Life in North Carolina

We are liking NC and the boys are in preschool 3 days a week. Andrew got sent to the office today for biting. That's awesome *sarcasm* I loved getting that call. Oh well, I knew it was just a matter of time. I just figured it would be his brother that he bit. So I am the mom of 'the biter'. I tell you the other kids should give him some room- he has the meanest little 'play' face and he is big (45 lbs- about 42"). One guy asked them how they liked Kindergarten- the kids were blank, they had no idea what he was saying. Most mornings Andrew squawks that he doesn't want to go to school, then we get there and he just has a ball. He has kind of gotten a sense of humor as well- tonight he cried for 'shark'pjs, which I didn't have. Then when he got out of the tub, he says "Mom, I's just joking, I like football pajamas!" just as happy as can be. I had to laugh. (I had just 'been jokin' him' a few hours earlier.) It's so fun to teach them. Andrew is pretty proficient with the mouse touchpad on Mom's computer and plays pbskids games. I am amazed at what he can already do. Aden doesn't get the mouse yet- and doesn't seem to care too much yet. He is my adventurer guy. We went to the Imagination Movers concert and he totally loved every minute of it. Andrew just sat back and watched, until the last 10 minutes- then he got his groove. Anything out of the ordinary is good for Aden, and he is usually more than happy to give something new a try. He is also the chief disassembler and overall mess-maker. He took the baby powder a few days ago and was running around the house dumping it out. I didn't even realize he was doing this as I was changing Charlie is our bedroom. I came out and yelled at him, caught him and took away the powder. He says, "I was making a trail, Mommy!" Yeah, no sh!t. All around the house. Awesome. I think there are still some traces of that fiasco. The best part about that was the floor wasn't sticky anymore. *eyeroll*. So I live in a state of chaos and mess- and I didn't even go into the poop stories- will potty training ever end?!

And I am so completely blessed- especially with Charlie- the chubbiest, toadiest, cutest, sweetest, hungry little 20 lb 4 month old baby in the world.

Save a few gas episodes, this one is not a cranker. He merrily goes with the flow- and flashes me a grin when I get a chance to talk to him. He is learning to blow bubbles and raspberries for me. He sits up for approximately .2 seconds and promptly falls over; albeit very slowly.

I have a list as long as my arm about what needs to get done and it never seems to get shorter no matter how hard I work at it. I am finding some time for me- a few girls' nights out, some garage saling, and even some shopping (thanks to my recently visiting sister).

Andrew and Jay at the Greensboro Children's Museum. Probably the boys' favorite place.

Andrew, Jacob, Jay and Aden at the state capitol in Raleigh. It was cold and rainy.

Captain Jay- he makes one good looking pilot! Maybe cousin Jeff can give him some lessons!

Jacob and Aden in the glider.

Paul has been working hard and getting some OT which makes for longer days for Mom, but prettier paychecks. I am proud of him, he is a great dad and the master of bedtime. And he cooks a mean steak on the grill too.

Paul before the Imagination Movers show.

Well, maybe more pictures after Halloween. That is if everyone in good and listens to Momma!

Happy 3rd Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Aden and Andrew! 3 years old! I can hardly believe it! Here are the boys at school getting the birthday treatment and clearly loving it.

It's great to have a brother to help you with that last stubborn candle.

Here are the 4 'A's posing incognito on the stairs. Andrew, Alex, Abbi, and Aden.

Oy, I am going to have to pay to go get a decent family picture!

Charlie

I spy with my little eye!

It was so fun getting to have 3 birthday parties this year, but we really missed getting to see our Oklahoma/Kansas family and friends. The boys had a great time with Nanny and Alex and Abbi. Thanks Nanny for making it happen! We love you!

Visit from Michiganders!

Over the Labor Day weekend we were lucky enough to have Nana, Sarah, Ian and Aunt Kathleen come visit us. It was quick trip, but we had a great time!

Sarah- sitting at the kids' table.

Nana and Charlie.

Aunt Kathleen giving Charlie a tummy rub.

Aden and Ian playing Play-Doh.

