Rain or Shine

Gabriella loves to be outside, even just to run back and forth in our yard.


... even when it's raining!
Gabi says she's taking a shower outside.


Gabi laughing and running in the rain
Of course, we're in a severe drought, so there hasn't been much rain.


Look! Annabelle has a dress to match her sister's.


Daddy and Gabi walk to Columbia Presbyterian Church for Kindermusik class every week.


Gabi and friends during storytime at Kindermusik


Bella visited Gabi's Kindermusik class and took a nap


Gabi likes to be near her baby sister.
A couple of times, Gabi has requested that Annabelle lie down next to her in her bed while I sing bedtime songs or read a book. Having Bella near seems to cheer Gabi up, and seeing such sisterly love cheers me up.

Annabelle has been very uncomfortable lately, between the pain of reflux and the distress of breathing difficulties (her laryngomalacia being compounded by congestion from a cold). Either of those problems can cause her some trouble eating, so she'll often take a break mid-meal and fuss, either arching her back or coughing, and then she'll cry because she's still hungry. Poor baby! It's hard to be the baby, especially for this little one. I hope she grows out of these newborn discomforts soon! Eating and breathing shouldn't be so hard.

When she's very uncomfortable, even once her tummy is full, the only way to calm Annabelle down is to hold her upright and pat her back somewhat forcefully (perhaps along with other tactics, such as standing, walking, and singing) The upright position slightly ameliorates the reflux, and the back-pats either loosen her congestion or just distract her. Gabi has figured out that Bella likes to be patted on the back, so when Bella cries, Gabi tries to calm her down by patting her back. She's a good big sister!


As long as she isn't refluxing, Annabelle will usually stay asleep in her swing.


When she's completely exhausted (and not refluxing), she'll stay asleep in a bouncer, too.