Monkeying Around

There never ceases to be fun lingering when Papa is around. He is the king of monkey business and the kids just soak it up. I think their cheek muscles surely must be sore from all the smiling Papa makes them do.

Another sweet picture of my little girl who is growing up right before our eyes

I am once again so grateful that my Dad was able to take the time to accompany me to KU this past week for Dawson's helmet fitting appointment. They had told us to allow an hour. Well they were super busy and we ended up being there for well over two hours. Gabi was so incredibly well behaved that we rewarded her with yummy Mexican food at Mi Ranchito. She dove into the spinach cheese dip and chips and then went straight for dessert. I think she would live on sweets if we allowed it. She takes after her Mommy!

Here is picture numero uno of little D in his new fashion accessory.
He really is too cute in it!

He is very good about allowing us to put it on and take it off. He sweats profusely in it, but that was to be expected. I foresee a lot of onesies sporting chubby baby thighs this summer. Today is the 1st day that he will begin wearing it all day (23 out of 24 hours). Our nightly routine is to remove the helmet, one of us bathe Dawson while the other cleans the helmet, allow it time to dry thoroughly, then put it back on. I will post pictures of the new improved look of his helmet over the next couple of days. Thanks so much to Amy & Janie for shopping with me for stickers, etc. to decorate!

Celebrity Apprentice

Let me start this post by saying that I was not a die hard fan this season. In fact I only caught the last several episodes, but can I just say I am severely disappointed in the outcome. Is anyone with me on this one? How could the Donald have picked the harsh Britt over the soft Cowboy? Donald I think you need to revisit your choice or man up and give Trace's charity a chunk of your pocket change as well. It is not as if it will hurt your abundant bank account.

Easter Update

Our little beauty. I simply love this picture of her. It shows her sweet genuine spirit. She was overjoyed that Mema came to share special time with her girl before heading out of town for the Easter weekend.

Mema came with special treats & a soft Hallmark bunny. I don't think it really matters what Mema has in her hands, whatever it is, it pleases Gabrielle. She is definitely 100% Mema's girl when she is in her presence.

Let the egg coloring begin

Jaw dropping color

Finished product
I found this fun coloring kit at CVS that had foam stickers to make silly animal characters. Gabrielle was placing the stickers in all the wrong places but having a ball doing it.

We had a fantastic quiet Easter Sunday. Gabi helped Daddy make cinnamon rolls for breakfast while Dawson and I slept in a little and then it was off to church. The kids looked so grown up in their Easter best. I "recycled" Gabrielle's princess dress from the father/daughter dance and found Dawson's outfit at a bargain basement price that was too good to be true. I hope the weather stays cool a little longer so he can wear it at least one more time. I love little boys in sweater vests. It gives them such a grown up look.

We hope everyone had a blessed Easter. Gabrielle really soaked in the message of the season and amazed us with many perplexing questions regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. She insists we take her to see the cross on which he died. That will be a fantasy trip that the two of us can look forward to for a long time to come.

Wishes

Happy 37th Birthday Daddy-O. We couldn't ask for a better Daddy. Thank-you for all the time and attention you give us in loving us, teaching us and playing with us. Hugs and Kisses time ten!
Happy 42nd Birthday Aunt Linda. We love and miss you!
Happy 17th Birthday TJ. I talk about you all the time. I want Mommy to take me to see you. (If only a 3 year old understood the concept of 8+ hours in the car.) I hope your schedule allows you to join us on our summer venture.
Happy 41st Anniversary Papa and Mema. Thank-you so much for having a great supper with us last night and for sharing the yummy DQ ice cream cake.

Love, Gabrielle & Dawson

6 months old

The day is here. Dawson has been a part of our family now for 6 months. Where has the time gone? It simply doesn't seem possible that it was 6 months ago that we entered the hospital to give birth to our sweet baby boy.

Papa made a surprise visit on Thursday and he helped me hang and adjust the Johnny Jumpup for Dawson to give a test run. The picture shows ... he loved it.

He kept his face fixed on his Papa and Mommy as the Johnny Jumpup twirled in circles. He didn't want to lose focus of his audience.

We introduced him to "solids" this week. He has tasted the fine cuisine of rice cereal, sweet potatoes and squash. I can't say he has a favorite at this time. I forgot the funny faces that little ones make when you are introducing something new to their taste pallets.

Gabrielle has surprised us the past several days by napping in the afternoon. We thought it was great that she napped UNTIL bed time and she continues to get out of bed a dozen or more times. This is how I found her asleep Wednesday evening. Sprawled out on the end of her bed, head down.

We aren't doing a traditional Easter baskets for the kids this year so Gabi was excited to receive a Easter basket at both Ms. Kim's on Thursday and a fantastic goodie bag from Bree today.

Gabi sporting Bree's sunshades. What a goofball! Every time I get the camera out lately she wants her picture taken.

Happy Spring!

What a God breathed day it was outside today! The weather was just beautiful & the sun was so warming to the soul. I am convinced that today was God's little pick me up that he had in store just for me. I had a day full of fulfillment (seems like a play on words). Gabi was off to school so it was just me and my little man today. My morning started out with Allyson taking some 6 month photos of baby D today and I am so excited to see how they turned out. She was a snot and said I needed to be patient and wait until she edited them before I could see them. Obviously she doesn't know I don't have a patient bone in my body. I am working on it, honestly. It has been numero uno on my prayer list as of lately. Patience in parenting, etc. After the photo shoot I ran a couple of errands and then decided to stop in at the Cancer Center to see my previous co-workers and friends. It was so great to reconnect with my old peeps. I got so many hugs and wonderful words about how handsome the baby is. I think I had 1/2 a dozen people ask me to come back to work. Totally worth the trip. One sad peace of information I found out today was that one of my fellow financial counselors, Cheryl, whom I shared an office with for a period of time was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) of the mammary glands or in lamens terms breast cancer. She was diagnosed very early so was able to undergo two surgeries and is now receiving radiation therapy followed by oral hormonal therapy. Please keep her and her response to treatment in your prayers.
I came home late this afternoon and was greeted by Ms. Grumpy pants herself when she arrived home from school. She was demanding sugar, sugar & more sugar. After cooling down I took her to meet up with Allyson, Chase, Gage and Gunnar at the neighborhood park. The girls ran their legs off and fed off each others energy. They are so cute together...both with larger than life creative imaginations. After supper I took the kids for a long walk in the wagon. It was a great feeling knowing their love tanks were full when they headed off to bed. I promise to catch up with posting photos from the week tomorrow.

It's a bird, It's a plane, It's Dawson

This is what Dawson most often looks like during tummy time ... back arched, feet in the air and arms out to the sides. As many of you know he spends a lot of time on his tummy so he is off the flat part of his head. We are always teasing saying that he is in flight. His little buddy in in front of him. I bought this soft blue teddy bear at Old Navy on clearance and I wish I had a backup because he really does love it.

Thinking about rolling over, but not quite there

Sissy wanted her picture taken too. Once again she is sporting the infamous "Mommy has the camera out so I am going to make the cheesiest grin possible."
We spent the majority of the day yesterday in jammies. I wasn't feeling 100% so I allowed Gabrielle to watch TV all morning so I could catch a little rest. I loved just snuggling with Dawson and knowing that Gabi was right next to us. Travis and I put in another restless night last night with baby D. I spent some time talking with the pediatrician this morning so I am hopeful that some steps we are moving to take with help to resolve his lack of sleep and irritability. Happy Hump Day!