BitterSweet

Moments like this just melt my heart. Gavin can not go to bed at night without loving on his painting of his daddy. He gives him so many kisses and then waves bye bye to him as he tries to say "Night night". I'm soooooo thankful we have this painting! It's hung near Gavin's bed and anytime we are in his room and I talk about daddy he points to it. We talked tonight about how brave daddy is and how daddy is making the world a better place. I love having the chance every night to sit and just talk to Gavin about his daddy before bed. Christmas can't come soon enough!

2 more Forsyth Pics

Ok, I NEVER get pics of Gavin and I together here in Savannah, so I had to steal this off Melissa's camera! Here's Gavin and I last night at Forsyth. "Picnic in the Park" or something was going on, so thats why there are so many people behind us! Forsyth is great!

One other cute football picture from her camera as well!

Pizza and Football in Forsyth

Today was such a great day. Our plan was to stay in pajamas and not leave the house! Gavin napped so wonderfully from 9:30-11:30 and again from 3-5. I'm not sure what his deal was, he never naps like that, EVER! He must have known it was a lazy day! He's also been a little snotty nosed, wonder if he's fighting off something? I'm glad he slept though. He doesn't have any fever, so maybe he's just cutting a tooth or something. Regardless, he was great today and I was able to get some things done while he slept. I got the master bath cleaned, the living room and kitchen floors done, Gavin's closet cleaned out, posted a few things on Craigslist, e-mail Jas some pictures, and even relax a little in the middle of all that. With no desire to make dinner and a craving for pizza, we called in an order to Vinnie's and went to pick it up. We then went to Forsyth Park to enjoy our meal and a little football together! I forgot a blanket, so I was thankful when Melissa showed up with one! After playing football we walked to laps around the park (2 miles) and then when it got dark we headed home. Gavin's bedtime routine is done, and he's sound asleep! I hope he sleeps good tonight since he napped so much today.

He is doing great with 3 breast feedings a day and then added milk and water. He's up to about 6 ounces of cows milk in a day(about 3 with lunch and 3 with dinner).

I'm really looking forward to Tuesday. Melissa and I both got our sitters and planned a morning at the spa! (I forgot that almost a year ago I bought a package and never used it!!!) So, we're getting 30 minute massages as well as spa manicures and pedicures. It's going to be a great 2 1/2 hours out with no kiddos. We deserve it after all the miles we've been putting in! I can't believe all I have to pay is the tip since I already paid for all of it last year. YAY!

Tiny slices of heaven
Before playing football he had to check out what everyone else at Forsyth was doing!

Future Quarterback!

He's getting great at that throw

Taking a water break

Workout Wednesday

Yesterday morning I pulled out an old Taebo Video I had. When I turned it on and the music started Gavin got really into it! He was trying to dance and do the moves at the same time. So, I ended up watching him and laughing more then working out! We cut the video off after about 15 minutes, as it just wasn't working out, but later went to Melissa's so I could use her treadmill and run 4 miles. It was nice to run with a fan blowing full force on me!

We also got Gavin's name sign hung up above his bed.

... and Gavin made a picture for his daddy!

Final "ONE" Celebration

Opening a gift from his buddy Mason

(Thanks to Thomas and Lynn Gearhart for the ADORABLE bib!)
Colton decided that turning one looks pretty exciting. He's ready for his gift opening session! Until then, he said he'll just borrow Gavin's!

Uh-oh Mom, it's a mess!

(Some of these things are from his party in Tennessee. I'm trying to just open one box every few days to keep things exciting for him! We need to donate some of his older things to make room for the new.)

Max loves tickle time with his mommy.

Gavin and his great-great Aunt Jackie. We're so thankful she was able to join us for dinner.

Austin brought his newest toys - When he spoke of them I felt he was speaking another language to me! I have no idea what he was talking about! He is growing up so fast and looking so much like his dad these days! (As are all the boys)

I made sugar cookies for the older kids to decorate after dinner. They had so much fun! Mason decided to just put the icing pen straight to his lips instead of write on the cookie! HAHA

Kenzie added sprinkles to hers.

Mary and Mason

Melissa got caught!

