Papa Smurf

The Smurfs are my all time favorite cartoon, which is why I was so excited to snap this picture of Gabriella lookin' an awful lot like Papa Smurf himself :)

Spa Day

Gabriella had her six-month checkup today. She weighed in at 16 lbs 4 ounces and measured 27.25 inches. The doctor declared her perfect, with the exception of mild cradle cap, and wrote a "prescription" for a warm oil scalp treatment.

Well, here she is, Miss America, after her very first at-home spa service:

Merry Christmas

Gabriella's first Christmas got off to a late start because she slept until 8am, waking only once during the night to eat. I'd like to believe she slept through the night as a gift to me, but she probably just didn't want to interrupt Santa.

Once Miss Lazy Bones woke up, we spent the morning in our pajamas, opening gifts and eating homemade coffee cake. Gabriella quickly got into the holiday spirit!

Then we got dressed and went to her grandparents' house for more gifts and food. Gabriella was on her best behavior, obviously trying to get a headstart on Santa's '08 list. She just loved the endless attention and affection.

Santa Claus is Comin' To Town!

Gabriella had the chance to meet him over the weekend. She tried to convince him that, though she started off in this world quite naughty, she has since made up for it with plenty of nice. I vouched for her and think we won him over!

Houston, we have a tooth!

After weeks of chomping on anything she could get her hands on--toys, fingers (hers or mine), washcloths, clothes ...

(Exhibit A)

... I felt Gabriella's first tooth yesterday! It's the bottom right front one.

Winter Wonderland

While I was in Dallas for a few days on business, Boston got hit with by a huge snowstorm.

(view from our master bedroom)

Somehow, my flight home was the only one *not* cancelled and I made it home to my baby girl.

I used to tell Michael that, for Mother's Day, I wanted an upscale hotel room for the night so I could check in alone, take a bath, slip into a comfy robe, order room service, and sleep uninterruped for twelve hours. Well, after spending three days and two nights away from her, I know that the last thing I'd ever want for Mother's Day is to be away from her.

America's Most Wanted

Gabriella Faith: International Terrorist, featured in her first passport picture.

Daddy's Little Girl

I've done a lot as a mom that I'm proud of. Exclusively breastfeeding despite sleep deprivation in the early days and an insane workload as of late. Sleep training without crying it out. Giving up all dairy, including my beloved pizza and ice cream, to ease her tummy. But I think the single best thing I may have done for my daughter is to choose Michael as her father because he just loves her to pieces.

Naughty & Nice

I ordered Gabriella's Christmas stocking on Monday. Unfortunately, the one I wanted was sold out, so I settled for a plain red quilted one. Well, today, I got a surprise package from my mother, and it was the sold-out stocking I wanted but ordered too late!

Here are a couple pictures--one naughty, one nice--of Gabriella and her meant-to-be Christmas stocking:

(too much egg nog)

(sugar and spice and everything nice)

Rice Cereal

Gabriella's first bite of solid food--homemade rice cereal--was a success!

Of course, she got it all over her hands, my shirt, everywhere but the bib :)

GFR @ 5 months

Happy five-month birthday, Gabriella!

The highlight of my day was taking you on a long walk, just the two of us. It was unseasonably warm and you seemed as grateful as I was to escape from the Thanksgiving chaos, if only for an hour. Here are a couple pictures from our trip:

I love you!

Happy Anniversary!

In honor of our third wedding anniversary, here's one of my favorite pictures from our big day.

And here's Gabriella celebrating the occassion!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9569914568

Massive Headwound Harry

Friday morning, Michael left the house at the crack of dawn for a one-hour day surgery to correct the mastoiditis in his right ear that had claimed 50% of its hearing. He was supposed to be home by noon. This is how he came back ... 12 hours later.

We've nicknamed him Massive Headwound Harry. My favorite though is the reaction that Gabriella (and her friend Henry the Hippo) had when he walked through the door.

GFR @ 4.5 months

Here's a sneak peek at the professional pictures we had taken this weekend.

The photographer, Michelle Carr, really captured Gabriella's playful and inquisitive personality at 4.5 months.

Dinner at Houston's

Gabriella was an angel for her grandparents last night, who babysat while Michael and I enjoyed dinner at our favorite restaurant. She slept the entire time so, other than kissing her goodnight (below), their only interaction with her was through the video monitor :)

Happiest Baby on the Block

Somebody told me today that Gabriella looked happy. It was the best compliment. Then it occurred to me : her happiness is now my single greatest goal. In fact, I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to make her smile, and go to even greater lengths to make her laugh.

Tonight, as I look at recent pictures of us, I realize that I look pretty happy myself.

Breathable Bumpers

The first of many pointless baby products to enter our home, I'm sure.

Soulful little girl ...

Daylight Saving Time

What's wrong with this picture?


Well, it was taken at 3:30 in the morning! Thanks to the end of Daylight Saving Time and a four-month-old who's in the midst of re-organizinging her sleep (i.e. taking longer and obviously too-long naps)--it's the middle of the night and there's a party in her bouncy chair. I used to love the extra hour of sleep we get at this time of the year. Now, well, I'm a mom and a good night's sleep, never mind an extra good night's sleep, is never guaranteed. But the payoff? I get to play with the little girl in this picture while the rest of the world sleeps.

Halloween

Halloween was officially my favorite day as a new mom so far. We took Gabriella for her four-month doctor appointment. She weighed in at 14 lbs 7 ounces and measured 26 inches. Michael had to work at night, so Gabriella and I went for a long walk through the trick-or-treating madness near Boston's Bunker Hill Monument and visited him at the restaurant.

Here's Gabriella tolerating her costume because she thinks her carrot rattle is edible ...


And here she is after realizing the carrot is made of satin and I've simply dressed her up ... yet again. I imagine this is the same look she's going to give me as a teenager, a mix of utter disbelief and genuine pity.