also share the blame. Truthfully, I don’t have the patience for this. I’m a technophobe and don’t have a clue what I’m doing.  I love to watch videos of Phoebe so I’m going to try this just for you guys (Dave, Jess and Phoebe).

I think I have it working! Hooray!! Look for more in the future

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENEVIEVE!

We had a amazing and equally exhausting birthday weekend! I’m so beat that I’ve just typed that last sentence 3 times because of all the typos! So, I’ll just get to the photos. Heidi will be adding another post soon, I promise!

The cake that I made for Genevieve to smash at her party!

Genevieve in her new pool.

Genevieve opening presents from Mommy and Mama on her actual birthday.

First Puzzles!

I won, ha ha ha!

It’s about time you updated your blog…

Well, it’s been awhile since we’ve posted to the blog.  You see, were the parents of a soon to be very wild toddler (soon to be toddler, already very wild).  So that means that by the time the “little angel” is good and tired and down for the night, we barely have enough energy to open the TV cabinet (which is closed all day due to aforementioned little angel) and watch TV.  Never mind write an understandable blog post.

I know what you’re thinking, “How can cute little Genevieve be so wild, I just don’t believe it?”  Well, she swings her toy dog around by the string like a medieval weapon, she bounces, she climbs (everything-the couch, the TV cabinet, the gates, the fireplace, the dog, me), she likes to drag Quinn the cat around by her tail (Quinn just plays dead), she attempts to jump from the furniture (luckily we’ve caught her every time), and she’s learned to throw the most amazing temper tantrums.  She screams, throws herself on the floor, picks herself up, and throws herself on the floor again.  And just this week she learned how to remove the outlet covers!

We have managed to do a few things.  We took a vacation to Colorado to visit Erika’s brother Dave, his wife Jess and their new baby Phoebe.  We visited my sister Linda and her family for Memorial day.  And I brewed two batches of beer for Genevieve’s first birthday party.  An orange hefeweizen and a ginger saison.  Sadly, I don’t think the saison will be ready in time, it seems to be stuck in fermentation, which is apparantly a known characteristic of this yeast strain.  I’ve been assured that it will finish eventually and will be pretty good when it does.

OK, enough with the words, bring on the pictures:

Don't be silly, the car was in park!

Mommy and Genevieve at Garden of the Gods

Mama and Genevieve

At Rocky Mountain National Park

With Dave, Jess and Phoebe

Phoebe making a lemon face

Genevieve on the saddle sculpture at Leanin' Tree museum

Hey, don't you ever put that camera down!?

Genevieve really loved this Spongebob pillow

With cousin Sarah (who isn't really a giant baby, that's all perspective)

Well, that’s it for now.  I have the house to myself this evening, which means:  FREEDOM, so I’m gonna go take advantage of it and have a beer and sit in silence (maybe I’ll watch a movie).

Put Me in the Zoo…

Good times at the zoo

Yesterday we had a family outing at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium with Grandma and Grandpa Gribble, Uncle Aaron, and Aunt Meghan, Uncle Jeff, and cousins Darren, Grace and Sarah.  We had a great time looking at all the animals (Genevieve’s favorites were the monkeys) and managed to leave before the massive thunderstorm came through.  Then we went to Meghan and Jeff’s for some dinner and ice cream cake to celebrate Darren’s and Grace’s birthdays a bit early.

Wildlife

Grandpa, Mommy and Genevieve in the monkey house

Posing for the camera

Genevieve and Mama

Piggyback ride from Mommy

Napping at the aquarium

Happy Earth Day!

I decided to take Genevieve to the park today in celebration of Earth Day. It actually turned out to be “take your daughter(child) to work day” as well. I don’t know if they are always held on the same day but I thought I’d visit a park in Oakland and stop by Heidi’s work with Genevieve.

Chillin' at the Plaza

Upon arrival, it became immediately clear that we were going to have to change plans due to the lack of parking! After driving through Schenley Park twice I finally managed to park at a meter and called Heidi to meet us. We had a picnic lunch in Schenley Plaza while listening to the Duquesne University Guitar Ensemble.

