The Adam's Family

Random Goodness

2009-08-13T12:52:00.008-05:00

Ok lots more cute pics that must be put on here.

Gabe thoroughly enjoying a story.

Gavin scooting under his crib.

Gabe and his buddy Kim out at dinner.

Sunday Fun

2009-08-13T11:37:00.011-05:00

Our friend Jen and Nathan now live in our old house, we go over there most Sunday nights for dinner with friends. We have gone over a couple Sundays early and swam with them and the boys. Gabe has so much fun wearing his floaties and just swimming all over the pool. Gavin also just rides in his raft all over the place loving it!!

After swimming Gabe helped Jen make a peanut butter pie...

and then relaxed on the couch with Nathan.

My boys

2009-08-10T08:43:00.011-05:00

So I just have a ton of adorable pictures that need to go on here, no real story behind it they are just too cute not to post.

This picture is actually from the park when I went and met my friend, there is a story behind that. I had a best friend and when best I mean BEST, we were together constantly!!! It has been 10 years since we talked and she found me on Facebook and I am so glad she did. She now has a baby girl of her own who I am going to be keeping. It has been really nice to have her back in my life and I am very thankful for my friend.

Snuggling.

Such a cute boy.

Trying to crawl, doing the rock.

Gabe is never very interested in having his picture taking anymore.

Chuck E. Cheese!!!

2009-08-10T08:17:00.012-05:00

If you didn't know already Gabe LOVES Chuck E. Cheese, he randomly will ask to go all the time!! We try to take him once a month or so because it is pretty cheap and he has tons of fun!!

Gabe runs around like a crazy person when we are there, unless there are lots of kids then he gets nervous and stays very close.

Playing Whack 'a Shark with Daddy.

Gavin had fun too...

and then he slept!!

Gavin 6 months.

2009-08-10T08:00:00.007-05:00

This makes me feel really bad about getting behind since he will be 7 months in 2 days. :( So here is Gavin almost a month ago at 6 months, too cute!!!

At his 6 months doctor visit we found out just how big this kid was getting. He weighed in at 18 lbs. 11.5 ozs. (75%) and was 27 3/4 ins. tall (90%)!! He is huge!!! To keep you up to do date with his growth he was weighed last Tuesday and was already 20 lbs. 7.5 ozs., dang!!!

Still no teeth and at the age he wasn't crawling yet either, no biggie just not ready.

Sleepover

2009-08-06T13:30:00.012-05:00

After Cierra's wedding Charles stayed with us and him and Gabe had tons of fun!!!

The played with Gabe's new pitching machine, which Charles was very good at!!

They went swimming and then decided to gang up on me and dump water on my head.

We took them to Pizza Hut for dinner...

then Rita's for dessert!!

Tubby time.

Then they got in Gabe's bed and said goodnight. They wanted to sleep together

but that was a no go.

They did get to watch a little baseball with Michael before they went nighty night.

Pool Pics

2009-08-06T11:36:00.012-05:00

The boys and I get in the pool 3-5 days a week, they love it and I love the sun!!! Here are pics from our pool days for the last 3-4 weeks.

Cierra & Nathan's Wedding- July 11th

2009-08-06T11:11:00.014-05:00

I am way behind so in an attempt to get caught up I am going to sum things up much shorter then I would have, sorry.

My cousin Cierra got married on July 11th and it was a very beautiful wedding. Wedding photos don't need much explanation so here are the pics I got before my camera died.

The kids had lots of fun playing and dancing together!!
Gabe was supposed to pay for this dance but I am not sure if he gave her the dollar!!

It was a great wedding. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Downs!!!

Our new camera!!!

2009-07-13T13:23:00.011-05:00

Friday night we went and got a new camera so once the boys woke up Saturday morning it was all charged. I punished them for waking up so early by taking pictures of them!!

4th of July Evening

2009-07-13T13:02:00.011-05:00

So we left Aaron and Angela's after 7 and were planning on going to the mall to shop a little before we went to the top of the paring garage at the mall to watch fireworks. But duh the mall was closed, it was the 4th of July, so we went to Target for a bit instead.

Once we got to the parking garage the boys got a lesson in poppers!!

The Adam's Family.

The boys talking about something and Gigi with her girl!!

Charles and Bella sat on my truck for a little bit.

Such a cutie pie!!!

Watching some fireworks, they were ALL around us!!

We had a great 4th of July!!

4th of July Afternoon

2009-07-12T12:09:00.029-05:00

Aaron and Angela invited us over to Orlando for dinner and to go watch fireworks, so we of course said yes! My second Mom Ceci let me borrow her camera so that I could take pictures (I did get a new camera a Friday night)!!

My boys napped all the way there so rest up for the fun!!!

We got there about 3 and Uncle Aaron had gotten the pool ready so they could go out and play.

Gavin wasn't having it. Bella tried to talk to him but he just wasn't happy!!

They rocky horse was lots of fun. Great find for a buck, Aunt Angela!!

Bella took her turn and then they were off to the sidewalk chalk.

Gavin enjoyed playing in the grass for awhile, until it was all over his face!!

Isabella modeled her sunglasses for me while Charles played me a song on his saxophone.

While Uncle Aaron grilled the boys battled with light sabers and

Gabe took another ride on the horse.

The kids played well all day, we were all very impressed by there behavior!!

Charles wanted to hold Gavin which was very cute!!

My and my littlest man!

4 of the cousins ready to go out and watch fireworks!!

Babysitting

2009-06-29T13:28:00.006-05:00

I forgot about these last pictures I took on Tuesday right before Gigi broke the camera. I babysat Ellie, my cousin who is 3 weeks older then Gavin. I was wondering how it would go with two 6 month olds but it actually went perfectly fine.

They had fun all playing on the floor together and of course Gabe had to get in the middle like he always does.

Ellie and Gavin giving each other the stare down.

Videos

2009-06-29T12:29:00.007-05:00

So my camera is broken (Gigi did it) and I can't find the cord to get the pictures off my old camera so videos may be all you get for a bit.

This I took a couple weeks ago of Gabe pushing Gavin around in the walker. You gotta love Gabe's pj's, we cut the sleeves off because they were too tight on his arms.

Here are a coupe of Gabe on his birthday playing with his new t-ball set and adjusting his hat. I don't know why but he takes it on and off constantly, but it is really funny!!

This last video is from Friday. We wanted to take the kids to the beach but we picked a really bad day. They still had fun, it didn't matter to them that the sun wasn't shining and the wind was blowing like crazy!!

Shots by Sheffield

2009-06-29T07:48:00.029-05:00

Our friend Nathan is a photographer so he did a photo shoot for us and here are the pictures.

Hit the ball!!

Our baseball boy!! We made the mistake of giving him all the baseball stuff first and

he didn't want to give it up.

Daddy and Gabey!

Brothers

Sweet Gavin

Silly Gabe.

Mommy and Gavin!!

Gabe's 2nd Birthday Party!!

2009-06-22T12:30:00.016-05:00

That is the best picture I could get of him.

Gavin woke up ready to party!!

Gabe loves Cars so Aunt Angela designed him a cool invitation
and I got every Car thing I would find for him.

Here are some of Gabe's party guests. Everyone came and hopefully had a really good time.

Gabe got SO many presents!!! He really loves everything and his room is now a disaster!!!

The cake and cupcakes, everyone needs options.

The kids eating cake!!

Then the kids playing, burning off all the sugar!!

It was a super fun party and Gabe had a great time!!

Boys being boys

2009-06-22T11:53:00.012-05:00

Last weekend I helped host a bridal shower for Cierra (I have no proof since I took no pictures). We did it at Grammie's so the day before we went out to get things ready so Poppie got his swing hung up with the help of Caleb that he had got for all the kids.

Gabe had so much fun and I know the other kids will do when they get to try it out!!

Daddy and Gabey relaxing, watching baseball.

Gabe wanting to give Gavin kisses!!

Gabe loves to play with his brother and Gavin thinks everything Gabe does is hilarious!!

Swing Set

2009-06-22T11:32:00.006-05:00

So I have been looking on Craigslist for months for a swing set for Gabe. We would love to get him a brand new swing set but we just can't afford one. I finally found him this great swing set and I jumped on it, I have found out that good stuff doesn't last long!!

He was so excited when Daddy and Pop Pop started bringing it around back to wanted to help! He had his little screws and was saying "fix it"!!
He was so cute with his sunglasses and hat on!! We were outside for about 3-4 hours and he never wanted to go inside once, not even when it was time to.

He loves playing with the water hose too!! I like the bottom left one!!

Gavin 5 months

2009-06-18T08:47:00.006-05:00

He is growing into such a big boy, I can't even believe it. A couple days before he turned 5 months I had to take him to the doctor and he weighed 16 lbs. 12 ozs.!! He is wearing 9-12 month clothes, it's crazy.
He is rolling over every which way now and really wants to crawl. We got his walker out and now he doesn't like his regular seat now because it doesn't move!! He still loves to play in his bed and wrestle his humptys!!

He is such a sweet boy and is doing silly things everyday. He loves being outside just like his brother. He thinks Gabe is so silly and laughs at him all the time!!! He is pretty easy going most of the time. He is just very happy and loves to talk.

Isabella's 1st Birthday

2009-06-16T07:09:00.008-05:00

Here is the birthday girl with her cake, she enjoyed it quite a bit!!

Here she is in her beautiful Princess dress and hat, she got lots of great presents.

Isabella had her party at a Park so the kids all enjoyed playing lots!!!

This was the first time Gabe held on to a big boy swing, I was very proud!!

Shopping Cart

2009-06-09T08:18:00.003-05:00

Gavin is finally big enough to ride in the shopping cart like a big boy!!

Grammie and Poppie's!!

2009-06-09T08:06:00.002-05:00

Last weekend we went to Grammie and Poppie's to work on some recipes for Cierra's bridal shower, Gabe loves going out there!!!! Poppie is one of his FAVORITE people!!!

Gabe is usually very insistent that Poppie be on the floor playing with him but we were there ALL afternoon so he had to give Poppie a break. He playing with his brother and even helped his get his pacey back in his mouth when Gavin dropped it.

We were out there pretty late so Gabe did relax or a little bit and watch some TV with Poppie.

