First Christmas

Gabriel had a great first Christmas.  Scott put together one of Gabe's gifts the night before so he could see Santa's gift first.  Although, I'm pretty sure he had no clue what to do until we showed him how to open things.

My mom found a baby Santa hat that we tried to get on Gabe, he wasn't having it, most of the time.  I'll let the pictures to the talking for Gabe's Christmas fun.

After we opened presents we had a small breakfast before taking off on a walk around the neighborhood.  It was just too nice out not to get out.  Then we had lunch and a trip to the park for the dogs to get in a run.  At the park, Gabe walked everywhere.  He even learned to play in the grass/dirt areas.

 

 

It's safe to say this kid had a great Christmas!

San Antonio Trip

Gabe took his first long car ride to visit my parents in San Antonio for Christmas.  It was a long drive.  Our plan was to leave St. Louis around 4 on Friday and spend the night in Tulsa.  Mother Nature did not like that plan.  We were making great time until we hit the ice storm just west of Springfield.  We decided it would be the smart thing to do to spend the night in Joplin. 

We made the right decision on stopping.  The ice was getting thick on our windshield and by the morning, we had over an inch of ice stuck to the car.  Scott scraped the windshield twice before we left the hotel.  The weather was with us until we got through Oklahoma City.  It was a huge slow down on our drive. 

We arrived in Dallas mid-afternoon and hung out with my friend Kelly.  She was able to finally meet Gabe and let him play on her baby grand piano for a while.  We took a walk around the neighborhood before hoping back in the car and on to San Antonio.

We arrived in San Antonio around 9pm Saturday night.  It was a very long day on the road and we were happy to be at my parents house.  On Sunday, we were up early and on the road to the Outlet Mall in San Marcos.  There was a little last minute shopping that needed to be done.  Amazingly, we beat the crazy crowds.  We were in and out of there in an hour or so.  Then it was time to have some fun.  We stopped in Gruene (Green), Texas to check out the oldest dance hall in Texas. 

 

On Monday we drove over to Schulenburg, Texas to meet my friend Samantha and her daughter Layla for lunch.  Layla is 3 and this was the first time we met!  A trip to Houston for me is well overdue.  After a walk through of the General Store and lunch at McDonald's and a walk through the General Store again (pecan pies were bought), we found an elementary school playground.  Gabe had his first experience on slides and swings and loved it.  Layla loved running around and the slides.

 

When we got back to my parents house, Gabe found a great place to sit and watch the dogs play.  Every morning we had to open the blinds for him to look out. 

 

Later that night, Gabe was able to go to one of my favorite restaurants, Alamo Cafe.

 Some one was a little excited for Christmas.  He still had 2 days to wait!  Most nights we would walk the neighborhood with Gabe to see the lights and get him ready for bed.  The weather was too nice.

 On Christmas eve we had amazing weather!  Scott and I went for a 2.6 mile walk.run.  I told Scott that I would like to do 3 5K's this year.  So we started training while in SA. 

 Gabe did a little light reading.  He is really starting to enjoy his books and Scott loves it.

We even we to Rudy's for BBQ to meet up with the girls I used to babysit.  How crazy it is that they are 8 and 10!  We had fun catching up and enjoying the food.

When we got home, Gabe was back to walking around the house and moving chairs.  He loves to move chairs!

 

 

Gabe received some awesome gifts this Christmas.  Christmas will be another post.  On Thursday, we, Gabe and I, met up with a former co-worker of mine and her daughter at Alamo Cafe (I really like this place).  Her daughter is 2 months younger than Gabe, it was a cute first date with their moms. 

On Friday we loaded, I mean loaded up the car and took off for home.  We made great time and decided to drive the whole way home in 1 day.  It was a long day but so happy to back home and sleep in our warm beds.

Thanks Grammie and Grandpa John for a fun week!

Walking

We have a walker!  Our pediatrician said Gabe would walk by 10 months and to the date (12-11), he was walking.  Before we left for San Antonio he would walk about 5-6 steps at a time.  Once we got back from our Christmas trip he is mostly walking everywhere.  

Hurry up Dad!

When we first arrived in San Antonio he was walking 10 steps, falling and getting right back up.  By the time we left and headed home he was walking in circles around my parents house.  The biggest walk he did was around 30 feet, from the family room through the dining room to the front door.  He walked over 3 different types of flooring without missing a beat.

