March Beginnings

Big Girl
Gabi loves to be a big girl these days. She wants to do everything that her parents do.

Gabi walking in Mommy's shoes.
Potty Training
When Gabi needs to go, she will sometimes ask to go potty. So, of course, we started taking her diaper off and letting her sit on her potty chair. She would sit and sing or read or play as long as she could hold it, and then she would declare that she was all done and request her diaper in a rather distressed voice... So we decided to try letting her sit on the potty chair with her diaper on, just to get her used to going while sitting on the chair. So far, it hasn't worked. But we can spend much time sitting and playing on that potty chair anyway.

Gabi makes the boat go zoom-zoom
while she sits on her potty chair.


Gabi pretending to talk on the phone
while sitting on her potty chair.
I'm not pushing the potty training too much. I don't look forward to the days when we're out and about with a semi-potty trained toddler. I've heard too many stories... You're finally at the front of a 20-minute check-out line at Target, and your kid has to pee -- so you have to just leave the line (and all your stuff, as merchandise is not allowed in restrooms) and go to the bathroom; then you can start your entire shopping experience over. Or what if you are at the back of a store when your kid realizes she needs to go potty -- meaning within the next 2.5 seconds -- and you end up with a puddle on the floor before you make it to the restroom at the front of the store. And when you go to the playground, you'll have to bring the potty chair along with you in the car. And when you're in a rush to get out of the house, just as you are about to leave, your kid will say she needs to potty, so you'll have to delay everything and let her sit on the chair for 15 minutes waiting for nothing, as she might not even really need to go. Diapers just sound so much easier!

Texas
We went to Dallas to celebrate Gabi's birthday (a little late) with Mommy's family. While we were there, Uncle Brian gave us a tour of the UTA campus.

Gabi with Uncle Brian and his girlfriend Kylee.


Daddy carries Gabi-in-stroller up the stairs
to check out Uncle Brian's dorm room.
It's not really a dorm room -- it's an entire dorm suite
with 3 bedrooms, a shower room, a toilet room, and a living room.


Uncle Brian and Gabi run around the flagpole.


Gabi drops a flower into the fountain and watches it float.


Gabi playing with the candles at Mommy's friend Kathie's house.
Of course, a photographer would have a beautifully photographic house!


Grampa and Gabi collect flowers in a bucket on the patio.


Gabi and Gramma Jane put together a puzzle.
Presents

Gabi helps Uncle Stephen open a present.


After Gabi opens a Christmas present and a birthday present
from Uncle Stephen, she looks around for more presents.
She spies one from Gramma Jane and Grampa!


Gabi is excited about her new pink pony from Uncle Brian and Kylee.