Happy Five Month Birthday

Happy 5 Month Birthday Bubba!

I am so thrilled to be posting within a day of your accutal 5 month birthday. I know this post is supposed to be all about your fifth month of life, but allow me to pat myself on the back a little huh? Allow me to express the amazingness of this accomplishment.

Okay, I'm done.

This fifth month has been just as incredible as the first 4. You have grown leaps and bounds and I stand in awe of all that you can do. Some of these things are amazing and some drive me nuts.

You finally rolled over-which has probably been the biggest accomplishment for you. You went from your tummy to your back. The first time you did this, your startle reflex kicked in and your arms shot out from your sides and your eyes got wide. You hate tummy time so much and it freaked you out that some how, you had fixed the situation yourself. Now when we flip you onto your tummy you stay for all of about 5 seconds (if that) before turning yourself onto you back again. It had turned into a game with us and it makes you smile.

Yesterday you also went from your back to your tummy twice. It took a lot of coaxing and encouragement on Aunt Becca's and my parts but you did do it. Then you quickly realized that you were on your tummy and flipped right back. I should also mention that while attempting to do this, you whacked your head on your Mozart Cube and now give it a nasty look when I put it in front you. I'll give you another day to forget and soon, you'll love your cube again.

In this past month you also are really starting to throw your body weight in the direction of something you want. Instead of looking at something and trying to use what your father referes to as "Jedi Mind Tricks" to get the item, you lean towards it. It makes me smile when I am holding you and suddenly you throw all your weight to one side and end up sticking for face into a blanket or the arm of our couch. But at least you are getting the idea down.

When you Dad weighed you the other day you were almost up to 18 pounds and your six month clothes are barely fitting. Nine month outfits work much better even though they are a little long in the arms and legs. It is funny when people ask me how old you are. I tell them and they are very surprised and usually say "Wow! He's big then."

But even more important Gabe, this last month I have seen you and your sister get closer. I see her play with you and hand you your toys. She sing and dance for you and you watch her closely. You'll smile at her and once in a great while, give a little laugh. And she loves you Gabriel. I know that there are many years between the two of you. And at some point, she may not show quite as much interest because she will be a "way too cool" teenager. But I am telling you now that at this time in you still very new life, she adores you.

Why was Sera telling us to cut it? Why were you suddenly so angry? Well for those of you who think Gabe is always sweet and cute...

WRONG!!! While sitting in your ExerSaucer Gabe, you literally pooped up your back. And I love the look on your Dad's face. This is a moment, I am glad that you'll be able to have when you are older.

I love watching you Gabe. Your Dad and I will spend our nights playing with you rather than going to bed at a decent hour. You love all the attention. This brings me to the other new thing you are starting to do. You have now started to cry because you want to be held. You fooled me at first, I will admit that. But over this last month you figured out that crying baby=baby being held. It has been hard to let you fuss and your Dad has to remind me that you are okay and to leave you alone. And I know that you'll eventually get past this. But for now, you are just making my anxiety worse.

Happy 5 Month Birthday Our Little Man. We love you so much. Keep on growing and developing. And we will just keep on loving you unconditionally.

Extra Chucky with a Triple Dose of Cute!

Sorry Mom! I know that I missed yesterday but I think that being sick is a valid reason for missing a day. I mean, come on! Cut me a little slack huh? You don't see my other readers, all 5 of the other readers, complaining now do you? No, because they understand that sometimes life happens. And when it happens...it REALLY happens.

Yes, everyone I was sick. My sister Becca was sick Monday. Ryan was sick Tuesday. And I was sick yesterday. If you do the math that means I can blame my sickness on Becca. And unless she can trace where she got sick from, I am going to stick with that. As punishment she must buy me a pony that I will name Cupcake Sparkles McPony and she will live on my balcony.

I did take pictures for the Daily Gabe yesterday and for today so I am going to post both because they are all so damn cute it makes me want to spew sunshine from every orifice.

