Erin's surprise birthday in Alaska!!!

Last weekend I flew to Anchorage to surprise one of my best friends Erin for her 30th birthday. Her birthday isn't until next month but her stealthy sister pulled off quite the surprise. I surprised Erin at her favorite coffee shop Saturday morning and she was speechless! It was a wonderful moment that a lot of work went into. From there we went and had mani/pedis and caught up since we had seen one another in a year or so (such a busy 2009) from there a limo picked us up with her best childhood friend Amanda in it with champagne. We then took Erin to the Spa she had her makeup done and we changed into our cocktail dresses and proceeded back to the limo where 2 more of her friends were waiting inside. From there we hit happy hour then a little tour of Anchorage. Our final destination was a condo where Kim (one of Erin's sisters) had everyone inside for a surprise party. Erin was beyond shocked by the entire day and it was so great to see watch her realize how many people love and adore her! Erin has such an amazing soul. She is one of the most generous and loyal people I know and I cherish our friendship more then she will ever know. We have lived together, worked together, moved together, and moved apart and through it all have remained the best of friends. It is so hard when you "grow up" get married, move away, have kids and don't have the time you once had for your girlfriends. However I feel like I have never needed my girlfriends more then I do now in my life. Having most of them live in other states makes me appreciate every moment I get with them so much more!

The rest of the weekend was spend lounging, eating out, a little Stella & Dot party, a movie, and some AK sight seeing. It was such a wonderful weekend and one that was much needed for me. Thank you to my amazing husband, mom, and sister for watching my babies so I didn't have to worry about them when I was away.

Gia is 9 months old

I can't believe Gianna is 9 months old!!! It is so hard to describe this little girl. I am pretty sure she is going to be hard work for the rest of my life. Feisty little Italian girl she is. She is walking which is crazy, she follows Luca around EVERYWHERE he goes. She LOVES to dance whenever she hears music. She screams bloody murder when I walk out of the room (lucky me.) She is sleeping 12-13 hours a night waking up once sometimes twice a night. She is eating like a champ but has been spitting up a lot lately again not sure why (time to clean the carpets AGAIN) She is in love with the soccer ball you see below, perhaps a soccer player like her daddy? She is STRONG! It is hard for Rob to pry her spoon from her fingers sometimes. She STILL hates diaper changes but will let me suction her noise with no fighting??? I am embarrassed to admit it but she LOVES mickey mouse. If she is in the kitchen and it comes on her head whips around and she halls it into the living room and gets AS CLOSE as possible. I feel guilty but sometimes I do put her in her exersaucer to watch it while I shower....whatever works at this point. As much work as she is she brings me more joy then I could imagine. She is cuddly, loves being tickled, hugged and kissed. I could cuddle with her all day.