Snoozing

Baby Gabe has been working hard to try to learn to crawl and it's hard work. He manages to get his knees curled up under him, pushes with his legs/feet, scoots on the floor, and rolls around alot to change direction.

Last weekend, he was on his mat and working on mobility. He got upset but before Rob or I could get to him to turn him over or see what was the matter, within an instant after his noise, he was silent and had fallen asleep. We both had to check to make sure he was still breathing because the noise ceased so suddenly. He snoozed in that exact spot and recharged until he was ready to go again. He usually never prefers to sleep on his stomach, but this time he did.

Sleeping on his stomach

Growing up Faster than a Bad Weed

As you can clearly see, Gabe is outgrowing the basinett all too quickly. Without stretching out completely, he can reach both ends of it and his head/toes are touching the bumper pad. We are working hard to get the nursery ready, so be on the lookout for upcoming photos of that. We are very excited!

Since he is in the "in-between" stages of a move to his own room, Gabe has been transitioning from the basinett to his pack n' play porta-crib while we work in the nursery. He is also getting very good at rolling over from back to front and front to back and turning himself around on the floor or in the porta-crib by pushing with his feet. Although he hasn't quite figured out crawling yet, we think he will soon.

Last night, he was playing around in the porta-crib while I was folding some of his clothes and Rob was moving some other things in. Gabe kept ending up turning width ways instead of long ways in the crib. Rob kept coming in not realizing what was going on and he'd reach down and turn him back around, then he'd leave the room and come back, and Gabe would be pivoted around one quarter turn to the short way again.

Finally, we watched him to see wht he was doing and we laughed out loud. I said, "He's probably so used to his head and feet touching both ends in the basinett, that now he thinks that's how it's supposed to feel in the bigger bed!" Too funny. Guess we've got some "reshaping" to do so that he can rest easily in the big bed and lay long ways with more room for growing once the big crib arrives!

Sleeping beauty

Summer Weddings

We have had lots of weddings to attend this summer and it's not over yet. Gabe and I went to this wedding of a teacher friend of mine on the 16th and it rained a little but the ceremony was beautiful...I've heard that rain on your wedding day is good luck..hey, it rained on mine!

Anyways, another teacher friend, Melanie, was the maid of honor and she loves babies! Gabe has met her before, but he really took to her and was cheesing for the camera. He managed to grab onto her bouquet and pluck a little sunflower petal right out and straight to the mouth it went. I snapped this adorable shot just in time.

Daddy's Boy...Flirting with the bridesmaids!

Little Fire Chief

Our friends Rodney and Tina got a new puppy and a new kitty. When Tina took the puppy, Lucky, to the vet, she stopped by for us to take a look. Gabe just happened to have on his fire chief outfit, so we HAD to take a picture! Lucky got along famously with Wilbur and Gabe.

Lucky, Tina and Gabe

Under the Weather

Well, Gabe officially has his first cold! Not sure where he picked it up, but probably in that nasty airplane with all those "pressurized germies" floating around that we were exposed to. Plus, don't you usually get sick after you've been on vacation?

It's no fun but he's being a real trooper! His symptoms are a runny nose, sneezing, & slight cough but fortunately, no fever. He is struggling to eat and breathe at the same time, but has an appetite and is playful and alert when he's awake. His sleep patterns haven't changed much, except that he wakes up with a crusty nose and is forced to breathe out of his mouth. He is such a good baby, even when he's sick and teething!!!

We've spoken with the nurse at our pediatrician's office (by the way, they are so wonderful for new parents, especially those of us with a little "new mommy psychosis"!). The nurse says we can just use some nose drops and that's about it because he's still so young. We'll just have to love him through it. We should all be feeling better soon. We'll keep you posted.

First Sitter

Even with all of the fun we're having with our infant son, first time parents have to go out for "date night" sooner or later. We took the baby to the movies with us when we saw Mr. & Mrs. Smith with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but he was a little too young for it and Daddy and I both took turns walking out of the theater with him and trying to keep him from disturbing the peace! This time we decided to try a babysitter!

We are so fortunate to live in a subdivision and have such awesome neighbors that we had an easy time of finding a willing babysitter. Rob and I went to the movies to see Wedding Crashers starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. It was hysterical!

Our neighbor, Christie and her mom stayed with Gabriel and he had a wonderful time. We were able to enjoy the movie without worrying about the baby. They had a great time at the house and Gabe had fallen asleep before we got back, but woke up for a quick photo op with the first real babysitter. We'll have to call her again soon.

Gabe and Christie- Past BOTH of their bedtimes!

Taste Buds

At the direction of Gabe's pediatrician (and a great deal of advice from family members), we have started Gabe on some rice cereal and he seems to be doing pretty well. He is still a little small for the high chair, but we strapped him in and slid the tray on and he seemed to like the cereal alot. We've only given it to him about 3 times so far and this was the first. He still isn't used to the spoon and the swallowing action so he gets an awful lot on the bib and his face, but seems to enjoy it and we'll keep practicing...That's part of the fun after all.

We are still nursing, of course, and plan to do so as long as possible. He is eating rice cereal now and then will progress to oatmeal and fruits and more first foods as we learn together gradually and make sure he doesn't develop any food allergies. He's a big boy with a big appetite!

He is also cutting his first tooth in the bottom front so we'll keep you posted on that. Daddy and I are convinced it's going to be visible really soon, but for now all we see is drooling and gnawing. Gabe's handling teething like a champ so far. We're so lucky!

This stuff doesn't look like much, but it sure tastes good!

First Time Swimming

Mommy took me to Florida to visit all of the relatives and we did so much in 5 short days. We're back home now and I'm pooped out, but we had lots of fun. Aunt Nancy had a cookout in our honor and it was hot and humid outside. She lives on a lake and has a pool so we went swimming for the first time and I could get used to that!

I had already had a bath in the morning and I couldn't figure out what we were doing in all that water. It was alot of fun and I had to have my diaper changed at least twice because it kept filling up with water!! Aunt Nancy got me my first float and it helped me not to be frightened in the pool. I slept for 10 hours that night becuase the sun and swimming makes you tired. I can't wait to go back and visit Florida and go swimming again!

Me and my Aunt Nancy, loafin' in the pool!

Fizzled Out

This little Firework is all "fizzled out" after the festivities. We went to a BBQ this afternoon and he had lots of fun visiting and looking adorable. As soon as we got home he fell asleep in his swing. So cute in his stars and stripes.

Late this evening, it rained, but we went outside to watch the local fireworks show and Gabe enjoyed his first experience. We stood huddled under the umbrella and he was amazed at the fireworks as they popped and burst colorfully in the pitch black sky and he hung onto Mommy for dear life. The fireworks are my favorite every year and I think he feels the same!

Sleepy baby after the celebration

Happy 4th of July!

Just wanted to wish all of you and yours a Happy July 4th from all of us. Enjoy the outdoors and hope the weather's nice, however and wherever you choose to celebrate!!

Stinkbombs are fireworks, right?