Mo in Oz

Happy Chinese New Year!

2012-01-27T19:05:00.009+11:00

They dressed up at Genna's daycare this week to celebrate Chinese New Year

They chose a blue outfit for Genna to match her eyes - so pretty :)

We also had some fun painting at home

It is SO much fun to make a mess!!!

We also went to Manly one day to catch up with our friends Rita (who is due any day now!), Lindsay, Chloe & Louisa

Genna keeping an eye on Chloe

Yummm rice crackers at the beach

Back at home that afternoon - she worked on pulling both toys at once

and dive bombing her sofa

SO fun to climb over the back!!!

She also helped Dada test out his new massage chair

It's A-OK Dada!

Now - push me in my CAR!!!

She also stayed home from daycare one day this week after having a rough night's 'sleep'

sometimes its just nice to relax with Sesame Street

Every time we get in the car she grabs an armful of her friends to come with - this is the usual crowd - Baba, Woof Woof and Baby

Other things....
She loves to tuck her puppy into 'bed' before heading to bed herself. We have a makeshift bed (just for puppy, near her cot) where she lays her down, tucks her in with a blanket and they lays down and kisses and cuddles her before saying SHUSSSSSH and heading off to her own cot to go to sleep. So so so sweet.

She has initiated the first stages of potty training herself! I never thought we'd start this early, but she has started telling me when she has done a 'pee pee' or a 'poo poo.' So we got a couple little potty chairs, which so far she just likes to sit in and use a piece of tissue to 'wipe.' But - its a start!

Australia Day blog to come soon!!

Birthday Celebrations!

2012-01-21T12:35:00.015+11:00

I LOVE MY HOUSE!

cutie

Hello Dolly

And 'woof woof'

she does LOVE to put on hand sanitizer - ha ha

check me OUT!

Cool dude with her cool puppy

All dressed up for Granddad's party

80 Cheers for 80 Years!

She didn't notice a clip had been snuck into her hair - she HATES when we put clips in her hair but they are sooooooooooo cute

An amazing bonsai from Helen

Me, Genna & Nanna (Lyn)

The bonsai up close - pretty!

What's this?

>Ohhhh a new electric motor for his boat from us - fun :)

Pretty Lady

Father & Son

Murray & Peter & Helen

and me

and Jocelyn

Lyn & Peter with their friends we had over for lunch

We made a Sunday roast - veggies, lamb, chicken, mushy peas

and Yorkshire Puddings of course!

Jenny & Lyn

Nice Cake!

With Helen who brought the amazing cake

A lovely celebration (Genna was sleeping:)

Finally the little lady got up after a 3 hour sleep!

Snuggles with Baba

Ohhh that chocolate cake on her lips gives it away - she LOVED it - sooooo yummy

It was a great celebration - great to celebrate Peter's birthday together!

18 Months

2012-01-17T09:33:00.013+11:00

It has been busy busy around these parts - Murray powerwashed like crazy and got the bricks at the side of the pool to look amazing!

WOW - look at that mold! The power washing really makes a HUGE difference!

This is what happens when you decide to power wash in sandals though - ouch - that's some strong water!

You are my big helper! You LOVE to do what I'm doing - so after I finished sweeping one day, you took over!

One of the words you are really good at saying is tv - ha ha! You run in sometimes and sit on your little sofa and point at it while saying 'tv, tv.' We don't let you watch it often, but now and then its a nice treat to watch the wiggles dance around a bit :) And Dada is the ONLY person you will allow to do this - you won't let me anywhere near your seat! You are SUCH a Daddy's girl lately. You talk about him ALL day and when he comes home you run to him yelling DADA with a huge smile on your face!

We did a big shop at ikea because it was time to get your toys organized - shop shop shopping lady

I think you were pretty happy with the result :)

with some of your favorite friends - Elmo, Puppy & Baba

You also figured out last week how to pull your toys on a string - this puppy is your favorite thing to pull

You also have started wanting to wear your 'bag' (backpack) on the way to the car as we head to daycare and on the walk back to the car when I pick you up

too cute - the perfect fit

You are settling in really well at your new daycare. Its small and you really like the ladies who take care of you and you ESPECIALLY love the cubby house and the bikes - they say you are in and out of that house all day! One thing they do there that's new for you too is eating at a little table and sitting on a chair (you ate in a highchair at the previous place). So some evenings you choose to eat dinner at your own little table at home too!

But sometimes its just more fun to push your chair around!!

You are just developing like crazy lately. Your comprehension is amazing. I can ask you just about anything now and you know what I'm saying. Tonight you saw my glass of water and pointed at it while saying water. So I gave you a sip, then you pushed at me saying 'mama' so I took a drink, then you took another and gave me a big wet sloppy kiss! Ha ha - too cute.

So just for fun - let me see if I can list how many words you say - without prompting (I can't count all the ones you understand but don't say yet - there are TONS of those!)

car (your new word this week - you yell it every time you see a car now)
cookie (also a new word this week)
butterfly
heart
teddy
bunny
baba
mama
dada
tv
more
no
milk
water
feet
eyes
shoes
monkey
dog (also known as a woof woof)
cow
sheep (also known as baaaa)
pool
outside
hot
toast
pasta
peas
nana
cheese
thank you
please
seat
book
up
elmo
roo (for kangaroo)
bag
bath
hello
bye bye
mite (vegemite)

That's all I can think of right now - although I'm sure there are more. So that's about40+?
My smart little monkey :)

Official 1 Year Old photos

2012-01-10T11:32:00.003+11:00

We have been really busy & haven't had a lot of time for photo taking, blogging etc.
So here are a few pictures I hadn't posted yet - Finally - Genevieve's official 1 Year photos :)

An AMAZING Surprise!!

2012-01-06T13:56:00.001+11:00

The Surprise...... I had NO idea!!

Ohhhhh my very own car!!! (she LOVES that it has eyes too:)

It came all the way from America!

Genna checking out her new piano from Grandma & Grandpa

Marcus giving Genna a ride in her new cute pink car !!

FUN!

Check out my feet while I eat

Oh Baba you are SO funny

Out shopping with Grandma & Mama

Ahhhh I LOVE shopping

Pretty Christmas tree at the mall

Back home, watering the flowers

More water please!

tea in my house

One day we went to the Koala park

Fun with Grandma

She loved seeing the koalas
Look Marky - they are right there!

Snack time with Grandma

Ohhh more koalas!

She gave it a little pet (well, poke really)

And a little wallaby - cute!

In the wallaby enclosure she wasn't too sure about all of them hopping around

But she did give one a poke

He's big compared to me!

Sometimes its just nice to rest with raisins while Marky pushes me though
MORE koalas!

