A visit from the Geismar Clan...

Andy's fam arrived to GA last night for a week of fun at our house! Adding 5 extra people in the house is always fun, especially for the week of Christmas! Bella took to her Gramma immediately & had such a blast with her!! It was so great to see Bella click with someone other than Andy and I. If only we had our families around us more :( Today was spent doing last minute preparations for Christmas Eve & Day. We made my Italian side of the family's traditional Caplitze from scratch and everyone helped. I cannot wait to make the soup & eat the caplitze tomorrow for Christmas Eve dinner! It's one of my favorite meals of the entire year!!

what a great thing to wake up to - Gramma in town!!

laughing at her Grammie!

Grandpa even got some cuddles!

time for a walk in the cold!!

The Grandparents taking the "kids" on a walk

Day 3 at Disney - Free day at Saratoga Springs

Today was our 3rd and final day of the trip...it went way too fast but we had oh so much fun! We can't wait to go back next year & make some more memories!! The day started out with a prenatal massage for myself with Mom & Becky getting regular massages..it was a great way to end the trip - getting nice & pampered! We then met everyone at the pool for a little bit of swim time before we had lunch and checkout. They had a cute kiddie slide for the little kids and that was a hit! After we got cleaned up and checked out - it was time for our final meal & then everyone went their separate ways to head back home. We were on the road by 2pm and home by 9ish. The car ride home went much more smooth than the way down. Bella was fantastic & barely made a peep..she was quite entertained with her DVD's. I'm trying to talk Andy into heading back to Orlando sometime in Feb/early March before baby #2 arrives so we can sneak in a couple more days of fun. We will see though...Mom has some extra vacation club points to use and said we can have them but there may be no availability with such late notice!! Cross your fingers bc I'd love another quick getaway with only 1 child!! haha!

Going down the kiddo slide with Daddy

Day 2 at Disney - Magic Kingdom

Day 2 at Disney was spent at the Magic Kindgom and we were definately much more rested today than on Sunday! We met everyone for breakfast at 8 and then all took the bus over the Magic Kingdom for some fun rides! It was definately more crowded here than at Epcot but it still wasnt horrible! All the big kids and adults went on Splash Mtn. first while there was no line. Mom, Dad and I watched the 3 little kids and took pics of them coming down the ride. Then everyone kind of split into 2 groups and went our separate ways until lunchtime! We went on Small World, Pooh, Peter Pan with the 3 little kids and then headed over to the Pooh Playground where the kids had so much fun playing in the fountains! I think this was Bella's favorite part of the whole trip bc she got to run around and play in the water! We got some great video of her running around trying to figure out how the fountains worked! We then had lunch at the Crystal Palace where the characters from Pooh were there to take pics with - Bella loved all the stuffed animal characters! She thought they were her big giant friends & didnt want to stop hugging or touching them! It was really cute! After lunch, it was back to the resort so the kiddos could take naps. For dinner, we met at the Liberty Tavern for some family style dinner & more characters to take pics with. We then headed to some rides - Pirates & the Jungle Cruise before staking out our spot for the parade and fireworks. Bella was doing quite well for being up past her bedtime & being so off schedule! We were wiped after a long day & were all in bed by 10 for the night!

Bella holding on tight to Uncle Mike & Daddy

on the train headed to Frontierland

Gramma with the 3 little grandkids!

on It's a Small World

playing in the fountains at Pooh Playground..her favorite!

with Uncle Mike at lunch

she loved Eeyore...wanted to take a nap on his nose!  ha!

Lily & Jeff giving hugs to Bella

Beck, Bella & I

cutie pie cousins!

Grabbing onto Dale's nose at dinner

Bella chowing down on ice cream dessert

Anthony on Liz's shoulders..

the castle at night

Day 1 at Disney - Epcot

After getting barely 5 hours of sleep, we were up and ready to go at 7am on Sunday. I was still feeling sick but not nearly as bad as Saturday. We met up with all the family for breakfast at 8am at the resort & then we headed over to a fun day at Epcot! My tummy was still in a lot of pain but by noon, I was feeling almost normal again! I was so glad we decided to suck it up and drive on Saturday night so we didnt miss out on any of the fun! We hadn't seen Jeff, Kristen & the kids in over 2 years so it was great to see them! We hadnt seen Andy and Liz since our wedding either and we had never met Anthony so it was great to finally meet our little nephew! Or should I say giant nephew!!! He is only 3 months older than Bella and weighs 13 lbs more than her!! He looks like a 3 yr old trapped in a 19 month old body!! Haha! He is so cute though!! Joe, Heather and Brayden also flew to Orlando from Phoenix and it had been since last Christmas that we had seen them as well so it was neat to see how Brayden had grown! He is still a little peanut like Bella! They had fun playing together over the course of the few days!

I took so many pictures during the trip but I'm only gonna attach my favorites! If you would like to see ALL 271 pictures, just email at snara2023@hotmail.com and I will gladly email you them all!

Bella and her Grammie!

Bella wasnt a fan of the double stroller!  Ha!

cousins hanging out

some of the gang on the Mexican boat ride

A sleepy Bella with Uncle Mike & Auntie Lily

Bella stealing her cousin's snacks!

the kiddos with Sleeping Beauty at lunch in Norway

Sleeping Bella on Auntie Becky

the dad's and their toddlers!

Joe and Brayden doing knuckles!

at dinner in Italy

the 3 of us in Italy at Epcot

Allie, Kristen, Lily, Big Jeff & Little Jeff

Andy, Lizzie and Anthony

Joe, Heather & Brayden

Epcot at Night..

It was a messy start to Disney!

