Another First

Gabe rolled over from back to belly last night in the living room floor. He has been rolling over from belly to back for a few weeks now (see "No Steroids Needed" posted May 14th). He has also rolled over a few times with a little push, but tonight he surprised us.

I had been playing with him on an activity mat in the floor and I went to the kitchen for a minute to wipe down the stove and finish loading the dishwasher. Rob was working in the chair and called me back into the room. He asked me if I left Gabe on his belly or his back and I said
"back". When I rounded the corner from the kitchen, he was now on his belly, pushing up on his elbows, with his head held way up and smiling! We praised him and he smiled some more.

We didn't capture it on camera yet, as I said it was a bit of a surprise with no assistance there for him, but we will have the camera ready next time. He's going to be in motion real soon, just you wait 'n see!!! Guess it's time to get "babyproofing".

Plaid IS in

Gabe certainly has a "hat head" and wear hats well like his Daddy. I thought this matching plaid set was so adorable. It's been rainy weather here in Atlanta lately, but he'll be so cute and styling when we go to Florida this summer to visit. Hope it's sunny there so he can sport some of his little hats. Even if it's rainy, we'll wear 'em anyways and spread a little cheer!

Only babies and old men look this good in plaid!

All-Nighter

Gabe finally pulled an all-nighter...I mean, he slept through for 8 full hours on his own and didn't wake up for a 2am or 4:30am feeding. Woo Hoo! So sweet for the parents to get to sleep for a few more hours at time. Who knows if it will be a regular thing from now on, but we are excited with the milestone nonetheless. Gabe usually goes to bed for the night around 11pm or midnight and wakes up once for a feeding and then goes back down again until about 6:30am, but not last night. He slept from 11:30pm - 8:00am.

By the way, for anyone wondering, he's now 26 inches long and has almost officially outgrown the bassinett that he's been in since we brought him home from the hospital and we're moving into a crib in his own room in the next few weeks. We'll keep you posted with his progress, of course!

Catchin' Some Zzzzzzz's

Walking tall

I am convinced that Gabe will skip right past crawling and start walking. If he had his way, he would be standing every minute that he was awake. Mind you, he has no sense of balance yet. He can't stand unattended. But if you hold his wrists or chest, he can support his own weight. He weaves like a drunken sailor, but he is standing nonetheless.

Fifteen weeks and standing strong

Father's Day

Today was our first Father's Day. We celebrated it by going to get pictures taken. Jules and I had said that we were going to get professional pictures of Gabe taken every three months or so. We got his first batch of pictures taken right before Easter, so we were due, and this seemed like good timing. I lucked out that it was my day, but for those taking notes at home, the next session will be in September (Jules' birthday).

The photographer loves Gabe. The Easter photo session was 195 pictures, and this one was about 130. We had to stop because it was too much stimulation for Gabe, what with all the people and lights, and four different costume changes.

There were some great pictures taken, which we will dole out slowly, mostly to torture the Grandparents.

For those of you out there that this applies to, Happy Father's Day from all of us.

"Are we done yet?"

Brand New Skills

Recently, Baby Gabe has been learning about his hands and feet and discovering his ability to grasp at them. He has officially mastered the skill of hooking his tiny, dexterous thumb in the plastic loop of the pacifier and flinging it out of his mouth, but the hands and feet are still pretty new to him.

It's precious to watch him as his feet kick around and the movement of his socks catch his eye and then he makes a strange, bewildered face and begins trying to reach for the toes. In the mornings, early, when he first wakes up, I can look over at the bassinett and all I see is feet! Straight up in the air and those teeny hands reaching up for them. I can hear him kick wildly and strike the mattress with his heels as he slams them down and then curls up for another attempt. It's so fun to watch all these changes as they happen!

"mmm, I wonder what this tastes like?"

Pee-Pee Tee-Pee

We still receive gifts in the mail periodically for "Baby Congratulations" and "Just Because" and we cherish each and every one of them, but this one really takes the cake! Debbie, Peter and Peter Owen sent us a nice gift box all the way from Vermont and we were so excited to open it and see what was inside.

