Stats

I drove into work today because Gabe had his 18 month appt at 3:20. I left work around 2:15 and went to get Gabe from Jenny. When I walked in the door he was cuddling with her on the couch. It was cute. We left in a hurry and bolted for the freeway. I got the the office about 5 minutes early. Phew...I think I was cutting it a little close, but we made it safely.
We walked in and Gabe went straight for the toy's...he knew exactly where they were. When we were called back the nurse had me undress him and while I did that she asked me some developmental questions. I was surprised that I said yes to every one.

Here are the stats:

Weight - 25lb 1 oz (36%)
Height - 34in (88%)
Clothes size: mosty 18mo, some 24mo
Diapers: size 5
Loves: Cows, books, bubbles, Baby Einsteins and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Mommy, binks, airplanes, sleeping, dancing, pushing things like strollers, carts etc.
Newest talents: opening doors, helps pick up toy's, temper tantrums
Says: Daddy, Dog, Cow, Bubble, Kitty, Moo, Eye, Teeth, Ball, No, Yea, Jady, please, cheese and I'm sure there are a few others, but he mostly talks Gabey style. It's hilarious!

He hasn't gained much weight in 6 months, But we/he did have a pretty active summer. While we waited for Dr. Mary I read the little flier that they give you while Gabe played around the room. One part said, "Children at this age typically do not eat much, and may be picky eaters" and that made me feel a little better because he has not been eating well at all lately. Won't eat a lot of things that he would before. It totally stresses me out. Any suggestions from all you all who may have had picky eaters are totally welcome. I need help and some creativity.

The doc came in and we went over a ton of things and then she gave him a once over. "He's Perfect!" she said. He was a very good boy too. He was a tad loud when we were trying to talk, but she said most kids she see's at his age scream bloody murder.
Now for my favorite part. He got two shots today. The nurse did it quick and I just tried to talk to him. He cried and cried. I hate that part. He also does this thing afterwards...he's done it the last two times that we've gone (once for his 1 yr appt and then for his stitches). He looks at the nurse or dr like he can't believe that they just did that to him. It is so sad but cute at the same time.

We had a rough night. Bryan was at youth group and Gabe wouldn't eat and he was very weepy. I gave him some tylenol which I probably should have given it to him right before getting the shots, but we mostly just sat and read books and snuggled tonight which actually wasn't so rough. We did bathtime and then we played some music and games on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse website and he fell asleep in my arms.

Love that Gabe

7 years and 18 months

Yesterday marked the fact that Bryan and I have been married for SEVEN YEARS. We had a quiet evening at home just the three of us. Dinner, chasing each other in circles around the house, reading books, laughing, NO TV...it was great!


Saturday we had a no-kiddo day together. Walked around the mall, Lunch, afternoon movie matinée, good talks. Much needed us-time.

Yesterday also marked the fact that Gabe is 18 months old. Boy time has sure flown by.

First born
3 months

6 months9 months1 year

18 months

First comes love, then comes marriage

Our friend Josh got married on Saturday. We went to Forest Grove for the big bash. Josh and Bryan were roommates for a few years before we got married. All the roommates were there. Josh found himself a great wife and they are quite a couple. We were SO glad to be there for the big day!

It was located at David Hill Vineyard & Winery. There could not have been more beautiful weather that day. The flowers were beautiful the lands were beautiful especially with the sun setting behind it.

Ok, so here are some of my favorite pics from the wedding:













Other than the wedding we got to stay the night at hotel and hang out with friends without our kiddos.
After the wedding we came back to the hotel and munched on Mcd's and laughed a lot. A great time was had!

Sunday was a beautiful day too. When we got to my mom's to pick up Gabe he had just woken up from nap. He was SO excited to see me and I him. We talked with the fam for a little bit then came home to unpack and do some things around the house. I did laundry and other things around the house while Bryan mowed the lawn. I was watering some plants when Gabe decided to walk right through the water. It was hilarious and he was soaked!

