14 Months

Our most exciting news is that Gabi is now taking steps! She will usually only take about 5 steps -- if what she wants is any further than that, she prefers to crawl. She is very steady on her feet, just very cautious as well. Here are a few more pictures (while we continue to wait for Easter pictures).

SOAR Playgroup is a playgroup with the children of people at Papa's work. Many of these kids are older than Gabi (lots of three-year-olds, especially, it seems), but it's fun for Gabi to play with older kids, too, and of course it's a nice social opportunity for Mama.

SOAR Playgroup: Kate, Gabi, Ella, McKenna, and Taylor


Alex, Gabi, and Ella on the trampoline at SOAR Playgroup.


Gabi squats to investigate the plants.


Kate helps Gabi walk.

Gabi found Papa's guitar case and decided to investigate. She sure does like music!

Gabi wants to open Papa's guitar case.


Gabi decides to climb on Papa's guitar case.


Gabi helps Papa play the guitar.

Yet another trip to the aquarium... The otters were up close this time! However, between the crowd and the poor lighting, we didn't get a good picture of the otters swimming right by us.

Gabi and a starfish at the aquarium.


Gabi is taller than the penguins at the aquarium.

Some pictures at home... We let some friends borrow one of Gabi's car seats, so it's been sitting in our living room for a few days after they returned it. This has proven to be very entertaining for Gabi girl.

Gabi likes to climb into the car seat in our living room.


Mama came home from Moms' Night Out
to find Papa and Gabi alseep on the bed!

And, of course, we have our weekly playgroup with 17 babies/toddlers Gabi's age. You can see all Gabi's playgroup friends on the Playgroup Blog.

Gabi peeking around Martin's backyard at playgroup.


Gabi loved to play this piano at playgroup.

Spring Time

I'm waiting for Uncle Brian to send me his pictures before I make an Easter post, but here are a bunch of other Spring pictures for you in the mean time.

Gabi's favorite activity these days is walking holding our hands. She likes to hold both hands, and she'll take off quickly, laughing the whole way.


Ava and Gabi playing together.
3/10/06


Gabi loves bananas!
3/12/06


Gabi playing her piano. She likes to dance to the music.
3/17/06
As always, Gabi is quite music lover. She has so many different dances. Sometimes she twists her torso... sometimes she stands and shakes her booty... sometimes she holds her arms up and bobs side to side... sometimes she holds her hands out and twists her wrists back and forth... sometimes she bounces to the beat. Whatever her dance, whether she jiggles her whole body or just sways with the rhythm, we always enjoy watching her.

When Karen visited us during a long layover, Gabi started a new trick. Gabi would press a button to make her toy start a song, and then she'd stand up all by herself, hold her arms up high as if she were on a roller coaster, and wiggle her bum until the song was over. Then she'd do it all over again -- she loved showing off (probably because of the wonderful reaction she got out of Karen).


Gabi peeking through her door at Great-Aunt Karen.
3/20/06


Gabi crawling through the door to Great-Aunt Karen.
3/20/06


Gabi snacking at the zoo while Ella takes a few steps.
3/31/06


Gabi and a panda bear at the zoo.
4/3/06


Gabi peeking around the corner to see what Mama and Papa are doing. -- Ooh! yardwork!
4/3/06


Gabi showing off how she can stand up all by herself!
4/3/06


Gabi and Papa climbing the tree.
4/11/06


Gabi does her rabbit sign to tell us what she sees.
4/11/06


Gabi wants to hold Cody.
4/11/06


Gabi was given a rose after church on Holy Thursday.
4/13/06


Papa helping Gabi smell her rose.
4/13/06


Gabi stirring all her rose petals in her Thumper mug.
4/13/06
Gabi has four teeth now. Number three came last week, and number four this week.

Even more exciting, Gabi took her first step on Tuesday night! She was standing (unsupported) by the coffee table playing, and she decided she wanted one of the toys on the table so she took a step to get just a bit closer to pick up the toy. I think the presence of the table that she could have grabbed gave her the security to take her first step. Afterwards I did notice her shifting weight back and forth from one foot to another, just testing it out... but no more steps on her own yet.


Gabi claps along with "If You're Happy and You Know It."
4/19/06


Gabi gives her puppy a hug!
4/19/06
The neighbors are impressed with how good Gabi is when I go outside to work in the yard. Gabi just sits near me and doesn't try to escape. I guess I should enjoy it now, because once she starts walking, that will likely change. Gabi is a very good baby, though; she doesn't get into much trouble. When we had playgroup at our house this week, I discovered that a Gabi-baby-proofed house is most definitely not a fully-baby-proofed house!


"I don't know why Mama keeps pulling all the ugly weeds.
I prefer to pick a Gerber daisy myself!"
4/20/06


Gabi chases Frank the cat while Mama does yardwork.
4/20/06

Family Day at Papa's Work

Lolo and Lola came to town last weekend for Family Day at Papa's work. We got to meet his co-workers and tour around all the places that he works. Unfortunately, Papa was working, so he was only able to join us for lunch.


Gabi showing Lolo and Lola one of her favorite passtimes
-- playing with her door.


We visited Papa at work on Family Day.


Gabi's favorite part of the Family Day tour was the fish tank!


Gabi also enjoyed the flowers outside.


Gabi can stand up on her own now...
and sit down without falling.


Gabi fell asleep on the return bus trip.


For dinner, Gabi got spaghetti!


What do we do with spaghetti?


Mmmm... spaghetti is good for stirring.


Lola and Lolo with Gabi in downtown Decatur.


Gabi with Lola and Lolo just before
they have to get on the train to the airport.