We all love chapstick!

I have to say that I am amazed at how much self-control Gabe has shown in the last few months of his life. We have let him "put chapstick on" now for awhile. He says "I want some lips" then goes into my nightstand drawer and gets out my huge tube of Pink Lemonade Lipsmackers, or he digs the tiny tube of Citrus Orange flavored ChapIce from the desk drawer. He really enjoys my super minty and glossy C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine, which is mint-infused for fresh breath. He's also supremely happy with the Original flavored Chapstick. Up until now, just putting a tiny, quick dab on his lips was enough for him. The purpose of this post is to say that my son Gabe, five days into being a two-year old, has just taken his first bite of chapstick. At first he looked disgusted and kind of shocked at what he had just done. Now, he is laughing an evil sounding laugh, and practically sucking on the tube of Mentha Lip Shine. I'd better go check the ingredient list...

Happy Birthday to Gabe!

So Gabe is 2 today. WOW! It's amazing how much he has grown up and changed in the last couple of months. His vocabulary is huge--he can recognize more birds than the average adult; he counted 8 bushes the other day--accurately, I might add; he picks up random bugs--he tried to get a little inch worm to roll up like a rolly polly yesterday(how do you even spell that?). He makes us smile and laugh all day long. (sounds cheesy, but truly, we just grin at each other every time he does something cute--which is all day long, like I said).

Planning parties is just not my thing, so luckily it worked out last weekend that family was in town and we could celebrate then. It was a nice weekend! Ryan and I went down to Cherry Point, NC to pick up my brother Mike from base. They spent all Saturday morning getting our Blazer registered to Mike so that he could drive it back to NC and have a vehicle to use while he is there. Noah came down in the afternoon and Jon was off of school, so we headed to Roanoke, got dinner at the Irish pub, then came home and gave Tori her Mother's Day gift early---a new guitar for Guitar Hero so we can rock out together!! All her wildest dreams came true this Mother's Day :).

Gabe got dedicated at church on Sunday, which was pretty appropriate, because I was actually in labor with him at church on Mother's Day two years ago. Seems like yesterday...We came home and grilled hamburgers and had a cake for Gabe, then Mike had to leave to get back to base and watched my Mother's Day gift, the movie Bella. It was a nice day and great to see Mike, Noah and Jon all in one weekend.

So for Gabe's birthday, we have a playdate with a friend from church this morning, then we'll meet Daddy at McDonald's for lunch and a romp on the playground, and then tonight if it's not raining, we'll take some pizzas to the park in town and anyone who wants to join us is welcome. I guess by the time he's three I'll actually have to plan ahead for a birthday party. Oh, and what do I fix for dessert if he doesn't really like cake?

Hmm, I'm debating on even including this in the post, but we need the prayer, so here goes! Ryan is still not feeling good. He's recovered from the surgery, but is having headaches and feels sick in the morning, which is indicative of another tumor. They want to get him in for an MRI, but the soonest we could get there is June 2, so he's just going to work as much as possible in the meantime. I keep hoping it's just allergies, but I guess we'll find out in a couple of weeks. Pleasepleaseplease be praying! The last thing we want is another surgery right now. I just want him to feel good! We're expecting a miracle, so expect one with us, OK?

Home!

We had a great time in Florida! It was sunny and beautiful the entire time we were there, except for one brief rain shower which produced the most incredible rainbow we had ever seen! The rainbow was out over the ocean, but not too far from shore, and you could see both ends and everything in the middle. It was even a double rainbow off and on. An absolutely stunning gift from God!
Gabe loved the ocean and the swimming pool. Anything to do with water and he is in heaven! He was going underwater like a pro and could even climb out of the pool by himself. Both grandmas had a blast occupying him in the pool. Ryan and I took him in the ocean a couple of times. He would be a little timid, but then you couldn't pry him away from the waves. He could walk up and down the beach forever, just collecting shells and seagrapes and anything else that looked interesting.
One of the highlights of the trip was seeing a sea turtle rescue habitat. Turtles that have been bitten by sharks or caught in traps are rehabilitated and then released back into the ocean. We were blessed to actually see a turtle get released! It was such a fun thing to see, and I even got misty-eyed when they put him out in the waves and he disappeared.

Well, back to normal life next week, which is never fun. Gabe and I get used to having Ryan around all the time and it is no fun to lose our playmate to the office. Oh well, money has to come from somewhere! He is feeling pretty good and is getting more energy every day. Headaches are getting farther apart and his scar looks good. Prayers are still appreciated and I hope this finds everyone doing well!
God bless...