Monday, December 27, 2010

What a Great Christmas!

We had such a great Christmas this year. It was fun because it was Giuliana's first Christmas, Giovanna's at the age where she understands and gets super excited, and Gunnar was with us. Giovanna does not like Santa one bit. When we put out the cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, she cried her little heart out, "I don't like Santa. I love daddy. I no like Santa. I love daddy." She was hysterical. I told her I wouldn't let Santa in her room, and that he was bringing her presents. She said, "I don't want presents." Well, when Christmas morning came around and all the presents were under the tree, she changed her tune about them! It was especially nice because Joe didn't have to leave for work until 9:30 a.m. Christmas morning, so he was able to open presents with us. AND he was home early enough to open presents with my family.

Giovanna on Christmas Eve in front of our tree

Both of the girls on Christmas Eve in front of our tree

Giuliana on Christmas Eve in front of our tree


Gunnar and the girls on top of presents Christmas Day

Giuliana on Christmas Day with all the presents


The girls got snow shovels from my parents for Christmas,
here is Giovanna helping me shovel


Giovanna likes to go under laundry baskets. Giuliana
likes to trap her under the laundry baskets!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Giuliana's Off The Ox!

This is so bittersweet for me. I spoke with Giuliana's ENT yesterday, and he agreed it is time to take Giuliana off the Home Pulse Oximeter. I just wish I felt better about our decision. On Thursday night when I put Giovanna to bed, I checked on Giuliana who had already been sleeping for an hour. One of my biggest fears came true. It had happened once before, but it was as she was falling asleep, and I thought it was a fluke. But it happened again, and it's 2 times too many. The cables from the Pulse Ox were tangled around her torso and tightly wound around her neck! I tried to stay calm and untangle her. Surprisingly she stayed asleep, but then I was put in a bad position. Do I keep her connected to the machine that alerts us if her levels become unsafe and risk her becoming tangled again and choking, OR do I take her off the machine and risk her tongue blocking her airway and not knowing because there is no alarm to tell me?

I sent Joe a text message, and luckily he was on a layover so he could respond. We decided there was a greater risk of harm if we left her connected, so I unplugged her. The next day I called the ENT to discuss this situation and tell him we feel it is no longer safe for Giuliana to be on the Pulse Ox. The doctor wasn't in until Monday, and after discussing it with our moms, we still felt it was best for her to be off the machine. So we tried over the weekend sleeping unplugged. Last night, Dr. Walner returned my call and agreed she has been on the machine long enough, and now that she moves more in her sleep, it is no longer safe for her to be connected.

I've waited 6 months for this moment, but it is more difficult to accept than I am happy about the situation. While Giuliana proves to us daily how well she is doing, I've become dependent on the machine and there is the fear in me that something will happen because she isn't plugged in anymore. Since she was born, the doctors always tell us the worst that "could happen" and the Early Intervention people made me feel like I had something to be afraid of, that I'm scared. In my heart I know she's going to be ok, but in my mind I struggle. I keep telling myself, now she can wear zipper jammies, and I smile a little bit.
Giuliana now drinks with a cup and straw!

And she loves her Banana Gerber Puffs!


Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Santa Baby

Yesterday we took our annual trip downtown for Chrismas Shopping and to see Santa. We normally see Santa at the German Market in Daley Plaza, but this year we went on a Tuesday and that Santa is only there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. So we opted for Macy's Santa. I was very impressed with Macy's setup and the friendliness of their elves and Santa (even though he looks mean in the pictures, he was very nice). I can't believe it's already Giuliana's first Christmas. She was a rockstar with Santa. Yes, we let her keep her binks in her mouth because we weren't sure of her reaction to Santa. Giovanna of course, was a drama queen. Enjoy our Santa pictures!

Monday, December 6, 2010

A Tooth Popped Through!

Last Monday, Giuliana had a tooth pop through! Her first tooth! Bottom middle/left. And no, I did not go to school to be a dentist, so I have no idea of the technical name for that specific tooth, but it's coming in! However, Giuliana is being a stinker, and won't let me take a picture of her pearly white. As soon as I have success I'll post a picture.

On Saturday, we had a great day. Giovanna and I had appointments to get our haircut. We decided to go with a short bob for Giovanna, and I'm so glad we did. She looks so adorable, Thank you Auntie Laura! Then later in the evening our friends Sarah and Isabella came over for dinner and to decorate Christmas cookies. Sarah is so great, she baked the sugar cookies and brought over her fancy royal icing and cookie decorating supplies. We had a blast and ended up with some pretty professional looking Christmas cookies!

The kids waking up to their St. Nick presents

We exchanged Christmas presents with Isabella, and
Giovanna received this adorable dress up outfit
from Isabella. She loves it and rarely takes it off!
Notice the boots. Those were a present from Grandma
and Grandpa. She loves those too and would wear
them to bed if she could!

I just thought this was so cute. All sassy and blowing kisses!


And the finale.

On Sunday, Giovanna had a tummy ache so we set her
up on the floor in the living room. What a great big brother. . .
Gunnar got down on the floor with her to keep her
company and make her feel better.

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