Carter is 1 Month Old! Gabrielle's Summer Fun

Carter was one month old on July 11th. He is the sweetest little baby EVER. I love, love, love this baby stage. He's warm and snuggly. I wish I could bottle his baby smell. He is a big boy. At 2 1/2 weeks he was already over 9 pounds. He's a little chow-hound, so I am venturing to guess he is closing in on 10 pounds-although I am not really sure. He is a good sleeper, thank goodness. He still wakes up every 3-4 hours to eat, but all he does is kick his feet and lick his lips to tell me he's hungry. I'm a light sleeper... After he's fed, he falls right back asleep. During the day, he is up quite a bit more inbetween feedings. He thinks he's much older than he is because he likes to hold his head up. He also likes to watch the mobile in his crib. It's pretty cute/funny to watch his little head and eyes follow it. He seems to enjoy baths, getting his diaper changed, and watching his big sister who loves to kiss all over him. His major dislikes are getting dressed and undressed and that sleepy feeling when you just can't find the right spot. He's not so sure about being in the swing and he thinks binkies are a little weird--unlike his big sis! He also will drink from a bottle, but he has a furrowed brow the entire time like he's wondering what the heck it is, but doesn't care because he's still getting milk! Occassionally he will smile, which melts our hearts, and he has a huge dimple, which is sooooo adorable. We are looking forward to lots more smiles. We love and adore our baby boy if it isn't entirely obvious! For his monthly photos, I got some handy-dandy shirt stickers. No more old-fashioned handmade signs!

Let's see what's new with Gabrielle since the arrival of Carter...She got a super fun play structure installed in the backyard. It's pretty cool. I like to play on it. It has 2 swings, a disc swing, a trapeze bar, a rope ladder, a rock wall, a slide, and a racecar tire swing. It also has a little house at the top. Gabrielle had a camp out in the basement with Poppy. She thought that was pretty neat. She has enjoyed growing her own strawberries in the yard. I told her she did a good job growing them, and she laughed at me and said they grow by themselves. She's funny like that.


She has adjusted well to the baby, but has had a harder time with all the visitor's kids playing with her toys! I can tell that she genuinely loves Carter. She refers to him as "my baby." She smiles at him, and I catch her kissing him sometime, or just sitting by him and playing with him. It really melts my heart. She's a sweet girl--most of the time...HA

Carter, Gabrielle, & the Bunnies


The New Family of Four


In their coordinating Big Sister/Little Brother shirts


Gabs Loves Carter!


1 Month Pics




Gabrielle playing on the play structure, swimming at Jammie & Grandpop's, and having a campout with Poppy! Hooray for summer!!!!!

Welcome, Carter!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Welcome to the World, Baby Carter!!

He's here!!

Introducing Carter Adam Sulkowski
Born June 11th, 2011 at 7:07 p.m. He weighed in at 8 lbs., 2 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. He looks like such a little boy--so handsome! We are completely delighted and totally in love with our new little man. Everyone is doing well-including big sis, Gabrielle!

April...Busiest and Most Fun Month!

Thank goodness March didn't last forever because we were all very excited for April. We had a trip to Chicago planned over spring break and, of course, our little darling was getting ready for the big 3 birthday!

We had an excellent time in Chicago. The drive was quick and easy. We had all the necessities for the car: portable DVD player, DVDs, CDs, and snacks. While in Chicago we visited with several friends, ate at some tasty restaurants, and visited some kid-friendly tourist spots such as Shedd Aquarium and The Children's Museum. Gabrielle is really into Disney Princesses, so she was super excited to go to the Disney Store on Michigan Ave. where she got to pick out some birthday presents. She searched through the whole store and decided on a large plush Cinderella and 7 small plastic princess figurines. She was in 7th Heaven. It was really cute and it was actually a highlight of the trip for Adam and I as well. She also loved swimming in the hotel pool. Luckily there was a pool! (See February's post for more info on why!) Adam was a trouper--he took Gabrielle swimming at least twice a day. I was not about to get into a bathing suit! Overall, it was a fantastic little trip, I'm sure we'll do it again.


