Gabriel's New Friends

Recently I met Arianna at Barnes and Noble book reading. She and I hit it off right away and have become good friends. She has two children Julian is almost 3 and Ivan is 1. We have spent lots of time together lately and the children have quickly become friends as well. Julian and Gabe get along so well, always running around screaming and laughing together. Their favorite game right now is shouting "Boo!" at one another and then running away. Little Ivan plays as well, but he is a bit slower on his feet than the other two so he is usually tagging along. Arianna is from Miami and she speaks to her children in Spanish as well as English. So Julian does the same to Gabe, but he just looks at Julian like he's crazy! But they do communicate quite well and it's so sweet to see them having their own "conversation". They also love playing with bubbles. These three eat all the time and are usually getting into trouble of some kind. Including the other night when Ivan stuck his finger in Gabe's mouth and he decided to take a bite. Oh, what a sad face! But Ivan soon recovered and they were friends again. I am so glad that Gabriel is comfortable around the boys and I love that he has so much fun with them. Arianna and I have begun a new mom's group, so Gabe will have lots of little friends soon.

Like Father, Like Son

Gabriel follows Jeremy around everywhere. It's so amazing to see how their relationship has grown and changed just since we have moved to Gulfport. When I watch them together it feels so great to see the bond between them. Gabe says Dada about fifty times a day and talks to the pictures of Jeremy around the apartment. And then when he gets home from work Gabriel is constantly trying to get his attention and show off for him. Gabe has also begun to copy little things that Jeremy and I do such as how we walk, laugh, tickle one another or how we sit. One afternoon Jeremy and Gabe were going to eat lunch in front of the TV. Jeremy had already laid down with his plate and Gabe followed suit. He placed his plate right beside Jeremy's and laid down just as his Dada did. Gabriel stared intently at the television and then would take a bite as Jeremy did. He kept staring at Jeremy to see what he would do next and then would look at me and say "Dada, Dada". I love these little moments!

Gabe and Mommy

While Mom was visiting we went to New Orleans to hang out. We walked to the aquarium which was closed! We were so disappointed. But the big windows in the giftshop were full of stuffed animals, t-shirts and pictures. We let Gabe look around while we cooled off in the shade. Mom wanted to take some pictures of Gabe and I together because we really don't have that many-I am usually the ones taking the photos. I think the pictures came out great, even though Mom has never really been that talented with a camera (she fully admits it!). We also walked around the Riverwalk and checked out all the shops. Gabriel entertained himself by looking in ALL the shops' windows and running around us. He was very well behaved and I know that I am really lucky to have such a happy toddler!

The Golf Cart Carries On

Grandma and Grandpa Kolb bought a golf cart when they moved to Diamondhead and the cousins drove it all the time. We crashed it into the ditch, up on their back deck, and flung each other off of it. Jessie usually drove and kept Victoria and Kimberly in the front. Kristyn and I would sit in the back and we would make poor Meghan hold on for dear life on the side. We have so many great memories of the "golf cart days;" riding around the big circle, listening to music and picking up the neighbors' kids. We also found a dead turtle on one of the side road and gave him a proper little burial fitted with an american flag! We laugh and laugh whenever we talk about it. Now Aunt Debbie has a golf cart and there is a new "driver" in town. Gabriel absolutely loves the golf cart and will sit in it for hours pretending to drive. The other day he just sat in V's lap while she drove him around the yard over and over. I jumped in for a quick ride and Mallory ran beside us.

Growing Up So Fast

It is hard to believe that Gabe will be 18 months old in just a few days. It seems not long ago when he was sleeping in our bed, sucking down a bottle and wrapped up like a little tortilla! Now he is running around yelling "Mama!" and eating everything in sight. He loves wearing hats and going to the pool, where he shows off for all the sunbathers. Gabriel is also becoming an expert at throwing temper tantrums. But he is also one of the sweetest children I have ever been around. I see him with others and he brings a smile to all their faces, including his parents'. Jeremy and I feel so blessed to have Gabriel Edward in our lives. I see us both in him and it is a strange but proud feeling. I love my little man more than anything and can't wait to see what he does next!

Cute Babies!

Gabriel and I came to visit in Murfreesboro this week and got together with several friends. We got to spend some time with Kara and her daughter Karlee. Kara and I have been friends since college. She had Karlee on December 31, 2005. The babies are 9 months apart and are both full of personality. Gabriel was skeptical of Karlee at first, but then he really warmed up to her! Gabriel is definitely a charmer and Karlee is so curious. It's amazing to think that Kara and I met in class 6 years ago and now we have these cute babies! I am so grateful to have another Mom to talk baby stuff!

Gabriel's first swim

Just before we moved to Morristown, Mom bought Gabe a baby pool. He absolutely loves water and I wanted to see him in his cute swimming trunks. Of course he really didn't do all that much swimming, but he loved splashing around in the water. He soon began to climb in and out making the water filthy. But he did not care at all! After a little while he began chasing the dog and cat around and lost interest in the pool. He sure did look adorable in those trunks!

We are moving!!!

Well, we are making the move to Morristown, TN. It has been quite an eventful year, and now we are adding even more events. As most of you all know, Gabriel turned one on March 16th and enjoyed all of his cake and then some! Jeremy has been in East TN since January and Gabriel and I are joining him this weekend. We are renting a duplex for now until we can find some land and build a house (but that will be a while). Packing is always fun (haha) and Gabriel knows something is not right because for the first time in his life he is fussy all day and hanging from me like a little monkey. But soon we will be in our new place.