Laundry Baskets + Boxes = Peaceful Playtime

Where Did All The Muffins Go?

Aha!

Free Entertainment for the Dog-less & Baseball-less!

To the chagrin of the kids,

Samuel and I are proud members of the

"No Pets, Club".

Thank goodness for the dog park,

which is crawling with...

well, dogs!

After Gabriel got his fix,

{ Right now he's fascinated with dogs!}

we headed to the ballpark for a picnic on the bleachers.

Wherein,

Gabriel loves dogs,

Owen loves baseball...

And we even spotted some kids from church
all suited up and throwing the ball around!

...

It was a super-fun

-super-free!-

evening at the park(s)!

Except now they want dogs again...

Sigh.

Spring is Here!

It's hard to tell in the photos,

but yes,

that's Gabriel...

with mud smothered all over his hair!

...

Spring.

It's here!



Hats & Grandma Love

Gabriel Dodge

While we waited for Owen and the girls to finish up

with their dentist appoinments,

it struck me how much this little guy has changed.

He was just sitting on a little chair,

happily swinging his legs,

completely content in just being there!

Little does he know that in a few short months

he'll be in the dentist's chair too!

And that this is just the beginning of
all kinds of wonderful

-and some not so wonderful-

things to come!

But until then,

we'll just wait!

I feel that way too!

One minute sober, quiet, watchful...

...the next:

Look-out!

Isabella's Big Day: Pierced Ears

My mom had my ears pierced

when I was a whole three months old,

and when I had my girls I knew I wanted to wait

and let them be apart of the decision.

For Isabella,

my timid one,

the decision was easy.

It was always:

"Maybe next year..."

So when she came to me and said,

"I'm ready."

I smiled.

Because I knew she was.

Calm, cool, and collected.

Well, there was a little bit of nervousness!

Thank goodness for crazy little brothers

who provide plenty of distraction!

Once she was seated,

it was all over in a matter of seconds!

Of course,

she did great!

No tears...just smiles!

Congratulations Isabella! 

It was an interesting family outing.

Ava and Iris are even more convinced

that they'll pierce their ears later...

many years later!

As for Gabriel and Owen,

we'll just try to keep them from jumping off

the second story of the mall!

What a Difference a Hat Makes!

Where's my little boy?

I expect this little guy to take to the field at any second

to catch the fly ball!

{Is that even a baseball term?!?}

I love you, my son!

And don't get too big for your britches:

You are, and always will be...

MY BABY!

5-second rule!

Sweet Cheeks & Thunderbolts

Baby's with some heft are rare in our family-

only Ava and Gabriel have graced us with rolls,

so forgive me for celebrating my little man.

He's not a chunky-monkey by any means-

but he is sturdy-

especially compared to Owen,

and recently,

to my dismay,

I realized he was growing. 

Which meant only one thing...

All that beautiful baby fat

was starting

to

disappear...

Sad!

So one last hurrah
(Sorry, I couldn't resist the lightening bolt)...

 

before he grows...



up...

for good.

I love you, sweet cheeks!

XOXOMom 



Happy First Birthday, Gabriel!

Little man.

Moose Munch.

Bear.

Choncho.

Basically,

no matter what your nickname,

you are everything and more to us!

Happy First Birthday, Gabriel!

We had a great time celebrating with cousins, Taylor & Lola.

And of course,

with all the grandmas!

 We feasted on classic kid-fare:

Hot dogs & Potato chips

And for the grown-ups:

Spicy Polish Dogs

with mustard,

fresh sliced-tomatoes,

and crisp Kosher Dills!

The birthday boy had other ideas about what tasted good...

...and was delighted by the whole present-opening experience!

The cake was another story...

...but in the end that won him over too!





One is king!

Happy Birthday, son!

The Night Before One

Where did the time go?

On the eve of Gabriel's first birthday
I took him into the front yard to look at the stars.

This little guy is so special to our family,

and I needed that quiet moment to savor his baby-i-ness.



He indulged me for approximately 3 seconds!

Thank you, son!

For letting me hold you,

love you,

and of course,

the awesome priveledge
of being your mom!

I am so very grateful.

Love,

Me

Cake Skills

What with all of  Owen's birthday festivities

there was ample opportunity for Gabriel to practice his upcoming

first birthday cake skills.

This was a good thing.

For as you can see...

He was clearly unnerved!

No matter though! 

That's what cousins are for!

To help you along!

And of course, to share the burden!

Thanks Miss V! 

I've got it now. 

And I promise to lend you a hand when you need one too!

Love,

Gabriel