Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Interaction!

This afternoon we met Angie and Kaylin at the park (I know, we do this sometimes 5 times a week!) and the babies were really interacting...well Kaylin was wanting to pull up on G, and he kind of just ignored her....and then he would try to give her his toys he was playing with. Its a start! Kaylin gave Gavin some sand tools today, and Gavin has been carrying them around the whole day...he even napped with them! He would not let go, so I just put him to bed with them:) It is SO nice to have them so close by, and be able to spend time together...:) Thanks for being such great friends girls!


Monday, July 26, 2010

7.26.08

2 Years ago I married my best friend. In some ways, it seems like just yesterday. In other ways it seems like forever ago. The one thing I am sure of is there is no one else on this earth I would rather have beside me on this journey called life.

Derek took me to a very nice dinner tonight at the Wine Cellar in Los Gatos. Dinner was just perfect and the night was amazing. We had each other and that's all that really mattered. Most of our conversation was about our little sweet at home, but of course we knew that would happen.

Thank you for making my dreams come true. I love you Derek!

Daddy's Stuff

When I thought Gavin used to be into everything, I was wrong. Now he is IN TO EVERYTHING! He used to just get and play with what was out or what we gave him. Now, he opens all drawers and cabinets. Every single last one. He opens them, empties them out, and then takes a select few things and carries them around. And around. I put everything away and look up and he is back to another area emptying it out. Maybe it is time to childproof all these things? Oh, and he also figured out how to open the closet doors (They slide) AND open the sliding screen patio door. He will just walk over, open the screen door, and walk outside. WHAT! Really, he is non-stop!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sunday Dinner

Tonight we headed to Giorgio's for an Italian dinner with Danny, Angie and Kaylin. They had never been, and it is one of our very favorite places to go...we used to go there quite a bit pre-Gavin! First we stopped at the park to play, and Gavin walked all around the paved trail...up and down the trail over and over. Then we walked over to get dinner. They took one look at us, the babies, and the BOB's and stuck us in the back. Hmm, wonder why? Just look at the mess Gavin made. He had his favorite, spaghetti, and he may have had as much as me. Kaylin was as usual a smiley girl, and between the two babies, we were pretty busy during dinner:) After dinner Gavin kept looking at Danny and making the stink face...over and over. We were all laughing at him, and he knew he was funny. It also calmed down a restless Kaylin...that was pretty cute too!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Trial and Error...

Ugh! I am so frustrated right now. Mainly because I feel bad that Gavin does not feel well...and its my fault. We gave him some smoothie this morning and he loved it. He drank a lot. It was made with soy milk. Stupid me. We knew that there was a chance that he may have the same sensitivity to soy milk as he does cow milk...chances are high, but we took it. He had a few sips yesterday and did fine. Well today was not the same. About 3 hours later he was miserable. Fussy, then straight up screaming and pulling his legs up into his chest...I held him all morning and he just laid his head on my chest and cried. Gas pain/tummy pain cry. Not like Gavin at all to be acting like this. At all. He NEVER sits still...so obviously it was the stupid soy milk. He finally fell asleep on my chest and we took a nap together in my bed. I could not put him down because I felt too bad when he cried. We were able to have a nice picnic at the park with Angie and baby K...but G got fussy again and just wanted to be held. Hoping for a better rest of the day!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Swinging with Kaylin + Big boy carseat!

This afternoon we met Angie and Kaylin for a walk to Starbucks and then to play at the park. I am not sure what we would do without this park (And friends OF COURSE:) just steps away! Kaylin, of course, stole my heart as she always does...I seriously could just eat her up. She is SO smiley, and always happy to see us. You smile at her, and she gives you a bigger one in return. Again, I just love that little one:)

After dinner, we headed to Babies R Us to get a SECOND car seat for Gavin. We got a big big boy car seat for G at Costco (Safety First) for Daddy's and Grandma's car. G is not in those cars very much, so we thought that would be OK. We got the Britax Marathon for my car as it is one of the safest car seats out there. Great reviews, and most tested. (Plus I remember using that car seat for all the kids I nannied for...and I loved it.) We got the Black and Gray one hoping that those colors would hide the most dirt! As you can see Gavin is quite the mess!


