Monday, January 6, 2003

Well, my "baby" is born - Gabriel Stephen Sulindir. Gabriel is both a name I like and because he was born close to Christmas - the Archangel Gabriel announced the coming birth of Jesus, so his name is also related to the holiday. Stephen is after my late uncle. Sulindir is an elvish surname, since he is half-elf (he has pointy ears at least, lol). Translated, it means Windsinger, which he could also use as a surname when he's older. Some elves translate their names - Legolas Greenleaf, for example.

My father thinks Gabriel is somewhat large for a newborn - and the 0-3 mos. clothes barely fit him. But I'd rather have a large baby than worry about their health - today I saw some tiny babies, hardly bigger than my hand. Fortunately, Gabriel's bigger than that, weighing in at a little over 5 lbs. and nearly 20 inches long.

Gabriel came to school with me today. Since snow was falling outside, I made sure to wrap him in his blanket to keep him warm. He spent most of the day in a backpack - not the one I'm using for my books, but another one. He's a sweet little boy, and never once made a peep - just sat snuggled in his blanket and watched what was happening around him.

Of course, some classrooms were warm enough that I took off his blanket. I wouldn't want him too hot, after all! We saw the doctor today - Gabriel seems to be basically healthy, the doctor said. Thank goodness for that - let's just hope he stays that way! And I got to listen to Gabriel's heartbeat as well.

He gets to stay at school especially long today, and hear his first jazz music - not his first music, though. He heard that in band class, and never made a peep, just listened. After band, he got to hear some more music on the computer - electronic music theory and composition class. He sat on my lap as I worked on my project - my little helper!

This is going to be an interesting few days - Gabriel might even come to my concert, the evening of the 16th. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with him on Sunday yet - usually babies stay in the nursery, but Gabriel's a bit different [translation: a flesh-and-blood baby I'd leave in the nursery, but explaining to whoever's working there that they're supposed to watch a flour baby . . .] Anyway, we'll think of something - I'd keep him with me, but I'm acolyting and can't really have a baby with me.

I should get some pictures of Gabriel on here - maybe my dad will take some with hsi digital camera.

I didn't even leave Gabriel when we were staying after school and waiting for jazz band. While the others who stayed after were busy with other tasks, I volunteered for babysitting duty. Not something I minded at all - I love children! And all the babies were well behaved.

Gabriel has a "big sister," though she's not a human - my kitten Chloe. She hasn't seemed to notice him much yet - she was much more interested in ice cream and other possible food.

Both Grandma and Uncle Kyle held Gabriel, and Uncle Kyle volunteered to babysit, even during school - which might be good tomorrow, if it's permissible. I'm supposed to take my driving test then, and I can't bring Gabriel with me for that. If Kyle doesn't end up babysitting, then whoever drives me to the test will have to watch Gabriel while I drive.

We also talked about what we were going to do with Gabriel during other events. Uncle Kyle and I might be going with Grandma to get haircuts tomorrow, in which case either Grandpa will babysit Gabriel at home (not likely) or Grandma will hold him when we're in the barber's chair (most likely). And Gabriel is indeed coming to my game on Saturday, if we play. On Sunday, he's most likely going to sit with my parents in the pew - Grandpa might even bring him to communion and ask Mother Joan to give him the childrens' blessing for children too young to take communion.

At the moment, Gabriel's "helping" me with my homework, since Grandma and Uncle Kyle are done playing with him and neither Grandpa nor Uncle Scott has shown any interest in holding him. We haven't seen Aunt Catherine yet - she's probably in bed already. Gabriel's too young to have a set bedtime - babies sleep when they feel like it. Anyway, if Aunt Catherine plays with him she'll have to be supervised - she's only eight, after all.

Well, I'd best be finishing my other homework. 'Till the morrow!\

Tuesday, January 7, 2003

Gabriel slept well enough last night - I didn't get to bed 'till two or three in the morning anyway, and he was with me until we went to bed. He slept in my room, so I would be nearby if anything happened.

