Full Time Job

As you know, we got a puppy a couple of weeks ago and we've decided to name him Horton. He is cheering Wilbur up and they are getting along really well. He is learning about the baby and about pottying outside, but is a fun addition to our little family. Horton is really hyper and nosey and thinks everything on the floor is for him to play with...including Gabe and all of his toys (as you can see). It's a full time job managing ourselves, the 6 month old baby, and 2 dogs. Feel free to drop by the CIRCUS anytime you wish!!

Horton, Get off my stuff....I'm not sharing!

Learning to Sit Alone

Baby Gabe is learning so many new things and changing every day! He still likes to stand in his exer-saucer, but today he started sitting up on his own and all it took was a little help from his "Octotunes" musical octopus. He is doing so well, sitting unsupported and is actually surprisingly steady. Guess that means he'll be crawling (and we'll be babyproofing) in the near future!

Huh...World sure looks different from this angle!

Grandpa Stops By

We had a little garage door SNAFU and our friendly handyman, AKA Grandpa, came over to help Daddy fix it so Gabe got a little face time! It was so fun to see them interact. Gabe is so good and really never meets a stranger. He had fun playing with Grandpa and Grandpa couldn't believe how much he'd changed since the last visit. Can't you see the family resemblance!

I'm almost as tall as you are, Gramps!

Saying 'ma-ma' is actually a good thing

Okay. I take it back. I originally was less than pleased that Gabe's first word was 'ma-ma'. Now I have come to find that it is the best thing ever. It is a complete get out of jail free card. Gabe needs anything, and I say 'Gabe, who do you want to do that for you?', and he says 'ma-ma'. Brilliant! Let me give you an example:

Gabe begins to fuss because he is hungry
Me: "Gabe, who do you want to feed you?"
Gabe: "ma-ma-ma-ma-ma"
Me: "Honey! Gabe wants you to feed him!"

And then I go goof off. Muhahahahahaha

He was supposed to say 'Da-da' dammit

As you should be able to guess from the title, Gabe has said his first word, and it was 'ma-ma-ma-ma-ma'. For about a week, he has been making 'mmmmm mmmmm' sounds, trying so hard to make a noise. Once he started saying 'ma-ma-ma', it was impossible to get him to stop. All he wants to do is talk to mommy.

Now, as the Daddy in this particular situation, I have to admit that, while I didn't expect anything different, I secretly hoped that he would start with 'da-da'. Oh well...I guess I need to get Jules pregnant again so I can be first with that kid. Until then, I wonder if Gabe is old enough for me to bribe to start saying 'da-da'....

A White House Welcome

I read on a parenting and baby website before I even had Gabe about a White House Greeting that you could send away for, so as soon as he got here in February, I submitted my request in writing. I had just recently been wondering if it was all a hoax when TODAY, this arrived in the mailbox addressed to Gabriel.

It's a printed letter of Congratulations and a Presidential Welcome to the "wonderful American story." It's printed on official White House stationery and signed by President and Mrs. George Bush. I am so exited and we have to keep this for the scrapbook!

Scrapbook worthy for sure...maybe we'll frame it.

The Classroom

Gabe's infant classroom is called the Lovable Lobsters!

The Staff

Gabe and Miss Kim at School

Completion of the First Day

It took me a solid week to purchase, pack, and label all of his school supplies, but Gabe officially started school today and was awarded a certificate for "making it through the first day with flying colors". His teachers all said he did well and is adjusting to the schedule and surroundings. He ate everything I sent and he took a good nap too. The teachers thought he was such a good baby and they told me he only cried when he was tired or when the other babies cried.

Daddy is dropping him off in the mornings and I am picking him up after my school gets out. He is there in daycare for about 7-8 hours per day but they are busy and I think he will enjoy it.

When I came in today to pick him up, he was sitting in the swing sucking on his big toe and talking away. When he saw me, he smiled and it just melted my heart. The teachers are so good to us and said we can call as often as we want to check on him. We are taking advantage of that so far. It's tough to be away from him after the past 5 months. It makes me sad, but I only cried twice!

I GUESS we can send him back tomorrow!

Way to go Baby Gabe!

