Hallelujah!

I just wanted to let everyone know the good news...I just slept through the night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The first time in over 5 months and I feel like a new woman!! I just have two things to say..."THANK YOU GABE!" and "HALLELUJAH"!

His face says it all...

For all of you who see Gabe and I on a daily basis (or weekly, bi-weekly, etc.), then this post is not going to be the most exciting for you. However, to my long lost, far away, beloved, family and friends, I realize I haven't posted hardly any pictures of Gabe. Babies change so much every month for the first 12+ months, so here is a little tribute/update on Gabe and his many expressions...
Hungry Baby...who wouldn't love their first taste of rice cereal after drinking nothing but milk for 5 months?! Gabe couldn't get enough of the rice cereal and Josh had a hard time keeping up with his demand for this most delicious, fancy feast.

Surprised Baby...Did someone say ShArK?!!

Gomer Baby..."Duuude these googles are groovy."

Stud Muffin Baby...and all you little ladies out there remember, "BALD is BEAUTIFUL!"

Happy Baby...It's real hard to not love such a happy baby!

And my personal favorite...Sleeping Baby! One who takes good naps and sleeps through the night! Clearly this little guy isn't doing either. He decided to test out the comfort of the excersaucer (or neglect-a-saucer in Traci's words) and fell asleep playing. Now really, you gotta love a content, beautiful, happy, peaceful, sleeping baby!

A Brief Holiday Update...

We've had a wonderful holiday season, but as always it's good to be home and getting back into the swing of things. Or I should say, it's good to be home and not sharing our bed with two children!! We spent a couple weeks in Idaho and a very white Christmas...I wouldn't have it any other way! Josh and I took advantage of the bounty of snow and went skiing in Utah the day after we flew in. We went a couple times during the break and we both miss and love skiing/snowboarding a lot.

I was also able to spend a fun night with my girl cousins and aunts in Utah, all of whom I don't get to see nearly as often as I'd like. My family and I went to Mountain River Ranch and took a fun, nostalgic, sleigh ride to our dinner/entertainment. By nights end, we were snowed in there and had to wait to get the okay to drive home...it was quite the experience, but a memorable one at that!

On Christmas Eve, Bailee and Cooper, a.k.a Mary and Joseph reenacted the Nativity. Bailee loved being Mary, and the first thing she said on Christmas morning (after requesting to sleep with the baby Jesus doll), was "I want to be Mary".

We took full advantage of the snow (knowing there wouldn't be any back home) and had lots of fun! Josh and I went snowshoeing and Josh made a snow cave for the kiddies. It was pretty funny when Kacie and I went outside, we bundled up with our hats, gators, coats...the works. Bailee kept calling for me, but was looking at Kacie. I realized she couldn't tell Kacie and I apart in our winter attire. I finally had to take off my hat so she would believe that I was indeed her mommy.

Look out Ramones, our family has turned into a bunch of rockers! Okay not really... not even a little, but we did all have a blast (and neglected our children) playing Rockband and Guitar Hero. Bailee and Coops wanted to join in the fun and sang "Hey ho, lets go" over and over...ah, good times!

"Say Cheese"...

So, I thought I'd post some family pictures that we got taken not too long ago. My sis in law, Rebekah took them for us again, and she does a great job! One child was hard enough to get a decent picture, but trying to keep two kids happy puts a whole new spin on things! As much as I hate getting pictures taken, I love having pictures of all of us together. So even if Josh had to tickle Bailee and throw leaves to get her to smile and I had to hide Gabe's binki as soon as the picture was taken, it was all worth it in the end.

Happy Turkey Day!

We ran the Turkey Trot again this year, and it was possibly the coldest race yet. We pretty much run it because after a 5 mile run in the morning, when the Thanksgiving feast rolls around, you don't have to hesitate the least bit when you serve up that slice of pie that is really a serving for 3 people :) We waited for 40 minutes (the race started late) in below freezing temps and it took about a mile before my toes thawed out and I could feel them again. It just reaffirmed to me how much I hate being cold, but also how out of shape I am. Josh decided that the pilgrim costume was a little more conducive to running than the turkey costume he ran in last year and all four of us that ran ended up with pumpkin pies (Josh donated his to some church charity...hence three pies in the pic). It's funny how a little pie can be such a big motivator when you are running (the first 1000 men and women get one). Even though it was cold and I was sore for days after, it is a fun tradition that we look forward to. We had a great Thanksgiving at the in-laws, and as always with the Deans, lots of good food and company! Thanksgiving always helps me to stop and recognize just truly how blessed I am and although I feel undeserving of such abundant blessings I am sooo thankful for all I have been given. Thanks be to God for the amazing blessing of my faith, family and friends!

I already have a love-hate relationship with my son...Love this,

This was just one spit up! I thought the design of a ski hill was pretty amazing, so I had to capture it on camera (my mind has been on skiing lately). He usually slimes me multiple times after each feeding. I think he thinks it's funny because his prime times to spit up are right after a bath when he's nice and clean, or immediately after I put clean clothes on him. We both change at least twice a day (I can only handle smelling like spit up for so long) and go through multiple burp clothes, which means my laundry is doubling..aahh. I thought babies were supposed to know when to stop eating, but I just think this little man loves to eat and won't stop until he is literally spitting up while he is eating, he is so full. Oh well, although it doesn't smell like roses, and it's no fun to clean up, I am grateful for my sweet little guy who is healthy, happy and oh so spitty (for lack of a better word :).