Food fun with Gabriel

We are trying to expose Gabriel to more foods than we were exposed to as children. Sometimes it has very humorous results. Enjoy.

Holiday Extravaganzas

Been getting a lot of flack from some of you so I'm taking the time to put in a new post. It is the end of Jan. 2009 already.

Gabriel got to spend Thanksgiving with both sets of Grandparents in Missouri. We spent a week up there with Granny and Gramps Schwarte and GG and GD Robinson. Was a good week together.

Gabriel had his first Christmas in the states now. He absolutely loved it. We went home to Iowa for the holidays (if we hadn't I think we might have been disowned by our families). On a heavier note, we got rid of Sam before going home for Christmas. His one redeeming quality was how great he was with Gabriel, but other than that, I couldn't justify keeping him.

Gabriel is learning so much everyday, and his English is growing in leaps and bounds. I still argue with him about whether it is Mama's truck or Papa's truck (check the title and registration kid, it is Papa's truck).

Papa had knee surgery again on the 21st. That was his 4th on the left knee. Torn meniscus pad and the back of the knee cap needed some work too. I'm doing well and am back on my feet already.

Hope everyone is doing fine. The Schwarte Trio

Surgery and Animals

Sorry it has been so long since we posted anything. You know, life happens.

Well Gabriel had his surgery on the 20th of August for the undescended testicle. Everything went fine, but Angela and I hate seeing our little boy like that. A week and a half after his surgery we got a new dog, Sam, a 3 year old yellow lab. He ain't Ammo, but he'll do. A week before his surgery we adopted a kitten that was wandering around the neighborhood. We named her Ana, short for Anastasia (the Russia thing and all), and Gabriel loves tormenting both of the animals (Mama and Papa) as any 3 year old boy would. He also likes to play with Sam and Ana. On the 2nd of Sept, Gabriel started school. We have him in the 2 year old class at Wichita Christian for now, but are thinking of bumping him up to the 3 year old class as soon as an opening comes available. Anywho, hope this sees all of you doing well and thanks for checking on us.

Our Water Bug

As you can see, Gabriel loves the water. We got a pool that is plenty big enough for him to splash around in and if we are brave enough, we can get in with him.

Gabriel's surgery was postponed for the time being because his doctor was in an accident two weeks ago and had fractured vertebrae. It looks like his surgery will take place late August, but we won't know for a while.

We all miss Ammo, but we still talk about him and in the future we will get a family pet once again.

Gabriel continues to pick up things and surprise us how well he is comprehending English. He picked up a toy the other day and told me it was green AND IT WAS!!!! He has adjusted tremendously well and even though he is particular about when he wants to socialize, he definitely loves to do so!!!!!!

Hope you are all doing well and having a great summer. It is hard to believe that it is already half over though. :( We love you all and pray that all of you are doing well.

Because of Him, The Schwarte Trio - Rick, Angela, and Gabriel

Busy, busy, busy

In the past few weeks we've seen the cardiologist and the urologist for Gabriel. He was diagnosed with congenital heart disease in Russia, so the cardiologist was more precautionary than anything. He got a normal report from that doctor. He also has a testicle that hasn't dropped yet so he needs a surgery to fix it. It is an outpatient surgery, but we have to go to Abilene for that (I have no idea why, but that is where Tricare sent us.) We saw the urologist two weeks ago, but he wanted to wait for the surgery for good measure until Gabriel had been seen by the cardiologist which was Wed the 18th. Now we have his surgery scheduled for the 3rd of July, but we have to be in Abilene the 2nd for the pre-op physical.

On a side note, we had to have our dog, Ammo put to sleep on Wed. the 18th as well. He had developed cancer, so needless to say that even though the cardiologist gave Gabriel a clean bill of health, it became a bittersweet day for us.

Hope that everything is going well with everyone else.

In Him,

Rick, Angela, and Gabriel

Lazy Summer Days

We just returned home from a walk, so Gabriel posed for a picture with Ammo. If we don't enjoy the outdoors in the morning, we will cook to death in the afternoon. Hope you are all enjoying your lazy summer days.

We will send more again soon.
Love, The Schwarte Trio

Summer is Here!!!!

Well, summer is here and we are already cooking in Texas. As you can see in this picture, Daddy was reading to Gabriel. It was interesting to listen because the book was called Little Toot and as Rick was reading it to him it talked about Big Toot, which must have been the dad. I couldn't help but laugh to myself as I listened from the other room, because it was irony at its best. I love Big and Little Toot dearly though!!!!

Gabriel picks up so much more each day. His favorite word now is NO, sometimes in context and sometimes not. So my current project is trying to put it into context for him. However, I am told this is a popular first word, but it is bordering on disrespect around our house.

We hope and pray you are all doing well and we will try to keep updating regularly throughout the summer.

Love,
The Schwarte Trio