Yesterdays Daily Gabe was taken upstairs on my bed. People always say not to waste your money on baby toys because it is the simple things that entertain them. And last night that proved to be true. He has rattles and blankies and teething rings but all he really wanted to play with was the flat sheet from our bed.

See Mom!?! To make it up to you I am giving you some extra baby cuteness. And just as a side note, I think the blue blanket really brings out the blue in his eyes. He has eyes like his Daddy doesn't he? Although more and more people are saying that Gabe is starting to look like me. I think he just looks like Gabe...a sweet little chubby angel.

As for today's Daily Gabe, Ryan plays this game with him where he lifts him above his head and wiggles and kisses him on the cheeks. Gabe's smiles are so cute when he does this that I just had to try and catch him in the act.

See what I mean? Too cute!

So I am sorry Mom...sorry that I missed yesterday. But hope all this Chunky Monkey cuteness makes up for it.

Just Like Daddy

Ryan gives me this look all the time and then quietly tells me that in public, I really need to keep my pants on.

I Don't Think So

If you think you are fooling me with that whole "peek-a-boo" crap you've got another thing coming Lady.

Magical Musical Cube

If you have never seen this toy before allow me to enlighten you. This is what Ryan got Gabe for Christmas and it is called the Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube and GABE LOVES IT! Other than it obviously tastes delicious, the cube has 6 sides. Five sides contain different instruments (Harp, Piano, French Horn, Flute, and Violin.) and the bottom is the Orchestra button. You can push any side and it will play that instrument or all the instruments will play and from there you can add and subtract as you see fit. It plays several different songs and flashes to the beat of the music. Gabe is just now beginning to realize how awesome this toy is. While Ryan and I have been playing with it since he got it at Christmas time.

Baby Steps...Kind Of

Yesterday marked another milestone for Gabriel. As you may have read previously, when giving Gabe tummy time Ryan and I have found that instead of enjoying it, he usually screams like we just lit him on fire. But I don't think that will be an issue for him anymore.

Yes my voice always goes up an octave when I am talking to Gabe. He is going to think that for the first fews years of his life, I was related to Elmo. But can you blame me? People always talk higher when cute things are involved. And he certainly is cute. I also love that halfway through his second roll, he stops and looks at me like, "Really? You're that excited?"

It really was a big day for him. I am so proud that Gabe finally reached this HUGE stage in his developement. And yes, I do realize that this is a precurser to crawling but I am okay with that. Just to see him do that for the first time, it made me a little teary-eyed. My baby boy is getting so big.

After all that, however, he was very worn out and so Ryan, Sera, Becca, and I all sat on the couch and watched the Disney classic Beauty & the Beast. Gabe and Grandma Karen rested in the Lazy Boy and watched it as well.

And I am guessing by the look on his face that he is concerned that if he does anything too cute in this picture I might start squealing at him again and that all those high-pitched noises might turn his brain into skittles. It's a valid fear Gabe-really it is.

Contrary

His face may not reflect it right now but Gabe really does love his Daddy.

A Note on Free Enterprise

I have mentioned this casually in passing but there is one thing that has been driving me crazy! I understand everyone needs to make a buck. Times are tough and there are people out there who are doing all they can to make some extra cash. But I am getting pretty sick of the guys who keep trying to sell me tamales in the parking lot of the grocery store.

Yesterday I had to stop by the store for some veggies for my stir fry and I was asked on the way into the store and on the way out BY THE SAME GUY if I wanted to buy tamales. No Sir, I don't. I didn't walk into Smith's and then think, "Man I hope that guy asks me on the way out because that is when I will REALLY want some tamales." If you are going to try selling things in the parking lot, here's a tip: try selling only to people on the way IN or on the way OUT. Because the more you ask me, the more I am going to say no simply because you are annoying the holy living shit out of me.

