Gavin and Daddy

Random Pictures

Just thought I'd share some random pictures from the last few weeks. Gavin is VERY hard to take pictures of now. He is so busy all the time! I just can't believe how he never stops moving!

This is Gavin in a rare moment. He had just woken up from a nap and was still a little bit groggy, so Daddy layed down with him on the couch for a while. It was so cute, I had to snap the picture.



This morning, Gavin tried on Daddy's shoes and was walking around in them for while. It was so cute and such a classic little boy thing to do. I have a picture of my brother when he was Gavin's age in my dads boots!

My mom bought Gavin this tent for his birthday. It is supossed to go over his bed, but it fits a twin bed and he has a toddler bed. We wanted to set it up anyway, and Gavin loves it. It takes up most of the remaining space in his room so we get him dressed in there, change diapers in there, and play a lot in there. If i can't find Gavin and daddy, they are usually hangin' out in the tent!

Painting

Gavin was so funny while he was painting. He loves to paint, but we always use a paint brush. This time I told him he could use his fingers and he was shocked. It was pretty funny. In the end, he really didnt like it. He kept wanting me to wipe his fingers off. He has inherited high standards of cleanliness from me, but he takes it to another level, if thats possible!

Laughing Gavin

Sledding

We took Gavin sledding for the first time the other day. By the time we got there, the hill didn't have much snow left, but we still had fun anyway. Gavin didnt exactly LOVE the whole experience, but he got used to it after a few runs. He just liked playing in the snow more than the actual sledding.

Toddler Bed Video

We finally did it!

We moved Gavin to his big boy bed. It was kind of sad for me. I try to stay in a constant state of denial about him growing up. But it gets hard to ignore when we cross these milestones! I have some video that I will post later on, but here are the pictures for now! He was really excited when we were putting it together. He was saying, "My Bed" "Night, night" "My bed". It was cute. He "helped" Ryan put it together and just loved it. Well, that is until he actually had to sleep in it! At bed time he was a little apprehensive about the whole thing. I ended up sitting with him for a few minutes becasue he asked me to rub his back a little. He got up one time, but I quickly put him back in. He fell asleep fine and this morning it was the same routine. I hear, "Mamma!, Mamma!" The cute little buy wouldn't get out of his bed until I came and got him! I was so glad. I was worried that he would want to get out all the time. He did great at nap time today. He went right to sleep! So, it was almost a seemless transition. So far, any way!

Video

I was organizing my pictures on the computer today, and I came across this video from Thanksgiving. We were at my sisters house and well, you'll see what Gavin did!

Happy New Year!

Well, good bye 2006 and hello 2007! I love starting a new year! I love wiping that slate clean, opening up a fresh new calendar and penciling in important dates, anniversary's and birthdays to look forward to in the coming year! I bought a new planner today and oh the joy that filled my heart as I opened it up and looked at the first week of the year! I am a dork, I do realize this. No need to remind me, if that's what you are thinking of doing. I am a planner. I plan almost every hour of every day. I love having a schedule and sticking to it!
Last year Ryan started this new tradition of picking one word to work on as our New Years resolution. Last year the word was contentment. This year, our word is PATIENCE! Definitely something we both need while dealing with a two year old. It really struck me on Monday that I had a two year old. His birthday came and went so fast and then Christmas rolled right by after that and I never really had time to reflect on what happened. I was driving by myself on Monday and just thinking about things and I could not get over the fact that I HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD. That amazes me. I mean, this is who I am, the mother of a two year old! Anyway, patience is something that neither Ryan nor I received from previous generations. It does not come easy to us and we are going to have to work HARD at achieving it. So, keep us accountable.
My other resolution this year is to read at least one book every month. I read a quote today that said, If you read for 15 minutes every day you can read 25 books in a year! Surely I can read merely one a month! My book this month is Small changes for a Better Life, by E. George. I love reading her books and they always challenge me. So, if you have any must reads for me this year, let me know! And keep asking me how it is going!
What are some of your New Years resolutions?

Merry Christmas

This past week was a whirlwind! It went by so fast! Our Christmas started off on Thursday. Ryan suprised me by getting tickets to see White Christmas at the Fox! It was so fun and I loved it! Then on Friday night we hosted the Starbucks Christmas party. We had a good time and a lot to eat! On Saturday we decided that we had better start our Christmas shopping! We were a little behind with moving and the birthday party and all that. We didn't have too many things to get, so it wasn't too bad. Then on Sunday Ryan and his three brothers went to the Lions vs. Bears game downtown. They had club tickets and got to eat at one of the restaurants inside of Ford Field. That evening we celebrated Christmas with Ryan's enitre family. There is alwasy TONS of Food and TONS of presents. Ryan's mom loves to shop so we all get a big pile of gifts to open. We alwasy have fun with Ryan's family. Everyone seems to get pretty rowdy! We woke up on Christmas morning and Gavin was thrilled to have more gifts to open! I am not even sure he cares what is inside, just unwrapping them is enough fun! After opening Gavin's gifts we went to Starbucks for breakfast and our daily coffee fix! We hung out there for a little while and saw some of the regulars. Then we headed up North to spend the afternoon with my family. We spent most of the day there and got home around 5:00. We hung out for awhile and put some things away, but then we were all in bed by 9:00! We were so tired! I hope that you all had a very merry Christmas! Here are some of the pictures in random order.

