Sneak Peek

Coming soon...more pics from Gabriel's, I mean G Money's, birthday and party!

Can't find the words

Gabriel seems to be having a day of frustration today, which in turn is tough for me. I honestly think it all boils down to communication. I am just not understanding what he needs today...he has had a slight tummy ache and to make matters worse is cutting another tooth. I hate these days!



He complained until I unhooked him and then tried to figure out how to rehook it?




Oh wait, here is a smile!

Big Boy seat!

The grandparents got Gabriel a new car seat for his brithday! Now that he is 1 and weighs 20 pounds he can face forward. Boy was he ready for it! Not only can he see what all the fuss is about, and us, he is sitting straight up instead being forced to recline. We got the top of the line seat, which even comes with it's own side airbags that will absorb 55% of the impact if, God forbid, we ever needed it.

"That is what the front of the car looks like?"


"Yay for my new seat!"

The never ending balloon!

This is the best 7 dollars I have spent for entertainment in a while. I bought this balloon last weekend for Gabriel's birthday party and it is just as full of helium as it was then. He loves to beat it like a drum. He usually pulls it around with him in his walker, which is funny when I am in the kitchen because I just see the top of it passing by several times.

The front of the house

The weather is beautiful this time of year so we try and take advantage as much as possible. Earlier this week Gabriel and I were enjoying some courtyard time but the allure of the glowing sun in the front of the house just kept calling him so he broke through my barricade and went for a better look. (Don't worry mom, I was right behind him). I definitely need a new barricade, surprisingly empty water jugs didn't work ;-)

How did I let this happen!

Gabriel's BIG party, Grandpa Gene, Grandma Louise, Grandpa Bob and Grandma Diane and I have NO pictures to show for it. Gabriel even got his first "big boy" haircut courtesy of grandpa Gene and I have nothing. I was smart enough to hire a photographer for his party but now I have to wait like everyone else to see the pictures :( grrrr

In the meantime here are some pictures from today. You can see the new haircut as he dances with the bear (Thanks Rachel!).





For those of you who think I put Gabriel in jail, here he is trying to get in!


Playing isn't the same unless your tongue is out!


Another milestone...the first picture Gabriel ever took! (my finger)


Rahja was at the "doggie spa" all weekend getting a bath and some shots. They were happy to be reunited!

Happy St. Patty's

Keven and I felt like this was Gabriel's 1st St. Patrick's Day, I think because this time last year he was still in the hospital. He is far from the hospital now! As usual he spent today laughing up a storm. He is a big "cruiser" now so he travels around the room by looking for what he can grab onto next. His first steps are just around the corner I can feel it.

Sometimes when cruising around that next thing you grab may be a dog!




A quick break to shake some vitamins.




I hid some snacks in his music table. He doesn't realize he is standing alone.


Even cute with drool!






I love this picture because you see his little tongue and eyelashes.


Classic Gabriel!

You can't get mad

You can't mad at your toddler for emptying the wipe container when you are the one that left him alone with it!





At least he was trying to help me clean the floor!

Now that I am 1...

It is a whole new world! Okay, not really but it sure has been a busy weekend. Friday we celebrated with the Wojo's since Aia and Gabriel share the same birthday. The rest of the weekend was fun family time. Let's see...

"Dad was cleaning the garage so I helped him take a break."


"Mom wouldn't let me walk around outside without shoes on, which I HATE. I kicked them off twice and then cried until she gave in."


"I tried to grab my birthday ballons."


"I gave my wagon a tune-up"


"after my bath I read my birthday card from the Lowe's several times!"


"I gave Winnie the Pooh eskimo kisses...twice"


"I went to the Ostrich Festival with my parents, where my dad ate a snow cone while I bit the head of a stuffed ostrich."


"My mom slathered me in sunblock and then made me stay under this shade, where I leisurely snacked on puffs and banana pieces."


"Then we got ready to hear some music!...little did we know it was not going to be in English (which makes no difference to me)."


"I was dancing up a storm until Dad busted out the camera."


Big weekend for Gabriel!

The Big ONE!....Let him eat cake!

Today was the day, the big birthday! At 10:45 AM today Gabriel was officially 1! Keven, Jenacca and I all took the day off today so we could have some family time. Gabriel spent the morning as usual..eat, play, nap repeat. We headed to one of our favorite spots for lunch, Joe's Farm Grill. It was about 85 degrees today in Phoenix so the outdoor setting was perfect. Gabriel sat in his high chair like a big boy and ate his lunch (blueberries, butternut squash, cheese and a bite of daddy's BBQ). After we ate Michelle met us to snap some pictures (above). I can't wait to see how they turn out. As usual Gabriel made us work but then was the star of the show. After pictures we headed home for the birthday cupcake smashing! Gabriel did not miss a beat. He dove into his cupcake like he had done it a million times before. Little did he know it was all sugar-free...it made no difference. This was the fastest meal he has ever eaten!

As I watched him today I was just so full of love and pride. Gabriel is just such a joy. He already has such a big personality and sense of humor. He goes with the flow most of the time but definitely speaks up if something is not to his liking. He continues to LOVE music of all kinds. He has really been so affectionate lately, giving kisses randomly. He talks and squeals and laughs most of his waking hours. He truly owns my heart ♥

Last day as an 11 month old

Uh, my heart is breaking...in a good way. I think I may have been more anxious about today than tomorrow. My baby's last day as a "baby." I know he will always be my baby but he is now classified as a toddler. What? He was just born a few weeks ago right? Nope, 11 months and 29 days.

Do you see the crazy look in his eyes?! He is going for the stairs. Is this a preview of my next year?


I was closer behind than I appear ;-)




I am pretty sure he is rolling his eyes at me for interrupting his lunch with pictures!


An after lunch spin...