G and his cookie!

Here is Gavin having his teething biscuit after dinner. We thought we would take all his clothes off (minus the undershirt) because he gets VERY messy. We learned our lesson...next time he should be naked!

Some of G's favorites

Since G has been teething like crazy lately, I thought it was time for him to have some food to teeth on, instead of toys. Or instead of shoes. Or instead of the cat. Or instead of grass and leaves. Or instead of my shirt. Pretty much instead of EVERYTHING he puts in his mouth!

We started with the puffs, which he loves. They are banana and whole grain, and of course organic. They don't really taste like much, but he loves to suck on them. I still need to break them in half because they are a little big and he sometimes gags. Next we gave him some organic biscuits to teeth on...and they are vanilla flavored...and a HUGE mess...I give him this one outside and take all his clothes off first...He is in absolute heaven sitting in the sun, naked, with his "cookie." Just this morning I gave him a plain, salt free, organic rice cake. Wow, he LOVED this one! He actually almost ate half of it after 45 minutes! Again, a pretty big mess, but its OK because it keeps him busy for a long time:)

And of course, last but not least, is his rice cereal. He enjoys his meals so much more with a little of this in it. It is just organic brown rice cereal and some vitamins and minerals...so why not?! When I get the can out he starts flapping his arms because he knows its almost time to eat:)

I am happy I have been able to find these things for him to eat...they are all organic and are made of real ingredients...no fake stuff! They are dairy free and full of vitamins/minerals/calcium...and no preservatives. AND they are about the same price as the regular old Gerber stuff (a little more expensive, but its TOTALLY worth it to us!)...I am just glad that there is such a variety out there:)

G visits Cincy

We went to Cincinnati for a week and had a lot of fun:) Gavin was VERY busy with all the people, toys, and things to look at.

The weather was BEAUTIFUL (minus a few yucky days) and we spent a LOT of time outside:) I tell everyone that Gavin brought his California weather with us...

Baby Annabel came home on Wednesday and is SUCH a great baby:) Her billirubin was a little high the first few days (Jaundice) so she was extra sleepy...but now that she is eating more and more and it has gone down. She is just such a little peanut...barely cries, and is just SO DARN cute:) I was able to take her newborn pictures...these are my absolute favorite pictures to take. Newborns are so sweet to photograph...especially Annabel. She is just lovely.

The first day we got here Griffin and Grandma came down with a cold...and with this jam packed house, there is no way to avoid it! Gavin got sick with a snotty nose and had a little trouble sleeping at night. I think with the new environment, time change, and cold, he is totally out of it:( Even with all the changes, he is still as sweet as ever. He is still all smiles and just wants a lot of attention...that's not new:)

Since G was perfect for the flight out to Cincy, I thought for sure the way back would be different. He keeps proving me wrong! He AGAIN was perfect...this time (Because I think he does not feel well) he slept the entire second flight:) EVERYONE on the plane was so amazed at how good he was, some even said they did not know he was on the flight:) Such a good little traveler!

Some firsts that Gavin had while on the trip:

-First bath in a big bath tub...which he loved

-First TOOTH came in!

-First taste of peas...again, loved

-First taste of "puffs" cereal...yes, loved, a little too much!

-First time crawling up the stairs!

-First taste of wheat toast...loved so much that we brought this on the plane it kept him busy for 35 minutes:)

-First time meeting cousin Annabel, he did a lot of watching, and smiled.

-First taste of dirt and leaves...he will eat ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

Up the stairs

me- "Look Mom, he is going to try to climb the stairs!"

Grandma- "There is just no way that he would be able to do that...no way!"

Gavin looks up at Grandma and then turns and CLIMBS THE STAIRS!

McCutie

Happy St. Patrick's day! Today is G's first St. Patty's day:) He has spent the day playing with his cousin Griffin, hanging out with Uncle Patrick, and being loved on by Grandma and Grandpa. Such a McCutie:)