Also, there is something to be said for your presentation. I get that you probably can't afford to set up a little stand like the lady that sell's Navajo Tacos, but maybe you should rethink the big plastic bin that is in the back of your rusty black Bronco. And maybe, you shouldn't try handing them out in nasty looking Ziplock bags that appear to have human bio-waste in them rather than a delicious Mexican treat.

And don't look at me like I am the jerk when I say no. Would you buy food from me in a parking lot? HELL NO! My own mother wouldn't do that. I don't know you from Adam. For all I know, you are making those tamales in the same kitchen you make drugs with your hands that you didn't wash after you took a GIANT poop. (Yes, I am mentioning GIANT poop on my blog. But are you honestly surprised?)

And finally, what if you have put some sort of addictive substance in your tamales so that I keep coming back for more? What if I say yes, eat your tamales, and then start going through withdrawls when I can't find you to get more. I don't want to spend my nights wandering west-side grocery stores looking for the "tamale people." I will do nothing but try to buy more and more tamales. And then Ryan will leave me and take Gabe with him. And then my family will have to take me onto the A&E show Intervention because I have a tamale problem. NO THANKS! Your tamales are not worth the risk.

So please tamale people, just leave me be. I get what you are trying to do, but I will NEVER buy your tamales. I can get safe one from the frozen section inside Smith's rather than "Mystery Tamales" from the back of your car.

And now, for those of you who only come to my blog to see pictures of Gabe...I present you with the Daily Gabe. He is playing with his play mat and he just found the mirror. Even he can't believe how cute he is.

And just in case you need one more shot of Gabe cuteness tonight, I give you this.

On a funny side note about Gabe, we tried giving him squash last night and he vomitted all over the dinner table. Not only did he not like the squash, he let us know in one of the most disgusting ways possible. So Ryan and I have both decided to hold of on trying the squash again-for our own safety. Love to you all!

Do the Dew

Tuesday are the night we normally get to have Sera. It is always nice to spend this one night with her though sometimes I feel bad because we all just kind of hang out and don't go CRAZY with activities. Ryan and I will make dinner and then after we usually play a game. I know, we need to try and contain ourselves.

But it is also nights like these that remind me how special my family is. We can spend this time together and simply enjoy one another's company without any distractions.

This what our Tuesday night usually looks like. Tonight we played Dora the Explorer Candy Land and Becca, FYI, she still calls Backpack "Lunchbox"-Lunch box! Lunch box! HAHAHA!

As for Gabe, he likes to kick back in his special seat and enjoy. He also like to have himself a beverage and Ryan provided today's drink.

And when we tried to take this away...he got really mad. Like Father, Like Son. And I love both my boys and Sera Bear so much! (Not matter what their drink of choice is.)

This Onesie LIES!!!

I know...I missed posting yesterday. And it wasn't like I was swamped during the day-I was just lazy during the day and busy later that night. We went to church at 11 am and then came home and took a nap. Well Ry, Gabe, & I took a nap-Sera watched The Last Unicorn. After that we went to my parents for Sunday dinner...YAY! My Mom makes kick ass pot roast and mashed potatoes and Ry and I are always first in line to get some. And then we went over to our neighbors house to play a little Pictionary. Boys vs. Girls and well...

WE TOTALLY WIPED THE FLOOR WITH THE BOYS!!! (On the first game...) It was an awesome night that involved good friends and one too many shots. HA!

Today I put Gabe in perhaps one of my favorites onesies, but the onesie lies. It says "I'm the Little Brother" and let's face it-this guy is anything but little.

So thanks to my niehgbors for the always awesome game nights. Ryan and I look forward to hanging out with you guys because we always end up laughing so hard that our sides hurt. Unfortunately for most of you, the things we laugh about are not something I can post here...this is family blog after all. Love to you all!

He is a tropical storm...

Today was a nice relaxing day. We hung out with my parents quite a bit and Ryan and Sera went bowling. My parents also took us to Ocean City for dinner...DELICIOUS! We also got to see Byron for just a little bit but it was still nice. So here are the pictures from today's adventures.

