I Need Help

I really want to close this blog out, print it for Gabi and have it bound. But I'm having a really difficult time coming up with a name for my new blog. Until I come up with a name, I can't have a new blog stylized and started. So I need my creative readers to assist in the continuation of our family blog. Start brainstorming and send your suggestions in... Thanks.

Silliness... and a brave face

The morning after her dog bite wearing her sad face, her Park City t-shirt and her worry doll headband. She thought she was big stuff with that big girl headband on.

Day 3

She isn't the slightest bit afraid of Izzy... which we're very relieved about.

This green dress is the first thing that Aunt Hilary bought Gabi. She gave this and another one to her for Christmas 2006! That was before Gabi was born and when we thought she would come from Vietnam. These dresses were actually given to Addison from Vietnam. Well, God had other plans for our family. So they were later given to Gabriella from Guatemala. It has taken forever for Gabi to grow into this dress. Finally. Check out her new kicks. She's stylin' and they are size 3s.

By the way, at the hospital the other day we weighed Gabi. She's over 21 lbs!!!! What a big girl.

Oh Lordy! Dog Drama

Drama continues at the A. house. Today's events included our dog, Izzy, biting Gabi in the face. Follow that up with the chaotic phone call to Edward to find out where the closest ER is and then a 3 hour wait to see the doctor.

I just love ERs. They're horrible. They're such painful places. No one can give you a timeframe, there is limited compassion and extra frustration. Usually the doctors/nurses are fine once you get in, but not always.

Gabi's nurses and doctor were very nice. And she wasn't in pain after the initial bite. I must say that the actual bite incident was terrifying for her. She cried harder and differently than I've ever seen her cry before. Of course anything on your face bleeds a ton. It can be very misleading. I assumed that one of the holes was pretty deep. It was not. They were actually two small tears. One is very tiny, next to the left side of her mouth. The other is on her right cheek and a quite a big bigger. They flushed them out with saline and then used Dermabond to close them up. She'll take antibiotics for several days and then be fine. Bless her heart.

The irony of this whole incident is that my mom-in-law was attacked by a pit bull on her bike almost two weeks ago. The dog bit her leg pretty good and thankfully did not attack her further when she was knocked off the bike. The dog went into quarantine because its shots were not up-to-date. On Friday, Animal Control called her to let her know that the dog died and they don't know why. Guess what that means? Rabies shots!!! So she started that series in the ER out in Park City. Could we ask for anymore dog drama?

If this doesn't make your day, I give up...

My Little Summer Sassafras...

Robin made this adorable "G" t-shirt for Gabi. It's just like the one Ella has. Isn't it so cute? Robin wins points for major craftiness! Thanks, Robin!

Every time that we told someone that we were moving to Houston, s/he would say, "Holy cow! It's going to be soooo hot!" Obviously, we knew that. And it isn't a 'dry' heat like so many geographically-challenged people think. We aren't in the dry part of Texas. We're in the disgustingly humid, drippy part of Texas. Needless to say, we cannot play outside during the day unless we're in the pool. The pictures of Gabi outside were taken at 7 p.m. and within 2 minutes of stepping outside I was dripping-- literally. Those of you who know me well, know what I'm talking about. You can imagine that when we get ready to run errands and get loaded in the car, I am sopping wet by the time I turn the car in. The whole ordeal of getting Gabi in her carseat and settled is too much. Yuck!! I can't wait for some of this to subside. I'm pretty sure that I have another 2-3 months before it does. Oh good!

Aunt Kristin sent a box of happies this week too! Gabi received lots of new bows, several outfits that Reagan wore (including the gingham top outfit in these pics) and some shoes. Gabi finally grew out of her sandals. She has the tiniest feet, but we finally had to buy some new shoes. I was ecstatic to see that these feet are not going to be size 2 forever. Thanks Aunt Kristin!

Gabi received another box this week that sent me over the edge. I have been friends with the G.'s since I was 8. I grew up with Jenny and Jessica at church, playing sports, swimming, lifeguarding. Janet, their mom, just folded me into her brood. I love her dearly, as I do Doc and Janet's mom, Grandma Betty. Well, Janet and Doc sent the most elaborate outfit I've ever seen. It is a layered tutu of sorts in dark pink and a 'twinkle' shirt to go with it. I will have to put GAbi in it and post pictures. It is hysterical and darling! Thanks Janet and Doc!

Busy, Busy Days

Gabi is keeping us busy. She recently removed the 'p' key from my laptop. She has several new words-- "hot", some version of "I love you" and a couple of others. She's still learning new signs, dancing, exploring her house, swimming and pushing various stationary objects around the rooms.

On Saturday, we went to the aquarium downtown and she enjoyed it a lot more than I thought she would. I wasn't sure how aware of the tanks she would be. But she surprised us by touching a stingray and excitedly pointing to the fish in the tanks that surrounded us. When the fish would swim by, she would pull her finger away as if they were going to get her. So funny.

Gabi is a champ at following directions. She helps us by bringing her diaper when she needs to be changed, picking up her toys, bringing a book to us to read and helping us cook. She's even pretty good at multi-tasking.

Here are some pictures of our girl from the last few days.

I Got a JOB!!!

As of this afternoon, I became the newest employee of a nationally award-winning school district in north Houston. I will be working at an early childhood/Pre-K school. I am very excited that this opportunity arose considering my previous employment plans fell through in a big way, just last week.

Woohoo!!!

Long Awaited pics

Sorry but these are of the house, not Gabi. Hope you aren't disappointed.

Also, I went to the doctor today ( I got in in an hour) and he gave me delicious drugs. Or at least I think they're delicious. I haven't taken them yet. He was lovely. While we were there, I weighed Gabi. She's well over 20 lbs. I was so excited.

In other news, I witnessed Gabi's first moment of slap-happiness today. She started laughing at Izzy and could NOT control herself. It went on and on. I thought I'd wet my pants. I didn't. No worries there.

And Gabi gets serious points for being the best kid to run errands with ever. I know it won't last, but she is so great about going from place to place. I know it can't be fun, but she's such a trooper.

More Pics Coming Soon!

I apologize for not posting more this week. I had two herniated discs in my neck last year and I think they are back. I woke up on Tuesday in terrible pain. Wednesday was better. Thursday was worse. Today was better. But I'm almost certain this isn't my usual pinched nerve. So I'm doing all I can to get things done around the house, run errands, entertain Gabi while trying desperately to nurse myself back to health.

I made new curtains for Gabi's room which turned out so cute that even I'm surprised. They are perfect for what I was envisioning. I also finished the bathroom up. Well, almost. Ed is going to hang the hooks up tomorrow and then they'll be finished. He's very precise (read: nerdy) about these things and he has about a hundred things to hang up. When that is finished I will take pics of Gabi's new bathroom and post them.

Please continue to pray for my friend Jill's baby, Logan, who is making incredible progress in the NICU in Springfield. We are so optimistic about this little guy. He's such a fighter. And he's a whole 2 lbs. 7 oz. today. Go Logan!!!

Braids and Stuff

Gabi let me braid her hair 2 days in a row. Obviously, it doesn't look as good at the end of the day as it does when I do it in the morning. That's primarily because I refuse to put hairspray on her beautiful hair. And it was just an experiement to see if she would let me braid it. Now that I know she will, I can do it occasionally. Despite my best efforts, the pictures are not great and they were taken right before her bath last night.