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!