7 Years Ago....

Yesterday marked Chad & I's 7 year anniversary. We were actually able to go out for a nice dinner together and hang out just the two of us...thanks to my brother and sister-in-law who watched Gavin for us. It was a very relaxing evening and it was nice to do something just us for a change. It's crazy to think we have been married 7 years already...it goes by quickly but I also feel like I have been married forever. These 7 years have been very good to us and although we have had our share of rough times, we know we are truly blessed in so many ways. We've changed so much since we were 23, young and freshly married...but we have grown to love and appreciate each other more and more every year. I have been so lucky to have a husband who is my best friend and partner in everything...and now an amazing father who loves his son with so much of his being. He continues to make me smile as I see him with Gavin. So Happy Anniversary to Chad and I...here's to the lucky 7 many times over.

Downtown Dinner Cruise

This past Saturday night we went downtown on the Odyssey for a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan with all my Mom's family. My Grandma and Grandpa took the whole family to celebrate their 75th & 80th birthdays this year. It was a beautiful night to be out and they had a firework show that we watched from the top deck. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for taking us! We all had a great night out!

Sore Glutes & a Photo Shoot

So today I wake up and as the day progesses, I slowly realize my butt and leg muscles are SORE. At first, I think this is so strange and can't figure out why...I was racking my brain thinking about what "exercise" I did yesterday that could have done this. And then I remembered....Gavin's 1 year photo shoot. For an hour I did the equivalent of lunges and squats as I freakishly yelled, "Peek-a-Boo"..."Mommy's gonna get you"..."Where's Mommy"..."Gavin, can you dance for Momma"...and I think you get the picture. All of these were done while I bounced around and gave my legs a work out. Seriously, come on...am I really this out of shape? Yes, yes I am. The pictures did not turn out very well (not due to my efforts, thank you very much) however, we at least got a few decent shots.

Lake Geneva

Last weekend was our very first grown-up getaway. We went to Lake Geneva for two nights with my cousins Erin and Craig. It was SO fun. We enjoyed relaxing and enjoying the 80 degree weather. The boys golfed and Erin and I hit the spa. It was awesome. Of course, we missed Gavin a ton and seeing as it is such a family-friendly place, we often imagined how much he would love it. Overall, it was great for Chad and I to get away but at this point, we're kinda glad it was a short visit. My Mom and Dad had Gavin all weekend which they loved...and of course he loved just as much. Thanks Mom and Dad!

1 year stats

We had Gavin's well visit this week and here are his 1 year stats:

1. He weighs 21 lbs 7 oz (50th percentile) and is 30 1/2 inches long (75th percentile).

2. He walks like crazy and loves it. I keep comparing him to those men at sporting events who turn around with their heads on the bat and then have to try to walk afterwards...sometimes no matter where you want your feet to take you, they just don't listen. Overall though, he's so great and just loves walking everywhere!

3. He JUST mastered waving (as previously mentioned) which is huge for us...he has clapped I think like 3 times EVER..He can do "SO BIG" and often times can point to where his belly button is and where someone else's nose is.

4. He loves to wrestle. He is hysterical. He loves to dive into pillows and when on the bed/couch will just stand up and topple over and laugh. He is bound to injure himself and has already injured his Mom and Dad playing this game. But he just keeps at it.

5. Will not give kisses...when you try he either pushes your face away or possibly gives you a headbutt.

6. He is very verbal but has yet to say a word. He is so vocal and constantly is making himself heard but no words.

7. He loves to dance--dance, dance, dance. Any time he hears music he starts moving. It started with some arm movement, added a head bop and now moves his hips. It is so cute that I often blare the ITunes in the house and dance around with him just to see him get into it.

8. He is a pretty good sleeper. He takes two naps usually averaging out to about 3 hours and he sleeps from 8 pm to 7 am.

9. He loves his Daddy--when he hears the back door open he hurriedly goes to see who has come in and is all smiles (and waves now) when he sees who it is. He likes wrestling with Mommy but he LOVES wrestling with Daddy.

