Lovin Springtime

We really are enjoying this Spring season so far. The weather is warmer, despite the stupid wind, some of my flowers are out (Hurray for tulips!), and Gabe loves being outside. She loves this bike that is far too big for her. Someone in our ward gave it to us, along with that winter sled that she rode in the snow. She knows the bike is in the garage, and if she spots it, she squawks until you let her ride it. She holds the handle bars just like a big girl. It really is adorable. We were trying to show her all of our flowers that are popping up everywhere. She didn't know what to think of them. She wasn't sure if it was a toy, or if she was supposed to eat it. What else are you supposed to do with it right? Here are a bunch of pics of some of our fun flowers and Gabe. We are going to try and clean up our yard a bit this weekend. So hopefully we'll have a cute, fun yard ready to barbecue in again.

Doesn't she look proud of herself?

Throwing the tulip around

Whoops

Greta wanted to eat it too

The adventures of Weaning....

So Gabe has never taken formula. She has always hated it. So I am now attempting to give her whole milk, which she seems to hate as well. (No allergies thank goodness, just doesn't like the taste) Somedays I feel like I'm doomed to breast feed forever. HA. I'm all about helping them wean themselves at this age, but I have a million trips coming up and things would go over smoother handing her a sippy or bottle. My pediatrician is all about skipping straight to the sippy cup, and not allowing a bottle. I agreed until I attempted weaning. Now I am desperate to just get the job accomplished. (Not that she will even take one over the other) I've pumped into both to try and convince her it's a good thing. No luck. Ha. I don't have to breast feed her to get her to sleep (except occasionally), but then she isn't getting any of the nutrients that she needs. So if she is okay without breast milk, but won't take formula or milk, what's left?

I think she'd do better if Adam were here to put her down, having breast milk not even be an option. He's a busy guy doing some good things, so it's up to me to face my stubborn child. 

I started giving her milk at meal times, so it's her only option. I'm hoping she'll get used to the taste. She usually takes a few sips, makes a face, and chucks it on the floor. So the battle continues. I am going to be persistent with this, and see where that gets me. Wish me luck!

The White Trip

Another family visit has come and gone, our last one of the month. This morning we woke not knowing what to do with ourselves. No one else to prepare for, we aren't sure how to get back to our normal routine. I think by the time we do, all of our late spring/summer trips will be upon us. What a busy time of the year.

We really enjoyed Heidi and Abe's visit. It's always fun when people who haven't been here come out. We can show off the fun stuff. Laiya and Gabe were on slightly different schedules, but when they were both awake it was funny. They would just sit across from one another and ramble off like they were old friends catching up. They kept bumping into one another crawling, both not used to the other being there.

We read books, watched movies, and played with Cierra as much as we could. Abe cooked us some killer food, and Adam is still enjoying his Otih (Sp?) I of course had to take them to eat sushi. I was excited for someone to visit that would go with me. 

Heidi and I had an awesome time with my early birthday present from my husband. It was a glorious trip to a spa to get pedicures and massages with my sister. I have been wanting to do it forever, and I'm so glad I got to do it with Heidi. (thanks babe, you're amazing)

HERE our the results, try not to notice our HIDEOUS fat feet and cankles we inherited.

Abe and Adam got to go and have some hang out time as well. We had to take Abe to Tahoe, cause he's never been. It was love at first sight, and he didn't want to leave. Can't say I blame him. Now they need a summer trip out here when it's actually fun to get into the water. We had so much fun, thanks for the visit guys. We miss you already!

Here are some pics we took:

It was a little tricky with two of them crawling around

We had to take the girls on some rides with the bike trailer

Gabe loves this bike, she could be on it all day. She obviously can't reach the peddles, but she loves the ride anyway. Looks like we're gonna have another biker in the family.

Our Trip to show Abe Tahoe:

The water was of course freezing, you can tell by Cierra's feet

There were lady bugs ALL OVER the shore. It was really cool. We tried to show one to Gabe to see what she'd do. She did what she always does when you hand her something. She grips it into her fist. We all started laughing, and she got sad cause she didn't know what was so funny. (Plus she hadn't had a good nap)

Greta of course LOVED every minute of playing in that water

Laiya tried to eat any rocks she could

GOING ON ELEVEN!

