Thankful

So I wrote this awhile ago but it's all part of life with Gavey so I figured I would post this one too :) Makes it look like I'm on a roll tonight!! Ha!

I had a bit of a melt down this morning. Pre-Gavin dramatic mornings like this were a bit more typical than they are Post-Gavin. He has had a great way of putting things in perspective for me and reminding me about what's truly important in life. I also don't want him to look at me like a hot mess so I try to keep it together, but I guess somedays life gets the best of me. Like this morning :) I felt so bad though. I sat at my kitchen table, looking over my sales, spreadsheets, bookstore orders, etc and just started crying. I couldn't breathe, I felt so panicked and upset. Bryan got Gaveyman up this morning, gave him a bath, brushed his hair, got him dressed, and fed him his cereal and bottle, all while I just sat staring at my computer screen. Poor Gavey wouldn't stop staring at me and he looked so concerned. I picked him up and he gave me the biggest kiss and a smile and it made me realize that he is the best thing ever. In that moment I could breathe again, and I really can't imagine my life without him. I think I need my little Gaveypants. Poor Bryan though. He came over and rubbed my back and tried to give me a hug and I shook him off me and told him to stop. Ugh. I'm terrible. I owe someone a big apology tonight. He even got up early to try and find what I really wanted for Christmas all over the internet but he couldn't find anywhere that had it. Or that would get it here in time. Strike two- I told him if I didn't get it by Christmas I didn't want it. I think it's time I stop being selfish with him and truly appreciating how great he really is to me. Bryan thank you for putting up with my drama, stress and nonsense you are the best around!!! :)

A few people were putting up things they were thankful for during the month of November. I didn't but, I thought why can't I now? I really need to count my blessings and not get hung up on things that in the grand scheme of things don't matter. I mean they do matter (a lot) but in a different way...

• Gavin. You were a complete surprise but you were the best, and greatest little surprise I could ever ask for in my life. You are so healthy, happy and funny and I love you so much.
• Bryan. You are the best husband. You will do anything to make me happy, you're so smart and successful, and Gavin absolutly adores you.
• My Faith. Yes this should be number one, but honestly I can't help but think of Brybear and Gaveyman first. Although I'm not the best example, and I constantly struggle with living the life I should live, my faith is what grounds me, and it's what carries me through everything. I would be so lost and hopeless without it.
• Riverview. Riverview is what made Lansing home for us. We have made SO many great friends here, and we look forward to going to church every Sunday, which is something that I've never looked forward to in my life. Shhh! :)
• My job. Granted you have to work so hard, and a lot of times your hard work doesn't always pay off the way you need it to, but it's so financially rewarding, fun, and I truly love what I do.
• My manager. Both my previous manager and my new manager. They are both so great, so successful and have taught me so much. They push me to do better, not to make excuses and to work hard. They've done so much for me and I am lucky to work and to have worked with them.
• My District. I love everyone I work with. Granted I don't get to see them that much, but I have a few who I talk to on a regular basis (or Val who I talked to on an hourly basis :) and they are the only ones who really understand this job, the ups the downs and we all want each other to succeed and do really well. It's not competitive and we would all do anything to help the other person out, which is rare in most work places.
• My family in New York. They would do anything for you, and they've done everything for me. The older I get, the more I appreciate them. With the exception of one. Wait, I didn't write that. Ha
• Bryan's family. Laura is one of my good friends, I love my niece and nephews, and Bryan's mom and dad do SO much for us. Before we had a sitter in the area, they would drive an hour and half to take care of him so we could go out for our birthday, anniversary, MSU vs UM game, and coming up New Years Eve since we'll be gone overnight. His dad helps keep our house in order by doing things that we need done around the house. He's even mowed our lawn over the summer I think more than we have. Oops!
• My Gram. She is hands down the person I respect and admire more than anyone in my life.
• I know this is shallow but I'm so thankful and looking forward to our upcoming va-ca this summer. It's over due and I need to go somewhere, where I can completley disconnect from e-mails, cellphones, and the internet in general. I want to be selfish and spend all of my time with my Bry, laying on the beach, drinking cocktails, and hopefully not crying over missing Gavin too much :) Although I'm sure I will be a mess without him! Yikes!
• My friends. I am blessed with so many people I can call anytime, to talk about anything, and they will always be there.
• Adam. (Bryan I feel funny listing another guy on here- you'll understand once you start going to him! Promise!) I hate him during the time of our workout, but I appreciate him so much after. I may not be at my lowest weight ever, but I'm stronger than I have been before which makes me a quicker runner, happier person, and he pushes me to do more than I think I can do when working out. Plus he makes it fun, and I like going to the gym again.
• Tot watch at the gym. I know this is little but when I was on maternity leave, being able to take Gavin here in the mroning and at night so I could have "me time" kept me sane. They are so good with him, and get so excited everytime they see him. Gavin knows them now too and likes to go in and play with Grandma Jan, Linda and Brett.
• Our house. Shallow again but in this economy it seems like so many people are losing their house due to foreclosure or because they just can't keep up. I've heard so many stories about this and it's really heartbreaking.  
• Maru. Hands down the best sushi ever.
• The professors I work with. So many people sent gifts when Gavin was born, took me to lunch or grabbed coffee just to catch up and chat. They are always asking about Gav, want me to send pics, and truly care with how he and I are doing. They've all been great to talk to, and it makes my job so much fun when I have friendships with the people I work with.

