King of the Jungle

Gabe has been standing for longer than he has really been crawling. Well, lately he has lifted his butt off the ground and started crawling all proper-like. Before, he army crawled like he was taking enemy fire.

We also put up baby gates in a few places, like in the doorway to his bedroom. This means he can play in his room (even if he doesn't want to do it unless one of us is in there with him).

"Are you sure lions eat giraffes???"

 

Hide N Seek

Baby Gabe learned a new game today. We played Hide N Seek in Mommy's dining room curtains. He laughed so hard and really got the hang of the game by going behind the sheers and holding them up over his face when I would say Boo! or Peek-A-Boo! I just get a thrill from watching him discover new things. He's so playful and happy.

Peek-A-Boo....I see you!

 

Help...I'm stuck

We got a new coffee table this summer and we love it. We both had childhood horror stories involving coffee tables and so we picked one with no corners and no glass....quite a well thought out, first-time parenting decision....or so we thought!

Gabe is much more mobile now and loves to be out on the floor scooting, crawling, and exploring everything from about the knee down. He finds all sorts of things and we are working on babyproofing the house, but haven't gotten to everything.

Last night, Gabe crawled under the coffee table while Rob was on the phone. We were surprised when he maneuvered himself over one of the crossbars and into the middle section, but then he got a bit stuck and couldn't quite figure out how to get over the next bar. He would lie on his belly and try to go over, and then each time he pushed up with his feet, he'd bump his head (not hard enough to hurt or cry- just perplex him), so he'd come back down. Then he'd sit and reevaluate and try again, each time, pushing up to go over the bar and then bumping his head and sitting back down. We giggled at him for a couple of tries and then pulled him out from under the table. He thought it was so funny. I couldn't resist getting the camera.

Must find other tiny people, make friends, and get the secret to this

 

Too Cheesy

We were given a gift at a baby shower for Gabe that we are just beginning to use and know the benefits of. It's called a Fresh Food Feeder and it has a mesh bag with a handle attached to it for him to hold onto. You can put just about anything in that little mesh bag and he can taste it. We found out this week that he LOVES canteloupe! I've also put a little piece of apple, or banana, or orange (too sour-he made a funny face), but it's really cool--who thinks of this stuff? I could be filthy rich!!!

Besides getting himself and the high chair tray all sticky with various fruit juices, he likes the texture and taste of foods that are new to him. He can suck the juices and gnaw on the cold fruits. The cold also feels good to the teething baby. He's getting the top 2 now and then he'll have a total of 4....All the better to eat you with , My dear!

YUMMY!!!!!

 

Saying HI

Today was a big day for us. I resigned from teaching (for a while) and today was my last day. It was bittersweet, to leave my students with special needs, but I am thrilled to be staying at home with Gabe. I wish I could have made this decision sooner. The parents and coworkers from my school were surprisingly supportive and threw a big bon voyage party in my honor. I recieved a beautiful framed collage and a bamboo plant and I was moved to tears by the compliments I recieved.

Gabe had his last day at daycare too and it was eventful. In the afternon, we collected all of his artwork and belongings and brought them all home to display. Daddy wants to know if he'll be getting a "Daily Sheet" from Mommy to tell him how Gabe's day was and what we did? Guess the teacher in me will have to figure something out....that shouldn't be too hard!

The teacher snapped this precious photo of Gabe waving, at school. Not sure if it's HI or BYE, but we think it's adorable. He will be missed there, I'm sure of it!

So long, friends!

 

On The Move

Gabe is really mobile now! He scoots all over the place on his belly in a sort of combat style crawl. We have tried practicing with him lifting his belly up and he can go a little ways with his belly off the floor, but then his knees slip out from under him and he flops on his belly again. He's much faster that way anyways and he talks up a storm while he's going along. He likes the hardwoods and he curls those little toes up and digs in for traction. He thinks it's funny when we pull him back by his feet so he slides across the carpet. We are gradually "babyproofing" the house and Gabe's learning "No-No" for the dog hair on the floor and the dog's water bowl in the kitchen and Daddy's electronics and Mommy's knick-knacks.

To see a snipit of him crawling, click here.

Mohawk

It's so fun to play with his hair when it's wet. He has no idea how silly he looks but he can't stop giggling because we're giggling at his mohawk. This hairdo even stayed after bathtime...till Daddy smoothed it down and wrecked it! Gabe has lots of hair now. Bathtime is so much fun. He loves the water. I hope to take an aquatics class for infants with him since he likes the water so much.

Punk Baby

 

Third Tooth

Gabe's third tooth is officially poking through his gums. It's on the top left and has been causing him lots of grief recently, but will probably subside now that it's broken through and we can see and feel just a little bit of white.

He has been doing so well with eating solids and is really good with graham crackers and small pieces of bread or roll. We are trying some new things like cheerios and stage 3 foods and they are more difficult for him but he surprises us almost every day.

UP Standing Citizen

Well, it's officially time to lower the mattress in the crib where Gabe sleeps. This morning, at the usual 6:30am, I heard chatter and other typical commotion in Gabe's room so I went it to change him and give him a bottle and THIS is what I entered the room to see!! We knew he was standing and pulling up on things and has been for a couple of weeks, but I haven't see this yet. He is able to roll over and crawl some, and he scoots around in his crib to reach the pacifiers and throw them around or get the monitor and pull it down so he can play with it, but now, I guess he's figured out how to pull up on the side of the crib and stand up. Wow!

Hey Mommy, Look What I can do!