WhAT juSt HapPENed?

OH WOW!!!! I don't even know where to start, it's been almost 2 months since i've posted anything....it's been absolutely crazy lately to say the least. I guess i'll just start from October 22nd, when Laura arrived for her 3 week visit!! We did a lot of beaches, and had a day free of Gemma and went to a local spot for all the tourists to go, kind of like a Senor Frogs type place, we had a great time petting monkeys and riding horses on the beach, jumping off rope swings and laying in cabanas. The weather was perfect most of the time she was here so that was great because last time she was here, it was kinda cloudy and rainy the whole time. Having Gem now, makes for very interesting adjustments when having people visit. Working around her naps and melt downs gets tricky. She did pretty well for the most part but every few days we just needed to stay home and adjust back before going again for a few more days doing stuff. One of the fun things Laura got to be a part of was Halloween (lol)...that seems so long ago now. Gemma's first Halloween was a success! The girl wore what I wore on my first Halloween, the only difference is I had a full snow suit on under it so the space was mostly taken up, Gemma doesn't need all the cold padding so it looked more like a pumpkin gown than an actual plump pumpkin hahaha. We went to a friends neighborhood where all of us met up with our kiddos to trick or treat along with the neighborhood kids...saying 50 kids is probably low balling it. My first experience with kids on Halloween, it was absolute chaos lol, but they had so much fun and once everyone started to spread out, walking around was nice. The following night we had a sitter and Laura along with me and two other friends were superheros in tutus for a Halloween party! The next day we had Alan come in town which started the trickle of friends coming in daily for Alan and Jenny's wedding the next weekend. We had a crazy busy week with at least 5 people and a baby in the house at anytime that week, for 4 of the nights there were 7 people and a baby here. We had a great week exploring with everyone and got some great photos!

Alan and Jenny's festivities started with rehearsal at Sea Cat, a fantastic restaurant here. I had told Alan i'd decorate everything at the restaurant that night and for him not to worry about it....I did it as a surprise to Jenny (and everyone else) and i'm pretty sure she loved it! Us girls went to stay at The Crane Resort that night and had hair and makeup done there the next morning before headed to the wedding at Lone Star Restaurant. I was super stressed out for days since I helped plan a large part of the wedding, but it paid off and everything went great, I was glad it was over and I felt more like me almost instantly. I can't wait to see pictures from the photographer, Jenny was absolutely stunning and the little twists and turns of detail made it special and more memorable. They set off for their honeymoon sailing in the BVI's and the rest of the group (as well as Gem and I) headed back to Orlando.

Darin came up 5 days later and we did a family/holiday day with each of our families which consisted of good food and watching Gem open her first Christmas presents! We also had planned on going to Disney with Drey, Shane and the girls as well as Grammie and Poppie (Mark and Marcie, Darin's parents)....it was for Jordis's 7th birthday and it was Gem's first disney trip. I got the super stinking cute mini mouse ears for her that she wore and didn't care for a good part of the day. She got to ride Dumbo, It's a Small World and Peter Pan, just the most cutest thing ever was having her at Disney, even though she won't remember it, but I will :) We also brought Gem to see Santa!! Oh my gosh was that so freaking cute too....I just love her so much at this stage, the 9-10 months has been my absolute favorite age so far. She's just the coolest, cutest kid....she's got this personality and smile that kills me every time I look at her. Her hair is getting so long with these curls at the ends and her eyes changed to this really cool green with a super dark blue ring around the outside, they're gorgeous!!

We had also planned a surprise party for the Doty's 40th anniversary. Drey got a good group of people from close and far, old friends and new to come out and celebrate and boy were they surprised!! Great night for sure!!

