Here is how we spent our Sunday afternoon:
Gabriel is wearing sunscreen in this picture. Sunscreen! And lets just say, that hat is not to keep him warm. Mom and Dad were in nothing but t-shirts (well, and pants, too). Spring is on its way!!!
Bedtime Stories
- Vicky Weber: Animal Babies Around the House
- Roberta Groebel Intrater: Splash!
February 2008
February 20, 2008
February 19, 2008
He Speaks!
For a couple months Gabe has been saying "mamamamamama" whenever he is hungry, sad, tired, lonely or things just aren't going the way he would like. And usually it means he wants Mama, but we're not 
entirely sure just what that word means to him. Last night he said his first real word.
Every night when he takes his bath, we blow bubbles and sing the bubble song from Book Babies:
(to the tune of Frere Jacques)
Hello bubble, hello bubble
Won't you land, won't you land?
Right in the middle, right in the middle
Of my hand, of my hand.
Last night, like always, I pulled out the California Baby Cranky and Overtired Bubble Bath, held up the wand and said, "Do you want bubbles?" Gabe grabbed for the bubbles and squealed "bubba!"
February 13, 2008
9 Months Old
Today Gabriel had his 9 month appointment at the pediatrician. He continues to over achieve in size. He weighed in at a whopping 21.5 lbs and is 29 inches long, with a 46cm head. Not sure why the head is the only thing they gave us in metric, but whatever that is, its the 75th percentile and so is his length. Weight is at the 85th. We can only hope his test scores will be as consistently high someday.
So, now that he has made it through the full nine months OUT of Mommy and he seems to be gaining plenty of weight, the doctor and Mommy and Daddy ALL agree, its about time he give up at least one or two of his average of 3-4 night feedings. So, we had a little talk. It's time. We are going through with sleep training. It was a very hard decision to make because we know it will involve some crying. And that is about the hardest thing in the world for Mommy to hear. But we finally feel that he's old enough to handle it and we are sleep deprived enough to try anything. Besides, he's climbing out of the
co-sleeper now, so the only safe option is the crib. We decided to try the methods in this book. It is the best compromise between our only other sources, Weissbluth and Sears, and sensitive to the emotional needs of everybody involved as we do this.
Tonight is the third night and so far he has not cried more than 5 minutes. The first night, he slept six beautiful, blissful, amazing hours. IN A ROW! He hasn't done that since last October. Today he took a two hour nap. In his crib! By himself!!! I didn't know what to do with myself! I really, really, REALLY hope this continues....
February 11, 2008
Life Will Never Be the Same
We are so proud of our 10 year old german shepherd, Dexter, who must be digging in the depths of his elderly soul to muster up this kind of patience. Gabe can crawl now. And for anyone who knows Dexter, Gabe's main goal is Dexter's absolute nightmare. He MUST touch those paws!! See for yourself.
February 04, 2008
The Family of Substantial Foreheads
Gabe seems to have inherited Mommy's forehead, which is prominent to say the least. And Daddy's is rapidly becoming larger and larger.
We are a family of substantial foreheads. Nice big prefrontal lobes around here. So its not really surprising that Gabriel's latest way of showing affection is to bump foreheads. Today when Mommy picked him up from daycare he head-butted her in the most loving and gentle way about 10 times in a row and then sealed it with one of his famous open-mouthed, suction on the chin kisses. Feel the love!
