Rough start

Let's just say you and I had a bit of a rough couple first weeks. Whenever I held you, you would cry. Whenever I talked to you, you would cry. Whenever I would look at you, you would cry. Whenever I stepped in the same room, you would cry. Luckily, I love you and wasn't going to give up! You are one of the happiest babies that I've ever seen! You ALWAYS give me a huge smile when I see you in the morning or after work. You even give me somewhat of a laugh sometimes! Oh and by the way, you look just like me, which I love! Can't wait to grow our bond each and every day. Love you Gabe!
Love,
Dad

2 Months Old!

Gabe!  You sleep 7 hours through the night and it's WONDERFUL!  The day you turned 8 weeks old, it was like we had a new, happy baby. :)  You smile! You make cute noises, you lift your head, you're so alert, and you still LOVE to be held (which I don't mind, at least up until my back starts to hurt!).

Gianna and Von have started to become a bit more interested in you now, likely because you don't cry nearly as much.  Gianna will actually sit next to you and talk to you and she'll give you a binky if you're crying.  Yesterday Gianna told me her favorite part of her day is when she sees me holding you. :)  She really does love you. :)

You're growing like a weed and I love your little fat rolls and chubby cheeks.  Although you look bald, your hair is very light, much lighter than Gianna's and Von's were at this age.

Yesterday we had to take you for an ultrasound because you showed one of four indicators of a tethered spinal cord.  During your newborn exam, the doctor noticed you had a crooked butt crack at the top.  It wasn't a perfect line.  And apparently, that's one of the signs of a major problem.  I was scared to death, but the doctor said it was very unlikely that you actually had a problem because you only showed one of the four indicators.  I immediately went home and checked your siblings cracks, and Von's looks just like yours, so I think you guys just have crooked butt cracks. :)  Your ultrasound went find, and now we can relax and know you don't need surgery.  Thanks for scaring me!

But, you do have an umbilical hernia.  Your little belly button sticks out.  The doc said it will likely correct itself by the time you are 3.  Von had the same thing (although it wasn't as pronounced) and his went away on it's own.  You guys are a lot alike!

We are so incredibly thankful that you and your siblings are healthy.  I thank God daily for you and your siblings.  We are so blessed to have such a wonderful, healthy, happy family.

Thank you, God, for this beautiful, perfect child, Gabriel.  He truly is an angel to us.  We know he is a gift from You and we thank you again and again for allowing us the privilege to be his parents.  Help us to raise Him according to your will.  Please guide us to make the right choices for him and his siblings.  Please pour your blessings on him and fill him with your spirit.  Thank you, God!

Love,
Mom

Your First Few Weeks

Oh Baby Gabe... I feel like I need to apologize in advance.  It has been almost two months now and I'm just updating your journal now :(  I'm so sorry little guy.  Please forgive me!  The past few weeks have been, by far, the most challenging days I have faced so far.  You are a good baby, but I'm still trying to figure out how to divide my attention between three children!  Gianna is always concerned about you and really wants to help me out the best she can.  She's always bringing me burp cloths, pacifiers, and she lays on the floor next to you and talks with you.  She's very hesitant to hold you though because she's afraid that you'll drool on her. :)  Von was intrigued by your arrival, but only for about the first hour or so.  He was very cute and said hi to you, but quickly moved on and wanted top play baseball with Dad.  He was a bit disappointed that you couldn't play baseball or be the goalie for hockey yet.  He doesn't quite understand why you can't sit up, crawl, or even speak!  Von also seems to be getting quite annoyed that I can't fulfill his every request instantly since I'm feeding you so often.  His requests are usually for chocolate milk, help in the bathroom, or to play sports, and when I tell him I'm feeding you, it usually results in him melting down and crying on the floor...

You slept for most of the first week of your life.  Weeks 2-7 were VERY exhausting for me!  You wanted to eat EVERY. TWO. HOURS.  And if I even thought about putting you down, you screamed and cried as loud as you possibly could!  Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE snuggling babies and you are absolutely adorable!  But, sometimes, I need to shower.  Or go pee.  Or even eat something.  And you just did not like that at all!  BUT- ever since you turned 7 weeks old, you were okay with me putting you in your bouncer seat, on a playmat, or in a stroller for a bit!  

Unfortunately, I had to go back to work 8 weeks after you were born. :(  But, you were such a great baby that the night before I had to go back to work, you slept through the night!  I was amazed!  Too bad both Von and Gianna woke me up in the middle of the night instead!  Von had to pee and Gianna said her back itched.  But YOU, my dear, allowed me to sleep! :)

You are such a perfect and beautiful boy. :)  I love every thing about you!  God has blessed our family so much and in so many ways.  I have been praying for you for so long and I will continue to all the days of my life.  I promise to do my best to teach you about the things that matter most in life- God, love, family, compassion... you have already taught ME more than I can imagine in just your first few weeks of life.

Your new talents over the last couple weeks include holding up your head, sleeping longer at night, and smiling (especially when you fart!).  You love when people hold you or lay next to you so you have something to look at, and you really like to be held upright and to go on tours around our house.  You're also a fan of stroller rides, although you usually only stay away for the first few minutes!

I will do my best to update your journal, but please forgive me if weeks go by.  I'm still adjusting to being a mother of 3 and balancing all the responsibilities.  Even though I cannot physically give you my undivided attention (which I feel guilty about), you are blessed with being welcomed into a family with two awesome siblings and parents that now have some experience raising children!

You have an awesome dad, by the way. :)  Seriously, you could not ask for a better father.  He has the patience of a saint and always keeps things in perspective.  He loves God with all his heart and treats me like I'm the most important person in the world.  I hope you and Von both grow up to be just like him. :)

Welcome to the family, Baby Gabe.  I love you more than words could ever express!

Love,
Mom

Meeting Mr. Bob and Mrs. Linda

Meeting Baby Johnny

One Month!