And I couldn't ask for more

This morning before Gabe woke up I started the day out rough. I made the mistake to get on-line and browsing around some websites that were showing pictures from a tradeshow in Las Vegas. This is a tradeshow (it's called CHA) where the majority of the scrapbook/craft products are debuted for the retail stores. They are HUGE shows, and lots of work. I went to the CHA shows the last 3 years with Kopp Design. In fact, that's how I got my start with Kopp Design was helping at the show in Anaheim in 2003.

Anyway, I was really sad because it's the first winter tradeshow that I haven't been to in several years. The shows were hard work, but they were a lot of fun too. It was fun to be with the other ladies, to have fun going out after the shows, and it was fun to do something different, get out and go somewhere on my own - doing my own thing. It was something that was just for me, and I liked that independence, and that responsibility.

So this morning I was just depressed because I wasn't getting to have fun with all of the thousands of people that are there right now. And to add to that I was feeling bummed about my progression in the scrapbook industry, and how it's come to a complete and total hault since I've had Gabe. I miss being involved in the creating process, doing layouts for assignments, and feeling like I had a talent in something.

So then Gabe wakes up and I go in to get him from his crib. He had the sweetest, most innocent and loving look on his face and I just burst into tears. Here I had been lamenting over a different life I'd had before - a different path I had taken. The path of being a mom. Then I compared what I used to do for "fun", to what I do now - and I am so much more blessed now! I love what I do. I love being able to be at home with Gabe, and devote my day to him. Yeah - I used to enjoy what I got to do with scrapbooking, but when I was enjoying that I was also spending hours and hours crying about not having children.

I guess the moral of the story is - I can't do it all. But if I had to choose between being in Las Vegas at the CHA show this week, or cuddling up in my comfy chair with Gabe reading library books - I think I'd make the choice to be with Gabe a thousand times over!

Big Boy

Gabe moved up to his big boy chair for eating at night. He's been eating in his bouncy chair, but we decided to move him on up to this handy-dandy portable high-chair. He did pretty well sitting in it. I'm pretty sure that he'd sit just about anywhere as long as we were feeding him.

Yup - he's the cutest

It's official - Gabe is officially the cutest 5 1/2 month old there is! Today he was more slobbery than ever, and then his nose started to run - what a mess! But when he gives me a smile like these I completely forget about the slobbery and other gunk. What a cutie!

Gabe got a hold of this little ad for Baby Einstein books/movies/cds. He loved having a "book" that he could look at on his own - and chew up. He would start kicking, squealing and throwing it all over - he loved it. It was fun to see him so happy with something. (It reminded me of when my little sister was small and loved any magazines or ads with Little Mermaid on them. She could spot them a mile away!)

He also loved playing with this little stuffed dog we got him. We figured it was better to give him his own dog to chew on than for him to keep trying to "kiss" the dogs. He's become quite fond of them and wants to grab their ears and shove them in his mouth....not so clean.....

pictures

Here ya go - here's the little guy. This week he's wanted to sit up, but he's not quite ready to do it for very long. I'm sure it will be a matter of days - since he does change and grow every single day. He's also been pretty fussy lately - unless he's being held. It's been hard, but I also love to hold him....so I guess it could be worse things I have to do....I have had to learn to let him cry some - and it's hard, but helps with letting him know he can't always be held. Well I hope this will cure the photo fix you all seem to need :). Love ya!

Doing alright

I've had several people email and ask why I haven't posted a picture on the blog in over a week, and asking if I'm ok. Yup - everything is fine. Cory was out of town 1/2 of last week - got home on Sunday - and so I didn't have much time to sit down on the computer and post anything. When I did finally get Gabe to sleep I was exhausted, and didn't get much computer stuff done. Cory's being gone really helped me to appreciate when he is here. I never really sat back and ralized how much he helps with Gabe when he's here. Gabe's in a phase where he wants to be held a lot - and I've been pooped from holding him so much. I was grateful for Cory when he came home so he could just hold the little guy for a while - it was a great relief.

So sorry about the lack of pictures. I'll try to post more in a while - but if I don't - I'm sorry.

Have a great day!