I

I am... trying to live my life the best way I can.
I think... that kids grow way too fast so enjoy every minute
I know...God won't give anything I can't handle
I want... To be a SAHM!
I have... the best kid anyone could ever ask for.
I wish ... there were more hours in the day, and that we were able to just pick up and vacation whenever we felt like it.
I hate...being away from Gabe for hours and hours of the day
I miss... my friend Melissa
I fear... everything...I'm a paranoid mom actually I am just paranoid
I feel... tired
I hear... Gabe's white noise machine
I smell... nothing because my nose is always stuffed up
I wonder... if I'll ever catch up on my laundry
I regret... only a few things
I love... to shop
I always... ask "can you do me a favor?" and tell Gabe that I love him.
I am not ...patient enough (but I'm working on it)
I believe... in God
I don't always... eat as good as I should.
I win...not all that often...
I lose...my wedding ring at least twice a month
I never...drive if I can help it
I listen...to country music
I am scared of...loosing someone I love.
I read...library books
I am happy about...going to bed.

My Dad

(The stupid internet is finally working)




Last Sunday the 14th was my dad's birthday. 60! My mom put together an awesome party for him. My uncle even came into town for it.
This is a man who has spent his life for others; the church, his wife, his children, his grandchildren, even his employees. He is wise, SO capable (it seems there's nothing he can't figure out), and funny (at least he thinks so ;)) , and brings laughter to every family gathering. He is not consumed with pride, or material things, but works harder than anyone I know for the people he loves. He loves sports, he has taught me to take care of my cars. He taught me that to survive life and make right choices, you need self-reliance, obedience, a great work ethic, and humor. I have always known that he would do anything for me and my family and thanks to this, I was able to grow up in a world full of chaos and insecurity feeling nothing but safe.

Happy Birthday Dad. I love you!

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?

I love working downtown, but seriously I have seen some weird things. A few years ago I was walking down the street after having lunch with my mom, uncle and sister and a guy just threw up in the street.

Today, I guess was the day for gross weirdness.
I got off work around 3:30 and was walking to the Max and as I walked by the abandoned building that I always walk by, everyday, and there was a guy in the corner peeing.
Then on the max there was a couple who looked like they were flying higher than a kite and the girl had a skirt on. She had her leg up on the dudes leg and yep the girl had NO UNDERWEAR ON! HOOOO HA right there for everyone to see.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

On a better note. What's for dinner?
I made the best chicken pot pie tonight that I have ever had. It was EXCELLENT!

Gram's Chicken Pot Pie

2 Tbsp. Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/4 lb. [4 oz] velveeta cheese, cut up
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 400. Heat dressing in large skillet. Add chicken; cook and stir in vegetables, soup and velveeta. Spoon into greased 9-inch square baking dish.

Unfold pastry sheet; place over chicken mixture. Fold under edges of pastry, press onto top of baking dish to seal. Brush pastry with egg. Cut several slits in top crust to permit steam to escape.

Place dish on baking sheet. Bake 30 min. or until deep golden brown. Let stand 5 min. before serving.

DELISH!

Gabe's first trip to the zoo

Yesterday was a perfect day to go to the zoo!
Bryan left for church because he has to teach JR High still and Gabe and I went to Bedside Baptist. We had breakfast, watched an Einstein movie and went on a long walk around the neighborhood. It has been BEAUTIFUL the last 3 day's. God is SO good!
I got Gabe down for a nap and then went out front to wash the car inside and out. I was just finishing up when Bryan got home. He took a short nap and I took a shower, got ready and went outside to read. Gabe woke up around 1 and we headed to the zoo. I was so excited!
They have so many issues with their parking...such as not having enough. I didn't want to deal with it...trying to find a spot for an hour, so I said if we get in there and we don't find a spot in 5 minutes or so I want to just go park at the Sunset park and ride and ride one stop on the Max. We got lucky though, we found one 15 spots from the front entrance. YEA!

It was very busy but we had SO much fun! Gabe oooh'd and ahhh'd over all the animals and he was such a good boy! I can't wait to go again!

Waited in line to see the baby elephant. He was SO cute!

Other animals. I love the one of the bear sleeping. I love how his arm is over his eye's.

Gabe played in the sandpit, saw some fishies and rode the train.

My sweet little angel fell asleep on the way home.

Shooting Threat

Our building got a shooting threat today. We received this email at 3:53pm:

Everyone,

I just learned from Ashforth that ODS received a threat saying that someone was going to come into the building and shoot people.
Security has been increased, the police have been notified, but the building has not been put on lockdown.