Since our visit, we've just been getting back into our daily routine and enjoying lots of holiday parties here and looking forward to a few friends that are visiting for the holidays. We're also looking forward to January when my brother gets married!! I hope to not go 2 months again with out posting, enjoy all the pics...I know I do ;) 

LoVE biRDs

I have some fantastic news!!!! My little/big brother is ENGAGED!!! He met this amazing girl years ago and on occasion, randomly would hang out with the same group of friends. They never thought twice, or maybe just the wrong timing in life, but they were never more than that person that they see sometimes when everyone hangs out.  I do remember Craig talking about this girl he thought was pretty at someone's wedding but nothing ever came of it...maybe she had a boyfriend or word just didn't get around to her that Craig was interested. It's ok though, a little while later we had a new renter in our house who was Laura and Craig's friend Maggie.....and her friend who came over all the time was Kaitlyn. Even though they kind of, sort of knew each other, it wasn't until then that they really got to know each other. Still with a few obstacles they remained friends and nothing more. A few months after that, the timing was right and they fell in "like" with each other. Craig has been waiting for the one to come along for a while, he said when he found her one day he would know right away. They started dating and we quickly learned Craig has probably found that one he's been waiting for. A few facetime convos with Craig and we heard all about Kaitlyn. It wasn't until I went home in October to surprise a friend for her birthday that I got to meet her. I was excited to meet her because I heard such great things from Craig, but also nervous because I wanted her to be right for my brother, I didn't want her to hurt him, I didn't want him to get heart broken, I didn't want to see him sad and I definitely didn't want her to be a snobby, all about me, selfish person who was going to one day take my brother from me. I was pleasantly surprised (at 6 months pregnant) when I walked in the house and this girl with a big smile on her face got up from the couch and gave me the biggest hug like she's missed me....yet she's never met me. All those doubts in my mind instantly faded and I felt an immediate connection with Kaitlyn, like i've missed her too!! Since that day, they grew into a loving, caring, fun couple. In May they came to Barbados for a week and it was great to spend good quality time with them and really get to see them together as a couple. Kaitlyn fits perfectly with our family dynamic and when we're all together things just flow like normal, we've never felt like we had to "fit" someone else into our lives. She's very easy going, enjoys life, loves our family, adores my brother and as nervous as us Zubli girls were for the girl Craig would one day marry, we have nothing to be nervous about anymore. 

A few weeks ago, Craig picked up the engagement ring he'd been designing with a friend of the family who is a Jeweler. Besides Kaitlyn, we were all involved, got updates of drawings and everything, so it would only make sense for all of us to go with Craig to pick up the ring on his lunch break....I of course was on facetime so technically I was there :) My mom cried, then I got kind of choked up, it's just so special seeing my brother design and purchase something that means so much to him and he's become this great man who's found the one he wants to spend his life with and I can not be happier.

He went out that night with Kaitlyn for their 1 yr anniversary but he didn't propose because it was to obvious....so he waited until the next night. He hatched a plan and proposed in downtown Winter Garden FL in front of the fountain. I was impatiently waiting for updates from Laura who was the ring holder and picture taker. When it was over, we facetime'd quickly but it was loud where they went to celebrate so it was pretty much hand gestures of excitement because they couldn't hear us lol.

 It's so awesome having my family who is so close, we want each other there for things because it's important and we can't imagine doing them with anyone else. Keeping the bond is what's most important in life and Kaitlyn is part of that family bond. Darin, also an in-law, fits in perfectly too ;) and i'm grateful for the relationship he has with my family as well. He's become a best friend and brother to Craig and Laura and I love that! He means so much to Craig, that Craig has asked Darin to stand with him at his wedding....my heart is so happy, I married such a great guy who means just as much to my family as he does to me. Just like I can't imagine someone else for me, I can't imagine someone else for Craig, Kaitlyn loves and adores my brother so much, he's changed as a person over the last year (in a great way) and I can see the change he's made in Kaitlyn as well. They make a great team and they make each other better in the process.....I can't wait to watch them start their lives together as husband and wife on January 31, 2015!!!!!

ParEnTs VisiT #2

A few weeks ago my parents came for their 2nd annual Barbados visit. Remember how I said Gemma was so close to crawling that maybe she'll surprise my parents and do it first while their here? Well she didn't lol....still so so close! We had a great week despite the clouds, some rain, the car window breaking in the down position, using a trash bag to cover the window only to have it rip off and it start pouring rain on the way to the dealership, not having a car for a day, pools being closed, restaurants closed because September is "slow time" hence time to renovate and close, service for lunch one day was the worst i've ever experienced since living here....but we had one absolutely perfect day the day before they left, BUT...we had a great time because we got to spend quality time together and that's what's most important. We left Gemma with a friend one night and went to dinner at a new place we haven't been before and it turned out to be a really good meal and had a few really good laughs. So glad my parents are able to visit, they have a lot going on with moving into an apartment because they sold the house and are building another, so it's nice that they were able to squeeze a visit in. My mom and Aunt plan on coming back for Gemma's 1st birthday in January so that should be a fun sister trip for them. 

