Cheese!

I was lucky to catch a few of Gabe's adoreable grins. What a cheese!

Watch it or your eyes will stick like that!

Gabe's started doing a new thing the last couple of days - and at first it freaked Cory out. He seems to like to cross his eyes.....I've read up on it, (getting a bit worried myself) - and I guess it's normal for a baby whose eyes are developing. So for now we'll smile about it - but if it lasts much longer I'll have to start giving him the lecture that he needs to be careful or his eyes will stick like that :)

Growing Gabe

The last few days with Gabe have been awesome. He has really started to discover how to smile. He will sit and play with me, smiling when I smile at him. It's so awesome to communicate, and to see such a cute reaction. He has also loved playing in his bouncy seat and swing this week. He's starting to really pay attention to the lights and sounds on the bouncy seat and gets upset when the music turns off on his swing before he's ready for it to be over.

I know I'll continually be in awe as he learns and grows. In ways it's sad because these milestones mean he's growing out of the tingy baby stage - but at the same time it's awesome to see your child change in a good way.

Joy

Yesterday I was driving into town with Gabe to do some grocery shopping. I was singing along to the music in the car and felt absolutely happy. It dawned on me that I hadn't felt this happy in a long time - I can't even remember how long it's been. I grinned from ear to ear and realized that I wasn't just happy - I was bursting with joy.

Definition of JOY: Intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness.

The rest of the day I just floated around full of smiles, and feeling like I was on cloud 9.

There are other times in my life I know I've been happy - the day we found out we were expecting Gabe, the day I got married, the day Gabe was born, when I graduated from college, and other times like Christmas, and other great times with family. But yesterday it was different. It wasn't an event, it wasn't something big that happened, but it was just being happy with where I am in life, what I'm doing, and who I am. And today I woke up with the same feelings. I am exactly where I want to be, and the person I want to be. Sure - I have a lot of shortcomings, and a lot of room for improvement. But I'm on my way, and I'm content with how it's going. It's been a long time since I've felt that way, and it feels good!

Smiley Guy

This morning Gabe was just grinning away. It was so cute to watch his expressions, and to play with him on the blanket. We were having so much fun that by the time it dawned on me to take some pictures - some of of the biggest grins had past. But here he is - our little smiley guy.

(Don't mind the silly hair....he really needs a haircut, but I can't bear to do it....)

Being a mom

Yesterday I had my own little version of a light bulb moment. Or maybe it was just a moment that has been a long time coming...I don't know what it was, but I feel different.

Gabe was asleep at the moment and I was folding a load of his little clothes. All of a sudden as I was folding a sleeper I looked at the laundry and I said outloud - "I'm a mom!" It was like it hit me all of a sudden. Tears came to my eyes and I realized that after so many years of trying, crying, and pleading with the Lord - I was actually a mom!

Now I had thought about it a few times previously when I'd be holding sweet Gabe, or even when I was pregnant with him. But somehow as I folded that small load of laundry I actually felt like a mother!

So will things be different now that I have this role of a mom? I think so - I feel like I've increased my capacity to love. I never really knew what love was until this little spirit joined our home. Now I understand the meaning of true love. I think my patience has actually increased. I don't need as much sleep, and it really doesn't matter if my house is super clean. A crying baby doesn't bother me now like it used to - I actually love to comfort his cries - it makes me feel loved and needed.

So thank you Gabe for changing my life and for helping me to realize my new amazing and exciting role of a mother!

Scrapbook Studio

Here are some updated pictures of my scrapbook studio. As you can see it still is not "finished" - but we're getting further and further along. In the top picture (where you see the blank green wall) will have more cabinets up on it - which will hold all of the cardstock that's sitting on the counter. The shipping company lost one of the cabinets that goes there so Cory can't finish it. Then under those cabinets we're putting sheet metal up - to use as a magnet board for pictures and other stuff I want to display. Then we'll also be putting up lighting under the cabinets that will shine down on the counter while I work. It's a great space, and I have so much storage I hardly know what to do with it. I guess I'll need to go do more shopping.....:)

Scared....

Ok, for the last several years I've worked in the scrapbook industry. I've worked with beginner scrappers - trying to help them get started scrapbooking, I've taught classes, sold supplies, designed products, I've reassured scrapbookers who've lacked confidence to get started, I've bought enough supplies to open a small store, attended tradeshows, read way too many scrapbook magazines and idea books, and enjoyed various scrapbook projects myself.

So why does scrapbooking scare me now?

