Gabe's 1st Hair Cut

SO,I finally did it... well kind of... I didn't actually pay for a hair cut... I did it myself! I figured out that while Gabe eats a bowl of oatmeal, it's a pretty good time to get scissor happy on his hair! He never minded and curly hair is really hard to mess up! You can't tell if it's uneven... Anyhow, I cut a good bit but it was not too much I didn't think! Thought it turned out pretty good!

Jayce's First Day of 4K

Here is Mr. Jayce his first morning of 4K! He was super excited about going this year and early mornings have not been a problem for him! He is "up and at 'em" so far each day! He loves to pick his outfit (I give him 2 choices), and come down all dressed. He "orders" his breakfast the night before and things run pretty smoothly this way! He is loving 4K so far and his teacher, which definitely helps! He comes home each day with a new song or Bible verse, which I love!

Here is my favorite so far, it actually is as good for mommy to hear as for him! It has become the song we chant around the house each time it is needed!

"The devil wants everybody grumpy, the devil wants everybody mad.The devil wants everybody grumpy, and he doesn't want everybody glad. (arms crossed and frowny face)
But Jesus wants everybody happy, Jesus wants everybody glad! Jesus wants everybody happy, and he doesn't want anybody sad!"
Love it! Works like a charm every time, even on myself!

We look forward to a great school year!

I must say though, no matter how many times I do this, I have to cry the first day each year... This year especially seemed hard, it was so quiet once my Jayce was gone... that is until I got Gabe out of the crib... but to think, once they are BOTH gone to school... can't go there yet... At least it is only a half day, and I look SO forward to picking him up each day to hear what he has learned!

Uncle Stephen's Wedding

Jay, Jayce and I took a little road trip, actually long road trip, to Marion, Virginia. Uncle Stephen and Taryn were married there August 8th. We had a great time with Jayce! He really had a lot more fun than he appears to be having in these pictures! He did awesome on the road trip and really enjoyed hanging out with his Columbia "friends." (his endearing term for all his cousins)! Congratulations to Stephen and Taryn!

McLaughlin Family Beach Trip

So, after much complaining from my cousin Jen, I decided I had better get on the ball with my blog and am trying to get updated! You're welcome Jen!
Last minute this year, Nanny booked a house in Cherry Grove for the whole family! It turned out we had already planned to vacation that week in Hilton Head, so we just changed directions and went with the clan! The boys had the BEST time... We literally did not see Jayce except for in passing as he ran through the room on his way to find another "friend."
We were on the inlet and the boys loved fishing and crabbing off the dock! Grandaddy brought the golf cart and a red wagon for us to ride around in and these both came in very handy! We were so glad Jayce especially had an opportunity to hang out with his cousins, he always has the best time with them! And, we had a pretty easy week with him being so entertained!

Gabe's 2nd Birthday Pictures

Gabe's 2nd birthday was just perfect! Since his party was not going to be until Sunday, Jayce talked me into letting him open one gift early, on the day of his actual birthday... Jayce carried his present into his room and pretty much threw it in his crib, I did manage to get him out before they both tore into it! Jayce's first words were "Hey Gabe, how about I give you something of mine, and I can have this, so let's trade!" I was thinking this birthday was gonna be a hard one for Jayce!

Turns out Sunday could not have been more perfect... Jayce did just fine at the party, helped him open his presents or opened them for him rather... but he was having too much fun to be jealous for long!

We had a very small gathering at the clubhouse... just family, and it was really nice! We got a honey baked ham sandwich tray, I made fruit salad, and homeade salsa to go with the chips and it... Easy, and GOOD, my kind of party!

Gabe really enjoyed his cake and playing with all his cousins or "friends," as Jayce calls them!

Happy 2nd Birthday Gabe!

Kind of a random photo of Gabe, but I just love it! Will post more vacation pictures later!

I can hardly believe my baby boy is two! It truly seems like only yesterday I found out I was expecting him... A little scared with a 1 1/2 year old by my side, little did I know the blessing Gabriel would truly be to us! I could go on and on about all the reasons I love this little guy, but will try to summarize below what I love most about Gabe these days...
-He loves to give "sugars" and say "MMM-ahh"
-He loves to give hugs and a little "pat pat" on the back just to let you know he cares!
-He loves to greet and wave to every one who is even remotely close by!
-He LOVES TO TALK... On our family beach trip 2 weeks ago, Nanny commented how much you can tell about people by living in such close quarters... She concluded that Gabe and I were about the only morning people in a house of 17, as we were up and talking first thing, while everyone else was grumbling and stumbling around... On the other hand, they were up past midnight, while Gabe and I were snoring or ready to be!
-He LOVES to Sing still! The ladies in the gym last week told them he was singing -Happy Birthday to mama all last week... we'll see if he'll actually sing to himself today! He also loves to dance anytime there is a beat, and boy does he have rhythm!
-He likes to say the blessing, imitating his big brother's "God our Father" song
-He is very aware when I am stopping to pray with Jayce sometimes (like when we are having a rough morning or I have just lost my temper and need to ask forgiveness)that I am praying and will chime in "AMEN" at the very end...
-He loves to be outside and I have to keep all deadbolts locked to keep him from escaping!
-He loves to sit on the potty (although he has not actually used it yet) and wash his hands!
-The first thing he does when he wakes up is says "Where's Jayce" and before he goes down says (Night night Jayce)
-If we are riding in the car together, and Jayce falls asleep, he will say "Where's Jayce? Night night?"
-Gabe's favorite words right now are "I wanna get out!" But he says it so fast it is like one long word... He still does not like to be confined in his carseat or high chair for extended periods of time and this is how he'll let us know!
-He will say "I"m full" when he's done with lunch now...
-His most favorite thing in the world to do is talk on the phone and every time it rings he says "I wanna talk to mimi," he thinks it is always mimi (who could either be my mom or nanny, since he calls her that too)
-Loves to play ready, set go, or 1-2-3 and let Jay throw him up in the air, he has no fear!

Gabe is so funny, happy, and sweet spirited and we cannot help but love our sweet boy to pieces! Yes, we have our moments, we are two, but would not change a thing! We love you sweet baby Gabe, yes you are still my baby!

PS, will post pic s from our small family birthday party tomorrow... after mono and my sweet grandfather's funeral this week, we decided to just do things on a small scale this year... it won't matter to Gabe, he has fun everywhere... as long as we let him wiggle! :)