Crazy kid

We had to out the bumper back in Gabriel's crib. We would hear him crying and Manuel found him poking his foot in and out of the slats on his bed. We decided to put the bumper back in when managed to get stuck, and being the mommy I had to capture the moment.

Manuel went out of town for a week, for work, and Gabriel did better than Manuel did. My mom came to stay with us for three days. After she left Manuel was playing the messages and when Gabriel heard her voice he stuck out his hands and made a whimper. I love that he loves his Buela. Although since he has gotten back, he has gotten very clingy. He loves having his feet in his face or in his mouth, he hasn't quite developed the muscles to do it himself. He look like he is doing baby crunches when he tries to do it himself. He is a handful, but so much fun. We have started skyping with Sarah and the kids. It is so great to see the kids interacting with Gabriel. I really want the cousins to be close like we were growing up. 

Buela was showing Gabriel a picture of his cousin Gabriel when he grabbed it, tried to kiss him, and then would not let it go. It was so cute.

This is his new thing, he likes to rub his head. I am not sure if it a comforting thing because we do it, or it is something new to him. He sometimes rubs the other side, but he has very little hair and he might rub off what he has.

He has a mortal enemy in Cookie Monster and fights with him all the time. He is starting to eye the bunny next to Cookie, so soon he will be a victim to Gabriel's wrath.

Look at those sausages, he has for fingers. I thought I would never see chubby hands, since it has taken him so long to gain weight.

Almost There

We had a Pedi appointment a couple weeks ago, and he weighs 11lbs 6 oz. and 22 inches. He is almost ready to start cereal. Dr. Lantry, would like him gain 1 or 2 more pounds before we start. He 4 moths adjusted now and 7 months chronologically. I may have jumped the gun and bought the cereal, mommy is ready for that next step. The sooner we start the sooner I get to not pumping. My big boy has started to breastfeed. It is hard right now because I am sick and cannot feed him, so he is getting confused.

Buela came to stay for three days while Daddy was out of town for the week in Memphis. Gabriel had so much fun. She is so good with him and keeps him entertained. Manuel went through our phone messages when he got home and every time Buela talked Gabriel reached his hand out and talked. I love that he loves her so much.

He is getting so big, and more playful. It is getting harder for to have time for myself. I don't know it it was a good idea to go back to school or not. I am happy i did, it is a nice distraction, except that I am taking a Lifespan development class where i have to raise a baby from birth to 18 years old.Well at least this baby will not spit up all over me.

Buela was giving Gabriel massages and he was eating it up. He did not complain once.

M

 When Buela went to get Gabriel after his nap, she found him like this. he somehow got his leg out of his outfit.

 Gabriel has gone from being walked around the house, to being strolled around the house by grandpa. Their relationship is so cute.

Finally!

Gabriel has gotten spoiled by Grandpa. Every time when Grandpa comes over he walks him around the house. The only problem is that he  expects to do that everyday, several times a day. He loves everyone right now, I know it's a matter of time before he starts to get choosy. The last few weekends Manuel has been taking care of him, and I have to say it is nice when he only calms down when Mommy holds him. I love that he loves me so much, he is also in love with Daddy. He will laugh and smile the minute Manuel walks in the room, and is always keeping an eye on the stairs waiting for Daddy to come down in the mornings. 

He has started sleeping in his crib in his room like a big boy. Luckily he loves his mobile and the turtle light that Shelly got him, the light puts moons and stars all over the room. We have a bedtime of 9pm, I would like it to be earlier, but hey baby steps. When I take him into his room he looks at his turtle like something is missing. Some nights are harder than others, but I am so proud of him. We put on his turtle light, the sound spa w/the projector and lullabies, and let his mobile turn and he will be out for 5 - 7 hours. It is nice to have some sort of routine now.

We went for another follow up with the eye doctor and his eyes have cleared up. He is very happy with his progress, but is sending him to a Pediatric Ophthalmologist to check his muscles (to make sure he will not be cross eyed) and to check his vision. Apparently they can tell if he will need glasses already. I think it would look so cute for him to have little glasses. I had glasses when I was real young, I think about 5 years old, but I was not very responsible with them. I had gone through three pairs when my Dad finally said I would have to work it out on my own (I can see how he would not want to spend money on another pair, if I couldn't take care of them) and I did. I will have to remember that with Gabriel if he does get them. I have learned to have a lot of patience.

We have a Pediatrician appointment on Thursday and I cannot wait to see how much he has grown. He has grown out of so many clothes already. He will get his last roung of the Flu vaccine, and the doctor said we are allowed to take him to a restaurant. I cannot wait, we have plans to meet up with another family from the NICU. I am so tired of being stuck in the house and I know Gabriel is too, he has started to stare out the window wondering what everything is. Soon he will be a free man.

New year, new things

New years was great. We stayed home and watched the fireworks that were being popped around us. The only good thing about living right by 1604 is that you can see the fireworks from all the people outside of the city limits. We took Gabriel outside so he could see them, he just smiled and had his eyes open real wide. If he could talk he would have said oooh and awwww.