It's like now that I have hundreds of pictures of Gabe on my computer I feel completly incompetent in my scrapping abilities. I feel like if I don't do his pictures justice I'll be a failure. I worry that I won't document all of the "important" moments just right. I stress that the pages have to look perfect - because Gabe's perfect and I want to portray his perfection in my creations. I look at idea books and worry that I will never have enough time or creative energy to create the types of projects I want to create. So what do I do as I sit in my new scrapbook studio? (see the pictures of the new space in the post above) I type on our blog, stare at pictures, and worry that at this rate poor Gabe won't even have a book documenting his first month by the time he leaves home.....

(****Update - I scrapbooked this afternoon!!! I actually finished one layout I've had sitting around forever, and started and finished another one. I tried posting them here - but it wouldn't work (the size was weird) - but you can see them here: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/userprofile.asp?user_id=2843****)

Hangin' with Dad

Cory is really great to take care of Gabe in the evenings so I can get a few minutes to myself. Most of the time they'll hang out on the couch and watch tv with the dogs. This is a typical position for them.

And of course, you can't forget the kisses - from both Dad and Sadie :)

Our Gap Baby.

Cory picked out some adoreable clothes for Gabe when he was in California this week. I thought it was a funny thought to think of Cory at the Baby Gap shopping without me around....But we both agreed that he can't have too many business trips close to fun shopping - because he'll spoil Gabe rotten. But we did think he made a pretty darn cute Gap Baby.

(the rest of the clothes are in larger sizes, so you'll just have to wait for the pictures....)

Proud Parents

Have I ever written about what proud parents Cory and I have become....? Well I think you can tell that we are so proud of our little guy. He has brought so much joy and love to our home. What an amazing blessing to us!

We're back home!

Here are a couple of pictures from this week. Some weeks I'm better than others about taking pictures of little Gabe. This week I wasn't so great.....

The poor guy had what we thought was a case of baby acne this week. At first we thought it was from snuggling up on Daddy's neck (that hadn't been shaven in a while....) - but then we noticed through the week that when he got hot it got worse. So we're thinking it might be a case of heat rash. Either way the poor guy looks sad with the red bumps. Luckily they're clearing up.

Cory was so glad to see Gabe last night when we got home. He kept telling him how much he missed him, and was very helpful with him while I tried getting settled in at home. Gabe was so happy to see his daddy too! Cory spoiled Gabe with a ton of clothes from Baby Gap when we got home. Gabe was one of the best dressed babies in church today. I'll have to take some more pictures of his adoreable little outfits. He's a cutie!

Today Gabe was GREAT in church! He hardly fussed, and we got to enjoy all of our meetings without having to go in the hall. Cory even took him to priesthood meetings with him so I could teach my young women lesson. What a good dad he is! And now he's taken a great nap, and has been in a great mood since we've been home. Let's hope I didn't just jinx it.....

Well - have a great week. We'll enjoy being home where Gabe seems to be happiest.

Gramma's House

Gabe has been on his first official trip across state lines! We left on Tuesday to go to Gramma and Grandpa's house in Farmington and we'll be back in Utah on Saturday evening. It was a long drive (about 8 1/2 hours - including breaks) and Gabe did really well. If he started to fuss I'd put on a Baby Einstein cd and he'd be content. Cory is in California for some training for work - so I'm sure he's anxious to have Gabe get home. I know Gabe's missed Cory!

In New Mexico we have enjoyed seeing family and relaxing. It's sad that we're not closer to them, and get to see them more often. Especially since Gabe's been born - it makes me want to be closer to all of our family and friends so they can enjoy him as much as we get to. I guess that's what the blog is for huh - to show pictures of our little guy.

**UPDATE - the pictures will have to come later - I can't get them to work on my mom's computer.....

Happy Birthday to Gabe!

Happy 1 month birthday little Gabe!

It is so incredible to think that Gabe is 1 month old today! It seems like just yesterday that we found out that we were expecting him - and now he's already reaching the milestone of his first birthday. I tried getting some fun pictures this afternoon, but Gabe had other ideas (hence the crying shot). Then tonight after our walk he decided to cooperate and we got some fun pictures. He really loves taking walks. That, and having his nightly bath are his favorite parts of the day.

(I like to think that Gabe was also sad that he's growing up too fast in the last picture, that was why there were all the tears.....)

Family

It was really great to have the whole Ellis and Rhien families together. It was the first time in 2 1/2 years since the Rhiens have been together, and since then we've added Laura, Allison, and Gabe to the family. Of course we had to snap a bazillion pictures. What good looking folks!

Surrounded by love

Gabe - you were definetly surrounded by love this weekend. From Great Grandparents, to uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, parents - you are loved by all! Always remember that you are loved by so many. So many prayed for you to join our family and be a part of our lives, and we are all so grateful to have you here! We love you Gabe!

What a cutie!

Gabe was absolutely adoreable this weekend (surprise, surprise!) He managed to give smiles, snuggles, and keep all of us ohhing and ahhing all weekend long. What a gorgeous baby!