These ones were really close too

What's in there?

This cockatoo stuck his head through the fence and said 'Hey Darling, give me a cracker' lol - it was so cute we HAD to give him one!

walking with Grandma & Grandpa

HELLO!

Marky too

It was a really fun visit :)

We also went to Manly one day for lunch

Do you like my Minnesota cheerleader outfit? TOO cute

The water fountains are TOO fun

By the Christmas tree in the Manly corso

It was such a nice hot day - lovely day for the beach

Drawing at lunch

The concentration tongue

and of course we had to go play in the sand for a bit

and a swing - fun

Back at home we got out the 'Merry Christmas' cookie cake I got for Murray

That night relaxing - we don't exactly have enough seats yet - so the lawn chairs came into the living room lol

Finally we had hot weather in Marcus's last week - which called for daily dips in the pool

snack by the pool

yummmm eggs

Dad helped Murray power wash the drive way

Before - After

Wow - those paths are DIRTY! This is Dad's artwork :)

Marcus & Dad helped Murray get rid of some WAY overgrown bushes around the pool too - here's the before

and the after! Looks a bit empty - but we plan on planting some nicer bushes that will cover the fence and NOT hang over the pool!! (that old bush would drop a million leaves into the pool if you touched it!)

Ride in the car from Grandma

I put my feet up sometimes so I can go FAST!

Sipping from my tea cup

Seeing if our new SUV fits in the garage - eeeeek JUST barely

opening Christmas pressies

watering the plants with Grandpa

Oh is this how I do it? Water the path?

Ahhhh or like THIS

MORE!

MOOOOOOOOOORE!

I couldn't pick between these videos - so I posted both :)

Nap on the sofa with Grandpa

It was an AMAZING 6 days - what a great surprise :)

Christmas 2011

2012-01-02T20:06:00.018+11:00

Christmas Eve Day - fun with blocks!

Marcus made the Norwegian dessert lefse (potato pancakes spread with butter and sprinkled with sugar & cinnamon). He made it from scratch and WOW was it yummy! We have it every Christmas in Minnesota :)

A very weird bug Murray spotted in the garden

YAY Christmas breakfast!

playing piano with Aunty Helen

Oh I like this ornament

Christmas lady in her cute dress & hat from her Minnesota Grandma & Grandpa

and more piano with Daddy

time to dance a bit

Ohhhhh duplo blocks - FUN!

A little rest with Mama & Baba

AND a bit more dancing

lovely bookends

SOOOOOOOOOO fun

Hey Dada - check out my drawing with my new crayons & book from Nanna & Granddad

attempting to put her cute new shirt on her legs

I DID IT!

Loving her cool googly frog eyes book

What's in here?

A dolly stroller - YAY!!!

Everyone admiring their calendars with Murray's photographs

Checking out the sofa with dolly

Here baba - you can have a ride too

A lovely Christmas :)

with my brother Marcus too of course!

Nanna, Genna & Granddad

Christmas afternoon Peter, Murray & Helen took Marcus to a nearby beach where kangaroos hang around

Licking her pouch to clean it

Chillin'

Those could do some damage

Murray & his Dad checking out the view

Marcus running into the surf for a swim

Refreshing!

Murray & his Dad Peter

Murray & Marcus cooling off in the ocean

a little snack

The annual Christmas cake was dedicated to Marcus this year and WOW was it YUMMY!!!!

We had a lovely Christmas lunch, followed by pavlova - fabulous!

Later in the afternoon we took Genna to the beach - the tide had just been in though so the sand was very damp. It was a LITTLE bit windy - ha ha!

FUN to make a mess!

Hmmm what else can I do?

Dig & splash!

I LOVE GETTING DIRTY!!!!

All that activity called for a rest with Uncle Marcus when we got back to the house

She love love loves her stroller - puppy is the perfect size to push around!

Genna by our new SUV - cute & cute!

Happy Lady - it was such a nice Christmas :)

So - did I mention we moved?

2012-01-02T19:23:00.007+11:00

Our new house :) we moved in the week before Christmas!

I don't know about all these photos Mama!

We LOVE the new place - and Genna loves all the space to run around - we are already SO happy here

The garage the day the movers helped us dump everything but furniture in the garage - OMG

And 2 1/2 weeks later - whew - much better - and we can fit our cars in now!

Christmas & the surprise visit from Grandma & Grandpa blogs - coming soon

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-25T08:37:00.002+11:00

& wishing Great Grandma Gigi a Very Happy Birthday

Lots of Love from Australia!

2011-12-24T07:54:00.011+11:00

playing with Marcus in all the boxes
*

SO FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Listening to Aunty Helen's headphones while we cleaned our old apartment

Genna's new sofa from Dada

SO comfy

I LOVE it!

New highchair at the new house - nice & roomy

Uncle Marky putting together Genna's new house

Playing in our new yard with Amelia & Clara

Drawing in her new house

LOVING the windows

love the leg cross

My view from the kitchen window of Genna's log cabin - perfect!

New pencil table - YAY!

Opening xmas presents in her pretty dress

PEEK A BOO!

New apron & kitchen stuff - FUN

I LOVE my new monkey handbag!!!

Coloring on Christmas bags - fun!

Unwrapping is SO much fun (so much fun that she even started unwrapping all of the crayons!)

Reading one of her new books

Princess in her new tutu!

Painting with Uncle Marky

what an artist - we were laughing that the first thing she did on every page was black out the eyes!

Checking out her new water spouting whale in the pool - FUN!

There he is over there

and relaxing in the pool with Dada

Uncle Marky

2011-12-15T07:36:00.005+11:00

One day last week we took the ferry into downtown Sydney with Uncle Marky!

It was QUITE windy outside!

We had a really good lunch at a German restaurant in the Rocks area - Genna loves the schnitzel and the sausages!

Drawing on the ferry

A hot day down in Manly enjoying the fountains!!

Tough Week but with a fun ending!

2011-12-06T13:50:00.009+11:00

Crazy hair!!! You invented this game where you go pull all of my tank tops off of the shelf and put the arm hole around your neck then run around laughing.

What Mama? No, I am not stretching them out!

You had a tough week this week with sickness, and ended up in our bed quite a few nights after we weren't able to settle you down. The comfort of being close to us meant you were able to sleep. Having someone who rotates 360 degrees in their sleep does not help Mama & Dada sleep though!

Ahhhh sleeping beauty with her bunny :)

We had a visitor on our balcony one afternoon

You were intrigued!

Check out my cool new bird!

Your Uncle Marcus arrived from Minnesota this weekend too - you guys had a blast at the beach!

The ocean is cold but fun!!!!!

You also enjoy watching fraggle rock on the internet with him

And having a chat while being tickled by the tickle monster :) You sure love your uncle!!