Yes, we had a rough start to our Disney trip!  On Thursday (2 days before departure) Bella woke up with a stomach bug and was vomiting/had diaherrea all day.  It figures that the ONE time she gets sick, we have a trip to take.  Poor baby was lethargic and so mellow all day.  Not that I was complaining, I loved the extra cuddles and loving while hanging out on the couch all day.  Friday was better.  No more vomiting and she was acting like herself again.  There was hope in getting to Disney on Saturday afterall!!  Then, at 3am on Saturday morning, I woke up with the puking and runs!  I was so upset bc we were supposed to leave in 4 hours to Orlando and there was absolutely no way I was getting out of bed.  I was in so much pain, couldnt move.  I started hysterical crying at about 4am bc I seriously thought there was no hope in this trip to Disney to be with 19 of my family members.  This trip had been planned for almost a year and we were so looking forward to it.

I called mom at about 7am to tell her we wouldnt make it...I didnt want to bring our germs and get everyone sick & I didnt know when I would start feeling normal again.  She said to suck it up and come, everyone is healthy and nobody would get sick.  I thought there was a slight chance we could postpone the trip a day and leave on Sunday instead so I was just focused on getting rest & trying to stay hydrated bc I didnt want to end up in the ER with dehydration.  It was so hard to sleep and stay comfortable throughout the day.  I would sleep for about 30 mins and then wake up and be so uncomfortable.  Finally, at 4:30pm, I woke up from a little catnap and told Andy let's just pack it up and go.   I wanted to get there and not wake up at the crack on dawn on Sunday and miss a day at Epcot.  We were loaded in the car and on our way by 5:30pm.  I was barely functioning but I wanted to drive to keep my mind off of being sick so I drove first.  The 7 hr drive to Orlando was not fun.  Bella has never been a good sleeper in the car so it's constant work trying to keep her entertained and happy.  She slept an hour - that's the only break we got.  We finally made it to the Saratoga Springs Resort at 1am and I was never so happy to see a bed.  Uncle Mike greeted us and showed us to the condo that we were sharing with Uncle Joe and Brayden.  Unfortunately, Bella was WIRED once we arrived and all she wanted to do was run around this new place & play.  So she was up until 2:30, as was I...I went to sleep dreaming that Sunday would be a better day!!!

Our crazy 16 month old!

I realized I need to start documenting Bella & all her crazy stories so we can look back one day & reminisce, HAHA!  I love this little girl to death but man, she is definitely one fiery & feisty 16 month old!!  I swear she is going on 10 years old already!!  The term "wait" does no exist in Bella's world - when she wants something - she wants it NOW (or rather, 2 minutes ago) & does not want to wait.  She has been this way from birth bc I remember when I use to nurse her, she could not wait to start eating & she'd start screaming!  She is not a child that will sit & "chill" in her highchair...she is in it to eat & that's it!!

She is also Little Miss Independent & wants to do everything on her own - no help from mommy or daddy!  Today at Target she somehow figured out how to get out of her stroller - pushed her straps right off & started climbing out.   I tried over & over to get her back in her stroller but nope, Miss Bella wanted to run around Target like it was her own personal playground.  Every time I picked her up, it was flailing arms, arched back & screaming bloody murder.  Ahhh, yes...I was "that Mom" today at the store with the uncontrollable kid!   I know this is just one of many embarrassing public encounters!!!  I had mom's giving me that look like "I totally have been in your shoes, I'm so sorry!!!"  I just had a good laugh about it & actually got out of Target with only spending $17 - I think that's a new record!  I usually can't seem to get out of there without spending at least $75.  Andy will be happy at least!

Over the past 2 months, Bella has also started throwing tantrums & flinging her body onto the floor, kicking & screaming.  Isn't this supposed to happen when they hit 2 yrs??  I asked my friend Kelli, who has an 18 month old girl about this.  I said "does Ava throw tantrums & fall on the floor like Bella does?"  She replied, "Nope, just Bella!"  Ha ha - makes me feel good about my little drama queen!  I have just been ignoring these little fits & they usually stop pretty quickly!

The wonderful joys of motherhood!  It really is the most unbelievable & rewarding time of my life thus far & I wouldn't trade it for anything!  Andy & I are blessed to have this little girl in our life - as challenging, crazy & unpredictable as she may be!!  I'm just hoping that baby #2 isn't as high maintenance bc I don't know how I'd be able to juggle the two!!  Ha ha - just kidding!!  

Bella & Katie

We had our neighbor, Katie over for a few hours today so Kami could pack in peace (they are moving to Sarasota this weekend) & the girls were so cute & playing so well together so I took some pics of the crazy 16 month olds!!

Playing with the toys...

crazy girls on the princess car!

"Hmmm Katie, let me help you email your daddy!"

Bella laughing hysterically at Katie while she ate lunch!

something was funny...still don't know what it was!

December Fun!

Who wants some homemade chicken noodle soup?? We have tons of leftovers!! I actually decided to cook tonight since I'm feeling better & it was the perfect chilly night for it!! It tasted delicious & I have a happy hubby!! Bella and I had a fun day today. We started up her winter session of her Music Class & she had a ball! It's so interesting to see her growth in the classes since we began last summer. She can now follow along and do the motions to the songs - whether it be clapping her hands, banging on the ground or waving her hands in the air...my little baby is learning & growing up so fast!! Ms. Jamie, her music teacher, who Bella absolutely ADORES, is also pregnant & due in April! We will be growing together over the next few months of classes! Here are some recent pics over the past few days!

1st look at the tree!!

somebody likes it & wants to touch the lights!

Daddy sharing his yogurt!

MMMMMMMMM!

Hi Pretty Blue Eyes!

Playing Peek A Boo!

watching Barney - her new favorite show!

running around!

"Oops Mom!  Look what I did!"

all smiles for her H2O

She likes to be a big girl and drink by herself!