By Day Six of our road trip it appeared Gabriel was used to the hotel room and our routine. He and I would wake up early in the morning, usually around sunrise. We'd get ready for the day and head down to breakfast. The breakfast room at this time in the morning wasn't busy and we were able to sit and enjoy our breakfast. We'd then head back up to the room, at this point either Louis would wake up and I'd go down with both the boys back to get Louis breakfast or Matt and Leah would finally wake up and head down together. It was nice to spend the early morning with the boys.
On our final day in Toronto we visited the Ontario Science Centre and Centre Island.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Baby G on the Road - Part III
By the fourth day of our road trip I found I wasn't as worried about Gabriel and the car anymore. In fact by this point he was happily climbing INTO his car seat--a first for him. It was a nice change as up until this point I've always felt guilty about forcing him into the car knowing how miserable it makes him. At home I limit the time he spends in there as much as possible.
We headed to the Toronto Zoo. Like his older siblings and most children, Gabriel loves the zoo. Unfortunately at the start of our visit to the zoo we had an accident involving our camera and the lens broke so we had a very limited number of photos at the zoo and not one of Gabriel. Wish I had one of him playing in the splashpad/sprinkler area. He couldn't get enough of the water.
Day five of our trip brought us to the city of Toronto.
We headed to the Toronto Zoo. Like his older siblings and most children, Gabriel loves the zoo. Unfortunately at the start of our visit to the zoo we had an accident involving our camera and the lens broke so we had a very limited number of photos at the zoo and not one of Gabriel. Wish I had one of him playing in the splashpad/sprinkler area. He couldn't get enough of the water.
Day five of our trip brought us to the city of Toronto.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Baby G on the Road - Part II
Our next leg of our road trip took us to Niagara Falls. We visited the American side first followed by the Canadian side. This was Gabriel's first trip out of the United States.
We went on the Maid of the Mist. I wore Gabriel on my back in the Ergo. I wish we'd gotten a photo of our set up with the poncho. What a sight. It worked though. Gabriel was happy to up there. On the boat, right in the middle of going up to Niagara Falls when the roaring was the loudest, the boat was rocking the most AND as we were being soaked (we were right up front) Gabriel fell asleep. The Captain stopped me afterward to tell me he'd never seen that before. Now I know what to do when I need Gabriel to fall asleep!
We went on the Maid of the Mist. I wore Gabriel on my back in the Ergo. I wish we'd gotten a photo of our set up with the poncho. What a sight. It worked though. Gabriel was happy to up there. On the boat, right in the middle of going up to Niagara Falls when the roaring was the loudest, the boat was rocking the most AND as we were being soaked (we were right up front) Gabriel fell asleep. The Captain stopped me afterward to tell me he'd never seen that before. Now I know what to do when I need Gabriel to fall asleep!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Baby G on the Road - Part I
Gabriel and cars...always creates a ball of anxiety for me. In the past Gabriel and car travel has been a mixed bag. Overall he does not do well for extended periods of time. On our trip to Sesame Place that appeared to be changing so with some planning we were hopeful this trip would go well.
We lucked out. On the way to Ithaca Gabriel slept most of the way. He awoke shortly before our first stop at a rest area. He had a snack and ran around for a bit. Here he is playing with the dirt. After our break we headed back into the car for the rest of the drive. Gabriel sat and played quietly and napped some more.
Gabriel wasn't keen on playing in the water much (it was cold) at Taughannock Falls State Park. He did enjoy running up and down the small hill by the beach.
We lucked out. On the way to Ithaca Gabriel slept most of the way. He awoke shortly before our first stop at a rest area. He had a snack and ran around for a bit. Here he is playing with the dirt. After our break we headed back into the car for the rest of the drive. Gabriel sat and played quietly and napped some more.
Gabriel wasn't keen on playing in the water much (it was cold) at Taughannock Falls State Park. He did enjoy running up and down the small hill by the beach.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Happy 13 Months!
Gabriel is so much fun. He is such a lovable, giggling little fool. I say fool affectionately. He finds humor in everything. He has shown a lot of emotional growth over the last month alone. His separation anxiety has alleviated a bit and he is happy to run off to family members. He takes off without a moment's hesitation to run off to do whatever it is he wants so we have to make sure to be extra vigilant with him while out and about.
He enjoys playing with balls and 'reading' Green Eggs and Ham. Favorite daily activity is unloading my clean laundry basket, looking at me mischievously, and loading it and unloading it again.
He and Louis play together all day long. They have their battles over what toy they want or where they want to sit but they work it out in their own way. They are very rough and tumble boys and I spend a lot of time trying to get Gabriel to understand he IS small. He has other things in mind. He is very physically capable of doing a lot of things. Like getting up and down the big kid slides at the playground, playgrounds meant for children much older than himself. Right now he has very little fear so we try to stay nearby to make sure he isn't taking any leaps off playground structures. He is STILL a baby and while it is easy to forget as we watch him run everywhere, we try to remember so he is relatively safe but still independent.
He has increased his vocalizing a bit over the past few weeks but he is still more of a doer than a talker. If he wants something he will either attempt to get it for himself (like if he wants to eat he will climb up into the high chair on his own) or he will gesture for you to get whatever he wants for him. I've noticed he is saying the few words and phrases he knows much more clearly now.
He has been cutting two of his upper molars over the past 2 months. We have a week here and there when the teeth really bother him and he goes without any sleep. Those weeks have been difficult but we've made it through them in one piece.