Also - you are getting so heavy I really can't carry you everywhere anymore. So this week we started working on walking & holding Mama's hand. I say 'finger Genna' and you grab my finger and hold on tight and we walk together. I'm very impressed on how good you are - always holding on and not running off :)

This Week

2011-11-25T14:27:00.007+11:00

It has been a busy week. We made it to the mall one rainy day, and checked out the playground.

The slide was the most fun!

YAY I did it all by myself!!

We also attended our Mothers Group Christmas party - the Dad's came too - it was fun! (although none of the kids liked the Dad dressed as Santa - almost all of them burst into tears when he appeared - including Genna!)

Pretty girl in your party dress

There are more girls than boys in our group - but somehow we managed to get this shot with all the boys! From left (clockwise) Wendel, You, Billy, Beau & Rory

You got a lovely dog pull toy - you love to turn around in a circle while pulling it!

SOMEONE insisted she MUST have a chocolate chip cookie while shopping -
ahhh the telling chocolate smear on the cheek!

Also, a story I forgot to tell last week -

Last week at daycare they said one day you didn't nap at all! You were in a cot across from Isla - and you two kept standing up and imitating the noises each of you were making. You were also jumping up and down in your cots. There is a window, so Leeanne could see what you were doing. Every time she came in to check on you, you'd both quickly lay down like 'we KNOW we are supposed to be sleeping'!! Then as soon as she left you'd be right back up acting silly!

You are all about talking this week. You follow me around and repeat words I say. You have mastered 'more' 'bubbles' 'all done' and 'please' (when I prompt it). You have repeated countless other words this week - you really are soaking it all in!

Its not only dolls for you! You love cars too.

You just started saying 'Night Night' today - while tucking your bunny in with a little blanket - too cute!

12 Years :)

2011-11-24T13:54:00.000+11:00

Last weekend we went and saw Jason Mraz & Toca at the Opera House

They were FAB!!!! SO SO good - their voices sound amazing together!

3 hours of awesome music - we were very impressed

Also 12 years ago today (Thanksgiving) we met!

Busy Lady

2011-11-21T18:55:00.005+11:00

It's been a busy week - thus why this blog is SO late!

Doing Dada's homework :)

And your official daycare photos! Bummer they didn't take you hat off, but you still look cute :)

Cheeky Monkey!

Back Row: Sarah, Leanne, Mel
On laps: Arthur, Ivy, Isla
Front Row: Max, Elena, Darcy, Taylor, Genevieve

I ordered another photo where you are sitting on Becky's lap and not sucking your thumb, it should arrive in a few weeks :) Leeann is your FAVORITE - you really like her - she is SO nice!

And this week you showed me how you figured out how to move your little bike using your feet!!

16 Months

2011-11-12T21:05:00.021+11:00

16 Months!! Wow how the time flies

Check out my PRETTY dress :)

Last weekend we went down to Granddad & Nanna's house for a visit!

They got you your own little chair - you were thrilled!

Big chairs are fun though too

Hmmmmm what's out there???

You with your Baba. This week you started calling your bunny baba. I thought it was a good idea for her to have a name, so I started calling her that too. Now when I ask you 'Where's your baba?' you yell BAAAAAAAAAABAAAAAAAA because you know what I'm talking about!

Your favorite things - a little blanky and baba

We had a nice picnic down at the beach one day

and a nice play in the sand after lunch

of course you wanted to twinkle your toes too!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUN!!!

And you took a walk with Granddad

and a fun ride on the swing

back at the house you played piano for the first time - super fun

But after all the beach time play you were so exhausted you took a short nap in your cot and then continued your nap on Dada

tired lady!

all sprawled out

lovely lashes

Ahhhh gotta love chubby wrists

Dada & baby

Cuddles with Nanna

You loved having Granddad read you your bedtime books

And watering the plants with Nanna

Fun with sun glasses!

You hair is really starting to get long!

Back in Manly we celebrated Nanna's birthday weekend with her - you two had a lovely stroll down the corso

Also your friend Chloe came to play one day. She has the same bunny as you - so it was a bit confusing for you both. I had to make sure you both just had one each to carry around.

The first hour she was here, you just followed her around our flat. Everything she picked up, you ripped out of her hands, like - HEY that's MINE!!!

But eventually you guys started playing together well. Here you are both having a blast with a little bottle of baby lotion. You were each putting little drops on your hands and rubbing it in - it's the simple things!

Chloe saying 'Hi' and you saying 'Hello' - so cute how you both LOVE the same things!!

Chloe wanted to sit on my lap for a snack.
You were fine about that as long as YOU were with your Mama too :)

Playing peek a boo

Here I am !!

You are getting SO good at putting your own shoes on

and it's FUN!

You also love 'round and round the garden' with Nanna

New words this week - sand, butterfly, car, Nanna. You are getting SO good at copying us!

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-06T19:51:00.003+11:00

You were dressed up as a ballerina again this year because the costume (a cute lamb!) Grandma sent you got stolen in the mail :( You sure are a cute ballerina though!

Telling dolly something very important

and cuddles for dolly

They thought you looked ABSOLUTELY gorgeous at daycare on Halloween! :)

Modeling your cute summer sandals!

Fun with the washing machine

another video of the FUN SQUEAKY SHOES!

Mama's helper :)

I almost forgot to post this too!!

2011-10-27T22:43:00.000+11:00

Genna the Cover Girl (click here)

A Hot Summer like week in Spring!

2011-10-25T19:15:00.013+11:00

This week we checked out the newly renovated Manly Lagoon Park

You liked checking out all the other kids

sometimes the birds proved more interesting though

later we made our way down to the beach

you had a nice nap in your stroller while we enjoyed the view from the shade (it was HOT!)

When you got up it was time to get straight into the sand toys

You LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE sand!

Then it was time to twinkle your toes in the ocean

AHHHHHHHHHH SO MUCH FUN!

SO SO happy

the concentration tongue

You are starting to get long lean legs - but you still have a little bit of chubby leg rolls - so cute

Look Dada - there's sand on my foot!

Time to rinse the sand off

Love that belly!! it's huge!

Later on - back at home winding down from an exciting day with blueberries & Dada

The next day was boiling again - so we decided to get dressed up for the pool!

Hi Mama!
It's just a shame they are renovating the baby pool that you loved so much last year so it was closed :(

So after a quick dip, we went back for another round at the fun new playground

The slide only works when you take your shoes off - fun!

Hello Dada!

This weekend we also made it up to Newport Beach. You loved having a bit of our fish burgers, but you did NOT like the after effects of the sand. The sand at that beach is REALLY sticky, very hard to wash off. You spent the whole car ride home looking for any spec of sand still stuck to your feet then you'd hold it out to me and yell until I picked it off.

