Minnesota - Week 1

On the plane coloring

The flight wasn't too bad, Genna was very good, it was just hard for her to sleep. Eventually she did get some sleep (laying on my chest), I didn't (SO uncomfortable)!

When we got to LA our flight to Minneapolis was delayed by 2 hours so we went to the Delta lounge. Genna was hungry after not really wanting to eat anything on the flight, so she was thrilled when she found these little tubs of peanut butter and cream cheese that she could spread on her crackers.

I LOVED that the lounge had showers!!! We got cleaned up (they provided everything - comb, deodorant, toothbrush and paste, mouthwash and fluffy towels) It was nice to change clothes too!!

 

 Eventually Genna passed out - thankfully in her carseat! This was about half an hour before our flight to Minnesota, so when we boarded I just folded the wheels up into the seat and buckled her in! Then I curled up on the other two seats (not a very full plane!) and got a few hours sleep. Fabulous.

When we got to my parent's house we played for an hour, then got ready for bed. She was surprisingly in a great mood after such a long flight!

Genevieve was thrilled to find this gift from Marcus - a Minnesota Twins kids bat & ball (it's super soft).

Genevieve's bat!

Playing with Grandma

The next day her cousin Alex came over to say hello - he also had a fun horsey ride!

Then he had a sleep in my arms - ahhhh so sweet. That was until Genna spotted me holding him and ran up and yelled NO MAMA! So I handed him back to his Dad :)

Genna having lunch at her own table - along with her personal flower bouquet :)

 

Marcus's girlfriend Amy & I

 

Having a cookie with Great Grandma Sis. We also ordered a baby chino (which is just foamed milk with chocolate powder on the top), and they looked at me like I was crazy! They had never heard of such a thing - how bizarre - we have those ALL the time in Sydney!

We went to Great Grandma Sally's house for a lovely lunch. She had a bag of a bunch of individually wrapped presents - Genna was thrilled!

With one of her gift bags. FUN!

Putting her necklaces (first gift she opened) on Joni 

 

Painting with Gigi & Grandma

Fun!

What an amazing photo! 4 generations

and with Joni too :)


It was lovely to spend the afternoon at Great Grandma Sally's house (and a great lunch!)

Us with my cousin Jolie

Ohhhh pretty flowers

 Taking photos of herself on Joni's phone in the car - there were like 15 of these - so cute

 We went to Como Zoo one afternoon - but hit the park first

 

Climbing back up the slide

In the conservatory with Grandpa & Grandma - and gorgeous roses

Check out the height of those Lilies!

Looking at the orangutangs with Aunty Mandie & Grandma

She LOVED seeing the gorilla this close - he was HUGE!

Grandma bought her a cute little 'Ellie' too

Back at home, combing Uncle Marky's hair

And giggles with Aunt Mandie

COOL glasses

We also had a lovely shopping excursion with cousin Alex & 3 Minnesota Aunties & Grandma. Genna and Alex were on opposite sides of the car, with me in the middle, and they spent most of the ride staring at each other. Genna yelled out NO when he touched my arm though - ha.

Back at home, with the ball Genna picked out at the store.

On the slide - YAY

And the swing

Then oh my GOSH we spotted a turtle

She even touched it's shell! Very exciting

and more sliding with Grandpa

Then we saw a frog too - fun

It was then time for some cooking

Cooking up lovely rocks - of course!

Ohhhh wet hands

Stop Dogs, no more! (ha - even though they were just laying there watching her)

Here Brock - have an ice cube

Now who would like the next ice cube? Kimo? Brock?

(they are SO patient and really don't bother her at all - they are happy to just follow her around and see what she's up to)

Here Grandpa - would you like a bite?

Genna at her own little picnic table - she loves it!

Grandpa found this little baby chickadee that isn't able to fly yet - Genna was thrilled

Pat pat

Oh dear - it's on my knee!!!

Playing on the i-phone with Grandma and Gigi

Bath crayons are SO much fun!

Taking a walk with Grandpa

Cuddles with Marky

She just LOVES riding in the car - we are both having SUCH a great time in Minnesota :)

This past week

It's all about socks this week - practice makes perfect!

I got it Mama - now I'm doing it again!

Pat Pat Pat - she was patting and shushing and saying 'Dada Sleep!'

