6 month check up, jobs, a new home and cutting teeth

Okay, it's been another two months since the last post so I'll just skip the apology. It is what it is! So Grampie and me made the executive decision to go ahead and bring Mommy down here permanently the weekend of the Feb. 17th. It just so happened that Mommy and Daddy started their respective jobs on the exact same day,  March 19th. Mommy went to work as a housekeeper at Oklahoma Methodist Manor and Daddy went to work as a dispatcher for Coca-Cola Refreshments.  They also found a house to buy on 3 acres just north of Rogers State University in Claremore, OK.  It's really a beautiful place. We close on Friday April 27th and can't wait to move in.

We took Gabriel to his six month check up a couple weeks past his six month date because of the move and all; but both Mommy and Daddy were able to go. We went to Dr. Michael Newnam and he passed with flying colors. He measured 27" and 15lbs 14oz. which was a gain of 1/2 inch and 4 oz. I asked Doc about only a 4oz weight gain and he explained that Gabe is a lot more active now and burning more calories. I had to agree with that statement. He's in a constant state of motion it seems. Doc said he's in the 25th percentile for his weight yet still in the normal range.

He started eating solid foods at six months and has been steadily increasing. At six months 5.5 oz and now he's downing 7oz. He likes green beans, peas, carrots, squash, mac & cheese, and all the fruits. So he's NOT a picky eater. It's funny to watch him because he "lunges" at the spoon with food on it. If you're not feeding quite fast enough he lets you know about by hollering out loud.

Today, Easter Sunday, he's really made great progress in sitting up by himself. He can sit up and when he begins to teeter he can correct himself. He has also got to the point where he can turn himself over really easy when laying on his tummy onto his back and of course he can flip over from his back to his tummy. When you lay him in the crib just after you rock him to sleep he usually rolls over onto his right side.

Gabe started drooling pretty heavily when he turned four months. People told us that is a sign that the teething process is beginning.  The first tooth broke through on  March 24th and the second one was April 3rd; both on the bottom in the front.

So I know you're all ready for pics. Here you go-

I like wearing my Daddy's hat.

 

Grammy showing her Cinematic skills - http://youtu.be/6CqjcwLO0P8

My how time flies!

Dear Reader(s) - please accept my apology for not having posted in nearly two months! There has indeed a number of things that transpired and we need to get caught up.

Gabe took his first long multi-stop "road trip" Christmas weekend. We first stopped at Grammie and Grampie's house on Friday night the 23rd, then got up Saturday and proceeded to go on down to Uncle Jay & Auntie Tammy's house along with Madison, Leah, Jameson & Noah. Christmas was great and so good to spend time with family. I just discovered that all my pics must be back in KC because they're not on this laptop.

We came back from Christmas and our movers showed up two days later on Tuesday morning to move us from our Lenexa apartment to a 3 bedroom house in Kansas City, KS.  I told Tamala that I NEVER want to move during the holidays again! That move cost us $900 and some change!

Thursday, January 5th I took Gabe for his 4 month check up (which was late because the Dr.'s office had to re-schedule the original appmnt to a later date).  Gabe weighed in at 15lbs. and 10.5 onces and 26.5 inches long!! When the Kelly, the Physicans Assistant asked me what formula Gabe was on and I replied rahter matter-of-factly "Goats milk"; you should've seen the look on her face when she did a double take and asked me "did you say goat's milk?" "Yes, goat's milk" I replied. She wasn't exactly pleased but I assured her that Gabe had probably a 95% or better improvement on his spitting up issue, he was gaining weight and growing longer so I was pleased with that. She said they just don't know a lot about goat's milk so they don't have any frame of reference to go from when considering it but "I'll check with Dr. Kahler and see what he says and call you." Which she did and called me a couple days later and said again they don't really know a lot about goats milk and we need to be careful feeding Gabe non-homogenized and pasturized milk. She said that Dr. Kahler had mentioned that back when he was an intern, his chief of staff said something about "Formula is for babies and goats milk is for kids". I SO wanted to retort with "and cows milk is for calves" but I didn't feel that I would really accomplish anything by doing that so I didn't.  I took Gabe to day care and dropped him off after the appointment and went to work. Later that evening I got a call from Pat Orscheln, who hired me, and he said he had bad news. He told me that Bill Grojean, owner of the company was making cut-backs and "they were letting me go." I certainly didn't see that one coming.

