I'm drawing a blank here so let's leave it at that :)

So Mr. Gaverson. You're in bed sleeping and taking the longest nap ever. I have to say I'm VERY ecstatic about that. Is that bad?! I was able to catch up on my e-mails, clean the kitchen, and watch Top Chef which has been sitting in the DVR forever. Hmmm I wonder if I should attempt last week's Bachelor? Now that is what I would calll living it up! The TV is basically non-existant in our lives now that we have you. I'm starting to get the sense we should just get rid of it?!

I'm feeling like it's a bullet point kind of a day...


• You had TWO Dr's appointments yesterday. Thankfully they were right across the hall from each other so that made it easy. Esp since they were only 25 minutes apart- but it worked out perfect!! You had your well baby check up. At 9 1/2 months Dr. Spates was SO impressed that you've been walking for the last few weeks, can say 4 words, wave hi and bye, and she thinks your one strong (and handsome!) little boyyy. But doesn't that go without saying?! Now on to the stats- you're 23 lbs putting you in the 75th percentile, and 30 inches (wait I need to double check this). I do know that you're in the 90th percentile for height which doesn't surprise me bc you seem soo tall. The best news is your perfectly proportioned, not too skinny not too chubby- just right! Ok shoot. I think I hear you waking up... Maybe not. You know if your dad plugged the video monitor back in I could check for sure but I have no idea where he hid it?! Bryannn.




Chilling in the Waiting Room...Mom kept directing me towards the Power tools and
away from the Kitchen Set. I'll thank her later.


• We then had a dermotologist appt because you my son have a little rash all over your belly. We switched you to organic non-bleach, non cholorine, non-latex, no scented, non everything for your diapers but no change. They think it's eczema that's flaring up since it's so dry. Ugh I feel so bad for you! We've been greasing you up with Aquaphor like nobodys business and now we have to put a little ointment on you and go back in two weeks. Hopefully that takes care of it. Poor itchy baby!
  



Hiding on Dr. Randall. Shhhh!


• We (as in your dad and I- you could care less :) are in the process of house shopping!!! WOO HOO! I'm so excited. We're not in a hurry to sell because we like this home, but I feel like we're out growing it. Your stuff is every where and I'm feeling cramped. This house was perfect for the 2 of us, but now that you're here it's time to move on. Plus we live on a somewhat busy road so I'd rather be on a quieter cul de sac or side road. We actually found a gorgeous house right down the road (well off on a side road down the road) that's double the size of this house 4 bedrooms instead of 3, and a great backyard. That's what sold us on this house- open floor plan, nice backyard, deck, etc but this was has the same stuff just bigger. Plus the kitchen was just completely redone. The pics look great but we're going tomorrow to see if it's too good to be true. We're happy to be working with our realtor (shout to Cindy Beckwith since everyone in the Lansing area should use her!!). She is so great. Anyway since we're not in a hurry to sell we can take our time, until that perfect house comes along. Then we will either sell this one or rent it out. Preferably sell though...We'll see. It's just so exciting! We'll for sure be staying in DeWitt because I LOVE our town, our gym, our DeWitt friends, and Gavin's daycare. If we moved too far I'd still bring him to DeWitt for daycare since I love where he goes, and he loves it too.
• Tonight is Tony's Surprise 30th bday party in Spring Lake. I was very excited to wake up to bad weather bc I thought that meant we could get out of it...Unfortunatly the sign is shining again so I think we still have to go :( I would much rather just chill here, maybe go out to dinner, or even go somewhere with your daddy-o for the night buttttt it looks like you'll be hanging with Aunt Renee and we will be surprising Tony and driiving home 2 hours in the morning. Booo. When did I get so boring?!
• Work is back in crazy busy full swing but I love it! I'm having a hard time figuring out how to balance a long day on campus, e-mails and follow up, keeping the house clean, and eating but hopefully I'll figure it out...Hopefully for everyone's sake because my house is a disaster during the week, who am I kidding it's a mess now, and your dad has lived off of take out the last few days. Ugh. The good news is things are falling into place, and I don't think I've ever been so motiavated to close as much as I can. I was talking to one of the candidates who's applying for a position in my district and I told her to do whatever she can to get the job, work hard, and think outside of the box because she wants to work for Pearson. It's a great company and I truly LOVE what I do. It was great talking to her because it was a reminder to me that I'm fortunate to have a job that i love so much, and that can be so rewarding in lots of different ways.

