Visit to Texas

Hello there.

It's me again. Back to tell more about the race we've been on called "summer."

Don't get me wrong, it's been a lovely time. But when I stop and sit down I feel a bit like I've been running a marathon.

Pack, travel, play, travel, unpack, laundry and then more laundry and then the cycle begins again. And don't forget the house guests we've enjoyed in between. We have had a great summer so far and thankfully August will bring a nice change of pace from all of the "active fun" we've been having. Looking forward to some "lazy fun."

But I'm off topic. Now on to...

TEXAS

A week after Gavin and I returned from California we were off again, with Tony, to Texas to visit Mimi and Bapa (Tony's parents). They've lived in New Braunfels for 18 months and this was to be our first visit.

We spent nearly two weeks with Mimi and Bapa and had a blast. We stayed mostly in air-conditioned areas to avoid the heat, and got out a few times to sight see. We visited underground natural caves, Landa Park/Water Park, Gruene and relaxed in the local river. Tony and I got to go to the movies, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and San Antonio River Walk while Mimi stayed with Gavin. We also celebrated Father's Day and my 31st birthday together.

Gavin loved his Mimi and Bapa. The love was definitely returned, especially by Mimi, who shows considerable enthusiasm for Gavin even though he is grandchild #11. What a treat for us to spend time with both grandparents in the same month!

Gavin also had some of his first experiences in the water. He preferred to be gradually introduced to the water (especially when cold) but once he got used to it, he loved it.

Cold at first and then the river was lots of fun.

The kiddie pool was a big hit!!!

There's surely more to tell, but at the rate I'm goin, I'll stop here. Otherwise, I'll be several months behind before I know it.

11 Month Photos (finally)

We're just over two weeks from Gavin's first birthday (gasp) so I figured I should get on it and upload his 11 month pictures. I still have many stories to tell from our adventures the last 6 weeks, so stay tuned. I hope to add several postings this week.

Here are a few photos from Gavin's 11 month birthday. We spent the week at Black Lake Bible Camp in Olympia with Tony and our middle school kids. The setting is beautiful!
Demonstrating one of his new favorite skills-- Thumbs up! Sometimes he does both hands which reminds his Aunt Tonia of "The Fonz." Gotta love the genuine delight in this expression. Gavin is amazing and so much fun with all of his facial expressions.

Love it!

Action Shot-- Gavin has for a long time expressed his enthusiasm by shaking his arms up and down; sometimes in front and sometimes to the side (seemingly winding up to take off). It brings a smile to my face every time to see the joy he has as he takes in and discovers life.

Demonstrating his exploratory skills. It goes something like this..."Hmmm. What's that? Let me quickly crawl and reach for it and put it in my mouth to see what it is. And if mama sees me do it, it will be an even better game to see if I can get it in my mouth before she stops me."

Other skills we're enjoying:

*Waving-- to anyone, anytime, anywhere (almost)
*Blowing kisses-- again, not always well timed but so cute (Tony's not so sure it's something a boy should do, but I figure since he's still a baby it's harmless.)

*"So Big"-- Raising his arms with and without prompting to show how big he is

*Peekaboo-- Gavin has begun initiating this game. The best is when he finds ways to move is body behind or below objects to play.

We recently took a ferry ride to Seattle. He enjoyed most of the 35 min ride alternately standing on the bench and then bending down behind it to play peekaboo with the other passengers.

*Extrovert-- no question. He is one to scream (yes, scream) with delight when others are around but especially babies and kids of similar size. I may have mentioned this before, but I was keenly aware of his enthusiasm on our recent ferry ride. After a few minutes of "screaming" his greeting to a 10 month old I realized that his voice was probably being heard a long way down the boat. Oh well. I'll take screaming in delight over any other kind of screaming any day.

SUPER BABY!

We just got back (okay, so it was a week ago, but time is really flying) from almost two weeks in Texas with Mimi and Bapa (Tony's parents). While there will be more blogging and photos about our trip later, I wanted to get these photos up as soon as possible.

Introducing... SUPER GAVIN!
While we were in Texas I thought it would be great to get Gavin a "Don't Mess with Texas" t-shirt. However, halfway through our trip I still hadn't found a shirt that met my standards. Then, while Tony and I were at Six Flags (and Gavin was with Mimi and Bapa) we stumbled across this outfit at the end of the Superman ride.

Let's just say after all the hemming and hawing over the rigth DMWT shirt, there was no conversation needed over this one. We saw the onesie, looked at each other, nodded in agreement and delight and the onesie was ours. Couldn't wait to put it on him when we got home. I'm also looking forward when he will be walking around in this one-- then the cape will have even greater dramatic impact.

