I Mostly Sleep In the Car, Mostly

Yes we took another car trip and we went back down to see Nana Mary. We spend all this time in the car going to see Nana Mary. Any thoughts on just moving down there? Or what about Nana Mary moving up here? Just thought I'd throw that out there. But the car trip was fine. I think I'm getting better at it. The key is sleeping. If I can sleep during the entire trip then I don't get fussy and the ride isn't as long. So, I'm trying.


But it doesn't always work so there are times during the trip where I'm awake. Luckily I have friends.


Speaking of friends, the trip to Nana Mary's was wonderful. I met my new cousin Colin from Colorado. Colorado Colin. It's not like I know of any other Colins. Oh and my cousin Andrew was there too!


But no matter where I go, I always have one friend close by. Trying to keep up with my best friend and big brother in LAUREN'S WORLD!

When I Speak, People Listen

The cat no longer has my tongue. I've got words! You can count them on one hand but I'm speaking. Let's see, there's baba for my bottle, mama for the most important person in my life, dada for the most important person in my life, elmo for the most important red furry person in my life, and nana for my favorite person to visit. Oh and just today I learned that I can get a great reaction out of dada when I drop the menu on the floor and say, "uh-oh." I know what you're saying, what about my brother's name? That's a tough one for me but Landen still speaks a bit of gibberish so we don't have any problems communicating.



So we recently took a trip down to Nana Mary's for Thanksgiving and it gave me a chance to truly express what I'm thankful for. I'm thankful for two loving parents who would do anything for me. I've known this since day -270 but I truly felt it in the car ride down to nana's. Shortly after entering Staten Island I decided to share my entire breakfast, lunch, snack, last three bottles and whatever else was in my stomach with everyone in the car. While it wasn't a pretty sight and the aroma had even stinky pants Landen turning green, mama and dada were right there to clean me up and redress me. One second I was losing my lunch and the next dada was pulling the car over on the highway, getting a change of clothes for me from the trunk, cleaning my carseat and mama was changing me right on her lap (sorry about your clothes). The last time I saw dada move that fast was when he forgot to set the DVR for Glee. Thanks, mama. Thanks, dada. I know I sometimes can be a handful but I think I'm worth it!



The trip was great. We had so much fun and Nana Mary made everyone feel as if she planned the day for just them. People played games, ate good food, sang, played dress up and we even got to play on the beach. Even I got caught up in the dressing up!



Every day is a new day for me. I might learn a new word, eat a new food, hear a new sound or smell a new smell. I can't get enough of it! There's really no stopping me now that I'm walking and talking. This growing up thing isn't bad, especially when I'm doing it right. Enjoying growing up Giambalvo in LAUREN'S WORLD!

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Someone may have once sung it differently but the point of the matter is, a clean baby is a heavenly baby. So I take baths, but, there was something about the whole bath routine that just didn't do it for me. I needed more. Let's take a bath at church! Apparently it's this big event. My Uncle Thomas said he'd be my godfather and my Nana Joan said she'd be my godmother. I even got all dressed up. Dressed up, for a bath. It is what it is.


Well that was good but I was still searching for that spotless shine that I see elsewhere and then it hit me. The dishwasher!


I think that makes me the cleanest baby in all of Park Slope! I like that and if what they say in the song is true then I'm on the right track. What more can I do to achieve spiritual happiness? Attend a Jesuit university like my daddy? Already making college plans in LAUREN'S WORLD!

One, Oh One!

I turned one! Such an accomplishment that I'm quite proud of. Apparently I was not the only one who felt the day was worthy of a celebration as some family came to visit. My grandmother, Tutu Kathleen, came all the way from Hawaii and my great grandfather and Barb came from Florida. So I'm wondering, do they know that I'm turning one again next week? And I think I'll be celebrating my first birthday again the week after that. Looking forward to seeing them again for those celebrations and to getting all dolled up again.


A truly special day for me. Oh and get this, it continues on through the month because both my nanas and my Uncle David are coming to visit me for my baptism. What a month! And let me not forget my daddy. Daddy made me a special video to celebrate my milestone. Thanks, daddy. I'm looking forward to many more with you. Knowing my daddy can rope the moon in LAUREN'S WORLD!

Lauren Turns One! from Brian Giambalvo on Vimeo.

