Someone Turned TWO!

My Gabby Girl - You are a delight.

You are like sunshine on a cloudy day.
Your laugh is contagious.

You are tender and tough!
You are one mean Nerf sword fighter!

You are silly and sensitive.
Stealing Samuel's clothes might be funny now...but watch out.

Your strawberry kisses make me melt.
But your tantrums make me crazy.

You are most certainly one of a kind.
No one sings the "Wonder Pets" theme song quite like you.

You are one cool chick-a-dee.
And I love you!

Firsts

It has been about six months since I've written much of anything on this blog. I guess I knew myself fairly well when I titled this blog a few years ago.

I know, I know, you've missed me. Well, you can put your Kleenex away because I'm back. Well, back to my "not-so-daily self" that is. I decided I couldn't start blogging again unless I recapped the last six months. Don't worry, I'll be brief.

Samuel went on his first camping trip.

He also had his first day of pre-school.

Gabby ate her first apple off a tree.

And she also won her first award - best costume at our super hero themed harvest party. She was "Grape Girl with Antioxidant Power!"

Samuel had his first experience inside a fire truck.

My husband attended his first party as a Doctor!!!

Gabby wore her first ponytails.

The cousins celebrated their first Christmas all together.

I made it to Courtney's "new" place for the first time.

And... I got highlights for the first time EVER!

Photo Shoot

Earlier this summer we had the wonderful opportunity of doing a photo shoot with one of our favorite people, Miss Amanda! If you have not yet checked out her photography site, you really should do so. She's awesome!!! We laughed, we cried, we had the time of our lives...

Well almost.

Anyway, here's the finished product. Samuel was not totally cooperative and Gabrielle only balled her eyes out once. Amanda picked some interesting locations... a beautiful lake, a grassy knoll behind an Arby's drive thru, a wasp infested shack...

We really did have fun and we certainly laughed a lot!

Wordless Wednesday - Friends & Fun!

Proof

I just downloaded my photos to my computer and I came across this one of Gabby and Lila.

Do you know what this is proof of?

That my most wonderful friend, Courtney, came for a visit last week and we actually visited. We've been friends for around 8 years now and we've had a long distance relationship for 6 of those years. We talk on the phone way too much. We over share. We even have secret nicknames but we NEVER get to hang out. Most of the time she's in town, there is a conference or other engagement going on, so we get a brief hour or two. But not this visit!

This time Lila took a nap at my house (and so did Courtney). We ate lunch AND dinner, looked at photos. Heck, we even made it to the park with our kids. Levi became Samuel's best friend. I got to see several of Courtney's cute bright summer outfits. We talked, almost fought... we did the things girlfriends do and it was great.

You just might think differently of me after reading this post

Warning: This is a real life post

I might be back. Maybe, or maybe not. It will eventually happen when time and sanity permit. I'll just keep you all in suspense.

Because I know you have all been waiting on the edge of your seat for my next post. Ha!

Well I thought I'd make my grand re-entrance with a real Life post for you all.

If you've been reading my posts about my sweet and sassy Gabby girl. You know she's a feisty one with a bit of a temper. I think the Long Island attitude might be genetic. Remember this? Yes, well that was rather MILD compared to the full blown, back arching temper tantrums she now throws.

Amanda and I went to Target the other day where Gabrielle promptly threw about a half-dozen tantrums just so I would put her down so she could walk. (Sorry sista, walking through the store at your pace could take about a lifetime) As I was carrying my flailing, scene making daughter to the check out, she found something in my cart that made everything all better...

the tears stopped,

the pleasant baby babble began,

shaking it became a fun game,

everyone around us thought she was so cute,

everyone around us knew my secret

and now you do too.

(Thanks to Amanda.)

One Year Old!

I interrupt this blogging break to make a very special announcement...


Gabrielle Grace turned one year old today!
I can hardly believe it. Where has the time gone???

Dear Gabby Girl,

You are the sweetest ever. You are full of kisses ALL the time. When you plant one, you give a big "mmmm...smooch" sound. It's your favorite thing to do when I come in to get you from a nap. We take turns kissing your purple hippo and your little lamby. You are most definitely my kissing girl (you must take after Daddy).


You've expanded your vocabulary quite a bit... mama, dada, more, all done, hi, bye bye, nurses, button, zipper, nose, mouth, no, night night, good girl, uh-oh, bless you. You are so expressive - always conversing with your toys and expressing your delight as you explore new things. I love when you point your finger and say "oh" with your lips all puckered up. It's a classic Gabrielle look.


You are also quite sassy and expressive in your frustration. You must take after mommy with that one. I hope we survive your teenage years. You have no qualms about throwing a full-on, back-arching, screaming temper tantrum when you don't get your way. Thanks for the public display at Verizon the other day. It was NOT awesome. I am praying that God will help me to guide that strong will toward His purposes.


You LOVE the men in your life. Daddy is the bomb! You cry when he leaves for work and you love to play airplane with him. Samuel is your buddy and you certainly hold your own with him. Heck, you wrestle him to the ground and you love it!


Aunt Linda said you were the happiest baby she's ever seen. You really are chipper when nothing's ailing you. Smiling all the time!


Some of your favorite things... singing the itsy bitsy spider or pat-a-cake, fake sneezing or yawning, critiquing Samuel's paintings on the easle, tearing paper, reading Good Night Gorilla, the ball-bopper, cruising around with your walker, singing in the microphone and banging just about everything.


I'm sure all parents say this about their kids, but you are quite bright...really! You pick things up really quickly. You love to mimick talking on the phone, putting on lotion, taking your temperature, feeding adults, making car sounds while playing matchbox cars with your brother and brushing your hair.


Gabrielle, you have a big personality and with it you bring big joy to our family. You make me smile and laugh more than I could have imagined. Everyday I think to myself, "I'm so happy we get to keep her!" What a precious gift you are. I love you, my big baby girl!

-Mama-