Here is Grammie with one her grand kids (Ellie) and Gigi with one of her grand kids (Gavin).

Gavin's first tubby!!

2009-06-09T07:52:00.009-05:00

Gavin has been taking a shower with me every night. Now that he is starting to sit up we decided it was time for him to start taking a tubby with Gabe.

I was worried that Gavin would be scared but he LOVED it. He didn't even mind when Gabe splashed him he thought it was funny and was laughing at him.

Gabe being a camera hog!!

Random

2009-06-09T07:23:00.018-05:00

So because I am too busy reading the Twilight Saga I am terribly behind on my blogging so I am just going to make a big post in an attempt to catch you up with us.

Alex and Mandy came over a couple weeks ago for dinner and for dessert I had sugar cookies for the kids. Emma and Gabe got theirs and went out to sit on the couch together to eat them. We looked out at them and Emma had her arm around Gabe and they were talking and eating. This will be horribly embarrassing for them one day!!

Gabe always crosses his feet when he's sitting down and now he is doing it when he stands and watches TV. I couldn't believe he had his entire body in Gavin's baby car seat!!! That is a really bad picture of me but I rarely am in pictures since I am the one always taking them.

Gabe is just a goober and that is all I can say about these pictures!!!

What a cutie pie!!!

That face is just so precious!!! You can't tell real good from the swing picture but he was all hunched over from trying to sit up in the swing and then he fell asleep. Not much better then a sleeping baby!!

They had both gotten bathed and were snuggling on the couch with Daddy. I don't think I have ever seen a boy that loves his little brother like Gabe loves Gavin!!

Lowry Park Zoo

2009-06-04T07:01:00.017-05:00

On May 17th Lowry Park Zoo was having there $5 day so we had to go!!! We have been wanting to take Gabe for months but didn't want to pay almost $50 to just get in, thanks to Gigi who heard about the $5 thing on the radio.

They had free parking off site and then bused you over to the park, we had to wait a little bit for our bus. About 2-3 came and went till we got to the front of the line and Gabe was so excited about riding on the bus!!!

This picture of Gabe riding in the "school bus" as he called it I thought was so beautiful!! Gavin didn't look very amused but he was happy all day!!!

He didn't like all the different kind of monkeys all that much but none of them were really doing anything and they were harder to see.

The giraffe was Gabe's favorite!!!! He loved them and didn't want to leave from looking at them. they had a spot where you could go up to there eye level and feed them but the line was way long and he probably would have been scared then.

I asked some people to take a picture of us and apparently they missed the huge stroller with a child in it right in front of us. Sorry Gavin next time we will get a family picture!!!

Such cute boys at the Zoo!!!

Gabe liked all the fish, manatees and turtles but it was really crowded and hot in those buildings so we didn't look at them very long.

They even had small sharks that he was just in awe of!!

He really liked the Rhinoceroses' they were really close to he could see them really good and thought they were really cool.

Gavin was really a good sport all day and never whined once!!! I know he was hot being carried in that thing most of the day because I was burning up!!

The white tigers were the last thing we saw before we left and we actually got there when the Zoo girl was talking about them. I learned lots I didn't know about white tigers that day. They were all 3 resting in the far back corner till she through a couple cantaloupes in for them to play with. When they went flying I don't think I saw anything move so fast it was crazy. Gabe really liked them once they were up and moving!!! They were beautiful!!!

We had to wait just about 5-10 minutes for the bus to come to take us to our car and they both passed out before the bus could get there. They had such a fun day but they were both exhausted!!

In town

2009-05-29T06:23:00.006-05:00

A couple Saturdays (16th) ago Aaron, Charles and Bella came to spend the night with us. The kids had such a great time like usual and I got some cute pics.

Had to get pics of them in the tub together, of course!!!

It was fun and the kids enjoyed themselves!!

"Hold Him"

2009-05-24T05:50:00.008-05:00

Gabe loves to hold Gavin, well just plain loves to be around him!! Here are just some really cute pics I got of them the other day.

Between the scab on Gabe's face and the drool covered outfit on Gavin they are quite a pair.

Such cuties!!

Cousins

2009-05-20T16:02:00.007-05:00

Last Thursday morning I watched Emma and Ethan while Mandy went to the doctor. Gabe loves when his cousins are over, it's nice to have someone to play with.
Emma LOVES making pallets and for the first time Gabe wanted to lay on it with her.

Once Gavin woke up from his morning nap Emma was dying to hold him and I got some cute pics of the two of them that looked a lot like pics I used to get of her and Gabe when he was a baby.

Anytime Gavin is getting his picture taken Gabe wants to hold him and have his picture taken with him.

Then Ethan wanted in on it too.

Such sweet kids, it's nice they are good buddies!!!

Almost 2!!

2009-05-20T09:07:00.010-05:00

It is crazy to think that my little 5 lb baby is going to be 2 in a month!!!! Gabe has more energy in one day then I think I have in a week. He is such a BOY too and I know that anyone who knows Gabe knows what I mean. It seems like every time I plan to go get the boys picture made that Gabe has some new head injury that will not look to good in pictures.
He still really LOVES baseball. He throws, swings the bat and now even plays catcher!!! He will squat down with his glove on and wait for the ball. He still watches it with Daddy and really enjoys it, hopefully that will continue!!!

He is saying new funny things everyday and is really starting to talk in sentences. It is really nice when he knows what he wants and can ask for it, no more confusion.

He is getting to be such a little man and I am one proud Mama!!!

Gavin 4 months

2009-05-19T10:03:00.008-05:00

Gavin is 4 months already, holy cow!!! He went to the doctor last week and he was 15 lbs. 12 ozs. (75%)and 25 inches tall (50%)!!! She said that he was doing great and everything was perfect. Those dimples are just precious!!!

He likes sitting in his Bumbo and watching us do stuff, that day he was watching Gigi start dinner. He can grab his toys and they always go straight to the mouth. He is like a leaky faucet these days, teething big time!!!

He loves eating his big boy food and I am starting to wean him. Like when I was in the hospital right after he was born we are having problems with formula. When he has a regular formula bottle he throws it all up, we are trying soy like we did when he was little. I have been reading though and it is sounding like he could possibly have a milk allergy. There are many more symptoms but for your sake I won't go on about it. We have an appointment to see his doctor tomorrow and see what we need to do now.

He can hold his head up really well and can sit up somewhat. He leans forward too far and then topples over. He is rolling over from his tummy to his back and can do it to either side. He also scoots all over his crib. He has really started to like laying on the floor playing with his toys and Gabe likes it as well. He is also sleeping all night now as well. He is wearing 9-12 month clothing which is just crazy!!! I am sure I am forgetting things but I try my best.

Firetruck

2009-05-08T09:32:00.004-05:00

So I had to run down to Wal-Mart to get some stuff and when we were pulling in so was a firetruck! Gabe was so excited he could hardly stand it and by the time we got out of the car the ambulance had arrived and the firemen were done helping them. One of the firemen saw Gabe looking at the truck and got him some Jr. Fire Fighter stickers and Gabe thought he was hot stuff.

All through the store that was all he was talking about so on the way out I told him we would take his picture with the firetruck but he was kind of scared and didn't want to get to close. That is why he is holding on to me so tight in the top picture and looking at the truck, he didn't want to take his eye off of it.

There he is with his Jr. Fire Fighter sticker on!! He wore it around all night and didn't want to take it off!! Such a cutie.

Laugh it up!!!

2009-05-01T08:14:00.003-05:00

Gavin is just so sweet!! He just started really laughing this week and Michael and I got it on video last night before bed.

How cute is that?

"Charles, Fun"

2009-04-30T19:48:00.004-05:00

Last weekend Charles and Bella came over so that Aaron and Angela could help Angela's parents move into there new house. Gabe loves anytime Charles comes over, he just loves him so much!!

I didn't get many pictures but I did get pictures when we went out on the deck.

The boys always love getting in the pool and this day wasn't any different. It was pretty cool still because the sun wasn't completely over head yet, but they didn't care!!

I thought it was a little too cool for Bella so she crawled around the deck and played with Gavin.

It was just a really fun day, we always enjoy the time we have with them!!

Like a Weed

2009-04-30T19:26:00.013-05:00

I love having two boys, I wouldn't trade it for anything. The two of them keep me on my toes all day long!!! Gavin is really growing up and Gabe is wanting to play with him more and more.

I got Gavin this new play mat at my favorite consignment store, Kid Krazy the other day. I take things I really don't use or clothes of the boys I'm sick of and get store credit, it really comes in handy when I need things for them. Gavin really loves it as well as Gabe, he crawls under and tries to lay by Gavin or on top of him.

Gavin has started sucking on his thumb sometimes and sometimes he just chews on it. We can already see the two bottom middle teeth, the white through the gums that is. He still wants the pacey but less everyday.

He's getting better at sitting up everyday and when he lay him back on the armrest of the couch he will pull himself to sitting then ends up falling forward usually though.

Daddy knows that the glider is Gavin's favorite place to sit, so whenever Gavin gets fussy that's where Daddy takes him and then Gavin is a goner!!

Gavin 3 months

2009-04-22T08:26:00.007-05:00

It is really hard to believe how big my little baby is getting, he is huge!! He turned 3 months on Easter, we took him by the doctor the next day to weigh him and see how he's grown 15 lbs. 5.5 ozs.!! He gained over 2 lbs. in a month, it will be interesting to see his weight and height at the 4 month check-up. Gavin has really turned into such a sweet little boy, he will talk and smile at you all the time!! He has the sweetest little dimples too that just make me melt!!!

He has now tried all the stage 1 Gerber foods and wasn't allergic to anything. He has now gotten to the point he will eat 2 containers sometimes. I am still nursing him 4 times a day and he eats food 3 times a day. Sometimes he sleeps all night, depending on how busy the day was but wakes up sometimes about 5. He will nurse then go back to bed till 8. His favorite thing to do besides lay on his changing table talking to you, is lay in his bed and watch his mobile. He really isn't crazy about tummy time but does it for me, he likes to do it more if he's in his crib. He sits in his exersaucer and in his Bumbo, he can even reach and grab things to hold.

