2 month appointment and 100 days of school

Gabe went for his 2 month appointment (yes, we know that he will be three months next week, but the dr. is awfully busy). He weighs almost 12 lbs and is 24 inches long. He can now officially take tylenol and we no longer have to call for a fever unless it is high. He is to start drinking apple and pear juice today ( no more karo in the bottles since it isn't working!!). The poor baby got three shots and screamed his head off. When he finally calmed down, he looked at me with tears in his eyes with an expression that asked, "Why did you let Melinda do that to me?" I cried myself. He also got an oral vaccine for the rotovirus. This one was new to me since Mabry did not get it when she was a baby. the great news from the doctor, insurance is covering vaccinations now!! When Mabry got her shots, I remember paying almost 300 dollars a visit. Gabe's was only 60. That was a relief.
Mabry celebrated the 100th day of school on Monday. I think it is interesting that she got all excited about the 100th day and party when there were no cupcakes or presents (her requirements for a good party). MAbry came home with a crown that they made. Apparently on the 100th day of school, all you do is count 100 things over and over again. Mabry took 100 pennies. Erin brought 100 bottlecaps. Someone brought 100 stickers, 100 pencils, 100 pieces of popcorn. They counted by ones, by five's and by tens. Doesn't sound that exciting, but Mabry can't wait for next year's 100th day. I guess that just goes to show how wonderful her teachers are. I think we are going to miss kindergarten.

The sweetest thing ever!

I asked Mabry to play with her brother so that I could finish some chores. Mabry got out her books to practice her newest trick--reading!! Gabe loved her reading to him. He just cooed and smiled at the pictures and his wonderful big sister. On the back of the book, Mabry read, "Find other Dora books at schedules near you." I asked her to bring me the book and corrected her reading to the word store instead of schedule. She looked at me and said, "That's okay. I'm new at this."

What is he dreaming of?

Daddy and Mabry have obviously had some fun in the past few days with Gabe.

Daddy has been down with the flu for the past week and unable to touch or play with Gabe. It is about to kill him. Mabry had her cheering debut Friday night with the rest of the 5K girls. It was like watching an adorable train wreck. I have a video, but am having trouble uploading it. Hopefully, you will get to see it soon.

Gabe has gotten a cold and I am hardly surprised. With Guy having the flu, Mabry having strep, and me having a cold, he hardly had a chance. Until yesterday, he wasn't running a fever and ate just fine, so we gave him a little tylenol for his discomfort and kept his nose slathered with vaseline. Last night though, he had to sleep all night in his bouncy chair so that he could breathe and his fever was a little higher than I was comfortable with. This morning, while he is happy and nonfeverish, he doesn't have an appetite and is sleepier than normal. So, at 8 we will be caling the doc for an appointment. I hate going to the doc for this, especially since if it is a cold, there isn't anything we can do but wait it out. Oh well!! We'll update you guys later.

A week's worth of news

Great Aunt Melanie with her newest man!!

A typical family portrait.

Three sisters and a little boy (Great Aunt Melanie, my mom, Ilene, and Great Aunt Candy)

Guy, me, Gabe and godmother, Mama Cynthia

So in one week:

1. We went back to school. Obviously, I was unsuccessful at finding a job that would give me a paycheck for staying home with Gabe. School has started well. I am teaching four classes this semester: economics, AP economics, law related studies, and minority studies. I am extremely impressed with my AP class. They have covered three and a half chapters and have yet to complain to my face. I gave them a practice test on Friday to work together and they would have mastered the objectives with a grade of a c or b!!! Aren't they awesome?

2. My kids are excited to have me back. They got tired of a substitute after nine weeks. Maybe they will behave for the entire semester now.

3. Gabe started with Miss Karita, the most wonderful sitter in the world. She took care of Mabry and Bowen before they started big kid school and is so wonderful to the kids. Gabe adapted a lot better than I did and loves to smile and coo at her and a two year old named Mackenzie (he already knows who to flirt with since Mackenzie is adorable!)

4. Mabry got her report card. How smart is she? She got an S+ in reading, an S+ in math, and an S in writing. I told her how happy we were with her grades and that hopefully, next report card, we will see an S+ in writing. I can't give her too much grief about her writing though since she is left handed and learning to write is a different experience for her than the other kids. Not to mention, the ladies who teach her writing are right handed. It is a little backwards.

This week, Guy will start baseball practice and he is super excited. Mabry now wants to play baseball, but will have to settle for t-ball in the spring instead.

Please put Miss Karita in your prayers. She called me this afternoon to let me know that her doctor wanted her in the hospital. She has some heart problems and hopefully she will be okay. Gabe is staying with another lady this week while Miss Karita recovers. Thanks, Bridget for helping a desperate girl out!! If anyone knows of some other people who keep small kids in the area let me know. I probably need to have some backups.

Growing!!

Just so all of you know, on Sunday, all of Gabe's clothes that were size newborn and 0-3 months fit him perfectly with a little room left over. Fast forward to Wednesday. We woke up and tried to put on our clothes to discover that Gabe can no longer fit in any of those clothes. After assessing the clothing stockpile, Guy and I ran to Wal-Mart and Kohl's (we had to go to the bank anyway) and were able to find some great deals on winter baby wear since they are both cleaning out their stocks for spring. We spent $35 and got Gabe 4 long sleeved onesies, 7 pairs of pants (mostly fleece and flannel), 1 romper and 4 matching bibs. With the stockpiled clothes, Gabe is set until warm weather!! Hurrah for sales! Maybe by the time we fit into the next size there will be another sale.

More Christening photos

Thanks, Papa for all of the pictures! ONe of the few pictures you will ever see of me since I hate being in front of cameras!!

During the ceremony. (l to r--Matt, the godfather, Guy, the father, me, the mother, Cynthia, the godmother--who also brought tons of yummy food!)

Mabry "assisting" David.

Gabe being fed by Grandma Louise.

Mabry in her beautiful dress and shirt with her name embroidered on it.

Gabe getting ready for the ceremony. He is wrapped in his blanket knitted by Grandma Theresa. Unfortunately, the church was too warm to use it inside.