Kitchen After~!

I can't believe that it has taken me this long to post these...but here they are! There are still a few finishing touches we need to do, but for the most part it is DONE! After living with my dream kitchen for a few months, I am still in shock that it is done! We love it. It is perfect for us...and so fun to be in! The cabinets are beautiful and there is so much storage. The granite counter tops are perfect. The floor, MY FAVORITE part, is so pretty! Travertine is so nice, and the best part, it is SO easy to clean! I love it! Derek did an amazing job from the demo, to the new floor, to the new appliances, to the cabinets, to the electrical, to the lighting...he really did blow us all away with how great of a job he did...and we of course could not have done it with out Virgil's help too!

Fun day with Kekoa!

Today we headed to Hsiaolei and Kekoa's house in Los Gatos for a fun filled day of fun! Kekoa lives close to a pretty neat park that has a train to ride and a carousel too!

We walked to the park and rode the train first. Gavin and Kekoa both sat nice and still the entire ride, and loved to just look at everything we passed...the cool breeze was nice too! After the train ride we sat in the shade and had a picnic. All was going well until Gavin got up to walk around. I figured it was OK, as he always walks around everywhere we go...He wandered over under a tree and went to pick up what I thought was a stick...he thought so too...it was not a stick, it was Goose POO! I guess the birds hung around that spot earlier, and there was poo all over. As soon as I said "NO" he squeezed it in his hand...NOOOOO! So there he was with a big ball of poo in his fingers...OMG, one of my (little) worst nightmares! I know he loves to touch everything, but Poo! Really!?!

So...after a quick clean up in the bathroom (Thank GOD there was one!) we headed to "ride" the merry-go-round. We did not actually ride it, as it lasts kinda long, and I doubt Gavin would want to sit that long...AND it went kinda fast, and I was sick to my stomach just watching it go around. I think Gavin can go on it when Daddy is with us, so I don't get sick! Gavin and Kekoa are so cute together...they don't really interact that much yet...but every once in a while, one of them will touch the other and look for a reaction...its too cute! It also does not help that they are both a quarter chinese...so cute these boys:)


Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Man on a Mission!

Until now, Gavin has only been walking on hard surfaces. Cement, dirt, or sometimes the bark at the park. He has always avoided walking in the grass, and would crawl through it if he had to. Today he just took off running through the front yard! I can usually sit on the front porch and read the mail...and I know he will stay where the tile area is. Not anymore! Now he loves to walk through the grass...back and forth. Over and over. He also knows now that he can get to the rocks that are by the street a little faster. He loves to pick them up, carry them around, and then throw them into the street.

While mommy is at work...

After working three 12 hour shifts in the last 4 days, I am tired. We had some pretty sick kiddos as the hospital, and they were a lot of work! Daddy took care of Gavin all three days (Gma is out of town) and here are the pictures that daddy took. Don't worry, no alcohol was consumed when these pictures were taken...at least I don't think so!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Stinky!

This afternoon as I was changing Gavin's very stinky diaper, I said "Oh Stinky!" about 3 times as I was lifting him to the changing table. As soon as I laid him down he said "Stink Stink!" Maybe I am just imagining him saying this, but I swear I heard it! So of course I kept saying stink and Gavin would imitate the "Ssss" sound. He has also mimicked a few other sounds I have made today...and this is a first!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Watch out Hugh!

Gavin walks around the house in his "Hugh Hefner" robe (as his daddy calls it), and totally acts like a king:) He smiles and smiles. He totally knows that he is going to get a reaction from me when he looks so darn cute.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Gavin's Girl

Today we met Angie and Kaylin at the park. Both Gavin and Kaylin are totally different babies these days....Gavin is walking all over and into everything, and Kaylin is on the verge of crawling...she is constantly moving and trying to get somewhere. No more sitting still on the picnic blanket for us! Gavin is up and walking around, and Kaylin is nose-diving into the grass so she can grab some to eat. Today is the first day that Gav and K were interacting, well on purpose at least! Kaylin was grabbing at the grass (She seriously is thrilled to do this) and when Gav saw, he imitated her. It is so cute to watch them:) Kaylin can't wait until she can have one of Gavin's rice cakes...you can see it in her eyes:) Thanks for the cute pic Angie!