I'm positive I have so many other things to be thankful for, but these are the main ones, and I have to say I feel better already!! :)

Christmas Round One!...Ok I guess Take 2 :)

Love You Gavey Boo

Seriously, talk about such a great Christmas back home in New York with my family!! Although the last few days have been a complete whirlwind, AND I probably gained at least 1000 lbs AND Schmesh and Chig are mad at us for leaving- it was all worth it!

We left Thursday night for a night out in Ann Arbor. I met my District there and we had dinner at Gratzi's where I had the best filet ever- anything that is on top of a portabello mushroom and goat cheese is A-ok in my book! The Poma Martini's weren't tasting too bad either :) We then went to a Comedy Club and ended the night at a martini bar. So much fun! I work with the best people ever, and my manager is great- Coach purses for the girls, and Tumi wallet clips for the guy. She knows how to shop! Ha. I also have the best hubsters ever, who came with, and entertained Gavin all night in the hotel room. We stayed at the Dahlman Campus Inn which is nice but the rooms aren't ever big enough when you have an 8 month old on the go. They walked around Ann Arbor, ordered room service and were tucked away in bed by 9:00. Good job Big Daddy!! He did this all so I wouldn't have to drive back to DeWitt the next morning, and then pack up to leave for New York, it saved me a trip and saved us some time- esp when we didn't get started for NY until 10 the next morning. Oops! I needed a little sleep after being out until 2- yikes! I'm too old for this nonsense :)

Thennn we spent the last few days at home. So great! Gavey- you did so amazing!! You traveled in the car really well- I think you did better than your momma who was a little exhausted and crabby :) The first thing you did when you saw your gram was give her the biggest smile- hands down it was the sweetest thing I ever saw in my life. You love your gram so much and you remember being there just a few weeks ago- you could so tell, and I loved everything about it. We spent our first day home just relaxing, and I took an amazing nap. Thennn the next day we went to Altons by the Galleria where we had the BEST Chicken Finger Subs, and Pizza Logs. Seriously the two things I miss the most besides friends and family! Ok that and Jim's Steak Out at 4 in the morning. We'll save those stories for when you have kids because I don't want you to get any ideas Mr. Anyways gram had lamp chops, which I think are so gross, but we ate up and then came back home. We got the house ready for Christmas, and watched Christmas movies and called it a night. Perfect! Sunday morning, we celebrated Christmas, and your dad and I went to Wayne's church and got to see him and Julie. It was so great, and you sat through the whole thing like such a champ. Although you were flirting with several of the ladies behind us. Mr. Roll told us we better watch it, you were really flirting with his wife. Ha. Oooh you're a little mr ladies man already. We came home, and then the family came for our traditional lasagna dinner, garlic bread, antipasti, and daddy's cookies- well in your case grandpa's cookies. You were a little spoiled with the clothes, and toys that you got but you didn't care because all you watned to do was eat the paper, and climb the stairs. Gram did something SO special this year...Saturday night she brought out all of her jewelry, and we went through every piece. She then divided it up among all 25 of us and thoughtfully considered who should get it. It was so special and I'm going to cherish every peice she gave me. I have her baby bracelet, several necklaces, and a gorgeous diamond antique wedding ring that was her mothers. It's stunning and I'm so honored she gave it to me. I wanted hers, but she couldn't find it in the safe...So hope she didn't lose it :( She also gave me a few rings and earrings, and a couple pins she would wear. Beth had the best idea since we don't wear pins anymore to take it to a jeweler and have the stones made into a ring or neckalce- love it and I might have to do just that. From everyone else we got cookies, gourmet coffee, gift cards, and and a gorgeous jewelry box that my Aunt and Uncle gave me. Love it and much needed especially after gram gave us so much. When everyone left we cleaned up and then literally collapsed- we were so exhausted!! You did a great job on our way home too- you slept like the WHOLE way! When you weren't sleeping you just talked to yourself, played with your books and watched out the window. What a good little guy you are!!

