"Things my mom said not to touch...

...but I did anyway!"

Now that Gabriel is more and more mobile and independent I let him explore on his own a bit more, under a close watchful eye of course in a somewhat protected area.

He always goes for Rahja's dogbed first! Luckily she is a good sport about it.


"Oh, let me pause for a picture!" He was about to sneeze, saw the camera and turned and gave me a smile.


"Hmm, maybe I should work on my grip."


"Curtains!"


"This looks like the stuff in backyard but why can't I pick it up?"


He pretty much stops and touches everything is his path.

Catching up on some home (phone) movies...

Hey, if it stops the teething pain it is fine by me!



Up close and personal! This is Gabriel's version of talking on the phone. I think he wants to kiss it or bite it.



This is my little dare devil. He climbed up under the bar and started jumping. I figured I better stop filming when he sat down in case he leaned back.


This is when he was first learning to pull-up...a bit wobbly.

Loving life and feeling blessed ♥

We had fun taking some pictures today before Gabriel's big brother, Ryan, headed back to Vegas. Unfortunately we didn't get a good group picture but we did get some great ones!





Check out mine and Gabriel's eyebrows...raising the same one. DNA sure is funny.

Trapped.

"If I could just get out there..."

Gabriel's first Christmas!

Though understanding the meaning of the day is a bit advanced for him he definietly understood family time, big meals and unwrapping gifts. He quickly caught on to tearing paper, although he wanted to put the paper in his mouth rather than see what he uncovered. We spent the morning in the courtyard by our outdoor tree and fireplace. We moved his swing outside so he was right at home.

His two favorite gifts of the day were socks, from his big brother Ryan, and a walking toy and musical card from Grandma L.


We started the morning with a big breakfast. Notice Gabriel is safely out of harms way and bacon grease.


Early morning pic.




Enjoying the musical card from Grandma.


Socks!


He was off and walking as soon as we put him behind it. Although when we moved inside to safer ground he seemed a bit unsure. I am sure he will have the hang of it in no time...Grandma what did we do?!




We finished the day with Christmas dinner, where Gabriel had his first taste of Honey Baked Ham...we have a fan! It was a jam packed first Christmas. I will remember it forever.

What do you mean I have to wait...

...until Christmas morning to open presents, also known as play my new boxes and eat paper?!



Maybe he was just mad because I was taking pictures of him with a blueberry yogurt mustache..




No worries, all is right with the world. He just wanted out of the Bumbo, his pants off and to play with my shoes.


And a bit of adventure.

Yo ba-bee, Yo ba-bee, Yo!

That is the song we song when we eat Yo Baby yogurt, or at least I sing it and Gabriel rocks back and forth. Today my performance was worth a clap!

9 month stats!

Gabriel had his 9 month "well-baby" appointment yesterday and is weighing in at 17 pounds and 14 ounces. He stands 28 inches tall. I emphasize the "stands" because he does it often! Thumbs up all around. Still some catching up to do the weight, or then again maybe he will just be tall and thin.

He continues to be one busy fellow. He is clapping now, trying to say a few more words and in always on the go. Exploration is the name of the game these days.



Here he is exploring his shadow.




Not too long ago Gabriel laid on his back on this mat and laughed and laughed at the lights and animals. No he tries to pull it apart. What a boy!




Any finally he moved onto the new alphabet mat Keven bought him.

But what does it taste like?

This afternoon, while I was pumping (which it seems I am always doing!), Gabriel was happy to entertain himself in his room. He started by taking almost all of his stuffed animals off the shelf. The next step was quite a process to watch...he bit or tasted every one of them, including a ribbon that he took off one of the bears. I sure do wish I knew what he was thinking!













And lastly he moved on to a rattle. Busy afternoon!

The new babysitter...

I am referring to the Jumparoo. We borrowed this from our neighbor Cristy. I have to say it has been wonderful living in a neighborhood with so many kids...never a shortage of toys or clothes to be shared. I will be happy to share/donate Gabriel's things when he outgrows them. Pay it forward!

Anyhow, back to jumping. Once Gabriel figured out what he could do he was quite tickled. Him jumped and grabbed and jump and spun. This definitely needs a video one day. You know after a long car ride and you get out and you still feel the vibration, almost as if you are still driving? Well, I think Gabriel was having a little of that tonight in his crib. After his afternoon jump we went upstairs for a bottle and a nap and he was grinning at me bending his knees and popping back up like he was trying to jump. My guess is he will dream about jumping.







He was holding on the prepare for a big bounce.

9 months old!

I can hardly believe it has been 9 months since I met my angel. What has he been up to lately, let's see...well, this week he cut his two top teeth and they are now making an appearance. He has become increasingly curious and now that he is mobile he has to watched every second. I had my first choking scare this week. He followed me into his bathroom and grabbed a decorative plant that is next to the tub. Little did I know that by the time I moved him away from it he already had a little piece in his hand on it's way to this mouth. He got it in and clamped his lips down. Trying not to panic I didn't want him to panic and suck it in. I pryed his mouth open and reached in...sucessfully! What a lesson for me to learn!

This morning after his bottle he leaned back next to me with his feet crossed and arm on my leg like he was in a recliner...guess he has been watching his dad more than we realize. Very cute!

Little teef

As soon as I can get a shot of the top two I will share it.

I guess not everything he does will be brilliant!

Always smiling! That is my happy boy...especially if there is music playing!