He is so funny when he sleeps, he laughs so much. We keep trying to catch it on video, but we haven't been able to. He went to see his lung doctor today and weighed in at 10lbs 9 oz. I was so happy, but it was just the beginning for today. I was playing with him while on the phone with ATT support when all of a sudden I see him pull himself up and sit. I was able to get some pics and a small video. The video is dark because the light was off. he didn't sit up long and was really wobbly, but we are going to work on it. We went upstairs to his room and tried to use the Tiger jumper the Sarah gave him, and he had a ball. He tried it last night and did not like it, I figured I would try again and see what happens. He had such a good time once he realized that he could jump and turn around in a circle on his own. He jumped like he was a river dancer while in it and for about 5 minutes afterward. he is technically not supposed to use the jumper for another two weeks, but I knew he would like and I figure what the heck. After all the fun he fell asleep with no problem.

Wrapping it up

Well it is the end of the year, and it has been such a hard one.I went from starting off with a party and I am going to close with a quite evening at home as a mommy. I have finally grown up and it's not that bad. I think we deserve a pass for next year, only good things can happen.

Gabriel has really come a long way, he was born early and now look at him. I think back to the first days he was here, he had see through skin, no nipples (I can't get over that), he could be held with one hand, and not able to breathe on his own. Today he is playing with toys, laughing, trying to sit up, and wiggling like a worm.

On Wednesday I had such a hard time feeding Gabriel, he kept knocking the bottle out of his mouth and pushing it. After four feedings like this and him only eating 2oz each feeding, I couldn't keep fighting to get him to eat, I decided just to let him play with the bottle and do what he wanted. Gabriel surprised me and I had to laugh a little, he wanted to feed himself. i remembered when Sarah had this problem with Sebastian, and of course this is what it was. he tried to hold his bottle and put it in his mouth all by himself. Poor little guy just doesn't have the strength or control to do, but he sure tried.

Yesterday we were in the car on our way home and I heard a crunching. When I was at a stop light I checked him and he was playing with his peacock toy that hangs from his car seat. I put him on his tummy time mat and he started tapping the toys and watching when they would move to his touch. I was amazing to see. I was so happy when we were learning to use the steering wheel toy. I would use his hand to honk the horn and move the steering wheel, he would watch and wouldn't you know he copied me. He then started to move the shifter, and honk the horn, and move the wheel. I was beyond excited to see him learning cause and effect. He does still need to develop his motor skills and control over his body, but as a mom this is big.

My big little boy has also started to hold his torso and head up when you are holding him. When he is on his tummy, he just hold his head up, but he sure is changing fast. beware when you are holding him, because he has started flying forward with his body. In time he will be able to control himself better, but until protect yourself. The last few days have been big days for Gabriel. I am excited to see his development in this next year.

Baby's first Christmas

It's been a while since I have put an update, but a certain someone doesn't let me use the computer. We went to the pediatrician on the 20th and he weighed 9lbs 10oz and is 21 1/4 inches long. He has come so far. It was nice because his Grandma Angel went with us to the doctor and she helped me with him a lot. He also saw the eye doctor and he said that there is still blood in his eyes, but it is healing good. We don't have to go back for another month. I am sure Gabriel will appreciate the break in the horrific exams.

We finally made it to Spring to see Sarah, Derek, and the boys for Christmas. It was such a great visit. Noah, a.k.a. "The Hamburgler", kept trying to steal Gabriel's pacifiers and bottle. He eventually got one of his bottles in his mouth, but I stopped him before he could drink. Luckily Gabriel was done eating and there wasn't much left in the bottle. The boys were so good with him, they would hold his bottle to help feed him. Sebastian would get after me when he was crying, and Noah gave him a constant flow of kisses. They are gonna be so protective of each other. Gabriel did make out like a bandit in Christmas gifts, he got some really great toys. I have to make a very special mention to Aunt Veronica who got him the Sophie the Giraffe teething toy. I am so in love with it.

Gabriel is no longer wearing newborn clothes and is wearing 0-3 months now. He looked like he was not able to stretch out his legs, and one of the onsies I put on him was too short to snap, so we made the move. he has also started to talk and laugh a lot. He loves to jump on you lap, and is starting to sit in his bebe pod. He is getting better head control and is all over the place. Manuel and I are working on the constant holding, we just love to hold him. it is time for me to start getting this house in order and I cannot do that with him in my arms. I have been so lucky to have my cousin Mellie, she has been watching Gabriel a lot so I can get stuff done and run errands. I am so lucky to have the family I do.

Well things have been pretty good for us. Gabriel is doing a lot better since the surgery, he had a hard time recovering from it. I think he is going to be like his mama and not do change easily or surgery. He already had his first face rash, we just do not know what caused it. I am so grateful to have Colleen, she is always there when I have questions. Sarah says she should start charging me.

As of Monday he weighed in at 8lbs 15oz. It is so hard to tell how long he is because everyone tells me a different length, I am averaging them and saying 19 inches. My little boy has gotten so big and has changed so much. He doesn't stick out his tongue very often, he is holding his head up more, and he is starting to laugh. The worst of it all is that he is watching football. I am telling him that it is bad for him and watching the food network, E!, and HGTV, so he will like that instead. Although considering who his father is, I think I will loose that battle.

We have been working with occupational therapy and Teresa says he is progressing pretty good. His eyes are healing nicely and the disease is regressing, and the pulmonologist is happy with his lungs. All in all he is doing great, just small for his age, but I am his mother.