Family and More Family

Paul's family reunion was in Sacramento area this past weekend. Paul took Friday off work and we made a fun trip of it.

We left Friday and stopped at Pleasanton to play at the park that has a very awesome water fountain. We got to stretch our legs, feed the baby, and play. Then we drove to the hotel and had dinner with my aunt Denise and uncle Dave. (As a side note, it was hilarious having them say that Ephraim looks like my dad and Paul's family later say how much Ephraim looks like Paul! Some of both, I'm sure.) Gabriel had a hard time falling asleep at the hotel that night, but I enjoyed snuggling with him all night once he calmed down.

Saturday was surprisingly cold and windy. Since I packed for 100 degree Sacramento weather, we took a walk in the local mall and found a sweater for Gabriel. It eventually warmed up once we got to Paul's aunt and uncle's house. Gabriel even got to go swimming to show his dad how much he learned at his lessons.
Their water slide was his favorite part. No fear! He probably went 20 times in a row.


Boffering was a must.
Gabriel's dramatic fall.
Pretending to take a nap with his cousin. Notice both of them have a hand on that car.
By Sunday afternoon, both kids were thoroughly wiped out. We left at 3pm and both Gabriel and Ephraim were asleep within 10 minutes.

However, when we hit traffic, they both woke up. Paul found this great toy for Ephraim.

We stopped at my parent's house for a much-needed break in the long drive and had a wonderful dinner.

Pirate Ship and Good Morning

Gabriel needed a distraction today so we sailed away on a pirate ship. I stuck a mop handle-side-down into the couch and draped our "sail" over it. You can see Gabriel steering and holding the treasure map. He's such a big kid.
Ephraim can get almost anywhere now and is quite happy about it. In this picture, he WAS on the quilt, until he decided to roll over to the baby rocking chair across the room.
Ephraim usually wakes up very happy. Today I decided to take pictures, the morning light was perfect!

Gabriel-isms

Wish I could keep a better log of the funny things Gabriel does and says.

Gabriel spit on his arms, rubbed it around, and then said, "I'm ready to go outside, mom, I have my sunscreen on."

5 Months

Ephraim is 5 months old today. Such a sweet baby!
He loves looking at the cat (or rather, the cat's tail) and his brother. He is also getting close to crawling. He can move himself around by alternating pushing with his knees. He is swiftly outgrowing the size 6 mo. outfits that I remember Gabriel wearing at 7 months old and while crawling.
Gabriel still loves nursery rhymes and books. (You can't quite hear it in the video, but he knows many of the verses of "London Bridges Falling Down.") Lately he has been reading out loud to himself. I love his interest in books!

Milestones

Big week for Ephraim. For the last two weeks, he's been working on scooting (the stage before crawling). While on his belly, he pushes up on his tip toes, entire legs come off the floor, he puts his head down and pushes forward with his ankles. Tonight was the first time he went up on alternating knees instead. He moved quite a few inches and would grin up at me after each scoot!

Ephraim also got badly stung during Gabriel's swim class yesterday. Thankfully only his finger got swollen and was better today. Yesterday he also came down with his first cold! (I suspect his immune system was fighting the bee when the cold attacked.)

Sandbox and Haircut

Gabriel still loves his sandbox.
Ephraim's awesome mohawk before I gave him his third haircut.
Ephraim and daddy relaxing on Sunday.

Lately Gabriel has been putting toys on time-out (in his room with the door closed). This evening we heard the door close and Gabriel came marching into the living room with a frown.
mom: What's the matter, Gabriel?
Gabriel: He's on time out!
dad: Who is?
Gabriel: The pillow. He wasn't listening to me!

Swim Lessons and New Oven

Gabriel is taking his first swimming lessons every day for the next two weeks. These are pictures of the first 5 minutes on the first day. That's about as long as he lasted in the water before breaking down into tears for "mommy."

Yesterday was the second day of swim lessons and he did better because we kept him in the water the whole time. I'm hoping today there won't be any tears. He loves water!!! But I think this is his first remembered experience with deep water, plus a stranger for a teacher to get used to. I am so proud of him for as much as he does! All the moms there assured me their son was exactly the same at first.

**Update: Gabriel cried all 30 minutes of his lessons every day. Friday something clicked and he was having fun after the first 10 minutes.**

And my new oven arrived yesterday!!! Out with the old scary cracked pilot-lit gas stove that heats up the whole house:
In with the new 5-burner (multiple-size burners too) electric stove with the knobs up on top away from reaching hands:
I made apple oatmeal muffins for our Girls' Night last night. I can't wait to cook other things.