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!!

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 :)

Oops I did it again!!

I just went wayyy too long before updating this- I'm SO sorry Gav. I'm sure you're heartbroken right?! My goal really was to have this great baby book for you on your 1 year birthday with everything we've done the first year, and now it will be 10 posts, each 30 pages long! Yikesss!

So I'll be quick in order to catch up on everything and mark my words, I will do better next time. Or don't because I say that everytime and I have yet to actually do it! I think about it, but then I think nooo that'll take too long, I'll do it later. Plus I've been anti-computers lately. Although that should probably change now that I'm back to work!! :)

• Fourth of July was SOOO great! We went up to Ludington with our friends Nate and Neena and their 2 kiddos. We stayed with Nate's parents at their GORGEOUS home which is right on this private pond, with a huge porch that over looks it. They even have their own sauna which we didn't check out because we were so busy and it was so hot anyway we didn't really need it.  We had so much fun, Bryan got to fish,  kayak, shoot off fireworks, and spend time talking to Nate's dad all about politics and the downfall of Nasa :) I on the other hand, drank wine, totally relaxed and stayed up the one night until 1 or 2 in the morning chatting with Neena all about life while overlooking the pond. It was actualy really nice and much needed! We all went to the beach together which was BEAUTIFUL, white sand beaches, where Bryan and Nate built a huge sand castle that they (esp Bryan!) was very proud of. Gavin and I chilled under an umbrella and watched- Wooo hooo. Wow has my life changed little Gavey man :) Mom just didn't want you getting all those crazy sun rays. Although I'm sure if you stepped out from under the umbrella Neena would have been there with a bottle of sunscreen! We also ate at this reallllly good fish place that is over 100 years old and that Nate loooves, which I can now see why. You go in, pick your fish and they fry it fresh for you. We took it to the beach, and sat, watched the sunset, and just relaxed. It was so peaceful and so nice. It makes me want to move up north so we can have tons of nights like that...Although I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon?! Maybe when we're old and retired. Although I think I'd much rather move to California then?! :) Seriously it was one of the best weekends ever!! Gav LOVED it, and was soo good!! Both nights you slept like a little superstar!! The last night you slept from 9:30-8:30 the next morning, I guess you just can't hang with the big dogs yet Gav.

Speaking of Sleep- within the last 2 weeks our little Gaveyman started sleeping through the night!! We have a little routine which I think helps. We have splishsplash bathtime, then lotion and clean jammies, then you chug your little bottle and we rock you to sleep. It's perfect, and it's nice to have a little schedule. You're even sleeping in your crib now Mr. Independent!!! I cried the first night because I missed you in my room- yes I'm pathetic. Your dad told me I needed to let go and that I couldn't snuggle with you when you're 16 so it has to end sometime. I disagree though, we can cuddle as long as you want Mr. Man. You usually sleep from about 10:00-7:00, although you wake up whining around 4 everrry night you're in your crib because you're a little inchworm who scootches on your belly from the bottom of the crib to the top every night. It's so cute to watch when you're on the floor, but not so much when I have to go in and pull you back down to the bottom because you keep ramming your head against the top of the crib.







• This last weekend we went home to NY for our reunion and you got to see the whole family!! You looove gram and gave her the biggest smiles all weekend! It was so sweet Gav and I know it meant the world to her. She got a little choked up when she kissed you goodbye, so thank you for making her feel soo soo loved. It was really special to all of us!! Your cousin Jennie watched you while we went to the reunion, and you kind of gave her a hard time!! You refused to sleep and just wanted to look around at everything. That's the problem when we take you out of your house, you are so intersted in everything around you, you won't sleep. Although it kind of works bc you crash at night and you'll sleep around 9-10 hours. So I won't complain. Not one bit.
• You're now quite the little talker. Within the last couple of weeks you found your voice and you talk and talk and talk. My favorite is your little laugh, although I'm not sure to think it's cute or be offended when I was singing Mommy is sooo smarrrt to you yesterday you'd start laughing at me like I was crazy, and then I'd sing daddy is so smarttt and you'd give me a dirty look, like duhhh mom.Hmmm. I wasn't too amused Gav. ;) 
• You're now 3 months old too Mr. Big guy!! It's crazzzy how quickly the time has flown by. Can it go slow from here on out?! Please! I'm officially back to work and it's not too bad. I'm easing my way back in and I'm finally caught up on everything. Now it's time to hit up our bookstores and get lots of orders in. I'm taking my little secret weapon with me- You! GaveyGav!! We get to spend the morning together hitting up bookstores and they're going to be enamored by your cuteness that they're going to order DOUBLE what they planned on, right?! That's our plan, don't let me down. Just kidding. You could neverrr let me down :) You're also, according to other parents and Grandma Jan at the gym, a strong little man. You're able to pull yourself up while holding onto our fingers, stand straight up (which you now prefer which is a little challenging when I want to do other things while holding you), roll over from back to side, and stomach to back, and you hold your head up so strong, although you've been great at that from the beginning. You also have the strongest grip ever which is cute until you try to pull my fingers apart and hair out of my head. Ease up big guy.

• You may be embarrased,but probably not because by the time you're old enough they will be playing her songs on the Oldies station and you'll think your mom is so lame BUT Neena and I are going to see Britney Spears next month!! We're both die hard Brit Brit fans so there we will be, singing the songs, smiling at Britney and having the time of our lives. I can't wait! You will get to spend the day chilling with dad, while your mom is away and texting him constantly to make sure you're ok. I can see it now!!

Ok. I think that's it?! Here's to doing better next time. Or not. :)