Relaxing

This has been a VERY chatty week for you. You all of the sudden have become really good at imitating words we say. You said box, baby, toes, feet, and I'm sure there are a few more I can't remember :) Also this week at daycare they said you started to say Max's name one particular day when you were really chatty. You call him 'Muh.'

Oh and you have LOVED saying Bye Bye this week!

A fun week

2011-10-20T19:14:00.007+11:00

You LOVE your animal sounds - you can now baaaaaa for sheep, mooooo for cows, meow, woof, buzzzzz for bees, etc. You are SO good at them! You love to read this little book with simple pictures of animals when you are in your stroller!

Yummmmm spaghetti

You are SO good at holding a pen - somehow you hold it the correct way too! Very impressive.... that is until you started drawing on your shirt!

Dangling feet :) You are such a good eater. Your favorites this week are blueberries and red seedless grapes!

Relaxing with Dada after a big day, watching Bananas in Pajamas

Yesterday we went to the zoo for a few hours with our friends Lindsay & Chloe - it was awesome!! Unfortunately my camera battery died after this one shot *sigh*. I guess we'll just have to go again soon! You loved the giraffes, the chickens in the kids zoo, we saw a few minutes of the seal show, and then we rode the cable car all the way back up to the entrance - seeing elephants from the window - so cool! You had such a great time you took a 3 hour nap when we got home - unheard of!

And MOST IMPORTANT of all - (well VERY exciting for me) this week you started saying Mama!! You started by saying 'Ma' for a few days, then it progressed to Mama, and my heart melted :)

Tonight when it was time for books (after bath) you sweetly called out 'Dada', and when you were finished you called out 'Mama'. Then you reached over to Dada and said 'bye bye' and started waving. Such a smart lady :)

Also - finally - after ages of doing baby sign language to you, you have started signing for milk - YAY! You understand when I say the word milk, but now you can tell me when you want milk too!

At daycare on Tuesday, when we arrived your carer LeAnn said 'oh look who has arrived Max' and he said 'Nena' with a huge smile on his face (meaning Genna of course) - ahhhh he knows your name! Today they said you had the best day ever at daycare. It was SO warm out that they stripped you guys down to your nappies and got the finger paints out on the big play balcony. You aren't crazy about getting your hands dirty though (you hold them out and yell for someone to clean them off), but you painted a bit anyway. Then you went into the baby pool with a bit of water & soap in it to wash off. They said you were sitting in there splashing and screaming with laughter for ages!!! Another funny thing was today when I went to pick you up I saw you running around with a ball - then you threw it at your carer Becki's back - to play I guess! I've never seen you throw a ball before - excellent!

More Month 15

2011-10-12T07:18:00.010+11:00

You veggie bread I made - yummm!

Oh oh - the scene of the crime....... (someone wandered off with a red crayon)

typing with Dada

You new FAVORITE game - you love to put this blanket on your head and run around!

and I'm off!

This is how you brush

and now Genna's teeth!

AND back to the blanket - it's never ending fun

SO happy (and dirty from a day at daycare)!

You prefer to walk around with it OVER your face - but we only do it when you are in a 'safe' area :)

On Tuesday when I picked you up from daycare it was the best welcome ever!! You got a huge smile on your face when you saw me, then you ran up to me and kissed me on the lips. SO lovely to have such a great welcome :)

Last week when we were skyping with Grandma and Great Grandma Gigi, you found my wallet and stating taking out the cards (one of your favorite things to do). Then you started slotting the credit cards between the dvds on the shelf!! Ah NO that is not a good game - that's how we lose things ha ha - good thing I saw you doing it so I knew where they went!

Today you said bye bye (to Dada when we went to drop you off at daycare) and dog (when you picked your dog magnet out to show us) for the first time. You are loving saying shoes too (and yes, mama taught you that word)! You also starting do the 'eee eee eee' for a monkey - which is VERY cute!

Also at daycare they said you have just started this week seeking out people to play with. We saw pictures of you playing puzzles, painting, playing 'peek-a-boo' in the cubby house, and stacking things with other kids. Such fun!

Oh also we got your 15 month official weight yesterday - 9.6 kilos, which is about 21 pounds!

Month 15

2011-10-06T09:36:00.001+11:00

Playing drums on the beer box is different - and fun!

Sometimes we just need some quiet time on the sofa in front of her Baby Genius dvds

Just a bit of giggly fun we had one night.....
we liked all 3 videos SO much we couldn't choose just one :)

Driving around looking at houses is SO exhausting!

Monday was labour day so we had the day off of work/daycare and decide to go visit the local play gym with Aunty Helen

The 'Cosy Coupe' was a BIG hit!

So fun!

We also tried to take some nice 15 month photos - you turned 15 months old yesterday!

You with your little blanket. You love to cover up your stuffed toys like you are tucking them in and then pat them - so sweet. We make sure to give you these tiny cloths to use as blankets, or you rip our big blankets off of the sofa and try to drag those around!

You have JUST started standing on your chair. We are constantly saying 'Genna sit down, no standing on your chair'

And this is what you have to say back (sticking your tongue out blowing raspberries :)

Other new things lately:

I think you are starting to really recognize yourself in front of the mirror. When you are talking (or yelling) you will often look at the mirror in surprise like 'oh, she's doing it too.' Then you go closer and touch it and step back and look hard to figure it all out.

This past week I stopping feeding you milk in the night. We waited so long because you have been sick off and on for so long, but I think the timing was JUST right and you are doing great! You are doing SO well and have adjusted by starting to drink a TON of milk with dinner to fill yourself up for the night. You have started to wake up SUPER happy as well which I love. You sit up and wave at me in the morning!

You have started waving a lot for goodbye and hello a lot, even to strangers at the grocery store:) You also have started clenching your hand with a 'come here' gesture. You go up to your bunny or other toys and you just gesture at them like 'get up here already!!'

Your words of the week are Yes and Hello. I really like that now when I ask you questions the answer isn't always 'no' or 'dada'. Now you sometimes answer 'YES' and tonight you ran around the apartment like a crazy lady saying Hello over and over :)

Sping is Here

2011-09-28T08:59:00.005+10:00

Last week we went to see your ear specialist, but she was running late, so we had a lovely lunch picnic outside in the sun while we waited

random singing of songs

This week we also made it down to the beach with some friends on a Gorgeous Spring day!

Chloe & You checking out a wallet while Billy looks on

It's fun to wet our feet in the ocean!

Hey Billy - what are you doing with my shovel?

