And so they begin....

The obligatory belly pics will now begin... To save Michael (and other blog readers) the misery of seeing my belly without a shirt this will be the first and last post with nakey belly (you're welcome, Mike). If you insist upon seeing nakey belly I will have to send you an email!

OK, here we go.... This nakey belly shot is from December 6th when I was 10 weeks along.

The following pics were taken yesterday and I am currently 17 weeks.

Since I don't have any new pictures to post....

Here are 2 cute old pictures of Gabe.... This first one is when we just moved to Iowa so he was about 6 months old.


This was taken when he was about 3 months old? I'm not too sure though.

Directory Pic

We had this picture taken at church in October. It is really amazing that it turned out well. I couldn't resist the little tie and vest for Gabe. It was complete with polyester pants... poor kid!

I haven't taken many pictures of Gabe lately - as all you moms of toddlers out there know they are hard to get good pictures!

We are happy the weather in Iowa is getting warmer. Gabe loves to play in the snow and go sledding with dad. He has also been happy to be back at daycare as Nancy took a few weeks off at Christmas. He plays with Blake (Blakey), Cole, Isaiah (Saiah), and Rihanna (Ranna).

Aaron has been busy (as always) with work and home improvement projects. He bought a router and has made some really nice shelves for our laundry/storage room.

I have been busy surviving.... Between work, Gabe, and feeling like crud most of the time I am tired! This past week I suffered with a couple of severe headaches complete with lots of nausea and vomiting. It was fantastic! I thought at 16 weeks I wouldn't be throwing up anymore. Needless to say (then why say it) I had my ondansetron ODT Rx refilled and have been using them again. On the upside I have been feeling better the last 2 days and am eagerly looking forward to my 20 week ultrasound to find out if the baby is a boy or girl!

Mommy! Mommy!

All day long Gabe would yell "mommy! mommy!" when I was out of his sights. After a while it gets a little exhausting but answering this one was worth it!

He had his little rear end perched up on the edge of the tub and was smiling at me like he was so pleased with himself.

I ran and grabbed the camera and was afraid he would close the curtain and I would miss the picture. I took a few pictures as I got closer to him.

He stayed where he was and I was able to get a good close-up!

"Watch a moose"

Aaron borrowed some moose hunting videos from his dad when we were in Minnesota.

Gabe loved watching the video with Aaron and anytime the video would be paused he would say "watch a moose"...

one time he even grabbed the remote and ran through the house yelling "daddy! daddy! watch a moose".

The art of eating crackers

Gabriel has a method when it comes to eating crackers with peanut butter.

He cracks them open,

and licks the good stuff out of the middle.

I haven't tried oreos yet but I believe he would employ the same method.

Bedtime Bottle

Last night Gabe was ready for bed in his little plaid pajamas and he REALLY wanted his bottle:

He always has to hold the cover while the milk warms up

Hurry mom, hurry!

Ahhh, finally.

My tired eyes say "night night".

Sweet Tooth

Our friend Michelle brought over some Iowa cookies...

Go Hawkeyes!

Holiday Eating

This is what happens when you eat too many sweets...

You don't fit in your box anymore.

Christmas... and other stuff

Uncle Jon helping Gabe color

Snack time -- complete with bed-head

Bath time at Grandma's house -- the farm animals were looking on....

Checking out the real cows

Look what the mailman brought!

M&M's and matchbox cars -- a perfect combo!

cracking open a new present...

Christmas dinner!

Cruisin' the halls with Uncle Jon.

COLD winter days...

It has been cold and stormy in Iowa over the last couple of weeks. Gabe likes to wear these special "socks" as he calls them -- and of course read books.


We finally found some boots and snow pants for Gabe - we took him outside Friday night and he LOVED the snow! Here Aaron is showing him how to make a snow angel...





We sent him down one of our hills on this sled and he thought it was hilarious!


Aaron was snowblowing for about the millionth time -- check out the sundogs!


This drift is probably over 10 feet high by now...


Here's the view from inside the atrium..

This is how Gabe likes to wear his hats.

My style of poetry:

This photo is all the proof that you need -
Gabriel will be a big brother indeed!

After gagging and retching and choking a bunch -
I'm feeling quite better and can usually eat lunch.

The 5th of July is its time to arrive -
we need lots of prayers that baby will thrive!

Lindy looks forward to growing a belly -
here's hoping her butt doesn't turn into jelly.

Aaron's a grammar snob that's now on my list -
he made fun of my poetry and so I am pissed!

In spite of Aaron's snub I love him more and more -
we are pleased that our family will soon number four.

Lazy days

I felt a little guilty when Gabe copied me by lying down on the couch and covering up.... Must mean I spend a lot of time doing this!

He spends a lot of time reading his books

We went to our first Christmas party of the year tonight. We had a good time with my co-workers from Larry's Pharmacy and Gabe even got a new bulldozer!

Time for a haircut

Yesterday Gabe had his hair cut by a professional. He was pretty much terrible (I had to hold his head like a vise and pin his legs between my legs while he screamed).... but luckily Linda did a great job and I gave her a big tip!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Because I needed a reward for surviving the morning we went to HyVee to have a late breakfast. Gabe enjoyed his doughnut.

His teeth were green from the frosting but you can't really see it here.
When we came home I put him down for a nap and he didn't go to sleep for over an hour. Do you think it might have something to do with the sugar filled doughnut and diet-coke I let him drink???

Waking up is hard to do....

Gabe is a great sleeper and I captured him trying to wake up from his nap a few days ago.

Gabe's Christmas Tree

I got Gabe a little tree for his room Monday. We put it up and decorated it and as of Tuesday morning he has most of it dismantled and pulled apart. I should have known better -- but he really likes it and goes up to it and says, "nice, pretty".