Path of Destruction

Gavin seems to be a totally new baby now that he is walking. Not only is he all over the place, he is now wanting to get into EVERYTHING. It seems like right after he learned how to walk, he also learned that he can do things for himself. He can get into every and anything all by himself, and he does this 24/7. I am exhausted at the end of the day, and I think I know why! Here is Gavin this morning when he woke up from his nap. Notice all the diapers spread out on his floor. They were neatly stacked in his closet, and when I left the room for 2 minutes to put the laundry away, I came back in to this...and these bags of diapers are pretty heavy! I still can't believe that he scattered them across the room like this. He has some serious muscles:) Then this afternoon we were playing with his firetruck and eating cheerios. He LOVES to grab them out of the bag himself, and I went into the kitchen to do dishes...I think I would have learned my lesson by now! I came into the room with Gavin eating the cheerios frantically, like he would never be able to get them again...he was SO excited that they were all over the floor, and he could have as many as he wanted:)


Wednesday, July 14, 2010

{Gavin 11 Months}

Dear Gavin,

Today you turn 11 months old, and I cannot believe that the one year mark is right around the corner. I just finished looking at the pictures we took when you were born, and how small you used to be...and how much you have changed.

Every day I wake up and I am excited for the day to come. I miss you while you are sleeping at night. When you get in bed with us I can't wait to see your smiles. And touch your soft skin. And smell your clean chubby body. When I bring you to bed the first thing you do is nurse. You act like you are starving...well, maybe you are because I am always starving in the morning too. You are very peaceful and happy to nurse...that is until you hear your dad next to us. As soon as you so much as hear him breathe, you flip over and want to play. You pat him on the face and tell him to wake up...in your on words. We spend the next 15 minutes in bed. All three of us, together. It is my favorite time. You talk and talk and talk. Da-da, dadddyyy, da, da, ma-ma, ba-ba, and a few other things we cannot understand. It is so cute.

You really don't like to sit still, and you are always on the move. Always. Sometimes it is very tiring because you are all over...no matter where we are. I used to think that I would be able to take you out shopping with me, and you would sit in the stroller and play with a toy...WOW was I wrong! You start to squirm about 5 minutes after sitting in the stroller. Unless we are walking to the park. You know this route, and you sit still for this walk:) That brings us to car rides. You are not a big fan of these either, because you are strapped down, but you have gotten better. You can tolerate a 30 minute drive now, as long as I entertain you the entire time:) You are such the little explorer.

You are now walking everywhere. You do not crawl anymore, and you are so proud of yourself. We are even more proud! You explore everywhere we go by walking around and shouting things...we have no idea what you are saying, but you sure do! You usually hold things in each hand, and bring them back and forth...pick them up, walk with them, and then turn around and walk somewhere else. You are usually carrying toys, cars, or sticks and rocks if we are outside. Everyone we see asks me how old you are...and then they are amazed when I say 10 months...almost 11! You caught on to walking VERY quickly! It is so cute to see you on the move.

I talk about this a lot, but you just love to eat. You will eat pretty much anything we cut up and put on your tray. Pasta is always a favorite, and same with fruit. You like so many different types of food including Afghan, Mexican, Italian, and of course American. You don't get spoons or forks or plates...these things go flying and it is sometimes dangerous! You drink water from a sippy cup, but this goes flying as soon as you are finished with it. That's how we know you are finished with dinner. Sippy cup on the floor.

