Well it's been a week.

First off, let me confirm what y'all may have noticed. I don't have as much time or energy to post to this blog as I once had. Call it busy times at work, busier times at home, or less sleep on a much more consistent basis than I could have planned. Whatever the reason, accept it. Now let's move on. While the frequency of posting may have declined, I hope that the content will improve. I'll let you decide.

Today is Easter. B, G, and I are hanging with Gabby's extended family in Taunton for the holiday. I'm sure that pictures will follow. But until then, let me describe our little munchkin.

Today, I noticed that her chin has doubled. That is to say that she has a double-chin. And it nicely finishes off her round cheeks. Her whole face is rounding out for that matter.

B decided to girlify our sweet thing today. G's got a little pink barrette in place to accent her pink outfit. It's cute. But I'm a little wary of pushing Gabby into Girly girl world. I think we should treat her like a person, not a girl...and let her be herself. I know it's too early to worry about such things...but - whatever.

This morning, I had the pleasure of waking up for my darling at a little before 5 am. We chatted. I gave her a massage. Then I was able to express some gas, and some poop from her precious bum-hole. Ha. I changed her, played with her some more, and eventually rocked her to sleep in her sling. That was at 5:45. Sound early? It was. But I didn't mind, since I'd had some good sleep.

This whole week, I've been taking night shift while B gets a good rest. After I put G to sleep, I peep down in Gabby's room to be the one to calm her and relax her in the event that she wakes up during the night. Overall, it's a tough job, but I love it. I've become really good at understanding her sleep noises vs. wake-up fussing noises. Yay me.

So last night, we tried something different. B and I went down together with our trusty Sony (r) trademark BabyCall Monitor. There was a problem. Basia is not in tune with Gabby's sounds. So needless to say, Basia couldn't sleep. With every peep came the question, "Joe, is she ok?" To which I would respond, "Yes." Eventually, she just got up to sleep in G's room. I thought it would be good experience for B. It was, and I got rest.

Now, let's go back in time to Wednesday. Basia and I brought Gabby with us to Arc en Ciel, a daycare in JP, where we live. We met the director/founder and took a tour. They had an opening, and we liked the place. So...Friday morning, B and I went for a show-and-tell session at Basia's work. We visited all her co-workers, showed off our lil thing. It was great, and so was G. B also had a little chat with her boss. It went very well...long-story-short - Basia will be taking an extra couple of weeks off work, then returning on a part-time basis. The days she's at work will be daycare days. Thankfully, we created a solution that we think will work for us.

In other news, our friends Kendra and Matthew welcomed a new baby into the world. Gabby's new friend is William David. Congrats Kendra and Matthew!!! Welcome William David!!!

Saturday began with the realization that I don't know how to play with my girl. I see her every night when I get home from work, as I put her to bed - then I'm with her all night, while she's sleeping. And that's about it. I didn't really realize how out of touch I became until Basia went out Saturday morning to run some errands. I had Gabby, awake, and was perplexed. How do I play with her? When B returned, she let me watch her play with the Gabster. I caught on quick. Thanks Mommy!!

Saturday afternoon, Gabby met her "sort-of" cousins. Saba's girlfriend, Nancy's daughter, Tammy, her husband Doug, and their daughter Carissa welcomed a new addition six months ago, Abby. Gabby and Abby got along splendidly - pictures will be posted soon.

That's it for now...I think. Here are the last week's worth of pictures:
Click here!

Strollin' strollin' strollin'

Gabby's been a good girl lately. Who am I kidding? She's always a good girl. For now... What I'm getting at is she's been sucking down some good milk with determination, and she's been sleeping well at night. Now, don't get me wrong - that doesn't mean that se's acquired my ability to sleep through the night and anything else that comes a long, just that she's been sleeping more than she used to. It's a good thing.

