The Matthews and Aunt Tiffany Day 2...

We had another day full of fun! Everyone got to bed before midnight last night (Gianna slept great again)...and everyone seemed to sleep very well. Nick and Millie had a mid-morning dip in our inflatable pool...and then we all headed to the FARM, a local recreational facility with several pools. We warmed up in the kiddie pool - playing hard. Two year old Millie jumped from the pool deck into the pool on her own for the first time and Nick played as hard as ever.














Millie is warming up to her cousin Gianna, and becoming more and more curious.













Millie helped her Mama burp Gianna by gently patting her back.



We went to Moe's for a great dinner and afterwards, Millie, Nick and John played hide the glow-stick while Gianna rested peacefully in their outdoor seating area.






It's hard to believe, but Gianna was sweeter than ever tonight. She loved her bath and was so content afterwards (she normally gets a little fussy afterwards because she doesn't like to be cold) and seems to be getting sweeter - even smiling a few times as we dressed her in her darling pajamas.

Love,
The Brunners Three

The Matthews and Tiffany arrive!

Gianna was excited for our visitors from Seattle to arrive early this morning. Everyone slept in this morning which was so nice.



Gianna had some good bonding time with her Aunts today.




We had a full day of basketball, Kidzu Children's Museum, lunch at Franklin Street Pizza & Pasta, UNC's Boshamer Baseball Stadium (where Nick got to run the bases and talk scholarships with Coach Fox), UNC Basketball Museum, Basketball camp at the Dean Smith Center...



...then Nick and Millie had a great time in our inflatable pool and we followed that with a great dinner from our Friends at Nantucket!



We had an after dinner run across the street to Chick-Fil-A for some fun in their jungle gym and for some after dinner ice dream milk shakes...mmmm!

We're excited to see what tomorrow brings!

Love,
The Brunners Three

Gianna's Smiles

Gianna had another great night's sleep and is excited about her visitors this weekend...





...Aunt Tiffany, Aunt Laurie, Uncle Bobby, Cousin Nick and Cousin Millie.




Gianna slept alot today - Michelle thinks she overheard us talking about her need to get alot of rest before her cousins Nick and Millie come to visit! ;)

Love,
The Brunners Three

Gianna's Ruffles

Gianna rebounded well today. She had a solid (if not noisy) sleep last night, and started out a little cranky in the morning, but she's back on track. She had a few good naps with Mommy and one with Daddy when he got home from work. Then we all went for a nice walk once the Thunderstorms passed through and the temps dropped into the 70's.

Gianna has several outfits that have ruffles. I think they are so cute...and since she's not walking or crawling yet (and since she has such a tiny derrière! :) - it's not easy to get a picture of the ruffles...Here are a couple in her Ballerina Pajamas...almost like a little Tutu.




Gianna taking a little nap



...and her Cherry Red
Two Piece...




Gianna's going to try to get some rest over the next few days to get ready to meet her cousins Nick and Millie for the first time.

Love,
The Brunners Three

Bye-Bye Aunt Angie and Aunt Laura

Gianna had a great visit with Aunties Angela and Laura. We went out to dinner twice, had some great awake time, lots of holding. It was so nice to have them here, but it went by so quickly!


Gianna had her toughest day yet this afternoon and evening. She wasn't her usual sweet, content self - probably because she was sad to see her Aunties go, but we also think that gas pains were putting her in a bad mood?



While she slept well last night, Gianna barely slept and cried much of the day - both of which are very unlike her. Hopefully she can get through this quickly. She had her most relaxing time of the day in her bath.

Love,
The Brunners Three

Gianna meets Aunt Angie and Aunt Laura

Gianna had another great night of sleep! Michelle found a new plan - "top Gianna off" with some formula after she finishes her last breast feed of the night. This seems to further satisfy Gianna and get her ready for a nice, long, sleep.

Gianna had alot of good awake time today!