Summer Vacation

We took a family vacation this summer to a place called Martha's Vineyard. I just want to go on the record as saying we need to do this more often. We had the best time. I was able to hang out with my all my family in this super huge house and do all sorts of fun things like bike rides, play at the beach and hang out with my cousins.


I really can't remember the last time we all had such a good time on a family vacation. Well, maybe that's because I can't remember the last time. This was my first!


When you consider all the responsibility I had in making this vacation possible, it's quite amazing. I basically was responsible for representing the cuteness in the house the entire time, every day, all day long. By the end of the trip, I was definitely in need of a rest.


Thank you to everyone who had a part in watching over me on the trip. I know that I'm not quite capable of taking care of myself so of the 16 other people in the house, I'd say 14 of them watched over me at one point or another. Ava, it won't be too long before you have your shot and Conor, maybe one day I'll be watching over you. Missing all my family in LAUREN'S WORLD!

Oh The Places I've Been

I'm still at that age where I can't really express my opinion about things. Well, I could cry if I didn't like something but that might be interpreted as being tired or hungry. So there's not much use if say mama is putting on the same episode of Baby Einstein that I've seen the past four times. I know we have the whole set. Landen told me. My point is this - I pretty much eat, watch, play with and go whatever/wherever people say. Most recent example? Our little trip to South Carolina to visit Aunt Christine. Get in a car? Sure, why not? Get on a plane? Sure, why not? Non-stop to South Carolina? Sure, why not? I'm an easy going gal, let's go see some family! How could I pass up an opportunity to hang with my younger cousin, Conor. Younger? You betcha! Gosh, I felt old.


I must say, I had a great time on this trip. We even took a little trip into the mountains of North Carolina to stay with Nana Joan. And the best part? The whole family came with! We had so much fun. Oh and the pool was probably the best part, next to Nana Joan's cooking.


There's just something about the pool that brings out the best in me. Well, who knows. Maybe it wasn't so much the pool as it was the cute outfit I got to wear when I went swimming. The patterned hearts definitely make the outfit!


A great trip was had by all! I really enjoyed seeing all my cousins and it was tough saying goodbye. Sure I knew I'd being seeing them in about a week but goodbyes are never easy. Thanking my family from both Carolinas in LAUREN'S WORLD!

C is for the Cape!

Just when I realized Nana Mary had left, there she was again! This time we were the ones doing the visiting in lovely Cape Charles. Life's a little different down there in the Cape. Let me share a couple examples. No strollers. What's up with that? Hey, not that I'm complaining but when you're used to a stroller every day of your life it's quite a change. So I'm thinking I prefer my stroller over the car. Wasn't so much of a fan. Another difference - quiet. Now that's something that I enjoyed, however, I found it a little tough when it came time to sleep. Oh and let's not forget the animals. Nana Mary has animals in her house. I didn't see much of these kitties everyone spoke of but I sure had some one-on-one time with Abby.


We went to a parade! Now that looked like fun. You get to walk or drive or roll or run or tumble down the street and everyone smiles and waves at you. Nobody asked me if I wanted to be in the parade. I could have crawled. At least that way the parade would have lasted A LOT longer!


We celebrated two birthdays while we were down there but only once did I see cake. The one party that included cake was for Aunt Linda. I hope you had a great 40th birthday. What? No! 60? Are you sure? I would have never guessed. Okay well happy 60th birthday. I hope I look that good. The other party was a little confusing because we weren't actually celebrating someone's birthday. I got a flag out of the whole deal.


I liked my trip down to the Cape. The beach, the backyard, the pool, the family. I hope to return soon. Missing Nana Mary here in LAUREN'S WORLD!

V is for Visit!

We had a visit the other day from Nana Mary. Her visits are a special time for us because she usually has something fun for Landen to play with which keeps him entertained so she can focus a lot of her attention on me. Or, when we go to places like Chuck E. Cheese she can just wear me and that way I'm always right there in front of her.


But like I said, these are times for us to get close to each other and play. I certainly wish Nana Mary could visit more often.


Never enough Nana Mary moments in LAUREN'S WORLD!

Happiness Is . . .

Happiness is finding the perfect toy. See you might think I need a pretty dolly or some colorful building blocks. Nope, just a good thick string to take the edge off my darn teeth.


Happiness is outdoor naked time. Haven't tried it? Oh now this one you've gotta try.


Happiness is dinner time. Okay, okay, I know this isn't always the most happy time around here but hear me out. Every once in a long while a meal comes along that simply covers you with feelings of happiness. Or maybe just covers you.


Happiness is my daddy. He has nice teeth.


Happiness is my mommy. She has nice hair.


Happiness is LAUREN'S WORLD!

Up, Up, Up!

Things are starting to change and I'm not talking about my big brother going to his cool camp. It's me! I'm growing up! Can you believe it? It seems like only yesterday I was unable to roll over and now I'm able to pull myself up and stand. We're talking huge milestones!


At dinner when we go out, I get to sit in my own chair and be part of the crew. It won't be too long before I'm using those shiny objects to cut and pick up my own food.


And speaking of food, have you tried this iced cream stuff? Hello! Here I am getting jars of sweet potato chicken when I could be eating the iced cream. I seriously need to learn how to talk so I can correct that situation.


It used to be that wherever we went I was confined to the lap of either mama or dada. Now that I'm a little mobile they are letting me hang out on my own. It's pretty cool because I'm exploring all these new areas and finding new things to touch. Can we just take a minute to talk about how good the grass feels between your toes?


Move over big brother - your toys are slowly become OUR toys. Coming into my own in LAUREN'S WORLD!

I'm Loved

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. Well you see, I love everyone. Everyone says I'm such a happy baby and it's true. I love everyone and everything. What's not to love? So when I'm born into a family that takes my love and triples it in return, I'm just a happy little princess.


My daddy just adores me. I see it in the way he looks at me when he comes home from work. First my little brother runs over and gives him a big hug and kiss. Then he comes over and gives mommy a kiss. And then it's my turn. This is one of the highlights of my day. He makes his way around to me and looks me in the eyes and says, "I love you" and gives me a big kiss on the forehead. That's love.


My little brother can't get enough of me. Where I go, he will follow. If I'm in the crib, he wants to be in the crib. If I'm in the pack n' play, he wants to be in the pack n' play. If I'm on the rug, he wants to be on the rug. And then he likes to blow me kisses. That's love.


My mommy means everything to me. We have our special moments together. She'll pick me up, take me somewhere away from daddy and big brother Landen, hold me close, and give me kisses. I want these moments to last forever, or until I'm hungry for my next thing of yogurt. Even after the yogurt, she'll pick me up again, hold me close, and give me kisses. That's love. All you need is love, love, love here in LAUREN'S WORLD!

Warmer Weather Days

Ah the sun! Dresses, cute hats, parks, playgrounds. You really can't go wrong when the warmer weather comes around. Plus, my big brother feels the same way so together we can pretty much drive mommy and daddy to do whatever it is we want to do. So the other day we were off to the park!


And now that I'm getting a little older I can start to do some things on my own. No, I'm not walking yet but I can sit up. Hey that's a big achievement for me!


Then there's the playground. There's always the playground. Can't get enough of the playground. My big brother feels the same way but we tend to run in different circles once we get to the playground. While Landen takes to the slides and likes to climb the ladders, I'm more of a swing girl myself.


Let me tell you a little secret though - Landen was once a swings boy. Wanna see? Dishing the dirt on my big brother here in LAUREN'S WORLD!

Thank You, Easter Bunny

We had a visitor the other day - the Easter Bunny! Funny thing is, I don't really remember anyone coming over, and I should know because I'm pretty much up all through the night. Oh well, I won't question mama and dada. I mean, you can't really make that stuff up. Right? Look at the goodies my brother and I received.


Mama sat down with me to open up all the stuff in my basket. Such a generous bunny!


Confusing the Play-Doh for candy here in LAUREN'S WORLD!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

I'm starting to like certain things more than others. Eating a banana - like it. Snuggling next to mama - like it. Being outside - like it. Being put down - don't like it. Chewing on mama's iPhone case - like it. Grabbing mama's hair - like it. Standing for too long in the exersaucer - don't like it. Being in water - like it. Riding the swings - like it. So obviously if you put together some of those things I like then you'll have a very happy baby Lauren. For example, here I am being held outside. Now if only mama's hair was within reach.


And here I am outside riding the swings. Apparently it's not acceptable to ride the swings and eat bananas at the same time. Shucks!


Oh and bath time is a big hit around here. Sometimes it's just me, other times it's my brother and me, and maybe one day we'll add the family duck. Oh look! Having a quacktastic bath here in LAUREN'S WORLD!