18 (almost 19) Months

Gabriel looks so much bigger to me than he did in the posts a couple months ago.  He doesn't really weigh that much more than he did at 15 months (he's now 25 pounds) and he only grew 1.5 inches (now 32.5 inches) but he just acts so much more like a toddler.  So, here are some random pictures and captions to update a little on what Gabriel is up to these day. . .

Aunt Stephanie is hilarious

Why is she staring at me?

Why is she pulling my hair?

I'm not quite sure about her, but my cousin is pretty cute so I'll put on some music for her

Gabriel still loves to read.  His favorite book seems to rotate.  He has a one word name for some of this favorites.  Before bed tonight he wanted to read "Hammy" (Green Eggs and Ham).  Others times we read "Hat" (Cat in the Hat), "Sock" (Fox in Socks), "Pop" (Hop on Pop), "Rock" (Rocks in My Socks),  and "Cordy" (Corduroy).  He also really likes Where the Wild Things Are (he always says "HOT" when you read the last page of the book), SkippyJohn Jones, Alexander and Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day, and his Disney Storybooks.

What does this growing boy eat? Everything.  If there is one thing that it's harder for him to eat it's meat.  He will eat plain chicken dipped in ketchup, but he's not a huge fan of other meat (although he does eat it sometimes mixed in something).  Favorite foods: grapes, strawberries ("sabbies"), apples (it's obviously hard for him to bite -- he spent quite a while licking one today before I cut it up), cucumbers, edamame ("beans"),  and broccoli 

What does Gabriel do for fun these days?  Climbs on and in EVERYTHING, plays with the DVDs, carries around random things that aren't technically toys, chases Loki, wanders around outside, plays in the car while it's sitting in the garage (there are lots of cool buttons in there), goes to class at Romp and Roll, the library, the park, the pool. . .

He has so much to say.  It's still mostly babbling, but he knows so many words all of the sudden.  Taylor realized that he's asking what things are called too.  I can't really think of a way to type what it sounds like, but he points at something he doesn't know, asks what it is, and then repeats whatever you tell him.  I can understand why only parents can understand most of what their child says.  He knows the name of most animals, household objects, and simple things outside, but it would be hard to understand him if you weren't around him everyday.

Helping Daddy put together patio furniture

Helping to take apart the futon

He loves to brush his teeth

And he loves his new step stool

There was a fawn in our yard for a few days.  His mother was leaving him during the day and coming to get him at night.  Gabriel loved it.  He was standing at the back door pointing up the hill and shouting "Fawn! Fawn!"  I'm not sure if it was Taylor cutting the grass (even though he left a large area where he was hanging out), but he's no longer there.  Gabriel is really liking having a back yard though.  He likes to watch the birds, squirrels, and rabbits and wander around.  He tried to eat a random flower today and then gagged though. . .not a fun moment.

Gabriel loves his Daddy!  Happy Father's Day!

Such a cute and sweet boy

On a not-so-cute note he now thinks that when you tell him "no" it can be ignored and he laughs when he gets popped on the hand.  Oh, new realms of disciple that we must now figure out.  But, it's hard to stay mad at him when he has such a sweet smile and likes to say "please?" so sweetly.  We love our little man.

15 Months - Another Installment Directly From the Source

Ok, here we go again!  I had my 15 month appointment at the doctor today so that means it's time for another post.  Come with me and I'll take you for a ride. . .

We'll get going as soon as I start this thing.  Mom, can I have some more quarters?

The doctor today said that I made "a leap" on my growth curve.  Apparently gaining 3 pounds in 3 months really impressed her (moving me from the 9th to the 24th percentile).  I was 22 pounds, 15 ounces, was 31 inches tall (41st percentile), and my head was 19 inches (77th percentile).  Hooray!  Besides that good news they also made me take off my clothes again and then get a couple shots.  Those people are just plain mean.  I don't think we should visit them anymore, but I think Daddy and Mommy might keep dragging me there.  At least they gave me a free book about frogs.  Still didn't make it worth it if you ask me. . .

I've been sick a couple times over the last few months.  Nothing too major though.  I did have a pretty high fever and do nothing but sleep for about a day, but after that I felt fine.  Luckily Grandma was here then and liked holding me.  I'm also in the process of cutting 2 more teeth on the bottom (which will give me a grand total of 8).  It's no fun.  I keep bringing Mommy my Tylenol but she only gives it to me every so often.  I just LOVE that stuff.  It tastes so good.  I'm also pretty accident prone.  I'm just in such a hurry to get everywhere.  I'm afraid I might miss something!  I bonk my head a lot and get bruises.  Oh well.

I'm also starting to learn how to do artsy stuff.  Sometime I finger paint, or throw crayons on the floor, or put stickers on Mommy's face.  I really love it when I can get the top off of Mommy's stuff she puts around her eyes and draw cool things on my face.  I think I do it better than she does.

 At the doctor today she said that kids my age usually have about 6 words.  I'm not sure how many I have.  I'm saying things pretty much constantly but Dad and Mom don't seem to understand much of it.  They need more practice.  Almost every animal I see is a "dog" or occasionally a "cat."  I really love to read "books" (especially Dr. Seuss and SkippyJon Jones).  I repeat random things Dad and Mom say in an attempt to make them excited (the other day I repeated "bug" and "cow" and Mom for some reason thought that was awesome).  I am started to understand a lot more of what they're saying though.  I guess I need to learn their language if I ever hope to let them know what I want.  I know what it means when when they say that have milk for me, or I know that when they say "nap" they're about to put me in my crib.  Most importantly though, I know that when they say "snack" or "breakfast" or "lunch" or "dinner" that it's time to chow down!!!  Now I shall share some pictures of me eating. . .