He is starting to teeth and will chew on his fist till it is red. He is still taking the pacifier but is still trying to suck his thumb, he gets it sometimes!! He loves Gabe and smiles at the silly stuff he does more and more!! He is just a sweet boy and a joy to be around.

Happy Easter '09

2009-04-22T08:05:00.011-05:00

We spent Easter at Grammie and Papa's house which is always tons of fun!!

We still didn't get the best picture of all the kids but they aren't crying so that's better then nothing!! Gabe was ok with holding Gavin but only for a minute, he was concerned about his skinned up knees.

Gavin loves to be talked to and with the whole family there he had plenty of conversations, which makes me so happy!! Gabe loves swinging on the swing so he and Uncle Andy had a great time on the porch.

The only nap Gabe got on Easter was about a 15 minute one on the way to their house, we tried to lay him down on the bed when we got there but he wasn't interested in doing that at all. When it came time to hunt eggs Gabe really wasn't too interested he just wanted to run around the yard like a crazy person!! He found a hose attachment in the flower beds and brought that over, I guess wondering if it counted!!!

All the kids had a great time together and so did the adults. Charles and Gabe always have lots of fun together, they went through Grammie's kitchen drawers and had lots of fun with that!!

Gavin as you can see was worn out and took a very nice nap with his Daddy!! We left at about 6:30 and Gabe was asleep within about 2 minutes in the car, when we got home he went straight to bed and didn't wake up till 6:30 the next morning!! It was another great Easter!!!

The Easter Bunny Came

2009-04-19T14:53:00.005-05:00

Gavin got a GloWorm and a monkey rattle/teether in his Easter basket. He really likes Gabe's GloWorm and we have been meaning to get him his own since he was born, so this was the perfect time to do it. He got candy filled eggs which Gabe helped him take care of!!

For the last month or 2 Gabe has turned his focus from trains to Cars, the Disney/Pixar movie. I mean he REALLY loves it, he will watch it a couple times a day if you let him. So Michael and I decided to get him all Cars cars for his Easter basket that was Lighting McQueen. We were so excited to give him all the cars we could hardly wait!! Gabe was really excited about all his cars, which made us very happy.

Gavin was so happy after getting his Easter basket we had to take some pictures. He is such a sweet boy!! It was a nice Easter morning with our boys, thanks Easter Bunny (wink, wink)!!

Big, Big Tiger

2009-04-19T12:29:00.008-05:00

Last Saturday night we went to the Lakeland Flying Tigers baseball game. We used to go a lot last year until Gabe got were he just wouldn't sit still, he wanted to just run around everywhere. We figured the same thing would happen still but he actually sat and watched the whole game.

We invited Michael's mom, Meme to go with us since she wouldn't be seeing the boys on Easter day. Gabe like having her there to talk away to, like he loves to do. Since it was the night before Easter they had an Easter bunny there and the usual South Paw tiger and Flying Tiger. For some reason Gabe was now terrified of the Tigers and just kept saying "big, big tiger" and then later asked where Pooh was.

Both of the boys were very well behaved, Gavin never even cried just like his first game. He has really come to love it outside which is good because his big brother sure does as well.

After the game Publix sponsored a huge Easter egg hunt with 10,000!!! Gabe was really excited to get to go down on the field with Daddy and find eggs. I still am not sure why I didn't go down with them and take Gavin but I guess there's always next year.

Then like every Saturday night after the game they had a huge fireworks display, it was really great. Gabe was really funny because he wasn't scared of the noise but he acted like the light was too bright and he couldn't look at it. After we got in the parking lot he started saying " I scared", which we have never heard him say, it was so cute. We told him over and over again that he had nothing to be scared of but he just kept saying it all night and the next day. Gavin on the other hand slept right through the fireworks like they were nothing.

Daddy's shoes

2009-04-17T17:10:00.006-05:00

I have only seen Gabe try and put my shoes on before and he was pretty unsuccessful. He looked really silly in Daddy's big size 13 shoes!!

This happened later while they were watching baseball. Apparently trying to go up the step is pretty much impossible in Daddy's shoes!! I just love the "i stuck" at the end, that is just about his favorite thing to say.

Easter Bunny

2009-04-17T14:40:00.002-05:00

As I have told you all before Michael and I are committed to getting a picture of the boys with Santa and the Easter Bunny every year, whether good or bad. So here is the boys picture for this year, first time Gavin was in on it and he did good. Gabe was really excited until it meant he had to sit with the "big, big bunny" as he called him. He sat down and said "hi" and immediately "bye, bye"!! He just kept saying it over and over again, it was hilarious. Then the bunny put his hand on Gabe's arm because Gabe was putting it up reaching for us. Gabe looked at his hand like he was about to rip it off, Michael and I just died laughing!!!

Gigi Camp

2009-04-16T16:34:00.013-05:00

Good Friday we enjoyed the second annual Gigi Camp!!

Gigi and I made these matching outfits for the kids and personally I think they came out adorable. Last year's outfits we made were all blues but this year we mixed it up with bright colors that all went together. The group picture didn't turn out as well as we would've liked but what can you do.

So first thing we did was an Easter craft, they decorated foam eggs. Gabe mostly just wanted to stick things on himself and take the stuff off his egg immediately after putting it on. They all had a good time and then we headed outside to color real eggs. Charles knocked a cup over right off the bat and it made me nervous how it was all gonna go. Gabe didn't want anything to do with the dipper or waiting for the egg to get good and colored. He dropped it in with his hand and immediately wanted to take it out with his hand and stick it in another cup of color. Needless to say his hands were a lovely shade of green right away!! Uncle Andy helped with Gavin and his Ellie since they were too small to join in the coloring.

Then we decorated cupcakes which turned into eating cupcakes!! (All my pictures except the bottom pool pictures are thanks to Angela, I didn't get my camera out till then.) So I don't have any pictures of Gabe decorating cupcakes. He enjoyed eating an un-iced one while I put icing on his, then he had a lot of fun shaking the sprinkles on. I think he had more sprinkles on the table, chair and himself then he got on any cupcake though. Then the kids went out for an Easter egg hunt and Gabe did surprisingly well. I hadn't practiced with him at all but he went right out and started putting eggs in his basket. He was really excited about counting them when he was done, he wanted me to count over and over with him!!

After some lunch the big kids all had to get in the pool and they had a blast!!!

So Behind!

2009-04-16T09:50:00.013-05:00

Well with everything going on in my life I have gotten behind blogging for the last couple weeks. In an attempt this is going to be one big post of a lot of random things that I want to get on here.

These I took 2 weeks ago, we were just going out to dinner and I thought Gavin looked really cute in his big boy outfit. Gabe of course had to get in on the action and have his picture taken holding his "bubbie"!

Gavin has been doing a lot more lately like sitting in his Bumbo and grabbing his toys. He has actually picked them up a couple times.

We were cleaning our storage unit out this day so that we could move into a smaller unit and save some money. Gavin was tired so we laid him on a piece of mattress in the back of Michael's truck so he could take a nap. Gabe was up plundering in the front seat and as soon as he saw him he crawled back to lay with him. He loves kissing him and rubbing his head saying "soft".

Alex and Mandy were taking some furniture from our storage unit and it was going to take more then one trip so I took all the kids back to my house while they went back and forth. Emma always wants to hold baby Gavin (that is what she calls him) and then both Gabe and Ethan wanted to as well. They were all on the couch and I took that opportunity to get some cute pictures. Emma looks so sweet holding Gavin, she does a good job.

These are just some really sweet videos of Gavin talking up a storm. I think he may be a big talker like his big brother!!

Bonnet Creek Day

2009-04-14T10:22:00.015-05:00

So I am a little behind on my blog, this was 2 weeks ago. Uncle Andy and Aunt Angel invited us to come to Orlando and hang out at the resort with them and have some fun in the sun!!!

We headed over late morning and couldn't wait to get Gabe in the pool. It was really nice weather, just really windy. Gabe had so much fun in the hot tub and kiddie pool, he liked to be able to be free.

They have a lazy river there so Gabe wanted an inner tube to play with, he just ran laps around the kiddie pool in it. I didn't put Gavin in the pool at all because the water was pretty cold and it was so windy, I just didn't think he would enjoy it very much. He did love to lay in the sun though and catch some rays!

This was the first time Gabe had been in a big pool since last Summer and he didn't do much except ride in his floatie boat. So we brought him floaties to try (one of his had a hole in it so he borrowed Charles' extra pair) and he loved them!! He was swimming all over that pool like a pro, kicking his feet and everything!!!

Oh yea Aaron, Angela, Charles and Bella also came over!!! Gabe loves playing with Charles and has really become very interested in Bella lately, so he was so glad to see them!!! Charles showed Gabe how to jump off the side of the pool and they were so cute doing it together.

They also had a playground that we took the boys down to play on. They started taking each other out on the slide and fighting over Gabe's monster truck, just being boys!!

It was just a really fun day and nice to get away from everything. Thanks Uncle Andy and Aunt Angel for inviting us we had a blast!!!

By the time we got home we were all completely exhausted!!

Gavin's First Baseball Game

2009-03-31T07:27:00.010-05:00

This past Thursday Michael, Gavin and I went to see the Rays play the Tigers. It was Gavin's very first game and I think he had a good time!!

Gabe wore this same outfit to his first game only it was a NB not a 9 month!! Gavin never cried once during the whole game, which was super surprising maybe he will love baseball like his Daddy and brother.

We nearly got there in time to get Carlos Pena's autograph but not quite, Daddy was disappointed. Even though the Rays lost we had a nice time.

Gabe doesn't understand how to sit still when he's outside and it was way too crowded for him to go, maybe next time buddy.

Duck Lake

2009-03-26T05:35:00.009-05:00

Last Wednesday before Gabe's surgery I took both my boys down to Duck Lake.

Gabe really likes going a lot and just being able to run around. He doesn't usually feed the ducks, he feeds himself. He likes for me to throw the bread and then he laughs when they all fight over it. I think that he himself probably ate about 3-4 pieces of bread while we were there.

We had one swan that followed us around more than half the time and would get within about a foot or less of me wanting more bread. Gabe liked it but it just made me nervous, I don't want to get bite by a crazy swan!! Gavin was not happy at first but then he calmed down and enjoyed the sunshine I think.

