A Good Boy

A week ago today I realized I had Strep Throat. Not the most pleasant, but Grandma and Grandpa Holz filled in for me last Tuesday, Kara wrote me a scrip, and as everyone pitched in it's been a speedy recovery. Sadly, this put a bit of a damper on Gabe's social life. In spite of it all, Gabe was a snuggly cute homebody with his mama.

Trust me, it's hard to say 'no' to that face.

First encounter with an Easter Egg

Freedom at last! Today we had a play-date with Gracie at the park.

Still not big on the swing.

A Mixed Bag of Emotions

Blue skies at last! We had to take advantage.

Here Gabe likes the park...though, in the next moment his face turned to terror and I had to remove him from the deathtrap I had so thoughtlessly placed him in.

Here Gabe hates the park...not because it is covered in sand, which he loved, but because his momma won't let him eat it. She's a beast, I know.

And here is the face of pure delight...too much sand in his pants, shirt, coat, socks, and shoes to wear them in the car. Doesn't he look like such a happy little beef-cake. Ohhh those thighs!

***NOTE: His shirt says '100% Fun'***

The Face of an 11 Month Old

Or more accurately, 11 months and 2 days

(Don't worry, that face is nibbled daily)

Not Your Standard Cute

We believe he is exceptionally so.

Just the facts:

1. He has a great smile

2. He makes orange look good,

and I've only met one other person who can do that.

3. He helps around the house.

4. He waits patiently for his daddy to get home from work.

5. He trains aggressively to perfect his hug.

The Great Debate

Baby Gabe seems to insist on growing, stinker. Though he hasn't attempted any real steps he is pulling himself up onto everything within his little arm span's reach. Inevitably, this has led to many falls, and bruises. Andy and I are constantly amazed at Gabe's durability. Living with wood floors may have greatly increased his pain tolerance, or it could have something to do with the club foot casting and braces. Who knows!? But, we like to think that in the world of babies, our little man is the toughest. That being said, the debate is over, and I'm comfortable posting this video. Some time ago, around Gabe's 7th month, I plopped him in the snow and recorded his first encounter. During the filming process I innocently tossed a snow ball at him. Sadly, it pegged him in the face. He took it really well, licked the remains of the snowball from his cheek and moved on. I, on the other hand was sure our neighbor would call CPS, therefore I did not post the otherwise cute video of Gabe and the snow. I have now overcome my insecurity as a new mom, I'm going to screw up and I'm sure you all know it, so I can post Gabe's most recent video displaying my excellent parenting.

One of the many things Gabe climbs are the stairs, I have a heart attack daily. When I was certain he could do it on his own I snagged our camera and caught the moment. It wasn't his smoothest ascent, and as you'll hear I had little sympathy for his mishap. No real injury received, though Gabe's hand might have been a bit red. I love how he raises his hand in victory at the end.