Peas In a Pod

These 2 have been having a lot of fun together this weekend and Ryan and I are so happy about that. We love that Sera wants to have a close relationship with her baby brother. And you can see by the look on Gabe's face that he loves it too!

Busy Busy Bees

We had a very busy week this week. Tuesday night we had Sera and were out late with her. We had our normal Tuesday evening with dinner and games. It is a great way to spend time together as a family.

Wednesday my Grandma Diane watched Gabe while Ryan and I went to Brewvies with our neighbors. We watched one of Ryan's favorite movies Barry Gordon's The Last Dragon. It was fun to be in a theater with other people and watch the movie-it made it all so much more fun. and Gabe had fun at Grandma's house too. She said he ate a lot and then was asleep by 8:00 PM. HE NEVER DOES THAT FOR US! Grandma Great just knows what she is doing I guess.

And last night I was totally worn out! I did get this picture of Gabe eating his "G" block but shortly after I fell asleep. We move my work office yesterday and I was so worn out. I didn't even realize how worn out I really was until I ate dinner and then got ready to watch the Olympics. I was asleep by the 4th skater and didn't wake up until Ryan told me it was time to go upstairs.

But now it is time for the weekend and hopefully I will stay caught up with my blog a little bit better. And let me tell you, I am ready for a great weekend!!!

Stand Tall

Gabe has been working out his legs recently by using his exer-saucer and his legs are getting so strong. I know it is only a matter of time before we will have him doing stadiums at the local high school.

It's Easy As 1...2...3

He may not know his ABC's but he knows two things:

1. He loves being the center of attention.

2. These blocks taste AMAZING!!!

A Special Day

Yesterday Seraphim was baptized and confirmed a member of the LDS church. It was a very special day for her and Ryan and I were glad that we were able to be a part of the events. Sera asked my mom, Grandma Karen, to give a talk on baptism, my dad Grandpa Chad to be a witness to her baptism, my siblings Becca and Byron and Becca's husband Spencer to sing a song, and then all 3 of the men to be a part of her confirmation. I know how much it meant to all of my family to be a part of Sera's big day.

Ryan and I may not be a part of the LDS faith in the traditional sense but it is a part of our lives through Sera. And to see her go through this right of passage which is a VERY BIG step in the LDS church, made Ryan and I very proud. Despite what some people may think, Ryan and I both believe that a close relationship with God and Christ is very important. And even though Sera is a different faith than us, we know that for her, this step will bring her closer to God.

The only thing that makes me feel bad is that Gabe is teething and so he was fussy for almost the whole thing. My Grandma Diane held him for half of the events and then I took over so she could see the rest. I just wish that the poor little guy had felt better so we could have been a part of the whole thing. But I know that Sera understands.

I was able to get a few pictures of Sera last night but she was all over the place seeing everyone and talking to people. I am just very happy that I was able to be there for her during such an important occasion. And I want Sera to know that despite what she may think sometimes, her Dad and I very much support her choice.

Sera, I know that there are times where you may feel like your Dad and I don't get it. But believe me when I tell you that we do. We know how important religion is to a person because our faith is just as important to us. And just as you share your beliefs with us and include us on special days likes this, we like to share our beliefs with you. And as you get older, I know that you will understand that more and more.

You have a special light inside you Sera. You are an example to all that meet you. As your Aunt Becca said last night, you truly are a great example of love. Thank you for sharing your special day with us. Please know that your Dad and I will always be there to share all your special days for as long as we live. We love you so very much!

A Quiet Evening

Sorry about missing yesterday. It was my birthday and Ryan took me out to dinner at Faustina's and then to see Ballet West's Swan Lake. We didn't get home until about 11:30 pm and by the time we got Gabe home, in bed, and then changed it was really to late to post. But for those of you who are curious, I had a wonderful bithday. Ryan is the BEST and did so much for me.

This is while we were trying to feed Gabe some dinner. He was not as interested in food as he was in grabbing my camera. And I take so many pictures of him that he is really starting to
show an interest in it. I think he is just getting sick of that black plastic thing that is in his face EVERY DAY!!

After dinner Gabe really needed a bath. We don't bathe him every day because it isn't good for his skin but sometimes we let him go more than a couple days which is not so good for his smell. And at daycare today, I think he decided to wear some of his lunch as hair product so I really needed to get him clean.

Hope you all have a great night! Love to you all! Thanks again for all the birthday wishes from my friends and families.

Tuesdays With Sera

Tonight was our weekly Sera night and she and Gabe had a great time together. It is nights like these that prove that having kids is the best thing you can do. I know not everyone cares about my kids but I love them and this video will show you why. Love to you all!

Stupid Cupid

Tonight Ryan and I went to dinner at Rodizio Grill at Trolley Square. I am not a fan of the meat parade that is Rodizio Grill but Ryan loves it. I think he only eats veggies out of obligation at place like that. And since my mother gave us a dinner for two gift certificate a month ago, we decided to celebrate our Non-Valentine's Day dinner there.

Ryan and I both decided last year after struggling to find something to get one another, that we were no longer going to celebrate Valentine's Day. We both agreed that it is a holiday that was created and forced upon by Hallmark and that we tell each other that we love each other all year.

This may have something to do with the fact that in high school, I never got roses from secret admirers. You know what I am talking about. The fundraiser they did EVERY YEAR where you could send roses to people for a dollar a flower. Student body officers would come into your class and start passing out dozens of roses and I would never get one. Ryan said he got a few but he is pretty sure that they all came from his mom. I am not sure which one of us had to worse.

