Friday, April 24, 2009

Firsts

As a parent, you get the opportunity to witness a lot of "firsts". First bath, first word, first steps, first friends, etc... In the past couple of weeks, we've had a couple of firsts that I wanted to get down before I forget. Speaking of forgetfulness, this is one of the reasons I blog... I have a horrible memory. I think that's why I scrapbook too - I've got to get these things down so I don't forget to share them with Gabe. I don't want to forget these day to day things that have been so special in our lives together.

We took Gabe and his friends, Will & Patrick, out to Mrs. Hoobler's (she is the local preschool teacher that everyone had - everyone LOVES Mrs. Hoobler!!) because she had 3 baby ducks and several baby kittens that she thought the boys would like to see. First of all, I love watching Gabe with his friends. Will & Patrick are older than him, but Gabe doesn't let their age stop him. He's always keeping up with them, tagging right along. Anyway, back to the baby animals... It was so amazing to see Gabe hold a baby kitten for the first time. He was so excited to hold one, but when we finally gave him one, he got a little scared and didn't really want to hold it. So, we held one of them on his leg so he could pet it. That worked out a little bit better. It was such a neat experience to see him just sit still and pet the newborn kitty. He was very gentle and you could just tell he was being cautious and taking it all in. I remember holding kittens as a child. There's nothing like the warmth of a baby kitten and the soft sound of their cry and wimpers. It was very sweet to see my son experience that for the first time.

Tonight, we took Gabe to Walmart - which is always a gamble (you never know how a 2 year old is going to behave) - and he was excellent! He had a great nap today, which makes a huge difference in how he behaves. Seriously. At Walmart, we told him we would take him for ice cream if he was a good boy. So, we were getting ready to leave, and like always, I had to stop at the restroom first. When I came out of the restroom, Greg and Gabe were standing at the water fountain getting a drink. Gabe was facinated by the water fountain! I had to stop and just watch him because up to this point, I don't think he's seen us use a water fountain. He kept telling Greg, "More...More, Daddy drink". It was so cute to watch him - he thought it was the coolest. Then, Mommy had to have a few drinks, then Daddy again...

Then, we drove through the car dealership on the way home - just to look. It never even crossed my mind that Gabe's never been through a car dealership. He didn't understand why Daddy kept stopping the car and getting out. Then, Gabe wanted out.

I guess I had just taken for granted all of these little things that are new to you when you're a child. It has been a joy watching my son experience all of them. It's been a joy watching the look on his face when he gets a new concept, or when he really likes something, or even when he really dislikes something. As Gabe's getting older, I'm finding that each age is coming with it's own challenges, but also it's own really incredible new stages. I didn't know that I would enjoy his toddler years this much - I really do love it. Yes, the toddler years are challenging and you have the tantrums to deal with. But, you also have new things like, "La U too Mom" or "Gabe do it" or "Peese just one candy right now?"

I'm so blessed to get to experience all of it.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

What you can't see...

What you can't see in this picture is Gabe's birth mom holding him and laughing right along with him. What you can't see is the huge grin on Greg's face and my face as I'm taking these pictures of them together.

What you can see, however, is a very happy little boy. A very loved little boy. As I sat and watched my son with his birth family tonight, I couldn't help but feel a ton of love welling up for them. I laughed as we quoted the same movies. I laughed even harder as his birth mom and I said the same exact random thing.

I can't believe this is my life. I have an amazing son. I have a wonderful husband. I have an awesome family. And, I have the privilege of knowing my son's birth family. I have the joy of laughing with them. I have the comfort of knowing that she's alright. I don't think I could handle not knowing how she was. I am so blessed. I am so fortunate. And, I am so glad that Gabe is the reason we all got together.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Reasons Why I Love My Abba Herrman


  1. She loves me Way Up to the Sky!
  2. She plays "guys" with me.
  3. She makes me bacon
  4. She introduced me to Lion King and Nemo
  5. She loves spending time with her Gabers
  6. She let me decorate sugar cookies and get frosting all over her.
  7. She's married to my PawPaw - and he's pretty awesome too.
  8. She has an AWESOME tweet (treat) drawer!
  9. She knows how important "guy time" is, so she calls my cousin Braden to come play with me.
  10. She's my Abba...maybe if Abba Smith says "no" Abba Herrman will say "yes". Or vice versa!