Genevieve sporting her earth day shirt.

We quickly packed it up and headed back to the car when I felt a few sprinkles (that turned out to blow over). We made a second attempt to take Genevieve into Heidi’s work but again could not find parking so I dropped off Heidi and Genevieve and I headed home.

Ooh... camera

Potlucks and Parties

We had quite a fun and busy weekend.  Saturday night we went to a potluck/playgroup.  The parents had some good food and conversation  (mostly about the kids, of course).  Genevieve had 4 other kids under 3 to play with (2 were just a few months older than Genevieve).

They are so funny to watch at this age.  They don’t really play, but try to take each other’s toys and snacks.  They do share though!  As in, “Hey baby!  I know you want this toy so you better take it!”  Genevieve had a binky shoved in her mouth a few times by one of the other babies.

Sunday, we went to the first birthday party for Genevieve’s little friend Sophia.  She played in the kiddie corral with Sophia and another little boy that was also 9 months old.  Ever seen One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest?  It was a little bit like that.  One baby crying, one squealing, and Genevieve in the corner pulling her hair and yelling at them both.  Yes, she pulls her hair and talks with her hands.  I think she might go into either acting or politics (I think I’ll encourage acting).

We couldn’t resist picking up a couple new books for Genevieve at Half Price Books (I love that store).  I was pleasantly surprised that the Chupacabra made an appearance in the book Shy Creatures.  I guess it’s never too early to learn about the Chupacabra.  Which makes me wonder if there are any books on mythology for the younger set?  I think we’ll be going to the library quite often when Genevieve is over the book chewing stage!

The new Mix and Match Animals book

She's not camera shy!

Sunshine and Easter Baskets

Now I know Easter was a couple of weeks ago but I’ve been meaning to post some pictures on FB and thought why not do it here instead.

Genevieve had her first ride on the swing!

During Easter weekend we had the most unseasonably warm weather. It was beautiful, blue skies without a cloud in sight and highs around 85 degrees! On Saturday we just couldn’t wait any longer and busted out Genevieve’s new summer clothes (Thanks Grammie). She was so cute in them!

She would not stay still!

Still on the move.

Finally stopped!

Oh my, the eggs open... or did I break it?

On Easter Sunday, Genevieve woke up to find that the Easter bunny left her a basket of goodies and “hid” eggs (in plain sight) all over the living room.

Checking out the basket.

New hat!

What else is in this thing?

She likes the carton more than the eggs, its fun to put on your head!

Later that afternoon, we all hopped  into the car and went to Grandpa and Grandma Gribble’s house where it seemed that the Easter bunny had also made an appearance.  Sandy prepared a delicious feast that we throughly enjoyed and the rest of the day was spent visiting with Meghan, Jeff, Darren, Grace, baby Sarah, Aaron, Grandpa and Grandma; what a houseful!

There’s no use for juice… (9 months, pt 2)

Genevieve had her 9 month old checkup on Thursday.  Her weight is 17 lbs 8oz and height is 28 inches.  So, she’s gained 2 lbs 5 oz and 2 inches in 3 months.  We were relieved that there were no vaccinations due at this appointment, but they did draw some blood from her big toe for a hemaglobin test.  That came back normal.

The doctor was impressed that Erika is still nursing and happy to here that Genevieve is eating 3 meals a day of table food plus snacks.  She also validated our thoughts that water should be the drink of choice  over juice.  In her words, “juice is all empty calories”.  Of course, we’re very fortunate that Genevieve loves her fruit, along with just about anything else we put in front of her.

Here’s a picture from our recent fajita dinner.

Yum, fajitas

9 Months Old!

Genevieve was officially 9 months old on Sunday and is really getting active. She has more energy than the energizer bunny! I wanted to share some random videos we took this week of her playing in her diaper. Why was she only in a diaper? Well, lets just say we’re lucky to have gotten the diaper on. Pj’s will come later!

If you listen very closely you’ll hear Genevieve say cat!