This face come shortly after licking Ryan's tropical storm bowling ball...nice...

Don't worry Sera, you will NEVER be worse than me.

Proving that not only are two heads better than one but they are also much cuter than one!

Mommy and Bubba at the bowling alley...and boy howdy do I look like crap!

Byron showing Gabe just how tall he might be some day.

Guitar Rock Hero Band Night

Tonight it was Beatles Rock Band night at our house. Ryan loves to play the drums and Sera likes to sing. I will play the guitar but I also like to sing. I know most of the songs on the game and I feel like I am a rock star when those 100% show up on the screen. And you know, since I have a complex about my singing and the game seems to think I dont totally suck, it is a little confidence booster as well. We do have one rule for Sera though: NO SCREAMING INTO THE MICROPHONE! She does this almost every time we play and it hurts our ears. Even Gabe gets into it...kind of.

Sera rocking out to words that she does not know, but dang it, she looks good.

And Gabe...our future little Paul McCartney minus the crazy gold-digging ex-wives.

I love in this picture that he looks totally surprised like I just caught him doing something naughty. Now if he were a rock star, that something naughty would be snorting cocaine or trying to get himself a little groupie action. But since he is only a baby, it is more like I caught him drooling all over our guitar and looking too cute for words.

Puppy Love

Freya loves Gabe and the rice cereal that is still on his face. And Gabe, well he loves his new Bumbo seat!

Gotta Love It Baby

He wears his Jazz Tee with pride even thought they lose to Minnesota on a regular basis.

But I Don't Wanna Be A Zombie Snack

Sorry Gabe but you're volen-told to be the zombie snack.

Also...since we are lucky enough to have Sera with us tonight as well I got this cute shot of her playing with Ryan's digital camera. This kid loves taking pictures just as much as I do. She is adorable! Grandma Linda, she must have gotten into this habit from you and I because we both know how much we love to get our cameras out and take pictures of EVERYTHING!!

Can't You See I'm Working Here?

This face tells you how he feels about me CONSTANTLY taking his picture. Not a moments peace!

Say What?!?!

I just told Gabe that yes, there are people who believe that Glenn Beck is really "independent." His response is written all over his face.

Resolute Resolutions

I guess a lot of people read this blog. I am not 100% sure. I started this blog almost 2 years ago so that Ry's family could keep up with all that we do. I didn't know that it would turn into what it has. (A bunch of hot air that some people find amusing.) So I guess I wanted to start off by thanking everyone for reading. I know that many of my family and friends having taken to stopping by and seeing what is pissing me off this week and that means a lot. Or you are just checking in to make sure that you are not the thing that is pissing me off this week. Either way, thanks.

2009 was a great year for me, as most of you know. Sera moved back to Utah. I had my first baby, Gabe-zilla. And Ryan made it safely back after 6 months of school in Mississippi. But as far as my 2009 resolutions, I tanked. I mean, I really failed to complete any of them in a truly spectacular manor. I wanted to go to the gym at least 2 times a week...nope. I wanted to read one book every month...not even close. I wanted to write some of my book at least once a week...there were times I didn't even work on it once a month. (No, you cannot read it yet!)

So with 2010 here I am going to try again. No excuses this time. I need to get off my ass and follow through. And I am posting it here, on my blog, so that I am more likely to at least try. With all my family and friends who read this, it will hold me more accountable. Are you ready Internet? Are you? I am not sure that you really are. Because here are my 2010 Resolutions!!!

1. I was told about a list called "25 Books to Read Before You're 25" and I had always meant to do this. And now that I am on my way 26 I figure, I can still get it done. And I am going to post the list so that if you wish, you can try and do it too.