Friday, April 10, 2009

To You, My Easter Bunny

We had a great day today, buddy. Today we went to Abba Smith's work for their Easter egg hunt. You fell asleep in the car because it was right at nap time, so I carried you in. Everyone was ooing and ahhing at you as we came in because they thought you were so precious, asleep in my arms. I was really enjoying it because you don't stay still that long and want to cuddle much!

As soon as Abba saw us walk in, she woke you up to get you in with the other kids so you could find some eggs. You did great! You probably got 12-15 eggs. As soon as you found one, you wanted to sit down and open it up to see what was inside. Since they all had candy, you wanted to sit and eat it! We had to keep telling you to go find more eggs!

After the Easter egg hunt, we headed to Abba & PaPa's farm to go see PaPa and Uncle Dan. You had a great time with PaPa and Dan and talked them into giving you several treats. Including some chocolate-covered pretzels to take with you on the ride home. REALLY? Chocolate-covered pretzels IN THE CAR?? You can definitely tell when your parent has become a grandparent. Oh, and all of these treats right before SUPPER?? (I can definitely tell I've become a parent!) The treats didn't stop you... when we got home, you ate 3 pieces of pizza! All I can figure is that you're going through a growth spurt or something. Your appetite has really increased. Here are some of your favorite foods:

hotdogs
chips - you love chips - your favorite right now are baked BBQ
ce-dil (cereal) - you love Special K, Frosted Flakes, & Frosted Mini Wheats
Bacon - you LOVE bacon. This is a treat you like to have the most at Abba & PawPaw Herrmans.
Fruit - you still eat fruit very, very well - pretty much any kind
Ham
Pizza - pretty much a food you're guaranteed to eat.
Whoop - (Soup) You like Progresso's Chicken & Wild Rice - you can eat a whole can.

Those are just some of your favorites. Your appetite is increasing to more foods, but you love to snack. We have to keep a lot of animal crackers and those 100 calorie food packs around. "More Tweat Mommy!"

I love you little Gabers. Thanks so much for a great day together. As I say so often, "You make Mommy laugh".


Sugar Crash on the way home from the farm...

When we got home - you were all giggly - and chocolatey!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Love him.


Love him. Love him. Love him.




Thursday, April 2, 2009

Long Overdue.

"See ya, Mom & Dad... I'm headed to Abba & PaPa's house."

Ok, I'm really sorry. After swearing to get better blogging, I have failed to do so. I'm having so much trouble finding free time for Flickr, Facebook, GabesMom, GregsWife... By the time I get to the computer at night, I usually only have time to work on my 365 picture for Flickr... I'm lucky if I always get that done!

Being a mom of a toddler has definitely been a lot of fun - all of the new things he's doing. Actually having a conversation with your kid - how awesome is that? For so long they can't talk and then it's like all of a sudden, they're speaking in sentences! I love being able to talk to him and hear the things he's thinking about. When he was a baby, I was constantly wondering what he was thinking. Now, he tells me! :) Another thing I like about this age is seeing him with other kids. It's especially cute when he's with older kids... He tries to act like them, to laugh like them - it's so cute seeing him try to be just like his older friends.

I have a few "just Gabe" things to share... The poor kid can't say "Smith". When he tries to say "Grandma Smith", it comes out as "Abba Piss". It's so funny!

Also, he is obsessed with directions now. If we don't turn the way he thinks we're supposed to turn, look out! Tantrum time! We hear, "No Mommy! Diff way!! (This Way) or No Mommy, Daff way!! (That way)". He knows the way to his grandparents' houses. If you try to take a different route, you're going to hear it all the way there!

Also, he can potty train all day at daycare, all day at "Abba Piss's" house, and the minute we get him home, he pees his pants. Then, he'll come get us and say, "Gabe did diss". One time, he peed on a book that was on the floor. Boys!

I promise to be a better blogger from now on... You believe me, right?