Nothing in Particular

These pictures aren't from any one event, or even consecutive days. Just some photos of daily life that I'd like to remember. They also do a good job of showing Gabe's personality.

At my mom's retirement party Grandpa Roosmann suggested that sometime Gabe and he go to the ocean. Gabe thought that meant after we ate, and was pretty heartbroken to find out that we were not going to the ocean after dinner. Grandpa tried to make amends with a trip to Holmes Lake. Thankfully, Gabe didn't really know the difference and he's happy trowing rocks into any body of water. 

Some friends of ours needed a date night, so we watched their sweetie Olive while they went out for sushi. Gabe has made it his life goal to look like a goober in every picture, here is exhibit 1,206!

After Paul and Sydney's rehearsal dinner we tried to capture a cool picture of Gabe by the fountain. He really loves water this year. In the past he would stand close to water, watch fountains and throw stuff in, but this summer he's more adventurous and wants to slide into it, swim and run through the sprinklers. 

A few weeks ago I was loading the dishwasher while Gabe ate his lunch. When I turned around he had removed his socks from his feet and put them on his hand. No clue why. You might also note that Gabe's dishes match his cup...it's a cheap thrill but Gabe loves when that stuff happens.

Gabe and his girly friend Gracie after story time at the local library. They really could not be cuter together, and I swear I didn't ask them to pose. They honestly enjoy eachother's company as much as two three year olds can. In fact Gracie's mommy (Erin) informed me that Gracie has requested to play pretend as our family. Gracie get's to be me, Erin stretches her acting skills by pretending to be Andy and Baby Ella portrays Gabe. I'd really love to be a fly on the wall when that's going on.

Gabe, Daddy, and Grandpa Holz went camping a few weeks ago. Before the 100+ degree weather set in. One of Andy's coworkers is a fear monger and shared a horrific story about a little boy, I'll spare you the details, but it did led to Gabe getting a life jacket. I wish I had a picture of Gabe sitting on the lake shore in his lawn chair wearing his life jacket...you never know when a wave might jump out and get it. Joking aside, we'd rather be safe than sorry. 

Celebrations

We've had a lot of things to celebrate these last few months, unfortunately I don't have pictures of everything; but lots of great memories.

In April we celebrated Gabe's 3rd birthday. On the official day we were busy moving  into our new house, and while it wasn't really a party it was a great gift. Generously Grandma Holz helped him celebrate the day more appropriately. They spent the day with a trip to the Children's Museum, had a lunch date and Grandma even baked some brownies.

You can see what remains of Gabe's face paint mustache.

One of Gabe's favorite birthday presents, his sandbox.

Souvenirs from his first dentist appointment. 

His favorite accessory.

In May we celebrated my mom's retirement. After YEARS of service in education and administration she and her best friend Cindy West retired. Her colleagues hosted a party for them at a local Vietnamese church. There was delicious ethnic food, lots of well wishers and many many co-workers who went out of their way to tell me how much my mama has meant to them and how much she'll be missed.

Mom and Cindy

 In May we also hosted a Mother's Day/My Birthday/Grandpa Roosmann's Birthday/Gabe' Birthday Celebration. Unfortunately I didn't get a single picture.

In June we celebrated Grandpa Holz's birthday. We surprised him with a picnic lunch in Council Bluff. The boys all practiced their baseball skills, but unfortunately this is my only picture of the entire event.

This Thursday and Friday we celebrated our dear friends wedding. Andy and I have had the awesome blessing of knowing (The New) Paul and Sydney Penke since the beginning of their relationship, which means Gabe has known them almost his entire lift!

The three of us at the rehearsal dinner.

Gabe with two of his favorite people!

Feeling A Little More Settled

If anyone is still checking our blog you're probably wondering where we've been. Well, we've been packing our house, finishing project at the new house, moving, celebrating Gabe's birthday, Grandpa Roosmann's birthday, my birthday, Grandma Roosmann's retirement and then living life along the way as well. 

I feel like my head's finally back on my shoulders and the dust is finally settling. Since my sister has been asking for pictures of the new house I thought I'd start my return to the blog with pictures of our biggest change (new address postcards to be mailed shortly)!

In case you didn't know, we moved into a foreclosure three blocks from Andy's parents. It's a home we would not have been able to afford for many many years if it hadn't been in such sad shape, but with some elbow grease, and hours of volunteer labor from friends and family we were able to move into our new house April 21st - Gabe's 3rd birthday.Nice gift huh? 

Okay, let's get started with some before and afters. 

BEFORE

From a distance the carpet doesn't look too bad, but it was GROSS, and even worn bare in several spots.Also, while I don't have any feelings against oak wood, there was just too much for my liking. So, we* ripped out all the carpet and painted the wood work throughout the house. (*I use the word 'we' liberally here. I'm really more of an idea person).

