Project 365: Week 22

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Crazy Weekend Event #6: Sang at church. Had to be there at 9:00ish a.m. Church at 10:00. Home by around 12:30.

Crazy Weekend Event #7: Had to have Saylor at the dance recital venue at 1:30ish. p.m. Dressed and ready. The rest of the family showed up later for a 2:30 show time.

Waiting backstage. Would you just look at those amazing eyelashes?!

And today was Gabriel's official 3rd birthday!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Crazy (Extended) Weekend Event #8: Our special, very-much-missed out-of-town friends came to visit for the day. Such fun! It was almost like old times.

These two quietly became pals.

I got nothin'.

Saylor did her own thing much of the day. But what's new?

These two just picked up right where they left off.

These two cuddled.

These two bonded over Nemo and silkies (aka "Nah" in certain families).

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

My parents let us adopt their old recliner for our bedroom. The kids think it's their new toy.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Last day of ballet and guitar classes. I am one happy mama!! Not that I took pictures of these particular events. Instead, we blew off some steam after dinner with a little accessorizing...

...dancing...

...and trying to make ourselves fit into things for which we are too big.

*sigh* I know that feeling all too well!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

We went to visit my aunt and uncle at their new cabin on the lake today. The kids had the best time feeding the ducks and a Canadian goose with a broken wing.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Down day. Mommy's exhausted. But we did do a little online research for homeschool. We are trying to finish up our study of Amelia Earhart and the Wright brothers. By the way, I highly recommend this book about the Wright brothers' childhood. While not the most astounding piece of "literature" you'll ever read, the story itself was captivating, both for Noah and myself. And this video was cute, too.

Above website: Airplane Anatomy

We remembered at ten till six that we had Noah's soccer awards program that night at 7:00!! Somehow we made it, and Noah was excited to receive a brand new soccer ball.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

We got up semi-early today so we could go pick up our weekly "ration" of raw milk and pastured eggs. Then we stopped by a friend's garage sale to pick up a school desk for Noah. (Here's hoping it helps!) After that we stopped at Old Navy for a little mommy shopping (Yay me!), and then we strolled down to Petco to see if there were any dogs (purely for entertainment purposes). There were none, but they DID have these great buggies!!

Check out the little sign at the top of the pole! (It reads "Customer in Training.") Is that not the cutest?!

Now I'm looking forward to having my sweetie home with me all day on Monday!!!! National holidays rock!! You can check out the weeks of all the other "Project 365" participants at Sara's.

Another Birth Story: The Third

Once upon a time, I was a mommy with two babies: a boy and a girl. And I wanted another. Sometimes I don't get what I want right when I want it. Does that ever happen to y'all? And I'm one of those people who just has to know why and why not. It's the puzzle-solver in me, I guess. Of course, God doesn't always reveal to us the whys of what we go through, but in this particular case I was able to understand at least a part of why my third baby finally came along when he did and not before.

As usual, I was showing no signs of going into labor, and we were fast approaching my due date. So. We once again made arrangements for an induction. When I made the appointment it just didn't feel right. My doctor even noticed my hesitation and assured me I could cancel it if I wanted. I soon learned why. My granddaddy passed away two days before I was scheduled to be induced. God made it possible for me to attend his out-of-town funeral on the very day I was supposed to have my baby. And even more of a miracle...on the day of my rescheduled induction--several days later--I ended up going into labor on my own early, early that morning, which was further confirmation that we had done the right thing. God's timing. Always so perfect.

On that day, three years ago...we welcomed into the world the largest (I like to say "healthiest") of all the Davidson kiddos to date. Gabriel. Our little angel.

Is there any other joy in life so great as seeing your baby for the first time?

Noah, who was already a big brother, knew first-hand the blessings in store for our family as we brought home a new sweet baby.

Saylor was new to all this big sister stuff, but she was easily a natural.

There was so much love for our new addition. And he could not have been more cuddly.

He didn't have a nursery when we brought him home, because we were in a much smaller home then and were trying to sell. But it was just as well. He slept in our bassinet. Until he outgrew it, that is. He was a fast grower!

