Giana at 17 months

Giana continues to grow and change and talk more each day. She loves to play in the pretend kitchen, play with babies, carry purses, color/scribble, play in the pool (but not the sprinkler), swing and go up and down slides at the park, and hit/pinch her sister! She is definitely starting to become more assertive with Talia, and with us. She will hit and pinch and throw things or knock them over when she does not get her way. She is also starting to throw herself back or lay on the floor when she is having a tantrum. It is pretty funny to see her so assertive with Talia, but not so much to see her with us. Hello Terrible Twos! (Talia always hit those benchmarks at the half year, and it looks like Giana is doing the same thing too!) Talia is a great big sister though and will just yell for us to help her--she will not hit her back.

Giana's language continue to grow: she is becoming so well mannered, saying please and thank you without needing to be prompted, no thank you, help, let's go, I want some, outside/inside, upstairs/downstairs, and randomly saying I love you! It is so sweet to hear.

She is loving books and has a bunch of them memorized. Some of her favorite books are the touchy feely books from Usborne, That's not my...., Eric Carle's Have you seen my cat?, and Oops David. I love that she loves books so much. Talia is even starting to read to her, as they both sit in the rocking chair. It is so cute!

Giana was not so cooperative during this photo sessions, so here's one of her standing.

Father's Day and the Libertyville Days Carnival

Happy Father's day to all of the wonderful dads out there. We had a wonderful family day, which began with the girls sleeping in until 8:10 am! I bought the girls "Daddy's Little Princess" shirts, and I thought that today was the perfect day to wear them. Look how cute they are:

After Giana's nap, we headed to the Libertyville Carnival and we had so much fun. Giana experienced her first ride (other than a carousel) and just loved it. Her sweet giggle while riding on the cars was such a great sound. Just look at how happy she is:

OK...this car looks cool...

wait..it moves!and I can push buttons and play with the wheel...this is SO MUCH FUN!!!

Waiting to get back on the car ride.

Talia and Kenny went down the big slide and then Talia wanted to do it by herself...twice. I can't believe how independent she is sometimes.

Here we are on the carousel. Poor Giana would cry after she got off every ride. She loved the rides so much.

Libertyville Parade

We headed to the Libertyville Parade today. It was a great parade, with lots of bands, politicians, and these super huge animal balloons controlled/held on to by 8-10 people. It was pretty incredible.

Talia loved grabbing all of the candy that they were throwing out and Giana sat so nicely in her stroller just taking it all in.

Grandma and Auntie Diane came in this weekend too!

Talia was tired by the end of the very long parade.

They're Dressed in Yellow

Here are a few shot of Talia and Giana coordinating in yellow. Giana did not want to sit so we kept trying to tickle her and take a photo before she would lay down and try to get off of the couch.

Giana on the phone

Giana loves the phone. She will put many objects to her ear and say "hello", although it sounds like "heywo". Here she is talking to Kenny on my cell phone. We were waiting in the car for him to get to On the Border (a great Mexican place) for my birthday dinner.

Talia was fast asleep, while Giana was talking away.

Beautiful Girls Wearing Butterflies

I loved these matching outfits, so I made the girls sit for another photo shoot. They are going to hate dressing alike one day, so I am milking it right now!

this one is like a model pose:

Most of the pics turned out like this--where one of them looks great--

Here is my new favorite picture:

I really have beautiful children. I am so blessed!

Mustang Day

Today was Mustang Day at school, our field day. And today, Talia and I were the ones who matched! So cute! It is fun that we go to the same school...most of the time.

Talia rides her bicycle

Talia has just learned to ride her bike (with training wheels). She continually wants to go outside to ride. She is allowed to ride around the cul-de-sac and does a great job. Maybe there is a benefit to living in the suburbs...and doesn't she look so old in these pics?

"See--told you I could do it!"

Giana and I were playing with bubbles on the driveway. She is so curious about everything--she is at such a fun age!

Her smile makes my heart smile!

Look at these cute toes!