Boys' Stats

Gabe's 4 year stats:

Weight: 39lbs 75%
Height: 42.25" 90%

Gabe has an excessive amount of ear wax. At his 3 year appointment the doc had to use one of those tool things to clean out his ears. I thought maybe it was a one time thing so I didn't really think anything of it. She had to do it again at this appointment so I'm thinking we may have an issue...not a horrible one obviously...but an issue. He sobbed both when she cleaned his ears out and when he got his shots. It broke my heart. I'm thinking things like this are actually easier with babies than with older kids. They actually know what's going on and why they're all of the sudden in pain. :(
I had a lot of questions concerning Gabe. We talked about his comprehension that it seems like there are times that he really isn't comprehending what we are saying/asking him. About how he's been hiding in the corner in Sunday school etc. I really think this boy is one who needs preschool. We are praying and seeking out a few options. Hopefully the right one will pan out.

Jayce's 9 month stats:

Weight: 19.5 lbs 25%
Height: 29" 75%

-He has a total of...ZERO teeth.
-He waves "hi" not all the time, but sometimes. It's cute too. He holds out his hand and wiggles his fingers in a fan like motion.
-He claps whenever he hears "yay".
-He gives "five" sort of.
-Gives good kisses, you know the sloppy open mouthed ones that you have to wipe your mouth off afterwards. BUT only to mama AH YEAH :)
-He LOVES being held - especially by his daddy and Grandma
-He LOVES to eat and stares us down when we eat.
-He's Crawling like a pro. Getting into EVERYTHING
-He's pulling himself up onto everything and cruising around all of the furniture. He full on got on top of the coffee table the other day. I didn't have my camera otherwise I would have taken a picture before removing him.
-He crawled up my parents stairs today. Little stinker moves FAST. It was so incredibly cute and scary at the same time. I remember when Bryan caught Gabe crawling up the stairs for the first time. In February 08' so they were pretty much the same age.


I love this age. He is so fun to interact with - he's so animated and laughs at everything, he loves his brother and is such a mamma's boy - until dad walks in the door :) He still smells so yummy and occasionally will just lay his head on you - I love it!
It's all going by too fast. With Gabe, I remember being so excited for each upcoming phase, I didn't really have room to miss the past. Now I wish I could just pause him, and eat up every phase a little longer. Especially, IF he's my last baby????

Gabe and Jayce at 9 months wearing my Favorite Pj's (If I'm not happy nobodys happy)
Kind of look alike???

Daddy/Gabey date

To say that Bryan is a comic lover, would be understatement. So, Gabe of course likes them. Now being only 4, he only can see certain material. Like Donald Duck and we have some Star Wars ones that Uncle Minny bought.
Bryan's been dying to go to a comic convention and this one is on the smaller side and more accessible since it was local. Gabe was free and so we thought it would be a perfect daddy/gabey date and they rode the MAX which Gabe LOVED.
Most of the material was not appropriate for Gabe, so Bryan had to hurry past 75% of the show, which was a bummer for him. We'll have to wait until Gabe's older to do that again, but they had a great time.

"Brothers don't shake hands. Brothers gotta hug."

Things I love about this picture:

1. I love that I caught this on camera
2. I love that Gabe is kissing Jayce, because Gabe is in a kissing is gross phase
   
3. I love that Gabe LOVES his little brother
4. I love how squishy Jayce's face is
5. I love that Jayce is dressed and Gabe is still in his pj's

Man I love these boys!!!!!

Stomp! Roar! Gabe is 4

He did it, he turned four. Despite all my whining and begging him not to, he just went ahead and did it. He was pretty happy about it too. He came in my room around 6ish to tell me that he is 4. Man I LOVE that kid!

I had decided this year we were going to keep it low key and just family. Planning parties is hard work. Well, my AMAZING mama has been on a party planning kick and well we had a FABULOUS Dino party. We were in charge of the cake, invite and paper mache volcano. My mom did everything else. Thank you mama/grandma for making it so special!

Invitation by the talented daddy

Volcano step-by-step

Annual dinner at Red Robin

Then to the prehistoric cave to PARTY (aka Gma's and Gpa's garage)
Enter at your own risk

Four reasons why we LOVE our four year old:

1. Your desire to spend time with us. That might not always be the case so we are soaking it in.

2. You have such loving heart. You tell us you love us multiple times a day. You tell me that I'm pretty. That sure melts my heart.

3. Your crazy fun energy and the rare times you'll just sit and snuggle.

4. The way you make up names for characters. You have a great imagination.

Happy Birthday Gabey Gabes! We love you!

Chewy Low Fat Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies

Servings: 15 • Serving Size: 2 cookies • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 175.8 • Fat: 6.7 g • Protein: 3.5 g • Carb: 28.3 g • Fiber: 1.6 g • Sugar: 14 g

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unpacked brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup mashed ripe banana
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups quick oats
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°; line two baking sheets with parchment paper or use a silpat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In a large bowl, with a mixer, cream together the butter and the sugars on medium speed.

Add the egg, followed by the mashed banana and vanilla extract.

Working by hand, stir in the flour mixture and the oats until just combined and no streaks of flour remain; stir in the chopped walnuts.

Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until cookies become light brown at the edges.

Let cool on baking sheet for 3 or 4 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container so you don't eat them all in one sitting!

Makes about 30 cookies.

Hoppy Burfday

stop growing up.

right this very second.

you are magic, just as you are. . .

magic.

I LOVE YOU A BILLION MY GABEY!!

xx,

Mommy

____________________

"If growing up means it would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up! Not me!" — J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan)