Da Da dum.....

Tooth number 3 has officially arrived!! I should have known it was coming- Ellie has had terrible diaper rash this week- a sure sign that Gabi was always teething. It's in such an odd spot, I think- it is on the Upper Left (Lateral Incisor).

She's so sweet!

She also started having two meals a day today! So she is getting one jar of baby food at breakfast, and two jars of baby food for dinner (all stage 2). She also has 6 bottles a day (5-6oz sometimes with cereal). She gets Reglan three times a day and Zantac twice.

The medication seems to be working in terms of the amount of belly aches she gets. She just seems to have less crying spells and is so very often laughing and smiling. She still spits up a ton, particularly after having food. I'll take the spit up over her pain any day!

Albany Farmage of Cology

Or, as most people know it Albany College of Pharmacy. Gabi has decided that when she gets bigger she is going to attend "Albany Farmage of Cology" just like her big sister. We had such a great visit with Nicki. She is doing GREAT! She gets tired easily, but appears to be quickly on the mend from that nasty bout of Mono.

Rut Row

Gabi has had a few rough spots adjusting to the many changes in her life. She is reluctant to go to school on several mornings. Of course, in her own Gabi way she is still cracking us up with her 5 year old reasoning.

• Gram was driving her to school the other day as Gabi was complaining about having to go. So Gram started to explain to her that some kids couldn't even go to school. That she was very lucky she didn't have to work on her family farm all day. Gabi replied without missing a beat- How about you let me stay home if I pick your tomatoes for you?


• Gabi had been riding the bus two days a week from my friend Mary's house. She recently decided that she doesn't want to ride it anymore. Her reason: "because the bus driver has dirty hair". Ugh!


• According to her teacher, she does very well in the classroom. Once Gram leaves the tears dry up. She described Gabi as the "social butterfly, flitting happily about all day". She also said that they are working on when it is appropriate to talk. (Aren't we all? Lol- needless to say, this was the MAIN complaint on ALL of my Elementary School report cards)

Like Mother, Like Daughter. :)

Mama Mia!!

Oy!! If it's not one thing it's your Mother. ;)

My poor Mommy just spent the past 2 days in the hospital. Her blood pressure has skyrocketed for no real apparent reason. She is a typical low-normal, and went as high as 186/110. It seems to be under better control via medication. The Dr. indicated the high blood pressure is likely genetically caused, and that it's quite possibly here to stay. She was released this evening with a litany of tests to undergo in the next week. Please lift her up in prayer. On a positive note, she is going to try and quit smoking after nearly 30 years. Please pray for her strength in this difficult endeavour.

The thought of losing her scares the living daylights out of me. She is my ultimate safe person in life. Of course, I have Howie, and my friends- but nothing compares to being comforted by Mom. I adore her beyond words.

I love you, Mom!!!

Just a Spoonful of......SALSA!?!?

This one will go down in the record books of Mommy's Giant "Whoopsies".

Tonight, Howie and I were at Chili's with the girls. I was feeding Ellie her bananas (which she just LOVES) and eating my weight watchers allotted portion of chips and salsa when I mistakenly put her baby spoon into the salsa, took a giant scoop, and placed it DIRECTLY into her MOUTH!!! As soon as I realized what I had done I tried to scoop it out of her mouth with the burp cloth. She made the strangest face. Surprisingly, it didn't seem to bother her much at all. Must be that Hispanic heritage in her-- liking that spicy food.

She also has a new habit- that she started at dinner last night. She takes a bite of food, and turns her head to the right, putting her thumb in her mouth. Each bite must be so exhausting that she needs a quick thumb-break to get her back on track. :) She does this meticulously between EACH and EVERY bite.

Oh No!!!

Poor Nicki! Her first week at college has been terrible. She hasn't felt well since before she left. A blood test she had on Friday came back today- positive for mono. Our poor girl! As if studying pharmacy and being away from home weren't enough to deal with!!

The Sweetest Six Months

March
April
May
June
July
August

September

Today our dear Elliana is six months old. Can you believe it??? Where, oh where does time go? I can't even remember what life was like before her. All those days, months, years of waiting have melted into the most beautiful little girl. She fits perfectly into our family. Life is good.

My Baby No More....

Gulp. Sniff, sniff. I think someone has played a very mean joke on me by turning forward the hands of time. How did my baby become a full-fledged KINDERGARTENER?? Our district has a full-day program, so she is in school from about 9:30 to 3:30. MY BABY!!!!

I do have a small confession to make- I followed the bus to school (sobbing all the way). I secretly watched my baby get off the bus with her little friend, and walk hand in hand- pointing in awe at the new sights- into school and out of my reach.

so proud after her day!