Thanks for coming out to visit. It is so nice to be able to spend time with our family.

First day of preschool.

Somewhere along the line we got enrolled in preschool and are having a pretty good time.

Time just seems to fly by so quickly!

Grandma and Grandpa Come to Visit

Charlie 10 weeks old.
Paul about to light our $2 Webber grill.

Grandma slices tomatoes for BLTs.

Grandpa and Charlie are buddies too.

I can't believe Grandma and Grandpa have already been here and gone! We were so lucky to have them stay for 10 days. Paul and I got to go out on a couple of far over-due dates and have some alone 'adult' time. Grandma and Grandpa took the little ones and I out for some local sightseeing. There is so much history here. We went to Bethania and checked out the first planned Moravian settlement. The gals there were so super-nice to Aden and Andrew; they had a great time. We also got to tour the Kernersville landmark, Kerner's Folly. Very interesting house, I hope they are able to restore it like they plan. Of course we also kept them busy with a few around the house chores/projects. We are never short on those! We also checked out the Farmer's Market and they got to go on one of my garage saling ventures.

We really enjoyed having them and are looking forward to our next visitors!

Summer Cuts

The boys finally got their summer haircuts. I don't know why haircuts make them look so much older...

We have already had our first visitors, Aunt Sherill, Nanna, and cousin Elizabeth. With the extra adult there has been lots of adventuring happening. One of our favorite short excursions is a jeep ride around our subdivision. We love to pretend a giant lives in the house at the end of the cul de sac and look for birds and butterflies.

Aunt Sherill provided the much needed elbow grease to fix up my garage sale 'dinette'.

I think they turned out great! Thanks Sherill!

Elizabeth and Charlie hit it right off.

Charlie is growing so fast and getting so big. He is up to 15 1/2 lbs. The boys were about 4 months old before they got there. Of course they didn't have 2 big brothers to catch up to either.

He is a great baby. Very easy to get along with. However, he still has his moments. I think he's cute when he's mad...

Everyone is doing well and adjusting to the new environment. Aden and Andrew still sometimes want the old house and to 'go home'. Also we routinely "need" Grandma, Grandpa, Nanna, Aunt Judy, my Jay Paul, my Jakey.... well you get the picture. They do miss all of their buddies.

Here's a picture of the house from our driveway. The neighborhood is great and we have potential babysitters across the street.... a 12 and 14 yr old sister team... I just need to go over and ask what they charge (-:

North Carolina is great so far and visitors are always welcome. We love having company and are always sad when they go. Grandma and Grandpa are next and the excitement is building...

Hello North Carolina!

We made it! A slow drive across country. It's so nice to be back together again. Hectic, but good. Charlie is just growing and growing. He is up to 13.5 lbs already. I am trying to figure out what clothes to put him in. Nothing hides this belly!

The big brothers really love Charlie and can be really good helpers. They wanted Charlie to sit with them in the chair.

We are still busy unpacking, but mostly enjoying the new house and shopping craigslist for bargains to furnish with. Hope everyone is doing well and are are looking for baby announcements in the mail next week. All I have to do is find a post office and get the stamps...

Growing by the Minute!

Charlie is growing right in front of our eyes! He is up to 10 lbs 14 oz and 22 1/4 inches long. He is still a very sweet and hungry baby. We even got a picture with his eyes open!

Baby lion yawn.

Nanny, Sarah and Aden

Good old Andrew- too stubborn to get in the picture!

We are so glad to have had all of our visitor/helpers! The boys have loved all the attention and are getting really good at showing off their jeeps.

Sweet Charlie

Hard not to love on this little bugger all day long. He sings a lot and is just over all a happy baby. He is a VERY noisy eater and gulps down as much as he can. Takes a lot to keep up his figure (-:

We love you Charlie!

The boys are getting a few zzz's before little bubba comes.

When is Charlie coming?

Anytime now

Charles Newton Gabli (the first) AKA Charlie is here 10lbs 21 inches

I want my mom!

Mom gets to hold Charlie for the first time

I think we'll keep him

Me too!




Good because I am not going back in.

I get to sleep now :)