Visitors

Well My mom recently came to help me with Gabe.  I thought I would have had him by the time she got here- but no such luck.  Which I was actually happy about because My mom and I went to every Thrift store in Naples the day before I was induced.  We had a great time!  My dad came out a couple days later.  It was so nice to see them.  I gave my dad a hug and realized I hadn't seen him in 2 YEARS!!!

Here is me with my parents the day after I got out of the hospital.  Gabe is 3 days old.  We had a fun lunch and then went and walked along the beach and looked at some beautiful houses.  I wish I got a picture of Gabe at the beach for his first time at 3 days old- but I forgot.  It was a beautiful day.

At barefoot beach- we saw 9 turtles.  It was pretty cool.  

My mom and dad took the kids on Saturday and went down Alligator Alley.  They loved it!

Cute Ellie- notice the alligator in the water

Paul-

Kyle, and yes those are alligators.

The kids- notice that cool bird in the background.  My dad loved all the birds here. 

My mom sewed a bunch of bedding for me- and decorated my back porch while I was in the hospital.  I will take pictures and post them next week. 

Paul

Well, Paul got glasses- and he is so cute in them!!  He loves them and was so excited to wear them to school.  He looks just as smart as he really is.

For Valentines Day Paul brought me home this tin- foil chocolate kiss and this letter. 

Here is what is said: My mom is the best in the world and she deserves something special.  She needs special kisses!  The reasons my mom needs special kisses is she is very nice, she works so much, and makes yummy dinner.  One of the reasons my mom deserves extra kisses is she is so nice.  Once she even saved me from a charging cow!  (that is true)  She is very nice is she loves me more than anything.  Another reason my mom is nice is as a baby, without her loving me, I would have died as a baby.  The last reason she is nice is she gives me hugs, it feels good inside.  Another reason she needs more smooches is she works for me all the time.  A way it is good for me is it gives me less chores.  Another way it is good for me is when she cleans, it is cleaner for me.  The last reason is my mom works so hard for me.

Another reason she needs more kisses is she always makes yummy dinner.  A reason I love her supper is it gives me lots of energy.  The second reason I absolutely love her amazing cooking is it is healthy for the whole family.  The last reason I like her cooking is it is as delitios as candy.             My mom is the most polite and wonderfly  nice person in the world.  When she kisses me, I want to give it back and kiss her.  She is very nice, she works so much  and she always makes dinner.  I hope you understand why she needs more kisses.  

 

What a great kid!!  I love my Paul as much as he loves me!!  I have to add- that kindness with my kids is starting to pay off.  Paul was such a hard baby and toddler.  He was into EVERYTHING!  He made messes and broke practically everything.  Lots of people told me I should be spanking and disciplining him.  I didn't follow their advice.  I just loved him- and gave him lots of redirection.  But I really feel like it is starting to pay off.  
One more story about Paul.  The last week of my pregnancy- some lady was going on and on about how big I was.  Paul said to her, "Please don't be rude to my mom".  He always sticks up for me.  I love you Paul!!

3 Weeks ago

Ok-I found this video and I think it's pretty funny.  Maybe just to me-but this is my blog so bear with me.  This is 3 weeks ago- the day before they induced me.   This is the nesting instinct in action!  It was absolutely necessary for me to clean off the back porch before baby comes.  Go figure.  Anyways, my mom actually decorated the whole back porch for me while I was in the hospital- I will post pictures of that in a couple of days.  But for now- enjoy:) And please remember- I just woke up, I"m 10 months pregnant, I have no makeup on, and I haven't done my hair- so I'm not quite at my best.  But it's ok- it's me in all my pregnancy- craziness glory.

An Update

Well, Gabe is 2 weeks old!  And we are doing great.  It is so wonderful to have a little baby.  I feel like my mother instincts are just in full swing and I love it.  I feel like this is what I was born to do.  For so many years I had to work and be a mom at the same time and it was just too much for me.  I LOVE just being a mom!  I don't want to curse myself but he has been sleeping pretty good so far.  It is funny how enjoyable having a little baby is when you get enough sleep!  And how hard it is when you don't get enough sleep.   The other night he slept from 11 pm to 11 am- 12 hours! I felt great!  That was the 2nd time he has slept through the night.  But typically he is up once or twice a night.  Which is not bad for a new born.  I have had a couple really bad nights when he was up at 4.
 Ellie was the worst! She would cry for a minimum of 3 hours every night.  I took her to Dr. Clayton  (the best Dr. in the world!) and he said, "she has acid reflux."  I gave her the medicine and after 2 days she was a different baby. 
Anyways- back to Gabe.  We are just loveing him to death.  The kids are still fighting over who gets to change him.  Ellie got peed on and said, "He peed on me and I don't even mind!"  I know what she means. He can do no wrong.  

Paul and cute baby Gabe

Gabe is like the family toy.  You have to get in line to hold him.

The kids are always gathered around him like this.  So cute.

1st bath!

Just chillin

Yawning

I wore this cute little outfit was I was a baby.

We love our baby Gabe!!

More Pictures

The things kids say

Paul is hilarious.  The other day I had a box of Nursing Pads out.  On the cover of the box was a picture of 2 skinny women wearing sports bras.  Paul looked at the picture on the box and said, "Oh, yea right, like either one of those women has ever had a baby in her life!"

Welcome Baby Gabe!!!!

Moments after birth

Our HAPPY FAMILY!!!

Darren and his new son