This week you are little miss bossy! During book time you said 'Dada Book! Mama - Lay Down' So we complied, Dada read you the book while I laid on the other side and listened with you.

One morning while eating breakfast, I sat down at your little table with you (as you usually ask me to saying 'Mama Sit' over and over until I do it). However, that particular morning you yelled 'NO Mama - off - Genveev seat!'

Dancing while eating - well, drumming :)

Expert on the iphone before she's even 2

Bad to sing while eating, I know - but I just thought it was SO cute that she knows the rain song!

While I was getting her dressed she grabbed a baby wipe and started wiping down puppy & baby - so sweet :)

One More Post!

I had to put up another post because I totally forgot to your biggest achievement this week!! You figured out how to put your socks on! So you spent a LOT of time last weekend taking your socks off just so you could put them back on :) I was very proud - except it's getting chilly outside so I keep reminding you to put them back on!

And of course last weekend we had more babychinos - of course :) You love it because it's fun to eat with a spoon - I like it because I get to enjoy my chai too and it's just steamed milk with a tiny bit of chocolate powder on top :)

Also, today when I picked you up from daycare Michelle was telling me how you know everyone's name in the whole room - all 3 carers and all the kids! Pretty cool! She also said you were playing with one of the babies in the room this afternoon (who is crawling) - you helped him up to the steps on the slide then pointed at it and said slide slide! So cute :)

The flower crafts you made me for Mother's Day :)

We had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend - you (and Dada) gave me lots of lovely presents, I had a facial & haircut, and we went out to lunch! We forgot to take pictures, but here you are Mother's Day afternoon hanging out back at home :)

  Counting Lady!

Today at the park in your cute jacket :)

Swinging!

At your playground 'shop'

Dancing this evening :)

Your newest word this week is Princess! We've been reading the Disney princess books Great Grandma Sally gave you in the past few weeks, and now you pick them out and say Princess!


Can you tell we're excited to go to Minnesota in 3 1/2 weeks???

22 Months!

Last weekend our house was being painted - so you and I went to the mall - we had a good time - we went on rides (like this) did some shopping, looked at puppies at the pet store, and had coffees (well you had a babychino) and of COURSE went to the park so you could go on the slide - it was a fun weekend AND our house is now painted (downstairs) - hooray!

Chilling out on our sofa on our new carpet - hooray! You love having a blanket over your legs now while you relax :)

Today you said 'painting Mama' so of course I said yes! You had a great time smearing your hands around in it - that's the fun part!

I couldn't choose just 1 video - so here's 4 !

22 Months - Tomorrow!

Last weekend we went to Manly to enjoy a nice sunny Autumn day!



You decided you didn't want to take a nap (had a small nap on the way there) so after pushing you around for awhile trying to encourage sleep I just gave up and said 'do you want some ice cream?' You screamed ICE CREAM - YES! Ha ha - so we went and got a little cup of vanilla. I LOVE that they gave us this free bib - kept every drop off your clothes. When you ate it down to the last sloppy bits I kept saying 'Genna are you finished' and you'd say NO - MINE! You loved it :)



Gosh you LOVE playing in the sand - you were thrilled when you found this hole someone had dug.



Sand - Wonderful Sand !

We also had a really long lovely skype with Grandma, Grandpa & Gigi on Sunday morning. We didn't bother changing out of our pajamas and just sat and chatted with them for ages - it was lovely. (our wifi was acting up though - thus why we had to have it plugged in and on the floor)

Gigi asked you 'Genevieve where's your belly?' so you pulled your pj top up and started rubbing your belly - HA HA!

Lunch and still in pjs - gotta love the weekend :) Some days you just want to sit and eat like a big girl at your table and sometimes you prefer your high chair - I leave that up to you. I don't mind, as long as you are eating in the ktichen!

Hiding Mama!

Gosh your hair is getting so long and pretty. It's a bit like a mullet as the sides are still catching up to the back, but I don't want to cut it - SO pretty!

Happy happy lady

Last night you found a straw in the kitchen and wanted to try it out with your milk - you had SO much fun and did a great job - no spills!

More Mama - More! You just love being pulled around in this baby pool filled with balls. You lay down and then yell for me to pull you around the house.

Singing the ABCs.

I tried to get you to sing Rock a Bye Baby too - but you prefer to hold your baby doll while singing that song. I love how you sort of mumble most of the words then yell out CRADLE at the appropriate times - adoreable!