10. He is an eating machine. He has started on the sippy cup and takes it pretty well so far. He loves to eat--everything. So far he will eat every type of meat, potato, veggie and fruit but he is a true Harris and by far, his fav thing to eat is CHEESE!

So...that is about where he is at right now. He is generally a happy boy and an absolute joy to spend my days with. We have lots of fun together each day and I am so glad I get to hang out with this guy b/c he fills my heart with love and laughter.

Walking and Waving

Well we have FINALLY mastered two things in our house--walking and waving!!! Can you believe it? My son FINALLY decided to wave and honestly...I think it is so darn cute I make him do it like fifty times a day! Ha! Here is the scoop on both:

WALKING - I totally have not posted on this and I know I should have a while ago. Right around his 11 month birthday about 6 weeks ago, he started taking a few steps here and there. This obviously graduated to 5-6 steps and then 9-10 steps. Well, in the last 2 weeks (since the beginning of Sept) he has definitely been taking more risk when walking and this weekend, he nailed it. He now walks everywhere, picks things up along the way, carries them, can turn around and change directions...its crazy. As my dad says he still looks like a drunken sailor most of the time but he has gotten it down pat!

WAVING - It has taken 12 months but finally, he did it. Last week, he did it about three sporadic times but from Thurs on, he has been doing it non stop. He waves to us, to strangers, to his toys that say bye-bye...I love it...and I kinda think he loves it too. Can't wait to show off his new skill to everyone!

Ok...so if I ever figure out how to post video I will of both of these things but for some reason...it hasn't been working for us. I'll keep trying!

Lauris Victoria

On September 3, 2008 (her actual due date mind you) Lauris Victoria Thomson entered the world. She is the new daughter of our good friends Zak & Lisa Thomson. Obviously we have been awaiting her arrival for some time and it is so great that she is finally here! She is such a cute little peanut and I could just snuggle her all night. I can't even remember the days when Gavin was that tiny! Her and Mommy are both doing really well! Here are some pics of when we went to see her!

Cold? Allergies? Teething?....WHAT!?!?

Ok, so as some of you know, Gavin has been a bit under the weather lately. Last week (pre-Florida trip) he was rocking a 104.2 fever and was very lethargic and out of it. We postponed flying for a day but when the fever subsided (probably due to gross amounts of Motrin and Tylenol) I took him to Florida for the weekend. Of course I questioned my own sanity and ability to be a good Mom for deciding to go about a million times. However, he seemed to be getting better with low-grade fever here and there but my gosh was he needy! He ONLY wanted Mommy and that is SO unlike him. When we took him to the Dr on Monday she said she wasn't sure if it was a small cold or allergies. Of course my Mom and Grandma are convinced it is teething. So...here we are back from FL, still with a very needy boy...no fever...a little stuffy nose...and no answers. We had to postpone his 1 year well visit until next week so I'll keep you posted on his "stats" then. At least he is sleeping better at night and there is a top tooth finally poking through...so who knows!?!? I guess we'll never know what the real cause was...I am just hoping it passes soon!

A Perfect Birthday

On Gavin's actual birthday, he was lucky enough to spend the day doing some of his favorite things...playing, napping, swimming in the pool, dancing and getting LOTS of attention. Since the guys of the Yonker family were going on a work golf trip, the ladies (my mom, Heather, Lorien and I) along with Gavin, headed down to Naples for a long weekend. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed lots of R&R. Gavin and I actually were delayed going down for one day as he was fighting a cold or something and was running a very high temp. So...after a very challenging day of travel--just me and Gavin getting to the airport, going through security, taking a 2 hour 45 min airplane ride over naptime (when there was no napping and when he was still a bit under the weather)--all by ourselves...we finally made it there. Gavin loved the warm weather and all the attention. The only thing missing on his big day was Daddy. :(

Gavin rocking his very first Speedo!

