Welcome to the world!!!

It is my pleasure to annouce that Gabby has a new friend!!! Exactly one month after Gabriella decided to emerge from her comfy place a be born, another little one has decided to do the same. Welcome Martin D'Andrea!!!! We're so happy to hear of your arrival!!!!

In other news, Gabby visitied the pediatrician today for her one month check-up. She's weighing in at a comfortably wholesome 7lbs. 14 oz. and measuring 22 in. Not too shabby. From what I heard, Gabby's lucky that she has short term memory right now. Basia told me that watching Gabby receive her hepatitis shot today, was very painful for her. Gabby too. I've been assigned GAbby duty for her next shots...March 29th.

Til next time...here are some pictures from Tuesday and Wednesday.

She's changing everyday

I'm amazed at how much she's changed since yesterday. As I look at my little darling, I can see a real person. A real person that is part of me. She is unbelievable!

Sunday afternoon, I assembled the swing we got at the baby shower. Wow, what a great idea. I'd been hesitant to set it up, since I didn't want to expend all options at once. In other words, we've got a good handful of baby chairs, swings, carriers and other assorted gear. I'd like to get the feel of the different items, and how Gabby likes or dislikes them before moving on. By opening all our gear at once, I didn't think we'd be able to give everything a fair chance... Back to the swing. This is a small swing - about 2 feet tall, and sits on the floor. It's ideal for a home without much room - what a coincidence Gabby's house is pretty small! Anyway, I've run the swing at low speed, which seems to suit lil' g just fine. I also attached a black and white design - pilfered from a DSW shopping bag - onto the side of the swing, so Gabby has something interested to stare at. She's not quite into the doll and rattle stage yet. In time.

Today, I got home from work to a wonderful little girl. She was calm, alert, and attentive. I think I spent 20-30 min. just talks to her. What a rare treat! Especially when you consider what happended shortly before I got home...

Do you remeber the poop blow out from Saturday that I told y'all about? Well apparently, that was only warm up. Shortly after Auntie Sara, Auntie Marta, and Papa finished their visit, Gabby let go a poop so powerful that Basia needed to change her shirt, onesie, gown, and diaper. Apparently, this one was all the up her back to her neck...YIKES! But thanks to Basia, because Gabby was clean and happy when I got home.

Here're some pictures... Sunday - Monday

We had a great weekend!

Special note: I've tried to increase the font size on the blog in response to a special request...I hope y'all appreciate it ;)

Well it's now "wind down" time. Sunday night - gotta love it! Gabby's eatin right now, and I'm chilling on the couch watchin "Super Size Me."

Friday night, Basia and I took our first night out since Gabby was born. Babci stayed at our place, and we went for dinner to Acapulco Restaurant on Center St. in JP. We had a real nice time, and didn't talk about Gabby for the first 30-45 minutes. We split a 1/2 carafe of sangria and enjoyed the mariachi band. Good date.

Then we got home and I slept...and slept...did I mention that I slept? Babci stayed the night and took over my duties, for the evening. Wicked awesome. Saturday, we had some visitors. Gabby met Keith and Jodi. They were fortunate to share in a little Gabby experience I'll call "butthole blowout!" Need I say more. I've got a picture, but it won't be posted online..sorry y'all. Keith also enjoyed Gabby's playmat - check him out!

Later on Saturday, Marta and Devin stopped by. Devin was a little apprehensive around our precious at first...but he came around - a little bit. Auntie Marta was also quite happy to change a few diapers. I was happy too.

This weekend Gabby had a full court press on her fingers! She's really beginning to not only find her fingers and hands, but profusely suck on them...drool too. She's cool.

Pictures:

Friday - Saturday - Sunday

Gabby's coming into her own!!!

A good friend of mine recently said the Gabby is starting to resemble a "real baby." Well, I'm going to go one further. Gabby is becoming a little person. Between her spiky punk hair, active expressions, and wild murmurs - she's got a little sumthin sumthin. She's adorable too.

Last night, I taped a couple of contrast sheets on the wall next to the changing table. Since then, our little one has been mesmerized by the contrast and shapes, and consequently has forgotten to cry her lungs out while being changed. See it's not so bad!!!

Pictures
Wednesday - Thursday

She's passed her first exam!

Today, Gabby's Aunt Marta spent some time testing Gabby for her child development class. The exam was simple. First Marta showed G a sheet with a few black and white contrasting boxes. G spent about 2 minutes staring at the shapes. After some play time, Marts reintroduced the boxes. G was still interested but less so. More playtime and then another round with the boxes - yielding even less interest. Next came the bonus points. Marta introduced Gabby to another sheet with more shapes and colors than the original b&w sheet with a few boxes. Gabby was much more interested in this than the first sheet!! Yay Gabby! She rocks.

Gabby also had much fun times with Alicia, and Meagan today. Yesterday, Sara and Shaun visited, alog with Donna and JJ. Lots of fun!

I can see the whites of her eyes

Lately, I've been noticing that Gabby's eyes are beginning to develop. Her pupils are now clearly defined as opposed to the "color" part of her eyes. And it looks like her current eyes are grayish...dark though.

Also, she's been looking us in the eye. It's super cool. It almost feels like she actually sees us. Too cool.

Today's pictures

Yesterday's

So much to catch up on!!!

First off, I've been a little lazy on the blog front of late. I can't promise that it won't happen again. Hopefully, I haven't lost too many of y'all.

Let's see. That last posting was on Wednesday. Since then we've had visitors. Paul and Rachel came over with Noah for a little visit on Wednesday (Noah's quite active and cute), and Thursday, JJ returned with his parents. It was the first time I'd seen JJ in his latest incarnation. He is getting so big. His cheeks are super cute. Friday brought a nice visit from Wulia McShaw. They brought sushi and laughs. Good times had by all. Saturday was laid back with a visit from Babci, and Bobie, and Auntie Rae. And finally, Sunday brought a return visit from Bobie and Auntie Rae, as well as Nancy and Saba!!! Are you tuckered out? Yeah we are too.

Now here're a few thoughts. As Arsenio Hall and CC and the Music Factory once said, these are things that make you go "Hmmmm."

1. Maybe Gabby has a really fast metabolism? She eats and eats. She poops and poops. Doesn't gain a bunch of weight. Who knows? Either way it's not from me.
2. Wow. The other day we got really excited over a burp. A burp. We used to get excited about other stuff - like - what? A tax refund? An unexpected laugh? But now we practically cheer for Gabby to burp. Crazy!
3. Will Gabby ever lose her punk doo? She's got this kick ass spike thing going on. No matter what, it's always up in the air.
4. There was something else...but alas I have forgotten.

And the pictures:

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.