It is always nice to get out of the house, Gabe just about has to every couple days or he gets really cranky. I was always on the go with him when he was little and now he wants to be all the time. Gavin likes much more that I can tell to be home so he can be in his crib.

Boucey, bouncey

2009-03-18T07:43:00.007-05:00

Ok so he's not doing a lot of bouncing yet but he is using his bouncey seat and he likes it.

Gabe really likes to play with him when he's in his seat. I started recording after Gavin had already been in the seat a while so he was getting tired but they are too cute.

So obviously Gabe really likes to spin Gavin around when he's in it, the problem is that he always spins him past whatever he starts playing with instead of showing Gavin what he's doing. We are working on it maybe he'll get it soon.

Gabe is really great with Gavin, every once in a while he is a little too ruff but he's getting better.

I just really can't wait until Gavin is a little older and sitting on the floor with Gabe and crawling after him that will be the best!!!

Common Ground Park

2009-03-17T16:10:00.017-05:00

In Lakeland we have a new park next to the tennis courts on Edgewood and it is amazing.

We have taken Gabe before but it was super crowded so we decided we wanted to take him before his surgery since we won't be able to go for a few weeks after it. Since Michael is off on Monday we had a nice family day at the park.

Gabe really just loves being able to run free and burn some energy. He isn't scared of anything so you really have to keep your eye on him. He runs up and down that ramp probably 20 times at least while we are there.

He really loves the slides and I have been trying to find him one on Craigslist but not been successful yet. It really would be nice to get him a swing set for his birthday but we will have to see about that.

He doesn't go very fast down the slide because his shoes catch him but hi still thinks it is fun!!

He also likes climbing back up the slides and is very good at it. We are having to stop that since it isn't very nice to do in a crowded park.

He wanted to try the big boy swing this time and did ok on it. At first he just kept throwing himself back and laughing but then he stayed sitting up.

The second time he went back to it he reached for the chains remembering he had to hold on.

He prefers the little boy swing though. I think it's because he can go much higher, which is what he loves to do.

He likes that big swing some but he hates when the sun gets in his eyes laying on his back.

He really thought this cup thing was hilarious and wanted to spin round and round!!

There is also this huge hill that they can slide down, it is really neat. I thought he would be scared to do it but not at all, I think he wishes he could go a little faster. This time he even went through the tunnel underneath it and climbed up the rope latter to get to the top of the hill.

Gavin slept most of the time but I think he had a good time too!!!

He is very hot natured like Gabe always was so it was a nice day for him to be out since it was pretty overcast.

It is just a really nice place to go play and let the boys get outta the house. We always have a lot of fun!!

Gavin 2 months

2009-03-12T08:12:00.015-05:00

HOLY COW, he is 2 months old!!! There has been so much going on in our family the time has just flown by. Gavin is growing so fast and doing new more interesting things everyday. He went to see Dr. Enlow yesterday for his check-up. I knew he was getting big but couldn't believe it when I saw 13 lbs. 5.5 ozs. on the scale, which is in the 95%!!! He is 23 ins. tall as well, which is the same as Gabe was at his 2 month visit. He had to get 3 shots and 1 oral one, he did well. He screamed, a scream I have never heard come out of him and then stopped as soon as I picked him up.

In the last couple weeks He has been spitting up 3-4 times after he ate, a lot of spit up. So I asked Dr. Enlow about it and she said to go ahead and start giving him rice cereal, that she thought that would help. She said then in a couple weeks we could start giving him fruits and veggies if he did well with the cereal. I was surprised to hear food already, its a month earlier then we started Gabe, but if she says it's ok then why not. So we gave him some last night and he spit up none last night and only once this morning.

I was really surprised at how well he ate the cereal, he just opened his mouth right up. Hopefully he will be a good eater like his brother is. By the way the blue onsie he has on is a Carter 9 month outfit!!! He loves to smile at you when you talk to him and will try and talk back. Also if I stick my tongue out at him he will stick his right back out at me.

I have gone to storage and gotten some of the toys and things that Gavin is ready to start trying. So far he has been on the fish mat and he likes that a lot and he has also sat in his Bumbo. I got the bouncy seat out as well and we will try that soon, he will just have to be propped a little with pillows at first, like Gabe was.

Sometimes he likes his swing and will take a 2-3 hour nap in it and sometimes he hates it and will scream till you take him out. He also likes laying in his bed watching his mobile and playing with his stuffed animals, when he does get a hold of them he will pull them on top of himself. He does like to stand up on his legs a lot too, which the doctor said is good since he is on the heavy side.

He is sleeping well at night 6 hours at a time. I have also got him on Gabe's nap schedule and they both take a 2-3 hour nap at the same time. It is so nice because I came either sleep myself or just get a lot accomplished.

He is just such a sweet boy but is growing up way too fast, I am trying to catch every special thing he does!!

Surgery for my baby.

2009-03-11T14:06:00.005-05:00

So Gabe went back to the urologist yesterday, I knew what I was going to hear but it still really stunk having to hear it out loud from the doctor. Dr. Reisman said that he will go in the side with the hernia and repair that, drain the fluid and put the mesh in. He said that half the time you get a hernia you will get it on the other side as well so he is also going to go in the other side and put mesh in to hopefully prevent that from happening. So he will end up with 2 small incisions, I would rather do both now then for him to have to have surgery again. The surgery will be done at All Children's hospital in St. Pete a week from today, March 19th. We won't know the exact time till the morning before, all we know is that it will be before lunch. He said the surgery will take about an hour and he will get to go home that day. For 2 days he can't get his incisions wet and then for 2 weeks he can't have any toys that he has to straddle to get in or ride on. As far as keeping him still to let him heal the doctor said, "You can't keep a good man down!" He said that holding him and having him kick, scream and pitch a fit is just as bad if not worse then him just running around playing.
It is hard to believe my little man is having surgery but I know he will come out of it better than when he went in. So far this has been a really tuff year for us and we are hoping that we can get past all this and things will turn around. Please continue to pray for Gabe and for strength for Michael and I. We love you all.

***Gabe's surgery will be at Tampa Bay Surgical Center instead of All Children.

Boys

2009-03-10T14:43:00.005-05:00

Gavin looked really cute the other day so I wanted to take his picture, anytime I do that Gabe wants to get in on it.

The look on Gavin's face in this picture says it all. He is terrified!!!

Gabe loves to hold him but doesn't try very hard to hold him up.

The face is just priceless!!!

I love the other picture though, Gabe has the sweetest smile on his face.

I really hope that they grow up to be great friends!!

That is Breckin the little boy I keep, he was dying to join the group so I had to take a picture. Him and Gabe have the best time together and he loves talking to Gavin.

Yummy Chocolate

2009-03-10T14:33:00.006-05:00

Sunday night our friends come over and we fix dinner. I was going to make some brownies and Gabe decided he wanted to help because he wanted some chocolate. The kid has never cared much about desserts at all till very recently and now he asks for "chocolate" or "candy" all the time!! The whole time I was mixing he was just asking for the chocolate so once I poured it in the pan we just let him have the bowl.

By the time he decided he was done he had it all over his hands, arms and face!! He still wasn't completely satisfied until he got to eat the brownies after they were done, I think he ate 3!!!

Splash, splash.

2009-03-10T11:42:00.010-05:00

Yesterday when Gabe got up from nap he wanted to go outside once

we got out we realized it was really hot, so we decided to blow up

the new pool for the first time!!

The water was freezing but Gabe didn't mind one bit. At first he thought it was funny to just splash us but then he wanted me to get in with him, so I went and put my bathing suit on.

I can't tell you how many times he started running around and then fell and bumped his head. He didn't mind he would just get back up and do it again. This new pool is much bigger and much deeper, I honestly think if I fill it up I could teach Gabe to swim in it. I know I will be able to work on floating and kicking!!

After he said "cheese" and took the first picture with me he wanted to give kisses and hugs and Michael got it, I was really glad because it was really sweet!

We had a lot of fun in the pool and can't wait for it to get warm enough that Gavin can get in with us.

Undies!!

2009-03-10T11:21:00.005-05:00

So on Friday Gabe and I went and bought him some big boy underwear, he wanted Cars and Diego. As soon as we got home he wanted them out of the wrapper!! I was feeding Gavin so I couldn't help him put them on so he settled with wearing them on his head. He ran all over the house like that and thought he was hilarious!!

After nap we put them on and he thought he was cool stuff, he still wanted a pair also on his head though. He did fine for a couple hours but then had an accident. He still isn't telling me when he has to go I just have to ask him over and over again. He will go to the bathroom when I ask him to and pretty much pees every time but doesn't say he has to go by himself.

Saturday morning he wore them for a couple hours and didn't have any accidents till we went outside. For now I will let him wear them when he wants but I really don't think he is quite ready, he has to learn to tell me when he feels the urge to go. We will continue to encourage and work with him, hopefully it will all click sooner then later!!

Yard Work

2009-03-10T10:26:00.020-05:00

So this past Saturday we got up and were ready to work in the yard. The dogs love to dig in the dirt so we decided we would use the landscape timbers and mulch off a large area for all the kids stuff. So that when I take Gabe out to play he doesn't end up covered in dirt. Gabe loves being outside and now I don't mind taking him out to play. He was such a big helper, first filling in the dogs holes with dirt, then spreading the mulch and he even helped Daddy move all the toys off the deck.

He was pretty exhausted after all that work and had to sit down in his wagon to take a breather!!!

Gavin enjoyed being outside for a bit but then went in to take a nap when the mower and electric trimmers came out. It was a little loud for a baby to nap!!

Gabe has a sand and water table but I haven't ever put water in the one side once we got done I filled the water up and this is what Gabe chose to do in the water.

After he did that for a while he just wanted the hose to play in and he ended up pretty darn wet!!

Then Gigi found a worn in the dirt and brought him that to check out. It didn't turn out well for the worm!!

He had such a good time outside and I know will continue to all Spring and Summer. He doesn't have to be doing anything exciting (half the time he is just wondering around) but he just wants to be out there!! Before we went in he had to help Gigi water the tree, it was really cute.

Here are just some other great pictures of Gabe I had to include!! I just think my boy is too cute!

