Down on the Farm

This weekend we went to our friend Kristin's mom's house.  It was just over an hour drive to Berger, MO and to a place was very un-city.  Kristin's mom and husband own Ei-Ei-O Acres and Gabe had a blast!

There was so much to do and play outside.  Not to mention, lots of new baby animals(bunnies, gosling, kids, lambs, donkey) to pet.  We really had a lot of fun and can't wait to go back.  I think I'll let the pictures show the fun.

Gabe's first reaction to a baby bunny

Just walking around the farm

saying hi to a gosling

We totally look like we belong on a farm

Friendliest donkey

getting sniffed by Paco

trying to figure out what to do next

climb the dirt hill

the big lawnmower

Things that were a first for us, Gabe feeding fish, petting all new animals (way better than Grant's Farm), seeing a BIG lawnmower (he kept saying lawnmower all day long), Scott and I getting "goosed" by Paco, the friendly donkey, Gabe learning the ground rules to cornhole, and having a wonderful time until my migraine started.  I hate that we had to cut our trip short and leave our hosts so abruptly.  Next time we'll stay longer!

Goofball

This kid was cracking me up the other night.  He has recently learned how to climb on to the kitchen table chairs and thinks it's very funny when he stands up there.  He is constantly told to sit down.  He doesn't listen sometimes.  And sometimes he is just too cute to discipline. 

 

He loves to stir with his spoons and a cup.  He entertains himself for a while doing this.  This is what I caught him doing the other night.  He was making himself laugh and I got some great pictures of his new facial reactions. 

 

Please don't mind the lack of clothes.  Someone was drinking out of my water cup and it ended up down his shirt and shorts.  It was pre-bath time playtime anyway.

 

Big News!

Gabe has some big, HUGE news to share with everyone!  In November, Gabriel will be a Big Brother!

 

Cheeeesssseeee!

As you can see, Gabe takes his announcement very seriously.  We, I mostly, figured that it was time to let the cat out of the bag and share the news with everyone.  It's finally Facebook official for all to see. 

I'm 21 weeks along and just like with Gabriel, Baby A's gender will be a surprise.  Who doesn't like surprises?  Pregnancy-wise, things have gotten a lot better for me.  I had some all day nausea and didn't want to eat anything for the first trimester(take that as you will).  Now, only foods that I over do have that affect on me.  I'm even ok cooking and eating chicken, things that I couldn't do while pregnant with Gabe.  I've had a few more intense migraines this go around too.  

It's amazing how much faster this pregnancy is going.  Just over half way there.  Gabe isn't too sure about anything that is going on, but what can you expect from a 16 month old. 

Feel free to place your bets...girl or boy? 

Grub and Groove

This past weekend was the 3rd annual Grub and Groove in Francis Park.  It's a neighborhood get together sponsored by a bunch of neighborhood companies and restaurants.  There was live music and entertainment for the kids.  It was a great family event. 

We arrived a little later than I had hoped, Gabe took a late afternoon nap.  And did he need it.  We got there, found a stop and laid down our blanket.  We checked out the Bubble Bus first.  Gabe was a little confused about all the bubbles at first.  I think he warmed up to it a little later. 

We grabbed some food from Mathew's kitchen and headed back to our blanket to eat and listen to the music.  After a quick dinner, Gabe and Scott headed over to the playground to check out the slides.  Zipf and I were able to catch up.

There was a great turn out for the event.  We left just as a storm was rolling in.  We did stop at Ted Drewes on our way home and still managed to get home just as the rain started coming down.

Father's Day

This year's Father's Day was low key.  Scott and I headed down to his parents house to pick up Gabe and instead of going to the Science Center, we enjoyed a day watching baseball and a Western.  Not to mention it was the start of Gabe's almost week long sickness.  We did get to see the Cardinals win and Gabe played outside and napped most of the day.

Prior to actual Father's Day, we decided we'd celebrate the following weekend just the three of us.  Which has turned out to be a great decision.  This coming weekend, Gabe and I are giving Scott his present and the gift of time to get work done on a Saturday.  I think Scott is really looking forward to that.