Rolling, rolling, rolling

Gabe's not only become more independent this week - but he's also started rolling around like crazy. He's learned that if there's something he wants across the blanket - he can roll to it. He rolls back and forth, and is most often found in some sort of rolling pose. What a cutie!

Pictures - trying again

Gabe right now

Wow - has it been a week! Gabe has developed quite a few little personality quirks this week. He has decided that he wants to be all grown up. He is just getting so frustrated that he's not 3 years old yet, and can't do all of the things that mom and dad do. He wants to sit up, he wants to read books (and turn the pages himself), he wants to type at the computer, wants to take pictures with mommy's camera, wants to eat our food, drink from mom's water-bottle, you name it - he wishes he was doing it. It's funny - because I thought this kind of independence came when they were older - like 2 or 3 years old - not 5 months old!

This wanting to be grown up, and independent has caused several screaming fits - some lasting entire days it seems. He has wanted to be in my arms constantly. Not necessarily because he wants my comfort or loves, but because he wants to grab anything I'm touching so he can be involved. It's made for a long week.

He's also been slobbering more than I thought humanly possible. There is literally a fauset attached to him and he just goobers all over us constantly. But oddly it's cute....(a face only a mother could love eh?) I'm thinking it's maybe teething; but I thought that a few months ago, and we still haven't seen any little white teeth poking up. We'll see (that could be why he's been fussing more than normal too).

Another thing Gabe has discovered this week is Baby Einstein dvd's. I popped one in earlier this week out of desperation (I'd held him a good part of the day and I was exhausted) and he was mezmerized. He loved hearing the kids, seeing the babies and listening to the music. He'll squeal and yell with delight, it's fun to listen to. He loved them so much we picked a couple more of them up today when we were in St. George. I'm not a fan of the idea of "plugging" your children in to entertain them. But these movies are educational - even teaching basic sign-language, language, colors, etc. Kinda cool.

Well I've tried to post some pictures, but they're not showing up - so I'll see if I can get them up on another post (since that's why you came here anyway - right?)

Time flies!

Holy moly - Gabe's 5 months old today! I honestly can't believe that it's been 5 months - time really has just flown right by. I hate it - I want him to stay little. I love watching him grown and change, but time just goes too fast.

**Gabe has really turned into quite the little cheeser. He definetly knows when the camera is out, and is more than willing to give us a gummy smile.

YUM!

Well, I was going to wait until Gabe was 6 months old to try food. However, this little guy has had other ideas. He has been fascinated with food! We used to be able to hold him while we ate our dinner, but he's decided now that he has to grab our fork/spoon and tries to eat whatever we're eating. Since he was showing such an interest, and the pediatrician said it was ok to start cereal after 4 months - we decided to give it a go.

We weren't terribly successful at getting much into his mouth....but he's showing interest, and is really good at opening his mouth when the spoon comes close. He's pretty good at putting the food in his mouth....but he's also pretty great at spitting it back out again. I know there's somewhat of a learning curve for he and I - so I am sure we'll get better at it. The last 2 nights he's improved some each night, and I think last night he might have even kept a bite or 2 in his mouth.

Pinata

Every year since I can remember we've done a pinata on (or around) Christmas Eve. My mom used to make the pinata - spending hours and hours creating the cutest little snowman or santa. It used to be a calm, yet fun festivity. Now as we've grown up we get somewhat violent with the hitting - looking forward to it as a way of releasing pent up frustrations. We've moved up to store-bought pinatas (though we miss Mom's cute ones!) and the candy has improved (this year it included little candy bars - YUM!) It's fun as adults to still get to enjoy banging around the pinata, and to get to share the tradition with Gabe.

Paul and Nicole's reception

Here are some pictures of Paul and Nicole's open house in New Mexico. It was held in the Buchanan's home (some friends of my parent's) - and it was the perfect setting.

My favorite part of the night was certainly the AMAZING cheesecakes that were served for refreshment - YUM! Their colors were plum and a pearly white. It was simple, and beautiful.

Unfortunately Nicole's parents - Mike and Evonne - got really sick after the wedding, and were not able to make the trip from Driggs for the open house in New Mexico. We were all sad that they couldn't make it, and hope that they're feeling better soon.