But he didn't mind. He was so easy to please and so easy to delight.

This child who came into the world MAD AS A HORNET (no kidding!) turned out to be such a laid-back, quiet soul--content to just watch and take it all in.

And as his personality developed, we learned that Gabriel does things according to Gabriel's own schedule...and in Gabriel's own way.

(The floor was cold.)

I will never forget that on CHRISTmas morning--the first CHRISTmas in our new house--Gabriel decided that the shiny wrapping, curly-Q ribbon, and the interesting, newly-unwrapped toys were motivating enough to suddenly begin crawling for the first time (at seven months). And boy, did he take off!

And how the first time he walked, he did it without any assistance or prodding from me or anyone else. He just walked into the kitchen while I was cooking. Walked right in, as if he'd been doing it his whole life. Like, "Mom, I just decided to walk today."

All of us have so enjoyed getting to know him.

We have all rejoiced with him as he's grown and learned...

...and experienced...

...and become who he is today.

Of course, all of my children are precious and special and dear to me. But there's just something about Gabriel. Something intensely sweet.

Maybe it's because he's so quiet. Maybe it's because he's so cute.

I don't know. But I'm in love with it. Whatever it is.

He truly is my little angel. Happy Birthday to our Gabriel Isaiah! Three years old today, May 23, 2010.

Project 365: Week 21

Sunday, May 16, 2010

I spent a long time today reorganizing our homeschool stuff--moving it from upstairs to some bookshelves downstairs and near the kitchen. I'm hoping that will help us get things a little more under control. Anyway, I found one of Noah's VERY first stories ever written.

I'll translate: One day the squirrel found a acorn. He opened the acorn and it was empty.

(Beginning, middle, and end. You can't argue with that.)

Monday, May 17, 2010

I have these great bibs. Had one for Saylor when she was a baby. (In fact, if you don't have one, get one! I'd provide a link, but I'm not entirely sure they're still available anymore. Here...just Google it: Get Messy Bib by Babylicious. Best of luck!) Gabriel and Atticus both have one. Gabe stopped wearing his long ago, but lately he's been wanting to wear his so he can look like Atticus. They both get a big kick out of looking alike.

It's also my birthday today. I was sad that Paul HAD to work today, but we did all go out for dinner. And that was fun. But I forgot to take any pictures.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

I discovered we have a Cupcake Monster living in our home. One who eats only the tops.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

We ran an errand or two before lunch, but Atticus just couldn't hang with us. It was sort of weird, because it was a little after 12:00 when we got home, and his normal nap time is more like 1:30 or so. He was sound asleep when we pulled into the garage. And then he stayed asleep as I carried him in the house and put him on my bed. So sweet. But of course, the little cat nap totally messed up his schedule.

And today was Gabriel's last day of speech therapy--at least in this particular program, with this particular, dearly-beloved therapist.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

For some reason Atticus got it in his head that if he wore this hat...

and got down on all fours, he would become a dog. He traveled all around the kitchen woofing and panting...as long as the hat stayed on.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Crazy Weekend Event #1: Cousin Claire graduated tonight. We are so proud of her!!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Crazy Weekend Event #2: Sent these snack bags with Noah and the boys for Noah's final soccer game, which I had to miss. His team was undefeated, by the way!!

Crazy Weekend Event #3: Dress rehearsal. Somebody's having such a good time!

Crazy Weekend Event #4: Made two huge batches of chocolate buttercream frosting for about a thousand cupcakes. And then made a couple of race cars out of cupcakes.

Crazy Weekend Event #5: Hosted a party (WHICH we were late for!) at Jump!Zone for Noah and Gabriel. Lots of friends and fun. And I actually accomplished the pull-apart cake I was hoping for. Check out the race cars!

That's all for this week, but just remember...the weekend's not over yet, as far as the blog is concerned. I am, however, DONE. Sort of. Now maybe I can finally get caught up with all the participants linked up at Sara's. (I'm so behind.) On that AND laundry...