A few new things in the world of Gav-

• You say MumMum!! FINALLY! Not just dadada. We first heard it when they were passing you around the breakfast table and you looked around for me, and say MuummmMummm! Awww! Sweet baby! You did it!
• You are SO obsessed with throwing things. You actually have a little arm on you, mr strong man. Your aunt and uncle bought you a little toy story ball and you made us play catch and roll it back to you over. and over. and over.
• You can drink out of a sippy cup and you're obsessed with it. Although I don't like you drinking out of it unless I'm right there because you start to play and tip it upside and then splash the water everywhere.
• You ate jello, cottage cheese, and ice cream this weekend and loved every bite.
• You discovered gram's stairs and had to try and climb up them every chance you had. Speaking of which, when we got home I thought your dad was watching you, he thought I was watching you, and next thing I know I heard you laughing to yourself in the upstairs bathroom! Apparently you seized the moment, climbed up the stairs in a matter of seconds and made your way into the bathroom.
• You love splashing all of the water out of the tub. Ok well not all of it, but if you could you would. I hate giving you baths now because I get soaked and you just laugh. Thanks.
• The cats officially don't like you. No offence. I think they used to tolerate you, now they hiss and run. Even after not seeing us for a few days. I think you scarred them.
• You now not only push your little walker up and down the living room, you get going so fast it looks like your taking little running steps. We'll be running the streets of DeWitt in no time Gav! Your dad better step up his game or he's not going to be able to keep up!

I think that's it for now? We're celebrating next weekend with dad's family in Mt. P with your cousins and we can't wait! Until then I will be making the rounds and scrounging for every dollar I can to make my number this year. In that respect, I miss last year. This time of year was so not stressful, the biggest stress in my life was finding a maternity dress to wear to our awards night.

Hanging with Daddy

Trying to fit as many in your mouth as you can.

Smarty Pants drinking from Mr. Sippy

Love my Family

Snuggling with my BFF.
PS Don't mind the greasy hair. Just had a facial and massage so I'm a bit shiny! Yikes!!

Happy 8th Months Baby Boo!!

Wow. 8 months. I'm so glad that my previous comments are still true- it just gets better and better! You are so awesome little Gavey and I can't believe you're already 8 months old! I have a feeling we'll be celebrating your 1st Birthday before we know it!! Ahhh! I don't know if I'm ready for that yet?! If the next 8 motnhs is anything like the last 8 months (Ok well lets minus your first 3 months because that was a rough time) BUT it's just giong to keep getting better!! Or so I hope! :)

Ok so any new milestons this month?!

• You love making this gasping noise which freaks me out but then you laugh everytime you do it. Orrr if we do it back you will keep doing it. It's a fun little game until your mom calls the Dentist office, puts the phone down because she forgot she called, and continues to say nothing but make gasping sounds to you until I hear, "HELLO?! HELLO? MAM ARE YOU THERE? ARE YOU OK???" Ahhhh. So I did what any normal person would do. I hung up. Ha. I think I need to find a new dentist or teach you a new trick that doesn't involve gasping sounds.

• You can take steps but you much rather crawl. You will crawl so fast and put your head down that you will wipe out and then get back up and keep going. Although you do love walking around the furniture You chase the cats from one end to another and then grab fistfulls of their fur. Keep pulling maybe they will start to look slimmer because I swear they've both became little furry blobs that just lay around. You keep them on their toes Gavman.



Before.



After.



Your Next.

• You can say DaDa. It's official. Dada is your first word. We thought it was a fluke a few weeks ago but now you say it whenever you see your dad. This makes me feel 50/50. 50 percent of me is so happy for you, especially becaus it melts your dad's heart but the other selfish 50 percent of me just wants you to look at me and say MOMMA. MoMMA. Come on Gav you can do it!