Potty Time

2009-03-05T10:56:00.002-05:00

Last week when Gabe woke up one morning when I went to change his diaper and clothes I just asked him if he wanted to go pee pee on the potty. He said "pee pee potty" and started running to our bathroom, I put him on the potty and he peed!!! I was shocked so for the last week he has been using the potty some he hasn't been telling me he needs to go but I can ask him anytime if he wants to go try and he will go sit on the potty. Pretty much every time you take him he will pee pee. On Monday night he was standing up at the TV and I saw him grab at his butt and then he spun around and said "poo poo" so Michael ran him to the bathroom. He had already started to go but finished in the potty!!! We are really proud of him!! It seems really early for him to be trying but if he wants to I'm going along with it. At this point he isn't telling me I have to ask him so I am thinking that maybe this weekend we will buy some undies and see what happens. Maybe if he has an accident in the undies he will try a little harder to notice what he is doing. He is just growing up so fast!!!

Big Boy Adventure!

2009-02-24T11:20:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we were all going to go to Port Charlotte to the Rays new Spring Training facility because they were having the grand opening and all the players were going to be there signing autographs and stuff. Since I felt horrible still I told Michael to take Gabe and go on without Gavin and I, Michael's friend Chad joined them as well. They got to watch the players work-out, take batting practice and got lots of autographs!!

They were getting ready to leave and they heard the crack of a bat and knew someone was taking batting practice so they went to find out who it was. It turned out to be Navi, the starting catcher. Michael asked if he would sign an autograph and he said he would when he was done. So they watched him and Gabe was getting crabby because he was ready for a nap. Michael put Gabe back in the stroller to give Navi the balls and picture to sign, so Gabe started whining.

Navi asked what was wrong and Michael said Gabe wanted to be out there taking batting practice with him, he thought that was funny. He asked Gabe if he wanted his bat and told Michael to take him out and Navi gave Gabe his bat, then signed it as well.

This isn't just any bat it is specifically made for Navi, it is awesome!!

Michael forgot to take the camera so thank goodness Chad had his camera and took this picture for me. They had a great guys days!!

Gavin 6 weeks

2009-02-24T11:10:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Gavin turned 6 weeks old, that's crazy huh??!!?? It is crazy how big he is getting when we took him to the doctor Saturday morning he weighed 11 lbs. 11 ozs.!!! Gabe wasn't even that big yet at his 2 month visit, Gavin is trying to catch up with his brother super fast.

He is holding his head up for long periods of time and at night is now going 4 1/2 -5 hours between eating and still 3-3 1/2 during the day. His favorite thing to do is lay down and just look at you, he wants to be in the middle of everything and be talked to. He will put himself to sleep in his crib sometimes even without crying. He has adorable fat rolls on his leg I will get a picture of soon.

It seems he is starting to get to feeling better. His cough at least is nearly gone but he does still have a very snotty, congested nose. Dr. Enlow said I can bring him in anytime in the next couple weeks if he sounds worse and she will check him out. Hopefully he will just get past it on his own pretty soon.

Gabe's Health Issues

2009-02-20T15:37:00.002-05:00

I have been posting everything on Facebook and just realized today that I had done nothing on the blog yet. So I have wrote 4 notes about the health issues we have been having with Gabe and I will just copy and paste them all on here because I don't feel like typing it all out again.

1. So Gabe has had a little cold but yesterday it got worse. Michael and I went to Carrabba's last night while Gigi and Pop Pop watched the boys. Gigi gave him a bath and noticed that one of his testicles was really swollen. So when we got home from dinner we decided that we would go ahead and take him to the Nite Owl Pediatrics and go get everything checked. Turns out he had an ear infection, really bad chest cold and then this morning the his pediatrician also said strep throat. The doctor looked at Gabe's testicle and said that we would need to get him to his pediatrician today and have that checked out and get refereed to a urologist. We got him in this morning and it turns out he will have to have surgery to repair the hole that is allowing the fluid into his testicle. It can become very dangerous because his intestines can also start to drop into the testicle as well. At this point we are just waiting for them to get the referral done so we can get this all taken care of. Please keep our little man in your prayers.Pray for Gavin and I as well we have both gotten the same chest cold from Gabe and are not feeling well.

2.So I called his pediatrician this morning to see if they had gotten the referral yet. They said that the Clark and Daughtry urologist wouldn't see him so they would have to send him to All Children's, but they hadn't called them yet. Within about 45 minutes they called me back and said the appointment was for March 24th at the Tampa offices, I was not happy. While I know he is not in pain right now they say at any time if the intestines start to go into the testicle that he will be and that it will be very serious. For me to have to check him constantly for over a month wondering if it looks different I will lose it. So I called All Children's this afternoon and apparently my pediatrician had asked for the Tampa office because it was the closest office. I said I didn't care I would travel to any office I just wanted the earliest appointment I could get. Needless to say the next available appointment is March 3rd at the St. Pete office at 9:55. The said to just keep a close eye on it and let them know if there are any changes or if he seems to be in pain. This will be our appointment with the surgeon for him to examine Gabe and let us know what has to be done exactly. Please continue to Gabe and our family.

3.So Pop Pop called today and got us squeezed in at the Clearwater office, so we jumped in the car and went. He saw Dr. Reisman whom I liked very much, he didn't mind my millions of questions.He said this is called hydrocele, which is a fluid buildup around his testicle. Sometimes they are caused by an infection but he does not believe that is what it is. He says he will wait a month then see Gabe again (at the Lakeland office) if it were from an infection then it will go away before the appointment. He believes it is a hernia and then at the appointment they will schedule surgery. He said that with him having an ear infection, cold and strep throat that they wouldn't do surgery anyways because it increases the risks of the anesthesia. He said that the only thing that makes it an emergency and has to be fixed immediately is if the intestines get stuck in the opening. He says that there will be no question if that does happen because it will be the worst pain Gabe has ever felt, he will freak out and be projectile vomiting everywhere! In that case we would rush him to the ER right away, he said that rarely happens. The appointment made me feel better just because now I am more informed and no what to look for. So we will just play the waiting game and hope things don't get worse. Please pray that it is only an infection and it goes away, even that is not what it is believed to be. Pray that the intestines stay away from the opening and Gabe stays out of pain.They are going to call me with the date of the next appointment in the morning they said and I will then let you all know.

4.The nurse called this morning and said Gabe's next appointment will be March 10th at 9:05 am. She said Dr. Reisman really doesn't feel that it is just an infection so he decided not to wait a whole month. Please continue praying.

It has all been very trying and through all this Gavin and myself (along with Gabe) have had a horrible chest cold and we all still do. Hopefully everyone will be feeling better soon and Gabe will be fine.

Rays Fan Fest

2009-02-16T14:27:00.020-05:00

So this past Saturday, Valentine's Day was Rays Fan Fest!! We weren't sure if I was going to be up to going yet but I was, that made Michael really happy because he REALLY wanted to go. Once we got inside we realized it wasn't exactly what we were thinking it was going to be.

They opened the doors at 10 am, we had gotten there right before that. Once we got inside we had to get an armband to get autographs with. A lady saw us looking for the line and gave us 3 extra passes she had which saved us $20. So we went and got in line for autographs and where in that same line from about 10:15 till 4:30!!! I couldn't believe how amazing the boys were Gabe never pitched a fit, if he got whiny he would just lay down in the stroller and put his blanket over his face. He has teeth coming through so he did have diarrhea 4 times and we went through all the extra clothes we had taken for him.

It was cool to see the Rays players up close but by the time we got our autographs we were over it, even Michael!!! We got us an enormous Mt. Dew, changed the boys diapers and got the heck outta there!!!

My feet hurt so bad that I could hardly walk back out to the car.

The next morning my arms were killing me from holding Gavin so much, we are going to have to be investing in a double stroller very soon!!!

Gabe was happy to have his music to listen to on the way home he was acting so silly.

That is his Imagination Movers CD he was listening to, it is his new favorite show!!

Gavin was way to exhausted to be excited like his bubba!!

Next Monday we have another Rays baseball adventure to go on to there Spring Training facility in Port Charlotte. It has been completely remodeled and they are having it open for tours, to watch the team practice and get autographs. It is all free, which we like!!!

Gavin 1 month

2009-02-15T17:49:00.006-05:00

I can not believe a month has gone by already but we have been very busy!! Giving birth and having surgery all within 2 weeks is not recommended. Even with all the craziness Gavin has continued to grow and change daily.

We went to the doctor on Friday and she said that he looked great. He weighed 10 lbs. 7 ozs. and was 21 1/2 ins. long, everything was in the 50%. She was very impressed with his head control as well and said he had really great skin.

Gavin is still eating every 3 hours day and night pretty much, every once in a while at night he goes 4 but hardly ever. Hopefully soon we will begin to stretch that out a little longer at night Mommy would enjoy some more sleep. He has started going right back to sleep though after he eats at night instead of staying up and crying. He is still sleeping in the bassinet in our room but I think he is out growing it and is getting less comfortable, he ends up plowed into the side. I think this week sometime we will be moving him to his room and his crib at night.

He is staying awake a lot more during the day and loves for you to talk to him. He also enjoys laying in his crib and watching his mobile and looking at his friends he has in his crib. He also likes to takes naps in his swing some days, the higher the better!! He does still take his pacey but it isn't a constant thing, just mostly when he gets upset he wants it.

When I was taking his pictures Gabe decided he wanted to be a part of it.

He still loves holding him and kissing him. If he hears him crying he will run around till he finds him and just stand there watching him till we get him calmed down. He is such a sweet big brother, Gavin is a very lucky boy!!

These are just some other adorable pictures I took on Thursday and Friday of him. He is just such a precious boy, I feel so blessed to have him in my life!!

Gabey!!

2009-02-15T13:10:00.004-05:00

Gabe is really into taking pictures and he is constantly looking for my camera so I can take pictures of him. He doesn't call it a camera though, he calls it "cheese". So here are just some of the funny pictures I have taken of him.

My favorite is the top middle, he looks kind of evil!!

These were taken by Pop Pop on Friday when he was babysitting. He was watching Cars for about the 12th time that week, it is his new favorite thing!! Pop Pop said he left the room for just a few minutes and when he came back Gabe was passed out. Too cute!!

