To Grandmother's House We Go!

Gabe made his first trip out to Baker today to visit with Maw Maw and Paw Paw (David's parents). We were a little worried about how he would behave in the car during the 20+ minute drive but he did so well! He just stared and stared at his duck and frog toys on his car seat handle.

As you can see below Maw Maw and Paw Paw were able to love all over him! He also got to meet two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet much less count as family, Aunt Hilda and Uncle Bobby. They are David's aunt and uncle who live next door to his parents and I just love them!

Thanks Maw Maw and Paw Paw for yummy lunch! Pretty soon Gabe will be in the highchair eating Gumbo with the rest of us! We hope to see you all again soon!

Gabe's next big adventure will take us Down the Bayou to hang out with my parents for a few days next week. Gabe and I are heading to Mathews Monday afternoon and plan to be there through Wednesday afternoon. We hope he gets a chance to meet all of his fabulous family members who live there.

Life Long Friends

Yesterday Gabe met someone who is certain to be his friend for life, Sydney Anne Guidry...how can I be so sure you ask because her mom (my BFF Renee) and I will most definitely be friends for life so basically our kids have no choice but to love each other :)! But seriously Gabe is so lucky to count Sydney among his friends...she is the sweetest and the cutest thing you will ever meet!

Syd is going to be a big sister in just a few weeks so she was able to practice her skills on Gabe. She did such a good job reading to him, massaging his feet, playing with him and holding him. Please don't let Gabe's face fool you he was thrilled to meet her!

First Friday

While I realize May 29th was the last Friday in May Gabe had a number of firsts...

• First time in the car with Mommy driving
• First visit to Mommy's office
• First time driving past Tiger Stadium and Alex Box
• First time being babysit by Daddy for more than 2 hours (from 7-11 PM)
• And this isn't so much a Gabe first but a Mommy first...first margarita in 10 months!

Here's to many more firsts!!!

There's a First Time for Everything

It occurred to us last night that Gabe had never been in his crib so today I remedied that. Here are a few pics from the "momentous event." Oh and check out how long he is!!!

Play Time!

So this afternoon after Gabe napped (finally) we thought we'd play a bit. I'm pretty sure he didn't know what to think of his Tummy Time Surfboard!





This one is a bit blurry but he's holding on to his rattle so I thought it was "post-worthy."

David and I's bed/playroom!

Happy Playing Everyone!

"I Hear Babies Cry and I Watch Them Grow"

Dear Gabe,

Happy 1 month birthday Munchkin! I can't believe how quickly (and at times slowly) this month has gone! You've changed so much over this last month. For one you are so strong- you're always lifting your head up and trying to look around. You're much more alert- after we feed and change you you're pretty alert for the next 30-45 minutes until you're ready to be put to sleep again. Your dad and I have learned over this past month that you definitely do not like to be wet...which means bath time and diaper changes aren't exactly your favorite things. On the other hand you love love love white noise especially Mommy's hairdryer. You also love your swaddle blanket. You like Mommy's arms the best but love spending time with Daddy watching sports and Jeopardy in the evening. You also like being outside. If you're fussy going outside will instantly calm you down. You're eating 4 ounces about every 3-4 hours. You suck that bottle down in no time flat which has earned you the nickname Piglet. Piglet is actually just one of your many nicknames. I often call you Munchkin, Munch, Munchy Muncherson, Sweet Potato and Sweet Boy. You dad calls you Big Man and Mr. Gabe. We're still trying to figure out who you look like. You're long and lean like your daddy but have you chubby cheeks like me. Thanks Gabe for making this past month the most amazing month of our lives. Oh and thanks for sleeping 4 hours straight last night!!!

Much Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Bath Time!

Well I think this picture pretty much sums up how Gabe felt about his first "real" bath. One thing David and I have known about Gabe from day 1 is that he doesn't like to be wet and he doesn't like to be naked so you can see how bathing wouldn't exactly be his favorite activity! Unlike his momma who showers in the morning and takes a bubble bath every night! Hopefully he'll come around soon!

Three Weeks, Four Weeks

Here's Sweet Baby Gabe at exactly 5:30 PM on May 13th...his 3 week birthday!




Now I must confess that this next one wasn't exactly taken at 5:30 PM yesterday...it was taken around 5:15....close enough right? Happy 4 week birthday Munchkin!

Let's Skype!!!

A few weeks ago I convinced David that we needed a new computer (ours was purchased in 1999). This was just days after enduring a 17+ hour labor so he couldn't exactly tell me no! Anyway our new laptop came with a webcam so Gabe and I now have a new favorite activity....Skyping! We have daily web visits with Monie and Pappy and would love to chat with others. My Skpye id is angiepitrelanoux or you can look me up by my e-mail address angiepitre@hotmail.com. Let the chatting begin!!!