Upon unwrapping, there was a really soft and squishy stuffed animal and a bottle of baby bath bubbles and this package of blue terry cloth triangle-shaped things? The package says they are "Pee-Pee Tee-Pees" and they are "for the sprinkling wee wee." We've been using a washcloth or a wet wipe in the target area and calling it a Pee-Pee Tee-Pee... but, who knew?? Daddy thought they were hysterical. Gabe isn't so sure about the whole idea, but having been peed on before this wonderful little invention, Mommy thinks they are absolutely brilliant!! Thanks alot you guys!

You want me to put this WHERE?

The Swing's His Thing

Some babies like the bouncy seat and some like the car seat, but Baby Gabe likes his swing best of all. He enjoys being in it and looking around the living room. He often drifts off to sleep as it sways gently.

I thought this was a great photo and really just wanted it on the blog! Hope you'll agree! His hair is looking pretty reddish here, but we'll hafta wait and see.

Just a Swang-in'

Baby Aerobics

Today, we went to our friend Leigh's house for a playdate and Gabe loved playing and doing baby aerobics with his new buddy Seth (see "Size Doesn't Matter" post from 4/16/05). Baby Gabe is now 15 weeks old and rapidly approching month 4. Seth is a little bit younger and will be 2 months old next week.

The 2 boys were so precious during their floor time. They smiled at one another and explored their surroundings and they looked at the flashing lights from 2 mommy cams as their tiny limbs reached, kicked, streched, & flailed wildly! Gabe took a really long afternoon nap and we can't wait to play again soon!

...and up, 2, 3...and reach, and stretch...

Gabe's big day

Today was a momentous day in the life of Baby Gabe. Not one, not two, but THREE things happened today, any one of which would make for a big day.

First, Gabe wore shoes for the first time. My friend Leanne gave us some shoes right after Gabe was born, but Gabe had never had occasion to wear them before today. But since he was getting dressed in more than a onesie today, it seemed like the right time to put shoes on his little feet.

Stylin' shoes from Baby Gap

Secondly, he got his first piece of mail. Jules' grandmother went to Oklahoma, and while there got Gabe a pair of OU socks. She mailed them directly to Gabe, and he conveniently received them the same day he was trying out shoes for the first time. Fortuitous coincidence indeed...

"New socks to go with my shoes!"

Then, the icing on the cake was a surprise visit from Jules' Aunt Teresa and cousin Michelle. They were in town for a day and came up to see Gabe. We were there too, but I am not sure they noticed.

"Who's this crazy lady?"

Gabe is a smiling, giggling fool, or is that Teresa? Hard to keep it straight. Either way, everyone had a good visit, and Gabe got worn out by all of the excitement. When he went to bed, he was still in a good mood, because he knew it had been a big day.

"What a happy day! Now it's time for bed..."

Babyproofing 101

Well, I must admit, as new parents we certainly don't claim to know it all. We are relying on friends with children who are a little older than Gabe to forge ahead and learn through trial and error thus, providing us with valuable lessons and parenting tips. Our first lesson required a specialist!

We contacted our local Babyproofing Engineer (Daddy's friend's son). Noah M. (16 mos) and his Mom have their own "babyproofing business" (after all, he's 16 mos old-shouldn't he be working already?) They came out to the house for an "inspection" on Tuesday. Boy, was I shocked at all of the things that need to be babyproofed at our house!

Hmmm...these sort of look like stairs

Noah pulled plugs, rearranged knick knacks, dumped baskets, scaled display structures, waved the fireplace tools around above his head like a flag, relocated photo frames and other glass objects, cleared CD racks and book shelves of their contents, pilfered through drawers, ransacked the pantry, and tamed our animals all in under 2 hours. It was so amazing to see what that adorable little boy could reach in almost every room in our house!

Luckily, Gabe is still at the rolling over stage so we have plenty of time to prepare before he crawls/walks, but we have lots to do.

Additionally, we will happily accept a referral fee (to add to Gabe's college fund), if you or someone you know needs to get in contact with Noah M, Babyproofing Engineer Extraordinaire we can provide his contact information upon request.

{insert "evil laugh" here}