Picture Perfect!

2009-02-09T10:18:00.008-05:00

The Tuesday before I went into the hospital Gigi and I took the boys to have there pictures taken. I am glad I went ahead and did it or who knows when they would have gotten done!

They did really well, I was so happy!! Gabe isn't so great at holding Gavin, he just lets his head fall. He wanted to be silly though and I thought it worked out well. The picture of Gabe kissing Gavin's head and Gavin on Gabe's back are my favorites!!

We couldn't get Gabe to hold still long enough to get any good pictures of him by his self. He doesn't understand that he has to hold still for longer then a second for us to get the picture.

Gavin did great!! I couldn't believe we got the picture of him with his eyes open either, it was awesome.

How handsome are my boys!!!

3 weeks

2009-02-08T22:32:00.005-05:00

Not really much to post about Gavin's 3rd week of life, he spent most of it at the hospital with his Mommy. We did get the nurse to weigh him before we left on Sunday and he was 8 lbs. 13 ozs.

He did have to learn about taking a bottle and he did fine with that, the formula is where we ran into a problem. He did not do good with the regular kind, he has to have soy.

He will be going to the doctor this week for his 1 month check-up and we will have more to report.

Sick Mommy!

2009-02-08T18:03:00.006-05:00

I haven't posted in a while because I have been in the hospital and recovering from surgery. I had a couple of these episodes while I was pregnant (Christmas night hospital visit) but thought that they were just bad heartburn, turns out we were wrong. It happened last Mon. (Jan. 26th) afternoon but once I threw up the pain went away. Then it happened again Wed. night, midnight to be exact. I woke up with the horrible stomach pain and was in and out of the bathroom all night, this went on till the next morning. Mom called and made an appointment for me with Priority Care for 10:50, by then the pain had began to subside finally. They weren't sure so they ran a bunch of blood work I went home and fell asleep, they called back to tell me I had Pancreatitis. He said that he had called the hospital to tell them I was coming, I needed to check-in immediately. The hospital was full so I could either be in the hall on an adult floor or in pediatrics, we chose pediatrics. I had to stop nursing Gavin but I continued to pump so I could start up again later. I was put on an ice chip diet for a day then was finally aloud clear liquids the next day. They ran TONS of tests, blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds and EKG to find out the cause of the Pancreatitis, turns out it was my gallbladder. I had to wait for the Pancreatitis to go away though before they could do the surgery to remove it. Dr. Thigpen did my surgery finally Sunday morning first thing, I have never been so nervous and scared in my life!

Here I am immediately after returning to my room after surgery. (I am being very brave posting these awful pictures of me!) I had a couple things I had to do before we could go home and I was on top of it, I wanted out!

There is are room, we had the best nurses the whole time. They were very accommodating with Gavin bringing him tons of different formulas till we found one that would work for him. They brought him a crib and diapers even, they were just very helpful. Sunday night I had done what I had to do and we headed home finally!!

2 weeks old

2009-01-28T07:20:00.005-05:00

I love this picture!! When I went to take the picture he wasn't smiling and then as the flash was going off he got a grin and you can even kind of see his dimples too!!

Putting him in the glider did not work real well, he just kept trying to lean forward. I was going to take some more with him propped up in his Boppy but I never got around to it.

We took Gavin to the doctor on Monday to check his weight and we had good news,

8 lbs. 4.5 ozs.!!!

Our little man is growing big and strong!!

He fell asleep on Me last night watching TV and it was just too cute we had to take some pictures. I guess the lamp was too bright, he had to shade his eyes.

Sweet Boys

2009-01-27T09:14:00.006-05:00

Gavin was wide awake so I wanted to get a video of him so everyone could see his beautiful little eyes. When I came back with the camera Gabe was standing on the rail of the crib peeking in at Gavin and trying to kiss him. He loves his brother so much and has to kiss him all the time!!

The Pop Pop hold never fails!!!

More visitors

2009-01-27T09:05:00.002-05:00

Michael's mom was sick with bronchitis when Gavin was born and didn't make it over till this Saturday to see him for the first time. Nanny had come the weekend before with Aunt Robin and Josh, Papa and her came this time as well.

Gabey videos!!

2009-01-23T13:21:00.004-05:00

Gabe loves playing on the treadmill even though when he falls it hurts really bad!! I couldn't believe how strong he was when I saw him doing this last week!!!

Gabe got this piggy bank before he was born and we have been putting money in it ever since. In the last couple months Gabe has gotten where he loves to put money in his piggy and will go through our wallets to find it!! We did empty the piggy for the first time the day Gavin was born and took him to the bank to open his own savings account.

Just some cute videos of my Gabey I wanted to share.

Gaga and Pampa Hanke

2009-01-23T12:08:00.018-05:00

Pop Pop's parents are Gaga and Pampa to us and our children. I have not seen them since my wedding so needless to say they had never met my children. When I found out they were coming down from Kentucky in January I was nervous that they would just miss meeting Gavin as well. Thank heavens he was born when he was because they arrived less then a week later. They came over Monday before lunch to spend the day hanging out with everyone.Aaron and Angela came after lunch with the kids and Alex and Mandy came after Alex got off work. We all had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed each others company.

That is the whole group!!

That is the first time we have ever done a kids table and it actually went extremely well!!

After dinner and dessert the kids got a little wired and had a dance party!!! Both videos are of the kids dancing and it is kind of long but so hilarious to watch, I actually have 2 more videos of the dance party it just takes way too long to put them all on here. It all started because I was trying to keep Gabe to break dance for everyone, yes he break dances. He learned it on Choo-Choo Soul the conductor break dances in the "Do Your Own Dance" song and Gabe watched it enough until he started doing it!!! So Michael just kept playing songs on the computer and they kept dancing they were all wet with sweat by the time it was over.

Yesterday Pop Pop and I decided to go to Kissimme where Gaga and Pampa were staying and let them spend a little more time with my boys.

It was my first big trip out with both the boys and it took me about 2 hours to get myself and them feed, dressed and packed up to go. Hopefully we can cut that time down a little but for now it is the best I can do. Gavin and Gabe both slept all the way there and back which was perfect.

Gabe had a good time playing with them and I know they enjoyed holding Gavin. It was nice to be able to spend more time with them before they head back home!

1 week old

2009-01-23T12:00:00.002-05:00

It just doesn't get any cuter than that!!!

The cold weather is a pain, but he sure does look cute all bundled up!!!

Just Us

2009-01-23T11:34:00.013-05:00

This I thought was just the cutest picture of all my guys!

This is just a priceless video!! I was on the computer and was keeping my eye on them and I heard Gabe start talking and when I looked that is what he was doing. He didn't notice me videoing him for a while which I thought was great, it was all very sweet.

The boys watching football on Sunday!!

Gabe has gotten where he really likes to say "cheese" and have his picture taken. usually though he isn't still looking when the camera takes the shot. That is what the picture of me and him was and it actually turned out really cute.

Just some cute pictures of Gavin that needed to be posted. Oh yes, and apparently Gavin is going to be a pacey baby!!! So we will find out what is worse, pacey or thumb?!?

Firsts

2009-01-23T09:48:00.013-05:00

Within about 3 hours of being home we had our first visitors at home. Uncle Andy and Aunt Angel came by with 3 of their 4 children, somehow we ended up with no pictures of them while they were here. Then Alex and Mandy came for dinner with the kids, Emma was dying to see Baby Gavin!!

She would have held nearly the whole time she was there if we would have let her I think. Ethan was much more interested in him then we all thought he would be, it was very sweet.

Here are Me and my boys our first morning at home.

We all laid in bed, snuggled and watched TV.

It isn't the best picture but it had to be posted.

That afternoon we thought it was time he got a little sponge bath, his first bath. It was pretty chilly outside so we did it on the couch where the sun was shining in.

He didn't mind it too much, I think if it wasn't so cold it would have been much better. I am not used to having a newborn in the freezing weather. With Gabe it was 90 degrees all the time, at least!!!

Here are the first pictures of him with his eyes open.

Those are the first moments I have so far!!

Our Family

2009-01-23T08:50:00.003-05:00

Somehow I didn't get any pictures of the 4 of us together while at the hospital but this is what I did get.

Michael and I feel so lucky to have two such sweet and healthy boys!!

It is unreal to think how much our lives have changed in the last 2 1/2 years, tings have moved really fast. Something we always can agree on though is that we wouldn't change a thing, we are blessed to have everything we have.

Here are also just some really cute pictures of Gavin while we were still in the hospital.

Visitors

2009-01-23T08:24:00.005-05:00

We had lots of visitors while in the hospital, which was nice!!

I wasn't real good about taking pictures while people were there so if you don't see your visit captured here, sorry!! Gabe was at the hospital a lot, Michael and I thought that the more he was there with us the easier it would be on him. He was actually very well behaved and would bring his rolly backpack that Pop Pop got him, loaded up with books and cars. He played, watched TV and held his brother.

So far Gabe has yet to show any signs of jealousy or anything about all this. He hasn't started acting out in any way either, he is just very well adjusted. Hopefully it will stay that way.

Brothers

2009-01-20T09:33:00.007-05:00

Pop Pop brought Gabe up to the hospital first thing Tuesday morning so that he could meet his little baby brother. Gabe was actually much more interested in Gavin then I thought he would be, it was really adorable.
He was saying baby and then when I said that Gavin was his bother he was laughing and started saying brother, he was really excited. He wanted to hold him, kiss him and hug him over and over again!!
After that he had to point out Gavin eyes and nose. His favorite thing is all the outfits Gavin has because they have cars and trucks or animals on them, he thinks they are really cool.

He hung out at the hospital with us for a while and when he would hear Gavin cry he would run over yelling "brother" to check on him.