Waiting by the door like I do every night for dad to get home

• Your mom's Dr is one of dad's customers and he came in today and told your dad that you're so advanced for your age and that you're going to be a little genius, we need to watch out....This is great news, but I'm still pulling for you to be a professional athlete so we can hang out with Chauncey Billups, Lamar Odom (which also means Khloe Kardashian) and we can't forget Tebow. Ok I'm hopping on the Tebow band wagon. I will stop.



Running Laps.

• Ok so in very personal news, we had to take you to Urgent Care becacuse you had a really bad rash that welted up all over your body. Thankfully I took a picture of it and sent it to Laura and Neena who told me to take you right to urgent care. Your parents are clearly not genuiuses bc we thought it was eczema and we were going to put you in your jammies and tuck you in to bed. Welllll we went to Urgent Care since your Dr was closed and found out that you had a little reaction and we had to put you on oral steroids. That's not the personal part and that's since cleared up. The CRAZY story is, Gavin!! Your circumsicion reaatched (and I'm sorry but I always thought your little peepers looked a bit ummm well different). Anyways, they asked me to check your diaper to see if the rash was there and they made the discovery. Ahhh. They basically recircumsized you right there on the table. Ughhh. I'm so sorry GaveyGavs. I felt horrible and I got choked up because you turned red, and screamecd with tears running down your face. In brighter news, it will now look normal and your wife will thank me. Gross. I'm somewhat creeped out I just wrote that.
• You weigh 21.6 lbs and I think you're 26 or 28 inches long. You're in the 80's percentile for height and weight but I'll have to go back through and double check
• You feed yourself your star puffs which you LOVE, you seriously can't get enough of them, and I love them because they keep you entertained now, and you love the baby cheese puffs. Although I'm starting to wonder if I want to give those to you...they're a weird orange that just seems so processed. Yes. I'm turning into that mom. Go figure. Ha



Yummm Yogurt Melts!!

• You're officially out of your baby infant seat. Although the big boy seat is kind of a pain because you stand up in it and fight being strapped in. It's a job getting you in it and the way you scream when I try to buckle you in, I now shut the doors because it sounds like I'm hurting you. Actually when we drove home from urgent care I didn't buckly you in but held you because I felt so bad. Granted everyone I tell this story too gets a little freaked out, so I shouldn't be admitting it. BUT someday you'll look back and maybe think I'm somewhat BA for this move. Or kind of dumb because it's probably not too safe...Oops. I didn' tthink of that until after. I just wanted to hold and snuggle you close.

Not only do I have a big boy car seat. but I now live in a gated house

Not a fan of this carseat. Or any carseat for that matter.

Ok I think that's all for now. Your dad is done running on the treadmill and I'm ready to go back upstairs. I told him I"d come down and keep him company but I've been giving him one word answers and not talking so I could get this done. Maybe I'm slightly bitter and jealous bc I had to take the week off from working out due to pneumonia AGAIN! I think Neena is right and I need to go get the pneumonia shot. Which exists. It's not just a joke which I totally thought it was :)

You're fast asleep and ready for a very exciting week! Thursday we're spending the night in Ann Arbor and seeing our favorite Val, and Friday we leave for New York and we'll get back Monday. Woooo Hooo!! So can't wait! Family Christmas Number 1! I bought a few presents for you today and I can't wait to watch you open them. Then again you were with me when I got them, but that's the nice thing about this age :) Either that or you will care less about all of your gifts and eat the paper. Which still is your favorite thing to eat. Hands down.

Your First Thanksgiving Gavey Boo!

Honestly I haven't really been in the "blogging" mood lately. I should be because I feel like you've done so many little milestones lately and I'm slacking, but ughhh Gavin I just don't have it in my lately. Although now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, at this rate it will be Christmas before I write anything again. Yikes. I'm the worst.

We had the best Thanksgiving ever at home with Grams, and the family. You ate sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and then more sweet potatoes :) Mom wasn't on top of things so I packed tons of sweet potato baby foods, and a couple other things. Then when we ran out because again Mom wasn't on top of things, we had sweet potatoes at your Aunts and Uncle's for Thanksgiving and then again at gram's house. If I wake up tomorrow and you're orange, we'll know why. Oops! We also didn't get any pictures! We need to because you had the cutest "My First Thanksgiving" shirt with a little turkey on it. I just might have to dress you up in this again and take your pic. Ok it's decided. Thats what I'm going to do. If I remember.



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Like Father Like Son. Ha



You're my little walker! Ok well maybe not walker since you still prefer crawling over walking, but you can do it at least :)You like walking around everything holding on to it, and then when that doesn't work you'll either take a couple steps or crawl like a crazy man.

We've had the most fun ever playing catch. I swear. Mark my words. You're going to be a little athlete. You love throwing a ball at me, and then I throw it back and we play over and over again. Then you crawl away, find a new toy. And we play catch with that over and over again. Funny little guy!

Throwing it to you

Wait for it...Wait for it...

I have to say I was a little nervous to take you back to New York now that you're a man on the move. Constant move! Ha. Everyone was saying they couldn't beleive you were only 7 months because you were into EVERYTHING Mr. All Boy. I'm actually a little thankful for it because you're keeping me on my toes, which honestly is probably not a bad thing :) We had such a good time spending it with the family. The night before Thanksgiving, you stayed over night at Brian and Tricia's with a new babysitter! You were SOOO good! You ate your food, drank your bottle, and then I got a text that you laid in your back in play, rolled over, and popped your butt in the air. Ha. That's my cuddle monkey.I was nervous you were going to have a tough time but you adapted, and I'm so happy! Your mom and dad had the best night out with our friends, and then I regretted our 2:00 night out the next day when you were ready to hang at 7. Ughhhh. You confirmed that we will be getting a sitter our next night out, and they'll keep you over night. Or i guess we could learn to be more responsible at not stay out so late?! :) That would probably be the right answer.

On the way home we got to stop in Cleveland and see Val. We had a great time because we love seeing our favorite little Val, except she hit your head at the restaurant on a light, and then you spilled my mimosa. I forgive you, although I could have used it after your dad made us stop 1993239 times between Cleveland and Lansing. We didn't get home until way too late. I was a little crabby, but you my friend were so happy to be home. We let you stay up late because you were having so much fun crawling around and playing. It was so cute, and we were heartbroken taking you to daycare today. You seemed so happy at home with us.

Oh and you have your 1st tooth!!! It's sharp, and you love to feel it with your tongue. I have a feeling tooth 2 will be here in the morning. You've been a drooling little bear so let's hope it gets here and as painlessly as possible :)

And the last big news is you've graduated from your infant seat! You're getting way to big to scrunch in their so thanks to your mom (and not so much your dad) you'll be sitting in your Cowmoflouge seat in no time! I'm normally not a fan of Cow Print, but seriously it's so adorable. If it was up to your dad you would have been in the black Britax, but thanks to your mom, you'll have some style, and it will be stimulating. Haha. Ok maybe that was my way to convince him you needed it?! :)



Bye Bye Chicco!


Alright. Here's to your Thanksgiving Post. Kind of boring. Can we blame it on the Nyquil?! Ughhh get me over this cold. But it's done. Your cousin Alexa should be happy now :)

One Step at a Time...

Waitttt....I forgot I wrote this the day you took your first steps! I wrote this on 11/17 so here. Ok I'm not as much of a slacker as I thought, I just didn't post it. I'll add pics later to spruce things up a bit :)

I think a BIG congratulations is in order for a Mr. Gavin Pants. Or should I say Gavin Walker Pants? Ha. Ok I'm obviously tired and should not be writing anything right now. BUT I do feel the need to make it a point to note that our Gaveyman took his first steps 2 days ago at exactly 7 months and 1 week. Woo Hoo over achiever. I'm so proud of you! You took off at Cindy's house not even realizing what you were doing. She turned on the fireplace, and you were mesmerized, and just needed to get close and check it out Sooo you took 2 big steps and were on your way! Until you realized what you were doing and then you sat on your booty. I was afraid it was a fluke but you did it again today for momma! Ahhh! Wow. It makes me SO happy and So sad at the same time. I don't want you to be a walker yet. I think it will be awhile until that's your main mode of transportation, you're still a knee guy and prefer crawling everywhere. As. Fast. As. You. Freakiiing. Can. Ugh! You literally make us chase you silly boy. We broke down and bought more gets yesterday. I really didn't want to close off basically every pathway but thanks to you, we have no choice :) I guess I'll let it go this time. It's either that or consistently try to beat you to the water dish and the cat food. Your not a cat so please stop trying to eat like they do.

We have an exciting week coming up!! New York!! Woo Hoooo. I can't wait! I'm in DIRE need of a little time at home with my family and my best friends. I miss them so much. I have a lot of great friends here in Lansing, but there is something about my friends in NY that just make things seem like they're suppoed to. If that makes sense? :) We're going out the night before Thanksgiving, while little Gaveypants stays home. I have to say, I'm not sure how I'm going to handle it. It's a tradition that we do every year but I'm getting too old for this nonsense. I went out with friends last weekend, got home at 1:00 and was literally WORTHLESS alllll day on Sunday. It was so pathetic. Thankfully for me I have the best husband in the world who let me lay on the couch and watch movies all day, while he chased Gavin everywhere. Seriously I don't know what I would have done without him?!

I just booked my flight to San Diego for my NSM. I'm actually pretty pumped because I've never been there. I wish Brybear was going with, but it will be a nice time away with friends I only see a few times a year. Plus it's in California which is SO much better than Florida which is where we've gone the last few Januarys...Wait I think last year we were in Phoenix. Ok regardless. I'm just glad it's not Florida again. Bryan and I also found the best resort ever for our little couple get away this summer. It's in Punta Cana which I've never been to but seriously, I need something fun and exciting to look forward to. Granted we will of course miss you Mr. Gavman but the thought of a week laying out on the beach, drinking fun cocktails, and no e-mail, or cell phone sounds fabulous. I think I should just book it now and be done with it?!

Ok...Once again RANDOM. I just felt the need to mark Gavin's little walking moment down in history :)

HAPPY 7 Month Bday Baby Boy!

Geeze Gav! 7 months?! That's wayyy too crazy! I seriously cannot believe that time is going by THIS quickly. I used to get so sad at the thought of you getting older but, honestly I'm not as sad as I used to be about it. Why is that?! Because every little stage gets better and better. We have so much fun together now as a family. You're so sweet, funny, and laugh at everything. I can see you starting to become this crazy little active boy and I love every thing about it! Now let's move on to the highlights from this last month, k?!

• You are SOOO freakinggg fast!! You crawl everywhere, under things, over things, through things. You're always on the move. Your favorite game is throwing your ball and chasing after it, and throwing it so it hits the wall, bounces off and then chase after it more. Cindy told me the other day you're ALL boy because you're moving constantly and you have a bad habit of crawling over to the kids when they're napping and crawling over them...They have to tell on you! Ha. Ohhh Gav. If that's the most trouble you ever get into I'll be one happy mom :)


• You clap! You just started doing this a week ago but you love it. You are so proud of yourself everytime you do it. You crawl away, sit on your booty then clap and smile. It's one of my favorite things you do because you smile so big I can't help but smile so big right back! Can you do me a favor and not stare at me like I'm crazy when I start clapping back. You always stop and stare at me blankly.
• You are now a pro peek-a-boo player! You used to just love when we would put something over your eyes and then pull it off. Now you're the one who covers your face up with your blanket and then quickly pulls it off. Then you put it up. Then down. Then up. Then down. Sometimes I think you could play this game all day long.
• Youre in love with yogurt! Although I bought you the baby yogurt becacuse I was getting a little possessive over our yogurts. You also love pancakes, and you'd eat everything that we eat if we'd let you. You still have 8 oz every 3 hours during the day and cereal and baby food mixed together twice a day. You're so good at eating it now. I used to dread feeding you because it ended up everywhere. Now you eat it like a champ. Big boy! You're also SO good at eating paper. It's your favorite thing ever. While at the Dr's this week you ate about 20 pieces. You also think that mom's work folders taste phenomonal. Stop. You're not a goat.

• You're "Crusing" as the Dr called it. You pull yourself up no problem, and can stand on your own for a few seconds before falling on your cutie patootie booty. You're crusing in the sense that you walk everywhere as long as you can hold on to furniture. You walk around the ottoman holding on with one hand and you go around. and around. and around. We think you're going to walk soon because you reach out for us when your standing and act like you're going to take a step but then you decide not now mom and dad and sit on the floor. What a little jokester you are!



• You've REALLY found your voice. Now you talk and babble non-stop at daycare and at home. It's so sweet and so cute. I love it. I swear you say da-da but I know it's in my head. Although you do say it whenever you see your dad...hmm...Could you figure out how to say Ma-Ma.I'd love it! You love your daddy by the way...You two have the sweetest relationship and I love it!

• You're still sleeping through the night, and teethless. Although you went through a week where you woke up 4-5 times a night! That was last week and I was ready to get used to the newborn schedule again. Thennn one night your mean parents let you cry it out from 12:00 midnight-2:30 am and then you never did it again. I think that means we won that battle huh Mr. Stubborn?
• I can already tell you're very strong willed. You get your mind set on something and you get so mad if you can't do it or we take it away. You throw yourself on the floor, and kick your feet. You definitly have a temper and I pray that it goes away soon!! I don't want you to have my temper. Please no Gav...Be like your laid back daddy! K?!
• You stayed with your first baby sitter ever 2 weekends ago while your mom and dad went out with the Lenon's for Halloween. You did so good! Plus she treats you like the little cutsey woots that you are so I think our search for the perfect local baby sitter is over! Whew! Your grandparents can breathe a sigh of relief that they won't have to make the trek out here a million times this winter because you need a sitter, thanks to Carly :)

I feel like I'm forgetting some things?! Oh well judging by the length of this, that could be highly unlikely! Ha. I'm a rambler. Get used to it my friend.

I love you so very much Gavin. You truly are the light of my life and you make me so happy. I was just talking to someone today that the feelings and love I have for you are undescribable until you have a child. We read the book Someday tonight, and it made me realize that I'm going to cherish every moment with you. You are so great and so much fun. I'm so blessed that you're mine and I am so thankful for you. Cheers to the next 7 babycakes! I love you!

All about Perfect Timing

For some reason lately I've been thinking all about timing, and how everything happens for a reason. I know it's so cliche, but I guess the older I'm getting the more I'm realizing it... Case in Point- (Gavin don't be mad, k?! :) BUT, when I found out I was pregnant I was anything but happy. I was terrified, and cried, and cried and cried for weeks. I didn't want a baby, all I could think about was how much my life would change, gaining weight, and how my shoe/handbag obsession would quickly be replaced by diapers and formula. I really wasn't one of those pregnant girls who loved being pregnant either which didn't help. Maybe the 2nd trimester I did because I felt great, still had tons of energy, had just a little bump, and was somewhat excited, but then it hit again around the 3rd trimester where, I realized wow this is really happening. We're going to have a baby, I've never changed a diaper, I don't really like kids, babies make me nervous bc I never know what they're thinking, and what if I'm one of those people who have a baby and then never loses the weight. Then I started thinking about the whole process of giving birth, and the thought of pushing a child out of me was absolutly terrifying...We then had him and I didn't feel this overwhelming sense of love that everyone acted like I would feel. I was tired, exhausted, and honestly just relieved it was over. It felt like an out of body experience, but then agian 36 hours of labor felt like an eternity so I think part of it had to do with my lack of food, sleep, and the whole labor side of things. We had so many friends and family come visit and the thing I remember most is when Nate and Neena came by and Nate said Gavin has a dirty diaper, do you want to change it? and I just shook my head no and starting crying. I realized at that moment my life had totally changed, this baby is dependant on me and I have no freaking idea what to do. He ended up changing Gavin's diaper, while I just laid in bed with tears rolling down my face not knowing how I could ever take this baby home with me.

Fast forward to now. I honestly can say Gavin is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I feel bad, like I should be saying Bryan is, because technically he should be first and foremost than Gav but Gavin is my life. It's so cool to me that even though I had no idea I was missing something so great in my life, God did. We weren't trying to get pregnant by any means, Gavin was a TOTAL shocking surprise, I guess you could even say a gift. It's like I never knew how empty and shallow my life was untl he came along. Now, I would be ok if you took everything away from me, but not my child. Or Bryan :) What's important in my life is no longer having the latest whatever, but knowing Gavin is healthy, happy, and feels so loved. He can drive me a little crazy at times, like last night when all I wanted him to do was eat his peas and cereal and he kept hitting my hand away and spitting them out, or the fact he screams like a crazy man whenever I try to put a shirt on him, but he is the cutest, greatest, best thing in my life. I love you so so much Gaveyman. All I want for you is for you to be happy, healthy, God loving boy and my life will be complete.

Along with timing, it's funny how so much has changed in a year. Friends I used to talk to so much, I hardly talk to, and friends that I thought I would never talk to again, we're talking. Then there are the people who I didn't know before this last year and now they're some of my closest friends yet. It's so crazy how friendships evolve, and I'm realizing that the saying, "There's a reason why people in your past don't make it to your future" is true. I'm not the same person I was then, I'm a mom, I'm someone who's trying so hard to be the best wife I can be and really make my marriage a priority, and I'm someone who is developing such an awesome relationship with God that I will never be the person I used to be. I'm so thankful for my friends, my family, Riverview, my new (and old) small group, and all the ways that I've been blessed. I have so much to celebrate that on days when I feel overwhelmed, stressed, or anxiety about something I need to step back and really recognize what matters in life and realize that I have it all.

