Big boy!

I will have some additional pictures and videos available within the next few days but I wanted to make sure everyone knew what strides our little one had made over the past for weeks!

First-Gabriel managed to chip a tooth (no, we don't know when/how) BUT went to a pediatric dentist and had his tooth filed (rotary file and everything) with no more than a wink! He was perfect-we spent more time playing in the waiting room. He didn't cry or anything-what a trooper!

Secondly-We have finally made the transition from two shoddy naps to one solid nap (although it varies from one and a half hours long to two or more if we're really lucky)! It was a bit tenuous at first but we made it through. Considering Gabriel had just gotten over his first real illness (flu?) the previous week, he was a real champ!

Finally-NO MORE BOTTLES! At almost 15 months (on March 11), we've successfully gotten rid of all of our bottles! It was tough initially, but here's our trick (if you wonder). We started with the nighttime bottle, even though few people recommend it, by decreasing the amount over a week an ounce or so at a time and continually offering him milk throughout dinner and during book time before bed. Eventually, no more bottle. We did the same with his 3pm bottle by replacing it with a snack and milk-this also being a previous nap time. We'd sit in front of the TV or do something quiet together while munching so he'd still relax bit but because he constantly would fight this nap tooth and nail, it just seemed easiest to let it go...eventually we replaced his 10am bottle as well with a snack (which is before his nap now) and pushed it back to 11am/1130am. As he began sleeping from 7pm to 7am regularly, now we just pop him outta bed and change him and head to the kitchen to make him breakfast, giving him milk then rather than assuming he might go back to bed.

All this has led to a wonderful schedule in hopes that the routine will help with our little girl's arrival. I am so proud of my little Gubby-he's become such a big boy over the past few months.

P.S. In case you haven't heard, we've FINALLY decided on our little girl's name, Emily Elizabeth Prost. It's a cute story-Mike put two sticky notes inside my birthday card with the top 6 names we'd agreed on (we had a running list on the fridge) and a space for a write-in. He then suggested we rank them (on our own) and compare lists and the lowest score would win (i.e. 1 is the best). If there was a tie, we'd cross that bridge later, but we both agreed on Emily (a forerunner to begin with) and had already picked Elizabeth in memory of Aunt Virginia's daughter, Mary Elizabeth. So-there you go! Her initials will be E.E.P. and I plan to call her that-Eep. Sounds like monster names, huh-Gubby and Eep!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Videos!

Here is a bunch of videos that we've had on our camera and failed to upload promptly! I will be sure to update more regularly as no work means a bit more time to do stuff online!

Mark your calendars!

Finally! (I know, I know, we've been told tons of times how quickly we will regret this moment!) Gubby took his first set of steps on his own! He now knows how to stand and how to walk but has yet to do them in combination...look out low-lying fun stuff!

No News isn't Always Good News

Well, just a little update to keep y'all posted-turns out I did not get the job I was hoping for at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare...it boiled down to not being available when they needed me to start and to cover someone else's maternity leave (that happened to coincide with mine almost exactly). On top of that...I found out I was not selected for a fellowship at Florida State University in the College of Social Work-although this doesn't mean I won't be admitted to the doctoral program (still won't know until after March 1, 2011), it means my funding would be drastically reduced.

Let the snowballing continue-Gubby managed to climb onto the couch (woo, new skill!) but then tumble off and hit his head on the train table on his way down. Meanwhile, we weren't able to get our fire started as the house quickly gets cool at night...ugh. Long night...don't fret, though-Gubby's fine :)

Love you all so very much and please keep our friends, David and Joyce, in your prayers. They are enduring some medical hardships and need our support-thanks!

Christmas 2010

A very Merry Christmas from our family to yours! We were able to spend the vacation in Daytona Beach with my family. We got to go see Christmas lights at a nearby neighborhood that really goes all out and of course, open lots of presents! Despite the season having kicked off a bit odd (we just found out that Eckerd Youth Alternatives is closing my program here in Tallahassee and I will be effectively jobless as of March 31), we had a wonderful trip. Don't fret, though! I have enough PTO to take off paid leave from February 9th through my delivery (which will hopefully be an induction around the end of March)...I will be able to utilize my short term disability for the maternity leave. Though it's not a full paycheck, its something! I've already interviewed at the local hospital for a social work position at the behavioral health center (inpatient psychiatry). I will be sure to keep everyone posted but keep us in your prayers! Love you all!


Thanks, Opa and Nonna for our fancy train table! I'm sure Gubby will be all over it shortly!


Here's Gubby giving his little sister some lovin'! Hugs for the little girl!


New pajamas for the whole family!


Hey there, ladies!




Gubby and Pawpaw on the world famous swing! (And that's Riley's bum, too!)

Chicago

Mike and I recently made a short trip to Chicago to take part in the services for his recently deceased Grandfather, Thomas Prost, Sr. We spent each evening in our hotel at the kids pool and here are a few pictures from our fun times!