Happy Halloween!

Gabi visited two pumpkin patches for Halloween pictures.
Can you find our little pumpkin?

Trick or Treat?!

It's a pumpkin drum!

I've got a squash!

Screaming with delight.

Eating Veggie Puffs on Halloween. Gabi likes to feed herself.

Papa and Gabi at Kate and Luke's Halloween party.

Gabi found a bag of Skittles!

Gabi "eating" candy.

Sharing with Papa.

Mama and Gabriella waiting for trick-or-treaters.

Check out the DeKalb Playgroup blog for more Halloween pictures. All the babies dressed up last week for a Halloween playgroup, and we visited Arbor Terrace Assisted Living in costume today.

Gabi at Halloween Playgroup last Tuesday.

This Arbor Terrace resident showed Gabriella her shiny watch.

8 Months

Gabi and Papa watch the bunnies.

Gabriella loves her Papa!

Gabi makes a face to let us know what she thinks about mashed bananas.	...banana peel, on the other hand, she wouldn't relinquish easily.
Mmm. Squash isn't so bad.	Daddy's Girl

Gabi and her 3-year-old friend Kate.

Kate (aka Snow White) gives Gabi and hug.

Exploring Decatur with our Visitors

Gramma Jane, Grampa, and Uncle Brian came to visit last weekend.

Flu Shot
First, Gabi had to get her flu shot. I brought a pacifier, a cup of water, and a bag of sugar. Just before her shot, I dipped the pacifier in the water and then in the sugar and gave it to her just as the nurse was preparing the shot site. It did the trick of distracting Gabi -- she didn't even notice the shot!

	Gabriella looks like such a big girl, sitting with her sippy cup and new shoes!
	Gabi is intrigued by the sugar-coated pacifier.

Kindermusik with Gramma Jane and Grampa

Gabi dancing at Kindermusik.

Gabi playing the drum at Kindermusik.

Outside Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.

Walking around downtown Decatur
We dropped Mama's car off at the shop and rode the MARTA to downtown Decatur to enjoy a day of walking and exploring.

Grampa and Gabi in the gazebo at Decatur Square.

Grampa shows Gabi a fuzzy caterpillar in downtown Decatur.

We investigated a toy store in downtown Decatur.

Gabi tries out the rocking cow.

Gabi plays with a toy car.

We also visited the Decatur library.

Gabi sits on a tiger at the Decatur library.

Gabi shows Gramma Jane and Grampa some books.

Watching the Notre Dame football game

Gabi says, "Go Irish!" while she plays with her paper cup.

Gabi turns off the TV to get everyone's attention.

Gabi takes Uncle Brian's glasses.

Gramma Jane and Gabi at nap time.

Sunday Brunch

We went to Sweet Melissa's on the square for brunch.

Gabi loves to drink water from a glass.

Meme-tag from Magda

Tag! You're it! Baby Gabi has been invited by Maig to share the following things about herself:

Five things I plan to do before my first birthday
(in lieu of "...before I die"):

• 1. Learn to talk.
• 2. Grow longer hair.
• 3. Eat table food.
• 4. Make my grandparents come all the way out here at least four times just to see me!
• 5. Sing with Mama and Papa at church.

My pincer grasp
Five things I can do:

• 1. Get Mama's attention.
• 2. Pick up small objects with the pincer grasp.
• 3. Drink water from an open glass (and through a straw), with help.
• 4. Play peek-a-boo and find objects hidden under a blanket.
• 5. Sit 'n' scoot.

Standing with my friends at the zoo
Five things I cannot do:

• 1. Walk unassisted.
• 2. Use real words.
• 3. Crawl... although I'm getting there!
• 4. Pat the bunny... gently.
• 5. Understand the word "no."

I figured out that my play mat works like a puzzle.
Five things I do most often
(in lieu of "five things that attract me to the opposite sex"):

• 1. Attract strangers and be cute so as to earn compliments from anyone and everyone who sees me.
• 2. Put things in my mouth. (I can bite off bits of paper, so Mama has to watch me so I won't choke!)
• 3. Entertain myself, especially if given rubber duckies and/or able to see Mama.
• 4. Insist on the undivided attention of one or both of my parents.
• 5. Percuss. (Everything really is a drum!)

Being cute with my friend Tigger
Five things I say most often:

• 1. "Gee" -- I'm really happy!
• 2. "Hi" -- in response to your "hi"
• 3. "Mama" -- Mama, come pay attention to me!
• 4. "dadadada babababa ma-ba-da-da" -- I have a lot to say.
• 5. "Ahhhhhhh" -- just to make a sound

My Smile
Five things that make me smile
(in lieu of "five celebrity crushes"):

• 1. Seeing Mama come into my room when I wake up from a nap or seeing Papa come home from work.
• 2. Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, and Breastmilk. I also like rice cereal and peas.
• 3. Watching my beautiful three-year-old friend Kate, who makes me laugh.
• 4. Swinging like a monkey. Monkey, monkey, monkey!
• 5. Dancing to music.

Mmm! Yummy play mat!
My nominations, should they choose to accept them:

• Ellie
• Uncle Brian
• Uncle Stephen
• Papa
• "Uncle" John