Potty Training.

This potty training business has been an ongoing process for about a month now. I told myself come the new year I would be in full PT mode, but with all the things going on I became pretty laxed with it. Laila has gone poopy on the potty before months and months ago since she does get her tummy aches easily and has a hard time going sometimes. So I would put her on the toilet to relieve some pressure. Now that she turned two, it's time to get crackin'. I don't want both girls in diapers...I think I would go broke.
So my goal is to get Laila totally potty trained by the time Emmie arrives. I'm telling myself it won't be that hard considering she now comes and tells me when she has to go #2. She gives me the look and goes "Poopy Potty". So we rush to the bathroom and sometimes sit in there for a good 30 minutes while I read her her favorite book "Everyone Poops". If she doesn't go and we get off the potty, she then comes to me every minute telling me she has to go back on. Finally, when she goes she tells me she's "All done!" It's the #1 part that I think will be more difficult. I'm starting the training pants, so we will see where that takes us. She's got her adorable little girl panties already for her in her dresser drawer. Oh the patience you must have in the PT world.

An Angel's Getting Her Wings.

My beautiful Grandma June (Gigi) got called to heaven from God on January 24th at 9:05pm. These past months have been extremely hard watching her fight through cancer. Only 2 months went by with us knowing it was even taking over her body. Everything happened so fast, it's hard to even imagine her not being here with us anymore. She was one of the most amazing people in my life and I was so lucky to call her my Grandma. I am seriously at a loss for words and wish that I could wake up from this nightmare and have her back. But I know she has left her temporary home to be back with my Grandpa, my dad, and all the loved ones we have lost.

If I could tell stories about all the memories we have shared I could write a book. My Grandma did everything and anything for us. Even as we grew into adults we were still spoiled by her. She was a kid at heart herself. Everytime we had with her was special. She was always so active with her crafts, quilting, and painting...she taught me so much and I was so excited to learn more from her. I am forever greatful for the time we did get to share these past couple months...even before we found out she was sick. I hold all the memories deep in my heart. I still can't believe it.
Laila admired her Gigi. And I know that even though she is 2 she will remember her. She really got close with her months before she passed. This picture below was a special day. It's the last picture of Laila and Gigi about 2 weeks before she passed. They were being silly with their princess stickers and my grandma got her an entire Snow White Pez set that Laila loves! This is the hardest part for me. I always was so excited for Laila to be able to have her childhood years with her great grandma because I had so many great memories with her growing up. But I really do think she will remember her. And with Emmie...she will hold a special place with her Gigi. I'm just glad we got to tell my grandma we were having another little girl and that she would carry on my grandma's name as her middle name. My kids will know their Gigi because she will be talked about a lot through great memories, pictures and stories.


You are so missed Grandma June. Watch over us and guide us until we see you again.

Weep not for me though I am gone into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long upon my soul's sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul's at rest.
There is no need for tears for with your love I was so blessed.
There is no pain, I suffer not, the fear now is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts, in your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath, remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death, but celebrate my life.

Half way there!

I have officially hit the half way mark (20 weeks) yesterday and I can hardly believe it. Like I have said sometimes I forget I am even pregnant since I am so preoccupied with Laila running around. I think it's all catching up to me now. My belly is sticking out, I have the bad backaches and headaches, my back and tummy are sooo itchy, and my boobs have grown a big amount and have already started to hurt a little. I know, I know...TMI.

When I think back to my first pregnancy, this one is a little more difficult. When Laila was in my belly it wasn't so bad. I barely got sick and didn't feel as tired. Things were different. I have to say I have pretty easy pregnancies considering these horror stories I have heard. But I think this one is more difficult because I am constantly on the go with Laila. It's not as easy to lay down when I want or even relax for a second. I may not be working this pregnancy, but it is still way more exhausting. This time around I got a little more sick and actually vomited once. With Laila I never did. The prenatal vitamins are making me a little sick this time, and the first pregnancy it didn't. I am on the same exact ones. I have the acid indigestion and keep tums by my side all day. I am always tired and can't get enough sleep. I am already uncomfortable and the only way to help me sleep is if I have pillows on both sides of me. Weird I know, but I like snuggling with them. I get out of breath easily already. My appetite is insane. One day I can eat a meal for two all day long and the next I take a couple bites and feel all woozy. All the symptoms seem to be starting early this time. Hmmmm...what else can I complain about?