It was snowy outside, and cold - I made sure Gabriel was wrapped up in his blanket. And it was icy, too - I had to be very careful. Though I never want to fall, today it was especially important that I maintained my footing - Gabriel coudl be seriously injured from a fall!

Gabriel behaved well in school. We watched movies in a couple classes that I wouldn't want him watching if he was slightly older, but he's too young to be much affected by movies at this point.

For the last period of the day, Uncle Kyle babysat Gabriel, and brought him home on the bus and took care of him until I got home from my driving test. They were sitting on the couch watching band videos - I would not be surprised in the least if Gabriel turns out to be very musical. Uncle Kyle said Gabriel had been well behaved while he babysat. That's my boy, a little sweetheart! And I'm grateful that Gabriel didn't come to the test - he would've had to wait out in the cold with Grandpa while I took my test. As it turned out, Gabriel got to stay nice and warm.

Wednesday, January 8, 2003

Not too much interesting today. Gabriel's still a sweet little angel!

Thursday, January 9, 2003

Gabriel and I played with my new PalmPilot I got last night on the bus (the stylus went in his hand and I moved his hand with the stylus to point). He's pretty lucky at Yahdice, which is kind of like Yahtzee. Maybe he'll be lucky at games when he grows up!

I didn't have flute lessons today, so we didn't have to worry about that. Although I'm pretty sure Gabriel would've liked them - if not the long car trip, at least the music.

Friday, January 10, 2003

I was up three times with Gabriel - at midnight, then from 2:30 am to 3 am, then I got up early at 5 am. By that time I was almost supposed to be up anyway, so I didn't bother going back to bed. Strange enough, I was more energetic than usual at the beginning of the day.

After school, Gabriel came with me to my piano lesson and listened while I played. He's definately getting a lot of exposure to music! Then Grandpa drove us back, and we stopped at the liquor store on the way back. I brought Gabriel to see their live parrot while Grandpa got some beer or whatever he got.

Later, Grandma, Aunt Catherine, and I went out to run some errands. I wanted to bring Gabriel along, but Grandma said I probably didn't want to bring him to the stores and I should ask Grandpa or Uncle Kyle to watch him. So Grandpa ended up babysitting, and Gabriel slept through until I got home (likely because he was up so late last night . . .)

Anyway, it's getting pretty close to Gabriel's bedtime, so I'll be ending this entry now.

Saturday, January 11, 2003

Well, Gabriel did indeed come with me to the game. He was well behaved - they laughed at me when I wrapped him up warmer when it got colder. But friendly laughter. It was fun, bringing him and all. He didn't get any of the cake we had - oh well.

Sunday, January 12, 2003

Gabriel came to church with us. He was so well behaved - not even a peep! My parents didn't bring him up to communion, but one of the ushers held him while they went up so he wasn't alone in the pew. Then he came to Sunday school with me, and helped me teach - too bad it wasn't near Christmas, he could've played baby Jesus!

Monday, January 13, 2003

Back to school again today. Other than that, not much else new.

Tuesday, January 14, 2003

Gabriel stayed home with Uncle Kyle while Mom and I took my kitten to the vet. I suppose I need to get a receipt, since I did bribe Kyle with the last piece of my cake. He was good while we were gone, at least I didn't hear any complaints, and then he was good after we got home too. He's just a good baby all around!!

Wednesday, January 15, 2003

When Gabriel came to the guidance office he recieved a couple of compliments. I was very proud of him - what parent isn't proud of their kid? After school, he came to stage band and sat quietly, then to jazz band - like I said before, I wouldn't be surprised if he grew up to be a real musician what with all this exposure to bands he's getting.

Thursday, January 16, 2003

Well, today was the last day I had Gabriel - he didn't even come to the concert tonight. Not too much of an eventful day, either - very cold, though, so I had to make sure he was bundled up. I suppose it will be easier now, not having to worry about him and carry him around. Still, I enjoyed having him for a short time. But at least now I don't have to worry about bringing him everywhere, finding sitters, keeping him warm. And so my time as caregiver to Gabriel is over.