"Official" SuperBaby stance.

Action Shot.

Would you dare mess with this Baby of Steel???!!!

"T" is for Ten Months and Two Teeth

Gavin turned 1o months old this past Saturday. We are so close to the one year mark, it's unbelievable. I have a feeling I'm not going to want to get to that August date. The time is flying by and we're having so much fun.

On his "birthday," we discovered Gavin's first tooth. In fact, our friend Brittany discovered it. Gavin and I were at coffee with Brittany. She "found" his tooth when he started chewing on her fingers. Can you believe it?! We almost missed it. It's even possible that the tooth had broken through a couple days earlier, but we're considering his birthday the day he got his first tooth.

I guess we're fortunate to not have had to suffer through the first tooth. Looking back, he may have had one tough night of sleep, but those happen every now and again so it didn't really phase me at the time. The first tooth was discovered Saturday and then Sunday night he cut his second tooth. They still really aren't quite visible, so I'll post a pic when they start to really show.

Our big guy has done a lot of growing up in the past few weeks and he seems to be enjoying it.

This is a typical Gavin face-- he's not upset, just concentrating, talking or sometimes squinting from the glare of the sun.

Vroom Vroom... Off to Grampa's

It was time for a visit to Glendora. It's always nice to be with family, but we especially wanted to be with Grampa while he was enduring another chemo cycle.

So, we left Papa (Tony) in Sequim and Gavin and I went to California all by ourselves. I wasn't really scared, even though the trip promised to be more than 10 hours from start to finish. Still, you never know with babies. Thankfully, our Gavin is predictably easy to deal with, distractable and social. This combination makes for a great traveller. Having our own row on the plane (both ways) was definitely a bonus.

Did I mention that my sister-in-law now lives 2 blocks from the airport? That certainly simplifies the process with an added bonus of Auntie Tonia (and family) quality time.

Honorary Auntie Tiffany picked us up from the airport and we met another Honorary Auntie, Jenn, and her daughter Ryann for dinner. It is so sweet to be with friends who know you from the good ol' days.

And isn't Ryann cute?! She'll be two in July. I don't think that'll be too old for Gavin in 20 years. You never know.


Gavin was happy to make friends with Auntie Tiffany (and Jenn) even though to him they are pretty much strangers. In fact, at this point, most people are strangers but that doesn't phase him. It's fun to know that we're getting closer and closer to Gavin remembering people.
Gavin made it the whole day in his special outfit, courtesy of Auntie Colleen, and was able to show it to Grampa. He's sporting a new "do." Doesn't he have a nicely shaped head?!


We did bring a hat for him (the black one) in case he wanted to show off his keen fashion sense. Gavin was happy to provide lots of entertainment to help distract Grampa. Grampa is quite the strong one. Progress tests and results will be coming soon. We'd love your prayers for healing and strength!
Gavin loved his auntie Colleen and made it very obvious how much he ADORED his cousin Oliver (almost 5 1/2). In fact, it was mutual admiration.

Gavin had is first baths in the big tub and had fun playing with Oliver. I will say it's a bit interesting trying to bath an early crawler/want to be standing all the time baby. I'm glad that Tony is usually in charge of the baths.

Gramme and Gavin shared some great play time. Especially with the percussion instruments. Gavin is quite the musical guy. Maybe there will be some instruments in his future...

Mom arranged for the whole family to get together-- Warren, Nichole, Sicily, Rocco (pictured), Tyler and Fatima, Colleen and Oliver (we missed Philip), Claire and Gavin (sans Tony) and Gramme and Grampa. Boy is the energy different for family gatherings these days. We snapped a few photos but couldn't even get the four cousins together. Oh well.

Rocco is the same age as Gavin. He's definitely on the top of the growth chart. Gavin is going to have to depend on Rocco to defend him on the playground-- Rocco is bigger in all aspects except the belly.

We were so glad to spend time with Honorary Auntie Jenny and her son Henry. Henry is a month older than Gavin and on the move. What a cutie. Once again, no great posed pictures, but we sure did have fun together.

It will be fun to have more play dates as the boys get older.

Uncle Warren and Gavin. He's a great Uncle (and Dad)!

Gavin enjoying grass time while Oliver and I play catch. The colored doors in the background are the classrooms at Windham School. (School is closed and the property is for sale, so it was good to get a token picture at the school.)

