Happy New Year

Gabe had a really good 2010...here's to an even better 2011. Gabe has been such a joy lately. He is waving consistently. He started saying "mama" at about 16 months, but he is now doing it purposefully and with his lips together. He also started signing for book. Just this weekend he learned how to dance. He is also learning his legs can move seperately and is "walking" with less help. He is also eating much better with minimal rasberries. He is off babyfood and I feel like we are definitely making progress. Thin liquids continue to be an issue, but he does pretty well with the yogurt drinks that are a little on the thicker side. We go to GI in 2 weeks and I'll be interested to see where his weight is at and if we can back off some tube feed volume....fingers crossed.

sleep in heavenly peace

Gabe had a great Christmas...we all did! He's fast asleep now. We started out yesterday by going to Grandma Marcia's. Gabe got lots of clothes and toys.

We then went to Grandma and Grandpa Beiting's and got a grocery cart that is the perfect height to practice standing.

On Christmas day, we spent the morning together. Our good friend Erin came by to visit. We then went to the extended Maher family and Beiting family. It was such a great time.

I forgot to post last week that we're working on walking with the walker our PT got us. Gabe is still figuring out, but at least he likes it.

Merry Christmas everyone!

great weekend

We had a really great weekend. On Friday Justin and I had a night out which was tons of fun and much needed. We had a great time at Belterra. We went to lunch on Saturday for Justin's Grandma's 90th birthday. Today we went to Union Terminal Children's Museum with the DSAGC and saw the toy trains (and Santa again). Then later today we went to a football party. I'm wiped. Gabe is doing well. He's been blowing rasberries at us for the past 2 weeks while he is eating. Today he actually did really well. He has had a little cold that I think he's finally getting over and actually ate really well today without spraying me with food.

Ho Ho Ho

Gabe met Santa and Rudolph today at the DSAGC Holiday Lunch and Awards Ceremony. I thought he would freak out, but he clapped and smiled and was very excited to meet them. He must be trying to butter them up so he'll get some really good presents.

December here we come!

We have been very busy around here lately with lots of holiday fun. Gabe is doing well. We're really pushing the honey bear cup lately to try to get him to drink out of a straw. He puts his lips around around the straw well...just needs to figure out how get the liquid out. We have also been working alot on transitioning movements from sitting to crawling and sitting to standing. He is doing very well with it...just requires lots of repitition. Gabe has also been very loud lately. He is making some great sounds. He can BZZZZ like a bee and say BRRRRRR when it's cold out...too cute.

What's missing from this picture?

...look closely
That's right! All this stuff!

Gabe is off oxygen at night! The sleep study in July showed that he was growing out of his apnea. His oxygen saturations are great. He looked great today at his doctor's visit and the Pulmonologist said it was time to take him off. What great news! They will do another sleep study in July just as a screening. Gabe also had a hearing test today and he passed. While he was the lower end of normal (especially in his left ear), his hearing still came out okay with the tubes in place. He has a little wax that the ENT will have to get out at our next appointment, but it's good to know he can hear us. At dinner tonight, Gabe was signing more for food and reaching for his sippy cup. While he still isn't crawling, he's starting to pivet on his belly some and be less opposed to pushing up, shifting his weight and reaching for stuff....I feel good things are coming our way. Go Gabe Go!

Pictures from the past 2 weeks

Very sunny day. Garden of Hope, Covington, Ky overlooking downtown Cincinnati. Gabe liked the view.

Swim Class

Look mom I'm a fish!

Halloween costume #2 - R2D2

Pumpking painting...mmmmm corn syrup and food coloring

Han solo, Princess Laya, and R2D2 (the yoda costume was better)