Gracias a Dios

We have many reasons to give "Thanks to God" for another great Mexico Mission Trip.

Before we went on the trip I shared that I wasn't quite sure if or how I would be able to relax and just go with the flow of the trip while having Gavin in tow. And let me just say that God answered my prayers. Gavin was a dream traveller and didn't get thrown off too much by being in a different place for a week (except for starting his day every morning at 5:30 am). He loved being outside so much (we've been wimpy here in cold WA) and he loved the teenagers and adults and all of the activity around him.

I did my best to remain involved during the trip, but Gavin still got most of my attention. We're thinking that this will be the last trip for me and Gavin for a while. As he gets older, more mobile and requiring more (and different kinds of) attention, he'll probably be more of a distraction than anything else. Having been on this trip for the last five years, I've mourned a little bit that I won't get to go again for a while. But it's not about me after all-- the trip is for the high school students and that's where the focus needs to be.

Our group worked together quite well to complete two big projects. We painted and installed bamboo flooring in one of the girls's dorms-- a space over 1000 square feet. We also helped a family in the community by putting a roof on their house and pouring concrete for their floor. The father had been building his home brick by brick for the last five years and the couple had just become Christians. They were to be baptised a week after we left. They were very welcoming and quite overwhelmed with gratitude. It was a gift to be able to bless them.

Sorry I don't really have any good pictures of the projects. In fact, all of these pictures were taken by other people. I didn't even carry around a camera, can you believe it? At any rate, the blog from our trip is still up and you can see some other photos (that aren't Gavin-centered). The link is in the right margin.

We did some shopping at the Tijuana border while we were in line in our car to cross back into the US. We made a few impulse buys, including some tokens to help Gavin experience his Mexican heritage (no, it's not in his blood, but it's certainly has roots in Tony's family and even a little in Claire's).

We had a great trip! Thanks to all of you who said a few prayers on our behalf. We definitely benefitted from them.

Eight Months Old!

Here we are again, another month flown by. Gavin has been eight months for a week, so I figured I should posts some photos. I haven't forgotten about posting photos from our Mexico trip-- those will come soon.

These photos were taken at Andrew (Tony's brother) and Connie's house in Mazama, WA. We went there for a long weekend over Easter. Before Gavin, Tony had two "babies"-- his truck and his guitar. Needless to say I was pretty surprised when Tony suggested his guitar case and then even added his guitar for these photos. (Gavin even spit up a little into the guitar case-- OOPS! But neither one of my boys had a meltdown.)

Gavin did his best to reach for the guitar and eat it. Thankfully he didn't quite make it.

Gavin's face got washed out in this one, but look at those blue eyes!

Gavin continues to work on his crawling skills, but still no crawling, just moving backward. And, as of today, still no more teeth but he's still eating solid food like a champ. Gavin continues to prove to be our "slow and steady" kid. He's always learning and changing but just not in any hurry to make things happen. He's loving life and people and being outdoors. Sleep could be better, but we know that there will come a day.

Gavin has been making more little people friends lately. Babies and toddlers and a great source of entertainment for him. And, when they are near, his usual reaction is to stretch his arms out to his sides, tense up his muscles, bounce, and squeal and scream (in a happy way). Funny, as I describe it, it sounds like an animal mating call, but it's actually quite endearing. Just his way of saying I'm really happy right now and so excited to see you. He sometimes startles other kids sometimes with his volume and excitement.

These days he is also quite entertained with our fish tank. I'll watch him roll and scoot around a bit and then stop to take a break. Either on his back or with his head resting on the ground he finds a way to watch the fish move around in the tank while he rests. One of our recent babysitters said that the fish were the easiest way to soothe him.

There are more and more days here that feel like spring and what a charge of energy and enthusiasm the sunny days bring. We're excited for more walks and outdoor family adventures. Gavin has so many new things to experience, I can't wait.

Vamos a Mexico!

It's the time of year for our SCC Youth Mexico Mission Trip. For those of you that aren't familiar, we take a group of high school students and leaders down to Door of Faith Orphanage in La Mision, just south of Rosarito.

The photo above is from our commissioning during 9 am service last week. (If you click on the picture and look very closely, you might be able to see Gavin on the middle left in the back row.)

We leave tomorrow and this year we're taking Gavin. Are we crazy? Sometimes I wonder. But most likely we're just living on the edge a bit. We've been to the orphanage so many times that I think I know most of the variables. I think. I'm almost positive Gavin will do great. It's his mom that I sometimes wonder about. Will I be able to relax and enjoy too? That's the hope.