 


Now days Gabe is walking up an down halls and all around the house.  It's a whole new experience with him walking everywhere.

Meeting Santa

We finally got around to taking Gabe to see Santa.  We went to Plaza Frontenac, they have a great Santa with real beard and all.  He was extremely patient.  He even left his chair to hide so a little boy wouldn't be scared and then snuck behind the chair for the actual picture.  He was great! 

Gabe was a champ waiting in line for 45 minutes and enjoyed seeing all the Christmas trees, lights, and wreaths at the mall.  He was told that he was so cute and he just smiled and flashed his dimples.  Then it was time for me to hand him off to Santa.  He was completely fine until I let go.  Then the whimpering and tears started to well up.  We managed one decent picture (not screaming) of him with the big guy. 

Sorry, pic of a pic

I honestly expected much louder cries.  I was completely happy with the outstretched arms and longing face.  After 5 really quick pictures, we had a great Elf too, Gabe was back in my arms and happy as a clam.

Ornaments

Gabriel is lacking the ornament department.  Sure he is only 10 months old and it's his first Christmas, but the kid needs some artsy ornaments.  So, at Miss Jessica's house yesterday she and the boys, Ford and Gabe, created their first ornaments.

It is a hand and a foot on colored paper.  I just need to get a whole punch and string.  I'm extremely happy that Jessica was able to make these and Gabe cooperate with her.  I can't get enough of the foot and hand prints.  

 

 

Since the Christmas tree is up and we've done a good job of keeping Gabe away from it, Reily has chosen under the tree as her zone.  She likes to curl up there while we are playing in the living room.  She can watch us and Gabe's movements from this corner.  Who wouldn't want to find an adorable pup under the tree?

 

Deck the Blog

I found a little survey that is part of a blog link-up.  It is helping me get in the Christmas spirit, and I may have had some extra time at work today.

What's your favorite Christmas movie?

I do love movies with a holiday theme.  I have to watch While You Were Sleeping, Love Actually, The Holiday and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 

 

What's on your Christmas list?

It seems that clothes are high on my list, I'd love a Fitbit for a fun gadget

When/How did you learn that Santa wasn't real?

I found out in 4th grade.  A couple other kids were talking about it in school and I went home to ask my mom about it.

Favorite Christmas song?

'Baby It's Cold Outside', 'Jingle Bell Rock', or 'I'll Be Home for Christmas'

Best gift you've ever received?

I think it would have to be my skateboard and pink boom box that I got in the same year.  I thought I was pretty bad ass with those gifts.  Although, getting my own phone for my room was pretty cool too.

Finish the Sentence... Christmas Edition!

Another link-up Christmas style...Enjoy

1. My favorite Christmas was.... this Christmas (2013) seems to be a great Christmas so far.  I love seeing Christmas in Gabe's eyes.

2. The worst Christmas I had... The one when we moved on actual Christmas day (2003), the new neighbors thought we were crazy.  And probably Christmas of 1997, the 4 of us in a 1 bedroom apartment in San Antonio.

3. That one gift that made me scratch my head and say, "Hmmmm" was... I once received an Adam Ant CD - had no clue who he was, it was returned
 

4. One year I.... my brother and I went shopping at Best Buy and just paid for each other's baskets.  We never wrapped the gifts and started using them as soon as we got home.
 

5. I think the worst gift to give is.... subscriptions to "of the month" items
 

6. At Christmastime I typically.... I bake cookies, sugar, no bake, chocolate chip and make fudge - it's just not Christmas without all of this in the house.
 

7. Typically, family Christmas....is spent at the movies after dinner.
 

8. If I could change one thing about the Holiday season.... it would be longer.
 

9. It is so hard to buy for.... Me, I never know what to say I want/need.
 

10. My favorite Christmas tradition is... watching Christmas movies on Christmas Eve
 

11. Santa, baby, bring me a .... a new wardrobe, a painter (to paint the house for free), new iPhone...I'm sure I could go on, however I can't think of anything right now, kinda like when someone asks what I want...

Main Street St. Charles

I've been wanting to check out Main Street St. Charles at Christmas for the last few years.  It seems like something always came up on the weekends before Christmas and we never made it out there.  This year, Scott had to drop off the car for Michelle on Sunday at the restaurant she works at (Bella Vino on Main Street - AMAZING! (shameless plug)). 