Alrighhhht. I made it! I made it through this whole thing without you waking up!! Well I think you did, but i think you must have fallen back asleep. I would go check but I think I would much rather snuggle up on the couch and wait until you're REALLY ready to get up. Maybe by then your dad will be home, and between the two of us we can convince him that we both would much rather stay home and hang out. Sorry Tony. :)



Mom's chilled out and now let's me watch YO GABBA GABBA like we did this morning.
I had fun dancing and shaking my head to the beats. Don't mind my dirty house :)



Babyyy Number 2 and Food Inc

My Baby Bath Seat is verrry Handy for lots of things

There has been two main topics in all of my conversations lately...First of all, EVERYONE is asking me, "so when are you planning on baby number 2"? That my friend is a very good question! Now that my little baby is on the move, and the last thing he wants to do is sit still the thought of having another little peanut cutsey to snuggle with sounds amazing. BUT the thought of gaining weight, being pregnant, maternity clothes, swollen ankles, heart burn, labor, keeping track of another one, and stealing time from Gaveyman out weighs the snuggling. Part of me feels like I would be cheating on Gavey. I made a pact with him a few weeks ago that if we ever have another baby, he'll always be my favorite. Shhhh! ;) I just have so much love for him that I can't picture loving anything else that much. Ok I mean I'm sure and I know it's possible but really? I can't imagine it... :) So my answer to the question is this, we will be ready for baby 2 when the pros outweighs the cons! Perfect! Then again there's the pressure to have them close so that they grow up together and are little BFF's. But you know what I have to say to that. Forget the pressure, we can do this however we want. And you know wat else...I know God's timing is perfect. Gavey was a little Jamaican surprise, so who knows, maybe the next will be a tropical surprise to. Although I hope not. I'm not good with surprises...

Also, the other big topic has been Food Inc. Now this one is entirely on me but seriously. Wow. Most disturbing movie I've ever watched in my WHOLE life. I've never been an organic, free-range, grass fed, loving person but I am now. I'm sure there will be times when Gavin will eat McDonalds, OR when I will eat McDonald's but I honestly don't think I'll ever be able to eat chicken or ground beef/steak from the grocery store again. I'm SO thankful that we bought meat when the Lennon's asked us to go in on it with them. It's free range, grass fed and DELICIOUS. Plus I don't have to worry about the alternatives. I hate that I'm turning into "THAT" person but seriously watch the movie. You will to. Ugh. So gross.

Now on to my favorite topic of them all...Gaverson, Gavey, Gavs, GavinGodiva, GavvaGavva, Gaverino...I thought of more things you've been doing so I have to add them Mr.

• You wave Bye now and it's so freaking cute!
• You dance whenever there is music on or when we sing our little songs at night
• You love to play airplane with your dad- he holds you in his arms and spins you around and you make spitting noises
• You now definitly walk wayyyy more than you crawl. It actually seems funny when you crawl now

• You are now set for summer thanks to Gymboree, Gym Bucks, and your mom's obsession with baby shorts and polos. Seriously 3 trips there in the last 2 weeks. Can someone please tell me when this will stop and I'll go back to shopping for myself?!
• You're cutting more teeth and the nice thing about it is you will now sit on my lap for more than 30 seconds :) Perfect! The only time you cuddle with me anymore is when you sit with me and have a bottle. You're a little busy bodyyy. You also are chewing EVERYTHING. Your favorite toy is below.

• Your hair is getting long. Like long in the back so do you need a hair cut?! I don't know. I really don't know how this works. You also need it trimmed around your ears bc it's starting to grow out. I really don't want to waste little trims on your first hair cut. What's a girl to do?!

• We had a play date with Quinn and Grey and she gave you a very cute kiss right on the lips. Thennn when Neena was leaving you leaned forward and gave her a kiss bye! So cute! I love it, you and Grey are getting to the age that you can play and interact. You're not just Baby Gavin who sits in a car seat all day. Aww big boy :(

I think that's it for a little mini-update. I really need to come back through and add pics. Maybe later. This is all for now kids. Now this girl needs to go to bed for her first work trip of the semester!! And my goal- be at the gym by 6:00 tomorrow. Boooo. Usually I go at night but I'm switching things up now that work is about to get crazyyyy. Can't wait!

Happy NINE Months Babe!!

