Gabriel goes to Georgia!

Yet another first for Gabriel...his first flight, and in first class no less. I did warn him that it would not be like that everytime. I had some work to do in Atlanta so I turned into a work and play vacation and off to Grandma's we went. Unfortunately I was way to concerned with keeping Gabriel comfortable on the flight to remember to take a picture. How dare me?! He did great! He slept for most of the flight. I was very impressed with the changing table on the plane, bigger than most restuarants on the ground! We had maybe 2 minutes total of tears, not bad at all. We landed in Atlanta and made our way to baggage claim where grandma was waiting with open arms...and a VIP sign just for Gabriel! I think she was excited to see us. Gabriel was overwhelmed with all there was to look at! After a harsh introduction to GA humidity, and a diaper change in grandma's trunk, we were headed home so that Papa Gene could meet Gabriel for the first time. Gene and Gabriel got along famously! Gabriel was very entertained by Papa Gene's mustasche. Grandma introduced Gabriel to his pockets. Later that night Gabriel's Great Aunt Juanita and cousin Wendy stopped by. He of course did not pass up the opportunity to flirt. My mom had turned their bonus room into "the baby suite." It was perfect. Gabriel and I had our very own 5 star resort. My mom thought of everything to make our stay more comfortable. Gabriel had plenty of toys, clothes and of course diapers waiting for him!

Bathtime Fun!

These are the kind of pictures that Gabriel will be very upset with later for sharing but for now he doesn't know! The first time I gave Gabriel a bath alone, back in March, he was pretty terified. Judging by his smiles now I have gotten much better.

Camera Hog

I think I may be creating a ham...which is fine by me! Gabriel and I had a fantastic day. He was in such a great mood all day. Not that he has really been in a bad one for more than 5 minutes but he was non-stop smiles and giggles today. It just melts my heart. Tonight I was "making him dance" and singing the song (I am not sure of the name) with the chorus line "shake, shake, shake...shake, shake, shake...shake your booty." He could not stop laughing. I tried other songs and didn't get anywhere near the same result. Looks like G is gonna be a dancer like his mama ;-) After dancing he was shaking his rattle in his recliner...equally entertaining as dancing. What a cutie, I just can't get enough of him!

I spy...

I am sure some of you don't believe me when I tell you how chatty Gabriel is because everytime I try and capture it on film he clams up. I have been trying to sneak up on him a little...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Gabriel on the go!

This weekend was jam packed with activity...Keira's 1st birthday party, my office bowling tournatment and Gabriel's 1st evening with a sitter. To top things off temps were above 112 all weekend and pretty humid now that it is monsoon season. I mention that because the heat makes getting in and out of the car even more miserable. Gabriel was a trooper through all of it. He go to sit in a bouncer for the first time at Keira's party, which was WAY too big for him but a new place to sit for a few minutes. He got to meet almost everyone from my office and surprisingly could have cared less about the noise of the bowling alley. After all the activity on Saturday I decided to reward him with a little photo shoot. Okay, that was for me! You can tell by the picture though he was happy to pose. However, he was not happy to get in the swing afterward. He doesn't like the safety straps. All and all Gabriel is doing a fantastic job of keeping up with his parents, although he did pass out early tonight.

An afternoon with dad.

When I get home with Gabriel from Teresa's (his sitter) the first thing Keven does is sit down and talk to Gabriel about his day. They seem to have their own language. Learning how to stick out your tongue is often a topic of conversation. Guy talk!

For my entertainment...

You have seen this outfit before but it is so stinking cute I couldn't resist putting it on him again before he grows out of it. Of course my favorite part is the hood! I think by the end of the pictures he realized that I might be laughing at him instead of with him. Maybe one day he will forgive me :) I think this is where he is starting to realize that I may be laughing at him.

Gabriel meets Keira!

Gabriel has turned into quite the flirt, always smiling at the ladies. He recently met Keira (at Caden's birthday party)...and was smitten! He doesn't even care that she is taller than him, she is an older lady afterall.

4 month "well-baby" appointment

Gabriel now weighs 12lbs and 6oz, which is a long way from his birth weight of 4lbs and 9oz! He is also 2 feet tall! So in the last 6 weeks he has gained almost 2 1/2 pounds and grown an 1 1/4 inches. As a result I got a thumbs up from the Doctor! It is really nice to exhale a little bit since it seems that all I worry about is how much he eats, how much he poops and what he weighs. My how a baby changes priorities! Gabriel was certainly showing off for the Doctor. He smiled and talked non-stop and even had to show him how he "stands." All of the good feedback has really inspired me to keep up the breastfeeding. Even though pumping gets tiresome I think the benefits are worth it! Here are a few pictures from today (of course with my phone again...really need to keep another camera handy). Gabriel figured out how to grab his toy and make it swing for the first time today. It kept him entertained for a good 30 minutes. Bedtime and the smiles are still coming!

Made my day!

Sunday was a great family day! Gabriel loves being home with both of his parents. He was laughing up a storm and unfortunately the closet camera I had was my phone so the picture isn't that great but I captured the moment.

Phone pics

Gabriel and I spend alot of time in his room so you would think that I would store a camera there...nope, just my phone. Here are some recent fav's. Gabriel is a cuddler :) Learning to hold things! Smiling at mommy...my favorite past time!

a dip in the pool...

While in California we stayed with Keven's aunt and uncle (Korena and Jerry) who have a great heated pool! Gabriel has been in his swin trunks 4 times but this time he finally made it to the water! He cried for about 20 seconds if even that and quickly calmed down. By the end of it he was splashing the water with his hands...maybe a bit by accident. I think he is going to be a water baby! Before long he will be SCUBA diving with his parents! After he got out of the pool and all dried off he had to share his experience with the bee...of course! "...and then they put me in the water!"

Gabriel's first wedding

This past weekend we packed up the family and headed to California for Keven's cousin, Danny's, wedding. Since temps in AZ had already made it past 110 it was great to get out of town. Gabriel did great in the car! This was his first lengthy car ride (6 hours). This was good practice for the flight to see Grandma in October. Gabriel was of course a big hit at the wedding...the only thing that got more attention was the bride. He had fun at the reception...until it got dark of course. Poor little guy is afraid of the dark. Gabriel, Keven and Keven's mom, Vivian.

Seriously mom....can you brush my hair?!

Executive Protection

Gabriel in his first bullet proof vest. I know what you are thinking....but don't forget who his father is! Keven keeps calling him his little door kicker and future Marine. You have to admit, he does look pretty cute. It looks like he is giving me his "tough" look.