 AFTER

Granted it's daylight in the after, but trust me it feels MUCH lighter and brighter now.

BEFORE

I wish I'd taken a close-up of the laminate flooring in the kitchen so you'd have a better idea of how UGLY it was, oh-well; Andy described it as orange cork. And we* were super lucky to discover another layer of laminate under the faux cork! Sweat equity folks. Additionally, the wall was fine, but I wanted a bigger opening so we called a pro and made the hole wider and taller.

Everything in the kitchen was in working condition, just really dirty. But, I wanted an island not a peninsula, the counter and backsplash were chipped and dated, there was too much oak wood for me, and the lighting was insufficient. 

You can see that at this point in the process we'd* reconfigured the cabinet layout and expanded the wall. You'll also note in the after that we* removed the upper cabinets on the right side and replaced them with open shelving. The house has plenty of cabinetry still and there is also a large pantry so those cabinets aren't missed. Well, at least not by me!

AFTER

Ahhhhh - I love my new kitchen. Yes, we still need to install the backsplash, purchase a new fixture for over the table, buy some rugs, hang curtains,and attach tin to the pantry door BUT HELLO BEAUTIFUL. Gabe and I spend a good 75% of our day in here. And when he's in the backyard I can usually see every inch of his play from the sink or sliding doors.

There is a lot of umph left to inject in here, but I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world. 

BEFORE

The master bedroom had the funky carpet as well, and while blue and green are fine colors I wanted to move in with a clean slate.

AFTER

One of Andy's biggest complaints about our old house was the lack of comfortable flooring. Hardwood through a house is much cleaner (which I love) but Andy really wanted carpet. My awesomely persistent/stubborn husband drove all over town looking for good carpet at a great price and found $40/yard carpet on clearance for $9/yard. I may or may not have made eyes with the salesmen to help the deal and reduce the price of the carpet padding...but overall Andy saved the day and carpet in the bedrooms and basement is a nice luxury.

BEFORE

Like with the other rooms, Gabe's needed new carpet.

AFTER

Gabe LOVES his new room. He picked out the curtains (navy with white sports gear) and helped with the bedding. The new house also meant a new BIG BOY bed for Gabe. His bedroom furniture used to be his Daddy's when he was a little guy (how cool is that). The set includes a sturdy dresser and bookcase for all Gabe's much loved books. Again, some wall art will really finish the room but all in time.

There are still little projects to do here and there, but Andy and I go to bed every night excited like little kids to have this house. We truly are blessed beyond measure!

Day Four

Yesterday Gabe's fever persisted. It was over 72 hours so I gave the doctor a call and took Gabe in for another look-see. The conversation went something like this:


Doctor looking into Gabe's throat.


DOCTOR: I'm not really seeing any improvement with the strep
ME: How's that possible he's been on an antibiotic for more than 24 hours?
DOCTOR: ---crickets---

Doctor looking in Gabe's ears.


ME: Oh, he's never had an ear infection, and hasn't mentioned his ears bothering him.
DOCTOR: Well, he's got a double ear infection.
ME: WHAT?! Are you serious?
DOCTOR: I have no reason to lie to you.

So, we're on antibiotic #2 (as we're dealing with antibiotic resistant strep), Gabe has his first ear infection (IN BOTH EARS), and he threw up for the second time in his life last night.Sheesh!

Honestly though, this all makes me soo thankful that I get to stay home with my baby;  Thanks ANDY!

A Forced Slow Down

Sunday night Gabe did not sleep, maybe a few hours. We could tell he had a fever, didn't feel well, and when we took his temp Monday morning it read 102.6* . Poor guy. 

Gabe's always enjoyed watching T.V. but usually it's a background noise kinda thing; but yesterday he wanted nothing more than to sit in my lap and watch movies. It's pretty sad and cute at the same time. He has no appetite, even for his favorites applesauce, yogurt and blueberries, he needs constant reminders to drink milk and yesterday at 11:45 he feel asleep in my lap while reading books- nap time is typically 1:30/2.  

We've got him on a painkiller, benadryl schedule, and after talking to his doctor we're pretty sure he has Strep so we've added an antibiotic to the rotation. I'm hoping this time tomorrow we'll notice a marked difference in his health as it will be 24 hours with the antibiotic, but for now I'm content to snuggle my usually 'too-busy-to-snuggle' little man. 

Back when Gabe was feeling better.

A few weeks ago Gabe and his Daddy built a Gabe-sized snowman.

 And as a teaser, here's a before and almost-after of our new house. We expanded the opening between the living-room and kitchen. We've also installed recessed lighting, and if you look behind Craig in the above pic you can see we removed the peninsula cabinetry. After we move in and get a feel for the space we'll purchase/make/or install an island.

More later, must snuggle Gabe.