Saturday, my mom, G's Bobie, came over in the afternoon for a stroll with us. Gabby, Bobie and I headed for Arnold Arboretum. It's a park nearby, with lots of hills, and trees. It took me a while to gather all the goods I thought we'd need, and all the goods the Basia thought we'd need, but alas we did get out of the house! I for one, was very excited. Since Gabby arrived, I haven't been able to go outside with G. I've been cooped up. Anyway, we went for a walk.

It appeared that we weren't the only ones excited about enjoying the nice day. There were lots of other babies and parents walking through the park...but there was a difference. Every other baby sat happily in their respective strollers. Gabby decided that she'd rather be close to her dad. So i trotted around the park with Gabby in the sling, while Bobie pushed around an empty stroller. Gabby wins again.

Later on Saturday, Babci, Basia's mom, came by to watch Gabby while B and I enjoyed a night in the suburbs. We had a great time seeing friends while celebrating Paul's 30th birthday. Happy b-day Paul.

One note: I tried posting some pictures to the blog bothe yesterday and today...but I couldn't get it done. Lousy internet! So you'll need to click on this link for the latest pictures.

Hey dude, where's my neck??

Guess what? B took note this morning that G has retained yet another trait of her dear old dad. Apparently, she is not showing much of a neck. Hmm. I'm sure this will change in time, but for mow I take pride in my girl taking after her pops.

In other news, G has graduated from her newborn diapers....into SIZE 1!!! This is indeed quite an achievement. Not to mention, we'll be going through a lot more diaper pails!!!

She grabbed me!

This evening I was doing my good dad thing, and I was giving the little spiked hair smunchkin a hefty burping session, after her bottle. All of the sudden she started going bonkers. There I was holding her over my right shoulder and "shooshing" in her ear, as I gingerly padded her back to ward off the spit-up forces... She started to get frantic, then began using her hands and head to get right in my face as if to say..."Hey, Dad!!! I don't need burping!!! Something else is wrong!!!" But as she man-handled my head and glasses, all I could do was laugh and smile. I got tingles up the back of my neck, when I started to understand that my little girl was trying to communicate with me. Then I realized that she was still screaming her lungs out - in my face.

So I changed her diaper.

Once more - Pictures!!!

Ok, y'all. You're right. There haven't been pictures in a while. Well now they're here... You'll find a link to lots and lots of pictures below.


Friday, Gabby and B did visit me at work. We had a nice lunch at Panera. Several folks peeked at our hero...but I was able to keep the paparazzi away. Especially once I declared that G had a poopy diaper...and I proceeded to change it in the Men's room. What a great dad!


Saturday, We started out around 11:30am in rain. We were heading south to Gabby's Papa's birthday dinner. Soon after we got on our way, the snow began to fall...and fall... Eventually we made it to Sharon, to visit with some of Gabby's cousins on the way down.



This afternoon, I had the wonderful opportunity to enjoy some original music performed by Gabby.


Auntie Sara and Uncle Shaun enjoyed miss Gabby's company as well.


And here's the picture link!

Hello Smiley!!!

I'll post opictures this weekend, but I wanted to give y'all an update until then. Gabby's been smiling more and more over the past week. She'll smile for me and she'll smile for you. She gives em out like they're going out of style.

Today, if all goes well, lil miss G wil be visiting me at work. That'll be a super treat. I'll let you know how it goes.

Last note, Gabby's starting to develop a little buddha belly like I had when I was a baby. She's a cutie, but I hope she doesn't resemble my baby years too much...after all I've still got the belly!!

Later!

It's snowing again

Well, it looks like Gabby's stroll is still on hold. As I type this, we are getting another 3-6 inches. Hmmph.

Today, Gabby and her Mom started a weekly group with other new Moms and babies. I understand that G was a teacher's pet - showing off for all the other babies. It figures. Later, G and the gang hunkered down for some good eats in her first long-form public performance at Bertucci's with the rest of the group. B tells me that Gabby was on her best behavior for the entire meal. Outstanding!!!

Now only if I can figure out how to get her into her crib without waking her up...

Here's some pictures!