Torn Paper Collage

I saw this idea on a friends blog and had to try it out!

Gavin loved making his collage of a fall tree!

Potty, Day 2

Day 2 went fabulous - he pee'd 5 TIMES on his potty and pooped twice!  He only used 2 diapers all day!  (One during nap, and one while we ran some afternoon errands).  I'm so proud of him!  Is he not adorable in his boxer briefs he wore while playing in the back?  

And here's a video of our little pitcher, wearing his new "fast shoes" we picked up at the mall.  (He's a size 8 extra wide, so thankful for StrideRite and their extra wide shoe options!)  

Excuse the nudity in the video!

Painting and Potty Training

Friday, Sept 24th: Gavin received an easel with the paint cups, paint, and paper for his birthday so we were excited to have a day of nothing planned to dedicate some time to art!  He chose blue and yellow as his paint colors and went to town!  I asked him to tell me what he was making on his first painting and he said "It's Daddy!"  I thought that was sweet.  It kept his attention for awhile and he painted 3 different pictures.  He went straight to the bath afterwards to wash everything off his hands and belly!

We also started potty "training" that morning.  I'd decided to try and keep mornings clear for awhile and start with that... keeping him naked (he seems much more aware of the sensation to go when he is naked), pumping him full of fluids, and keeping his little toilet in whatever room we were in at the time.  He did great on day #1 and had no accidents.  He did 3 hours in the morning with no diaper and 2 hours in the afternoon.  He used his potty twice to pee and went once while we were in the backyard, so I thought it was a great first day!  

Vegetable Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 5 carrots, sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large potato
• 4 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup V8 juice
• 1 can (15 ounces) corn
• 1/2 can garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

• In a Dutch oven, saute the carrots, onions, potato, and celery in oil until crisp-tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaf. 

Early Goals - Early Goals - Savannah Celtic F.C.

Just enrolled Gavin in soccer! So excited to have found a toddler sports program here in Savannah! :) He starts next week!

Click here for info:

Early Goals - Early Goals - Savannah Celtic F.C.

Tennessee Trip Wrap-Up

Bath fun with the twins

Gavin LOVED Reagan's toys

Ella Faith

Reagan Nicklaus

Michael and Kaylee

Our Little Buddy

This little piggy went to the market...

21 weeks pregnant

Growing belly!

Baby Bennett.. I had the pleasure of photographing him in a Nashville area NICU while in town.  He was 11 weeks 3 days in these photos.  

Sept 19 - Joe and Cara are MARRIED!

All photos in this post were taken by Michelle Shiflet Photography

Sunday afternoon my little brother was married to his high school sweetheart, Cara!  Gavin and I were glad we were able to travel up and be a part of the day.  I was unable to get photos of the day since I had Gavin in my arms through it, but thankfully Michelle shared some great ones she got!!!  I loved getting to see Joe in his dress blues.  Before he knows it, he'll be wearing his blue cord and will have that uniform decked out!  :)  

They have already arrived at Ft. Benning, where Joe started BOLC/IOBC yesterday.  They were able to get a house on post, which is fabulous!  Theres a huge chance we'll be in the same neighborhood as them when we arrive in early 2011.  We found out they live on the same street as some great friends of ours from when Jason was in IOBC.  With two simple phone calls, two couples we know were at Joe and Cara's doorstep last night with pizza, drinks, and open hands to help with whatever needed done.  I am always humbled by the giving spirit/hospitality of those in the military.  All I did was call and ask if they at some point this weekend could help Joe/Cara unload their washer and dryer off the Uhaul, but they went above and beyond the call of duty!  The guys answered Joe's questions about his in-processing and training at Benning and the girls talked to Cara about all things Army Wife!  They've already been invited to a dinner at our friends tomorrow for more fellowship and a great meal.  HOW AWESOME!?!?!  Thanks a million to the Bronkema and Mays families and the time you gave to my family last night.  You guys rock!  

With all that said, we're so excited to finally have some family in the same state as us!  They are only 4 hours away and are thinking of coming to Savannah to spend Halloween with us - should be fun!  

Here are some pictures of the wedding (pictures are out of order, sorry):

Sept 18 - Pumpkin Patch / The Depot

Saturday was a busy day!  We started out with a trip to RiverView Mounds Pumpkin Patch.  They were offering free admission to those that volunteer with my parents church!  The kids had a ball, there was so much for them to do.  Animals were all over and there was a playground, giant sand pit, a slide that goes through a hill, tractors, pig racing, hay rides, food, etc.  They didn't know which to do first so they just ran from place to place!  

Later that evening we drove to Springfield, TN and had dinner at The Depot.  It's a restaurant along an active railroad track, so afterwards we came outside and Gavin got to experience a real train passing by.  It was so windy and loud, he wasn't sure what to think!  I also took pictures of Kaylee and her boyfriend, Zac out there.  It's a beautiful area for photos.

Sept 17 - TN Family Dinner

Friday evening we had a good time with our Tennessee family.  The Shiflet's, Joe & Cara, and Lindsey came over for a dinner.  My mom made separate birthday cakes for both Lauren and Gavin, since they both had birthdays earlier that week.  Gavin's was a baseball - perfect!  We had salad, lasagna, breadsticks, and fruit salad for dinner.  After dinner, singing, and dessert, the kids opened a few birthday gifts.  Gavin made his excited face when he opened each one.  It was too cute.

Before the dinner, my mom gave me a little quilt she made for Stella - I love it!  Thanks, mom.