Born to be a Tigers fan!

Gabe's ready for a big day of LSU sports....Baseball and Softball! Geaux Tigers!

***Big thanks to Renee, Scott, Sydney and Baby Kate for his super cute outfit!

Toes!

Gabe is so happy that his Monie is recovering so well from her surgery. He can't wait to see her again so she can kiss on his toes!!!

Mother's Day weekend

I had a great first Mother's Day! Mom and Daddy (Monie and Pappy) came up on Saturday to babysit Gabe so David and I could go out to lunch and run some errands. It was so nice being out and about again! They also gave us the best present ever later that night by offering to keep Gabe in their room that night so David and I could sleep!

Gabe really knows his momma! He gave me all of my favorites....a gift certificate to my favorite store (Target), my favorite candle, my favorite bath goodies and my favorite junk food (M & M's)!

Ironically the only pictures I have of Gabe from the weekend are him with David and my dad.

Oh he hit a milestone Saturday...he's now crying real tears. And I hit a milestone of sorts also...I can fit my pre-pregnancy pants...yeah!

One week, Two week

This picture was taken at 5:30 PM Wednesday, April 29th....Gabe's one week birthday!


This is one was taken at 5:30 PM Wednesday, May 6th...his 2nd week birthday!

Glo Baby Glo

Two days after Gabe was born we were told that his jaundice level was elevated but we shouldn't be concerned. The following morning we were scheduled to come home and we so excited at the thought of being in our own home again. Unfortunately before we could pack our bags we were told that his jaundice level had risen significantly and he would need light therapy. In fact he would need therapy at the hospital as well as at our home. We were shocked. We hardly expected that our baby would be discharged with home health services in place. That Saturday at the hospital he had to spend 6 hours under the lights (first pic). It was heartbreaking seeing him in there wearing what I called his "Zorro" mask. We couldn't even take him out to feed him or change him- he had to stay in the bed the entire time!

We finally we allowed to leave the hospital Saturday afternoon and home health arrived at our house about 5 minutes after we made it home. The nurse brought a billi-bed and told us he had to stay on the bed pretty much 24/7. At least with this one we were allowed to take him off to feed and change him. He ended up having to stay on the bed from Saturday- Wednesday. Every morning a home health nurse would come to the house and prick his heel and draw a vile of blood and then we'd get a call later in the day letting us know what his level was.

It was so hard not being able to love on him for more than a few minutes at a time. I think I had a breakdown daily. Finally we got word from the pediatrician Wednesday that his levels were low enough for him to be sprung from the bed. I was so happy to have my baby back in my arms for as long as I wanted!

Gabriel Joseph Lanoux

Gabriel Joseph Lanoux made his way into the world at 5:30 PM Wednesday, April 22, 2009 weighing in at 8 lbs 6 oz and a whopping 22 1/2 inches! I should mention that he did so after nearly 18 hours of labor!

David and I arrived at the hospital at 10 PM on the 21st to begin the induction process. We agonized (I cried) about whether to induce or wait another week but we decided to induce and I'm so glad we did! Quickly I was taken into a room, hooked up to an iv and given Cervotek (sp?). About an hour later I began having contractions...nothing too bad but contractions nonetheless. At around 3 AM I was given Potocin and the contractions definitely began to intensify! By 5 AM my water had broken (strangest feeling ever!) and I was in serious pain...time for the epidural! Actually I think I got the epidural at 6:30 AM. Oh I should mention that I hadn't slept a wink the night before and David probably got about an hour of sleep.


Things moved along throughout the morning but all the while the staff kept telling me that a c-section was probably in my future because his head was so large and apparently I have a small pelvis- who knew? Around 2:30 PM I was 10 centimeters and the nurses told me it was time to push...seriously? I know at that point I had been in the hospital for over 16 hours but it felt like things were happening too quickly. I pushed and pushed and pushed making little progress over the next two hours because not only was his head rather large he was facing sideways which is not conducive for delivery. After two hours I was so exhausted and making little progress so we all decided it was best we have a c-section. Once that decision was made my room became a hotbed of activity and before I knew it I was being wheeled away to the operating room. I was so tired at this point I could barely keep my eyes open so the thought of the c-section wasn't the least bit scary. David quickly was by my side and in a matter of minutes Gabe came roaring into the world! I can't begin the explain all of the emotions that were running through me....joy, relief, exhaustion just to name a few. Our lives forever changed at 5:30 PM on April 22nd and David and I could not be happier!


***I decided to start a blog for a few reasons...one so that friends and family both near and far can keep up with Gabe and our little family. I also started it to keep a sort of high tech baby book that way I can easily chronicle all of his milestones and achievements. I hope to find time to give updates a few times a week so please keep coming back!

There he is!

I think he looks like he's 6 months old in this picture!

First family photo!

Proud Papa!