Since I was out of a job, I contacted Gabriel's daycare provider  and asked what her policy is for stopping the day care service. She normally receives two weeks notice but was willing to let us get by on one week's notice. So Gabe was taken to daycare when Mommy went to work and I would look for employment during the day.

By Thursday, it finally hit me. Kansas City had cast it's ballot for the third time in eight months by terminating my employment so I was beginning to get the idea that I wasn't supposed to stay in KC any longer. I wondered how I would tell Tamala. Well Tamala took it just all in stride and was ready, willing and able to make a move to another place. We decided Tulsa, OK would be the place to go.  So I picked up the phone and called Grammie & Grampie and said "Well, you're finally going to get your way. We'ved decided to move to Tulsa."

"Praise God!!!" came the exclamation from Grammie and Grampy had a similar response.

Gabe and I stayed the remainder of the weekend to spend time with Mommie but Monday morning at 7am he and I had packed up the van and headed to Tulsa. Grammie had said she would be more than willing to keep watch over Gabe while I looked for work. We arrived just befor that Monday morning and unloaded what we had brought down.

Oh! What's this stuff?

Okay. This does NOT taste like my goats milk!

Mommy keeps shovin' this stuff in my mouth. Where's my bottle?

Do you REALLY think I'm supposed to eat this stuff?

This past Sunday morning Mommie fed Gabe his first spoonfuls of cereal while Grammie snapped a few pics.

Later that week, when Daddy wasn't up yet because Gabe woke up several times during the night. Grammie sneeks in the room and gets baby Gabe out of bed and takes him to eat breakfast with her and Grampie. This is what happens when there are grandparents around without an adult to supervise them:

Grammie & Gabe are new found companions

Grampie & Gabe enjoying breakfast & conversation

Grammie is trying to teach Gabe to "patty cake"

Don't hate me because I'm a HUNK!

I chew on everything now because I'm beginning the teething process

My Daddy, Mommie  & Grammie all say I'm so beautiful. What's your input?

Grammie just can't resist pinchin' my fat cheeks

Oh no, you caught me holding my own bottle. Now there is EVIDENCE!

Grampie & Grammie don't talk baby talk and I'm gettin bored

I think that was funny.....wasn't it?

Thumbs are great when my sucky isn't available

Okay that might be a bit too much thumb!

I smile a lot

Grampie.....are you pullin my leg?

Gabe's socks......Daddy's shoes

Do you have a Daddy that loves you this much?

Awhh come on Grammy, can't a guy take a nice warm bath in peace

that pretty much brings us up to speed.

Shalom!

Christmas with YaYa, Papa and Sissy

YaYa, Papa, Sissy and cousin Olivia came over Saturday evening and brought presents! We had a great time!
http://youtu.be/7x58-xijKOA

http://youtu.be/vh0oEZJkGRA

http://youtu.be/fxupYPBJ8zI
http://youtu.be/k6Vz8zAS1AY

http://youtu.be/UYMEyQmqUuo

http://youtu.be/RxjHJsGDEBg

Olivia looks on as Kimmie holds me with YaYa supervising

Kimmie holds me tight!

Kimmie givin' me a kiss

me and cousin Olivia

PaPa, me, YaYa and Kimmie (who was gettin tired)

PaPa, me, YaYa and cousin Olivia!

Love my YaYa, PaPa and Sister!
Gabriel

I have a "VOICE" and it's fun!

We noticed yesterday that Gabriel was making some new sounds what seemed to be just for the sake of hearing himself. I've been trying to catch it on video but as soon as he sees the camera he stops and just looks at the camera. I'll have to go into "stealth" mode; but I WILL get him doing it. It's PRICELESS!

Here is a small sample: http://youtu.be/qEgIyhiK2lo
Give a listen!
Blessings.

A season of Thanksgiving

This is a few days late; however EVERY day is reason enough to utter a word of "thanks" to the Father for granting us one more day. Thanksgiving 2011 had an entirely different meaning for us. Looking back, it all began back in February when we "got the call" asking if we would consider adopting an unborn baby. This was a call we'd been waiting on for nearly four years!

