so fun!

We are back from our trip - and had a great time!!!! It's been a little hard getting back to reality - Gavin asked me today when we could go to the pool! Bryan and I both agree that 10 day vacations are the way to go! I am in the process of downloading our pictures and will try and get some up on the blog tomorrow. We had great weather, stayed at beautiful resorts and made lots of memories. Gavin was, for the most part, really well behaved. He definitly had his moments - the worst being getting off of the plane in minneapolis - but as a whole - he was great. We had a very nice relaxing day at home today, but I better get some things done tomorrow!

ARRRR....

Gavin loves to pretend that he is a pirate - I'm not sure his father will let him walk around Disney World with the other pirates dressed like this though! I had to take the picture of him walking away because he told me "scary pirates don't like to get their picture taken MOM!"

can't help but love him

Yesterday - Gavin was a handful. The morning started off great. We had his three year check up - and everything looks great. He is 38lbs and 39.5 in. tall - pretty big for his age, but proportionate to height and weight. Because of his size, we did have to buy a new carseat - but it works great, he loves it and it converts to a highback booster, and then a backless booster as well - so he'll be in it forever. He sat perfectly still (*has anyone ever seen this happen - Gav, sit still?) for his hearing test, and told the nurse each time he heard the beep and in which ear - 100%. I officially cannot blaim the lack of listening on his hearing. The nurse told me that 80% of 3 year olds will not sit still long enough to finish the test. He always shows off for other people! Then for the eye test - he kept telling the nurse which ones she should point too, instead of the other way around. He repeatedly told her "no, point to the O for Owen." But he did get those right too - so his eyes are good. He didn't cry for his shot - just told me he needs it so he won't get sick (he does listen when I talk to him!) He also thought his band aid was pretty cool. He was great while we ran errands at Target. I let him pick out a sticker book for the plane, and as he put it on the belt to pay for it, he told the cashier "that's for when I go on the big jet." She asked where we were going and Gavin casually replies "just Disney World." JUST??? He's been begging me for days if we can please just go NOW - then he acts like it's no big deal! Until... the lady started asking him who he was going to see, and told him that she was there 3 years ago. He asked her if she "got to see Lightening McQueen and Doc and Mater and the guy with the mustache, and the King too?" She was obviously confused and had no idea who those people were - Gav told me she must have just liked Pluto the best! Needless to say, he's pretty excited. The afternoon, however, was a different story. He refused to take a nap, and he does not do well somedays without one. He was just kind of cranky and fussy. He really wanted to watch the Disney show (the free one you get when planning a trip) so we put that in and he was soooooo excited with each new character and ride that he saw - for about 5 minutes, and I looked down and he was sound alseep. He would not go to bed last night either - he's usually pretty good about it; so I wasn't able to pack. So now today, I HAVE to pack for the 10 days we are going to be gone, pick up last minute stuff, clean my house and mow the lawn. Needless to say, Gavin went to daycare. I usually do not bring him on the days I have off - I would much rather spend the day with him. But I just dropped him off and I miss him already - 10 days with him coming up - yay! He can be such a stinker, but all those hugs and kisses are sure worth it!

8.23.09

For Gavin's birthday weekend, Lauren and Ellie came to stay with us - and we had so much fun! Saturday we took the kids to Big Kahuna park and had a picnic, went mini golfing and rode the bumper boats. Ellie was so sweet all day, and just kept telling me what a fun day she was having. Her highlight was getting the ONLY hole-in-one during golf - we were all pretty proud of her! Lauren loved the bumper boats and was so excited that she got to drive one all by herself! We went to our favorite park to play for awhile before going home. I learned that Ellie doesn't like spagetti, but that she'll eat just the sauce for supper - with no complaints at all! The three kids all wanted to watch a different movie that night - so Ellie and Gavin compromised with a Mickey Christmas show and Lauren was happy watching Night at the Museum with Bryan - it didn't take any of them very long to fall asleep that night. Sunday morning we all played outside and the three kids all came with me to pick up Gavin's cake. I had gone to the bakery weeks ago and ordered Gavin's cake. They called Saturday and told me that they were having trouble with their printer and wouldn't be able to make the Nemo design - which is all Gav really wanted. So, I frantically called around to other bakerys to see if anyone would make me a Nemo cake at the last minute. Cash Wise said they could do a Finding Nemo design - but I wasn't exactly sure what it was going to look like. It turned out to be so cute and Gavin just loved it! The problem was keeping his hands out of it until after lunch - the little stinker kept trying to sneak bites of it every time I turned around. Nick and Ang, Gary and Kathy and Mom and Dad all came over for lunch and celebrated with us. I think G had a great time! Now the real count down has begun to our Disney World vacation. Today, Gavin didn't even want to get out of his carseat - he told me to just go pack his suitcase and he'd wait for me in the car so we could go meet Owen in Disney World! We leave for the cities Saturday and our flight takes off Sunday - yay - 10 days with my two favorite people (and 7 more who are pretty fun too!)

defining moments...

It gets kind of crazy at our house at times. Between Bryan's long hours, my weird schedule and a very active THREE(!) year old, we stay pretty busy. Yesterday evening was no exception, except it just seemed a little more out of control. Gavin and I had been playing, and I didn't pay attention to what time it was. I started supper late and wasn't ready for work when Bryan got home. Most nights, we try and eat together as a family, but that means I need to have it ready before Bryan gets home, so we can eat and then I go right to work. Gavin really wanted pancakes; so I started some sausage and got everything out for the pancakes - oops - he was mixing everything when I realized that I didn't have any milk (I'm trying not to grocery shop before the trip.) I scrounged around and found some buttermilk, so I thought I would try that. If it didn't work, there were always eggs. Bryan got home, said he would finish supper and I could go get ready. I've had a long stretch of nights and Gavin was feeling the strain of me being gone; as soon as I put on my scrub top - he started crying - "no mommy... no go to work, please mommy, stay home with us!!! PRETTY PLEASE mommy!" The cry turned to a sob, which turned to a scream - all while he was hanging on my leg. Bryan came to check what all the commotion was about. I checked on supper - my buttermilk pancakes - not looking so good - so Bryan offered to make me eggs. I quick finished getting ready - made my way to the kitchen- to find the sausage burnt, the pancakes black and my egg (on my plate) only half cooked - Bryan was running around the kitchen and Gavin was running up and down the hallway screaming "no mommy, no mommy!" Bryan and I looked at each other.... and both burst out laughing - I had tears in my eyes simply from laughing too much! This is what we choose, right - this very crazy, very wonderful life. That's what we do in our family, when it gets tough, when I wonder if I'm making any decisions right, when I start to think that these sacrifices I make FOR my family, are really doing more harm than good, when I'm not sure if I just need to cry.... we laugh. I can look at my wonderful Bryan and just know that we really will be fine - burnt/half-cooked supper and all...

To Infinity.... and Beyond!

Gavin is obsessed with his halloween costume! He insists on wearing it around the house and outside to play. Our neighbor came over last night to bring us some veggies from her garden (so yummy!) and of course, Gavin had his Buzz outfit on - it didn't even phase her - she thought it was great! He aslo wanted us to refer to him as "Buzz" last night during supper - then when he took off the outfit, he told me, "ok mom - now I'm Gavin, you can call me Gavin now!" I think it may just be the best $11 I've ever spent!

Happy Birthday little man!

Today is Gavin's 3rd birthday! We had a great day at home celebrating with our families! Gavin truly is the joy of our lives - we love you so much little buddy!