So fast forward to the weekend after Father's Day.  We hadn't planned for it to be busy but it was.  We had a doctor's appointment on Friday morning and then I took the rest of the day off.  I was finally able to get all that cleaning I wanted to do done...well not exactly.  I relaxed, watched the World Cup and then wen to the mall.  Some cleaning was done and I felt better. 

As soon as Scott was home, we opened his Father's Day gift.  Gabe was so thoughtful and knew that his dad mentioned he wanted an iHome a few times.  So that little guy went out and got him one. 

Scott loved it and it was set up immediately.  All tech related items that enter our house are played with as soon as possible. 

Sadly, I don't have any Gabe and Scott pictures opening the gift but it was a fun time.

Happy Father's Day!  Kinkos!

Teething...

We have been dealing with a very unhappy, sick boy the last couple days.  Gabe is a slow teether and now all have decided that it's time to come in.  For 3 days we have been battling low grade fevers, crabbiness, clingy and fussiness.  Although we have enjoy the extra snuggles and hugs, we are ready for this to end.

Gabe is finally starting to eat again.  He hasn't eaten much since Sunday (Father's Day) breakfast.  He has been wanting to be held and nap on us all the time.  He has missed a day and half of daycare and missing playing with his friends.

Teething is tough

Thankfully, I can see some end in sight.  He helped me eat my lunch today and he is very playful.  And the best news, no more fever!

Can't wait for our busy to return!

St. Gabriel's Picnic

This past Saturday was St. Gabriel's School Picnic.  If you know me, it's basically a holiday.  I loved being able to take Gabe up there last year and show him off to old friends from the neighborhood and catch up with grade school friends. 

This year was more of the same, except we took Gabe to the parade in the morning.  It wasn't his first parade but it was his first time going in for the candy.  Before the parade we stopped at Donut Drive in for breakfast.  Gabe has his first donut and thoroughly enjoyed it. 

We found our spot on Nottingham and ran into Mr. Hynes.  Mr. Hynes jumped in and showed Gabe how to get as much candy as possible.  By the end of the parade he was collecting candy like a pro. 

Gabe and Uncle Robbie grabbing the goodies

Once the last car passed us on Nottingham, we marched over to Tamm to watch the whole thing over again.  We ran into the Bello's and watched the second half with them. 

Afterwards we went back to the Bello's house and Gabe played on the swing set in the backyard.  We were getting close to meltdown so we took that as our cue to head back to the car.  Of course we walked back through the picnic and I ran into a few more people I knew.  And we stopped at the Birch house for bathroom and diaper changes.

It was exhausting going to a school picnic.  We all took naps in the afternoon.

 Later that night, Scott and I went back for the adult portion of the picnic.  Everyone hanging out at the beer booth.  I saw 2 great friends from grade school that I hadn't seen in a couple years and Scott ran into guys from high school.  It wasn't just a reunion for me!  Scott was put to work in the beer booth for a while and then we found a spot to watch the fireworks.  The finale was awesome!  And we finished the night with a trip to the Mack.  Great School Picnic!

Little Chef

Gabriel has always loved to be next to us while we are cooking, anything.  He will take a cup and spoon and sit and mix things up, usually the air inside the cup.  A little over a month ago, Scott let Gabe help him flip pancakes while he was making breakfast.  Now Gabe loves to help flip pancakes and is starting to get the hang of it and becoming a great little chef.  Look out Aunt Michelle!

 

You have to concentrate while cooking

Enjoying his pancakes

The pancakes were delicious.  I think he's got a handle on this and is ready to really start cooking bigger things, maybe sous chef at Bella Vino? 

Random

Things in the Allenzotti House have been very busy.  My lack of posts might be a good way to point that out.  We've been travelling and have had a visitor at the house.  I'm really hoping to get caught up on a lot of posts from May. 

I will leave with a sneak picture from our trip.  This was Gabe's first trip to the beach, the night we arrived.  He warmed up to the ocean and the pool very quick.