Crawling

Little Gabi learned how to crawl last week. This is simultaneously exciting and frightening--exciting because it's a new skill, but frightening because she's suddenly extremely mobile. She's bonked her head a great deal more often, and she also gets into things she shouldn't... and then gets mad when we take them away.

But enough talking... you're here for the pictures, yeah?

This is Gabi crawling after her favorite ball. Crawling after this little bit of blue plastic has quickly become one of Gabi's most treasured activities. She crawls after the ball, catches it, and then it gets away from her so she can chase it again. Amazing how amusing these simple baby games can be.

Here is Gabi at Kindermusik, crawling and reaching for some more simple bits of plastic, except that these are red, egg-shaped, and make noise if you shake them. Grampa says that the first thing Gabi does when she grabs something is to shake it to see if it makes noise, and if it doesn't make noise, then it's no good. While that doesn't always hold true (her favorite ball doesn't do anything but roll), it's pretty accurate most of the time. You can also see that Gabi has gotten the hang of reaching while crawling.


A different day at Kindermusik with different noise-making toys to explore. This ball chimes if you roll it, and was interesting enough for one crawl. But it was nowhere near as exciting as her own ball, which rolls much better and is easier to grab.

Here are some pictures of Gabi crawling in the living room. Gabi is so proud of herself when she's able to get to point B from point A. Below you can see her smiling as she sits back up by the rocking chair after a successful crawl.


And now for something completely different...


First, another cute picture of Gabi pulling up on her Papa.

Our friend Cynthia came to visit and became Notre Dame friend #6 to play with Baby Gabi. Cynthia came bearing gifts, which Gabi took immediate interest in. Below, Gabi pouts up at Cynthia because she doesn't really know what to do with a Baby Art Show DVD. ("Is it for crawling after? No? Is it for shaking? No? Is it for eating? No? Then what good is it?") Gabi only gets to watch 3-4 hours of TV a week, all on Saturday afternoon, watching a certain football team. She really likes watching Notre Dame football. Go Irish!

Unicoi State Park

Papa had a work retreat, and Mama and Gabi got to tag along. While Papa was participating in sessions with his coworkers, Mama and Gabi went exploring. Papa had some time off to hike with us, too.

Gabi on a bench by Frog Pond.


Gabi sitting on a swing along Frog Pond Trail.

We all hiked up to Anna Ruby Falls.

Gabi looking at a horse in Helen, GA.

Gabi by the fireplace at the lodge.

All this hiking made little Gabi exhausted.