Wherever we go you take a great interest in touching anything and everything we are near. Big or small, you want to explore. You have gotten a little better about not putting everything in your mouth...you only put stuff in your mouth about 50% of the time now...opposed to 99% a few months ago. Your latest favorite thing to put in your mouth is rocks, dry leaves, grass, and little wood chips. If we stay away from these things, we are usually OK. You are also very sneaky. You will hoard these things in your chubby little hands, and then when I am not looking, you will stuff them in your mouth. You manage to get things inside the house all the time because I forget to check your sneaky hands:)

You are still nursing about 4 times a day, and this is still going very well. I can only nurse you when you are tired because this is the only time you will sit still. It is one of my favorite times of the day. I am going to have a hard time giving this one up one day!

Although you love to hang out with me a daddy all day, you really love when you see your Grandma Dayle. She watches you when mommy goes to work, and also when mommy needs to get some errands done. You smile so big when you see her, and you jump out of our arms to be in hers. You have SO much fun with her, and you know when you see her that you are about to have lots of fun...we can see it in your face. You and your Grandma have a really special bond. I never worry when you are with Grandma, we know you are in the best hands in the world.

We are so excited for the month to come...your Grandma Podie is coming to see us and you are turning one. I am sure I will take a million more pictures before the big day!

This summer has been so much fun so far...and we look forward to whats next with you!

We love you little man,

Mommy

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Super Napper!

The past 4 days Gavin has taken 2 TWO HOUR NAPS! On top of sleeping for ELEVEN HOURS STRAIGHT at night! That's right! 2 very nice naps...and he wakes up so happy:) We call him the super napper! Now if I could only learn how to lay down every once in a while...:)

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Biker G

Today Gavin and Daddy went for their first bike ride together. Gavin had a very serious face the entire time, but he loved it! I still need to find a better helmet, as the one I got is a little big. (Gavin got Daddy this seat for Father's day:)

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Back to NO dairy!

Just when I thought G was doing great with the dairy (that I introduced to my diet) he has now developed an entire body rash of hives/eczema. Ugh! It started a few days ago on his back...and we thought it could be from the strawberry we gave him for the first time. Now a few days later, it is all over his whole body. He has also been having a LOT of gas (More than the usual) and today we found some blood in his poop...) The only different thing I have done is eat dairy. Maybe too much. Just cheese and things with butter in them, but it is dairy none the less. Just when I was thinking we were in the clear!!! SO, after spending a LOT of time talking to the pediatric allergy doctor, he told me that most likely it is from the dairy. Even though I have been eating it for almost 3 weeks, he said sometimes it takes that long for GI symptoms to surface, and rashes to develop. It is common for this to happen (when babies have this problem) and he may just not be old enough yet to tolerate cows milk protein. Ugh! I am really not bummed because that means I cannot eat diary, I just wanted Gavin to be able to enjoy cheese, yogurt, and other stuff. Looks like we are headed to Whole Foods to get soy yogurt and cheese.

For now I am going to eliminate it from my diet again (2 weeks clearance) and we will see what happens.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Best Buds

Today Nicholas came over to play. The boys played in the wood chips for a long time together. It is so cute how they are interacting now! Even though it is just taking each others toys, it is still cute!


Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Hello Cheese

For the past few weeks, I have been eating small amounts of cheese, and things with diary in them. I have not had milk, but that's OK, because all I crave is cheese. I think it is safe to say that Gavin has been doing just fine. No issues. I really hope that he is over his intolerance, and he can start to eat some milk products by 12 months. Keeping my fingers crossed!

4 Nights, GO GAVIN!

For the past 4 nights Gavin has been sleeping all the way through the night! Gavin has always had the same bedtime, 7pm. For the past 6 or so months, Gavin would wake up anytime between 3 and 5am and he would nurse...most of the time he would go back to sleep until about 6am. This is what we did, it worked for us (I was very tired because I would have trouble falling back asleep after he would get up), and I knew it would end eventually. I kept getting the advice that I needed to just let him cry it out when he would wake up to nurse...but when we tried that, he would just cry for hours...and never go back to sleep. It worked, and although I was tired, it just did not feel right to let him cry for hours. So that was a very short attempt at letting him cry it out, and we went back to doing what worked for us...and now, Gavin is sleeping all the way through the night! 7pm to 6am, that is when he sleeps:) I nurse him right before he goes to bed, lay him in his crib, enjoy my evening with Derek/watch TV/drink wine, and then I go to bed. When G wakes up at 6am I nurse him and he is ready to start his day. It is just perfect.

