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.

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.