Little Traveler

4:30am-Gavin wakes up, nurses, and Daddy takes him so I can sleep a little longer.
6am-G goes down for nap.
7:30-G wakes up, plays with Daddy one last time before Daddy leaves for work.
8am-Nurse Gavin. Grandma Dayle arrives to take us to the airport.
8:30am-Gavin and I stop at Noah's Bagels for breakfast and coffee before we go sit and wait for our plane.
9:30-We board the plane and G falls asleep in the carrier before we even take off.
10:30am-I spot 2 empty seats in the back of the plane and we move to them. They are right next to 3 men in uniform, with deep voices...which Gavin seems to like (He just stares...whatever makes him happy)
11am-Pilot announces that we will be landing in Salt Lake shortly, and G starts to wake up. I nurse G as we are landing, and he finishes right in time to get off the plane. Everyone comments on how great he did. Everyone also comments on how incredible cute he is. I just smile.
11:30-Arrive in Salt Lake and stop at a little deli to grab a sandwich for myself. Gavin just sits very happy in the carrier. We wait for the next flight and I give G some carrots and apples for lunch. He scarfs them down. I change him and then we were off to Cincy!
12ish-Leave SL. Gavin has a huge dirty diaper right as we are taking off. Great. I take him to the *gasp* disgusting airplane bathroom. My worst nightmare. OK, not my worst, but pretty high up there! Change G and as I am finishing up, he pushes the entire bag of wipes into the toilet! EWW! I decide that any further dirty diapers will have to be dealt with without wipes.
1pm-Gavin walks the isles with me and smiles at everyone. He plays peek-a-boo with almost every old lady, and just stares with his mouth open at the old men. Gavin is the center of attention on this plane. He has yet to fuss or even cry. Not once. He is being so good...I am convinced that any moment he will start to get fussy.
1:15-3:15 G takes another nap (after nursing) in the carrier. Then I stood most of the flight because I was in the back talking to a really nice flight attendant. We had coffee and she almost ignores her job duties because we had such a good conversation.
---time changes---
6:30pm-G wakes up and nurses. Then he plays with some toys and plays peek-a-boo with the lady behind us. The woman sitting next to us is dieing to get her hands on G. She is very sweet and seems like a nice woman. She asks if she can hold him after she washes her hands. Oh such a smart woman! Of course I say yes, I mean she sanitized her hands right in front of me...love that! G plays with her and her husband for a little while, and I decide I better go to the bathroom while my hands are free.
7:30-Arrive in Cincy. Gavin's face lights up with a huge smile when he see's Grandma.

Overall, Gavin was the best traveler in the whole world! I think he was even better than me! He was so good, ate, slept, and played without a problem the entire day. I was nervous about traveling alone with him...and now I know that is is possible...no complaints here!

We are excited to be here in Cincy, and so excited to spend the week with my family.

Baby Annabel Marie Lyons

We are so excited that baby Annabel arrived today! Congratulations Erica, Scott, and BIG brother Griffin:) She is 6lbs, 14oz and most important...she is healthy. Erica and Annabel are doing well...Nothing better than that:)

She could not have had better timing, as we leave tomorrow:) I am so excited to meet her!

{Gavin 7 Months}

Dear sweet G,

Today you are seven months old. Wow, how time flies. Seven months sounds so much older...now seems too close to one year. That just plain shocks me! These past seven months have been some of the best months of my life. And we have so much more to look forward to. We can't wait:)

Recently you have been all over the place. You learned to crawl, and can get across the room pretty quick. The only time you have a problem is when you are on the hardwood floors. There is not enough traction and you just crawl, crawl, crawl but you never move an inch. Then you get very frustrated and cry. It is kinda sad!

You are developing into a mama's boy. You don't like when I leave the room, and you complain until I get back. Once you are in my arms you just smile. Then I kiss your cheeks and neck a million times.

Your dad puts you on the potty (your very own) almost every morning. You pee in it every once in a while. I tell your Dad that this one is all him.

You eat a few different solid foods now. Yams, apples and green beans are your favorite. We tried prunes, but you were not too sure. You get brown rice cereal in all your meals, and you love this too.

Almost every day we go to the park down the street. There are tons of children running around and you enjoy watching them. The swing is your favorite, you just squeal in delight. We have also been bringing a picnic blanket to lay on because the weather is starting to get warmer. You will just lay there with me and play with the grass. You just feel it between your fingers and play with it. Every once in a while you try to eat it, but you realize that it does not taste good and you spit it out.