Gavin's Arrival

2009-01-20T08:25:00.005-05:00

It started last Monday morning at about 10 am. Michael and I had taken Gabe to the bank to open him a savings account and I started having mild contractions, I just assumed they were more Braxton Hicks contractions. By the time we got done at the bank I was sweating and they were a little stronger. We had more errands to run so I figured we should just go do what we had to do and they would go away soon. We headed to the Post office and Michael went in while Gabe and I waited in the car. By the time Michael got back they had gotten even worse and were coming nearly every other minute and I told him we needed to go home. We got home and I wanted to wait and make sure they didn't go away so at about 11:20 Michael called Dr. Mammel's office and they wanted me to come in and let him check me. Thank goodness Pop Pop was home so Gabe stayed with him and we headed out. Got to his office and he checked me, I was dilated to 3 almost 4 and he sent us to the hospital. We got to Triage after waiting for almost 20 minutes in the waiting room, just in time though. I got the last bed and while I was there 3 other girls showed up and just had to sit in the waiting room for a long time. Dr. Langley was the on-call doctor and he came in after about 45 minutes. He checked and said I was now dilated to 4 and said that he was going to keep me and we were having the baby. I got taken to my labor and delivery room and Michael made all the necessary phone calls.

It took 5 tries and the nurses finally got my IV in and after that I was not very happy. They wanted to give me my epidural first before Dr. Langley came in to break my water because of how fast my labor was before. It was about 3 or 4 before the doctor came in and gave me my epidural and that just stopped my labor. After my water was broken they started me on pitocin because I wasn't progressing well. As soon as it got in my system the contractions started back up and things started going. Gigi and Pop Pop brought Gabe with them up to the hospital but I didn't think he should see me all hooked up so Michael, Pop Pop and Gabe headed to the house, while Gigi stayed with me. I knew I still had a ways to go so Michael wanted to give Gabe his tubby and put him in bed, keep things as normal as possible. Grammie got to the hospital not long after the guys left so we all talked and waited. Michael got back about 8:30 and I was just trying to rest as much as possible, I was really tired. Dr. Barrett was the doctor on-call that night and at about 10:45-11:00 he checked me and I was still only 6-7 cm. dilated. Not long after that Michael went down the cafeteria to get a snack, at about 11:30 I got the urge that I should be pushing and told the nurse. She checked me and I was complete so she called the doctor and started getting everything ready. Gigi couldn't get Michael on the phone, since there was no service in the hospital so finally Grammie figured she should go look for him. He was coming down the hall when she went out the door so Grammie and Gigi headed to the waiting room. The doctor walked in at 11:40 and I said I wanted this baby born before midnight because I didn't want his birthday on the 13th. It took 6 minutes and about 4 contractions and he was out!!! It was just like I wanted they placed him on my belly and Michael cut the cord (we didn't get the option with Gabe), it was just perfect!!!

Gigi and Grammie got to come back and hold him for a minute then they headed home. I nursed him and we just looked at him and then they got us taken to our room it was about 1:30 or so. We couldn't really rest I was starving and they were taking him for his first bath which Michael wanted to see and get pictures for me.

That was how my little sweetie arrived whether you wanted to hear the whole story or not.

Gavin's Baby Shower

2009-01-16T19:23:00.006-05:00

Last Saturday the 10th was my baby shower for Gavin. My Mom and friends Ceci and Jennifer had it for Me and just in the nick of time! They made all my favorite treats and punch and I got tons of great stuff.

That castle is a diaper cake from my sister-in-law Angela, it was so cute I hated to take it apart. I actually did leave it together for a week and Gabe thought it was super cool too, although he really wanted the drawbridge to actually work.

A couple people even had gifts for Gabe which was good because he loves to open presents. He was a big helper for Mommy although he wasn't too excited about Gavin's stuff (clothes are not exciting)!

I have to say that leaning over to open presents is not very easy when you are 37 weeks pregnant.

We had asked for money which was to purchase a second cabinet for Gavin's room since he has no closet. We made the trip to Ikea after the shower just to get it and it was a good thing since I had him Monday then.

It was a really nice baby shower, thank you so much Mom, Ceci and Jen!! I love you guys!!!

Playin'

2009-01-06T14:32:00.010-05:00

Gabe got tons of stuff for Christmas and I have to say by far his favorite things are his train table and trains. That is something he plays with the majority of the day everyday!!

Michael got some videos of him playing the other day that were really cute.

Like you see in the one video he likes to hide under his table and he thinks he is being very funny!! He will wear his hat only if he puts it on, not if someone else does!!

Another thing he has enjoyed is the table and chairs Santa got him. He will sit and color on his Doodle Pro that Gigi and Pop Pop got him. Anytime we color with him I will always write his name so now when he sits down and draws anything he yells "Gabey" like that is what he is writing.

Gabe and Breckin like to sit at the table and draw together and do puzzles. I think we are going to need another Doodle Pro though, they don't like sharing the pen.

Prego Update

2008-12-30T13:48:00.004-05:00

I am now just over 35 weeks along and things are going ok. On Friday morning 5 am I woke up with a little heartburn and an upset stomach. I got a Tums and then realized I was also having pretty regular contractions. The heartburn feeling went away pretty soon but my stomach was very upset and I then started throwing up. All the while the contractions continued on at a regular pace, then it got to the point where it felt like the contraction wasn't stopping but it would get worse like actual labor contractions not just Braxton Hicks. Finally at about 6 am Michael wasn't sure what to do for me and got my Mom. She called the on-call doctor at the hospital and they told me to come in right away. It was all I could do to get dressed and get in the car. The car ride there was worse then when I was in labor with Gabe. They got me hooked up in Triage and about 7:30 Dr. Mammel came in (his shift started at 7, yay!!). By then the intense pain had worn off but I was still having regular contractions. He wanted to run a bunch of tests and make sure everything was ok with me and the baby. Meanwhile back at home I was worried about Gabe getting up and us not being there. Gigi heard him and like always he just went running for our room so she followed him. He went down and was looking in the bed and then in the bathroom and she told him that Daddy had to take Mommy to the doctor and we would be back later. She said he just looked at her and said, "Mommy doctor, okie dokie!" What a cutie they went and had breakfast then and did some shopping, he was fine. It makes me feel much better about when I actually go into labor.
So back to the hospital, they had to draw blood which took 3 different times being stuck with needles. I told them I had small veins and it was always difficult they just didn't listen very well.
The hooked me up to an IV and said I was dehydrated. All the blood work came back normal while I did continue with contractions sporadically at that point he said that they were being brought on from over doing it and dehydration. We were finally sent home at about 11:30.
I went home and tried to rest as much as I possibly could over the weekend, although I am not very good at that.

I then had a doctor appointment yesterday as well, my blood pressure was great and I had lost 2 lbs. Dr. Mammel told me I should be very proud of myself as good as I have done with my weight. He did the Strep B culture which I won't know the results of until next Monday at my appointment. He also told me that at my 37 or 38 week visit, if I hadn't already had the baby he would go ahead and schedule an induction for the week. He understands the level of discomfort I am in and assures me that the baby would be completely fine to go ahead and deliver. So know we are looking at 2-3 weeks tops till Gavin joins us. I feel mostly prepared but still have some tings that have to get done before I bring him home. Dr. Mammel told me I need to be spending a lot of time sitting and relaxing to help ease all the Braxton Hicks contractions I am having everyday. I will add a picture of the belly to this post later when Michael gets home and can take one.

There it is!!!

Christmas Night

2008-12-30T11:03:00.005-05:00

By the time everyone left Gabe was pooped and we turned on a movie for him to watch and relax.

On Christmas night we get together with some friends and Gabe was ready for more presents when we got there. We ate Chalupa, Southwest eggrolls and nacho cheese dip. For dessert we had non-fried fried ice cream.

He got a really cool blow-up t-ball stand w/ ball and bat. The Lambert boys were quick to blow it all up for him and play!

He also got a robot which he calls bebot. It is on 3 wheels and can go anywhere, he thinks it is hilarious!!

Daddy got some baseball cards from Nathan and Jennifer along with a family photo that Nathan will do for us. They gave Mommy some cookbooks and SL coasters. Ceci and Kim gave Daddy some collectible baseball stamps and money an Old Navy gift card, book and some new ornaments(she knew we lost a bunch when the tree fell).

Then Rob and Suzi gave us a gift card to Cobb theater and Mommy some super comfy socks and Bath and Body Works stuff.

By the end of the night Gabe was done and hid under the table with his blankie to rest!!

What a great Christmas!!!

Christmas Afternoon

2008-12-30T10:46:00.005-05:00

This year we were short a few people on Christmas, Mandy, Emma and Ethan were too sick to leave the house but Alex did show up and surprise Gigi.

At about 1 All the Bates family arrived and then Aaron, Angela and the kids. We ate lunch some of us way more then others and some more then they should have.

This Christmas we had a very new addition to the group, baby Ellie! Gabe decided that he needed to sit with Daddy too when he saw Ellie with Daddy!After lunch we opened presents which was pretty much mayhem!! I hardly got any pictures because at this point in the day I was exhausted and had been having contractions on and off all day.

Gabe got a really cool Thomas the Train shirt from Charles and Bella and some wooden building blocks from Uncle Andy and Aunt Angel. Gigi and Pop Pop got Gabe an Elmo Live, some more wooden train track stuff, a Doodle Pro, a sweater and corduroy pants and a couple Brio trains.

Mommy and Daddy got a gift card so we can go out to dinner and free babysitting from Gigi and Pop Pop.

Christmas Morning

2008-12-30T07:37:00.017-05:00

Gabe woke up like normal and coming running down to our room like every other morning. Michael went and got the lights turned on in Gavin's room and the doors open while I fixed Gabe a chocolate milk (I should have made him wait for the drink because he wouldn't put it down)!

Gabe was very good at opening presents this year it was so fun to watch him. Gabe got his table and chairs along with some alphabet cards from Santa. When he was going through his stocking he would lean over and peek in before he would pull something out. I made him a couple pair of pj's and those were just thrown over his shoulder while he moved on to the next package. Michael and I got him a big under the bed storage box for all his mega blocks and when I told him that is what it was for he turned around and started throwing all the blocks from his stocking in 1 by 1.

I am sorry these posts are getting really long with lots of videos but it is too hard to decide what not to put up because they are all so cute!

We have been looking for a guitar for Gabe for about 8 months now and actually found this one at Big Lots about a month ago. His cousin Emma has a guitar that had strings and everything like that and Gabe always plays with it when we are over there. All the kid guitar we had found just had buttons not strings, so when we found this one we knew we had to get it.