I know people say with your second pregnancy you show a little sooner, which is true. I have gained a total of 10 pounds as of now, but I feel so blah already! I'm in between my regular clothes and maternity. I lost weight once Laila's started being more active, so my old maternity clothes are way too big on me. I just went and bought some maternity shirts, but still haven't reached the maternity jeans stage yet. I'm in my regular jeans and I just tie a hairband around the button. I got my belly band, but I'm still not big enough for that yet. It's uncomfortable. I mostly wear leggings or comfy hang out pants for right now.

But with all the challenges of pregnancy, comes the most amazing feelings in the world. I feel Emmie a lot now. And it brings me back to when Laila was in my belly. You relive it all over again, and it seems like just yesterday when I was pregnant with Laila. I keep seeing if Jason can feel her yet, but he can't. Maybe in a couple weeks. Miss Emmie JuneBug is doing perfectly hanging out in the womb for another 5 months or so. Got lots more appointments to look forward to and lots more to blog about in the future months.

Baby #2 Name Revealed.

So here it is...Miss Emelia "Emmie" June is set to make her debut end of May. We were going to hold off on revealing the name, but as many know I don't have much patience when it comes to exciting things. Plus, we kept going back and forth with different middle names and even kept contemplating on the first name. I think girls are much harder to pick names for. For some reason we kept going toward the E names. And once I said Emelia, Jason loved it. He was set on it and I was too. But then I didn't want to be too certain because I wasn't ready to make it definate. But this was a name we both loved and that doesn't happen very often. With Laila the same thing happened. So after deciding that Emelia (we will call her Emmie for short) would be baby girl #2's name, it was time to pick out a middle name.

Now, we were so set on the middle name Annika if it was another girl from the moment we got pregnant. But then when we picked the first name we didn't think it flowed that nicely and wanted something a little shorter. So then we went from Ava, to Grace, and then to June. We both agreed that Emelia having the middle name June would be special. Since finding out my grandma got cancer, life has been hard, but this was a way of showing her how much we love her. We wanted her to know that her name would be Emmie's middle name, and once I told her and heard her cry and feel honored, I knew that's what it had to be. No matter what happens this year, Emmie will arrive and share a special peice of her Gigi. I am so excited for Laila to meet Emelia. She gives her kisses everyday and says "I love my sister". Now I'm working on her saying Emmie. Still got some time, so I think she will get it down by then. I couldn't be more happy having two girls and can't say it enough that I am really really excited!!!

Turning Two!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. Even with all the chaos of shopping and constant non stop of celebration. Our holidays are always full of lots of happiness and joy with our families. I can't say it enough how blessed we are.
I got cracking on shopping on the early morning of black friday. I normally don't care as much about getting to all the stores, but there were some killer deals I had to get to. To be honest, I enjoyed it. I don't think I ever get sick of shopping. I enjoyed buying things for Laila this year that she would actually be excited about. I was like a kid on Christmas morning...counting down the days until the big Christmas Eve and day.
The week before Christmas, Jason had his work Christmas party at Jackson's Steakhouse in Tampa. We owned our business for a while so years went by without having any holiday work events to go to. I sipped on shirley temples, while Jason drank real alcohol for the both of us. We knew they were giving away a 42 inch flat screen for a door prize. Jason and I were joking about how we never win anything, but prayed that our luck would change this upcoming year since 2010 gave us many obstacles. It was too funny...numbers were being called left and right for little prizes and then came the big daddy of door prizes, the TV. Hot damn, we won! And got to bring home the TV that night. We couldn't believe it considering our other TV just took a dive after 5 years. On the way home we couldn't stop talking about how our luck has changed and we actually won something. Early Christmas present for us!
So, Christmas Eve finally arrived and we spent that afternoon at my parents opening our gifts before heading over to The Little's for our annual Christmas Eve dinner.

