Better Late Than Never

With all of the craziness of the first birthday party and a *big* announcement I'm going to making soon, Gabe's photoshoot had to get put on the backburner. Next thing I knew, it was the end of August and I had nothing! So I guess this will have to do...

Sike.

You didn't think we were going out like that right?

Happy 12 months Gabe. You're a good kid. It was so so fun getting you all costumed up every month this year, I can't believe it's come to an end. You're definitely not my little baby anymore. You're getting to be a big boy who won't just let me pose him or stick a mustache on him or even let me tattoo him! I'm going to miss these little photo sessions and I'm sure all your fans will too.

So although it is technically a week + late, my baby boy is still twelve whole months old. Born in the hottest month of the year to a mama that hates heat. He's the best thing that August ever did. So this month, we salute the month of August's namesake, Julius Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of the Roman empire.

baby in a toga!

I don't want to send those plebes in with the lions but that's my job I suppose

Oooo people fighting lions! This looks fun!

What? An emperor can't have a wardrobe malfunction?

Whatevs. I'm sure my kingdom will be too distracted by my big booger to notice my pecs.

Annnnnd if they've got something to say about it, I'll sword fight them! Hiiii-yah!

This job is rough.

Ok, so now we're really done.

Gabriel, you are the best thing ever. You've grown into the cutest little dude. You crack up ALL the time and have the most infectious laugh, people can't help but smile. You still let me pick you up and give you hugs and kisses and cuddle you for 30 second intervals before you try to wiggle away. It's my favorite part of every day. You've had quite the adventurous month too.

- You went to the Pocono mountains for the first time and spent some quality time with your aunt, uncle and cousins.

-You went on a roadtrip to visit your grandpa in Illinois. You made pit stops in Ohio, Indiana and even made it up to Iowa!

-You got all rednecked out and rode on your first tractor with your grandpa.

-You ate a whole bunch of new foods, including your first steak.
-You really got into Peekaboo. You pretty much die laughing over it.
-You say "baby" whenever you see yourself or another little kid.
-You're weighing in at 23 lbs, rocking size 4 dipes and size 4 shoes.
-You had your first birthday party! The one in which your mom went overboard but loved every second of it. She hopes you liked it. 

And now let's take a trip down memory lane...

In honor of back to school September, our little buddy put his thinking cap on for his photo shoot. He’s one month old and ready to hit the books! Clearly an overachiever from the start.

Gabe decided this month to tip his hat to a famous Italian celebrated in October, Christopher Columbus. But he wasn’t really into the tri-tip hats, so he went with his next favorite Italian, Chef Boyardee. If he’s anything like his parents, this kiddo was born loving carbs. Add in the opportunity to sport a mustache at two months old and we were sold! Happy 2 months Gabe!

Here we are, it's November. Lil buddy is 3 months old & decided to honor his grandpop and late great grandpop and the rest of the armed forces with a salute to Veterans Day. Since my dad and grandpop were both sailors, it would only suffice that Gabe be one too. We present... Admiral Adorable!

Your first Christmas Gabe! You rang it in at four months old and already viewed what will surely be your favorite Christmas movie ever, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. You loved it. You even asked me to dress you up as Cousin Eddie! You’ve clearly got your mom’s awesome sense of humor.

New Years in Philadelphia isn’t complete without the Mummers. And even though he was just 5 months young, Gabe wanted join the Fancy Brigade and head down Market St. playing his sax. How could we say no?

Ol’ Honest Gabe here celebrated his 6 month birthday this month, as well as his favorite president Abraham Lincoln’s birthday! He’s expecting his own memorial any day now.

Happy 7 months Gabe! Since it's March and you celebrated your first St. Patrick's Day, we decided to pay homage to mama's most favorite Irish thing ever...Bono. I'm sure when you read this someday in the future, Bono will still be fronting U2 and pretty much still being the most amazing musician known to man.

April showers bring…bring adorable baby boys, that’s what! Our little guy hit 8 months and decided to spruce up for the occasion with a nice long bath..err shower.

Gabe celebrated Cinco de Mayo this month and he may have hit the tequila a little hard. He napped ALL day. Hey, he made it to nine months, he deserved it!

This June, our little buddy boy turned 10 months old. And since the little cutie is a mini John with his dimples and chin cleft, he thought he'd chip in with his daddio's household duties...give his old man a break for Father's day.

Eleven months old and already out there saving lives and looking good doing it. While most of the country was experiencing a disgusting heat wave this July, Gabe's staying cool at the Jersey shore where he got a job as a lifeguard. We couldn't be prouder.