Aunt Angie and Aunt Laura flew down from Rochester, NY this morning and John was able to pick them up at the airport and take the rest of the day off from work. Gianna was so happy to meet her Aunts and we all had a nice relaxing visit!








































The five of us went out to a local restaurant, The Lantern, and had a delicious meal (even Gianna). Gianna earned a perfect "10 out of 10" in behavior from Ms. Neenan (Aunt Laura) and Michelle got to use her Hooter Hider with for the first time. After dinner, Gianna had a blow out diaper and Aunt Laura changed her with expertise in the back seat of the car parked in front of 411 West on Franklin Street. We had several friends and strangers run into us and they were so excited to see Gianna asking all about her, ooohing and aaahhing the whole time.

Gianna finished the night off with a nice relaxing bath. We're all looking forward to a great visit with Gianna's Aunties...

Love,

The Brunners Three

Gianna is THREE WEEKS OLD!!!

Gianna turned three weeks old tonight! She continues to be a great baby...She's continuing to explore her vocal ranges too! She's been a tremendous eater (she had her first bottle of formula Tuesday night and sucked it right down!) and has been regularly sleeping through the night. We sure hope this keeps up! She also has enjoyed walks in her stroller.



Gianna likes to hold on to her Mama when she's feeding - making sure that her precious meal doesn't get away from her!




Daddy loves coming home after work and sharing a nap with Gianna on his chest.



Gianna had her first photo shoot - our friend Jenn shot some pictures when she was visiting the area Monday and Tuesday. Gianna is quite photogenic!








Gianna is excited to meet her Aunt Angie and Aunt Laura this weekend too!








Love,
The Brunners Three

Relaxing weekend for Gianna

Gianna had a very nice, relaxing weekend with Mommy and Daddy and slept in with us on Sunday.

Our good friends Brian and Beth stopped over to meet Gianna and we celebrated their recent engagement. Michelle had her first sip of alcohol since about 10 months ago - some tasty Finger Lakes Champagne.



The temps were in the low 80's Sunday, so we were able to go for a nice walk this afternoon - which Gianna loved!

Gianna attended her first party today. Our neighbors and good friends Allen and Caroline are expecting a little baby boy in September (a future playmate of Gianna's), and their friends threw them a baby shower. Gianna behaved and everyone was oohing and aahing over her.

Love,
The Brunners Three

Clogged Ducts & Cape Cod Cool...

Mommy took her first trip by herself outside the house without Gianna - she had a nice walk in the summer heat Thursday evening.

Daddy has been really enjoying coming home after work and sharing an afternoon nap with Gianna on his chest.

Gianna had her first night where she didn't sleep great. We think it was gas, but she was still sweet even if she was occassionally expressing her discomfort.

Gianna has been having a small bit of gunk in her right eye, and we continued to gently wipe it away. Michelle took her to Dr. Joe (our pediatrician) today and he diagnosed her with a clogged tear duct. Michelle was instructed on how to massage the duct and Gianna was given her first prescription - an antibiotic ointment to help keep her eyes healthy. Her weight was 6 pounds, 10 ounces today, so she has gained 4 ounces since last week.

In the spirit of "Cape Cod Cool", Gianna tried on her best cocktail party outfits tonight. We wish we could be at the Oregon Coast this weekend, for the Yeend Family Reunion. We send everyone there our love.



Gianna had her first trip to Nordstrom today (first day of the Anniversary Sale.) Unfortunately we didn't buy her anything, which she wasn't very happy about...




...but she does have a couple items from Ralph Lauren...








Gianna is excited to meet her newest cousin this fall - Congratulations to Sue & Joe, what wonderful news! :)

Love,
The Brunners Three

Gianna turns two weeks old

Gianna continues to do a great job sleeping, eating, pooping and has had some great awake time when she is very aware of everything around her. She continues to enjoy her evening baths and relaxes to the soothing warmth of the water. She is so sweet!

Mommy took Gianna into her office today and she seemed to enjoy the ride and stayed very interested in what Mommy was doing.



Gianna received some great gift packages in the mail today - including a very snugly doll-size sweater and hat that Grammy Brunner made for her.








WARDROBE ALERT - Look forward to Friday's Brunnerville Blog entry where we will be with our cousins at the Oregon Coast in spirit and Gianna will be sporting a Cape Cod Cool Ensemble!

Love,
The Brunners Three