Gavin and Grandma opening a present - The movie Cars

Ripping into a gift (notice Gavin's super cute outfit from his Grandma)

This is the back of the sweatshirt! I thougth it was so cute so I had to get a picture!

At my paretns house ( we look so tired!)

Gavin and his Grandpa - "Mack" is what G calls him

Opening gifts at our house Christmas morning.

Family portrait in front of my mom's tree!

Are you kidding me mom? not another picture!

Elmo - Mania

Gavin's Party was a hit. Elmo was everywhere! He had a good time and got lots of Elmo stuff. Here are some pictures of our big day!

The Cake!

We made cupcakes too with Red frosting, mini marshmellows for the eyes, an orange jelly bean for the nose and used black icing for the mouth! They were cute, but somehow I didn't get a picture of them!

Gavin loves to brush his teeth. Grandma Mack got him an electric Elmo toothbrush!

I made this giant ELmo so all the kids could get their pictures taken with him! It was fun to make and super cheap and easy!

The Roumayah's got Gavin this Elmo giggle chair. He LOVES it. He sits in to watch his Elmo videos! It's too cute!

Cake boy! I can't beleive he didn't throw up after all the junk he ate!

This was one the cake table! I did a photo shoot with Gavin and Elmo awhile back. If you look closely, you can see the cupcakes on the corner of the picture!

The party favors went over well. I got these plastic Elmo cups from Party America for 86 cents each. Then I made each kid a coloring book by printing pages off of the Sesame Street website. The cover of the coloring book is a picture of Gavin and a poem that read,

" Thank you for sharing in Gavin's big day,

You made is so special in your own little way.

I hope you had fun as Gavin turned 2!

And alwasy remember, "Elmo Loves You!"

Then I stuffed the cups with a small box of crayons, candy, a bracelet and nail polish for the girls and a bouncy ball and a plastic bug for the boys!

The party was fun and I am suprisingly not sick of Elmo! I had so much fun creating this party for Gavin. It is so fun giving your child something that they love, even if it is just one day full of Elmo! I have more pictures to come!

Gavin's Two Year Pictures

It was hard to get Gavin's pictures taken this time. He was not cooperative at all. Not too mention the lady taking the pictures had a flu bug, so she wasn't too helpful. But, we did get some really cute ones, but they had to have the foot ball in them. Nothing wrong with that though, it pictures Gavin perfectly. He always has either a ball or a truck in hand these days!

This one Gavin is wearing his "Mack Truck" hat that Grandma and Grandpa Mack bought him. Just a side note, Gavin actually calls my dad "Mack". It is so cute, I love it!

This one is my favorite picture. He looks like a natural quarterback, like he's about ready to launch the ball 50 yards or something.

Yet another picture with the football!

Okay, I am aware that this is the cheesiest picture EVER, but I love it. It is a classic school picture. I think it is so funny!

Just a quick note to let anyone who cares know that I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I have been w/o internet for two weeks now. I finally had it hooked up yesterday and hope to be on more often. Gavin turns 2 on thursday and has his big party on Saturday - pictures will follow shortly after, I hope.

House Pictures

THis is Gavin's play room before

And here it is now, well, it isn't finished yet. We are still waiting on paint, but that is all thats left.

Here are the before pictures of the kitchen again.

And here is the after!

Crazy Busy

We have been crazy busy here the last few weeks. We are getting everything packed up and moving day is drawing closer. I hope to move Thanksgiving weekend. After that, I hope to get some new pictures up of the almost finished product. THe house isn't quite done yet, but it is livable. We have one working bathroom and after Tuesday, we will have a working Kitchen! The carpet goes in tomorrow and the hardwood floors have already been redone and stained. All thats really left to do is just putting up some shelving in the closets and odds and ends like that! I am super excited!

Some more good news, we got a second car yesterday. Pastor Dan actually GAVE us his old car! We have really been praying about a second car so this we definately an amazing thing for us. Now i guess I have to go grocery shopping by myself. Everything has been a family affiar, even short trips to the store, for so long and almost dont want to go alnoe now! I have a feeling that Ryan will still come with us though!

Another exciting event. Well, it may not seem too exciting to most of you all, but I was PUMPED! I finally got something that has been on my wish list for a long time. The Brother P Touch 2600 label maker!


I have been organizing and labeling everything in sight! I detailed the inside of the van this weekend and then I cleaned out the glove compartment and labeled everything! Ryan was suprised. He was so funny, he said that he was suprised that I didnt label even the steering wheel. I am such a dork, but I just love to organize!

Gavin's leg is finally all healed up. He is running around as usual. You know when you get sick and then when you start to feel better you think, I will never take my health for granted again. I think that even at two years old (well, almost two) Gavin feels the same way. Its like he knows that it is a priviledge to be feeling better! Anyway, he is back to the same old tricks, jumping off the beds and couches and all that.

