Adorable video

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Gabriel has been fighting a virus since Sunday evening. He's feeling better and hasn't had a fever in over 36 hours now. However, he does now have a little rash all over and seems afraid to miss anything. Getting him down for his naps yesterday and today were challenging. Not to mention our overnights - last night and tonight have been challenging still; hence, my posting this at 1:15 am. But I was thinking of this video and just had to share. I hope it works, it's so stinking cute. I had no idea what he was going to do, I was waiting for the cheesy smile that comes at the end. Enjoy! I will post again soon, I promise, as I have pictures & info to share from our trip to see my Grandma in Arizona from a couple weeks ago. Good night and may Gabriel have sweet dreams for the rest of the night... and Mommy, too.

Growing so fast

Although I didn't take many pictures this past weekend, I still thought it was high time for you all to see some different pictures of Gabriel. So the two below are from a year ago today. This is my "can you believe it?!?" reflection for today. The time has passed so quickly already.

We had a great weekend, even if mine was only 3 days instead of my usual 5 days. I adjusted. :o) Two really adorable things happened that I want to share. First, on Wednesday when I took Gabe to daycare and was getting ready to leave he gave me two huge, wet puppy dog kisses right there with no prodding. I think I smiled all the way to work that morning and any time it comes to mind now. Also, on Thursday morning he was standing on the couch with our little afghan mostly covering a teddy bear he had been playing with the day before at his feet. I challenged him to find his bear and he began by slowly doing a visual scan around the room without moving much. Then I told him to check down by his feet and toes, after a second of processing he lifted his foot up to about knee level and looked at it. I praised him and then said to check under the blanket by his feet. A moment later when he did look down at the blanket and saw the teddy bear's ear sticking out he triumphantly grabbed the bear and held it up. It was and is the coolest thing to see him processing information in this way. I love this boy! 

Okay, last thing I want to share was about our walk around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. Gabriel was amazed! The look of wonderment on his face was precious. Also he could occasionally be heard making two main comments: "lights" (sounds more like "yites") and "whoa". We had an excellent walk that night and again last night with some friends. Everything is different through the eyes of a child, and I feel so blessed to have this one.

This week is gonna be a busy one... I'm working 4 whole days, then on Friday Gabriel and I will be flying to Arizona to see my Grandma Joy and my mom. I am so excited to see them! Plus that begins my 3 week break from work - good for me and family time, but not so good for my next paycheck. :o(

 I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Happy Holidays to you and yours

Here's the wreath I made last weekend. I'm so proud of how it turned out!

Thanksgiving

Our little man got dressed up on Thanksgiving Day.

Family Photo

We had an excellent Thanksgiving this year, so many things for which to be thankful. We spent Thanksgiving Day and night at Ruben's parents. His sister and new beau also came down from Seattle and were able to be with us. It was a nice day. Plus, when we got back home we still had time to make a second Thanksgiving dinner - this one was just for the three of us. It included a delicious ham from our pig (Paul), an amazing sweet potato dish that ended up tasting like pie filling, made from scratch green bean casserole (even down to the tiny fried scallions on top) and homemade rolls (Barb's buns, if you will). Our first Thanksgiving this year was good, but the second one was even better.  

Here's Gabriel trying to help Maximus get his ball from under the chest.

 On Friday before leaving Portland we met up with my wonderful friend, Julia, and brought Maximus home with us for a couple of nights. Our time with him could not have gone better. He and Gabriel got along fabulously. There has been much laughter and squealing in our home the last couple of nights. It's been a great holiday weekend. I hope all of my loved ones have felt as blessed as I have this Thanksgiving.

11.19.12

Yesterday was my 35th birthday and I had a great day! It started with Ruben and I snuggling on the couch to watch SNL, then eating french toast and ham with affogato (espresso served with a scoop of gelato in it), a walk with Robyn during a short dry spell, chicken tika masala for lunch, LOTS of wine tasting during our afternoon date, more snuggling on the couch & almost a nap, then pizza for dinner and to bed early. Although it's somewhat depressing to be another year older, I have two fantastic guys who will help me celebrate many birthdays to come. I'm really looking forward to next year when Gabriel will (hopefully) sing me a birthday song. Thanks to anyone who helped make my birthday and all my other days bright ~ I love each of you.

Here's one of Gabriel and I this morning.. it's gonna be another good day.

Cool days

It's been dry but cold the last week or so. I'm glad I got this fantastic sweater for him last year. It will probably still fit next year, too.

 He still loves the swing, but quickly gets bored. 

We had the pleasure of lunch with Amy on Friday which was great. It's always fun to be with old friends. Plus, Gabriel enjoyed seeing himself on her phone. That was after he walked into the restaurant with only one shoe & ended up losing his pants after sitting in cheese. Oh yeah, and he went straight to the fish tank smacking his lips the whole way. He has quite a personality!

Gabriel before lunch, he thought it necessary to remove both shoes and socks. 

Another day full of blessings

Yesterday Gabriel and I spent time with our friends in Albany. 

There's also a picture of him with Taven - the friend from the video, but it's rather incriminating. I'm not gonna post that one just yet. :o) We had a wonderful day! I feel so blessed for the life I have, especially the amazing people who are a part of it. Having Gabriel around really has changed the focus of my life. 

Does anything else really matter?...

I've been trying hard to focus on and appreciate what I have each and every day. Not just this fantastic little man (my main joy), but his father, my job, our health, friends, family and mostly the ability to just be in this moment right now. It's a wonderful life. :O)

Videos

Having fun with Taven

Pictures

Monday morning at breakfast & he's already tied down.

The first one

It's funny how life has a way of moving us forward. Certain events and interactions can, if we are open to them, change the focus of our lives. Maybe not a drastic change, but a realization that things never stay the same. With that being said... welcome to my first blog. I hope it's a success and you enjoy what I have to share.