Grumpy Clown Compendium

1 Year

2 Years

3 Years

4 Years

5 Years

6 Years

Things of Late

When Gabriel hasn't been playing with his little monkey (his go-nowhere-without-it-item), and then sees monkey, he picks monkey up, holds him to his face, and says, "I missed you monkey." in a tender quiet voice.

He's also been explaining things to monkey. For example,
"Monkey, diapers and pullups are only for sleeping, ok?"
"Monkey, supposed to put pee pee and poop in the toilet, ok?"
"Monkey, have to take shoes off for upstairs."
"Monkey, hold the rail. Be safe."

Bluebonnets Photos 2014

We took the boys (Gabriel and cousin Will) out to the campus of St. Edward's University to get some bluebonnet pictures. We met up with Justin's dad and Hannah for a few pictures as well.

The bluebonnets are so dense and tall and fragrant!

Thank you, Joanah, for bringing your camera and capturing these moments.

Feel free to vote for the one that best captures this little Monkey's personality. ;)

Big Boy Underpants!

Last weekend, we took the plunge into the land of children who wear underwear instead of diapers when they are awake.

Yes, that's right, we spent the weekend focused on Gabriel learning how to use the potty every time he needs to pee or poop. Saturday (the first day) was a little...wet. We went through a few sets of underwear and pants that day, plus we cleaned up several puddles off the floor. Thankfully all puddles were made downstairs on the hard floors instead of upstairs on the carpet.

Sunday was better. Fewer wet clothes, fewer puddles. I think if we had had a third weekend day to stay home and focus on it he would have totally figured it out. As it was, we went to school on Monday with a big stack of extra clothes for Gabriel's cubby.

I was super surprised to find out that he only had one set of wet clothes from school that day. And that was from when they were playing on the playground. It's pretty hard to remember to go potty when you're playing on the playground.

And Tuesday, he came home in the same pants and underwear that he arrived at school in. O_o
I am so proud of him!!!

I know we may have some accidents still, and that it will take a while to get really comfortable in this new landscape, but potty training....check.

Image courtesy of Target.com :)
You can get your own Thomas underpants if you so choose: Thomas Little Boys' Underwear
(You're going to need a pretty small bottom, though.)

Hello, My Name Is...

Yesterday, Gabriel's attire for preschool included a shirt just like this...

...except from a souvenir shop we visited on our trip to Niagara Falls last summer.

The school had a dentist come and talk to the kids about dental heath and brushing their teeth. At the end of his presentation, he asked the kids if anyone had a question.

Gabriel raised his hand, so the dentist looked at him and said "What's your question, Batman?" And Gabriel replied firmly, "Gabriel."

Not sure why he raised his hand, but once called on, it was very important that he be properly addressed. :)

Photo update

Here's some of the things Gabriel has been up to. 

Playing at Will's 3rd birthday party. 

Wearing a hat, just like Daddy...but backward. 

Wearing Daddy's hat and shades at dinner. Dinner tastes better that way. 

Chomping on a cupcake at the preschool Thanksgiving party. 

Not wanting his picture taken. 

Building and then knocking down a tall tower. 

Lining up french fries. 

Doing puzzles and learning games on "his computer" (the iPad). 

Being super cool. 

Going down the slide at the park. 

Decorating and eating Christmas cookies. 

Watching movies with Will. (While uncle Cory watches the big TV.)

2 1/2 Year Letter

Dear Gabriel,
You are talking up a storm these days. It seems like you never stop. You point out things you see while we're driving in the car, you summarize things that you just did, and you tell us what you want us to do. You ask for help, but we're still working on getting you to verbalize what you want help with. You will tell me you want to go to the kitchen, but you won't tell me what you want from the kitchen.

We're also working on verbalizing your feelings when you get really upset. You are so quick to total frustration. I think your feelings overwhelm you and the part that could tell us what is wrong shuts down. We've had trouble working on this because you can flip the switch back to happy in a heartbeat, too. There isn't much time to help you work through the frustration and figure out how to express what is going on. But we'll keep working on it.

Lately you've been building lots of block towers and castles and playing with the train set. Sometimes you pull out the boxes of blocks and then make us wait because they're not ready yet. Then you path your hand and look around a bit before you suddenly declare that they are ready. I don't know if you're mimicking behavior of someone else or if you have just found another way to gain control. You love to have control. You also love to do puzzles. You are rocking the 9-piece puzzles and like to do larger puzzles together. At Christmas, you got a small xylophone for bathtub play and you love to bang on that thing while I sing Jingle Bells.

You've started singing along with many of the songs I sing to you. It's funny to hear how you process the song and sing the "words." Your favorites seem to be the ABCs and Bah Bah Black Sheep. At bedtime, you ask me to sing these two songs in different voices. Sometimes you want me to stick my tongue out while I sing so that all the sounds are funny. Sometimes you want me to do each syllable in a staccato fashion. One time you wanted me to kind of croak(?) the words out, and other times you tell me we have to whisper.

I see your imagination starting to develop. You have conversations with monkey and sometimes monkey and sheep have conversations. Lately you'll say hi to something (monkey, sheep, mommy, my shoulder) and then say "How are you today?" It's pretty adorable.

You are still as independent and strong-willed as you have ever been, but you are sweet and happy and pretty easy to work with. You really are a lot of fun at this age. It's amazing to watch as you continue to develop your personality.

Love,
Mama

Halloween 2013

This little Nemo did not want to wear the hat to complete his look.
He also did not want to stand still, so our documentation of the event is minimal.

It was Gabriel's first time to go trick or treating. It was actually my first time, too. We had fun together. Though we really only made it to half a dozen houses before he stripped the Nemo costume off and we went on home.

The cutest part was when he ran, the fins on the back wiggled back and forth. I really wish I had video.

These few pictures will have to do.

Belated Birthday pictures

We celebrated Gabriel's 2nd birthday while on vacation in Niagara Falls. I'm pretty late in posting these...sorry!