~ The Stieber Family Page ~

This morning...

2008-11-12T07:14:00.000-08:00

We often get asked, "What is Gadi up to these days?" As a day goes by, we often forget the cute or funny things that Gadi does throughout the day. Here are two things from this morning...

* Gadi has now decided that his goal is to carry as many things in his arms as possible. He has amazing dexterity and this morning had managed to cradle six different items in his arms. They are not small items either. Usually it is some combination of toy foods along with a ball, cups, a crayon or whatever else is handy. He walks around with these items very proudly. He reminds me of that famous scene from "The Jerk". For those who haven't seen it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2X3vVMdh-s

* This morning Gadi also displayed his first separation anxiety with Allie. Once a week, our very energetic pup goes out with a group of dogs to run for miles in a state park, which enables her to be calm for several days afterward. Well, this morning, when the nice man came to take her out, Gadi screamed out, "Alla, alla" and was very upset to see her go. (However, he seems to be fine with his parents leaving in the morning.)

We're back!

2008-11-05T10:52:00.000-08:00

The Stieber Family blog is back by popular demand! I thought I would kick off the blog's return with a quick recap of our little guy's vocabulary to date. As any parent knows, deciphering a toddler's first words is often like listening to the conductor announce your track at the train station... you listen intently and hope your instincts ultimately get you where you want (or in this case, the child wants) to go.

There's a mix of English and Spanish in here...

"Words"

* Alla (Allie, our dog)

* Mami

* Papi

* Agua (usually said in thirsty repetition)

* Up (or uppa) -- asking for access to the few things he hasn't already managed to reach

* Sit (pronounced with a hissing s and directed at Allie)

* Mmmmm... (either in anticipation of favorite food or after unexpectedly enjoyable food)

* Wow wow (apparently, 'spanish speaking dogs' don't say woof, they say 'wow wow') = all dogs (other than Allie)

* No (spanish pronuniciation - stated firmly in repetition, however, he can often still be convinced, especially at the dinner table)

* Alo (spanish hello -- spoken into cell phones, magnets, museum audio devices...)

* Caca = sometimes he's right on with his odiferous target, but often just likes the sound of it...

* Buh-bye (his departing words often seem to channel his non-existent southern roots, other than those transplanted Georgia cousins)

* Auto (spanish car -- we love pointing to cars almost as much as dogs)

* Ba (ball)

Animals that will elicit either a sound or gesture (or both!):

* gorilla
* monkey
* elephant
* shark
* chicken
* dog (still the overwhelming favorite, Allie has created a bias here...)

Gadi's 2007: Month-by-Month

2007-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:00

Fall Recap

2007-11-30T08:44:00.000-08:00

Fall flew by. It seems like the leaves fell off the trees really quickly this year. Here's some cool stuff that we liked to do:

* Dressing up like a tiger

* Having fun with Abuela and Saba (Abuela decided to dress up too!)

* Watching Papi become a lawyer (It was kind of boring...)

* Hanging out with Mami and friends, Dora, Lucas, Jackson and Allie

* A great NY/NJ Thanksgiving with Savta and cousin Tess

Fall has arrived

2007-10-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

The leaves are changing, which means unbearably adorable outfits to keep our little guy warm and a great excursion to a local farm (Ok, it turned out to be just a nice produce place, Papi should have called ahead, but at least it was nearby :)

Unfortunately, this season will not include a trip to the Fall Classic for our beloved (but hapless) Mets. However, since Mami got us this cute gear, we had to show our loyalty -- there's always next year!

Proud to be an American!

2007-10-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

It's amazing who they're letting into the country these days. Yes, it's true my beautiful wife is finally a full fledged citizen. Just in time to vote for a new administration...

Rosh Hashana, 5768

2007-10-09T18:12:00.001-07:00

Gadi put his best foot forward and got a great big hug and kiss from Savta to start the new year...

Now honestly, you have to admit it, he's pretty doggone cute!

Everything is more fun when you do it with family...