I was just talking with a friend about our babies and their sleep habits...and we were laughing about how everyone is always talking about babies/kids sleeping habits. When does your baby go to sleep. How long does your baby sleep. DO you nurse to sleep. Do you sleep with your baby? Blah, Blah , BLAH! I never knew that sleeping habits would consume all of our lives! You do what works for you. And if it does not work, then you will figure out a solution. It may take a long time, but you just do it. If I had one piece of advice for a new mom it would be to ignore all the advice you get! God made you a mom for a reason, and you have your own motherly instincts. You will do whatever works for you, and you should not worry about what everyone else is doing. Every baby is different. And every parent is different. As long as you have your babies best interest at heart, then you are doing the right thing. Period.

Now I am off to enjoy some blog time and watch TV with the hubby. Oh, and maybe have some cookies too!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Funny Things

I just thought I would write these things down because I have been laughing so hard lately. Gavin is such a funny baby. He does the funniest things, and now he is at the age where he knows he is funny.

1. Whenever we are laughing hard at something or someone, he will figure it out and start laughing with us. He will wait until we are done laughing and then start. He crinkles up his nose and squints his eyes. It is so cute.

2. When he is sitting down, he will stand up, bend his whole body over and almost stand on his head. He just sits there doing this for minutes at a time...like he likes the view from this new angle. It is just plain funny.

3. Tonight before dinner I changed his diaper. I decided that since it was dinner and he always gets a bath after dinner, I would let him eat naked. Ok, he does this a lot, who needs clothes? Or diapers? So we had dinner where G ate a HUGE amount. As usual. When we were finishing up dinner, Derek and I both noticed out of the corner of our eyes that Gavin's face was red. Like he was going to you-know-what red. So without even saying a word, Derek took off the tray from the high chair and I grabbed Gavin and RAN to the bathroom. I stuck him on his potty, and of course he wanted off to play. I got the bath ready and looked over to see where he was so I could get him. Just as I looked, he was pooping. In the hallway. And then shivered and pee'd. And of course since I knew this was going to happen way back when I decided to let him eat naked, I just laughed. And laughed, it was funny! Seriously the shiver is SO funny! So, of course he thought it was funny too. Derek came running in and then we were all hysterically laughing. Over poop. Yep, that's what we are up to these days!

Walkin Man G

I just can't believe how quickly Gavin has caught on with walking. He is seriously walking ALL the time now. Whenever he is playing he will walk to and from different toys and people. Just like that, my baby turned into a TODDLER! I can't believe it!!! He is just a different little boy now. He wants less and less to do with crawling. I have spent most of my day smiling and laughing...this is SUCH a fun age! Derek has always said, "When is he going to do things?" Well, the time is now!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

America the Beautiful

Today was a great 4th of July! We started our day with Gavin sleeping from 7pm the night before until 6am today! He did not wake up at his usual time of 4 or 5am to nurse! We played at the house in the morning and he went down for a 2 and a half hour nap! During that time Derek and I trimmed (Major trim) the tree in the front yard, and did some other yard work.

When G got up from his nap, we headed to Los Gatos for their annual 4th of July celebration. We had lunch there and Gavin played on the firetruck for about an hour! He LOVED the firetruck, and we had to peel him off of it! Then we went to the central park and played in the water fountain. G was a little unsure of this, and just liked to watch all the other kids run around.

After G's afternoon nap, we headed to Jan and Jim's house for a BBQ (Gma and Gpa's friend's). We played lots of games, including water balloon toss and volleyball, and Gavin LOVED to play with all the toys there (They have a grandson, Fabian). Fabian is the only grandson so far and you sure can tell...he has SO many toys...pretty cool ones too!

We ended our night with the little one going to bed promptly at 7pm, and we got to enjoy the rest of the night with some beer and fireworks. Happy 4th of July!


Thursday, July 1, 2010