Happy 3rd Birthday Giuliana!

Well I'm sure you can imagine that I am a wreck over here. Just trying to figure out how it is possible I now have a 3 year-old daughter. I'll say that every year but it is like...whoa. We have been celebrating the last few days and have had so much fun. We started off at Nani and Nanu's for the usual poolside Labor Day activities. You got your Dory cake you've been talking about and spent four straight hours in the pool. You love to jump in when no one is looking (not funny) and you especially love jumping off the top edge which is pretty cool to watch. I'm so glad you have no fear but at the same time it does give me a slight heart attack. The sha-cuzzi is one of your favorite places to splash around and we only made you say it 9,000 times :) it is just too cute!!

The next day we went up to the Disneyland area and checked into our hotel right across the street from the park. We walked through Downtown Disney and then bought a cheap ticket into Disneyland. It was really busy because it was the holiday but we managed to get on quite a few rides considering we were only there for a few hours. We went on Pirate's of the Caribbean, It's a Small World, Dumbo, Autopia, and your very first roller coaster in Toon Town! It was pretty fast and actually a real roller coaster. You loved it and wanted to do it again and again. We saw glimpses of the parade and fireworks so that was also really fun to see. You're finally at a point where you can understand and appreciate all of the fun and characters. You were asleep before we made it out of the park.

The next morning we went to breakfast at your favorite, IHOP, and then walked over to California Adventure. This is a much smaller park so it is easier to get around and make it to most of the attractions. However, I didn't realize that most of the rides have a 40 inch height requirement and you are about 39 inches tall right now. So in about a month you can ride the majority of the rides. You wanted to go on the Cars ride and the big roller coaster but weren't tall enough. We still got to do everything in A Bug's Land and all of the other Cars Land rides. It looks exactly like it does in the movie, really incredible how they bring all of these themes to life. Our favorite though, was the Toy Story ride where we got to shoot at targets and score points. It may have been more fun for your dad and I. We went on twice because it we had to compete. And you know it, I won both times. Overall you lasted really well over both days but it is tough to do it all. I'm glad we were able to stay overnight. We definitely plan to do more trips up there and can't wait for more fun times.

Today is your birthday and another big milestone, your first day of preschool. I can't believe the day has come my love. You are growing up so fast and I want time to just pump the brakes a bit. I can't handle it! We walked you up to the playground where the rest of your class was and you just ran on in and didn't look back. We were able to get a kiss before we went and hid behind the gates to watch. Don't judge me, we weren't the only ones. We watched you walk with the rest of your class into the classroom and went on our way. I may have shed a few tears but I know this is going to be such a great experience for you. We picked you up a few hours later and you said you had so much fun. They even made you a birthday crown and sang to you. So cute! I just can't believe what a week its been celebrating you my baby love. I love you so much babe, happy 3rd birthday!!

Preschool Prep

So tonight I went to Parent's Night at Horizon for your preschool orientation. I was just sitting there the whole time thinking to myself how I still can't believe this is my life. It seems like one of those far off events that you never really think of how it will actually be, it is merely just the idea and thought of it. And then there I was, sitting in an auditorium full of other preschool parents and how crazy fast the last three years have gone by. I swear just yesterday you were my tiny little baby who depended on me for everything. Then we went into your classroom and it really hit me. The bulletin boards were all updated with the kids' names, I saw your cubby and all of the different stations. Your teacher Mrs. Jones seems really enthusiastic and that makes me happy. The parents sat in kid sized chairs and that was pretty funny too. I'm going crazy thinking how you are going to adjust and how I am going to handle knowing that you will be in a real school program like such a big girl. Ugh. I'm going to be such a wreck. On one hand I want you to miss me as much as I will miss you, but really I hope you love it so much that you can't wait to go. The struggle life I tell ya.

Tomorrow I will take you for your meet and greet with the teacher and hopefully you can meet a couple of the kids. So excited for this next chapter of your precious young life!!

How Is It September???

Well hello there! My its been a long time has it not?! This is an update I planned to post in May, but you know how that goes. Anywho...

**Since the last post, we have done so much! Your cousins came from Boston to visit for a week and you had so much fun with the boys. You and Jacob are two peas in a pod and I think we will have to keep a close eye on you both. You're little ninjas and act like brother and sister. You also started soccer lessons, which is kind of like an outdoor Gymboree class with a soccer ball but you are so good! You've got a mean kick and pretty good control of the ball, when you're not trying to pick it up and run with it, of course. I took you to Seattle last month for a little getaway with Nani, Nanu and Auntie Dre. We explored the city and ate so much. You especially loved the macaroons we got from a popular bakery. You ate an entire chocolate one yourself and you are still talking about how you want macaroons now.

We are now into May and I cannot believe it. This year has gone by especially fast so far and it's really sad! We've been looking for a preschool for you for so long but haven't gotten into one yet. You are more than ready for interaction with kids and a structured learning environment and I think you will really like it. Not to mention you already look like you could fit in with 4 year-olds! You're so tall that everyone assumes you are older than you are. Your vast vocabulary helps with that too. We can have a full conversation with you and your imagination runs wild with the stories you tell. You also don't skip a beat or forget anything! Your memory is better than mine, it's incredible! If we are driving around the city you know who's house we're going to, if we pass IHOP, or a shopping store. You rarely stop moving or talking at all throughout the day and do not like sitting still one bit! Your favorite movies these days include Cars, Minions, and Ice Age although Toy Story will always be your favorite and we cannot go anywhere without taking Woody, Jesse, or Buzz. You are so much fun and such a little sour patch. Super sweet but also super sassy. You're going to be a fierce, independent little girl. We've got lots of trips to Sea World and the Zoo planned any maybe even Disneyland again. We would love to take you to Cars Land!**

Now we are literally days away from your third birthday and starting preschool at Horizon on that day too. Prepare all the tears. It is a three day a week program, only for three hours but I think it will be great for you. I wish that I was able to be home with you every day or at least drop you off and pick you up from school. Being able to be a part of your day would really be so amazing for both of us. But I will be extra grateful for our Friday's together.We are planning on going to Disneyland to celebrate your birthday and hopefully seeing all of your favorite characters! I also want to take you to get your first manicure and pedicure at the nail salon. Ahhh!!! We are officially out of baby and toddler land, you are a little person with a lot of personality. You are wise beyond your years my love.

We have been taking advantage of summer and going to Sea World, the pool, the park and running around all over town. You have been loving all the fresh fruit and eating and playing outside. We got you a little paint set and that seems to be a hit lately too. The days go by so fast and before you know it our weekends are over. We tried taking you to the movie theater to see Finding Dory when it came out in June but that lasted all of about 40 minutes. A few weeks ago I took you back and we saw The Secret Life of Pets. You got antsy for the last 20-30 minutes but between my snacks and little tickles, we made it through the whole movie. Score! So many firsts and so many milestones to come!

And now, look at how much you have grown this year!