Chuck E Cheese

Gabriel took his first trip to Chuck E Cheese's on Wednesday night. We met our friends Shaelyn and Karen there for some pizza and fun. Karen and Shae gave Gabriel a new Tupperware sorter toy. I remember having one of these as a kid, or at least having access to play with one. I apparently really liked it since I can still remember it. I certainly hope it becomes a favorite for Gabriel too. Gabriel helped me play a game of Whack-a-Gator and he took a ride on a fire truck and Clifford the Big Red Dog. Shaelyn showed Gabriel how to climb on the toddler play structure. He wasn't too sure about it, but then he saw the steering wheel mounted on the wall and he was much more willing to climb in. He also took a couple trips down the exit slide.

Where Did My Baby Go?!

On Sunday afternoon, Gabriel took his first steps that we witnessed.  Gabriel took his hand off the side of his hexagon gated play area and then fell towards Daddy, making 3-4 stumbling steps in the process.  He repeated it for Mommy, and then he moved onto other activities.  He's been pulling himself up for so long now, and cruising well, that in some ways I am surprised he hasn't started walking sooner.  And I certainly hadn't been encouraging it.

 

When I told Roberta and Melissa about it at The Learning Center this morning when dropping Gabriel off, they were excited for him.  They denied having seen any steps at school already, but then again, they are so kind they wouldn't tell me and burst that bubble even if they had seen him walk already.

 

And our big boy also slept through the night in his own crib Sunday night.  When I awoke this morning and Gabriel wasn't nestled next to me, there was a bit of panic as I made it into his room to check on him.  I thought for sure something must be wrong.  But he was sleeping with his bottom up in the air and his pacifier in his mouth.  He's always been a good boy about sleeping through the night, but I think the whole family prefers it when he is nestled in the bed with Mommy and Daddy.  I hope that he will occasionally still come and sleep with us in the early mornings, as I am not sure Mommy is ready for the separation.

 

It was quite a lot of big boy firsts for Mommy and Daddy yesterday!

Gabriel Finally Said It!

After much asking, we finally heard it for the first time tonight!

Gabriel's First Christmas Card

Gabriel received his first Christmas card today. He bounced happily in his jumper while holding it. Thank You Grammy and Grandpa Abberton! You can see one of Gabriel's first top teeth glistening in the photo.

First Bundle Up of the Season

Mommy had to wrestle Gabriel into his snow gear for the first time on Monday morning. Thankfully, we only had to go to the car and then into The Learning Center, so we got to skip the snow pants. Gabriel seems to understand that he needs to push his hands into his mittens and his feet into his boots, so I think that makes it a bit easier to dress him. I think Gabriel looks a lot like Cousin Angus in this photo.

SNOW!

As we were leaving the children's Christmas party on Saturday afternoon, snowflakes were starting to fly- big, white, fluffy ones. Gabriel noticed them right away and was excited and delighted by the flakes. I suppose these are the first snowflakes that he remembers seeing.