OK...all of my insides started to panic, but I was trying to hold it together on the outside. I finished up what I was doing and management told us to pack up and leave just in case. I was glad to get the heck out of there. I have to admit I was scared out of my mind. Sorry, but with all the shootings that have gone on over the years...there are wacky people in this world.

I checked my work email from home tonight and they had an update.

The police have been here, but we don't know if they are still here. The recommendation to not lockdown the building came from them.
A request has been submitted to activate our door locks so that a key card will be required for entry.
To reiterate, the threat was made to ODS offices in this building, but not any floor in particular. The fact that the building is named after the company means all floors should be on alert.
Anyone who wishes to leave is of course free to do so.

This is FREAKY!!!

Camping at White River

So cute!

I just love his smile!

Eating snacks with Miss Mia.

Bryan reading books to the gang.

Walking to the River.

I just love this picture of Kambrie. She's such a cutie!

Gabe loves corn.

Kambrie and Darby helping Gabe up.

Warm, Clean and glad to be home!

This last weekend we got the hoo-ra OUT of town and went to our annual camping trip to White River.

The week had been pretty brutal so by Thursday I was exhausted. I picked up Gabe at Teresa's (her last day :o() and went home. We had dinner and I got a few things together for camping but for the most part I just hung out with Gabe and did nothing. BAD MOVE. We didn't get packed and out of town until around 1ish on Friday. Boy am I glad that I took Friday off.

We got there around 4 I think (Gabe slept the entire way) and set up camp. We were lucky enough to borrow the Sedey's tent trailer again, which I am so grateful. It was pretty nice out when we got there. Not too hot but not too cold. The sun was shinning. It was a tad windy though.

It got really cold at night and didn't really warm up much for the rest of the weekend.

We all kept really busy. I felt like I didn't really get the chance to sit and talk that much. Gabe was always moving. I think that he had a blast. He slept well the entire time. He missed a couple naps though which he was not happy about. He even went to bed at 7 Sunday night because he was just DONE!

Marcia and Travis brought a ton of toy's and he had fun playing with all the girls. He was the only boy.
Gabe is just learning how to take his shovel and pick up sand/dirt with it. He kind of flings it, not on purpose though. He's still learning. Well at one point all the kids were playing over by the horseshoes’ and Gabe flung the little shovel and hit Kambrie in the mouth. Gave her a fat lip. :o( She was so upset rightfully so. Since Gabe doesn't really understand yet that he did anything or to say that he's sorry. I waited a little bit and took him over and said to Kambrie that Gabe was really sorry and to please forgive him. He put his hand on her shoulder. It was cute. OH and her bottom lip was out. It was SO sad, but cute at the same time. I love it when the bottom lip comes out.

Saturday while Gabe napped Bryan and I read in the trailer and napped too. It was nice and relaxing. I'm reading a really good book right now too.

Saturday was an "off" day for me. I felt like I could cry at the drop of a hat. Going though some really tough times with my family right now and I just couldn't put it out of my mind. Woke up Sunday feeling much better.

My Favorites:

Gabe was so funny. He fell about 10 dozen times (of course) and he wouldn't put his hands down to catch himself. He did not want his hands to get dirty at all. Then he would wait there until someone would come and help him up.

Alexis falls asleep on my lap almost every year and she did both Saturday night and Sunday night. I just love that little girl!

* * *

Glad to be home now. Gabe and I slept on the way home and we got there around 1ish.
Nathan and Julie had come over to make dinner (moms oven isn't working) and she left me a note saying that I left the one of burners on. (((shocked))) I have never done that before. I had done a once over around the house too. Don't know how I missed that. It had been on the rest of Friday, Friday night and all day Saturday. EEEEEEKS. Thank God Nathan and Julie came over and THANK GOD our house didn't burn down.

CHECKLIST

Unpacked
Gabe long warm bath
15 loads of laundry
Cleaned out coolers and put them away for the winter
Cleaned camping chairs and put them away for the winter
Cleaned up the tent trailer
Rtned it to the Sedey's
Cleaned the kitchen
Made dinner
Bath for Calie
Shower for Bryan
Truck washed
Lawn mowed
Put away clothes
Diaper bag packed
Lunches made
Shower for me
Rock Gabe to sleep
Thank God for my little sweet sleeping baby
Bed

"BUH BYE"

We had to wake Gabe up Monday morning. Bryan changed him and I got his food ready to take to my moms. They were waiting in the garage for me and when I got down there Gabe was suggling with Bryan…it was SO cute. I got him in the carseat and we drove to my moms.
Gabe was SO excited to see her, he practically jumped out of my arms. We brought the bags into the house and Gabe looked at us and said/waved "buh bye". Aparently he knew we were leaving. SAD I've been replaced by Grandma. sniff

Where are all the bee's???