So from Mommy and Daddy Gabe got 3 new books, a guitar, blocks, cars, Diego coloring book, a block box and seat covers for his new chairs. Gabe wanted to share some of Daddy's candy from his stocking. I would say he really enjoyed it!! While Gigi got breakfast started Gabe had to go play with Pop Pop in his bed and watch a little TV. Then Pop Pop went and made his famous Pop Pop toast toast!!

I know this is not the best picture of myself but it was the only one of Gabe and I on Christmas morning so I had to put it.

After having our breakfast we had to make a special trip to Ceci and Kim's house for a present they just couldn't wait to give Gabe!

They got Gabe a super cool car to ride in. He was a little overwhelmed at this point so I didn't get a lot of pictures and none with Ceci and Kim. It came with tools so Gabe had to do a little work on the engine before he could take it for a spin.

So we had a very busy morning and Gabe was in need of a nap before all the family came over for lunch!!

Christmas Eve

2008-12-29T09:08:00.012-05:00

We spend our Christmas Eve with Michael's family, which will continue to be our tradition. We had them come over to our house for dinner and to open presents. I cooked a roast, baked potatoes, green beans and rolls. Meme and Nanny brought some homemade mac-n-cheese. Gabe was in a mood but he got over it about half way through dinner and was back to his normal charming self. After dinner we went out to the living room to open presents and Gabe was ready!!He had to have every piece of paper off before he could look at what he got, he was very particular. He really loved all his presents, the clothes though weren't very interesting to open as far as he was concerned.

From Meme he got a Little People car hauler, magnetic letters and numbers for the fridge, a Thomas the Train pillow, 2 books and a puzzle, jeans, a sweatshirt and a Cars shirt.

From Nanny and Papa he got a bag of Mega Blocks, Disney ViewMaster w/ extra Handy Manny and other character slides, a Little People tractor, Thomas the Train tubby toys and blanket.

Gabe really had fun once all the presents were open playing with all his stuff and with Nanny on the floor.
Daddy got some clothes and lots of cash and I got some fuzzy comfy socks, spray, candles and lots of cash. Daddy has already used part of his money for a Rays jersey and a Bowman baseball card set he has been wanting. I will be using part of my money for a prenatal massage.

We had a really nice Christmas Eve !!! After they left we got Gabe ready for bed and then Daddy and I had some things to put together for Santa. We were so excited about the next morning!!

Downtown Disney

2008-12-23T08:58:00.012-05:00

Last weekend we had to make a trip to Orlando to Ikea so we could finish Gabe's Christmas shopping. We wanted to go do something fun to make the drive worth while. We decided we would go to Downtown Disney and let Gabe see all the lights and some of his favorite characters. He waited till after he woke up from his nap to go so that he would be good and rested. He ended up sleeping about an hour longer then we thought he would so it made our trip a later one then we were planning.

He loved the new T-Rex restaurant and store. Inside they have a gigantic moving T-Rex and it didn't scare him at all. He was roaring back when it would start moving and making noises. So many of the pictures Gabe is not looking at the camera, he was much more interested in what he was taking a picture with then looking at us. He really liked Buzz Lightyear and he to hug him and give him a high five!!

He wanted to play with the Lego they were just way to small for him and all the windows with Duplo in them to play with were occupied. He gave it a good try he just has many years to go before he gets any Lego stuff. He really liked the dog, he thought it was Buster from Tigger and Pooh but I think it was maybe Lucky from 101 Dalmations, not sure. He he to sit down though even though his butt didn't really fit.They have this ride on train there and of course we had to let Gabe ride it. He is too small to do it by himself so Daddy rode with him. He was so excited when he got on!!! I will also put the video I took of them riding but it's not the best.

The other video was too cute not to put up. Gabe loves Mickey Mouse and had to hold all the stuffed Mickey's in every store. He also likes Donald and Goopy (Goofy). We wanted to get him one but we just couldn't spend $12 on an 8 inch doll.

Elizabeth Jennae is here!!

2008-12-18T22:10:00.006-05:00

Elizabeth Jennae Bates

6 lbs. 15 ozs.

18 inches long

Dec. 18th @ about 6:40

My Aunt Angel had her baby girl tonight and she is such a cutie!!

Gigi and I went to the hospital to see her and got to watch her get her first bath.

Mother and baby were doing great and we can't wait for them to get home so we can see them whenever we want!! I can't wait to hold that sweet baby girl, my new cousin.

Christmas Photos '08

2008-12-16T16:04:00.013-05:00

We had our family pictures done last week and I loved how they turned out. I made us the pj pants and then using Grammie's sewing machine embroidered shirts with Christmas things for each of us. I really wanted the pictures to be different, so the pj's were perfect.

Gabe was not really cooperating like we wanted since the best photographers weren't there. I guess it made the pictures a lot more natural instead of so posed. It is just Gabe being Gabe. I wasn't planning on taking the picture of my belly but the girl thought it was so cute not to and then we wanted it.

Also a couple days before we took all the cousins to have their pictures done again like last year. Gigi bought them matching outfits and the kids actually did amazing.

As they went walking in to the room they all started freaking out a bit but the lady had them all smiling and laughing in no time. They also has individual pictures taken while we were there and here are Gabe's.

What a handsome little man!!

O' Christmas Tree

2008-12-15T15:27:00.003-05:00

Well we decorated our own family tree in Gavin's bedroom to have our presents under. On Friday morning the tree fell over while Michael was getting ready for work, I didn't even hear it. So when I got up Pop Pop and I tried to put it back up but the whole top of the tree was bent beyond repair because it had landed on the glider. Tons of our ornaments broke, some of which I could fix but most were not able to make it.

On Friday night we got another tree out of the attic and decorated it. Turns out that our second tree we liked a lot more then our first one.

It did turn out really beautiful!!!

Picture Tag

2008-12-15T07:29:00.003-05:00

I got tagged by my sister-in-law and it was fun to see the old pictures, I never go back much and look.

The object of the picture tag is to:

1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer

2) Select the 4th picture in the folder

3) Explain the picture

4) Tag 4 people to do the same

This picture is from almost 2 years ago, mid Jan. 07. We were in Angel Fire, New Mexico. We were on a family trip with Alex, Mandy, Emma, Grammie, Papa and the Bates 5. This was the first morning we woke up at the hotel before moving into our cabin way up in the mountains. It was the first time Michael had ever seen snow and it was so beautiful and fun to share together. I was about 3 months pregnant with Gabe on that trip.

We can't wait to go back there in a couple years once our boys are old enough to play out in the snow. It was the most beautiful place we have ever seen!

Santa

2008-12-13T13:16:00.004-05:00

We took Gabe to the mall today to take his picture with Santa and it actually went better then I imagined it would.

Last year we made the decision that no matter what Gabe was doing, smiling or screaming we would always get the picture to have it.

I thought he was going to cry but he sat right down with him and let me step back. Santa was talking to him and the ladies were trying to make him smile but this is all he did. Other then the occasional sideways glance he would give Santa, like he was trying to keep his eye on him.

So he looks slightly terrified and sad but it is a pretty hilarious picture!!

Christmas comes early

2008-12-13T07:57:00.009-05:00

Since Christmas lunch is now at Gigi's house Grammie and Papa like to have us all over for a Christmas party before Christmas. It was a tradition we started last year and is so much fun!!

Grammie is such a good cook Gabe periodically had to come sit down at the counter and have some more snacks.

This year Grammie and Papa decided that they would give everyone there presents at the party. One reason is because the kids get plenty on Christmas day and because it is a lot of presents to pack up in the van on Christmas day.

All the kids got new pj's, Gabe's had trains on them and he was very excited!! Papa did a gift exchange with all presents he makes out in the shop and this year he also made toys for the kids, Gabe got a car. Also his gift from Grammie and Papa is a train table, I will blog him playing with it soon.

My camera died after the first present was opened by Emma so I have none of Gabe opening his train table. Grammie also took a picture of everybody together with our gifts from the exchange that Papa did. It was such a good time and nice to hang out with everyone!! It is a very good tradition that I hope we keep up for a long time!!

Here is a lovely picture of Aaron (my bro) that my husband took.

Just a warning that you shouldn't take the picture if you don't want it blogged.

Funny

2008-12-03T10:43:00.004-05:00

We were all in the kitchen fixing dinner last night and Gigi started hitting the bag of hash browns on the counter to break them apart (they were frozen) and Gabe just thought it was the funniest thing ever. By the time I could find the camera and video him he wasn't laughing as hard but it was still pretty cute!

Lights

2008-11-26T14:30:00.007-05:00

Sunday night Michael and I took Gabe done to Munn Park to see all the Christmas lights, we thought he would be thrilled!! He didn't take the best nap and since he goes to bed at 7:30 when he's taken a long nap at 6:30 he was already exhausted and didn't really care anything about the lights. We will try again soon and see if a well rested Gabe is more enthusiastic about the Christmas lights.

Gabe is really loving all the Christmas decorations Gigi and I are getting put up in the house. He tells us the trees are pretty and really likes the big train we have set up under the tree in Gavin's room. That is where we put our ornaments and are putting our Christmas presents.

Pop Pop also has a village in the den and Gabe thinks that is really cool.

We have many Christmas singing things that Gabe loves to press all the buttons and drive Mommy crazy with, I will try and remember to video him dancing to the music.

In other news(other then Christmas) Gabe is talking so much everyday it is something new and he is constantly amazing us. He says a lot of words and pretty much everything is very easy to understand, he is speaking really well. He has also learned how to open doors and now just comes walking out of his room looking for me when he wakes up. We are going to be getting some doorknob child proof covers now because he opened the back door when Gigi was watching him the other day and went out onto the deck to play (Mommy was at the doctor).

When I was in Gabe's room the other day he got a book out and was reading it on his bed, he really turns the pages and talks like he is reading the story. When he got to the end he closed the book and said "Amen". I guess he is associating "amen" with being the end of something, I'm not sure. It was just so cute, he is so silly!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

2008-11-20T10:42:00.004-05:00

Today is my 24th birthday and I woke up to a very nice surprise from my sweet husband.

Michael leaves for work well before I wake up so he did this before he left. He said he even had to wake up 10 minutes early to get it done!! I have the best husband ever!!!