I decided recently that I was going to surprise my friend Jenny for her bachelorette weekend in Clearwater Florida. It worked out perfect that my parents were here the week before so I got to fly back with them and thank you Jesus because Gemma was a PILL on the flight from Barbados to Miami. No more afternoon flights with that girl.....and no more flights with my parents either lol, we had the WORST traveling luck i've ever had in my life. I have so much anxiety traveling with her because I simply don't want to be "that lady with a kid", any noise she makes I immediately start to panic and my blood pressure i'm sure is through the roof, so she and I both make it to Miami in one piece...besides Gemma being horrible on that first flight, we were happy to get off and finally grab some dinner and wait for our next flight. Little did we know the universe had other plans for us. We get off the plane and head for immigration, all is well...we use the new kiosks and print out tickets out but my mom's has an X on it. Dad and I go to the "fast lane" and get through fine while my mom has to go through the actual line which didn't look bad because she was the only one. My dad and I are standing there waiting for my mom who is taking forever!!! My dad goes to check on her and gets yelled at to leave the area.....it was about 10 mins I think before she finally came around the corner!! We get down to the baggage area for customs and our bags are the last 3 on the carousel....obviously because we took so long in immigration. I get my bag and head towards the LOOOOOOOONG Disney world line that looked at least an hour long....great! I'm starving, Gemma needs a break and needs to eat and this line is just so so long. I move a little in line as my parents are coming up and the security guy lets me and my parents cut through!!! What a relief we are now 2nd in line instead of 200 lol....we get though ok, head around the corner for security for our connecting flight and my mom gets stopped because her and dad's tickets are wrong for the flight to Orlando....awesome....something ELSE goes wrong! We have to go to the ticket desk and get new tickets printed, get back in line for security to head to dinner, food, a beer and finally our flight.....but no. Security went well (i thought), my mom and I got through and we're sitting on the bench putting shoes on, the door is RIGHT THERE and we're clear, no more bad luck!! Here comes dad and we head out the automatic doors, i'm thinking, watch the door close and hit one of us in the face just our luck right now. We get through about 10 steps and I told my parent's I need a beer stat, i'm about to freak out if something else happens....cue my dad "where's my phone".....are you freaking kidding me!!! I go back into security with him and after a few mins of confusion and no luck, anxiety and nausea kick in and I start to panic....we find it at the lost and found right there....OMG i'm gonna die, my heart is racing, i'm over traveling, I just wanna get to Orlando. We stop at TGI Fridays for dinner finally...the hostess told us our bad luck was over and we get a booth and are happy to sit and order. Dad goes to the bathroom, I pass Gemma to my mom so I can get her food ready when Gemma grabs for something on the table and I quickly grab it away from her but as I do that I knock over an entire glass of ice cold water all over the table, my mom, the booth and I just start crying, laughing too but they were more tears of frustration and insanity than laughter. This day has GOT to end. We eat, get to our flight, Gemma has a bottle and passes out, we get to Orlando and the bags are taking FOREVER, but Laura is promptly there to pick us up. We finally get home, exhausted....I told my parents I will not be traveling with them again lol.....jk, I probably will, but on this day, I feel like I never want to again lol.  

*top row is my parents visit, bottom is our flight back....that middle bottom picture explains our travels, my half beer and my mom overwhelmed as were all of us lol.

7 months almost 8:

