1.20.2013

Gabriel is ONE!!!

Stats
Weight: 23 pounds, 10 ounces (62%)
Height: 30.5 inches (78%)

We measured him on our DIY growth chart and got 29.5 inches. It's possible ours is off a smidgen because it's hard to hang something precisely 6" off the ground! And it's possible that Gabe wiggled while the nurse was measuring him laying down. We'll go with the average of the two, 30 inches!


Four days after his birthday, Gabriel had his 12 month checkup with our favorite doctor, Doctor A. He was impressed by Gabe's medical record- his growth pattern, advanced development, and overall great health. He even asked us, "what's your secret?" Proud parents moment!!! Doctor A said a child's immune system is what it is. It was encouraging to hear that anyone who says you need to expose your child to germs to strengthen their immune system is wrong! He was breastfed. He doesn't go to daycare. We stay away from sick people. I wipe off shopping carts, restaurant high chairs and tables and use a cover & place mat. He has only had 1 virus and a cold fewer times than I can count on 1 hand. I'm not an extremist who sanitizes everything, but I do want to set-up Gabriel for a happy & healthy life in every aspect!

Likes:
-Playing "swords" with Daddy (with a toy drum stick and toy baseball bat)
-Going behind and under furniture
-His play tent

Dislikes:
-My Bubble wrap calendar {a Christmas gift from Mom & Dad W; it used to hang on the back of his door but had to be moved because he would cry just being close to it, let alone popping a bubble!}
-Having his face wiped {this isn't new, I just didn't think of it when writing the past several months posts}
-Being still and forced to stay in one place for a photo shoot...


New skills:
-Pointing
-Dancing! He stomps his feet and bounces up & down.
-Blowing kisses!!
-Feeding himself with a spoon!!
-Mastered walking, changing directions, and now he tries to run!
-Getting on & off of his ride-on trucks
-Throwing and kicking
-Sorting/moving things (food on his sectional plate or clothes from one laundry basket to another)


Clothes/Diapers:
Gabriel is mostly wearing 12-month clothes with some 18-month pajamas & pants. Still in size 4 diapers. He wears size 5 shoes.

Eating:
He can fully eat what we eat now! Some new foods Gabe has tried: chicken stir-fry, cheese ravioli with (unsalted) butter, and bacon. It is no surprise that he loves bacon- I ate it very often during my pregnancy! He tried cow's milk four days after his birthday. I expected him to take a sip and make a what-is-this? face but he guzzled it down and went ahhh! As far as breastfeeding: we made it!!! One year, and Gabriel is still nursing! I am starting the process of weaning. It's slow and gradual... For now, he nurses when he wakes up, a couple hours later before his nap, only sometimes in the evening, at bedtime, and once in the middle of the night. So 4-5 times/day. The easiest feeding time to drop first was in the afternoon.

Sleeping:
No change in his napping. Since we got him a boombox for Christmas, he falls asleep to a CD of nature sounds & instrumental music.

Hair & Eyes:
Medium brown hair. Big brown eyes. Long eyelashes. His 5th tooth (upper left) is almost all the way in, and his 6th and 7th are starting to break through the gum.


Randoms:
-When Perry or I are leaving the house, he will watch from the sidelight windows (face pressed up against the glass and all!) until we drive off out of sight. Melts my ♥.

Gabriel Turner is such a joy and literally makes every day better. Perry and I are completely addicted to him. Thank you God for this precious, priceless gift you gave us one year ago. We love you SO MUCH, Gabe!!!

1.16.2013

He Did It!!!

Perry graduated from college on December 15, 2012. I am SO VERY PROUD of him! He was determined to reach his goal and remained dedicated even when it wasn't easy. He returned to college after 5 years in law enforcement to pursue a different career pathway. This degree was a huge personal accomplishment but also a stepping stone for our family's growth. Way to go, babe!!!

During the ceremony :) and right after!

Gabriel was very well-behaved during the ceremony {made his Mommy & Daddy proud}. I was apprehensive because he had never sat through anything similar and can be fidgety and then fussy if you don't let him get down. Perry had to arrive early so I planned to go in when the doors were first opened to reserve seats. Thankfully Mom & Dad W came early, too, and went in to save seats because Gabriel napped in his car seat! I stayed in the car and let him sleep until 10 minutes before the ceremony start time so we could get inside in time. He sat in my lap the whole time {love my "Momma's Boy"!! He was so snuggly and kept laying his head on my chest and wouldn't let anyone else hold him}. He barely made a peep. Other babies/kids were loud and disruptive at times (and it didn't seem like their parents did anything!). He stayed entertained with a program, looking at the people sitting around us, and when necessary, he had his paci.