1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
2. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee-DONE
4. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
5. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
6. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
7. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
8. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
9. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
10. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
11. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card-DONE
12. The Quiet American by Graham Greene
13. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
14. The Stand by Stephen King-DONE
15. Animal Farm by George Orwell-DONE
16. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
17. Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
18. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck-DONE
19. The Crucible by Arthur Miller-DONE
20. Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit by Daniel Quinn
21. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
22. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas-DONE
23. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain-DONE (A long time ago!)
24. Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlossinger
25. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

2. Keep up with my blog on a more regular basis.
3. Go to the gym at least once a week.
4. Get my book at least half-way complete.
5. Go to church services twice a month.

And I am going to STOP right there. Know why? Because any more and I am going to look at that list and say, FORGET IT and go eat a package of Oreos. I really want to keep my resolutions this year. I cannot imagine how great I would feel about myself if I kept up on this.

As for Ryan, well I thought you might ask. His list includes:

1. Become less of a "fat fat fatty" by eating better & exercising more.
2. Not allowing copious amounts of laundry to hang out in our bedroom.
3. Clean up after pets better.
4. Go back to school by end of the year.
5. Be able to run 10 miles in one stretch
6. Finish transcribing Grandpa Jim's book

And for those of you who think number one on Ry's list is mean, HE SAID IT THAT WAY! I wrote it exactly how he said it. So don't go writing me saying "Of you're so mean!" or "Why would you say that about Ryan?" He wanted me to put it that way. Maybe he should add "Quit being so self-hating" on his list as well.

So there you go Internet. Now you can watch me tank this year too. Happy 2010 People!

I'm like the lady that lived with gorillas, but not really

My Grandma Diane has often been an inspiration for me. She is kind hearted and funny. She is her own person and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. But perhaps it is her love for animals big and small that has really rubbed off on me. And while I was living with my grandparents I saw my Grandma Diane do some interesting things. But one of the strangest has to be the morning I woke up and found a feather duster in the bathtub.

I had been out late with my boyfriend, and now husband, Ryan. I got home probably around 3 am and both of my grandparents were obviously asleep. I was so tired that all I did was change into my pajamas and crawl into bed. I didn’t even go to the bathroom to wash my face or take out my contacts.

So when I woke up about 6:30 to get ready for work, I was still pretty sleep deprived. And as I stumbled into the bathroom and started to brush my teeth, I didn’t immediately notice the old things that were in the bathtub. But I did hear a tiny squeak which caused me to turn around.
I look through the sliding glass door of the tub and saw a small desk lamp, a feather duster, a hand towel, and a small dish that had water in it. I wondered if that was where the noise had come from or what kind of crazy cleaning my Grandma had been doing in the shower. And as I slid the shower door open to get a closer look the feather duster rustled with movement and a tiny baby duck waddled out from underneath. It started peeping in fear and ran to the back of the tub to get away from me. And I, not expecting a duck to be in the tub, was a little startled myself.

After getting ready for work I headed downstairs and asked my Grandma why there was a baby duck in the bathtub and she explained that the day before she had been in the front yard when her neighbor’s dog came by and started sniffing something in the grass. When my Grandma walked over to see what the dog was getting into, she saw the duck. She took it inside and called the Humane Society who directed her to animal control who directed her to some lady in Riverton who has turned her farm into a rescue for all types of waterfowl. And after finally getting through to the lady, it was too late to take the duckling there but she told my Grandma what to do for the little duck over night and that she could take him to the rescue the next day.

And my Grandma, being the kind and loving person she is, did just that. She set the duck up with what he needed in the bathtub and the next day, she took him to the rescue. She said that when she released him, he ran over to a bunch of other ducklings and seemed to be happy and safe. It made her feel good to do something for a poor helpless little duck. And it touched my heart a little too.

So maybe she was my inspiration yesterday because as I was leaving work, I saw an injured bird on our sidewalk. I stopped and looked at it-it appeared to be some sort of hawk. He was bleeding from his beak and his wing was sticking out at a weird angle. I cringed a little because normally, I do NOT like birds. So I got in my car and pulled out of the parking lot but the bird stayed in my mind. He would freeze to death if I didn’t do something. Even if he was going to die from his injuries, he didn’t deserve to suffer in the cold.