I have not yet mentioned how MUCH you drool. I mean, everywhere and all the time! You go through about 10 bibs a day, and soak them all. The drool is just pouring out of your mouth! It seems like a lot more lately, so maybe you will get a tooth soon! We thought it was almost here, but still has not popped out yet...we can just see the white...Until then, you will cover us and everything else with TONS of drool:)

This month we get to travel to Ohio to see your grandparents, aunt, uncles, and COUSINS! You have one cousin right now (Griffin) and one on the way. Baby Anabelle is going to be here any day now and you will get to meet her:)

We are so excited for the future and we really do cherish all the time we have with you. I do not take one single day for granted...as they are each a gift from God. We love you Gavin!

And he STANDS!

After our nice walk today, I put G down in the living room so I could fold some laundry. I was gone for about 2 minutes and heard that he was quiet...just breathing really loud like he was really concentrating. I walked in to find him attempting to stand with the help from his bumbo seat! He did not see me so I snapped some pics. He was too close to the side table (it has sharp corners, yes, we need to baby proof!) so I moved him and the bumbo seat to the middle of the room. He did it again, and this time he stood up with only one hand holding onto the seat. I probably sounded like such a crazy person, clapping, laughing, and telling him he was doing such a good job:) His daddy will be so proud:)

Mama's Boy

I thought G was too young for this, but I guess not! Lately he has been fussing every time he see's me...until he is in my arms! As long as he does not know I am in the room too, he is totally fine! The minuet he spots or hears me, its over and he fusses until I get him!

Poor Derek! G loves him so much and has so much fun playing with him...I know G is just doing this because 1. I am home with him most of the time and it is all he knows, and 2. I Have the BOOBS! He knows he gets food with me! Ha!

Oh Gavin. He is growing SO fast and dong something new EVERY DAY! This is so fun:)

Oh, and last night we gave him a sippy cup for the first time...a Foogo stainless steel one, and of course like everything else, he LOVED it! I filled it with water and before we knew it, he had guzzled down almost the whole cup! (Then he would not take his night time bottle...because he had a belly full of water! Oops:)

I found the Foogo sippy cup at Babies R Us. Of course, like everything else, I made sure I researched it. I just thought there had to be an alternative to those plastic ones that are everywhere...with stainless steel there are no dies, plastics or toxins leaking into the drink. Just seems like the best choice! Derek and I drink our water from SS bottles, so G should too:) So far he likes it! Maybe I will get some of the other products they make, like the thermos for food on the go. G is getting to the point where we need to bring baby food out with us now in case he is hungry!

Sunday Surprise!

Derek got home from his business trip last night and we both awoke today to a CRAWLING baby! Gavin has now started to crawl! We are not sure if he really knows what he is doing, but he will get on his hands and knees and crawl to get a toy...he has done it a few times this morning, so I think pretty soon he will take off! Here he is during "naked time" showing off his new moves:)

Gavin sits!

G can now sit on his own:) He is able to stay sitting for a while...until he see's a toy far away, and then he dives for it! If he has something to grab on to he is almost able to pull himself up to a sitting position on his own. He is such a little ham...he see's me grab the camera and he just starts smiling. Notice his facial expression in the last picture...any guesses on what he is doing??? HA!

First Night ALONE!

Tonight is going to be the first night that G and I are alone! Derek had to go to southern California for a business trip, so its just us! I have been dreading these next few days without Derek!

Derek is extremely hands on with Gavin and all of his care. He has been from the moment Gavin was born. I will never forget after he was born and they took him to the nursery to clean him up. I was adamant that Derek go with him because I did not want him out of our sight. Derek went and came back with him all clean and bundled up in a warm blanket. The smile on Derek's face was priceless. He was a beaming new father, and he had just helped take care of his son for the first time. He has been a very involved father ever ever since. He takes amazing care of Gavin all the time. He is patient. He changes diapers, even explosive ones. He feeds, bathes, dresses, and cleans up after the G man. He takes Gavin at 4am after I feed him and he plays with him until Gavin gets tired again for a nap---all so I can sleep in a little more. He is just great with his son. He comes with us to ALL of G's doctor appointments. Even though I am home with G most of the time, I swear Derek knows him better than me!

At first when he told me he was going for a few days I thought oh no big deal, we will manage. Then I realized just how MUCH Derek does. I know I am a pretty lucky momma. Just the other day I overheard another mom at my moms group play-date tell everyone that her husband "has never changed a diaper or given the baby a bath." WHAT! Wow...I realized that I am pretty lucky to have Derek!

"Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a Dad."-Author Unknown