Halloween and sundry miscellanea

It's everyone's favorite pagan holiday, Halloween. So here are some pictures of the ward party (they figured no one would come if they did it on Oct. 31) and other occasions that occurred around the same time. I went as a farmer, and Gabe and Erica as the devil and angel on my shoulder. Sorry, it's been a long day of classes and I'm not feeling creative or witty. Enjoi.

Thank you for the cat

I want to thank the person who gave me this pacifier for Gabriel at my baby shower. I'm sorry I don't remember who you are, but you have blessed our lives.

I'll admit, the cat pacifier struck me as a bit creepy at first. The thought of a cat - even a stuffed one - hanging from my child's mouth was a bit disturbing to me. However, for whatever reason, Brian gave the cat pacifier to Gabe at naptime a few days ago, and Gabe grabbed a hold of it, popped it in his mouth and went to sleep. Now we give it to him before his naps and bedtime and he really likes it. 

This, from a boy who has rejected 5 other types of pacifiers. 

5 Months Old Today!

Here he is, sitting in his birthday throne. Star of the day. (I didn't really figure out his hat was supposed to be a star until I saw the patch on his bottom that said "little star")

Happy to be sitting.

And falling.

And sprawling. (He sprawls out like this the moment he falls from a sitting position. I guess it gives him a good sense of stability)

And some other cute pictures from the last few days...






(He doesn't really look like he has legs in some of these pictures...)

Autumn walks

Sorry you get this picture sideways. For some reason, I can't rotate it.

Doesn't Gabriel look thrilled to be out in 45 degrees?

Just a quick note about this blue knit hat Gabe is wearing. Our neighbor, Brian just made it for Gabe today (evidently he knits). The neighbor who always gives us extra BBQ. The neighbor who made us sour dough bread last week. The neighbor who's wife sat in our house last night while Gabe slept so Brian and I could go running together. We have incredible neighbors. 

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

Gabe has never really liked bottles.
However, now that he can hold it in his mouth himself (for about 2 seconds), he likes it a whole lot better.

Whenever I try to read to Gabe (yes, I read to him everyday, by mandate from my mom who was a 2nd grade teacher forever and believes in reading from day one to children. I have no reason to disbelieve her, and every reason to believe her, so I read to my almost 5 month old son. That was a long parenthetical thought), he steals the book from me and tries to hold it himself. 

This can be tricky business sometimes. 

Gabe held onto his hat like this for about five minutes when we went for a walk the other day.

Eureka!

GABRIEL HAS FOUND...
His feet


Solid Foods (as solid as you can call really, really runny rice cereal)


His thumb



New ways to tucker out his parents




And his inner demon.

Pictures

Gabe sometimes gets a little too excited when he's eating and ends up looking like this at a meal's conclusion.

Very excited about the outfit his mom put him in for the day! Those pants just look so comfortable to me that I can't resist putting them on him about every other day - regardless of what he's wearing on top. 

Yes Gabe? Did you have a question?