So we parked the car and picked up a couple lattes and walked down to the restaurant.  We were greeted by people from all time periods with costumes and accents.  It was very cool to see the street performers up and down the street.  Gabe was complimented by a couple of them for his cuteness (duh) and his amazingly blue eyes (duh). 

We hung out at the restaurant for a while, our second time there in 3 days (it's good!).  We were told a parade was about to start, but we never saw it.   Scott was exhausted from running in the Hot Chocolate 15K (in 20 degree weather) that morning and Gabe was ready for a nap.

We did pass the Christmas tree and took a couple selfie/family pics before making it home.

Gabe photo bombs mom & dad

Gabe is clearly thrilled we stopped

Birthday Party

Gabe has gone to birthday parties, but he finally went to one of his friend's birthday.  We celebrated Ford's first birthday this past weekend.  We ran into some St. Gabriel people at the party, which is fun.  Gabe did really good playing with the other children.  Gabe wasn't too sure about the presents, neither was Ford.  But it was fun to watch the kids help open the gifts and Gabe test out the new toys. 

Gabe did show off some of his new walking skills at the party.  It was a replay of Thanksgiving for Scott and I, walking in circles, up and down the stairs.  But the kid just loved it. 

10 Months!

Guess who is 10 months old?!  How did this happen?  I feel like I was just writing about him being 9 months.  Time is moving very fast!  Gabe went to Miss Jessica's on his 10 month and played with his buddy, Ford.  No doctor's appointments for this month.  I'm guessing he is around 22lbs, since he is mobile now he looks to be thinning out.

Things Gabe is into these days:
- Walking with help
- Taking 2-5 steps on his own
- Tayo the Little Bus
- Playing with his Fire Truck
- Dancing to the refrig magents
- Trying new foods
- Knowing who mama and dada is

He has been very busy lately.  He can climb the stairs by himself and gets mad when we say no.  He is starting to be a little more stubborn when we say no to things, not sure where he gets that from.  But he is a very happy and healthy little boy.

Pre-Christmas Weekends

This holiday season is moving at a records pace.  I have done zero gift shopping.  But we have our house decorated.  Still no trips to see Santa yet, part of me is excited to see what Gabe does, the other part knows he is going to scream like crazy.  We shall see.

Last weekend we spent looking for a new washing machine.  We found one, and got a great deal on it.  Now if the plumbing worked I could use it.  But that's another story.  After the washer was delivered we quickly ran to Lowe's to get our Christmas tree.  Since the weather had been below freezing for a couple days, there was no way I was going to go out in the cold with a baby just to cut down a tree.  If only we went the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

So off to Lowe's to get a tree.  It's much smaller than last year, but with a 10 month old running around, it's just easier on all of us.  Gabe's sitter, Miss Jessica, put her tree up a week before us and said the boys don't even notice it.  And since our tree has been up for 5 days, Gabe hasn't even tried to pull anything off.  Yay!

After we picked the tree we spent the next couple hours baking and getting ready for our friends to come over on Sunday.  Scott's parents were nice enough to come over to watch the Mizzou games (basketball and SEC Championship) and watch Gabe while we ran around like crazy people (mostly me cleaning and cooking).  

 

Our annual Friend Christmas party went off with out a hitch.  Everyone came over to catch up and enjoy some RedZone Football.  This year was much easier since I just made some appitezers and chili.  I think this will be our plan for the next few years, as least until Gabe is old enough to be left alone.   

 

I'm excited to see what all this Christmas Season brings, maybe less snow.

Winter Wonderland Express

Instead of doing Black Friday shopping and dealing with crazy crowds, we decided to take Gabe to see the Winter Wonderland Express at the Botanic Gardens.  Jeni's house is very close to the gardens and this made for a fun family outing after Thanksgiving. 

The exhibit was a mini- Chicago made of candy and gingerbread.  There was a lot of details in the designs and it was very fun to learn about how it was made.  Gabe did great watching the trains move around the towns.  He just starred as the trains went past him.  There was the occasional wave bye-bye to the trains.  We walked through the exhibit twice and thought the inside snow was great. 

I'll let the pictures do the talking: