Giving Love

I just had to make sure I wrote this down, as it is SO cute. The past few weeks Gavin has been giving people hugs and kisses (he puts his head against your head, don't ask, its what him and his daddy do!). He would do this when I said "give a hug, Gavin!" Today at the museum he would give a hug and "kiss" to all  the kids he played with:) He would get real close, and put his arms around them...and if they were nice back, he would "kiss" them. So adorable. He loves giving love:)

Naked Monkeys

Today we had a little play date with Kekoa...my monkey twin! We are both about the same size, have the same skin tone, have the same (almost) color hair, and are both quarter Chinese. Oh, and we are both total monkeys. I even gave Kekoa hugs and kisses. I sure love having him over!

Finally summer has arrived!

Today we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a swim. It is HOT out, so the cool pool is perfect. As you can see, Gavin has all the attention in the world, and soaks it all up. Oh, and his naked little bum is so cute:)

Woodcrest Kids

Here is Gavin and his neighbors Dominic and Ava on a stroll in the wagon after dinner. G and Ava are the same age (by 2 weeks). G and Ava were very happy to be eating grahm crackers and they were even sharing with each other. At one point Ava finished hers and reached to grab Gavin's...he knew this was coming so he stuffed the entire thing in his mouth. You sure don't mess with G and his food!

                          

Pure Joy

Here are some pics I took of the G man today. Seriously, I am in love with this boy. His smile, his face, his expression, his ability to win me over time and time gain. Pure joy is what I feel when I am with my little:)

G & G

Today was our last day in Cincinnati. We went and picked up Griffin before lunch, and headed to Frisch's! (One of my Cincinnati Fav's!) We brought lunch to the park, and had a little picnic. On the way there, I gave the boys their sucker's from the kids meals, because they were getting a little impatient. While Griffin just sucked away like you would normally do, Gavin ate his entire sucker in less than a minute. WITH ONLY 6 TEETH! Hahaha I was worried that he would choke on it, but he managed to chew it with his front teeth! Before I could fish it out, it was gone! Seriously, he can eat anything!

At the park G & G ran around and copied eachother. Diggin in the dirt with sticks, running in circles, going up and down the slide...They are so happy together:) We sure will miss everyone!
 

Oktoberfest

Tonight we all headed down to Oktoberfest Zincinnati! The entire family was there, and Aunt Karen and Aunt Paige also come to meet us. It was so much fun to get to spend time together. This is a Cincinnati favorite:)

Gavin and Griffin got to go on the car ride...and at first Gavin loved it. Well, he pretty much just stared at everything. Griffin was ALL smiles. Then something spooked Gavin and he started screaming! It was so sad. It was almost over, so I ran to get him.

After the rides we all hung out by the band, ate a TON of German food, and had some German beer of course! G & G had the time of their lives while running around and dancing to the music. At one point Gavin laid down on the ground (gross!) and LICKED IT! Ahhhh! I yelled for him to stop, and by the time I got him to stop, Griffin was doing the SAME thing! That's what it was like all week long. Monkey See, Monkey Do!

Gavin at the Land

Today we went to Grandma and Grandpa's land in Felicity, Ohio. Uncle Patrick and his girlfriend Evelyn came too. They have had "the land" for a while now, and it is a pretty cool place! They have a HUGE garden, a pond, lots of fruit trees, and some pretty cool neighbors with lots of animals to see. Gavin got to pet his first horse, hen, and tried to pet a rooster. He also got to go on his first tractor ride AND 4-wheeler ride with Grandma. He was in heaven with all the animals and riding the tractor!

Park Day

Today we all took the kids to Alms Park, and Uncle Pat and his girlfriend Eva came with us. We had a Chipotle picnic, while G & G played in the dirt. It was so neat to be able to spend the day together, and the kids of course had a lot of fun. G & G went down the really long slide. This was the funniest thing I have seen in a while. Gavin loved it at first, but then we realized that his face was absolutely petrified by the end. I am not sure he was even breathing! Griffin? He was not too sure about it at all...and his face looked like you were pushing him off of a cliff the entire time! Next time? I am bringing the video camera!

The day with 3 kids under 3

Today Gma and I watched the three kiddos while Erica went to work. Gavin and Griffin are so adorable together, and all they do is copy each other. Well, actually it is just Griffin who copies Gavin, but it is so cute! If Gavin puts something in his mouth, so does Griffin. If Gavin runs in a circle, so does Griffin.
We took the kids to the Lunken "land of make believe" where they got to play on the swing sets, jungle gyms, and lots of other stuff. It was a lot of work, and consisted of me and gma chasing both boys around while holding Annabel. Annabel, of course, was as perfect as ever and never made a peep. Between chasing the boys, and feeding them lunch, it was a busy park day. As soon as we got home it was hand washing, clean up, feed Annabel bottle, and NAP TIME FOR BABIES! We got all three down for a nap....Sheesh! Then we talked about we don't know how people like the Dugger's have so many kids! (Or even 10 kids for that matter!)
It was such a fun day, and we are so glad we got to help with Griffin and Annabel one day. Gavin has SO much fun with his cousins and Grandma...Of course, this makes me HATE living so far away from them.

5th Trip

I am sad that I was not able to get any pictures of G on this trip, but I was VERY busy with the little man! Overall, the flight and car rides were great, and he did a good job with his big travel day. He made a LOT of new friends on the plane, and of course all we heard was "Oh MY GOSH! LOOK how CUTE he is!!!!" Over and over. G would just stare, flash a smile, and keep moving. We walked the isles about 500 times, ate every single snack we brought, and he sat on about 5 different strangers laps. He was go-go-go for almost the entire 4.5 hour flight. He did manage to get his afternoon nap in (On my lap) for about an hour...that was a nice break! He even sat in the lap of the lady who sat next to us while we landed. Seriously, he charms them all. I feel pretty lucky to have such a great traveler! BUT I am still looking forward to our next trip when DADDY comes....its hard going solo!

New things

-G is now "clapping" his hands. It looks more like he is wiping things off of them, but we will take it!

-G has discovered how to turn in a circle. He will laugh at himself and turn around and around. Then he gets dizzy and falls over. And laughs. Too cute.

-Every time Gpa's grandfather clock chimes, Gavin will start dancing. His dancing consists of bending down to a squatting position over and over....and sometimes he will stomp his right foot. I hope to get this on video soon....every time I get the video camera out, he stops.

-Using his fork and spoon. He has been playing with them while he eats for a while now, but now he will occasionally get some food on them. (With a little help of course)

-G successfully took his 5th trip across the country. He was a very good boy on the flight, and made some new friends. He really is such a people person!

{Gavin 13 Months}

Dear Monkey G,

Today you are 13 months old. I am calling you monkey G because you are all over the place. Climbing, running, walking backwards, running in circles, getting into everything, and "talking" all the time. We have no idea what you are saying, but you sure are talking. You love when I sing "wheels on the bus" and sometimes you will imitate the sounds I make.

You are very busy, and always thinking about something. You have an agenda all the time...and you don't like when things get in your way. You are also a very smart boy. If you get something that you should not get, and I hide it, you will look and look for it until you find it. You do not give up easily, and we love that about you. Maybe not so much when you cry in the middle of the night...at this time I wish you would give up and go back to sleep!

Oh Gavin, every day is a brand new day and you are so much fun. We love watching you grow, and are so blessed to have such a happy and healthy "baby." Yes, you are still my baby:)

Love,
Mamma and Dadda


Grandma and Gavin Fun

These pictures were taken tonight when we got home from the airport and G had his bath. Gma got G this cute little apron, and put it on him while he was naked...and then G found one of his favorite toys, the swiffer! Such a cute lil nakie butt!

Poison Control

poison control lady-Can I help you?

me-Yes, Umm my son just ate a packing peanut...you know, one of the peanuts used in boxes to pack things?

pc lady-Do you mean a Styrofoam packing peanut?

me-Yes, that's it.

ps lady-Well, they are typically not toxic. Is he choking?

me-No, he just ate it. That's all. I just was not sure if they had some kind of chemical in them.

pc lady-Well, not typically, so he should be fine.

me-Typically?

pc lady-Most of them are non-toxic now. No need to worry.

me-Most of them? What would happen if it was toxic?

pc lady-There is no need to worry, he should be fine.

me-(thinking, why do you keep saying "typically" and "most"....freaking me out!) OK, thank you very much!

*Gavin usually consumes and ingests things that do not concern me....well at least to call poison control. Leaves, bark, sand, rocks, bugs, paper, such things from nature....well most of the time. So today when he ate an entire Styrofoam peanut (pretty large one), I thought that could not be good! It has been 15 hours, and hes not sick, so I guess it was a NON-toxic one!

Teethy Smile

Here is a shot with G and his top teeth too. They are rarely in a picture, only his bottom ones. G is hanging out in one of his favorite places, the front bay window. He loves to watch people come and go, kids riding bikes, people walking dogs, and he especially loves when he gets to see the garbage trucks. If there is a noise out front, of any sort, he runs to this window and waits for me to pick him up so he can look out.

G and his Pals

Today we had my Las Madres-Mom's group over to our house. It was the first time we have ever hosted, and all the kids had so much fun! Since the back yard has a lot of sun during the daytime, we just sat in front on picnic blankets, and played with all of G's outdoor toys. I made a big pasta salad and all the babies even ate it! Aiden, Sammy, Patrick, Ben, and Carly (The only girl today!) came over. It was interesting to watch Gavin sharing all of his toys. I am not sure that he was really sharing, he just would find another toy to play with....because there are so many! At one point, we piled them all up in the wagon and went for a walk. They were all completely still...they probably were so confused to why they were all in it together:) It was a very successful play date, and we hope to do it again soon.

Labor Day Fun

Today we had a nice and relaxing Labor Day. We just hung around the house, went to the grocery store, walked to the park, and played outside. The weather was perfect, and G took 2 really good naps...making him in a very good mood. Derek cooked a GREAT dinner and Gma and Gpa came over too. Here is Gavin playing with his grandparents. He sure knows he is the center of attention! Big smile the whole time...and of course sticking his tongue out:)

I'm gonna miss this

My perspective on being a mother changes all the time. Things I used to think "I would never do" I have done. Things I used to think "I will never think" I have thought. Everything changes when you become a mother. It really is the hardest job on earth, not matter what anyone says. No matter how many children (Although I am certain it gets harder!). No matter where you live. No matter how much money you have. No matter if you work outside of the home, or in. After being Gavin's mommy for one year, I feel incredibly blessed to be where I am, right now. Even though I would not want it any other way, there were and there are times when I just want to scream. Maybe out of frustration because I have not slept. Maybe because my patience is running out. Maybe because I try to do more than I can handle sometimes. Last night something happened.


Gavin has been a little off these past few days, and 2 new teeth coming in. Naps are a little short, and sometimes non-existent. Night time sleep is disrupted, and that makes for a cranky baby and mommy. Last night, after a very fun filled day, G would not go to sleep. Every time I put him down, he would scream and try to jump back in my arms, All he wanted to do was be held. I knew he did not feel good, and knew that my arms were the only place he felt safe and happy. But I was exhausted. I was tired, and I wanted to relax. I kept trying to put him in bed, with it ending in him screaming and screaming. I gave in and held him. I brought him to bed and he was hugging me so tight. He would not let go. He fell asleep, and was still hugging me very tightly. I realized while we were in bed, that he needs me so much right now, and I am sure gonna miss this one day. He loves to be held, and snuggle, and I know I'm gonna miss this. For sure. So I realized that maybe somewhere in my new mommy brain, I need to let some things go. Some ways of thinking I have. That things need to be this way or that. My thoughts about schedules. I want to really remember this time, and not wish it away, waiting for what's "next." So I am gonna soak it all in, enjoy it, and just do what feels right...because down the road, I'm sure gonna miss this.


Something clicked in my brain. This time now. This time where Gavin is such a momma's boy, and only will be held by me. This time where we are loosing sleep due to two new teeth coming in. This time where Gavin and I spend so much time together. This time where we, a family of three, get to be with each other, and focus our attention on only us. This time where I only have one baby. One day, when Gavin is grown up, I am gonna look back and I'm gonna miss thistime. So here is to living in the moment, and loving each and every moment with my boys. Even the frustrating and trying times. Because one day I'm gonna miss this.

Momma's Helper

G LOVES to help with the laundry...

Actually he really likes to just sit in the basket, while I push it to the laundry room.

G likes to help put the dirty laundry in the washer...

Actually he just likes to pull it out once I put it in.

Oh Gavin, such a helper!

A Day in the Life

Here is a typical day in the life of ME!:

5:30am-Wake up, sing, laugh, whine, then cry for mommy to come get me.

6am-Nurse, play in bed with mommy and daddy. Get off of the bed and run around the house. Play, play, play, with toys in my room, family room, kitchen, and garage. Mommy does dishes, laundry, and cooks breakfast while I do these things.

7am-Eat breakfast in my high-chair. It usually consists of a scrambled egg, avocado, fresh fruit, toast, cheerios, raisins, and milk.

7:30am-Wave goodbye to daddy. Continue to play around the house. Create a stinky diaper. Before it gets too hot outside, mommy and I water all the plants and garden outside. Play some more inside and out. Read books, climb furniture, give mommy LOTS of hugs and kisses.

8:30am-Nap Time! Mommy and I read some books, sing some songs, nurse and then go to sleep.

10:30am-Wake up, most of the time pretty happy. Sometimes with a stinky diaper.

10:40am-Activity! Either museum trip, library story time, park play date, errands, farm trip, walk to park, grocery shopping/toy store shopping/looking, play date at friends house, or even hang around our house. But that is rare, we almost ALWAYS get out of the house during this time. We always pack food, lots of food. No matter what we do, I have fun. I am busy, and I do not stop.

1:30pm-Come home, clean up (I have dirty hands and diaper) and then we play around the house. Cool off, read stories, eat a snack. Sometime if its pretty hot, my mom puts me out on the patio with the hose, so I can get wet, play with the water, and even drink some.

2:30pm-Nap time! We sing songs, read books, and I nurse.

3:30-Awake and ready for my second activity of the day. We almost always go for a walk at this time...to the shopping plaza if mommy needs anything, and then the park. We also meet up with Angie and Kaylin a lot during this time. It is fun to go play with Kaylin at the park. She is crawling a lot now, and pretty soon she will be chasing me!

5pm-come home, play with toys in the kitchen while mom cooks dinner. Sometime we go out to dinner, and I LOVE this because it usually means stopping at the toy store afterwards to play with toys. Yes, mom and dad let me walk around toys R us and play with the toys. We are THOSE people. They always clean up after me, and lots of other toddlers do it;) Most nights we eat dinner at home, and after dinner daddy takes me outside to play on my slide. And run around the yard. Sometimes another stinky diaper. And sometimes I am naked because I made such a mess at dinner. Always fun!

7pm-Bath time, play time, story time, nurse and BED!

Holy Toddler

I think it is fair to say that Gavin is really turning into a toddler. I can't BELIEVE that I am saying the word toddler! Just this morning Gavin refused his liquid vitamin (Who wouldn't?). Every morning he takes his vitamin, no problem. He actually opens his mouth for it and drinks it like its candy. Today? Nope! When he saw it coming, he looked at me, grinned, shook his head no, and RAN away from me! WHAT?! I could not help but laugh. That was a mistake too. This scenario ended with me laying him on the kitchen island, holding his head straight, and forcing the vitamin in his mouth. After THREE TIMES of spitting it out, it was finally down. Something that used to be so easy, and cute, was now a nightmare. Sheesh! I have a feeling this is just the beginning.

Gavin is running all over the house. He is wanting to climb on everything. Yesterday I came into the family room to find him carrying a blanket, dropping it right by the side of the couch, and using it as a step stool to CLIMB up on the couch. He was so extremely proud of himself, and I could not help but smile with him. Another mistake. Now he thinks its fun to climb up on the couch. Seriously, it is so hard to discipline this child.

Speaking of discipline. I have been having to say the word no a lot lately when it comes to a few things. Sticking hands in toilet? NO! Sticking hands in trash? NO! Eating dirt, sand, and hairballs? NO! Walking into the street? NO! Right now, these are the most important ones...He will listen 25% of the time, and sometimes he will cry and want to be held afterwards. He never cries after daddy says no....Hmm, I wonder who is the push-over? Ha!