Gavin wasn't too interested in dessert, so Colton decided he'd try out the cake. It was so funny! This kid is going to go to town when it's his party day!

Thanks everyone for coming and making the dinner/gifts/dessert so special. We LOVE Melissa and Doug stuff and our collection definitely grew last night!

Cows Milk

Today was a big step for me... after Gavin's appointment I felt confident to start adding a little cows milk to his diet each day. I never thought I'd be a mom that would nurse my son past 1 year, but neither he nor I are ready to stop just yet (especially with it being flu season and Gavin being so prone to getting sick). I'm going to continue morning and evening nursing until probably 15 months or so but try to stop the daytime nursing and replace it with cows milk. Today I offered Gavin milk with his lunch again again with dinner. He actually drank a couple ounces with each, so I was impressed. He did want to nurse after lunch so I let him. He had no reactions to the cows milk. I made a BIG deal out of it, so he probably thought his mommy was so silly. We brought the carton in the living room and looked at it, talking about cows and how this milk comes from cows. Then we had to say Moo a lot to be silly and he laughed trying to copy me. Tomorrow I'll offer it to him again with his lunch and dinner (trying out different sippy cups). I'm so excited about this, as I'm really looking forward to having some "me" time when I get to DC (after the 10miler). Starla and Lindsey are begging me to let them have Gavin to themselves so I'm going to take them up on it! I'm thinking a pedicure might be in my future!!! :) I'm also getting excited at the chance to sleep in one morning!! Thanks Starla and Lindsey for giving me these chances while I'm there! Gavin can show you his cow milk drinking skills while his mommy escapes!
He kept bending over to look a the cows!

My big 1 year old :)

I think he was giving me a thumbs up here... telling mommy it was gonna be ok! I'm not sure if you can tell in this picture, but I crack up when he uses these sippy cups because he drinks them the wrong side up. He likes the mouth piece on the top!

After his milk & lunch he played with his doggies... the real and pretend! He loves his daddy dog.

1 year appointment

Back to a routine

We fell right back into our typical daily schedule today. This morning we got up and had breakfast then got ready for me to workout. We opted to try out the gym again, since Gavin is over 1 now. He did FANTASTIC! No tears, no separation anxiety, he just played the whole time! He kept having one of the care givers pick him up and take him around as he would point to everything! I think he was impressed by all the toys. I was able to work up a nice sweat, which was great. Next we came home and had lunch and got the mail. We love getting mail after being gone so long - there were two special cards - one for Gavin and one for me, from JAS! I couldn't wait to open Gavin's and read it to him. Later Gavin napped while I emptied out the Yukon from our trip and worked in the yard some (our yard people came today so I had to get the dog poop picked up and wanted to pull some weeds before they got there). Then we went over to Neelee's to let the boys hang out and go for a walk! Pictures are below from our day.

Looking at his letter from daddy!
Reading him his letter... it was too sweet!

Max and Gavin having a snack... carrots and water!

Colton showed us his crawling and pulling up skills.

Gavin had his first fish sticks! He loved them (and I'm thankful to have a new dinner idea) and ate them with baked sweet potato fries. We love Max's new and improved playroom! The color mats are perfect!

Max and Gavin on the walk.

Yep - definitely bed time!

Boys quickly got cranky and tried to escape the wagon - they were ready to snuggle with their mommies and go to bed!

Big Birthday Party

Walking for a Cure

Signing in at the registration tent
Michael was so excited to see Grandpa!

Sophie did great at the hula hoop! The rest of us tried, but no one could do it like Sophie.

Some of the boys

David and the Twins

Gavin enjoyed watching the hula hoopers!

Clay is the reason we did this walk today! He lives through so many finger pricks everyday, among so many other thing! We were able to see his insulin pump today - what an awesome invention to help make life just a little easier for him each day.

The grandkids/great grandkid that were present at the walk

And the walk begins!

Clay and my mom after the walk

Ella loves her Michael

Sophie, Clay, and myself - Clay & I were sweaty since we decided to run the end of it!

Thanks to everyone who donated to JDRF on our behalf. Gavin and I raised $375 towards finding a cure for Juvenile Diabetes. Collections are still being taken until November 1st if anyone feels led to give.

Celebrating a Life