We also said a sad 'see ya later' to your friend Charlie - his Mom & Dad (Steph & Matt) are moving to California :(

Murray made this yummy hot dog meal one day with fancy 'kransky' chili sausages

It was soooooooooooooo good!

Playing with a fun drawing pad!

Chilling out on the sofa with bunny and a blanket

Your friend Carly came over today, you saw her hiding behind the curtain and thought 'hmmmm that looks fun.' So as soon as she went home you started doing it too!

You have SUCH a thing about your feet. You hate us touching them, cutting your toenails is a BIG ordeal, so we don't do it often. Last week you were just watching Dada cut his toenail and you burst into tears!! So bizarre - yet you were laughing like crazy when I was kissing your feet tonight!

You can now identify the dog, cat, fish, duck and pig magnets (we tell you which one to pick, and you grab it and bring it to us:) You also can identify your mouth, nose, eyes and ears. Yesterday, on the way home from daycare, you were pointing these body parts out on your doll as I called them out!

Also, your new word this week is cheese. You LOVE cheese, and ask for it often:) Today you and your friend Carly were standing in front of the fridge with your arms up saying 'cheese cheese cheese' ha ha - cute

Ahhhhh Spring

2011-09-21T19:28:00.007+10:00

We had a lovely weekend - started off by brunch by the water

and bunny of course!

Manly was SO busy - summer weather in spring means a VERY crowded beach!

Yummmm Pimms....

Happy Lady

I only had to show you once how to scoop sand in and out of the bucket, then you were off! However this is also now what you do with every meal I serve..... scoop it out of the bowl onto the tray and then back in !

Walking on the sand is tough work!

Now that it's getting warmer you don't need your sleep sack during the day anymore

and we can finally see how you sleep now - SOOOOOOOO cute with the crossed feet!!!

such a big girl, but still tiny too :)

and stretched out as you woke up

Wow that was a good sleep!

We also had a nice catch up with your friend Lennox down at the beach

You were NOT happy when I went to the other side of the fence to take this photo though!

Your super fun squeaky shoes!!

Middle of Month 14

2011-09-16T07:56:00.005+10:00

We had a lovely Fathers Day with Dada not long ago -
this is the cookie we got him to go with his gift:)

What's This? (your favorite thing to say)

Something funny happened last week. We could tell you were doing a poo because you stood still and your eyes went all red. When you were finished you put your hands on your head and said 'Oh Geez.' Or at least it sounded Exactly like that to us. We both started laughing SO hard that we scared you and you started to cry - opps! But oh my gosh it was funny.

All of the sudden you seem to be going through a growth spurt - you grew out of your shoes, your longer trousers fit and we had to cut the feet out of your pajamas until I can find a bigger size! I guess it helps that you are finally eating again this week. The antibiotics you were on for so long gave you an upset tummy last week and you barely ate. We were SO glad when the doctor said you could stop taking them and your tummy got better and our big eater came back!

Reading books before bedtime with Dada

Playing with her new magnets from Grandma & Grandpa - fun!

The start of Month 14

2011-09-08T20:12:00.008+10:00

Ohhh what to play with?

Bunny Swing

Pretty Girl in a pretty dress from Grandma :)

On a gorgeous Spring day this week we made it out to the beach

and I bought Genna her first set of beach toys

and stretch

How does this work?

We also made it down to the harbour beach side to see our friends Zephyr & Lennox

Genna & Lennox down at the water's edge - that line of shells was good at keep them from running out into the deep water

How do I get past this shell line? (I did bring her past it so she could dip her feet and she LOVED it - kept trying to run out and follow the waves :)

We have been working on words - Cat, Dog, Fish, etc. She was bringing me each one as I asked for it - of course as soon as I started filming she was all over the place - but it's still cute :)

This weekend we also had a GREAT time on the slide at the playground on the Manly Corso

Climbing up to the slide for the first time by herself!

The end of Month 13

2011-09-01T07:39:00.015+10:00

First, a few photos from Murray's phone from last week....

Teething biscuits are great for sore teeth!

Look what I can do Nanna - no hands!

You have been sticking your tongue out in concentration a lot lately

On our day visit home from the hospital - still a happy lady :)

Genna in her secret spot - this is where she takes everything that she MUST investigate! She's reading Aunty Helen's camera manual.

Mama working while Genna investigates the heavy kitchen rug

Playing cups - you are VERY into your toys lately - and you are getting quite good at copying when I stack the cups!

As a special treat for being home and feeling better and just cause we love you lots - we got you the chair that you LOVED at the hospital

It's all mine baby!

Busy toddling around the house in your bunny slippers. You are so good about always holding onto the gate when walking in and out of the kitchen so you don't trip on it.

Reading your book in your cool winter boots!

Out and about in Manly last weekend
You have become a bit bunny co-dependent lately - if she isn't nearby you start yelling and searching for her. Often you go into your room and look into the crib and just yell until I come and give her to you. But she's your comfort and you love her, so that's fine with us :)

All comfy and warm in your stroller

What Dada? I'm busy with my sultanas!

Back at home, Dada asleep and you all comfy in his arms watching Sesame Street :)

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

Hand holding with Dada

Oh hello glow worm - you are cute

tie dye glow worm - love it!

Check me OUT Mama! I'm ready to go!!

I'm ready to go darling - strike a pose

Do you like my new handbag?

I found it in the dishwasher - SO exciting!

We also did a bit of coloring this week

And you are VERY into belly rubbing this week - Dada taught you this :)

You have been talking a lot more lately - you started saying teeth (you love to tap on Daddy's teeth with your nails), you point out eyes on everything you own, and you said thankyou (once), you also have been saying no and shaking your head....

You also started blowing kisses goodnight to Daddy each night - so so cute

But my favorite moment this week was when Daddy went to a doctors appointment. We waited in reception for him and when you saw him come back in you yelled out 'DADA' and threw your hands in the air. Then you looked at me and I said - it's ok - go to Dada, so you ran over to him. It was SO gorgeous :)

At the hospital

2011-08-23T21:09:00.001+10:00

I have lost track of weeks... so I'll still post photos regularly, but I'm not going to do the 'week' count anymore - just months I think :)

We were out at the playground by the beach the other day (on a GORGEOUS warm winter day!) and you decided to pop onto someone's bike for a ride! You don't know how to move it with your feet yet, but you are a champ on getting on and off of it!

Unfortunately we ended up in the hospital last week. Your ear was swollen and you lost your balance, it turned out you had an infection in the bone behind your ear (mastoiditis) and had to have strong iv antibiotics to fight it.

It wasn't fun being there - but WOW the view!! It brought a slight smile to my face every morning to see the ocean & the beach.

You LOVED the playroom though. This chair was your absolute favorite - just your size!

TOO much fun!!!