A week or so after Chicago, it was time for Gabrielle's 3rd birthday party. She got to pick out the theme and all the decorations--including her cake. She really wanted an Arielle birthday party, so that's what we did! This was the first year that Gabrielle knew what was going on. This birthday was 10x more fun than her first or second birthday. We had a family party at our house, and she was so well-behaved. Even without a nap, she was very polite while opening gifts and thanked everyone, and she also gave hugs and kisses to everyone when they left. We played "Pin the Tail on the Bunny" and the kids enjoyed running around in the basement and playing in the Giga Ball. (It's a giant inflatable hamster ball type thing.) Gabrielle said her favorite part of the birthday party was her cake. (It was pretty awesome. See pic below. VG's did a great job!) Gabrielle got a lot of fun gifts...her favorites all had to do with Disney Princesses!!


This was a really, really fun month!!


Here are some funny Gabrielle quotes:

1. Gabrielle to Poppy: "We have to go to your birthday or else it will be closed."

2. Gabrielle to Mommy: "Do you have 'sunscream' on?"


3. Poppy had just gotten home from a race and was wearing his racing outfit (think bumblebee in spandex) at that moment he was wearing his bike knickers with suspenders. Gabrielle said, "You look fashionable!"


4. "You look incredible!" (said to me wearing an Easter hat that was 10x too small!)


5. "It's snowing! ....(in the saddest voice possible) ....AGAIN?!"


6. "I want to go to summer." (Me too, Gabs! I think she said this because I always tell her that we can do something or go somewhere 'once it's summer.'


7. Gabrielle in the backseat of the car: "Mama, can I have my binky?"

Mama: "No, sorry babe, I didn't bring it."

Gabrielle: "Well, actually you did. It's in the pocket of the diaper bag."


Our "Amazonian" Amaryllis


CHICAGO!!!


Gabs with her beloved Cinderella


Poppy's Bday



Opening up some gifts on April 12th!


Gabs' Bday Dinner @ Red Robin (Her Request!!)





The Coolest Cake!


Trying *very hard* to blow out the candles at her bday party





Happy Easter



Good Old Rollerama (Easter Scoot...I mean Skate!)

March Madness

March...a necessary month in order to get closer to spring!! March is a pretty blah month here in Michigan, but we still had a lot of fun. Gabrielle had her first "friend birthday party" that in which she got invited. It was at the Kid's Clubhouse in Milford for her friend, Eden. She had a ball. She picked out Eden't gift at Meijer...a Beauty and the Beast "rubber dress" doll set. (Think Polly Pockets!) Gabrielle picked out this gift because she really wanted it for her birthday!

This month was also really fun because we had a 4D ultrasound, so we could see "Baby Brother." We figured it was a once in a lifetime experience, so we jumped at the chance. 4D ultrasounds are really neat. We got to see his chubby little cheeks and his little lips that look just like Gabrielle's did when she was born. Having a 4D ultrasound made me want to meet this little guy even more!

Here are a few funny things Gabrielle said this month...

Gabrielle called paczkis "punchies." (She ate an entire paczki! Yikes!)

Receptionist at mama's doctor: "How old are you?"
Gabrielle: "Gabrielle Sophia Sulkowski"

Mama: "What time is it?
Gabrielle" "26 degrees and windy"

"My knuckle-cap hurts!" (Refering to her knee cap--close enough!)

Until Next Month,
Colleen

BABY BOY!!




Polish Princess eating her "Punchie"


In Mommy & Poppy's Bed



Princess Gabrielle (I can't believe Grandma snapped this photo--Gabrielle loves the thought of dress-up but will not put anything on for me!)



Running full speed ahead in her cape from Jammie

February Fun

Mama turned the big 3-0 this month, so Gabrielle enjoyed celebrating at the birthday party. She was especially keen on her new outfit for the party. Hot pink shoes with a giant rhinestone, a hot pink ruffly tutu skirt, and a pair of jeggings! She wouldn't wear the glittery headband. I guess it was a bit over the top. HA! Gabrielle is so much more outgoing now...she loves to find kids and play with them. Especially older kids. Especially older boys...YIKES! I hope this is not an indication of her teenage tendencies!!