Happy 9 Months Birthday to you Gavey!! Well granted it was yesterday but your mom was still feeling it from a week in San Diego. I have to say I couldn't be happier to be home. I'm realizing that now that is the worst part of my job- saying bye to my Gavers for a week! Boooo...I think this summer I just might pack you and your dad up with me and take you along. Although I'm not sure what you guys will do while I'm in meetings all day and dinners at night?! Hmmm...

This is going to be a quick 9 month update because I'm sleepy. While maybe not QUICK because when can I ever do that?!

• You're a little walker now. You've been taking steps for awhile but now you take at least 6-10 in a row and when you do you fly! You're going to be a runner just like your mom :) And well now dad, now that he has Adam in his life. Ha
• You can say mum mum, dad, cat, and baba. I have no idea what baba means though?! You say it when you look at your book, but also your bottle. Maybe you just like to say Ba. Cat is a little embarrassing that, that's one of your first words. You started saying it about a month ago and we thought it was just us making it up in our heads, but several other people heard it and agree. We are officially the crazy cat house.
• You now enjoy looking at books and not just eating them
• You stayed your first whole week with your dad and you survived!! You both did. I actually walked in the door and you just stared at me for a minute like it wasn't real and then kept looking at your dad and smiling, like Hi dad, you're my new favorite! Ha! Now we're best buds again.
• You hate your vegetables but love your fruit. You literally bat the spoon out of my hand when I get close to you with it. I'm going to buy you the organic mixed
• Contrary to the little picture below (or whenever I get around to it) you love playing with your little cousin Oliver this weekend. You actually were trying to give him a kiss but then fell and used him to stand back up! Oops! I thought it was funny, although I'm not srue if Laura did?! I should probably explain the context!
• You still love to play "catch" and you have quite the arm on you. You're getting really good at it too :) Like I said you're my little athlete!! You have the most fun when we put you in your pack and play that's full of all of these plastic balls and you throw them at us. You kept throwing them at your dad when he was lying on the floor sleeping a few weeks ago. No worries I have it all on video. Ha! Nice like trick Mr Gav man
• You moved up two weeks ago from the baby room to the crawlers. Amanda was a little upset about this bc you two were buddies but I'm sure she will be down to visit you in the crawler room! Actually one Sunday she left the service to come see you and didn't come back until the end...the funny thing is she sat right in front of us and I didn't know where she went?! Ha little did I know she was hanging out with my favorite little guy! You're so loved Gavs!
• We made it through Christmas but I don't think I want a real tree for awhile. Pine needles were everyyyywhere. I'm sure we will still find them next year at this time. Yikes! Thankfully we finally took the tree down today! Your dad was a little stubborn and wouldn't let us do it until I got back from SD. Ha. Perfect. That won't happen again either :)

I think that's it for now?! I'll try to add more pics later but I wanted to get this up so we had it :) I love you so much baby Gavey. You are so awesome and truly make our life so much fun!! Alright, now this momma needs to pour a glass of wine and catch up on the DVR. I'm a sleepy little mess. Yikes

Goals for 2012

Disclaimer...So I wrote this like in the last month but never published it...it might be a little out of order but I thought it was worth adding :)

Ok so I kow this is a little blog someday book for Gavey BUT I thought it would also be the perfect place to keep a little running list about my goals for next year...I love the new year because it's always the perfect time to rethink, and re-evaluate life and what changes I can make to make for a better future for myself, my Bry and my Gavey...

