Acosta Pool Grand Opening!

Well, Gabriel's pool anyway. Keven actually bought this for him last year but we never made it outside with it. This time last year he was only 11 weeks old...what were we thinking?

Anyhow, this weekend was Memorial Day weekend. The weather was perfect so we kicked off the summer with a splash! Gabriel had been in a real pool twice last year and loves his baths so we knew he would have a blast. He got right into it and had a great time splashing in the water.

We didn't think about water toys until he was already in it so I went to the kitchen and got the first thing I could think of...which was tupperware, so of course Keven made fun of me. You can hear him in the video.







"Hey, why am I taking a bath in the backyard?"


Trying to catch the water.




Gabriel got the spraying porcupine for his birthday from Zane and Aia (along with a bunch of other pool toys and gear). He wasn't quite sure about this one. It kept spraying him in the face and I don't think he realized that he could move. He just stood there...sad and funny. We will try again later in the summer.

Gabriel's Antics

Do you see what is happening here? Gabriel is trying to open his gate. After throwing toys into the hall didn't get my attention (so he thinks) he figured he would just let himself out. Not quite tall enough or strong enough for that one yet.

What else has the funny man been up to? Well, this past weekend I made a black bean and cheese breakfast quesadilla and had in hopes that Gabriel and I would sahre it. Black beans had been a hit previously so I thought it would be a slam dunk. I am not sure if it is because they were the low sodium variety or because he thought they were blueberries but he was NOT a fan. He took a few bites and then one by one, while looking me in the eye, started hiding them under his leg. I tried not to laugh but couldn't help it. I don't know if he thought I wouldn't notice or just didn't care. The funniest part is that usually if he is finished or doesn't want something he feeds it to Rahja...I guess he figured that even she wouldn't like these.

I sing to Gabriel quite a bit. Well Sunday he sang to me, kind of. He sang "B,C,E." I have been singing the ABC song since birth. Partly because it is educational but partly because it is one of the few songs I can remember from start to finish without having to make up a verse.

Still a funny man Monday morning. I left him in his room, as often I do when I am getting dressed. There is a small couch in his room that got quite a bit of use during the newborm days and was great for my pumping days. Well, Gabriel is now strong enough and tall enough to pull himself up on that couch...so I learned. When I walked in Monday after getting dressed he was kicked back on the couch with his ankles crossed, eating Cheerios and watching TV (I had left it on). Sitting there like that was what he was supposed to be doing.

It is amazing how fast they learn these things! What will he do next?

Indoor play with an outdoor toy...

...it was fun just the same. Gabriel has discovered pinwheels, although he likes to stop it with his hand. When there is no wind outside mommy is the wind! Today he seemed to be waving more like a magic wand...in case you are wondering he didn't make anything appear.









Then it was onto reading.


Until he saw my camera. I think I have 50 pictures like this and I love them all! (please excuse the muffin crumbs on his face).




And finally a little dancing...or wait, is he protesting?

I have a confession.

Sometimes at night I just stand and watch Gabriel sleep and listen to his sounds. I then convince myself that he needs a diaper change just so I can hold him while he is sleepy and cuddly ♥

This is a phone picture of him leaning in to give me eskimo kisses tonight. What ever will I do when he is too cool for his mom?

Ready to go

This is the morning we flew to Atlanta. Gabriel was more than willing to help me by putting his own shoes on...over his PJ's!

Point of reference

My mom wanted a picture of Gabriel climbing th stairs for a couple reasons. The first being something so small looks so cute climbing up big stairs. The second so that each visit, when he climbs again, we can record his growth with a point of reference.





"Are you coming to get me?"

Pizza, mac'n cheese and a fancy high chair!

After the day at the museum we had dinner with my Aunt Juanita, Cousin Wendy and her sons Nathaniel and Joshua. Mom and I forgot our traveling high chair, the one I was sooo happy to have because we could take it anywhere ;-) Luckily Wendy still had the boys chair in the attic and hopped up there to get it. It was a good thing because after his long day dinner in my lap just wasn't going to work.

We have a fun visit full of giggles and Gabriel showing off his dimples. He even headed outside for some basketball with the boys.

Atlanta Children's Museum

While in Atlanta Gabriel, Grandma and I visited the Children's Museum. I am not quite sure I would call it a "museum" more like a deluxe play and learning environment...wait, is that a museum?

Anyhow, they have a great area for 2 and under. When we got there Gabriel had the place to himself for a good 20 minutes, which was all the pre-snack endurance he had anyway. He played a piano, crawled through a tunnel several times, attempted to walk across a bridge and even tried a slide again...still not a fan.

After our snack (bananas and goldfish) we ventured into the bigger kid areas since they were mostly involved in storytime. Gabriel shooped at a mini grocery store, played in a kitchen, milked a cow, drove a tractor, danced on a bridge and sat on a camel, which he like as much as he likes slides. It was a great adventure!

















This was a bouncy bridge and Gabriel stopped in the middle to bounce to some music!


I am sure he is thinking, "I ride in the front of these things all the time. How my mom never gets this little one for me. I can help!"


After the museum we had lunch at the Marietta Diner, where Grandma introduced Gabriel to ketchup and coloring. The rest of his meal had to be dipped in ketchup.



See the red scribbles? That is Gabriel's handy work. He also did some in blue on the other side.

Mother's Day!

It was so nice to get to spend Mother's Day with my mom, aka Grandma. We had a nice relaxing day. We all went to lunch at La Parilla, where Gabriel loved his chicken quesadilla! Then we headed to Grandpa Gene's barber shop for a much needed trim. I was way more nervous than Gabriel. Back home we had some more front porch time which is always relaxing. Even Gabriel sat in his rocking chair. To top it all off we went for ice cream, Gabriel's first taste, and then stopped at the park for a swing. Aside from a little humidity it was a great day!

I got a chuckle out of seeing them in the same position.


After lunch nap. So sweet.






"Grandma, do I look okay?"




Back home rocking with Grandpa.




Pause for a sip of water.


Bring on the ice cream! He didn't really care for my blueberry cobbler flavor but loved Moose Tracks. I hope he doesn't develop Keven's ice cream habit!






And now onto the swings. The perfect cure for a sugar high!...until it was time to leave.




"Mom, let's get one of these!"


"I finally got rid of that silly hat!"