2007-10-09T17:46:00.001-07:00

There's no doubt that our family is close... washing dishes, having breakfast (at Joey and Inbal's new home!!), holding Gadi... everything is more fun when you do it together!

How could Keren be so serious when her son has such a big smile on his face?

That's because Gadi spent labor day lounging on the hammock, while his Mami spent the day in downtown Chicago battling the insurgency at the American Political Science Association conference.

Summer Travels

2007-09-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that the news was reporting record delays for flights this summer, Gadi did not let that deter him. He was determined to rack up his frequent flier miles. Gadi made trips to New York, Chicago and Atlanta this summer. He even got a special visit from his great Aunt and Uncle in New Jersey.

CLICK ON ANY PIC TO SEE MORE FROM OUR ADVENTURES...

In New York, Gadi took full advantage of the big apple and had deep conversations with savta.

In Chicago, we learned that it actually takes an aunt, an uncle and a mom to give Gadi a bath. (And another uncle to hold him when the bath is over!)

In Atlanta, we kept cool in the pool (Everything is more fun in the shockrocker:) and found out that coke actually comes in over 70 flavors -- and we tasted all of them!

Back at home, Gadi gave his great aunt a tour of Newton and showed her that the best way to travel doesn't require an airplane (just a great mami!)

Gadi & Friends

2007-07-12T05:13:00.001-07:00

GADI talking to LUCAS (on his left):

"Hey, I hear we should enjoy today because this is the most comfortable class picture we'll ever take. In a few years, when we're going to school, we'll be asked to put our head at strange angles and then smile on cue. So, today is great -- we lie on the floor, no one messes with our hair and no one cares if we smile or not... just as long we don't cry!!"

The Big Move

2007-07-12T04:51:00.000-07:00

On his two month birthday, Gadi was informed that he would be moving out at the end of the day... to his own big boy room. It was tough on all us (actually not so much for Gadi) -- and we can only imagine what that first day of college will feel like :(

An amusing tail...

2007-07-12T04:44:00.000-07:00

Our labradoodle pup, Allie, just turned one this week. Like any older "sibling", she's finding alternative ways to entertain herself in the event of the occasional lack of attention from her previously doting parents.

Our happy boy

2007-07-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

There's so much to smile about!

One month birthday

2007-07-03T04:51:00.001-07:00

Mami, are you going to make me sit next to a sign every month? Well, if it makes you happy, I guess it's the least I could do for you...

Our little chatterbox <> Week 4

2007-07-03T04:45:00.001-07:00

I just want to give a shout out to all my adoring fans...

Birthing class reunion <> Week 4

2007-07-02T19:51:00.000-07:00

It's much more fun to see and play with you, now that you're OUTSIDE your mommy's tummy!

Bath time with Mami

2007-07-02T19:43:00.000-07:00

Now that my cord stump fell off... I can finally take a relaxing bath at the end of a long day.

Tummy time <> Week 2

2007-07-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

I'm not a pro at this yet... but I will be soon!

Gadi's Brit Milah

2007-07-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

Today, I followed in the generations before me... it was a rough day for me (and mommy and daddy too) -- but we made it through.

Have pacifier, will travel...

2007-07-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

I love this red thing... it's great for chilling, sleeping, going to the doctor and to the airport to pick up the family that came to see me!!

We're going home...

2007-07-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

After nearly a week of hospital food (which wasn't that bad...) in our private room (thanks to this lovely nurse) -- we're finally making the journey home.

Still at the hospital...

2007-07-02T18:16:00.000-07:00

How do I get out of this little plastic box?? I hope I'll sleep somewhere a little cozier when we get home...

The Second Day

2007-07-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

Whew, yesterday was tiring... I need to sleep!

Welcome to the world, Gadi Shai!

2007-07-01T20:13:00.001-07:00

THE STATS:

May 8, 2007
1:16 am
8 lbs., 7.6 oz.

Let's have a baby today!

2007-07-01T20:01:00.000-07:00

This baby's lease is up... his birthday is only hours away (well, 30 to be exact.)