New Glasses

I'm jumping ahead a little bit (I still haven't posted anything about the weeks since Thanksgiving), but I know some of you are waiting to see Gabi's newest accessory.  I'll go back to the other stuff later.  

Gabi seems to like her new glasses.  She notices whenever someone else is wearing glasses now.  She brings them to me most mornings, wanting me to put them on her, along with her hearing aid.  She looks pretty cute!  

 She got a new case/purse and wand to go with her glasses.  

Gabi's new Hearing Aid

Gabi got a new little hearing aid for her left ear. It is really cute! She likes to show it off. It is purple with sparkles. She doesn't mind wearing it at all. We noticed that she is much more aware of her surroundings and is picking up certain sounds that she couldn't hear before. We are very thankful. Hopefully the transition to wearing glasses will be just as easy!

Happy 90th Birthday Sweet Grandma!

I had to post this one by itself. It's hard to believe that my grandma is 90. (She still played ball in the hallway of her apartment complex with the girls!) I thank God for this dear woman. I thank God that she has been such a great influence in my life. I thank God that He has used her faithfulness in daily prayer for my life. I'm so glad that Gabi got to meet one of her greatest prayer warriors!

I love you Sweet Grandma!

Popcorn

Gabi is so happy! She is having popcorn for her snack! This is huge, considering she was only able to handle baby food consistency just 5 months ago. Since then she has learned to use new parts of her mouth, chew different textures, and enjoy so many more things. She continues to work on taking small bites and feeding herself independently, but she is gaining in this too. She was thrilled to be able to have this special snack.

Fall Fun

Big girl haircut!

Gabi got her hair cut. She looks so much older.

Random Pictures

Sisters!

Pretty hair.

Puzzle time.

Gabi got her pants on (sort of) by herself. She also picked out the boots. :)

School time.

Gabriela - Dedicated to the Lord

We dedicated Gabriela in front of our church congregation last Sunday. These are the questions we were asked. Our answer to all of them was, "YES!"

PARENTAL PROMISES FOR THE DEDICATION OF THEIR CHILDREN

1. Do you recognize these children as gifts of God and give heartfelt thanks for God's blessing?

2. Do you now dedicate your children to the Lord who gave them to you, surrendering all worldly claims upon their lives in the hope that they will belong wholly to God?

3. Do you pledge as parents that, with God's fatherly help, you will bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the Word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord into their lives?

4. Do you promise to provide, through God's blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your children, looking to your own heavenly Father for the wisdom, love and strength to serve them and not use them?

5. Do you promise, God helping you, to make it your regular prayer that by God's grace your children will come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins and for the fulfillment of all his promises to them, even eternal life; and in this faith follow Jesus as Lord and obey his teachings?

THE WORDS OF DEDICATION

"Gabriela, together with your parents who love you dearly and this people who care about the outcome of your faith, I dedicate you to God, surrendering together with them all worldly claims upon your life in the hope that you will belong wholly to the Lord, forever."

These are all the families that participated.

Gabi's turn.

She was excited about this part!

Praying.

Thank you family and friends that were able to attend this special day with us!

Two words!

Gabi said her first two words together the other day when our friends, the Goldensteins were here. Beth and I were sitting at the table and she said, "Hi...Beth." When they were ready to leave she said, "Bye...Guys." This seems to have opened the door for more language development because later she said, "Night Night...Mama," and has been trying to say more multiple word sayings as well!

Morning Snuggles

The other morning Gabi went in Daniel's room, crawled right into his bed, and woke him up with a snuggle! He was happy that his snuggling abilities (he has been named the best snuggler in our house) seem to be rubbing off on her.

Getting to know Gabriela!

Anna and Gabi after their morning shower.

We are having a great time getting to know Gabriela!

Here are some things we have learned so far:

Gabi is very small. She only weighs about 22 pounds and she wears size 2T.

Gabi is sweet and smiley and everything seems new and exciting to her.

Gabi loves music. She really enjoys it when we sing together at family devotions.

Gabi loves to try on everyone's shoes. She also likes to mimic anything you do.

Gabi is very ticklish. She can hardly stop laughing when her skin is touched.

Gabi is very particular about what she eats. So far we have found that she likes applesauce, veggie straws, and peanut butter and jelly. She also loves milk!

Gabi gets tired and out of breath easily (because of her heart condition). She can not run or be active very long without stopping to rest.

Gabi is not really verbal yet (in English or Spanish). So far the only words that she says are "papa" (which she says often) and "mama" (which she says sometimes).

Gabi is learning sign language quickly. So far she has learned to sign for "milk", "more", "please", "all done", "eat", and "diaper change". This is helping decrease her frustration greatly.

Gabi can have some pretty good tantrums! We are working with her to be gentle and trying to keep everyone safe.

Gabriela!

Gabriela when she was 2 1/2 years old.