May

May was a busy month. I'm just going to put captions with the pictures. The only photos I didn't include were Mary Lauren & Matt and family visit because I'm going to add those to Gabriel's baptism photos. Enjoy!

Yes, more pool pictures this year! This is little fishie #1.

This is little fishie #2! Gustav is getting much better this year. He's swimming with his head under water and I think he'll be swimming without those wings soon!

My two boys

Gabe in his crib 3.5 months old. He is a happy smiley baby!

Playing on his activity mat!

Gustav finished his first year of gymnastics and we got to watch the last class. He got his first trophy, which he is very excited about! He has done so well this year!

Gabe (and Daddy!) came to watch Gustav perform!

Gustav on the bars! He is so strong!

Running around on the floor!

This is his favorite activity at home. Just give Gustav a bucket of dirt and some matchbox construction equipment and he'll keep himself occupied for hours. He is extremely interested in construction equipment, tow trucks and vehicles in general.

Gabriel discovered he had a hand.

Callie also finished another year of gymnastics. He class had an "olympics" where they performed routines on all 4 events. Callie has advanced to "Springers 2," but because she is so young and small, they're keeping her in Springers 1 for a little longer. One of the coached told Gus and me that if Callie wanted to she could "go all the way" in gymnastics. Pretty impressive!

Callie and her 'peeps' getting ready for the olympics.

Gabriel 3 moths old.

Gabe - 3 months old.

Callie ran 31 laps in the Boosterthon Fun Run fundraiser at her school!

The Rest of April

Happy 5th Birthday Callie!

Callie turned 5 on April 23rd. She had her birthday party at Botetourt Gymnastics and everyone had a lot of fun! Here are some pictures from her actual birthday and from the party, which was on April 25th.

My beautiful, sweet 5 year old!

Celebrating with hot dogs and corn on the cob (her choice for her birthday dinner!)

She brought doughnuts from Blue Collar Joe's to school for her birthday and they gave her a free one because it was her birthday. She chose lemon (I still don't know why :-)) So we put candles on it and sang to her.

Nonna and Nonno sent her an Aerial doll that "really swims and doesn't drown!"


One of the birthday party attendees! Yes, it's Gustav in the pit!

She picked out a ballet barbie cake for her party.

The Party Guests!
Top (L to R): Madelyn, Kayla, Chloe, Emily, Callie, Max, Haleigh, Sam, Rachael, Gustav
Bottom (L to R): Andres and Michael
Rachael, Haleigh and Callie!

Callie on the rope swing

Sleep!

Gabriel slept through the night last night! It wasn't his first night to do so, but I think he's well on his way to making it constant. I feed him at 10pm and he usually sleeps until around 4pm and then goes right back to sleep, but last night he slept until 6am so I woke up and fed him and we started the day. I'll have to adjust his schedule throughout the day, but it's well worth it!

He has been smiling at us for a week or so now. At first I wasn't sure he was smiling AT us, but now I'm sure. He's so cute and so good!

Callie and Gustav seem to be adjusting well. They are really helpful and have started completing their chores without complaining every morning :-) They have to make their bed, brush their teeth and get dressed each morning by themselves. Gus started giving them the "5 minute rule" - they have to finish in 5 minutes or they get 5 spankings. We adjust the 5 minutes as necessary - as long as they are actively working on their chores. They have been great this week! I even had time to update the blog before taking Callie to school!

Speaking of Callie, she had her Kindergarten test last week and I've been told she did great. I haven't received the acceptance letter yet, but it's safe to say she is K ready! She's growing too fast!

Gustav continues to grow before my eyes. It's making the decision to hold him back a year more difficult. I think we'll still do that because some day it might catch up with him. He and I have a good time together during the day. He has started exercising with me in front of the TV and he's so cute!

I'm going to go so I can post a few pictures before school!

Getting big!

We started giving Gabe a bottle once a day - he'll even take one from me!

Passed out in the swing...

Cuddling with his big brother.

Tea party

Recent Pictures of My Three Little Blessings!

Photos from March:

Sleeping on Daddy

Sleeping again :)

Neat close-up of my two sons

Sleeping outside...

Fixing their bikes just like daddy (his bike is in the grass)

My beautiful girl and her newest brother

Sleeping outside again...

Hanging out in the warm weather!

This photo was taken the same week as the one above!

First snow fall of the year on March 2nd - followed by 75 degree weather four days later!

Nonna and Callie!

Nonna and Gabe. She spent a week and a half with us, helping out and spending time with all of us. We miss her!

Giant floor puzzle

Cooking lessons.

Our family of 5

Sleeping outside again....

The cement truck is towing the fire engine. He is so clever!

Big sister and big brother! They are so helpful!

Karate kids!