Now on a FUN note...We can't end a post without pics of Gaveypants, right?!




Daddy's Little Monster...Guess who picked out this shirt?! Ha



Mommy's Little Giraffe all ready for Halloween!

Are you seroiusly making me go to daycare like this?!



Making Fish Lips!



Heyyy Big Boy!!

My little Bubble blower who thinks he's so funny



Love these lips!!!



Ready. Set. Baby Proof!

Who's this big kid?!

Ok. So back in the day as in when Gavin was a little peanut, I couldn't wait until he could crawl, laugh, interact, play, and all of the fun things that come along with having a little mover and a shaker. Now is it bad that I wish I could have all of that BUT with him staying in the same spot the whole time?! My life in the last few weeks has turned into racing him to the cat dish, stopping him from climbing the stairs, and trying to get him to play with his toys which are sooo uninteresting in comparison to the outlets, lamp cords, and curtains. GAVIN your mom and dad have bought you plennnnty of toys, books, blocks, and fun yet you refuse to even look at them. Ok I take it back. You Looooove your little Baby Einstein table which is great, but I feel so uncool going to the gym with the numbers and letters song stuck in my head. What happened to the Kid Rock and Britney that I used to go around singing?! Someday I'll be cool again. Granted by then all of these singers will be on the oldies station.

Sticking his tonuge out and blowing bubbles and he begins his climb.

Real Class Act Gav.

The Newest Baby Einstein...We now find the sitting bouncer to boring so on to this one...

The noisy one.

I'm saying all of this half complaining but not really. I mean I love, love, love this stage. It's so funny playing peek a boo, and chasing him so he tries to crawl faster and than squeals because he's laughing so hard. Seriously I'm loving every single moment. Now work is slowing down a BIT so it's not as crazy so I can find time in the evenings just to relax and not think about anything but my beautiful little babe and my favorite Brybear. Life is good. Well minus bed time. It's such a fight because he wants to stay up and hang out. We lay him in his crib and now that he crawls and stands up he crawls to the side of the bed and then stands up and screams and screams. In some ways it's funny so I laugh, then I feel bad, then I pick him up, and then I try to convince Bryan to let me bring him back downstairs to snuggle, then I can't so I have to put him back down and walk away. The funny thing is he's normally out like 2 minutes after I walk out the door. I think I hinder his progress when it comes to this bedtime ordeal. I should just put him down and walk away. But yeah that's not going to happen.

Life is also about to get A LOT easier. We just hired a cleaning person to come in and clean every Friday. Thank God. I literally felt like when I wasn't working, or playing with Gavin I was cleaning. Granted I'll still need to keep the house picked up and vacuum obsessively since Gavin finds the smallest spec of anything on our floor even if I just vaccummed- he finds it. But, I won't have to worry about cleaning the bathrooms, fans, vents, floors, kitchen, windows, etc. Whew. I feel like I'm going to get part of my life back. I feel kind of dumb because I have one child, and it's not like I live in this huge house but honestly I feel like I just can't keep up. I think this will help relieve some stress so I can focus more on spending time with my GaveyGava and not running around like a cleaning freak everytime he's sleeping.

I'm not sure if I"ll get a chance to update this weekend. Ok. I guess I am sure. It won't happen. BUT we have a few cute Halloween costumes for our little man! I'll need to take pics so I can add them for Gavin's first Halloween!! Woo hoo! How sad is it that I know once Baby Two comes along we won't be doing all of this, and if he's a boy he'll probably be wearing Gavin's costumes. Ahh. I'll own it. This year we're the nerds who dress Gavin up in Halloween clothes during the week of Halloween and send him to the gym and daycare. Yep we are those parents.

Alrighhhht. I guess that's it. Bryan and I have an exciting evening of wine and movies. We went to our favorite restaurant Dusty's the other day and decided it made sense to join the wine club so now we're doing a little wine tasting night and watching ok I lied, not movies but Grey's. We haven't watched it at all this year and it's sitting on our DVR just begging to be watched. So I think it's time to get this exciting party started! Woo hoo. Let's end on a few of my favorite pics of the week!

Just hanging out shopping with mom. Perfect day!

Just hanging out with Schmesh watching the cars go by



It's a lot of work for a little guy