So I called Murray Animal Control and they said they would come out but I had to put a box over him so that he would still be there when the officer showed up. So I turned my car around and headed back to work. I called a guy I work with and he brought a box downstairs and was kind enough to put the box over the bird. (I didn’t want to get that close.) And because I had to go pick up Gabe from daycare, another lady I work with said she would stay until animal control showed up. She was there until almost 5 pm when the officer showed up. Her told her it was a Kestrel Hawk and that it had probably flown into one of the windows and got hurt. He put the hawk in a cage and said that he thought it would be okay and they would try to take care of it.

This is not a picture of the hawk I helped save, but it is what he looked like. I feel good that I called and that the bird didn’t just suffer and then die from the cold. I still don’t like birds, but the thought of it suffering broke my heart. And even if they had to euthanize the hawk, at least he didn’t just lie there scarred and cold and alone. I feel like I should one point in my good karma column.

So this post is for my Grandma Diane. I just wanted you to know that I really am a lot like you,especially when it comes to going out of your way for birds…minus the household goods and bathtub.

Happy 4 Month Birthday

My Sweet Chunky Monkey-

Someday you are going to read this and ask me why I always called you Chunky (Fill in the Blank). And so just to clear things up, I am going to share this with you. You had your four month check up on Thursday December 31 and the doctor once again noted that you are a big guy. He notes that you are not the bad kind of fat though, you are just very healthy. You now weigh 17 lbs and 2 ounces. This puts you into 87% for your weight. And the icing on your Dad's cake? They measured your length and you were 26 & 1/4 inches which puts you into the 89% for your height! YAY! I think your Dad did a little jig when he heard the height thing. He really keeps hoping that you stay tall. Me personally, I'm just glad you are healthy and growing.

Four months has flown by for me. Every time I sit down to write you your monthly birthday message I find myself asking "where has the time gone?" And then as I am waiting for an answer I realize that I am talking to myself and I check to see if anyone was looking. But even though the time is flying by, I am glad. Glad to see you learning and growing.

Your fourth month brought you your first Christmas. I know that you weren't really into it because you are only 4 months old. Your Dad and I opened all your presents for you while you tried to eat the wrapping paper. We took video of the whole thing so that you can watch it later in life. I remember trying to watch the video of my first Christmas. My Dad never could get it to work but I know the it would have been great. I want you to be able to see what I never could. I want to preserve these precious memories as much as I can not only for myself but for you as well.

During this past month we also started you on your first rice cereal. We mix it with a little pear juice to make it sweet and sprinkle a little formula in it as well. You like it quite a bit. When we are trying to feed you you'll try to grab the spoon and most of the food ends up on your face. This makes you smile. You seem to understand the process but your motor skills dont really let you feed yourself just yet.

The rice cereal allows you to sleep a lot better through the night. You have gone from waking up once a night to sleeping from about 9 pm to 6 am. Of course, you still have your moments when you wake up around 4 am for a snack but mostly, you just sleep right through. It is so nice to get so much sleep and I want to thank you for that.

Your talking has also increased. There are times to will sit and babble at me for the longest time. You will go from all smiles and happy sounds to a sudden burst of whines or screams. And then almost insantly, you smile again. You love the sound of your own little voice. I remember noticing that one day you didn't make much noise other than your hungry cry to the next day you suddenly realizing that all that noise was coming from you. And then you decided that you had gone long enough without talking and now, there are times I don't think you'll ever stop.

I cannot wait to see where the next month takes us. Your smiles remind me every day that you are my reason that I do all that I do. Like I say in all my birthday blogs, these past months have been amazing and I cannot wait to see where you go from here. I love you Gabe-never forget that. And Happy Four Month Birthday...Chunky Monkey.