THEY'RE IN OUR YARD!!!!

Bryan and I were working in the yard today. Gabe is napping. I was pulling weeds and Bryan was trimming some bushes. All of the sudden Bryan started dancing. He ran across the yard almost scramming some words of profanity. I asked what was wrong and he said "I'm getting stung by bee's" and got stung again as he said that. He ran to the backyard and I looked over at the bush he was trimming. Apparently ALL the bee's in the state have decided to live in that one small bush on the corner of our lot.

Now that I type this I can't stop laughing but at the time it was not funny. Bryan is mildly allergic to bee's and I was scared. He got stung probably 8 times. I ran inside to get Benadryl for him and needless to say we're not working in the yard anymore.

Family Camp (update)

Well I'm behind a whole week. This time last week we were on the road, finishing up errands and heading to the beach. We got most everything packed up on Thursday night. Got up at 7 on Friday morning and packed up the truck and got ready to leave. I wanted to be on our way by 10:30 at the latest. I think we left the house around 10:45. Not too bad.

Gabe was SO ready for a nap by the time we left so I knew that he'd fall asleep quick. He ended up only sleeping for a half hour. NOT GOOD! He was a holy terror the rest of the way to Fort Steven's. He normally is so good in the car, but he definitely didn't get all of his sleepies out in that half hour.

When we reached the turn off for Canon Beach and Seaside traffic was horrible. It was pretty strange. We got to our campsite around 2ish and unpacked. Dan and Randy helped Bryan set up the tent and canopy.

Speaking of the that, camping in a tent with Gabe was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. He would wake up in the morning and just putter around the tent. I had a bin of toy's and he would talk to us as we lazily tried to sleep a tad longer. Gabe slept through the night both nights. He was excellent! HUGE answer to prayer and thank you Target for the battery operated sound machine that T told me about. ((thumbs up))

After we unpacked we went to the beach. I froze…it was SO windy and the sun kept hiding behind the clouds. Thank goodness I had brought a coat for Gabe. He loved it on the beach. He played, got wet, ate some sand, piled a bunch of sand on his lap and used his shovel and pale. He was so cute. I wasn't that thrilled with how windy/cold it was on the beach. I love being on the beach and it was just not fun to me this time. :o(

Bryan threw a frizz bee for Calie and she started barking weird, just being weird in general. She was completely out of sorts the whole weekend which wasn't fun but OH WELL.

After we left the beach, Gabe and I went to take a shower. Gabe was completely sandy and sometimes you just feel icky after being on the beach.

We BBQ'd hot dogs for dinner and had chips and pasta salad with that. While we were eating Natalie and Rachael came over to love on Gabe. It was so funny. Gabe was totally flirting with these beautiful young ladies. Natalie stole Gabe and took him to the ice cream social in the other loop. We finished cleaning up dinner and then joined them. I took Jaden over there too. We had a huge group there and it was fun to hang out.

For the life of me I can not remember what happened after that. I know that I ended up getting Gabe's PJ's on and feeding him a bottle. We sat at my moms fire and I snuggled him close and he fell asleep right away. It was so sweet. I put him down in the tent, turned on the sound machine and took the monitor over to Teresa's site. We sat around and talked for a while and I think I ended up going to bed around midnight?

Saturday morning Gabe woke up early I think. I just got him out of his pack -n- play and he puttered around the tent. We had egg mcmuffins for breakfast. Gabe had a banana and eggs. Gabe wanted to walk around everywhere.
Calie was still driving us nutty so we all went on a long walk to Battery Russell. Gabe wanted to walk up the stairs and so he and I went up to the top. I almost had a heart attack a bunch of times just picturing him falling off the edge. I worry too much but needless to say we went down to the ground after that.