• Make my goal for work...Ok no. I don't want to just make my goal, I definitly want to exceed my goal. And make my goal early. No begging for orders next year!!
• Read more.
• Run the Riverbank Run 25K and PR from my previous years...hopefully this will inspire me to run another marathon...Chicago maybe? Now I just need to STOP getting sick! Ugh!
• Watch less trashy reality TV. This is my huge guilty pleasure. Real Housewives, Teen Mom, anything Kardashian, the list goes on and on. Really it's kind of a time suck when I could be spending time with Bry or doing something around the house. We usually don't watch TV until Gavin is in bed bc I'm funny about him watching it, or seeing us watch it but I'm sure I could be doing other things.
• Go on more weekend trips with Bry. We're going on our anniversary trip in June which is great but I would love to get away every month or every other month for a night or two. Just the two of us :)
• Put up Christmas lights outside next year
• Redo the basement and take care of all the other little things so when the housing market goes up we can sell. (Sorry Bry, I know you hate when I say that!! But seriously. Ha)
• Read to Gavin every night...we're OK with this but we could do a lot better. I think this will get easier when he stops trying to eat the pages every time we open up a book.
• Work out in the morning so I don't have to take Gavin from daycare, to the gym daycare. That means be at the gym by 5:30 and home, showered and ready to go by 7:00 am when Gavman gets up so I can get him ready and hang out with him before I hit the road.
• Eat out less and eat at our table more. We have a bad habit of eating seperatly because we go to the gym at night, get home have to feed Gav, so one person does that and the other makes the food (ok I make the food), and then Bryan takes care of Gavin until bedtime so he can spend time with him. OR we just skip the gym and go out to eat which isn't as easy as it once was with a Mr. GaveyGav.
• 30 day sugar fast...including white bread, white flour products, etc. I don't have a huge sweet tooth but I love bad carbs. I'm not neccesarily doing this for a total health kick thing, but more to detox myself from this stuff and also I think it will be a great practice in discipline. Ahh I sound so old.
• Get to know more people in this area, while at the same time let go of friendships that need to go. I'm done hanging on to friendships with people who are toxic.
• Spend less time on my computer unless it's work related...Facebook is a great way to chat with ppl I don't get to see a lot or post pics so my friends and family who never get to see Gav can see them but, I'm starting to get annoyed by those who uses it to try and convince everyone their life is perfect, or the people who use it to vent about how horrible their life is. Ha ok end rant. 
• Read my Bible more. I'm good at reading verses here and there but I need to make this a priority.
• Be less critical of myself and others. Bryan always says I'm my worst critic and that I'm too hard on myself. I think I need to let things go more, and realize I'm not perfect and that's ok.
• Spend more time with my niece and nephews. They're so cute and we love hanging out with them but don't as much as we want to. Make the time.
• Find new ways to serve at Riverview
• Not check my e-mail or text when out with Bry or friends. It's rude, I'm obsessed, I need to stop. Ok wait. I can have it on the table because what if the babysitter tries calling and we obviously can't miss it. Ha wow. I'm sucha mom now.
• Forgive those people that I need to forgive. Not just tell myself I forgive them, actually forgive them. And then leave it at that. (Ok. this makes it sounds like a deep dark thing that was done. Yikes! It wasn't. Just lots of little things from a few different people. Ok .Two. Ha)
• Stop buying every little thing I want for Gavin and saying I'll give it to him for Christmas/Birthday/Easter, etc and then not putting it away and giving it to him that day. We will never be able to surprise him on any gift giving occassion at this rate.
• Stop buying ever little thing I want for myself right then. It makes it hard when it's Christmas because there's nothing I want, and then I say something that I don't really want but just to say something, and I get it, and then I get mad I got it because I didn't really want it. Ha. Poor Bry! :)
• Make more of an effort with my friends who I've lost touch with because it's my fault.
• Find something else to do besides go to mall when I need something to do.
• Figure out how to get Gavin into his car seat without him crying like a crazy little man. I feel like people stop and stare
• Give Gavin my full undivided attention when I get home from work. Always. Do my follow up after he's in bed or when Bry's watching him. I think I'm pretty good with this, but then again sometimes I'm playing with him but my mind is on everything else I have to do. I need to be more in the moment.
• TRY and keep my side of the closet look as neat as Bryan's.
• Turn my expenses in on time. It would seriously make my life so much easier if I did. Is it bad this is my goal every year?! Yikes.
• Stop watching Datelines and 20/20's. I get sucked into them and then I can't sleep or walk around in public without thinking someone is going to randomly shoot me, kidnap me (although I'm almost 30 so it's probably not kidnap anymore?!), or try and steal Gavin. Although I do have a creep Meijer story where a man acted very strange and like he was going to take him today...AND I'm not just paranoid. I told the story to someone else and they agreed it was really strange and not normal. The thing is we were in my town which is the safest place ever. Strange.
• Be patient and slow to speak. I get annoyed and impatient very easy, and I need to just relax and chill for a minute. And then do it again because usually I think I do that, but then Bryan still tells me I'm freaking out. Ha. Oops. I definitly need to work on this.

I think that's it. For now. I'm sure I'll think of more. Ok I know I will :) 2011 was the best year ever because I had Gavey but I'm ready to move on and leave everything else in 2011. Here's to 2012 and having the best year yet!!

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.