I guess we got used to not participating in the holiday and now we think it is over-rated. And so to not celebrate, we went to dinner tonight. And of course, Gabe was with us and was cranky through most of dinner. But as soon as we got home, we took these adorable pictures. My guess, he was only cranky because Ryan and I are so anti-Valentine's and he is all about the love.

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Quick Catch Up

This weekend was pretty awesome! We had Sera, spent time with my parents, played games with the neighbors, and I got to hang out with David who is one of my best friends. And with all that craziness, I did miss on posting. (Sorry Linda!)

On Friday afternoon my sister Becca came over and saw Sera and Gabe. Sera loves hanging out with Becca. I think it is because Becca often acts like an 8-year-old girl and so she and Sera will get into trouble. I am not saying anything that isn't 100% true-Becca will totally admit to this. But no matter what kind of mischief they get into, she is an amazing aunt to both kids.

And today, both kids were a little crabby. Sera didn't get much sleep so she was a little bit of a grump and Gabe is teething (We think.) and so he has been really cranky. But even through all this, Ryan still got this cute picture of him right after he finished his rice cereal.

And even though this weekend was really busy and I feel like I didn't get enough done, we had a ton of fun with Sera and Gabe. We love it when all four of us can be together as a family and these weekends are some of the best we have. Ryan and I are truly lucky to have such wonderful kids.

Roy G Biv

Gabe has a toy that comes with scarves of many colors. And as you can see, he really likes it.

I Love You So I Eat You

We took a day off yesterday because Gabe was sick and so I was busy taking care of him. And even though I didn't post it, I did take a picture. Gabe's Grandma Linda gave Gabe and Sera each a stuffed animal for Valentine's Day. Sera's was a pink and white giraffe which she wanted to take home to her Mom's house and Ryan said it was okay. Gabe got a red rhino with white kiss marks all over him which we promptly named Smoochie.



Tonight Ryan and I went to the gym (Look at me doing so good on my New Year's Resolutions!) and when we got home Gabe sat in his car seat for a couple minutes. When I went to get him out, he just looked so cute that I decided it was worthy of being a Daily Gabe. I hate putting up pictures of him in his car seat because I think it makes me look lazy, but tonight I really don't care. I mean...LOOK HOW CUTE THAT FACE IS! Don't you want to just squeeze those fat cheeks?

Also we want to wish my sister Becca a very happy 24th birthday. Love to all our family!

P.S. For those of you who are curious, Gabe is doing much better tonight. Less congestion and no fever. YAY!!!

He's Gonna Be Trouble

This picture is courtesy of our neighbor Randy. We did give him the empty bottle but we did not allow him to lick the opening and we didn't put his hand on that position. But even while holding an empty beer and giving me "the finger" he is STILL too damn cute!

We went to our neighbor's house to celebrate his daughter's birthday last Thursday night. So these pictures are not from today but they are so cute that I am posting them as today's Daily Gabe anyway. If any of you have complaints about that, please email your comments to: ireallydontcare@biteme.com

HONK!!! Got your nose Daddy!

And if this last picture isn't the story of my life, I don't know what is. Ryan laughs at my pain while Gabe sits there wide-eyed and innocent.

Unlike Grandma Karen

Unlike his Grandma Karen, Gabe knows how to use the remote. When she is old enough he will show her how it's done. Also why is it that men just know they HAVE TO BE in control of the remote? It must have something to do with the Y chromosome.

Ole

Last night was really fun. My mom's brother John had his big 5-0 birthday party and Ry & I took Gabe with us. I thought he might get a little overwhelmed with all the people but he did really well.

The only time he freaked out was when they turned off all the lights so we could sing happy birthday. He was sitting with my Grandpa Jim and suddenly started screaming. Grandpa quickly passed him off to my mom and he calmed down. It was pretty funny.

And yes Grandpa always looks like this. Very rarely will you get a smile from Grandpa. But that's okay-we all know that he loves us.

And yes, even I got into the party. It was a fiesta theme and let me just answer your questions now. No, there were no tamales. And no, I didn't bring the sombrero but I am making it look good.

By the end of the night Gabe spent all of his time being held and I was worried that when we got home he would be so spoiled that we wouldn't be able to put him down. But we walked in, fed him a little, and he went right to sleep. Which was great for Ryan & I because after all that fiesta fun, we were pretty tired too.

Mr. Crusty

Gabe's favorite toy is this half blanket-half stuffed animal blue dog which is very appropriately named Mr Crusty. We have to bathe him almost weekly and spends most of time being stuffed into Gabe's mouth.

It's Exhausting Being a Baby

Last night was our Tuesday night with Sera. We had a nice dinner together and then headed over to our church to do family pictures. Our church has a directory where each entry has a picture included so you can put faces with names. I told Ryan that I guess this means we are "regulars" if they are asking us to be in the member directory.

Sera played with the other kids that were there with their families and she seemed to really enjoy herself. I know she has some anxiety about going to church with Ryan and I but once she is there, she always seems relaxed and has a good time with the other kids. And it isn't just her-Ry and I have had a great experience as well.

All that being said, we were at the church a little late and so I was not able to post. But I did get this sweet shot of Gabe while we were waiting at the church last night. He was fussy for me but as soon as Ryan got him and rocked him, Bubs fell right asleep.

Tonight Gabe has been very happy and active. As Ryan and I ate dinner, he sat in his swing and laughed and talked. And after a day like today that was emotionally hard for me, I needed to see my baby boy at his cutest.

We wish all our family a good night. After all that smiling, Gabe is very worn out now and so are going to go to bed. Sweet dreams!

Black Hole

As Ryan put it, "He's a black hole for cuteness." And it is true-I can't help but get sucked in.