CeCe Update!

I fully intended to post this prior to getting on the road heading home from Pittsburgh, but didn't have time...so I apologize for the late post today!   I took a long weekend to be in Pittsburgh with my little family.   I needed a Gabriel fix.   To say that my heart is full would be an understatement.   That little guy has given me so much joy.

It had been four weeks since I had hugged on that little bundle of joy!  FOUR WEEKS!!  He is now 8 weeks old…officially 2 months old on November 6.  Where does the time go?

When I first arrived on Halloween, I was so excited to see him…wanting him to look at me and smile.   He did not let me down!   Dressed in his Halloween finest, I took him out of Katie’s arms.

After a few snuggles and some CeCe chat, Katie & Anthony left for their date night…tickets to the theater!   I was in charge…babysitting for a few hours.   Could it get any better?

Gabriel and I had planned to hand out candy but the weather was a disaster and with Luna (their dog), it was better to just keep the front porch light turned off.   He was in an orange pumpkin outfit and totally not thrilled!   

We talked about all kinds of things…how much I had missed him, Christmas, his cousins that he would be meeting soon, and we read a couple of books.  I think this is what Heaven must be like!

My little Gabriel has grown so much…his cheeks have filled out and his legs…well, they are still a little on the short side…but he’s gotten longer!!   To be fair, there aren't long legs in this family so his odds of getting longer legs aren't good.   But ohhhhhhh...those chubby little thighs...well, I could eat him up!!

The best part of my visit...those precious smiles and coos that he gave me…a lot of them!  Now, you may remember that I worked with him quite a bit when I was there four weeks ago.   He must have practiced a lot because he seems to be a pro!   He is so much more alert and I know that this is going to keep getting better and better.

Watching Katie and Anthony in their roles gives me such pleasure.   They are figuring it out and Gabriel fits into their busy lives just fine!   He is on the go with them daily…New Mom Coffee & Conversation, The Phipps Conservatory, coffee shops, breweries, and restaurants.   His social calendar is filling up and soon, he will have new activities like story time at the library, trips to the museum, and visits to the park.

Sleep is still a valued commodity and there is still some experimenting on what works best for them, but it is getting better.   Katie and I talked about the changes he was making...how he doesn't just eat and sleep all the time...he lays on his blanket and engages with them whether it's over a book or a toy or just exchanging smiles.   She's doing such a good job...just wish I could help her with the sleep deprevation!   "Sleep when the baby sleeps" is hard to do...but she is working on it!

Perhaps the biggest joy for me was just watching his eyes light up when he heard Katie's voice.  He and I were smiling at each other and then Katie would come over and his head turned and he literally lit up!!   She talks so sweetly to him and you can tell he is in love with her.   The miracle of watching my child as a parent continues to amaze me.  

With the month of November, so many are doing 30 days of gratitude.   I can't keep up with that on Facebook, but I can say that I am grateful for my time with Gabriel (& Katie and Anthony too!!).   His arrival came at the right time for me and really, seeing him smile and coo gives me the fix I need to get through the next few weeks.   

They will be traveling this way for Thanksgiving and he'll be introduced to lots of family.  I know he will continue to grow and his personality will be taking shape.   So much happens in just a month. 

For now, I'll have my FaceTime visits and lots of pictures to hold me over.   Thanks for letting me share the little pumpkin that lights up my life!!!   

This onesie says "Grandma was here" with the lipstick all over the shirt...

And there were even lip-prints on his baby bottom!!

Cutest little pumpkin...but not happy at all!!