You got some Gorgeous get well balloons from your Minnesota family

Not only did they brighten our space....

But you also had SO much fun batting at them!

The window is dirty - but gotta love that ocean sunrise - I saw a lot of these as we got VERY little sleep.... so noisy!

All set up with iv, snacks and a baby genius dvd :)

Oh I just LOVE playing in here!!!

Ahhhhh look at meeeeee!

cutie

You also loved squeezing yourself behind the parent seats in the playroom - gotta love that smile:) Although we had to spend a week there, you really were SO happy the whole time. They were amazed by how 'well' you seemed considering how serious your infection was. As the pediatrician said 'she's strong, she's a fighter'!

Some Daddy and puppy time :)

Our little dancer! Whenever we say 'show us how you dance Genna' you start shaking your little bottom back and forth - too cute!! We love your happy squeal too!

Your favorite thing lately is to carry my calendar around and flip through the pages. You actually search out my purse and dig it out so you can walk around with it!

You LOVE giving cuddles and kisses :)

Week 56 & 57 & 58

2011-08-11T18:01:00.008+10:00

Oh wow - first time we have gone 3 + weeks without doing a blog!

Murray had a motorbike accident and was in the hospital for 10 days, so things have been hectic. But he will be ok, some rest and then some surgery and he will heal.

Butterfly bum lady with the fluffy hair!

Giving kangaroo a cuddle

No more photos Mama!!!
You know what you do and don't want lately! When you are finished eating something you push it to the side of the tray and won't look at it again!

Sharing lunch with lamby

Sleeping with a football pose - cute!

All dressed down for the evening - but I had to get this photo. You LOVE carrying your handbag around on your elbow like this.

I've got my bag - now where can we go shopping?

SUCH a tall girl - nearly half Daddy's height already!

Nanna came these past 2 weeks to help with Genna while I was sorting everything out with Murray. Her new favorite thing is to climb up on Nanna's suitcase - fun!

And some reading..... :)

Murray got this awesome strawberry get well bouquet from Minnesota family - gorgeous and SO SO yummy!!!

We were surprised to see that the base was actually a head of lettuce!

Cool idea! A nice natural way to keep the berries in place and it's sticky so it stays in place in the bowl.

Week 55

2011-07-25T15:20:00.008+10:00

This is closest I can get to a k-bear photo anymore - you are just TOO busy to stand still!

You have totally figured out the remote this week (and no we did NOT teach you that!!) You just watched us and saw that we pushed that black thing to turn the tv on or change channels. So you tried it out yourself and realized that if you push any button the tv turns on - VERY exciting.

The other day while I was cleaning the mat under your high chair after a meal, I heard a squeal of delight. I turned around and you had found the remote, turned on the tv and you were THRILLED that the cartoon Bananas in Pajamas was on - ha!

You also LOVE pulling clothing off of the drying rack - so fun

I love how you walk over to people and either back up or throw your leg over so you can sit on their lap to read a book. You LOVE books, and spend a lot of your day going back and forth between me and your bookshelf (your attention span is about 2 pages now, so we go through a lot of books:) Usually when I go to pick you up from daycare you are sitting on someone's lap reading a book - books are just your FAVORITE right now!

You got your first molars this week!!! One on each side on the top. I guess this explains why your sleeping has been so funny lately - ouch!

You love reading books with Daddy - especially this body parts book. We have been working this week on naming body parts (nose, eyes, mouth). We have been explaining it with this book, by pointing at ourselves and you - and you just soaked it all in. But finally today when I said yes Genna those are puppy's eyes (when you were poking the eyes on your puppy) you looked up at me and pointed at your eye! Smart girl :)

I HAD to post this - so cool (thanks Joni!). Me with my cousin Johnny when he was 1 (which means I was 11) and Me & Genna. Ahhhhhhh cute

You are SO good at walking now!

You have been pretty consistently sick from daycare the last few weeks, which hasn't been fun. But you HAVE been having a good time there anyway. When I dropped you off on Monday your friend Max came up and handed you a puzzle piece, gave you a kiss and a big hug. I thought that was very sweet - you were like 'eww get away from me.' You turned towards me when he kissed you just above your mouth, so he had to hug you from behind - ha ha!

But the BIG news this week - you started saying Hello!! You usually do it when you put your phone up to your ear, but you also said Hello to Grandma & Nanna on skype. I am trying SO hard to get it on video - but it's tough!

Week 54

2011-07-19T19:03:00.008+10:00

Dear Genevieve,

The big news is that this week you started talking (well, kind of). When you see a duck you say something that sounds like 'duh' and when you see a pig you breathe really heavy with your nose (like snorting). Such a smart lady :)

You took your first ride on a tiny merry go round at the mall this weekend - you LOVED it!!

Walking with Mama through the mall - you can walk on your own now, but sometimes it's nice to hold hands too :)

Murray and I have been working our way through the cookbook 'Jamie's 30 minute meals' - it is SO good and SO easy! This week we made the roast beef + yorkshire puddings - yummmmm!

One day two big cockatoo's came up to our kitchen window (you are VERY into pointing right now!)

You loved watching them tap the glass with their beaks!

You also had fun playing with Aunty Helen's birthday balloons!!

This morning I snuck a photo of you sound asleep - I HATE having to wake you in the morning when I have to go to work:( You have settled into daycare SO well though. You don't cry anymore when I drop you off or when I pick you up. Today you actually were so busy reading a book with your friend Isla that I had to call your name to get you to look up so I could wave goodbye! You love all the different kinds of food they serve you too - they always tell me you ate 'heaps' for lunch! I'm the one who makes you eat healthy healthy things at home:) Today I made you a lovely fish & veggie bake with sardines that you LOVED for dinner - it sure is stinky - but you like it:)

We also had a lovely lunch out for Aunty Helen's birthday this weekend

You were SUCH a good girl!!! And you finally have enough hair for a little clip to stay in!

Helen, Me & Genna

You with your mousey, your moo cow in a box and Rachel

And cuddles with Kristy

We had SUCH a great time and everyone was SO impressed by what a good girl you were. You ate really well (and didn't throw too much food). You slept in your stroller while we ate, and you were just generally wonderful :)

Other things this week....

You also have stopped chewing on most things. You don't feel like you have to put Everything in your mouth anymore. Although when I give you your toothbrush while I'm filling your bath, you are thrilled to chew on it for a bit!

You also are more interested in using a spoon this week. You enjoy lots of finger food (thus why I do every kind of bake you can think of now!) but you also enjoyed having a few puree's this week which you ate all by yourself with a spoon!

Lots of Love,
Mama

Week 53

2011-07-13T10:53:00.006+10:00

Dear Genevieve,
This week you turned 53 weeks old

It's been a chilly week - but we've still managed to get out a bit :)

On the weekend we went to the wharf bar with Dada for lunch which was fun!

