A Day of Celebration!

Post by Grandma W

I had to take a picture of Kevin sleeping with Duke. I was being pushed out of bed. I awoke three times, had to move Duke over a few inches, then slide Kevin over, so that I was not falling off the bed! Daisy slept on the sectional sofa in the background.

The day began with everyone on the computer including Brandy and Jeremy on an iPod and iPhone.

My first cousin once removed had a baby girl about a week ago named Cordelia Sydney. Her marathon-running father, Sidney, had a septuple bypass last fall. During that time, Marsha dreamed she had a daughter named Cordelia -- a name stemmed from the Latin word for heart. It seemed to be a divine revelation, for then she discovered they were expecting. They waited for birth to know the gender.

Cathi has begun a business of creating baby gift items: diaper cakes, diaper wreaths, gift boxes, and much more.

Here are some samples:

Better sample photos will be posted on her website soon. Keep watching! She can accept orders and ship anywhere.

And here is some of her supply stash:

She worked on creating something fabulous from her and me (and our significant others). Kevin helped her. He LOVES arts and crafts!


This is Kevin's little hand assisting.


We cannot show the finished product as Marsha follows this blog!
Little brothers kissing.

Watching TV

Preparing for the Celebration!
A cake with Gabe's picture scanned and painted on the icing.


Kevin is using the "hand clappers" to mark the rhythm while singing "Happy Birthday."

Gabe donning his party hat and Mom holding his personal one-year-old cake.

I look at Gabe, and I see a face that is very familiar. Kind of eerie! He has the look of many Walshes in one face. He not only has curly hair on top, but curly hair all over now -- like Grampa and like his Angel-Aunt Karin.

Dig in!


The family watching the essential action.

The official one year old boy!

Presents!




Bedtime.

Gabe's Birthday that Wasn't

Post by Grandma W

Kevin's and my bed is the pullout sofa in the family room. When I come, Duke and Daisy always sleep with me. Last night, both dogs sometimes laid on top of Kevin! He awoke a few times complaining of a dog on top of him! It's nice to be loved!

Brandy started Band Camp this week. She has to be at school from 7AM to 6PM in the blazing 100+ heat. Tryouts were today, and she secured a position, as expected. Congratulations, Brandy! Her school has one of the top bands in the state!

This morning the boys played in the family room.


Kevin shared his beloved doggie with Gabe!

Kevin and Kien are really enjoying each other! They do a lot of hugging and rolling around, sometimes with Kevin's larger body bringing some pain to Kien's smaller body. Kien said to Kevin, "I love you. I miss you." Then he started calling Kevin "Mama." He calls his mother "Mommy," but, when he was younger and learning to talk, he called Karin mama. I am sure he is remembering that and equating Kevin with his former life. A psychiatrist told me that Kien will always remember Karin and his life with her. He was old enough for that to be a memory. However, Kevin was a bit puzzled by Kien calling him mama! ha!

Grandma gets lots of hugs, kisses, and "I love you"s from Kien too, and even from Gabe! He likes Grandma now and laughs for me. Here he is giving me an open-mouth "kiss-kiss."

We needed to take Daddy's lunch to him.

The kids had some playtime after our picnic lunch on a blanket on the floor. Jeremy and Kevin played catch. Kevin is doing much better at catching a ball!



More hugging time before strapping into carseats.

After running party errands, we went to the pool!

Gabe was not so sure that the pool was fun.



Today is Gabe's first birthday! He was sung to and best wishes were expressed over and over again all day. We picked up his cake, bought mylar helium balloons, wrapped his gifts, but the actual celebration never happened... With all the running around of the day, Gabe only caught cat naps in the car. By the time dinner was finished, we were pushing his happy demeanor and decided to postpone his celebration until tomorrow.

After Kien and Gabe were in bed, Kevin took it upon himself to put all the toys away! Cleaning up is one of his talents. Aunt Cathi was very impressed and said the family room had not looked that neat in many days.

Traveling to Texas

Post by Grandma W

After landing in Texas, I began texting Cathi. Once we came into baggage claim, I did not see her, so pulled out my phone to call her. She was there -- taking a picture of me calling her! You will note that Kevin is no where near me!!! He had seen them and run off to them with me oblivious to his absence.

My four grandsons!

Once we arrived at the house, Jeremy pulled out his skateboard, and Kien took a skateboard from the garage to the street as if he did it everyday!!! (Actually, this was his FIRST time to do such a thing!)




Kevin tried riding too! He and Kien did much better than I would on a first try!!!


Greg has told us about a gas station which houses a gourmet restaurant. He took us there tonight. Interesting place!

Gabe has decided that I am not so scary after all. In fact, he even liked me!

Kevin is thrilled to be with his cousins!

Pans!

Gabe found the pan cabinet! :) It was very loud for a short time.

A Saturday Afternoon

I was invited to attend a consignment sale a few months ago. I wanted to go check it out so I could get an idea on how to become a consignor. I happened to attend the 50% off day, and found some really great deals on clothes, toys, scrapbook and project items. So, once I attended and learned the in's and out's of consigning, I began my tagging.

I had planned on participating in the Fort Worth sale, but because I had completed all my items my friend Julia informed me that I could participate in multiple sales all over the DFW area. Grapevine's sale was a week away. I dropped off my items and was able to view online what was sold that day (every day for 4 days). I made a whopping $170 bucks! The bigger items sold like hot cakes and most of the clothes were sold. Luckily I had enough (with adding a few more items from the closet) to participate in the Fort Worth sale, too.

Saturday was the 50% off sale for the consignors in Grapevine (last day of the sale) so Greg and I went over there to check to see what was left and see if there was anymore toys. Gabe and Kien joined us and Brandy and Jeremy stayed home to finish chores and watch a movie. The handy dandy stroller works wonders!

This was the sign that was in the door way as we entered into the sale. HILLARIOUS!
Gabe just chillin' with a bottle and Kien was wanting everything!
After the long "torture" shopping event, we decided to stop at an Italian restaurant to eat. Gabe got to color for the first time! Yes, I had to tell him to get the crayons out of his mouth once or twice, but he sure made a pretty picture!
Kien is a pro! He knows just what to do!! :)

Sad Gabe

We went and had lunch with Greg and Gabe held daddy's business card the whole way home. When I opened the back door to unbuckle Gabe from his car seat, this is how I found him. So cute!

Gabe's Belly Laugh!

Ok, I apologize, I uploaded the wrong video.

Here is a clip of Gabe's belly laugh. It's amazing the things you can do to get a laugh! ;)