Okay, last thing. I am wondering what all you mom's with toddlers out there did when it was time to take your baby out of the crib and get them a bed. When is a good time? How old were they? Did you have any trouble doing it? Was the transition smoothe? I am not sure that I am ready to put Gavin in a bed yet. He is probably more than ready, but he gets up really early and I dont want him getting up and coming in my room! I guess I could put up a gate. I dont know, maybe i am just not ready to give up my baby! Yes, I am THAT mom. I will be bawling my eyes out when he goes to school, I will hate every girlfriend that he ever has, I will feel like I've died on his wedding day. I am THAT mom. I can't help it. I am having trouble letting go! Okay, snap me out of this, moms. What do I need to do?

No Cast

Well, we went to the orthopedic dr. yesterday morning. He took a look at Gavin and at Gavin's x rays and apparently found something that no one else could see. He found a small fracture in Gavin's knee. But he said that because babies heal so fast, Gavin has already started to heal, so he did not put a cast on his leg. Dr. Zeni said that if we would have come to him earlier in the week he would have put a cast on him. So I am so glad that we had to jump through hoops with our insurance and getting referrals and all that junk. It seemed like a pain at frist, but now I see the good that came out of it. It would have been aweful if Gavin was in a cast! Dr. Zeni also got Gavin to take a few steps. They were painful, but we are moving in the right direction. If Gavin continues to walk and show progress we just have to go back in two weeks for a final check up. If he seems to get worse or doesnt start walking more, we will have to go back sooner. On Thursday night I prayed that Gavin would be healed over night so that we wouldn't have to get a cast. Well, he woke up Friday morning happier than he has been in a week and he took several steps at the Dr.'s office! God is so good, ALL THE TIME! I know its easy to say that when good things happen, but God is good even when it seems that things are not going well. Thanks to those of you who said a prayer for us!

Gavin Update

Well, after two negative X rays, they can't find anything wrong with our little guy. He still can't muster up the strength to walk though. He just wont do it. He will stand up and try and take a step and sometimes he can take one, but then his leg starts shaking and he starts crying. It is a pretty sad sight. I did get him to take quite a few steps with my help today, but a few min. after that he was very irritable. Poor little guy. I know he would much rather be running around in the snow (thats right, I did say snow). Our dr. called today and seems to be pretty concerned that he still wont walk so we are scheduled to see an orthopedic specialist tomorrow at 9:30. I kind of hope that they just say, okay lady, you kid is just a big wimp and he is taking advantage of this injury. My biggest fear is that they will cast it. That would be horrible for us. But anyway, we will see. I am praying for some overnight healing tonight. I hope that gavin jumps up tomorrow and starts running and jumping again! We'll keep you posted.

The Damage

 

The Story

Gavin has recently learned how to jump. He jumps off the couch, trys to jump off of our bed and he even will just run and try and jump. He falls a lot, but never gets hurt. Well, yesterday was a different story. We were getting ready to go to church and Gavin was really hyper. He was running around our room and decided to run and try and jump. It didn't work out so well. Well, actually, he did get some air, for one of the first times, but his landing was lacking. He came down on one leg and something happened (we don't quite know what) and he fell down and started screaming like he was dying. So, Ryan scooped him up and said, "let's go". I was crying too and trying to remember to get everything I was supossed to get. We put G in the car and flip on the trusty dvd player and he was fine. He stopped crying and was just watching Nemo and talking to us. So, we figured, what a faker, lets just go to church. Well, every Sunday we go to Starbucks for lattes and Panera Bread for bagels. When we get to Starbucks Gavin usually runs around the terrorizes the place. Well, yesterday, he would not even let RYan put him down. HE just wanted him to hold him. When Ryan did try and put him down, it was not a pretty sight. Gavins leg started shaking and he couldnt put any weight on his leg. He didnt cry though . . . Then we went over to Panera Bread for our Asiago Cheese Bagels and Gavin did the same thing. We wouldnt even get down to TRY and walk. If you know Gavin, that is very out of character, he is always moving, never walking, alwasy running at full speed. So, we decided to take him in to urgent care just to be sure. We were there two hours and had x rays done. THey didn't find a break or fracture, but they sent his x rays to a specialist. The Specialist didnt see anything but he said that because of Gavin's age, he has so many growth plateletts in his leg that if one of them was fractured, it wouldnt show up on the x ray. So, we have to take Gavin to an orthopedic specialist to have him checked out there. He is doing suprisingly well. His leg is in a splint, so we can't move around very well, but he is figuring out how to get around a little bit. He slept okay, but we had to take off the splint so he could sleep. Everytime he rolled over or hit his leg somehow he would let out a little wimper. It was pretty sad. He is hanging tough though! We are so proud of our little guy! We let him eat popcorn and watch Monsters Inc. last night. He probably thought it was his birthday or something!
Please keep our little guy in your prayers as we make some appointments today!