A Peek

This weekend Andy, Gabe and I borrowed the Holz Sr. mini van and drove to Minneapolis to get Gabe fitted for his new braces. It was a busy weekend with approx. 14 hours driving, a Twins game, doctors appointment, and some battles over sleep. But we're home now, the braces are in the mail and it's beginning to feel back to normal. Except, we're selling our house! To prep her for viewing we don't have too much work to do, but Spring cleaning is a little more thorough this year. That being said, the blog post of our trip will have to wait a bit. Here's a peek of Gabe before the ball game. Just a teaser if you will...

I included a link to our other blog on the left hand side. Take a peek and spread the word. We're not in a rush per say to sell, so we're trying For Sale by Owner first.

It's been awhile

For a Birthday/Mother's Day present Andy sent me (sans Gabe) to Lincoln last weekend. While I rested up at the 'Roosmann Spa', Andy was busy at work around the house. He recruited several friends and babysitters to ensure that I came home to completed home projects and a well cared for little man.

The weekend was my first away from Gabe, and maybe my 4th away from Andy since being married...it was a treat! I read, napped, read, ate Amigo's, read, showered, read, and did whatever I wanted without having to consider diapers, snacks, naps, dinner, cleaning, etc. etc. etc. Ahhhhhhhhhh, it was very rejuvenating.

Note all the teeth!

Sadly, when I came home, my son had morphed into a 15 year old (I exaggerate, but still). I walked into the kitchen and sitting in Gabe's highchair was what looked like a much bigger and more mature Gabe. Clearly, having spent every day, almost every hour of the day with Gabe, I have lost perspective. Gabe is close to 13 months, but in my head I still see his little gummy face without teeth, neck control, or the ability to say 'da da, da da da da' with excitement when I walk into a room ( I realize 'da da' is most commonly associated with fathers, but it's Gabe's universal phrase for expressing joy).

As a result, I've been a bit off my schedule this week. Every time I sit down to complete one of my normal household tasks I hear a giggle or see Gabe's little body speeding on all fours down the hall. How could I possibly work on a blog post, sweep the floor, wipe off the counters, or do laundry when my little man is growing faster than my eyes and mind can process. So, he's napping, and though I could watch him do that as well, I thought I say 'hi' to those of you who check on my family...and thank you for doing so.

Sunny Day

The warm weather seems to be hanging around, and Gabe and I are taking advantage of it with daily trips to the park. His new birthday presents (outfit, sand gear) have made the trips extra fun!

Gabe's BEE-day Party!

On Saturday we celebrated Gabe's 1st birthday. It was truly fun to have friends, family, Gabe's buddies, good food, and fellowship for the day!

In March I decided to go with a Bumble Bee theme for the shindig, it was pretty easy to find some basics in black and yellow, and fun to create all the details.

It started with Gabe's birthday attire. With some clip art, text art, and iron-on transfer paper it was easy to make a customized shirt for our BEE-day boy. When Gabe wore the shirt I couldn't get a good picture, so this is the shirt the day after, yellow frosting stain and all.

I removed the iron-on transfer too fast on the back, which gave the '1' kind-of an aged look. I think it worked in my favor.

Andy whipped these cupcakes up the morning of. Later my mom helped frost them Bumble Bee yellow.

We had several kids in attendance so I made them each antennae for the occasion. Big kids also took home a bug net, but since infants don't really have the dexterity for that, I made them bibs. Boys bibs read "Don't Be Fooled By My Stinger, I'm A Love Bug" and girls: "Queen Bee". All the guests obliged and wore their party gear during the festivities.

We ate a simple feast of hot dogs, chips, oranges, and soda. Gabe's chair was fashioned with a Bumble Bee balloon.

The weather was PERFECT, so I dressed up the front steps with a greeting and balloons.

Our basement was perfect for the kids. I checked out some Bee books from the library, played an Elmo movie, gathered some crafts and spray painted some yellow lanterns into a large Bumble Bee. Gabe's new table from Grandma and Grandpa Roosmann helped pull it all together. I think the sidewalk chalk and bubbles were a bigger hit than the books, but an English teachers gotta try.

I've been working on Gabe's sweet tooth for a few months. The first time he had cake he cried, the 2nd time he spit it out, and Saturday he ate it all up.

When it came to the presents I was impressed with Gabe's attention span. He helped us unwrap each present and managed being the center of attention as if it was normal.

He did have to pause with the books. The kid loves books...I tear up every time I find him in his room just flipping through the pages of one. Well, not every time, but seriously how cute is that.

Gabe's big cousins pitched in to help him out. I think Gabe is the luckiest little guy. His cousins think he's something special, always gentle and attentive. Gabe doesn't get it yet, but I hope he can reciprocate soon.

When it was all said and done we were pooped. I was putting Gabe into his bedtime bath just moments after out last guest left. He slept like a log, and so did Andy and I.

Thank you all for making it such a wonderful weekend, and loving my son so well. Andy and I had pillow talk that night about how blessed we are and how blessed Gabe is to have you all in his sphere of influence.