I Heart Firemen

Recently we had a playdate at a big park called Fort Frankfort. It has a huge playground area and a sand box. Well, unfortunately, the weather was a bit chilly and we even saw a few raindrops. The kids still had lots of fun playing at the park and to top it all off, the Frankfort Fire Department showed up to do some sort of training drill. However, while the drill took a small portion of their time, the fireman seemed to throughly enjoy entertaining our kids...peek-a-boo around the park, followed by pictures and tours of the fire trucks. They were so nice and so fun for the kids to interact with. After that, we headed back to Lisa's for lunch and more playtime. It was a great day to catch up with the girls and wear out the kids!

Gavin on the slide.

No fear.

Lauris taking her turn.

Cooper & Elena.

Gavin & Lauris.

Inside the fire truck--Gavin just kept touching everything and pulling on all the gadgets.
Gavin's turn to drive.
Front seat.
Mom & Gavin.
Lunch time!!

Go Go White Sox!

We finally got to take Gavin to a Sox game this year...and it took us until September to do so! Can't believe it took that long but at least we did it. We went on a Sunday afternoon with the Agemas. We were winging it since it was over both of their nap times but there is something you just can't resist about taking your son to a baseball game.

The two boys strapped in and ready to go.

Best seat in the house.


My two fav Sox fans.


Next Sox pic like this will include a little more black...or possibly a little pink hat. Hmm.

Gavin making friends with Charles Comiskey.

Making our way around the stadium--Mr Independent can do it all by himself.

Gavin & Carlton Fisk - he ran up, turned around and said "eeese."

And decided every pic should include him whether they want him or not. Then again, in a year or two this could be Dave's life...him and his two boys. :)

Snacks at the game.

Giggles with Momma.

Moms, boys and babes on the way.

Headed home.

Two proud Dads with their little Sox fans.

Exhausted after all that fun.

More Partying

This past weekend a few of our friends came over to spoil my child even further. As if multiple parties, presents, cake and candle blowing opportunities weren't enough, we had to add one more to the list. Some friends INSISTED on buying Gavin a few birthday gifts (aka insisted on spoiling him) and came over for pizza to celebrate. Knowing this was coming, I made Gavin a super fun funfetti cake (my first) and did add to the occasion. Gavin was oddly out of sorts the whole night and spent 80 percent of the time he was up crying and throwing a fit...hmm. Awesome. However, when it was time for cake and presents, he miraculously was a whole different child. We're going to have our work cut out for us.

All smiles with his birthday cake.

Blowing out the candles.
His favorite part...chowing down.

Opening some presents.

Center of attention, each gift he opened, he'd exclaim "WOW" in total admiration of it.

Immediately to work playing with a new car set.

TWO YEARS OLD!!!

I cannot believe that I have a two year old boy. I mean it seems impossible that it was two years ago already that he came into our life...then again, it feels like he has been a part of our life for so much longer.



Here is the 2 year break down:


1. Gavin is 28 lb 12 oz and 36 1/8 inches tall. He is no small fry...in fact, many people that pick him up are decieved at the density this kid comes with.


2. Obviously, you know where we are on speech...not far. I really never thought we'd still be struggling the way we are at his 2 year old birthday...so far we just take it day by day.


3. He LOVES playing with trucks, cars, the farm & animals, his bug house with many bugs and lizards in it, puzzles (thanks to all of his therapy appts), balls, his bikes and anything else that requires him to be outside and/or running around. He loves reading books and has started to do much more "pretending" with his baby or the animals, etc.


4. He is a mover and a shaker. He is always on the go and in perpetual motion. Most people comment on his energy and the fact that he just doesn't stop.


5. We are still having some issues with separation at church nursery and with babysitters. Although it has gotten better, it is not good by any stretch. He screams bloody murder when you first leave but will calm down...he'll just whimper and cry every 5 minutes for the remainder of the time, while not getting off the attendant/sitter's lap. In my mind, that's progress.


6. He loves to eat cheese. This kid asks for cheese all day long. In fact, I can honestly say, I think that was one of his first words. Although meal times are getting more challenging as he is starting to put up a fight and gain some independence, if he is happy and distracted enough, there is really nothing he cannot eat.


7. He loves Daddy. Don't get me wrong when there is a need or an injury or a "calming" needed, Mommy is first on his list but he LOVES Daddy. When Daddy comes home they wrestle and run and wrestle and dance and laugh and play. It has to be his favorite time of the day by far.


8. Still in a crib...still sleeps with a paci...still sleeps with a blankie while holding the tag.


9. Doesn't quite understand that there is a baby in Mommy's belly...although if you ask him where the baby is, he will point there and to his own belly. I think it will be quite a shock when a new baby comes home to stay but I know with time he will be a very attentive big brother. We're very curious to see if he will have to adapt to a baby sister or brother but either way, I know he'll be very protective of his new little sibling...eventually. :)


10. Generally, he is happy, healthy and well-adjusted. He loves playing peek-a-boo and any activity that will get you to laugh with him. He just loves to be with people that love him--Mom, Dad, Grandmas & Grandpas especially. He relishes their love and loves to make them happy in return. With all the speech issues and etc we have, we can never say our child hasn't been happy and joyful to be with. He seriously makes us laugh in his own ways each day.


We are blessed...two years ago this tiny little screaming baby came into our lives and at the time we thought we could never love him more...but we do every day.


Gavin--I love you more than you can ever imagine. You are my little buddy and spending each day with you is the greatest gift.

Florida 2009

Over the weekend of Gavin's ACTUAL birthday we went to Florida this year with my family. It was so fun for us all to have a few days down there together and Gavin had lots of fun with all the attention he was getting. The weather was HOT and rainy for the first few days but it did clear up and give us some sun to go with that humidity. As usual, we had a great time together and enjoyed relaxing for a few days.

Right off the bat, Gavin started fishing with his Uncle Chad.

Getting excited for the "shark zone" in the pool.

The squirt gun left Gavin in fits of laughter.

Gavin & Daddy hunting down targets.

Learning to swim all by himself--with JUST his swimmies!! Such a big boy!

Throwing Gavin in the air....

a tad bit higher...

...and the picture that makes a Mom have to turn away.

Nice dinner out.

Riding high with "ky-ky"

Birthday treat.

He couldn't decide which was more effective...his tongue or the sample spoon.

Kids.

The whole gang.

Gator Bait.

After what this gator did to Harry...Gavin was having none of it.

Come on, how cute is this?

So cute, I had to post another one.

Harrison with Auntie Jenny.

Rough housing.

A double-dunk.

Happy Birthday--officially 2 that day.

Making friends.

Birthday dinner...no candle so we went high class and used a lighter.

Awesome, I know.

Doesn't really matter as long as there was a treat involved.

Family Swim.

Grandma and her two boys.

Another family swim.

Gavin & Harrison.