Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! This is an exhausting holiday :) Lillian went to school as a jack-o-lantern and will transform into a ladybug tonight. Gabby had wanted to be Areial for Halloween but the costume was ripped so I returned it. She then said she wanted to be Diego so I thought we were over Areial....until this morning when she remembered and wanted to wear her mermaid outfit. Long story short, we settled for Cinderella. This dress is long, with a full hoop and is not the best dress for a parade BUT what else is it for? She was beautiful. The parade went off nicely and Room 2 had a great rendition of "Old Ghost". Gabby loves to sing!

Basement of Horrors

After Murray Farms we rested up and then went to Seven Oaks where they have a haunted house! Gabby loves this and remembered it from the year before. This year she wanted to dress up as Briar Rose...Lillian was a ladybug but I didn't get a picture of it :( I will get one when we go out on Wednesday because it is too stinking cute! Gabby went through the haunted house 2 times and then we came home and carved our pumpkins. Gabby was instructing dad how to do it. What a full weekend but lots of fun!

Picking Pumpkins at Murray Farms

We had a fun weekend getting ready for Halloween. Saturday Gordon and I got a special treat and had my mom watch the girls for an hour while we got to go work-out and play tennis. I then took Gabby to a street fair where she had a bounce house, face painting, and a customized balloon. We took a nap and then went to Aliza's for a fun playdate. Sunday morning we took a family trip out to Murray Farms. We went through a couple of corn mazes, went in the Butterfly House (I don't think it is humanly possible for Gabby to get closer to a butterfly than she was in the Butterfly House - see below), explored the ant farm, took a hay ride and saw all the orchards, picked out 3 pumpkins and jumped on the "pillow". This was one of the coolest jump pads I have ever seen...no supervision so user beware but Gabby had a great time. It is huge! We ran into a friend of Gabby's from LRSH so that was fun for her. 

Pretty in Pink

Gabby had a wonderful birthday party on Saturday. I don't have any pictures yet...but there were a lot of kids and a lot of people. We had a wonderful time! The next morning, we woke up to Gabby opening her presents...She was wearing a dress from one bag and had opened 2 others. I'm going to have a challenging time getting Thank You's out!!! This is a dress-up dress Gabby got from Grandmother Ann. She loved it and would not take it off all morning. She was Briar Rose :) We felt so blessed and appreciate all the love and support we received for Gabby this weekend. This mom is partied out.

A Fun Birthday at School

Here is Gabby as the class is singing Happy Birthday.

This is Gabby with Sabir and Payton. Payton is a good friend and Sabir...well...it has been hinted at that they may be sweet on each other. They stick close together - that's for sure.

What a motley looking crew. They are all picture hounds and wanted to pose for the camera. 

Gabby and her dad - Happy Birthday!

Four Years Ago Today....

It is hard to believe that it was only 4 years ago today that Gabriella Alexis Bigler was born! What a 4 years it has been. So many joys and victories, big and small that I truly feel like the luckiest mom in the world. As first time parents, we had no idea what to expect. We were blown away by the love one immediately feels for their child. We were faced with some uncertainty and challenges that we were not anticipating - but isn't that life? We know no other way, and would have it no other way.

The hardest part when she was young was not knowing how some things would play out...today we have a slightly better understanding of how some things will play out and that helps. The rest is in God's hands and Gabby can handle whatever life brings her way. Gabby is a funny, smart, happy kid. She is the toughest kid I have ever met and has endured more doctors, tests and prodding than most 4 year olds. She has an incredible memory and LOVES to read and listen to stories. She is full of questions and is always absorbing her environment. Gabby is a morning person, a very early morning person :) But she starts her day with a big smile and such enthusiasm that one can't help but smile. Gabby like Hello Kitty tattoos, Ariel and Go Diego Go.

Today, since she was 4 from the minute she woke up, she told me that she was going to dress herself. She went to the bathroom, got her stool so she could reach her tights and picked out her outfit. She wanted to wear her spiderweb pants (since it is almost Halloween), a black shirt, a pink bracelet (because girls wear pink - always!), a fresh Hello Kitty tattoo and her hair in a french braid. She knows what she likes.

Gabby has taught me so much as a mom and as a person. She has forced me to become a better person and to grow in ways I didn't know I needed to. Thank you Gabby and Happy Birthday!

Getting Ready for the Party

I know I take a lot of pictures of the girls on the couch...but at least it's a good measurement of how much they are changing and growing! Lilly is in a growth spurt and has packed on a few pounds...which is good because last week she was refusing to drink any formula, which had mom very concerned. We are back on track now. Gabby is turning 4 tomorrow - I can't believe it! We are doing a pizza party and cupcakes at school and then will have a little party over the weekend. I know I sound like my mom, but where does the time go? Just this morning as she told Gordon to give her privacy in her room so that she could pick out and put on her own clothes for school - Gordon said he was having flashes of what life will be like in a few years when she won't want us to help with things and will hang out in her room...YIKES! 

Lilly is starting babble and talk more and more. She has DADA down - but no MAMA yet. She is learning to communicate well and definetly thinks her older sister is a lot of fun. One of my favorite times is bath time...which usually follows right after dinner. I get Lilly started and Gabby must come along. She will only stay in the bath as long as Lilly is in the bath - they love hanging out together. Lilly is starting to take Gabby's toys but we are learning about sharing - all of us are!  

San Diego Fun

We had our last trip to San Diego for the year! We had a great time...until Gabby got a little bug. We hit the zoo, beach and other local favorties. Weather was perfect, hotel was nice and the kids travelled well. Sunday Gabby started to feel a little bad but was such a trooper. Monday she had her ultrasound and then Dr. Granet. Both went well. Still waiting for results from ultrasound. Dr. Granet was thrilled with Gabby's progress and development - she continues to amaze us all! Lilly had a great time at the zoo and was plenty happy in the bjorn with dad walking around the zoo. We are lucky to have 2 beautiful girls!

Ann & Lilly

Grandmother Ann has been going to see Lilly at school and reading and singing to her. Lilly is really enjoying it. Lilly's favorite thing to do right now is clap her hands...she is very proud of herself and so are we! I am coming to the conclusion that I am going to have to do somehting about her hair....

Back in Action

Last week we were recovering from Lilly being sick. This weekend Lilly is truly back to herself...although she is teething and her top front teeth have almost poked through!

Lilly has decided that she does not like baby food anymore. This is great...and challenging! She had her 9 month check-up last week and she is doing great but continues to be on the petite side. We want to make sure she is getting enough nutrition and it is always harder when the insist on feeding themselves! I know it is a good thing - it is just a little harder to plan meals and ensure that she has everything she needs.

Lilly and Gabby continue to love to play together. We are very blessed.

Playdate



 Gabby had a fun playdate with a couple kids from her school this weekend. She enjoyed running around Lucas's house for 2 straight hours! It was a fun time and it was great that she could play with some new friends.