We had a great trip. It was so special to be with Grampa, Gramme, Colleen, Oliver and our other family and friends.

While we were in Glendora Gavin continued to work on his crawling and even began to clap. What fun! I love the outward expressions of his inward joy. We're blessed to have such a contented baby.

One more story on the subject of strangers... On the plane on the way home, a nice gentleman flight attendant stopped to talk to us. He had just approached and greeted Gavin when Gavin raised both of his arms as if to say "Please pick me up." I think you call that social. With all of the "strangers" from the past week, Gavin was used to being passed around among friendly people and somehow he could tell the flight attendant was nice and maybe somehow senses that he was a grandpa.

So now that we're home it's unpacking, laundry, and packing again. We're off to Texas later this week to be with Tony's parents for a family vacation. We just might melt in the heat but we're willing to suffer in exchange for relaxation and maybe even some nights out while mimi and bapa play with Gavin.

Gavin TV

This is our favorite reality show, by far. It may be overkill, but there were so many fun videos to share of recent episodes in "The Life and Times of Gavin Amadeus," I just couldn't resist posting these. (the most current is at the end)

Episode One: The Two Step
Gavin used this technique for quite a while-- Right, Left, Pivot and Sit. He was able to get around as much as he needed to in order to get to different nearby toys (and was obviously very proud of himself).

Episode Two: "This is How I Will Climb the White Pole"

"And for my next trick..." Gavin is quite the conversationalist. It's so fun to watch and imagine what is going on in his head, especially as his voice raises and lowers and the excitement grows. You can imagine your own story if you wish.

Here is the photo to prove he did it-- he pulled himself up. (Loading the video would take too long.)

Episode Three: Connecting the Dots

As of Saturday, Gavin has figured out how to wave. I can't even explain to you what joy and satisfaction there is in my heart to watch the progression-- from study, to interest, to minor movements, to the wave. I can watch the wheels spin as he thinks "I'm supposed to raise my hand when he raises his hand. I can do it. Here... I... go..." It is pure joy to witness the accomplishment and the grin of satisfaction as he knows he got it right.

Episode Four: Arms and Legs Together

We weren't sure if Gavin was motivated to crawl. Here is the evidence that he is. He's finally got his arms and legs working together and now he's much more interested in refining his skills. He's found a new burst of energy-- seems like he's much more wiggly and hyper than he ever was before.

Nine Months Old and Perfect!

I'm boasting a bit, yes, but this is what our pediatrician said last week at Gavin's 9 month check-up. She's highly trained afterall, so we appreciate her confirmation of what we already knew to be true.

I had one main goal this time in taking Gavin's 9 month photos-- properly demonstrate how big he is, especially his belly. This is one of the reasons (in addition to great fashion) that I dressed him in summer clothes (even though this outfit was completely inappropriate for the gloomy weather outside).

I'm not sure if you'll be able to tell how he's grown, so I'll also give you his current "stats" to help paint the picture.

Height 27.5 inches= 30th percentile

Weight 20lb 3 oz= 50th percentile

Head Circumference 47 cm= 80th percentile

(Note: at our last visit we thought he was heavier, but apparently there was an error in translating kilos to pounds.)

Add these all up and it equals a lot of baby in a short body. Combine with his mature head and it's no wonder people are often surprised to hear he is only 9 months. Gavin and one of his closest friends-- Curious George. They are sleeping buddies and Gavin always (yes, always) lights up when he sees George.

Mirror play is one of our favorite activities these days. Gavin is quick to catch a glimpse of himself even as we quickly move in and out of the bathroom.

Gavin has taken up reading. This is one of my new favorite things to watch. He lays down, picks up the book and talks and coos in a really sweet and high voice as he stairs at and handles the book. Nevermind that the book is upside down. One thing at a time.

Gavin is moving around but far from "on the move." Our little guy is still really content with a little rolling and manuevering to change scenery or entertainment. Tony and I are split on whether or not he'll actually crawl or go straight to walking. There is no doubt, however, that he likes to straighten his legs and always wants us to help him stand. Looks like he'll soon be pulling himself up on the furniture.

Gavin and his buddy George. This photo is during naptime (notice they are sleeping in the same position). Gavin is now sleeping through the night and after a couple of weeks I think I'm finally adjusted (not waking up all night). It's wonderful!

Tony recently decided that it was time for hair gel. Gavin had his hair spiked for the first time, but it didn't stay styled very long. At least you could tell that he has hair and it's growing.

Last but not least, Gavin in the kitchen with some of his favorite "toys." A pure and sweet pic if you ask me.