Making Progress

Two things I need to mention that we are FINALLY making progress on:

1- Church Nursery - Not only is he getting better, he's finally starting to rock it. Not only have I been taking him on Sundays but I've also been taking him to my Moms group at church every other week where he is in there for 2 hours. He has gotten to the point where he cries initially but will then start playing. YAY! In fact, this Sunday for the first time at church, he put him down with no tears. It was our very first tear-free nursery experience! Didn't think I'd get to this point and although it isn't always perfect yet, he's doing so great.

2- Speech - it isn't like we are finally having lots of progress but we are having some that is worth noting.

*finally started some two word phrases and although his vocabulary is still
VERY small, we are getting two words quite often. First two word
phrase: "MORE CHEESE" (typical...not bye daddy or hi mama).

*vocab is slowly increasing. We now can add to the list:
Baby
Bee (in reference to every bug)
BooBoo
Eat (only know this is what it is in conjunction with the sign)
Me
My/Mine
Out (pronounced OWW which can be confusing)
Hot (pronounced HA)
Stop (pronounced BA! with a hand "stop sign")
Go (pronounced MO! with the sign for go)
Come (pronounced Mum, again with a backwards come sign with his arm)
Some version of: night-night, love you, all done

I know you all will read this and think that we are having so much progress...and don't get me wrong, we are. However, most of you would not understand him in the slightest and have no idea he was attempting words. We have a long way to go but we are thankful for small advances.

Getting Ready

So last week Chad and I took out all the baby stuff...onesies, blankets, swing, car seat, etc. We washed it all up and then put it all back together one night. As we had it all over the room we were in awe that we were going back to this stage! I just can't imagine seeing a bouncy seat in one room and an activity mat in the other...not to mention, our baby in them.

Needless to say, Gavin was in heaven and spent the next hour taking his baby doll and putting it in one thing after the other. He was "bouncing" the baby (aka given his baby doll shaken baby syndrome) and swinging the baby and strapping it in. Although he was very into all of this...it reinforced to Chad and I how much we need to train him not to bounce, swing, love the baby too much. Could be a challenge.

2 year general

Sometimes I look at my son and am in awe of him...he's this perfect little creation. My buddy. My gift from God. His sweetness makes me smile until my cheeks hurt and his laughter truly makes me forget the world around me.

Sometimes I look at my son and am in awe of him...he is a crazy little monster. My two year old. My little independent, stubborn, "no-saying" child. His trantrums make me want to pull my hair out and his screaming can be intolerable.

Who flipped the switch?

A little to love and a little ...well, not so much:

1 - Love - The amazement he has in the world around him. He will exclaim at the top of his lungs "MAMA! MAMA!" just for me to come over and look at a tiny ant.

2 - Not So Much - He's two and has learned the word "no" and uses it frequently often while shaking his finger in my face. While this is cute on occasion, its not so cute at the dinner table and other times when we're trying to accomplish simple tasks (aka putting on shoes).

3 - Love - He's so quick to hug and kiss and is never stingy.

4 - Not So Much - The word "me" followed by taking toys out of other kids hands. Sharing is not understood.

5 - Love - He loves holding hands when you walk.

6 - Not So Much - Basic tantrums...they are no fun whether you are at home or in public.

7 - Love - He loves to imitate and picks up on all the little things you do...he points with his foot to the food on the floor for the dog to get it because we do...we tries to close a door with his butt because I do...he wants to use all the tools he sees because Dad does...he just wants to be like us.

8 - Not So Much - The whining that usually accompanies a tantrum but definitely doesn't have to. That "nothing will please me" whine that you can't stop but grates on your nerves.

9 - Love - He thinks Mom is awesome. He seriously loves his Mom and no matter how uncool I may be, I'm Mom and that's still cool to him.

So...we just entered the "terrible twos" and as I'm sure we have a lot of terrible ahead of us still to come...I think we have a lot of fun too. It's a bittersweet age.

Trick or Treat

For Halloween this year Gavin was VERY excited about dressing up as Mickey Mouse. He loved putting on the costume and getting ready--gloves, hat and all. We did take him trick or treating for about an hour with our friends the Nawrockis who have just moved into our neighborhood. He got the hang of it very quickly and loved knocking on the doors for a treat--however, he didn't understand why he couldn't go IN each house and had to be stopped on more than one occassion--oops. Although it was quite cold and windy, he didn't seem to mind at all. Afterwards we went back to Scott & Michelle's for pizza and to celebrate their daughter's 1st birthday that day. Gavin just LOVED hanging out with all the kids there and playing with all the toys. I have lots of pictures here but I just couldn't resist..I seriously think he's cute. ha!

Getting started Mickey Mouse and Jake the hockey player (10 days apart in age).

FYI-in this photo notice Gavin is already in her front door...yeah, he made it all the way to her living room before I could catch him.

Happy guy.

Collecting treats.

The boys were very patient at each house.

Mickey Mouse.

Excitement over discovering a sucker...but the main reason I posted this picture is because seriously, look at my enormous belly make its way into the frame! ha ha!

Daddy & Gavin (he's squeaking the ears).

Warming up in the car.

Seriously, SO excited to be Mickey.

Love him.

Apparently something is hysterical.

Halloween Party II

The weekend of Halloween we also had a party to attend. My cousins Anne & Dave have been hosting a Halloween party for years now and we always go b/c the costumes at this party are like none other...always very very creative. Costumes are always kept a secret so we crack up everytime we arrive and see the results. Here's a few from this year:

Chad & Lorien the Oceanspray cranberry bog guys.
Another night...same costume.
Wacko Jacko, Blanket and the Dr that helped him "sleep."
Aww..there's Harry's cute face.

Erin & Craig...aka...Great America guy and Pat (yes, it was very uncomfortable to see Erin like this b/c it was very very real).

Teen Wolf and his woman (aka Austin & Heather)

Frida (Cate) hanging with the cranberry boggers.

Our ever gracious hosts...Health Care Reform and The Queen.

Halloween Party I

The weekend before Halloween our friends Matt & Kristen Darling hosted a Halloween party. We were in a major babysitter crunch for Saturday night but Lisa Thomson's parents VERY graciously offered to watch Gavin when they were watching Lauris that night. So...off we went to an adult only Halloween party. It is always funny to see people you know (and those you don't) dressed up in crazy costumes and this night was no exception. I hardly took any pictures and only snapped a few when others did...wish I had more of the crowd in them!).

Before we left the Thomson's...Zak & Lisa (aka Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf) and Chad and I (aka pregnant 50's housewife and the milkman.)
Chad & I

Dave & Amanda....Yo Gabba Gabba and a cat.

Three guys in disguise.

Three ladies.

The guys with a pink lady.

Our gracious host...Mr Darling himself.

Choo-Choo Substitute

Friday we were supposed to go to Konow's pumpkin farm for lots of outdoor fun however, our plans had to be scratched when we woke up to rainy skies. Instead we decided to go to Choo-Choo Johnny's and let the kids play and have fun while we were still able to catch up together.

Gavin & Elena making the trains go.
Not even riding...just sitting and still having the time of their lives.

VERY patiently waiting the arrival of our food.

Coming around the track (by far, Gavin's favorite part of the experience--even when it was other people's food).

Keeping his eye on that train for it to come out again.

Finally enjoying a real ride with Cooper.