Gabriel has a thing for hats... and ones with tassels are even more fun!


The graduate and his guests. Our little family, his Mom, his Dad, his sister-in-law Sue (his brother couldn't make it), and my Mom & stepdad

I made dinner reservations for later that evening in order for us to go home for Gabriel's nap. {All the colleges/universities in our area had their graduation ceremonies on the same day, making it nearly impossible to get a decent timed reservation. Even a couple weeks in advance, getting in at Perry's first choice restaurant, Maggianos, was a no go :( I felt so guilty for disappointing him!}. Perry doesn't like parties and instructed me not to get a cake, decorations or anything. But... I snuck out and bought him 2 balloons (just for the front porch) anyway! We ended up at his 3rd choice, The Aviator, for dinner and it was great!

These two are my favorite people!! I could take hundreds of pictures of them. If they Perry let me. Look how handsome/cute they are!!


My Dad and stepmom weren't able to make it down from Virginia for the ceremony but did join us for dinner! We all had a blast and of course, everyone enjoyed watching Gabe. Papa (my Dad) gave him a rib bone to gnaw on... he loved it! He also had a good time walking around the restaurant with Nonny (Mom W). I'll add more pictures of everyone else when I can get copies of the ones Mom & Dad W took. Congratulations, Perry!!! You deserve this success.

1.13.2013

Gabriel's Winter ONE-derland Party!!!

We had Gabriel's 1st Birthday Party on his actual birthday and it was so much fun!! Perry & I took pictures of our birthday boy and snowflakes and ordered his invitations from Tiny Prints. LOVE how they turned out!!

For the Winter One-derland theme, I chose snowflakes and polar bears with the color scheme of several shades of blue and white. On the front porch I used plastic tablecloths and balloons, as well as balloons on the light post (since we don't have a mailbox at the street!). Inside I hung homemade zigzag streamers in front of the dining room window and all over the house were snowflakes we found at Wal-Mart in their after-Christmas clearance. Score! I also picked up a few other style snowflakes at Party City.

I displayed one picture from each of Gabriel's 12 monthly photo shoots, the snowflake ornament favors and party blowers on the foyer table.

Other DIY Pinterest projects:


We had a table full of delicious food- big thanks to my Mom!! Mom W also brought yummy meatballs- thank you! I handled drinks & the desserts: snowflake cupcakes, powdered sugar donut polar bears and Gabriel's smash cake (thanks for icing it, Dad D!).




We loved watching Gabriel eat his cake! Before & after!!!


Sharing with Grandma & Papa
"Gabriel, how old are you?"
I think he got cake in his eyes and/or nose... what a mess!
After his cake-smash, Gabriel got a bath, then we all hung out. Until Gabriel was worn out!



HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY GABRIEL!!!! Mommy & Daddy (and everyone else that knows you!) LOVE you!!!!

1.05.2013

A Year To Remember, 2012

THE BEST YEAR YET!

January 2012
*Our sweet baby boy, Gabriel Turner, was born!!! Tied with my wedding day for best. day. of. my. life!

February 2012
*Lots of beloved family and friends visited to meet our precious boy
*{G's} 1st Valentine's Day!
*A dear friend of mine since 2nd grade, Katie "KTB", came to visit and took some great pictures for us!

*{L} returned to work after maternity leave on the last day of the month

March 2012

April 2012
*{G's} 1st Easter!

*Uncle Mike & Aunt Pam visited from NY and met Gabriel!

*{G's} 1st trip to Virginia to visit Papa & Nana's farm!

May 2012
*{L's} 1st ever Mother's Day!!!

June 2012
*{G} met his Great-Papa and some Great Aunts & Uncles and second cousins!!

*Helped throw a surprise party for Mom W's 60th birthday!

*{P's} 1st ever Father's Day!!!
*{P} got a tattoo on Father's Day!

July 2012
*My best friend from college, Becky, and her husband Cam got to meet Gabriel!

*{L} switched from working 7p-7a (night shift) to 11a-11p, a much better schedule with a 6 month old!

August 2012
*{P} turned 28

September 2012

October 2012
*{G's} 1st time at the NC State Fair
*{G's} 1st Halloween. He made such a cute "Greaser" with slicked back hair!

November 2012
*Celebrated three years of marriage!!
*Bought the Mazda Tribute
*Thanksgiving in Fayetteville, NC- the first time a lot of my Dad's side of the family (the Durr's) met Gabe!
*{L} turned 27

December 2012
*Annual family photo shoot
*{P} completed his 1st college degree and graduated!!

*Celebrated Christmas and New Years... {G's} 1st!!!