Tree 2011

We decorated the day after Thanksgiving, so 2 weeks later, here are the pictures.

Picking out the tree

Gabe is seeing the antlers and red nose for the first time. Can't wait to get his hands on those.











Olivia is reading Rudolph to Gabe. This sweet moment lasted 3 minutes.

New Diet

We have had one sick little guy on our hands... Gabe has had a cough since Sept. and the journey has been long. Last week I had him checked to make sure his double ear infection had cleared up, and it hadn't so we started round 2 of antibiotics. I talked to our Dr. about Gabe's skin and she said he has mild eczema. He also has asthma and possibly some allergies. We got an inhaler for his asthma and she said to go dairy-free and see if that makes a difference in his health and skin too. It has been exhausting, but I'm hoping we'll get into a good rhythm soon.

So, here is my sweet boy on day 8 of no dairy eating a grilled, vegan cheese sandwich. He licked his fingers clean! Vanilla soy yogurt was also a hit this morning, along with oatmeal made with almond milk. On Monday, he had his 15 month check up and the Dr. said one ear was still mildly infected, but that his wheezing was at least 50% better. So, the journey continues to getting him well.

p.s. he doesn't really let on that he doesn't feel well. He's very good natured.

Come to me non-dairy cheese!

During the same meal, Olivia scarfed down sushi. I love that my kids embrace different things!

Tired but happy boy.

Hair

I know most 3.5 year olds have had more than 2 haircuts, but hair is becoming a bigger deal in our home now. Olivia clipped her hair back herself today...

Ribbon
My hair... Olivia needed an excuse to take a picture :)

"Hair train." Tifiny was very gracious and allowed the girls to use their creativity on her head.

Life

A little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Bill and Gabe playing a game.

Olivia took this picture.
And this one too...
Such an inspiring artist with a camera...
"Hehwoh"
One night when Gabe was not feeling good (not uncommon) he kept saying "Dada" and pointing downstairs. I finally took him to see Daddy and he just snuggled right up while Bill was studying.

Cool, CA

My friend and neighbor, Rachel, and I took our kids to her hometown for a week (Oct. 31st to Nov. 6th.) We fit way more into her Toyota Matrix than I thought we could, including the 3 kids. What you see here is her great solution to Damien's 3 hour nap each way. Gabe only slept about 20 minutes and both my kids were very busy the entire trip. It was about an 8 hour drive.

Cool is really close to Coloma, where gold was discovered. It's a part of the country I haven't been yet, and it was beautiful to see the foothills of the Sierra's and all of the history there.

Olivia and Damien.
Olivia in the flower bed with a cat.
Gabe on the run!
Rachel and Sally and Olivia making dried apples and applesauce by the gallons:)
Olivia got a couple tractor rides with Phil.
Gabe.
Damien and Gabe. Everyone wins in this scenario.
The 3 together.

Gabe would find an apple and just start eating it. He dropped it so much it would be covered in dirt by the time he was finished. I tried not to let that bother me.
Play-Doh.