This year there has been more buzz than normal about declining safety in Mexico. After extensive research and conversations and two pre-trips down to the orphanage, Tony feels confirmed that we should go on the trip once again this year. Sure, there are bad things happening that we see in the news, but most seem to be near the Texas border or in bad areas of Tijuana. We heard a report that said travel was okay as long as we stayed away from drug and prostitute areas. I think we can handle that.

This year we're taking 25 students, 11 adults and one infant. It's a great group and we're confident God will do some great things. In fact, we've got one of our leaders reporting this year on our very own blog. Be sure to check it out.

http://sccmexicoteam.blogspot.com/

The Latest in Photos

...with my added captions, of course.


After our walk in the park we had a little sunshine. Gavin enjoyed his second grass experience.

T-shirt weather was nice for a change.

Gavin's friends Mackenzy and Joshua. We know their moms from my "SHE" group at church.Mackenzy got up close and personal and Gavin wasn't quite sure how to react.

Gavin loves meal time and would probably eat just about anything we put in front of him. Pears are not quite a hit, but he's chosen not to discriminate.

Winter in Washington means Gavin doesn't get a lot of "naked" time. But, some days it seems pointless putting clothes back on after the second or third outfit change.

Gavin's new bilingual toy that I found at the Thrift Store and cleaned up nicely. So far he's mostly concerned with how to get it into his mouth.

Our little guy with the big kids before Crossroads--High school youth group.
With Papa on a Sunday morning before our Mexico Commissioning service. (Thanks for the cool shirt Marie.)

7 Months Old!

Another Friday the 13th and Gavin is 7 months old. I had the 6 month marker in view for a while, but this 7th month marker snuck up on me. Now he really sounds old.

Here are photos from our birthday morning photo shoot.

These are some of his favorite toys, but you might not know it from Gavin's facial expression. The measuring cup always surprises him when he puts the handle in his mouth. His little thumb is just the right size to almost get stuck in the hole on the end of the handle. That one baffles him too.

EVIDENCE

Okay, so last I wrote, we were discovering Gavin's abilities to roll. We've found him several times asleep on his tummy with the pacifier and he'll even wake up, be on all fours whining, and go right back to sleep once we give me the missing plug. Guess he likes sleeping on his tummy. We had swaddled him for so long and his sleep positions were always so predictable. Things have changed.

Here is the evidence. I took photos with flash and he was so comfy he didn't wake up.



Gavin had his first cold last week, but he was a real trooper. He was in pretty good spirits, but everything about his face was red and goopy or watery. Two days of sick, then two days of some serious catch up naps, and now he's good to go.


This photo is Gavin's first taste of Sweet Potato, which was a hit. He was in the thick of his cold here but still up for trying something new.

Gavin is scooting backwards a bit and recently scooted onto the wood floor for the first time. I found him near this plant in the entry way. He didn't really notice the plant this time around, and thank goodness-- I still need to do my homework to see what plants might be poisonous.



Other recent evidence:
1. Papa's idea of necessary clothing-- a bib and a diaper (yes he is wearing a diaper).


2. Papa reviewing important fine motor skills with Gavin



3. Gavin's short legs and long body. Adorable all the same.

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Yep, this Baby's Rollin'.

Up until now, I could count the number of times I'd watched Gavin roll. It just wasn't his thing. Turns out he just needed the right motivation-- his pacifier. Three times in the last two days Tony and I have found Gavin in his crib on his tummy.

Today, on one of those occasions, Gavin was waking up from his nap and fussing just a bit. I entered his room to find him on his tummy, 180 degrees from where I'd left him, just a few inches from his pacifier. Did he fall asleep like that? Did he wake up and go searching for his pacifier? I don't know. But I do know (or have at least reasoned with my mommy intuition) that it's his pacifier that has brought about the new skill of rolling from back to front.

It's inevitable folks-- Gavin will soon be on the move. I'm still in the denial stage.

Solid Food update: After 2 and half weeks of "Rice Cereal Training", it appears that Gavin is now actually eating and swallowing his rice cereal. It took a bit of getting used to, especially in how to maneuver his tongue, but now that he seems to have gotten it, we can start adding to the menu.

Here are some fun photos taken in the last week or two.

We took a walk at Port Williams beach on Sequim Bay. It was COLD, but we had to get out, at least for a bit.