Then there was the "change up" thrown at me in mid-April when I lost my job. But Jehovah Jirah, our Provider, showed up more times than we could count over the next several months. We never missed a bill, always had gas money, never went without! All of our needs were met, on time, every time! I sold my pickup truck within 15 minutes of listing it on Craigslist and got the full asking price out of the buyer. He never tried to haggle with me - he really liked the truck and paid in CASH! Even during a time when the money was even close to what we were used to making, the adoption expenses started coming in and every expense was met, on time every time! God supplied me a temporary job at exactly the right time for the income to be listed on paperwork that was being submitted to the Judge who would be the one to grant the adoption.


Albeit we lost our Shirley Lou in early August, I am still thankful that God gave her as my second "Mama". She was a stalwart in the faith! I am thankful that she leaves behind a legacy of faith!

Then baby Gabriel made his entrance into the world and right into our hearts the night of August 26th. He finally arrived and was BEAUTIFUL! He's here, healthy and perfect in every way. It was like the circle of life was starting over again after putting Aunt Shirley to rest and then welcoming this new little life into our hearts.

There has been intermittent sleep, spit ups, wet diapers, dirty diapers, lots of dirty clothes, baby toys, baby furniture, baby this and baby that; ALL for which I am MOST thankful!

October 11th is a special day in our family now. It is officially "GOTCHA" day! The day that we went before the Judge and he made everything official by signing the Order and declaring that this baby boy would now be known as GABRIEL JUDAH PALMER. As he was making this declaration, I held my breath and time stood absolutely still. Finally, I could truly breathe again because he was ours, wholly, completely and legally.
We have a son and his name means: Strong man of God, full of Praise, and a Palm bearing Christian.

This past Sunday during our time of worship, I simply had to scoop Gabe up from Mommy's arms and take him down to the alter. There I knelt down to give God "thanks" for the gift that He has given to Tamala and I. There simply wasn't a word that I could utter that could sufficiently render proper thanks to the Father. It came in the form of groaning and weeping and offering this baby back to Him who has entrusted this little one to us. It was caught on film by our church photographer -

Fifty years! It has been fifty years of waiting. Fifty years of hearing people tell me what a great Daddy I would be. Fifity years of wondering if and when it will happen. To this day, some three and a half months after Gabriel came to us I look at him and am in absolute amazement! Please don't anyone pinch me because if I were to wake up and find out I'd been dreaming this, I don't think I would be able to go on. I am so completely in love with this baby boy that life will never be the same.

When I offered a prayer of Thanksgiving over our Thanksgiving meal with our family, I was overcome with emotion because of ALL the wonderous miracles we'd experienced this past year. I was also begging God to have mercy on our nation because of all the tens of millions of babies who have been aborted over the last four decades, of the rampant sin and lawlessness. The recent earthquakes in Oklahoma, ravaging tornadoes earlier in the spring and summer and devasting hurricanes all point to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. I ask God to have mercy on our arrogant nation who snubs their nose at Him and takes His name in vain that He will withhold His wrath and judgement from us. I know the stench of wickedness in our nation is something He abhors.

I am thankful for my family, my church family and my Pastors! 

I think it absolutely fitting to share this YouTube selection with you again. I've shared it before, but I'm sharing it again, because I AM GRATEFUL!

http://youtu.be/mx_vdEZQnBc 

Are you.......GRATEFUL?

Shalom!

the power of one's Personal Testimony

Just a quick note to encourage you to give a quick view to the YouTube link I am posting here. The Worship Center of Kansas City, my home church, had their 1st "Cardboard Testimony" service last year and it was a powerful presentation. This past Sunday, we had our 2nd one and due to the huge support it's recieved they've decided to make it an annual event.

Watch closely, you may see someone you know. Turn on your speakers and try to maximize to the full screen option to watch the video if you can for better effect -

http://youtu.be/yRZzPzhrXYQ


Never underestimate the powerful effect your personal testimony may have upon another individual. I've received numerous comments from folks throughout our fellowship of how powerfully impacted they were to learn of my testimony. Remember God can turn your "test" in a "Testimony" for His glory if you only allow Him to work through you.

Shalom!

Newest picture of Gabriel

I couldn't resist, I had to put this one up on the blog.