Laila had mounds of gifts to open. She got so many toys from her Grandma "Mum", Grandpa "Papa", Nin Nin, GiGi, and Uncle Barry. It took us a good two hours to exchange gifts with everyone. She got her Beauty and the Beast tea cart set that she constantly plays with when we go to the Disney store, Tag Junior, Her kitchen set, ton's of food and goodies for the kitchen set, her PBK shopping cart, and so much more, I can't even remember.

I was most excited to see Laila open all her gifts more then anything, but my Christmas was very special too. I got a new Vera Bradley purse, frill wallet, and make-up bag, gift cards, clothes, martha stewart kitchen bowls, and something that brought me to tears...

When we found out my Grandma "GiGi" June was sick with cancer, it took us by surprise and left us cherishing each day with her because you never know what God has planned. My Grandma had specially made a necklace for me. There isn't one like it. It's my Daisy necklace, and as I read the little note she attached with it, I couldn't help but cry. It is one of the most special gifts I have ever got and will cherish forever. This will be something that will be passed on to my girls with special meaning and will know how special their GiGi is.

After the first round of gifts was over, we headed to The Little's household. Laila then again got spoiled over there by her cousins and Aunt Jen and Uncle John. She got her American Girl bitty baby doll, along with bitty baby rattle, bottle, and matching pajama set for the doll and Laila. After the night passed and it was almost time to leave, Santa came to see the kids. Laila isn't too fond of him yet, but does know who he is by saying "Santa" and "HoHoHo". We will have to work on it for next year.

Jason and I were so excited for Christmas morning now that Laila is older and understood a little better then last year. She woke up at about 7:30 and on the wrong side. She was so cranky, screaming, and having a tantrum. So we told her to go back to her room until she calmed down. After a couple minutes she came out and wanted to open some presents. After the little bump in the road, she was loving it! We couldn't stop laughing with how she reacted to her presents. Mommy and Daddy got her a princess cd player, bath toys, memory, mickey mouse clubhouse set, along with many other little goodies. Her big gift was from Santa...her big B&TB castle. When she opened that it was priceless. She tore the paper all by herself, and as she saw a little of it she said "Is that the beast!?"

After our morning at home, we went to Gramma and Papou's house to open gifts with them and Papa Guy and Gramma Et. She had one of her crabby spells again and didn't want to open any gifts until she opened her Meow Kittyboard. Then she started tearing up some paper and opening more gifts. From her Gramma and Papou she also got her PBK table set, toys for her babies, and her doctor accessessories (so she can be like Dr. Papou). After enjoying a couple hours of opening gifts and breakfast, we hung out for the afternoon until we went to my parents for Christmas dinner. It was more of a relaxing Christmas night. Gifts were all done and all the festivities were coming to a close. Grandpa Santa made an appearance at the end of the night.

The Geraci's were all tuckered out by the end of the night. We all were so spoiled with love and gifts from everyone. All day after Christmas I spent organizing and opening all the presents we got. We are now looking forward to 2011 being a lot better then 2010 was. We have some party planning for Laila's 2nd birthday and my 28th at the end of January, our shower for Baby E, and welcoming our second daughter at the end of May. I'm hoping 2011 will be filled with only happiness and peace.

Here are our resolutions for the Growing Geraci Fam:
Mama G.- Stay calm in stressful situations and don't stress the small stuff, including the things that I shouldn't be stressing over, like Baby E's nursery plans and redoing Lai's room into a big girl room. Deep breathe!
Daddy G.- Get back into shape...we will see how this goes considering it's his resolution every year. ;) And to keep on doing so well at the job.
Miss Laila G.- To get this potty training down in full gear. Which means potty right when she wakes up, and every hour or two. We want her out of diapers before her sister arrives, I think she will do well considering it was a peice of cake getting rid of bottles and binkies.

Hope everyone had a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year!