We walked back to the campsite and Gabe fell asleep right when we got back in the stroller. SO CUTE! I transferred him into his pack -n- play and then I went and hung out at Nate and Teresa's site. Around 2 Gabe was still sleeping, Bryan took a nap too and I helped Teresa decorate for Alexis's birthday party. It was such a great party and I think that Alexis felt very special...at least I hope she did.
Teresa did such a great job and they have this dinning tent thing and we filled it with balloons. The kids had a blast in it.

A little while later we made dinner and after clean up I went to take a shower and then we got ready for our night time...glow in the dark parade. Gabe and Jaden rode in Travis and Marcia's red wagon. It was so much fun.
I got gabe ready for bed after the parade and he snuggled with me in front of the fire till 11ish. As I walked from Teresa's site back to mine he had fallen fast alseep. I stayed up and had fun hanging out around the fire with friends. We laughed and had a great time. I went to bed around midnight again and as I settled into my warm sleeping bag it began to rain. I thought to myself "SHOOT". It lasted like 5-10 minutes though so not too bad.

Sunday morning Gabe woke up early again. We got up and I took him out and gave him breakfast (YUMMY breakfast cookies and a nana of course). I made coffee and we started packing up. I HATE that part of camping. It wasn't long enough that's for sure. I would have liked to camp at least 2 more days. It rained a little while we packed up and we left for home around 1. Gabe was out before we even got out of Fort Steven's and I was out before we got out of Seaside. HA Poor Bryan!

It was a great time with family and friends and I'm so glad we went. I love camping!

7 days till our next/last camping trip this summer!

What's for dinner??

Cheesy ham and hash brown casserole

8 oz cooked ham, diced
32 oz frozen hash brown potatoes
1 can of cream of chicken (98% fat-free)
1 cup (fat-free) cottage cheese
1 cup (reduced-fat) sour cream
1 tsp garlic salt
1 serving seasoned salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

In the blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese, soup and sour cream until smooth.
Pour frozen hash browns into a 9x13 glass pan sprayed with PAM.
Sprinkle potatoes with garlic salt, seasoned salt and pepper.
Sprinkle ham over potatoes and top with your soup and cottage cheese mixture.
Sprinkle cheese on top and bake at 350 for 45 min to an hour.

This is SO easy and SO yummy! Gabe likes it too!

I "Heart" Gabe

I love Gabe. I mean Love, Love.

I never in a million years thought I could love this boy like I do. But Gabe... he has been an absolute blessing. He's my boy. My perfect baby boy. My crush. I LOVE him.

We are in that time again when everything he does is new and exciting. I could stare at his sweet little face for hours and hours and feel productive. I feel like every day a new part of his personality comes out, and I am getting to know him better.

I love that Gabe loves to be kissed. Every night I take him to the rocking chair, give him a bottle and kiss him for a good 15 minutes before I put him to bed. You would think he would get sick of it, but he doesn't. Last night he was taking my cheeks and giving me kisses. I curl him into a little ball and nuzzle his cheeks. It's the sweetest part of my day.

Another thing I love about Gabe is how happy music makes him. I loved music when I was little and to watch my kid enjoy it so much…it's so fun.

Gabe is loving shoes right now. Whenever he sees a pair of shoes whether it be his, mine, daddy's, Jaden's. He immediately wants to put them on. Monday night when we all got home Bryan had taken off his shoes and Gabe wanted to put them on. It was SO cute watching him try to walk in them. The shoes are practically as big as he is.

Another thing I LOVE about Gabe is lately he's taking our hands and leading us where ever. I call it a Gabe adventure. I love how his little hands grab mine and I know if he could talk he'd say something like "Come on mom I have to show you something". Monday night after dinner he took me to the front window and we "ooooo'd and ahhh'd" over something out there. HA

At night, the thing I love most about Gabe is how well he sleeps. I think he is magic. When I put him to bed, no matter if it is 6pm or 11pm, he will sleep for all the way through the night. He loves his bed. We have such a great sleeper just like mommy and daddy. I don't think that we can get this lucky twice so we shall see with the next one, but for now I am enjoying getting to sleep through the night.

I am enjoying this sweet little boy so much. He really is so good and happy, and I feel incredibly lucky that he's mine.

Thank heavens for little boys.

Family Camp (pics)

Pictures 1st
Update later