The Gulbas Years: Oh so Thankful!!

Jeff and I are so incredibly blessed! We have so much to be thankful for - our wonderful families, friends, and of course Jillian! God has truly been so good to us.

Let me preface this post with 2 things: 1. It's reeeally long! 2. Debra took a lot of the photos, so you'll notice one amazing picture (from Debra) and then a blurry, so-so picture (from me).

We had a great Thanksgiving with Jeff's family and Jillian loved being at Nana and Popa's house! I love this photo of Jillian with her Nana.

Ok, let's get to it - Jillian was a great little traveler and did great riding in an airplane! I was really nervous about her crying, but she didn't! Not one peep either way! On both flights she slept the first 45 minutes and was either playing or eating the remaining 45 minutes. Jeff and I were SOOO relieved!

Tuesday, Nov 24th:

Our flight took off around 1pm, and right before we checked our bags, Jeff was carrying Jillian in the Baby Bjorn and commented that Jillian just had a grumpy (that's what we call it). I didn't think much about it, but I remembered that I forgot to pack a back-up outfit for her in our carry-on. I grabbed the first outfit I could find from our luggage right before we checked it. It happened to be a set of pajamas, and boy am I glad I did. I waited until we got thru security to change her. When Jeff took her out of the Bjorn, that's when we realized she had a MAJOR blowout! I mean all over her, her legs, her tummy.... it was naaaasty!! This was also the first time I had to change her diaper in a public restroom. YUCK! Granted, I wasn't too keen on Jillian wearing her jammies (she had such a cute outfit from Nana on) but I was SO thankful she at least had that. I guess she would have traveled in just a diaper and blanket (??) if I hadn't grabbed the outfit. So to all moms out there - don't forget the extra outfit ;)

Here she is snoozin' in my arms on the flight. I tried not to move at all, so my arms were aching after 45 minutes!

Awake and playing

NaNa and Debra met us at the airport; we spent the rest of the day getting settled in and catching up.

Wednesday, November 25th:

Jillian was REALLY off this day. She was really fussy and just not herself. I thought maybe she was getting sick, but when she was back to normal on Thanksgiving Day, we just chalked it up to traveling, being in a different place and maybe the altitude change.

These are the only pictures we took all day of her playing first thing in the morning. Nana and Popa's house was FULL of fun new toys!!

Getting some tummy time. It spins around, and Jillian loved it!

These are 2 pics Deb took. This one is so cute! I just took her bow off (that's why her forehead is a little red) and she was looking at me

Everyone was commenting on how much Jill was drooling and chewing on her hands and thought maybe she's teething. (I've since busted out the teething ring and she loves it) I did find out that all the Gulbas kids teeth really late. For instance - 18 months!! Hopefully Jillian won't be drooling like this for another year + ! Time will tell:)

Thanksgiving Day:

Thanksgiving day was just what we needed - relaxing, playing with Jillian, catching up with all of the family and of course eating!

We went on a long walk with her

Getting some tummy time on daddy, while watching Uncle Shale play the guitar with Uncle Adir

Mommy's turn to play with Jillian!

So many fun new toys! Needless to say, Jillian was spoiled on the trip!

Since Jillian was going to be fast asleep for the Aggie game, that afternoon I put her in her game day outfit so Jeff would be happy :)

I'm sure it's obvious, but Debra took both these photos - they are gorgeous! A lot of the pictures on the rest of this post will be from Debra, so if the picture looks perfect, creative, and professional, she took it! LOVE when she takes photos of Jillian!!

Jillian took a really long nap and then we got her all dressed up in her Thanksgiving dinner outfit! Then is was time for LOTS of photos!!!

Popa & Nana

Here's Uncle Shale getting some quality time

Great Grandma Judy and Phil

Jillian can now stand all by herself if you just hold her arms or hands!

Friday November 27th:

Jillian got lots of love from Nana all morning!

I love this photo - getting some great Nana advice!

Uncle Adir and Aunt Debra - yay a picture with Debra in it!!

Talkin'

So happy!

That night Jeff and I got to go out on a dinner date - oh so fun! We rarely get out alone together :)

Saturday November 28th:

Our flight took off around 4pm, and the Gulbas household had a whirlwind of visitors. It was really fun getting to see everyone. And of course, we took more photos!