Much to his father's chagrin...Mom was loving this look!
And seriously...I know the combo is so bad but I couldn't stop myself.
Loungin with the ladies.
Gavin's "work station."
Of course, lot of playing with Grandma....
...and Auntie Heather...

...and Auntie Lorien...

Typical guy...loves just hanging around naked.

Livin the high life...eating outside in his diaper only.
Dancing on his birthday to the rasta man's music at dinner.
Our dinner at Handsome Harry's...complete with birthday serenade.
Followed up with a birthday treat.
The next morning, he was helping with the dishes.
There was lots of playing in the pool.
Gavin & Mommy had big smiles!!

Gavin was hitching a ride when it was time to leave.

One Year Old

"Every good and perfect gift is from above..." James 1:17

I seriously cannot believe my baby is ONE year old. It is so hard for me to think that an entire year has gone by since we took this little guy home from the hospital. As I think about those days preceding his birth, I just laugh thinking about how we didn't even know whether he was a boy or girl and as my contractions started....we had no idea what was in store for us. However, from the moment he was born, he sent us on a roller coaster ride called "the first year."

When we took him home and began to experience what "colic" was we thought we would never get through it and here we are...months later with an amazingly good-natured happy, healthy little boy. We have loved every minute of watching him grow over the last year and seeing his little personality becoming more and more defined. I can honestly say that Gavin has been the most wonderful gift and I love being a Mom more than I can express in words. He has changed me in ways that are inexplicable....he has changed how I view the world. It is amazing how one child can make you smile, laugh, cry and be in total awe of our Creator. God has given us the greatest blessing and we are humbled by his generosity.

Happy Birthday Gavin! We love you so much!

First picture ever taken of our little guy about 8 hours post-birth on 9/13/07.

My favorite of his first pictures--our early bonding.

From the beginning he was always very alert.

One year later....

Rub A Dub Dub....

...three cousins in a tub. These three had a blast in the tub playing and helping "wash" the others. They were hysterical together.

Are you kidding me? How cute are these little buns.

Cousin Lovin

Since the whole Harris clan came in to celebrate Gavin's birthday we had a whole weekend full of fun things that we did together. Of course we ended up at one of our favorite places yet again--Brookfield Zoo! We had a beautiful day and even with some napping issues, the kids all did great and were so well-behaved. In fact, at the end of the day, Morgan gave us a big hug and declared, "This is the best zoo EVER!"

Morgan was our guide showing Gavin where we were headed.

Gavin and Mommy by the rhino.

Our little joeys.
Gavin grunts and points saying "I want that."

The guys and their heavy loads.
Grandma and Moe.

Christa and Kate.
Moe points us in the right direction.

Gavin and Grandpa "obey their thirst."
How most of the day was spent--a new favorite method of travel by far.

The Harris boys.
Aunt Jenny and Moe.

Morgan helps pull the kiddos.

Gavin hamming it up with Grandma and Grandpa.

Gavin's 1st Birthday Bash

On September 6 (a week early) we celebrated Gavin's 1st birthday with all our friends and family. Since some key family members were going on a golf trip the next weekend...we decided to celebrate a week early. Gavin was great considering he did NOT nap well that day (go figure--when you need him to). He had so much fun playing with all the kids and opening all his presents. Thanks to everyone who came and for all the great gifts....he is quite obviously not spoiled at all! ha ha. Here is a ton of pics which I couldn't decide between...

Gavin loved having his cousins from MI here to visit.

Gavin's new wagon from Grandma and Grandpa Harris was a huge hit. Here is him and Cally taking a wagon ride.

Quite excited about presents.

Uncle Kyle and Auntie Heather gave Gavin a rider complimented with "driving hat."

Gavin had lots of help opening presents.

Can't wait to fit into this one.

Gavin very closely inspected each gift.

He needed a little coaxing....

but once he got going....

he loved it!!

His buttercream frosting spike.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for hosting at their house!

Exhausted.