Dynamics

I've been trying to teach Gabe the difference between loud and soft so when I ask him to use his "soft voice" he knows what I'm talking about. What this has resulted in so far is him periodically shouting "LOUSSSSE" (loud) or "SSSSOOOFT" as I'm singing or talking. I'm expected to promptly change my dynamic as he shouts these directions.

Here's Gabe basking in the sun, reading. (Just like his mom.)

Someone discovered the Strawberry Fanta.

Gabe's often found like this playing with his cars.

I knew it was a little too quiet as I sorted the laundry.

Nap time didn't go so well today.

An outdoors boy in an indoor sort of way

A Random Update

While my parents were in town, we took Gabe to the Firehouse Museum in downtown Beaumont. Gabe had a good time "driving" one of the trucks.

Grandma bought Gabe some painting supplies! Thanks to Tamara, a good friend in Michigan, he already had a smock. And thanks to a little dumpster diving with GiGi, we had an easel. The boy's all set for any artistic endeavor he may have has a toddler.

Happy about the Superbowl results.

The outfit Gabe picked out all by himself the other day. Pretty impressive if you as me.

Grandparent Time

Sewing with Grandma

Hiking with Grandpa

Painting Parrot

Brian's out of town for the week - so this picture is for him. My apologies to everyone else.
Gabe has become a bit of a parrot. He picks out the easiest or most dominant word in anything I say and repeats it back to me as a question. It's quite cute, especially when it's a word or phrase like "I love you" (which is more like aaathooo). Still cute.

We had painting time today.



Painting time quickly turned into make-up artist time. He even used the mirror on his new toy from Aunt Tiff to be extra meticulous. I had to stop him when he started trying to paint the inside of his ear. He actually got a lot painted before intervened.

Like much of the country, we had a cold spell here in TX. It got down to the 20's!! That's said with a little bit of sarcasm - but I won't pretend I didn't feel terribly cold in our uninsulated, raised house. Gabe must have too, because one day when we were headed out he insisted on sporting the fashions of not one, not two, but three jackets.

Not about Christmas

I love Christmas. But, I guess I'm not very sentimental - or I just can't keep track of anything when we go to NOLA, including my camera. I don't really have any pictures of Christmas or New Years, although we had a wonderful time.

Elijah and Gabe started this game all on their own. Elijah was great with Gabe.

For some reason, Gabe thinks it's fun to rub food in his hair. This was banana pudding right before we headed out for Christmas vacation.

It makes great hair gel.

Gabe is going through a phase where he likes putting socks on his hands. He'll walk around for quite some time, doing the best he can with sock hands.

Hair Cuts: Before and After