Yesterday Gabe had his 9 month health check (we’re off a month okay? blame my insurance). Since his regular pediatrician is out on maternity leave (last time we saw her it was so cute, he kept kicking her belly and her baby was kicking back!), we saw a doctor she referred us to. After waiting for the MA to weigh Gabriel (which took quite some time because he refused to lay down and getting him to at least sit STILL was a hassle), we headed back to the room so she could measure his length and his head. Then she went over it with me on the growth charts. For height and weight, he’s in the 50 percentile. For his head? 90th. My kid has a huge head!

Finally the doctor came in after awhile of waiting. By the time he arrived, Gabriel had already walked around the entire room and was growing bored. He was sitting on the floor looking around when the doctor walked in. He stood up immediately and toddled over to him hold up his arms to be picked up! It was so cute. Dr. Degan picked him up and brought him over to the table to examine him. He asked what questions I had and then asked some of his own. Finally, he gave me the info on the shots Gabriel was receiving and bid us goodbye. So then we waited yet AGAIN for the MA and a nurse to come back in to administer the shots. He received a total of FIVE shots. My poor little guy. They also wanted me to take him to lab for a lead paint poisoning test but I told them no way.

After the clinic, we went to Wal-mart to grab some things (hair dye, groceries, shampoo) and then finally returned home almost four hours since we left! Gabriel was getting kind of cranky so I gave him some baby Tylenol for his shots and a bottle and he went down for a nap.

Other than that, I’ve just been cleaning my house and sitting around missing my husband. He won’t be home until Thursday or Friday depending on how much they have to do. I sleep like absolute crap without him, so the nights are always long. It’s easier in the day with the kids distracting me. Mariah especially as of late. Everytime a commercial features a toy she has to tell me how much she wishes Santa would bring it for her, and oh, if Santa can’t bring it, why don’t we make Daddy buy it because Daddy has LOTS of money… etc, etc, etc.

Next Thursday Gabriel will be 11th months old. I’ll start planning his birthday party that week so everything is ready on the Big Day. Luckily, his birthday falls on Saturday this year, so that works out nice. Since its just (JUST? JUST?! I’m going to cry!) a 1st birthday, it’ll be an at-home party with relatives and friends. Then, every year after that we’ll do something special. Mariah’s choice is usually Chuck E Cheese but I’m getting a little burnt out on Chuck E’s. We went the last two years in a row. I can’t imagine going TWICE a year for each kid!

But anyway. Where was I?

Oh yeah. THIS year’s party. It’ll be really casual. I’m trying to decide what theme I want to use, but I still haven’t found any cute ones.

Anyone know of some sites to use?

You just know that something like this doesn’t bode well for anyone else. See how the people are slowing trying to walk away unobserved? Smart. Very smart.

Not that it fazed the boys..

There’s always a few who simply can’t resist to hang around and see whats going to happen. Poor unsuspecting fools. It’s about this time that I holler “Don’t get Mariah wet! She doesn’t have a clean set of clothes!” because I’m an awesome Mommy that way. Hey, at least I remembered the sun screen. What more do you people want from me?

Anyway.. also notable about that photo is the handy dandy (Blue Clues overdose?) arrow pointing out our car. Notice how we park as CLOSE AS POSSIBLE? My husband says its laziness, but does he have to carry the carseat, diaper bag, blanket, purse and other junk all the way over to the party? IN HEELS?

Actually.. he does. Minus the heels.

It’s probably just the laziness.

Where was I?

This, folks, is my darling husband loading up a super sized slingshot with a water balloon. Generously helping him we have my cousin McKevin (left) and my brother Chris (right).

Note the boyish glee on their faces as they prepare to launch the balloon..

..at my dad. The fear and uncertainty in that smile speaks volumes. You should have heard him. “NOT SO HARD! YOU ALMOST TOOK MY HEAD OFF!”

You think they stopped?

These boys?

They just loaded up more.

My dad ended up with a huge bruise on his leg. I didn’t take a photo of it because.. well.. I guess I just don’t want photos of my dad’s leg on my computer?

You understand.