Gavin turns ONE

My baby is one. I cannot believe it. Is it possible that it’s been one year since we brought him home? I do remember life without him, but those days are slowly slipping away from me as life with him is now the norm. He is such a sweet boy and, like I think every other month, is really coming alive.

He shakes his head no, tilts his head to the left, puts everything up to his ear, still has two fangs (the front ones are coming!), snuggles into my neck when someone new talks to him, waves hello and goodbye, does pattycake and “so big” on command, has walked 12 steps in a row, loves when his daddy comes home, loves to be with other kids, and can’t get enough attention. He is playful and loving. Just lately he’s been a little clingy to me and may be turning into somewhat of a mama’s boy. That was good timing, with school just getting out and all. Now I can be with him for many, many days in a row.

We celebrated his 1st birthday with three others – cousins Maddi and Nick and uncle Matt. We had a BBQ at our house with Brian’s family. Gavin had a great time and loved to be around everyone.

He wouldn’t touch his cake. I was surprised. He liked it though when I put it in his mouth or he buried his face in it instead. He’s no dummy – chocolate is good! This was no AmyJane’s friend-made cake (I need to learn!), but my best effort. I thought it turned out pretty cute.



He got several books, a swimming pool with toys, blocks, and a xylophone. Brian made sure I got him some sort of hammer so he could start hitting things. No boy of Brian’s will be unfamiliar with tools. In fact, the two of them watch (and record!) Handy Manny all the time. Funny.


It was a great day and fun to celebrate Gavin. Gosh, we love this kid. I feel like if I’m not careful I will wake up and he will be graduating from high school. Time is so short and it passes so quickly. I hope I can remember these seemingly insignificant days, because they really are the ones that matter most.


This picture cracks me up. Sums up our year of both mom and dad focusing on this little dude 24/7.

Summertime

School is out – hooray! I’ve been waiting for summer for a very long time. Right after school got out Brian headed to Clear Creek to be a counselor at the district’s 5th grade summer camp. Since it’s no fun to be at home for that long, Gavin and I took off for Arizona to see the fam. My three-year-old nephew took this picture for us. BTW, I chopped 8 inches of hair to donate to Beautiful Lengths...my grandma said I could do something else for cancer patients...

We went swimming, visited aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents and great-grandparents, strolled around the mall, and ate at yummy Arizona restaurants. My sister Lynsey dropped everything and hung out with us every day. We had a fun time – even with three carseats in the backseat.



This boy is not meant to be an only child. In fact, I think he’d be a really great younger brother, but it’s too late for that. ☺ He loved being around his cousins and was totally entertained by them. I actually got to sit down and visit.


Gavin started walking while we were there – something he hasn’t done tons of since we got back. When we left Utah, he had only taken one step. By the end of the trip he was up to 12. I emailed Brian his daily progress so he wouldn’t feel left out.


It’s always nice to see everyone and think Gavin and I will do it every summer so he can know his Arizona family.