His food palate has expanded quite a bit lately. He is not a lover of cheese like his siblings but he has started to eat mozzarella cheese. He still prefers avocado, broccoli, a wide variety of fruit and pasta. He LOVES beans. He nurses every 3-4 hours if we're home, if we're out it spaces out a bit more. He doesn't always sleep through the night, will get up to eat now and then but it's never for very long. Happy and proud to say our nursing relationship is still going strong.
13 Months Milestones
Mastered Skills (Most kids can do)
- Uses two words skillfully (ie. "hi" and "bye")
- Bends over and picks up object
- imitates activities - He likes to pretend to talk on the phone, type on a laptop, pretends to cook in the kitchen
- stand well
- take a few steps
- walk with help
Emerging Skills (Some kids can do)
- Enjoys gazing at his reflection - I noticed he is doing this more often in the mirror in our playroom.
- Holds out arm or leg to help you dress him - makes for a much easier time getting him dressed
- drink from cup independently - has started to hold the cup and minimize how much he sips but most of it still ends up all over him
- Respond to command without gestures - He will pick up and bring what you ask or go over to where he is told to go
- Scribble with crayons and markers - loves to scribble on the driveway with Louis with chalk
Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
- Combines words and gestures to make needs known - not there yet
- Rolls a ball back and forth - loves to play with balls, will sit and roll it to you and back again
- walk well - off and running
He enjoys playing with balls and 'reading' Green Eggs and Ham. Favorite daily activity is unloading my clean laundry basket, looking at me mischievously, and loading it and unloading it again.
He and Louis play together all day long. They have their battles over what toy they want or where they want to sit but they work it out in their own way. They are very rough and tumble boys and I spend a lot of time trying to get Gabriel to understand he IS small. He has other things in mind. He is very physically capable of doing a lot of things. Like getting up and down the big kid slides at the playground, playgrounds meant for children much older than himself. Right now he has very little fear so we try to stay nearby to make sure he isn't taking any leaps off playground structures. He is STILL a baby and while it is easy to forget as we watch him run everywhere, we try to remember so he is relatively safe but still independent.
He has increased his vocalizing a bit over the past few weeks but he is still more of a doer than a talker. If he wants something he will either attempt to get it for himself (like if he wants to eat he will climb up into the high chair on his own) or he will gesture for you to get whatever he wants for him. I've noticed he is saying the few words and phrases he knows much more clearly now.
He has been cutting two of his upper molars over the past 2 months. We have a week here and there when the teeth really bother him and he goes without any sleep. Those weeks have been difficult but we've made it through them in one piece.
His food palate has expanded quite a bit lately. He is not a lover of cheese like his siblings but he has started to eat mozzarella cheese. He still prefers avocado, broccoli, a wide variety of fruit and pasta. He LOVES beans. He nurses every 3-4 hours if we're home, if we're out it spaces out a bit more. He doesn't always sleep through the night, will get up to eat now and then but it's never for very long. Happy and proud to say our nursing relationship is still going strong.
13 Months Milestones
Mastered Skills (Most kids can do)
- Uses two words skillfully (ie. "hi" and "bye")
- Bends over and picks up object
- imitates activities - He likes to pretend to talk on the phone, type on a laptop, pretends to cook in the kitchen
- stand well
- take a few steps
- walk with help
Emerging Skills (Some kids can do)
- Enjoys gazing at his reflection - I noticed he is doing this more often in the mirror in our playroom.
- Holds out arm or leg to help you dress him - makes for a much easier time getting him dressed
- drink from cup independently - has started to hold the cup and minimize how much he sips but most of it still ends up all over him
- Respond to command without gestures - He will pick up and bring what you ask or go over to where he is told to go
- Scribble with crayons and markers - loves to scribble on the driveway with Louis with chalk
Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)
- Combines words and gestures to make needs known - not there yet
- Rolls a ball back and forth - loves to play with balls, will sit and roll it to you and back again
- walk well - off and running
Saturday, August 11, 2012
1st Birthday Party Time!
This year we decided to have a more low key birthday party for the kids. Leah had a tea party with some of her friends and for Gabriel we invited our immediate family over for some grilled food and cake. I feel some guilt about this. We had a big party for Leah with all our friends and family and then the same for Louis for his first birthday. It wasn't an easy decision but we decided a family trip to Sesame Place, a road trip to Canada at the end of the summer AND Hershey Place in September made for a lot of special family time.
I think it turned out to be a nice day. Gabriel had fun running around and enjoyed spending time with everyone who was able to make it. And at the end of the day? That is what matters.
I think it turned out to be a nice day. Gabriel had fun running around and enjoyed spending time with everyone who was able to make it. And at the end of the day? That is what matters.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Sesame Place 2012
We headed to Sesame Place this weekend. This was our first trip there as a family. We packed up and got on the road in the early morning. Made great time and the boys slept through most of the ride there. Leah was as excited as Louis and Gabriel freaked out pointing at all the characters as soon as we got there. It was an overcast day with storms in the forecast so I expected it wouldn't be as busy as other weekends. It isn't a large place so it was nice that it wasn't packed.
We weren't sure what rides Gabriel would be able to go on. As a walking baby but not quite a toddler he met some requirements but not others. He isn't really a handheld infant as he does walk independently but he isn't the size of most kids who do the same thing. Fortunately there were still plenty of options for him. Eventually we did do a few rides together. He wasn't really into them so we stuck to the water sprinklers.
We weren't sure what rides Gabriel would be able to go on. As a walking baby but not quite a toddler he met some requirements but not others. He isn't really a handheld infant as he does walk independently but he isn't the size of most kids who do the same thing. Fortunately there were still plenty of options for him. Eventually we did do a few rides together. He wasn't really into them so we stuck to the water sprinklers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)