Family Expansion

Well, we'd really like to have another child at some point, but we're not quite there yet. We figure a dog is a good place to start and so, as if we didn't have enough stress....we decided that Wilbur needed a new buddy for companionship and we picked up a new puppy today! We'll try 2 dogs and 1 kid before we go for 2 dogs and 2 kids!! {smile}

The new little guy is a Siberian Husky and is AKC Certified. We got him from a breeder near Athens and he's 7 weeks old (born the day after our 3rd wedding anniversary). He has light grey and tan markings and gorgeous sky blue eyes. Wilbur, our Chow, seems to be getting along with him well and they both are good with the baby. We hope they'll be pals since they'll all grow up together. We have yet to think of a name for him that fits, but he's absolutely precious. If you have any ideas for names, please email us!

Wilbur, the new puppy, Mommy and Baby Gabe

He's Going to Live

Well, just to update you all on the health status of our boy after Monday's emergency (see "Humpty Dumpty" post dated 8/01/05)....I woke Gabe every 2 hours on Monday night after the fall from our bed and he was responsive and checked out alright. Daddy came all the way home from his business trip to be sure we were OK and he left again about 4am on Tuesday to finish up with his clients. We were all exhausted on Tuesday and Wednesday evening, but it looks like Gabe is going to be fine after all. I've continued to watch him for the past 4 days, per doctor's orders, and although I have looked him over repeatedly trying to find bumps, bruises, abrasions, and abnormalities...he's perfectly happy and normal. His appetite and behavior never changed and he's his usual self.

For anyone still curious, Mommy is fine too. I feel terrible and am being even more careful now that this has happened, but I'm relieved to know he's going to live. PS- I have received several calls from friends and family members who have had similar experiences with their own children through the years and they all turned out fine. Thanks alot for your support and concern.

A Visit to Daddy's Office

We were out having lunch and running some errands this week and stopped in to visit Daddy at his new office. His company recently moved to another building closer to our home and Gabe and I were in the area during office hours. Maybe Gabe will be a big-time "exec" someday? He sure looks the part!

Sitting in Daddy's office chair

Good Car Passenger

I never really have a difficult time with Gabe in the car. He seems to like to ride and occupies himself with toys or looking out the window or babbling away. He sometimes falls asleep in his carseat and this was one of those days.

Napping in the carseat

New Lion Shoes

I heard about some new shoes called Robeez and they are supposed to be soft soled, leather shoes, recommended for newborns to age 4 during the early walking stages. According to medical experts, they are the next best thing to bare feet because the child can "feel" the floor as they toddle about and still have their feet protected. The shoes slip on and have elasticized ankle bands to keep them on. I was really impressed with their website and there are tons of adorable styles to choose from so I ordered a pair for Gabe.

The shoes came on Tuesday and he seems to like them. I thought they might be comfortable for him to wear instead of socks, yet provide a non-skid sole to prevent slipping when he's trying to stand up and practice crawling. Just like with socks, they go right into his mouth, but fortunately he isn't able to pull the shoes off like he can socks....not yet, anyways! He looks so cute in them...I can't wait to order some more!

Modeling new lion shoes

Humpty Dumpty

Well, you know how the old ryhme goes, don't ya?

"Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall"

....and so did poor baby Gabe. Yep, we'd both been napping in my bed late this afternoon; I got up and thought he was still asleep while I was tending to the dog and then I heard him wail. I rushed over to find that Gabe was not on the bed where I had left him napping, but instead on the floor on Daddy's side with big crocodile tears a streaming. I scooped him up and checked him all over and immediately called Daddy and the Doctor.

I know, I know, bad JuJu!! I shouldn't have left him and I knew that, but I've done it before and I'm never far away...I guess now he's getting mobile enough with his rolling and attempting to crawl that I'll have to make sure I don't turn my back anymore or leave him unattended even for a second. Oh, I feel terrible but the nurse at the pediatrician's office called me right back and asked me 20 questions and says he sounds like he's going to be ok. She says this sort of thing happens all the time and not to worry, but I feel like a terrible Mommy.

Daddy was out of town on business, but came home tonight. Earlier, before he could get here to be sure we were both alright, he called a neighbor and she came over to check on us and help me while I spoke with the nurse. Our neighbor told me something similar had happened to her son when he was about this age and that helped me to calm down a bit. I'm glad it's over and Gabe has no bumps, bruises, scars, bleeding, seizures or like old Humpty, "pieces" to put back together again! I don't know what I would have done?

My sentence: 1.) wake him every 2 hours tonight and check him out 2.) watch him closely for vomiting and behavior changes for the next 4 days and 3.) guilt, guilt, guilt.

Whew, What a scare! I'm glad he's ok so far. Thank goodness! As for Mommy, I'll letcha know!