March 1st

Well, here it is the beginning of another new month. If I thought time passed quickly before Gabriel was here, it definitely goes by faster now that I have him to enjoy. Our boy is growing up so fast! He absolutely loves being outside.

Gabriel & I have been taking a class through Kindermusik since the end of January. It's actually a Sing & Sign class, so although he verbally communicates well, the signs have been a fun addition. We are also doing swim lessons, although he is less than pleased about that, I think mostly because it's class time and not just play time in the pool. Plus, another factor is that his little girlfriend, Emily, is not in our swim class. Huge bummer for Gabriel as he asks for her every day at least once (if not a dozen times).

We took Emily & her mom, Sara, to Portland with us last week. After Gabe's appointment at Shriner's (we go back in 6 months, and no more surgeries to consider now) we took the kids to the Portland Children's Museum. Here are a couple pics.

They had a great time exploring and playing, which is what's important. And, of course, being together is always fun. Gabriel also really enjoyed watching a couple of the guys at the Children's Museum who were working on a broken display. Between the motor they were examining, the tools they were using and just the fact that they were fixing something, Gabriel was fascinated. I had to chuckle about that.

Below is a picture of Gabriel sharing his harmonica with Emily. The harmonica was a Christmas gift from The Pebley's and Gabriel has really enjoyed playing it and sharing it - with anyone (or any dog) who will tolerate his sharing. I keep telling him Maximus can't play it because he doesn't have lips, but it doesn't stop Gabe from offering.

 

After getting over his sickness from Christmas, Gabriel ended up with a pretty nasty URI for several weeks in January. Per the ENT from last week's appointment, he's still dealing with an enlarged adenoid, but he is doing better. I hope we are done with sicknesses now for awhile. This picture is from shortly after he had recuperated. I knew he was better since he kept grabbing the cookies and pulling them toward him. I caught him smiling here for just a second before he started going for them again... notice he already has one in his hand. Yup, his father's son...

We are planning our first family vacation to The Redwoods in Northern California toward the end of this month. Ruben and I are both very excited about it. Like I mentioned Gabriel loves the outdoors so I think we will have a fantastic time exploring the trees and the beaches and just being together, making memories. Then a week later we will be heading to MT for Easter with my family. I'm very excited about that as well! Lots to look forward to this month.