You had a GREAT time walking around

You also got a new hat for day care because you get to play outside a few times a day. Last week was your first week of going 3 days a week to day care. You did really well and settled in pretty quickly. You have made some great friends already. They tell me you love to play and chat with your friend Max - they said you sat by him at lunch and the two of you had a conversation! You also enjoy walking around with the girls and pointing at the fish in the fish tank! You especially love the sand box too! When I picked you up after your 5th full day (the second week) you were in the sand box having a GREAT time! Banging together sand scoopers - with sand all over you face and hands and a huge smile on your face! We had to empty your shoes in the sink when we got home because they were SO full of sand. I'm so glad you are having fun there while I work.

Today, on my day off, we spent the morning at home playing - you do still LOVE books! You understand now when I say 'Genna go get me a book and bring it back so we can read it.' You toddle off to grab a book, then you come back and sit on my lap to read.

At night time we always read a book before bed. I always offer you a choice of 2 books, and lately you will shake your head and refuse to touch any book other than 'Goodnight Minnesota.' Works for me :)

Ah what big ears you have bunny!

We are working on teaching you the word duck. I THINK you are saying it now - although it sounds quite similar to 'da' :)

Take that duck!

The other funny thing that you love to do is put Everything in the rubbish bin. You take the magnets off the fridge and put them in the bin all the time. So I tried giving you a little handbag to put them in and showed you how. You put a few in, then put the whole handbag in the bin. *sigh* So I tried to show you how to transfer the magnets from the fridge to the dishwasher. You transferred a few, then threw them in the bin. Then you went and got your puppy blanket, and threw that in the bin too! Oh well - I guess it's a fun game:) So I just keep our recycle bin empty and clean now, just in case toys end up in it.

Love ya Lots,
Mama

FIRST BIRTHDAY !!!

2011-07-07T09:11:00.006+10:00

The day before the BIG party - out in Manly with Dada

A nice family pic out in Manly - the only 'Birthday Pic' of the three of us :)

Murray in full birthday cake decorating mode

He bought just a BIT of candy to make the cakes pretty

Butterfly Cake 1 - chocolate and vanilla swirl cake

Butterfly Cake 2 - A sugarless 'baby friendly' carrot and raisin cake

The table before we added the hot food (beef pies, mini pizzas and mini quiches)
The plates, napkins & cups I got in America - gotta love American party stores!!!

The 'baby sushi' I made with flattened bread, cream cheese and meat & veggies

Murray's parents & sister patiently awaiting the arrival of guests ;)

Peter & the Bear - checking out the food

The hats Grandma bought - cool huh! Fits with our butterfly theme perfectly :)

the big '1'

Butterflies everywhere

Cassie saying Hi to the birthday girl

She was certainly the center of attention :)

The balls in the 'ball pit' - lovingly donated by Steve & Selina

Loved the banner! SO pretty

Mama & Dada pre party while Genna was still napping

Me, Genevieve, Cassie & Lennox

Bib on for just a bit so she could quickly eat some lunch before playing with everyone

Cuddles with Aunty Helen

Showing Amelia the green ball

The ball pit really was a hit! Louisa especially loved sitting in there!

Genna's friend Louisa

Hey - check this out!

Cassie & Hamish

My friend Rita & me

Silly hats with Aunty Helen

Good food & good friends = a fun day

Cute little Lennox with his Mama

Hamish & Murray chatting

Even the older kids had fun with the ball pit - it's a fun game to throw them all out, then put them all back in!

Lennox & Cassie

Smiley Louisa :)

Darling Clara

Contemplative Genna & Dada

Genna's friend Chloe

Pure Joy

Cuddles with Selina

Hello? Who's there?

Cuddles with sweet Amelia

Selina with her darling girls & Louisa & Lyn - cute!

Genevieve with Nana & Granddad

Shy girl while everyone was singing her Happy Birthday!

Blowing out the candle

and a 'poke' taste

ohhhh I LIKE this cake!

Cuties :)

Lennox just turned 1 a month ago - what a cutie

Hey Lennox - I'm one now too!

They all had fun playing together

The cake went down well!

My friends - Lindsay & Rita

Hamish & Zephyr

Whatta Cutie!

The boys - Steve, Murray, Barry, Mark, Hamish & Peter

Genna even sat on Mark's lap! She was SO social!

Lindsay & Chloe - gorgeous!

Ohhhh now WHAT is that on your necklace Amelia?

Cuddles

Ohhhh the balloons were a HUGE hit (thanks Lindsay!)

My 'punch' was also a hit - sparkling wine, lemon lime bitters and a berry juice = YUMMY!

Chloe giving Genevieve cuddles before they had to go

Her first card - too cute

What's in here??

Cool bag decorated just for me!

Oh this puzzle looks FUN!

She's a HUGE fan of books - this '10 Little' book was a big hit

Ohhh a pretty ballerina skirt!

Look at what I got Nana & Granddad!

I can open the card by myself!!!

OHHHH another pressie for me?

This looks fun....

Cuddles for her new puppy 'Violet'

She always cuddles animals on her left shoulder - here showing her multitasking skills by playing with her new puzzle at the same time!

OMG he spelled and then said Genevieve!!! TOO cool :)

Clara & Amelia enjoyed their treat bags :)

LOVING the puppy!!

Ahhh Granddad - you are hilarious!

Just a little more snack post afternoon nap

little toes

I AM SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!

Oh this ring sorter is COOL!

I can even do it with my foot!

Still LOVING the balloons though

walk, walk, walk

The ball pit is fun

but it's more fun to put the balls in the holes on top of the esky (cooler)

What a GREAT day. Wonderful to celebrate with lovely friends and family. Genevieve was absolutely the happiest baby ever - she had a wonderful day :)

Genna with the 'puppy' we gave her - I think she thinks it's real :)

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-06T21:46:00.000+10:00

ohhh birthday balloons are fun!

loving her new animal magnets from Mama & Dada!

What? You're saying I should put them in here and not in the bin?

Will do! I do love handbags :)

(birthday post to follow soon - it's just been a busy week between me starting work, Genna starting day care and all three of us having colds - fun!)

Week 52

2011-06-28T22:09:00.006+10:00

Dear Genevieve,
This week you turned 52 weeks old!

We've been too busy to do a koala photo - but we did have a fun day out this week.
You didn't mind being all bundled up :)

We went into the city one day to meet my friend Suze who I haven't seen in AGES! It was great to catch up and introduce you to her and to meet her husband!

You had SO much fun on the ferry. You kept hiding behind the seats and then popping out to play peekaboo with me!

