First Bath at Home

Well, either we're really getting to be professionals at this whole bathing babies thing or this kid is alot more laid back than Gabe was when we gave him his first bath (or a combination of the 2)! We are now "experienced parents" and have given approximately 541 baths to Gabriel (that's one a day for 1yr, 5mos, and 26 days...give or take a few of course).

When we gave Gabe his first bath (see post from 02/2005), he screamed the entire time as we hurried to bathe him, being ever so careful of every little thing, then getting him out and drying him off and wrapping him up tight as quickly as we could, or so we thought.

With Gavin, I think it makes a difference that it's the hottest month of summer instead of wintery February, but nonetheless, he didn't cry one bit. He was all cozy in there and I probably could have even taken longer to wash 'all his 2000 parts'. In short, a big success for 2 exhausted parents.

I will say Gavin is much smaller in that infant tub than I recall Gabe being. Babies are so precious when they're all wet!

Don't tee tee on your Mommy, Please!

 

Kodak moment

If there were any lingering doubts about how Gabe was going to handle the arrival of Gavin, this picture sums it up.

Brotherly love...for now

Gabe, meet Gavin

Of course, the first question on everyone's mind has been how Gabe is adjusting to the new addition. At first, he didn't know how to react. We realized that Jules had never been apart from Gabe for longer than 3-4 hours since Gabe was born. So her absence for 2-1/2 days was definitely noticed. And then, when mommy came home, she brought someone that Gabe has to share attention with. The outrage!

Other than a few times when Gabe would fake cry when Gavin cries, there have been no hiccups. Gabe will run over to Gavin, point, and say 'Bay'. Then giggle and run off. Very cute. Almost criminally so. This is the picture of Gabe seeing Gavin in his bassinet for the first time.

Can we keep him?

Coming home

So we put Gavin in the infant seat, and we both get a little case of deja vu. We had to resize the seat, since the last time Gabe sat in it, he was about triple the size Gavin is now. Everything went smoothly, and shockingly enough, we got out of the hospital by 11:00AM.

I can sleep here...

When we got home, our friend Julie had arranged for another visit from the six-foot stork. He was waiting on the front lawn to greet us as we arrived home.

Kidnappers, second chance!

A better picture

Here is a better picture taken by Elizabeth, the Doula that was with us at Gavin's birth. We've got a camera full of our own pictures, which we will put up as an online album once we get mommy and baby home from the hospital.

Baby Gavin

Little Brother

Gavin Owen was born today at 11:13 AM EST. He was 8 lbs, 3 ozs. and 20.5" long. He has ten fingers, ten toes, two eyes, etc, etc. Both he and mommy are doing wonderfully well, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome him into the family.

Jules has been having contractions for a day or so, off and on. We knew we were getting close and probably wouldn't make it to Gavin's due date, which was next week. Last night/this morning, Jules' contractions started to become regular, and about 6:30 this morning we headed to the hospital.

When we got there, we got a room right away, as Jules was the only expecting mommy in the waiting room that was obviously in labor. She was at 7cm and 80% effaced when we got to the hospital. Gavin took a few hours to turn over, for which we are all very grateful, and then decided to come out and play.

The midwife came in and Jules started pushing right at 11:00AM. Thirteen minutes and 6-7 pushes later, Gavin was here.

The first picture is a little low quality because I captured it off the video. More will be posted tomorrow and through the weekend.

Welcome baby Gavin

Saving the planet, one ball at a time...

Months ago, I bought Gabe a Superman costume for Halloween. It was for a two year old, and I figured he would grow into it. Of course, Gabe is now 16 months, and it is already snug on him. So we dressed him in the costume and let him run around the house, cape a-flying in the air.

Jules mocked me because I set up a fan on high to try and get pictures of him with the cape billowing behind him. None of those really looked as cool as I had hoped though, so I give you the action shot. Gabe loves balls of any kind, and this giant exercise/birthing ball of Jules' is an irresistable pull for him...

Is this Kryptonite?

Bathtime Fun

Gabe has loved the bath for the longest time and he is now able to say "BATH".
So, try this....Stick your tongue out between your lips like you are making the phonetic /th/ sound like at the end of bath. Now, you are in the oral position to say "Bath" the way Gabe does with his tongue out the whole time...even for the /b/ part It is so precious and I MUST capture it on video at some point soon so we can share.

He also knows his daily schedule and bathtime routine so well, that he could almost insruct a baby sitter at this point. After he eats supper, when we are wiping off his hands and face, getting him ready to get down from his highchair, he immediately starts saying "BATH". It's pretty funny. Then, he runs to his room and goes in by the tub and waits to be undressed and helped over the side of the tub. He plays with his cups, letters, bathbooks, etc. and he loves the water. He still doesn't like water in his face, so washing hair can be a task, but the rest is all bathtime fun as you can clearly tell. He does like to splash (it's OK for HIM to get water in his face, just NOT YOU while trying to wash his hair) and at times, I even have to guard myself with the towel so as not to get drenched like I'm coming off the log ride at a theme park!

At the end of it all, he enjoys being wrapped in the towel and looking at himself, admiringly, in the mirror. He helps with brushing his teeth while I lotion him and get him dressed for bed. He also likes to play with the Qtips while I clean his ears. Gabe even attempts to comb his hair. Wow, after reading this back to myself, maybe we don't need a sitter so much after all! Just kiddin!

OK, are you saying it with him? ... Is your tongue out too? ... "BATH"

 

Mommy's Baby

I have lovingly referred to Gabe as "Poopie stinky" and "Mommy's Baby" for many months now and he certainly is my baby. I can't believe we are 15 days (or less) from our due date with 'Number 2' and Baby Gabe will be a Big Brother! It just doesn't seem possible.

Mommy's belly is SO big now, that it's tough to get these sweet little moments with my Baby...AND he's so busy into everything, that he usually doens't slow down long enough for the tender times, but we both cherish them when they happen!

I Wuv You!

 

Exploring Seating Options

Gabe really likes his musical chair but until this week has only wanted to play with the lamp on the side table or stand on the seat. He has just started sitting in it and discovering more of the things this toy chair can do. He looks like such a little man.

 

Gabe also has discovered in the past week or two how to climb on furniture. Oh goody, more babyproofing to do! Whoopie!

He likes to sit in the glider in his room and has mastered throwing one leg up, bent knee, and then pulling himself further into the seat on his belly until he can turn over and stand up or sit down. We are discouraging the standing since it is a rocking chair and all. I mean come on, we are trying to parent this kid a little and prevent a head injury! Oh, and let me add for the record, there must always be 2 full hands. {Notice the large puzzle pieces occupying both palms in the small seat and the large seat} Thus, he's skilled at doing all of this with closed fists.

He grins and giggles and is so proud of himself once he's up there. Then he claps his hands and says "down" and stretches his feet toward the floor until he slides out. Only to turn right around and go at it all again. Good thing for Mommy, all this climbing wears him out quicker than you can say "lickety split." **Nap time= Good!!**

Rocking is the best!