*absolutely loves the water, she fell asleep in her float for the first time lol

*apparently doesn't mind sunglasses or hats at all

*loves to stand and play

*eats eggs and pancakes every morning and loves it

GroWiNg gROwInG

Besides G growing so fast right before our eyes, so are her nails, her appetite, her voice, her curiosity and diaper size. It's been a fairly crazy month of firsts, i'm pretty sure 6 months is the most confusing for new parents. She started sitting a week before she was 6 months, and that was cool....just toss some pillows around her on the floor and bam, pillow fortress! Then comes the eating new foods and trying something new every 2 or 3 days, which is cool too until she gags on something because the consistency isn't right, or something gets stuck on her palate and she gags.....which is not cool! We tried little bits of things, banana, watermelon, a puff cereal thing, and all of it....gag. I swear i'm not gonna feed her anything but mushed pureed food until she has all her teeth in lol and even then, i'm gonna be so paranoid! She has found every level of noise her little voice can make, but luckily her loudest screams are always happy ones, when she's the most excited. Since sitting for a little over a month now, she frustrates herself because she can't get to things and wants to. Her tummy has become a little more common to her and she doesn't freak out as fast laying on it anymore. She's done a fair share of face plants into the floor because she can get on one knee but can't figure out the other leg and where it goes so she sits back or face plants. If we leave her sitting she'll be sitting 2 ft away not to long after but it's mostly because she leans and scoots, not fast at all, but it's movement. She continues to LOVE bath time, doesn't mind at all when we dump water on her, she just gets back to the toy she had, like it's no big deal. We were at the beach 2 weekends ago and completely dunked her, no cry, just a little surprised, caught her breath look and then she'd smile.....hopefully we really do have a water baby!!

7 MONTHS: 

Even though some days my brain feels like mush because I literally watch kid/baby shows ALL DAY.....I can't complain, it's a real privilege to stay home with her. It's quite sad but I not only have my favorite shows but I also have my favorite shows for Gem....if one comes on that I don't like, I change it, she doesn't seem to mind yet lol. We had a biscuit type cookie, a cheese puff and a rice wafer thing that she's done pretty good on today.....still, i'm so nervous and on super mom alert when she's eating, but she showed me today she is not like she was at 6 months, progress is good.

She's popped out her 2 bottom teeth the other day! FINALLY!! I've been waiting for those suckers....she's been quite good, had a runny nose and was a little fussy a few days before I saw them but nothing more than usual...and from what I hear about teething babies, i'd like to consider us super super lucky in that department!

We are currently in the "don't leave my side or i'll die" phase, it happens to be my least favorite. We've never been the parents that were all over her at every second, she doesn't sleep with us, nap with us, she plays by herself and has fed herself a bottle since somewhere in the 3-4 month mark. She's so content to play with her oh so interesting toys, but now when you can't leave her side, not even as close as sitting on the couch...I mean it's on the floor next to her or else. She seems to have freak moments during her awake time, sometimes it's the whole 2 hrs i'm on the floor and sometimes I can do some laundry, wash dishes, make something to eat and she doesn't care where I am. 

My parents, who are now Oma and Opa come to visit in 1 week and we can't wait!! Gem is so close to crawling, maybe she'll have a surprise for them when they get here!

Below is some 7 months pictures....this little girl has got one awesome life, I mean...that beach is down the street, walking distance from our house and she gets to grow up there, how lucky.

7 Months:
*eats puffs like a champ
*loves to go on walks and watch the waves
*absolutely loves bath time and all her toys
*pulled up on her own from sitting to standing!!

FirST foOdS

FINALLY the 6 month mark came and then quickly left, that's how crazy i've been!

From 6 months: Gemma is now testing out her taste buds!!  So far we do oats in the morning for breakfast and a veggie at lunch time. She's questioned it all but ends up eating it and liking everything so far....we started with carrots, then sweet potato and zucchini. She's had a taste of banana and avocado but hasn't had a full serving of them yet. I'm happy to say no allergies so far and I can't get more food in her mouth fast enough, our chunku-munk loves food, go figure :) She continues to amaze us with that personality that is coming out, her laugh and smile are still as sweet and cute as ever, and her and Darin love their chat time at night before bed. She loves people and smiles at them all so they in turn love her right back, she loves touching faces, loves Pocoyo (a cartoon) and toys that play music. We're also so lucky to have a good sleeper still, it's nice having that time with Darin at night when she's in bed to just relax and watch tv or a movie together, ya know, all that stuff old people do.....and we're also still in bed around 10pm lol, that's been our bed time for years, what can I say, we like sleep :)

6 MONTHS:

*17lbs 11oz, 25inches

*babbles like a crazy person, which is really funny

*still LOVES her jumper

*hates her tummy so she rolls right to her back

*still sleeps with the blanket covering her face...not sure that will ever end

*sitting up just before 6 months