You also formed a strong bond (addiction) to this dolly this week. You would not go ANYWHERE without her - not even your high chair!

No you will NOT take her away!! I will hide her if I have to!

Happy messy lady - you went from refusing to eat anything I offered you on a spoon (it was a finger food only week) to handing us the spoon so WE could feed you! Interesting...

Hey Mama - what are you doing in there??

Showing off your spoon skills

All dressed up for your friend Chloe's birthday party - fun!

And finally - the walking has progressed! You are actually walking across the room now!! We were so excited we had to film it (don't mind the door stop in her mouth lol!)

Love you LOTS,
Mama

(1st birthday post to follow soon!)

Week 51

2011-06-27T19:24:00.008+10:00

Dear Genevieve,
This week you turned 51 weeks old!

Well the BIGGEST news this week - you started walking! You are slowly getting the confidence to step off by yourself without my prompting. Today on your 51 week birthday you walked a few times all on your own. I can tell you are THRILLED with this new found independence.

You still love your walker though - we are lucky to be having such gorgeous 'winter' weather

But your stroller always draws you back.... MUST walk around the stroller & grab onto the wheels!

Chasing the birds!!! FUN

Happy LadyPracticing walking

We LOVE Manly - love that ocean view

Mama & Baby

Fun on the swings

Daddy's shampoo styling - straight out of Ferris Bueller

Baby shoe, Papa shoe

You have all of the sudden mastered all of your toys this week too. You put the shapes in the sorter, you place the rings on the stacker and you put the puzzle pieces back. With help, of course, but you totally 'get' how they work now! Such a smart lady :)

I CANNOT believe it's only 1 week until you are 1 year old. WOW. Times flies - what a great year it has been :)

Lots of Love,
Mama

Too exciting to wait for next week's post ..........

2011-06-24T13:30:00.001+10:00

We have a walker!!!

50 weeks, 3 days - very exciting :)

Week 50

2011-06-22T19:41:00.006+10:00

Dear Genevieve,

This week you turned 50 weeks old !!

You are SO tall - you have actually gone up on the chart for height!

Yesterday we took your walker out to the park

You had fun chasing after all the dogs!

Chatty lady

Daddy was really happy to see you when we got home too - so he took some nice photos :)

Your new book from Joni tastes nice!

CLASSIC Genevieve photo - your 'huh'? face - ha ha - I love it!

Hey Dada! I'm in the kitchen!

What? I'm not doing anything!!

What? You're saying I shouldn't open the garbage and throw things out??

Ahhhh magnets are SO much fun

Hmmm what's in here....

Love those lashes

You are getting really good at feeding yourself!

And you are SO close to walking. The past month you have taken a few steps here and there. When you are holding and concentrating on a toy, sometimes you take a tiny step before sitting down. You also have walked towards me with a few steps now and then. And yesterday you were sitting in the middle of the room and when I looked back you were standing - wow! But you don't quite have the confidence yet to step off and start walking - I can tell it's not far off though!

Lots of Love,
Mama

The rest of the Minnesota pics

2011-06-21T14:32:00.027+10:00

Ahhh Aunty Mariah's nose!

Joni's great comments she posted:
Genna to Kevin "...so then I told my Mom that I wanted to wear THIS outfit out on the lake, and she was like.... okay! .. so I wore it today!"

Such a lovely day to be out on the boat!

She enjoyed watching Johnny & Marcus jump into the lake

Genna helping Kevin & Grandpa fix the wheel on her car

I think the puppy kemosabe is trying to tell us to change her diaper....

Helping Great Aunt Joni with her phone

and cuddles with Great Grandma Sis

Saying hello to her 'first cousin's once removed' Kyle & Johnny -
I think we'll just call them cousins :)

Saying Hello to the puppy through glass

Look Gigi - I got some food on my hands!! (we like the name Gigi for Great Grandma:)

The boat is fun!

Kevin trying out Genna's pink camouflage hat

Genna & Grandma by the roses

Belly kisses are fun!

Ohhhhhhhhhh Grandma's roses are pretty!

Lots of laughs with Gigi - Genna thinks she is hilarious!

Cuddles with cousin Johnny

Presents with Diane

Truck riding is fun!

A day of shopping - fun!

Happy baby at the table - she is SO well behaved :)

Cheers!

Yummmmm

Great Aunt Denise brought Genna this piano to play with - so so fun! Just like the one at home that she LOVES!!!

Denise, Jenny & Me

The lovely ballet piggy bank from Denise & Jenny - SO cute!

and Denise brought another fun walker/car - how exciting!

ahhhh this looks fun

Uncle Marcus is fun!

Ahhhhh

Happy Baby getting ready for bed

Genna in her 'My first Twins t-shirt' taking a walk with her uncle

Funny!!!

She does love bubbles!

Marcus also delighted her with a bubble gun - it shot out bubbles like crazy!

Ohhhhh Hello Brock - what are you doing?

He was SO gentle with her - letting her pat him any time she wanted

soft puppy - she loved him SO much

Hey - what's going on in that car?

walk walk walk by the dogs!

Happy in the car with Gigi

Oh really Grandpa?

Lunch out with Great Aunt Joni

Loving her table mat from Grandma - clean and fun!

Mexican lunch out with the girls

I love my cup!

Shopping with Gigi

Genna in her pretty sleep sack

Hey - close that door!

Another fun dinner out

It was fun playing with Aunty Mariah too!

Cuddles from Great Grandma Sally

Is this my sleep bunny? No - it's her new super soft cuddly bunny from Denise and Jenny.

Grandpa is fun!

Singing in the car with Joni - she loved hearing 'The Wheels on the Bus'

Playing with Great Grandma Sally

And pulling all of the ziplocks out of the cupboard on our last day - fun!

We were THRILLED that my sister Megan's baby Alex arrived the day before we flew out

So tiny and so so cute - I just rewrapped him a little bit

Genna liked taking a peep at that cute little face too

Glowing New Mommy

Her first ever cousin - how exciting - I'm so glad she got to meet him :)

We had an amazing trip. Genna really bonded with everyone and had SUCH a blast.
When the plane was taxiing to take off from Minneapolis I burst into tears. It was so hard to leave, we just had SUCH a great trip. Genna looked up to see me crying and started to laugh and touched my face. That calmed me down - it was like she just knew that's what I needed. I do love that little pumpkin. At the end of the day she is Aussie but she is also a Minnesota girl :)

B-Day Videos

2011-06-20T11:32:00.006+10:00

It's fun to poke at cake!

Genna's fun birthday cake toy from Grandma & Grandpa

Fun musical toys from Great Grandma Sis!

Dancing with Great Grandma Sally

Silly Great Aunty Jani