I LOVE GRAPES!   I like to just keep stuffing them in until my cheeks are full.  Then I can save them for later

I still like vegetables ok, but not as much as I used to.  I'd rather eat fruit or dairy (yogurt, cheese, oranges, pears, or GRAPES preferably.  Did I mention that I like grapes?)

Hmmm.  Oat-bran muffin. You want some?  I often try to share my food with Mommy and Daddy but they don't always want it. I just figure that if I taste it and don't like it that I should just take it out of my mouth and offer it to them.  No sense in wasting it.  That's just silly

Daddy decided that I should have a doughnut after my shots today.  Man was it good stuff. I've never had one of those all to myself before.

And here are a couple shots of me at Romp and Roll playing with this weird thing with wheels.  Some days I love going to play there and other days not so much.  I really just want to go outside and walk around.  I love doing that.  Mommy said after my nap today that we can go to the park because it's pretty warm outside. Yip! Yippee! Yippito! (as SkippyJon would say)

And for our final shot, here is me sitting on my friend the cow.  Some really nice people at church gave this to me because their kids don't want to sit on him anymore.  I'm a cowboy! Later taters!

Gabriel's First Birthday!

First, let us apologize for taking so long to make this post. His first birthday was on November 24, 2013, but that was a busy week and it's been really busy since then. But, better late than never, I suppose.

Since his birthday was just a few days before Thanksgiving, we went down to Atlanta to celebrate both those events with our families. Our friends, Nick and Katie, were kind of enough to let us stay in their home and use it for Gabriel's birthday party. It was a great time with family and friends, and Gabriel got a lot of great presents! Below are some pictures as well as a video of him eating his first cake. Enjoy:

I must apologize for the bad singing. I (Taylor) and a friend of mine were too close to the camera...

Loki gladly took the cleanup job.

On a development note, Gabriel has started walking. He took his first steps just a little after his first birthday and now is tottering all over the place. He still has some balance issues, of course, so he hits his head or has a tumble from time-to-time. But, he is making quick progress and getting into everything.

By His Grace,

Taylor

10 Months: A day in the life of Gabriel

 Since we didn't go to the doctor this month, Gabriel has requested to use this month's post to share some pictures and give you a glimpse into his average day.

Before we get into my average day, one side note to share.  Mommy and I took a little roadtrip to Atlanta for a couple of days to celebrate some birthdays.  We had a great, but tiring, time! I was really chill for most of the drive though.  Mommy kept a box of toys in the front seat and kept handing them back to me when I got bored.  The only problem is that Mom was taking way too long getting us there.  I wanted to drive!

And now, moving on to  a more normal day. . .

Come along my friends and I'll show you what I do day in and day out.  If you follow too closely we may get stuck under some furniture but don't worry, if we cry loud enough one of the parents will get us out

I wake up every morning sometime between 6:45 and 7:00.  Mommy usually doesn't get me out of my crib until around 7 though.  I don't mind.  I just talk to myself and play with my crib toys.  She feeds me, we read books and play, and then we eat some breakfast together.

This is not what I eat for breakfast, but we don't have any shots of eating breakfast food.  I LOVE to eat.  I could do it all day long.  Especially if it's bread or cheese.  I'm pretty good about eating my vegetables and things too, but all I really want is CHEESE

My nickname, if you'd like to know, is "Alfredo Fingers"

After breakfast we play some more and then I usually watch a little Baby Einstein while Mommy cleans the kitchen up.  This last week I had a cold, which was no fun at all.  It was the first time I've really felt bad.  I had a little fever, a runny nose, and was coughing.  So that I wouldn't use all of my energy crawling all over the place Mommy made a play area on the floor.  We read lots of books in my tent.

Daddy is not a fan of the Care Bear blanket

One of us is a little too big for my tent.  I should crawl out and give him some more room to play

After my video I usually take a nap for about an hour.  Then Mommy feeds me again.  Usually we try to go out somewhere too.  I will post a few pictures of that.  Sometimes it's super fun things and other times she makes me go to boring stores.  Then we eat lunch and play and I take another little nap.

Mommy wasn't paying attention for a few minutes, so I thought I'd be helpful and remove this thing sticking out of the wall.  It was in my way.  When Mommy found me trying to eat it she called it a "door stop"

Going outside is pretty cool, except Mommy and Daddy wont' let me eat leaves and grass.  They look tasty

I like going to the park.  Swings and trucks are fun!

I really liked going on a picnic.  The weather is perfect right now for being outside

One day it was a little cooler and Mommy tried to put this hat on me before we took a walk

I was not a fan and tried to take it off.  I'm still not sure how that thing works

After my nap in the afternoon Mommy feeds me again and then I do some playing until we all have dinner.  My favorite things to play right now: crawling and rolling everywhere!, taking apart decks of cards, pulling poker chips out of the case, crawling after Loki (she's so fast!), flipping through my books, chewing on and shaking random toys, pulling DVDs off of the shelves

Sometimes I have to take a little time out to do some e-trading and return emails

Be back with you in a minute.  I'm focused

Sometime around 7 Mommy feeds me again and I take a bath.  Those are pretty fun.  Then we read and sing and I go to bed.  I sleep straight until I wake up the next morning.  Then we start the fun all over again!

This is during my nap.  My feet were cold because Mommy didn't have any socks on me.

And that's about it!  Other major accomplishment is that I can now go from sitting to crawling without smacking my face into the carpet, and as of yesterday I can sit myself up from a crawling position!  Hooray!

And on a totally separate and random note, I'd like to end this post by saying "Go Braves!" Way to clinch the NL East!