Adam, Gabrielle, and I made a trip to Columbus, OH, for Gabrielle's 1st concert. It was The Laurie Berkner Band. We booked a room and decided to make a weekend trip out of it. It was really funny because there was no pool at the hotel, and Adam could NOT believe that he actually booked a hotel without a pool. A major no-no for anyone with a child. He sweared there was a picture of a pool on the website and it was one of the many ammenities. No such luck. Too bad we constantly told Gabrielle about how much fun she would have swimming in the pool. We made the best of it and Gabrielle and Poppy put on their swim suits (and Gabrielle put her floaty on too) and they went swimming in the bath tub. At least it was warm. Kids will have fun with anything as long as you have a good attitude about it! Oh yeah, the concert was great, too. Laurie sang all the hits and all the kids were dancing in their seats. It was quite the show. We were glad we went!!

Sadly, at the end of the month, Gabrielle's Great-Grandfather, whom she called "Great Papa", passed away at the age of 84. Having never known my own great-grandfathers, she was lucky to have him for nearly 3 years of her life! He was the patriarch of the family and will be sorely missed by all.


Happy Bday, Mama!


Our Swimming Pool (Sorry Adam-couldn't resist!!)




@ the concert







Rest in Peace... Richard Wozniak-July 3, 1926-February 22, 2011

No Winter Blahs!

January is my least favorite month of the year. However, with a 2 1/2 year old I find it nearly impossible to experience any "winter doldrums." With the hustle and bustle of the holidays over, we have been enjoying the simple things over at our house. On January 17th, we found out some very, very exciting news. WE'RE HAVING A BOY!!!!!!!!! Adam, my mom, Gabrielle, and myself of course we to our ultra sound appointment together. I was one day shy of 19 weeks, but the ultrasound technician was able to see everything she wanted. He looks great, which was the most important thing. The night before the appointment I had a dream that we were having a boy, but I really didn't believe it until we saw the proof on the ultrasound screen. I figured we'd probably have a girl just because that's what I have! I think a boy will really balance out our family--that's for sure. I am hoping for less sibling rivalry, and the prospects of being able to enjoy "girl" activities and "boy" activties and of course lots of family activities. We are looking forward to family ski vacations and biking vacations and Disney World (well, in 5 years anyway!)

Another big thing that happened this month was that Gabrielle didn't have Grandma all month. Grandma and Grandpa Sexton went to Mexico for the 2nd half of January, so Gabrielle went to our next door neighbor's house. This meant that Gabrielle had to get up at 6:15 every morning, and had to be ready to leave the house with Mama at 7:00. She was a trouper, and there were very few tears (and none when I dropped her off!) Just a few in the kitchen before we left the house, which is totally understandable. She did awesome at the neighbor's! Sabrina is a "Super Mom" with 4 kids of her own and several that she watches during the week. Gabrielle got to play everyday with Lilliana who is only one year older than she is. Gabrielle took a nap everyday, ate well, didn't use a binky during nap time, AND used the potty everyday!! YAHOO! Poppy was able to take a day off and take her to preschool which was awesome, too.

Here are a few cute "Gabrielleisms" this month...
...at church while getting ready to go up for communion, Gabrielle said very loudly to the usher and others around us, "It's time for Mama's snack!"

...with her index finger raised, she said, "Speaking of which" when I asked her if she was hungry or needed a snack

..."Holy Moly Spicy Macaroni" (I have no idea where she came up with this one

..."You're way off target!"

..."You're absolutely right!"

That's about all I can think of at the moment---Until next month!

BABY BOY PICS!








Gabrielle pics!

Coloring in the kitchen w/ Poppy




Our first attempt at Candyland


Wearing Mama's Veil (She's very into weddings and wedding dresses and dresses/shoes in general!)