(the 22nd is the day-my post says the 21st, cause that's when I started this post)

I can't believe our baby girl is one month closer to being 1. I really don't feel like we've had her that long. Yet here I am doing another monthly update. This month I realized she observes us much more than we thought she did. She mimics like crazy. Here are some of her smart observations:

-If she picks up our remote, she points it at the tv

-If she gets a comb or bobby pin in her hand she tries to put it in her hair 

-If she gets a cord to something, she tries to plug it into my covered outlets 

-She picks up books and starts rambling like she's reading

-I'll grab a wipe to clean her high chair, and she'll start trying to clean it:

I know those seem like the silliest things to be posting about, but it's crazy to realize what she's picked up on without us showing her how. 

She has become so tricky. She now claps her hands, waves hi and bye, and gives you awesome kisses when asked. She isn't walking, but is ALL OVER standing. She is starting to hold onto things with one hand, and is getting more confident in her movements. 

She now thinks the vacuum is funny, not sure why. She discovered she loves being outside in the warm weather and is constantly trying to get out in it and cries when coming in. She loves dirt, grass, and any animal she sees.

 She is very much preferring Daddy over Mommy when given a choice. Adam had to hand her off to me at church on sunday so he could teach, and she cried and pouted. It was adorable.

She now has 6 teeth and counting. She is still gnawing her finger, so it usually means more are on the way. She's not really saying any new words, but mumbles non stop, and attempts to mimic our words.

She is still an eating machine. She'll pretty much eat whatever you put in front of her. It's nice. 

So many changes so very fast. She's is cruising through this year, and we are trying to keep up as much as we can. Happy 11 month Gabrielle Marie!

Just try and take it away from me

Skateboarding with Daddy

In the stuffed toys at the disney store-we tried to hide her face more but she wouldn't have it

She discovered she loves the dirt. The last picture is her discovering how fun it is to throw it at Mommy

Reno Aces

So we went to our first Reno Aces baseball game this weekend. The Aces are a Miner League team for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Adam tried so very hard to get tickets to the opening game, online and with two phones, but he couldn't get through. It sold out in 20 minutes. We did get tickets for the 2nd night, where our new Reno team played the Salt Lake Bees. Baseball is the only game I really enjoy watching, so I was excited to go. The new field is really nice, which it better be for $50 million dollars. It even has this huge play area with blow up toys for kids. (we didn't get a chance to play on them though-with a sold out crowd it was a little packed) Gabrielle did a good job during most of the game. Once the 7th inning hit, it was way past her bedtime and she was done. Her Daddy had a hard time leaving with the bases loaded and the clean up hitter at bat, he had to watch a little longer. It was a good thing he did to see the first Grand Slam. It was really exciting the crowd went crazy, Adam lost his voice screaming. He is definitely a big fan. Gabe loved dancing to the music and clapping with the crowd. She flirted with everyone in sight who would pay attention to her. The bad thing is when she sees other's food or drinks, she thinks she needs some, so that got tricky. Especially when people are drinking beer around you. AH! So she got a pretzel she held most of the game and shared some of her Daddy's lemonade. It was a fun night and we look forward to more games to come. We have tickets to the 4th of July where we can watch fireworks after. Here are some of the pics we got:

(that's Archie the mascot. Not sure what he is, but he has a tongue that shoots out.)

KISSES

Gabe has always been affectionate, but now she does it on cue. Especially if her Daddy asks, she'll give em kisses almost every time. You gotta be ready for what you're gonna get though..... as you can clearly see they are pretty wet kisses. Someday she'll get the pucker down. For now we'll take what we can get.

More Weekend Fun

Here are some other pictures of our weekend fun....

I love this picture of the girls together, even though Gabe kept 

grabbing at Sicily

Ty's one liners kept us very entertained

Adam had fun skateboarding with Dysen

Shantay was such a good helper the whole weekend:

Gabe learning about football

One serious game of tug-o-war. Greta loved the kids

Our trip to Scheels, and the first time we got to use the 

ferris wheel