Gavin is 7 months

Gavin is now 7 months old.  Such a big boy and June will be here before I know it and he will be one.  Ughh, don't like to think about it.  No doctor's appointment this month, but he's eating all sorts of baby food, so I'm sure he's still growing like a weed.    Loves his food and prefers homemade food to the store bought gerber food.  He has no interest in feeding himself puffs or cheerios or drinking from a cup.  Meal time will be a lot easier when he can do that, but no rush.

 This week he sprouted 3 new teeth for a grand total of 8... I can't believe it, hopefully the drooling slows down a bit. 

 Gavin will get on all 4's but is not even thinking about crawling.  He will scoot on his belly and turn around if he wants too.  He may be just like Reegan and completely skip the crawling phase and go straight to walking.  He is already trying to pull up.  He mostly pulls up on me when I am sitting next to him.  We're in trouble, he's more curious than Reegan was, so once he's on the move I'm afraid we may not be able to stop him! 

Gavin is such a lovable boy.  He's a definite mama's boy right now.  Makes sense, I have the food and sometimes when he whines he says mama.  I don't think he knows what he's saying yet, but it makes me excited to hear those words when they're intentional.  He has never had a security blanket and I think his security is skin.  When he's sleepy or eating, he loves to rub his hands over our hands or arms.  He also loves when we rub his cheeks and head.  He instantly relaxes and those eyes roll back in his head.  So sweet.   

 Gavin is very vocal these days as well.  He laughs, he talks, he whines and he cries... loud.  He makes himself known and he knows exactly what he wants.  He's very predictable and enjoys being on a schedule. 

We are so blessed that this baby is a part of the family.  He will bring greatness, I know it!

"Free Time"

The weather has turned cold around here, so we have been spending much of our time indoors playing millions of games with Reegan.  When asked what she wants to do, we get a smirk and "go fish" or "candyland" or "slides and ladders".  Jason is a great sport and spends much of his "free time" playing games.  

 I think he secretly, or not so secretly, loves it as much as she does. 

There has been a few nice days snuck in with the cold ones, so Reegan has finally been able to play with her Santa gift.  

 The steering still needs a little work.  Luckily we live near the end of a cul-de-sac, very little traffic.  We are so spoiled, we love this cul-de-sac.  It may be a deal breaker when looking for our next home.

 Oh, I got a new car too.  Jason calls it a minivan in costume, but we both LOVE it!  7 seater, middle row has two pilots chair so there is easy access to the back row and plenty of room for the dogs too.

Jason also put together our new jogging stroller!  I have been so excited for this and can't wait for the warmer weather to take this baby out for a spin.  Best Christmas gift ever!  Thanks mom and dad.  It is so light weight, even easier to use than our single one.   

 

I love these sweet moments...maybe this is how the stomach flu keeps being passed around?

 They're ready, where are you spring?

They speak!

Here are some updates from the kids point of view!  Both Reegan and Gavin like to talk...a lot.  So fun, so loud, but oh so fun! 




Also, our kids debuted their modeling this weekend for an etsy shop.  Check it out!  We may have found their new careers... :) 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/40WinksbyJ

Gingerbread House and First Cereal

January is proving to be running at about 40% of what December was running at and I am so thankful.  December brought many filled evenings and jammed packed weekends that I lost a sense of time and am still trying to make sense of it all.  It was amazing though.  A little too busy, but we filled those moments with family, friends and memories!  This is a little late, but big moments that couldn't be forgotten.  Christmas eve was celebrated by Reegan's first gingerbread house and first food for Gavin.  

She may have eaten as many candies as she put on the house...

Gavin tried to help...

We have a reusable gingerbread house that I bought at Holiday Mart last year.  It snaps together so it is very sturdy and when done, rinse off with soap and water then pack it up for next year.  Its great, but we may need to use more frosting next year, our candies slid a bit.

Gavin started food:
So generous of us, for Christmas Gavin, you can eat :)

First bite and a little unsure...

Third bite...trying to grab the spoon and feed himself!  Loves it! 

We're going a little slower this time around, mainly because I'm in denial that my baby is getting big.  The Dr told us we can start giving him a sippy cup and cheerios "to practice". Um, I'm sorry, he is a teeny, tiny baby, far too little to be doing big baby activities.  Total denial.  Luckily for me, I gave him cheerios and a sippy cup and he's not interested.  I'll try again, but I'm not rushing it.  

So far he has had rice cereal, sweet potatos, carrots, avocado, and green beans.  I'm making the baby food again this time around and so far so good (except for the rice cereal).  I plan to make peas and squash this weekend.  We may end the month with some applesauce and banana. 

6 months

Its been a big month for Gavin.  It's his half birthday.  I can't believe how fast time is flying.  He was a lucky boy and for Christmas we let him eat.  I know, very generous of us!  Were up to twice a day and he gets cereal for one meal and for the other we have been trying out some veggies: sweet potato, carrots, avocado, and banana from the strainer.  He's not a fan of the strainer so far.  I think the food doesn't come out fast enough for him.  

 Sits up like a champ and jumps as often as he can.  Still a fan of the exersaucer and doorway jumper and loves to roll around.  Gavin has the most handsome smile and is so happy.  Loves to "talk" and has learned that he can scream.  It's still cute...ask me again in 6 months :)  Hates a dirty diaper and will let us know immediately.  Usually happens while he is enjoying the exersaucer.

 Still puts everything in his mouth and wants to chew on anything he can.  Is obsessed with whatever food we have and feels like he needs to try big people food.  Forget sweet potato, boy thinks he needs a donut.  Has 5 teeth and the 6th, 7th and 8th are not too far behind.  Has been biting a little when he eats as well.  Reegan can also be found feeding her baby dolls and telling them "no bite, that hurts".  Little mama in training... 

Just like his sister and daddy, Gavin is long and slender.  28.1inches tall which is 91%ile and 17lbs, 15oz 52%ile.  He is starting to grow a little hair and one of my favorite things to do is run my hand over his head.  Fuzzy and kinda mohawk-ish.  LOVE, of course its blond too.  Who knew my dark head would have blond babies?  I think he has the sweetest personality.  He is so relaxed and lets Reegan hug him and climb ontop of him and he never whines about it.  Maybe he's learning at such a young age that she's older and in charge!  When we rock him to sleep (yep, no cry it out here), he just melts into our chest/shoulder and is so relaxed.  He is such a good baby.  I don't know what we did to deserve him, but we love him like crazy. 

I just couldn't help myself with these last pictures.  I know I am embarressing the pants off (pun intended) Gavin.  He will roll his eyes and shake his head when he sees this.  If he's not hiding in his room out of shame.  Who doesn't love a good naked santa pic?   

Seriously, he's the cutest little guy I have ever seen. 

Christmas Morning

We spent Christmas morning at our house as a family of 4.  

Reegan must have been a very good girl this year!  Gavin loves his basketball goal.  

stockings and santa gifts were followed by cinnamon roll casserole.  It was so good, this may be become a tradition as well.

Santa was broke after buying the car, and the rest of Christmas morning was filled with books, games, and puzzles. 

After a few hours at home, we went to my parents house to celebrate. 

Reegan is ready to bake...

 Good thing because I got a Kitchenaid! 

We are so thankful for the family that is able to celebrate with us and spend the holidays with our babies.  We had a great time!