Gavin (Month 5)

Dear Sweet Gav-man,

I blink and another month goes by.  You continue to be a happy and pretty easy going little guy... as long as you're busy and not hungry!  You definitely like being out and about and I wear you a lot so that you don't miss what's happening around you!  If you're not smiling, you look very serious. I think you get that from daddy. And, in your seriousness, you are quite observant - - always watching what's going on around you, taking everything in. You continue to change constantly and grow like a weed!

Your fifth month was full of firsts...

On June 18th, you played in your new exersaucer/bouncer and had a blast.
 

You now spend time in there several times a day.  And, several times a day I am wiping the entire thing down from the tremendous amount of drool that endlessly drips from your sweet (wet!) mouth. 

On June 19th (mommy and daddy's 13th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of when we found out I was pregnant with you), you found your feet for the first time. 

Sadly, on that same evening, you got your first fever. It was a doozy... enough so that I called the doctor in a slight panic like a brand new mommy. We have no idea what caused the fever, but it was gone the next day with no other symptoms.  As for your feet, well, they are often found in your mouth... even when you're nursing, you're holding onto a foot!  And, often, have to wrestle your toes from your mouth so that I can change your diaper!

See?!  These are from your monthly "green-chair" photo session... you couldn't keep your tootsies out of your mouth!

On June 26th, you spent the day hanging with Gracie, Daddy and Mommy at the hospital while your sissy had a few procedures.  She, as usual, was quite the trooper and you proved to be a patient brother.  Later that day, you had your very first wagon ride while Gracie recovered inside.  You loved it.  You LOVE being outside.

I love all these moments I capture between you and your big brother.  You spend a ton of time with Gracie, too, but often I am keeping your quick, constantly-kicking feet from nailing her in the face, or your equally quick, constantly-grabbing hands from getting a handful of her hair, or keeping her from loving you so well (she squeezes too hard!) that I rarely have the chance actually grab the camera and capture them!

You also met your Papa for the first time (since he couldn't come out with Nana when you were born).
Just like Gracie and Preston, you are smitten.

You had another quick visit with your Grampa John.

You, Gracie and Preston indulged me with a mini photo shoot in front of our old house.
I love this picture of the three of you.

You had your first go at kicking a soccer ball!
Since your feet never stop moving, you're a natural and actually kicked the ball right on cue!

You also sat in a swing at the park for the first time, stuck your feet in the spa at our hotel and (this was the big one) we moved! You handled the chaos of our last few weeks in the old house well and weathered the journey to our new home beautifully - - but for the last 75 miles when you cried non-stop until we pulled in front of the house.   Thankfully, you don't detest the car as much as you did after our road-trip in May!

You are, "Boo-dee," a shining light in the midst of our chaos and the stress of the move. You happily greet me with a giddy smile and kicking feet in the mornings and remind me to start my own day with a smile. In fact, you do that for each of us, and we are all very grateful and very much in love with our littlest Swann!

All my love,

Mama
(Mahhhhh-muh)

The Graduate

June 23rd was all about this guy...
(and all of his sweet preschool friends, of course!)

(For the record... I couldn't scan our copy of this pic because it's already packed for the move as is the scanner!
I will post a proper, non-watermarked copy later!)

My three men hanging before the festivities began

It was a BIG night... quite a production! There were performances by each class, a bible study performance and a performance both signed and sung (to "Colors of the Rainbow" from Signing Time... very familiar in this house!). The kids were all adorable!  Preston, who definitely does not have stage fright, had so much fun during each performance!

Waiting for all his friends to get on stage and the music to get queued up.

Getting ready to sign and sing "Colors of the Rainbow"

The only bummer was that I wasn't properly prepared (a total "blonde" moment!) to video during the first song and missed getting that footage which would have included him singing, playing a drum and, like the little leader he often is, kindly reminding his friend to pick up his drum!  Here is the performance I managed to capture...

Then there was dinner, a full graduation ceremony and dancing! (See... I said it was a BIG night!) During the ceremony, Preston's teacher said something about each student as they walked up to the stage. Her words (paraphrased) about Preston, "You sure know how to have a good time, but also know when it's time to get serious... that's rare in a little boy." In the copy of Curious You - On Your Way that each graduate received, she wrote, "Preston, You are such a fun loving, free spirit.  I love that about you!  I'm really going to miss you.  I know you will do great in kinder!"  All such nice things from his teacher of the last 12 months.

Our happy and proud boy!

Preston with his buddy, Butch

Preston... surrounded by girls... uh-oh!  (l-r: Clara, Preston, Lola and Natalie)
(Snagged from fb... it was hard to get the kids together for pics after the ceremony because they were all so excited to start dancing and playing with the balloons!)

With his best buddy, Jonah

We were lucky to capture this quick family shot because all Preston wanted to do was go be with his friends!
(Gracie did not attend and was much happier playing at the park and at home with Pearl!)

Having a good time "dancing" i.e. running around and playing with balloons!

We are so grateful to the directors, teachers and support staff for the guidance, love, education and nurturing they provided our boy every week for the two and a half years.  He has blossomed on every level... I will miss our preschool family, his friends and the friends I've made through him.  Preston is (granted, I am biased) a well-adjusted, confident, intelligent, charismatic and sweet boy who is definitely ready for kindergarten.   Me... well, I am not so ready!

Family Resemblance (part 1) ~ Brothers

Inspired by the obvious resemblance between my boys, but even more so by my mom's statement to me when Gavin was first born and we were talking about who he resembled.
"I think babies change in their look day to day for a while so that we remember how many people from all different sides of the family are involved in the existence of that baby."  I think she is right.  And, I am fascinated by how many people I see in the Gav-man. 

For now, I will start with the obvious...
They definitely look like brothers, though there are differences, of course - - the most evident being that Gavin has a lot more hair than Preston did!

My boys... each around five days old
(They are held at different angles, so Gavin's mouth is being pulled down more by the weight of his little cheeks!)

Preston and Gracie on the left in May 2007
Gracie and Gavin on the right in February 2012

On the top... Preston
On the bottom... Gavin

P on the left; G on the right
(Both are roughly 3.5 months)
They don't look that much alike here (at least not to me), but I thought this was fun since they are in the same outfit and sitting in the same chair!

This is a good comparison for how they look different (aside from the hair and Preston's eczema!).
Gavin's face isn't as round.  Preston's eyes aren't as round.
Definitely look like brothers, regardless! 

As Gavin's getting older, he is taking on his own look - - as he should, he is his own person. But there is no mistaking that he is Preston's brother... or John's son, or mine, or my grandfather's great-grandson... you get the idea! Stay tuned. I think this will be fun!

Gavin (Month 4)

Oh sweet BIG boy!
You looked right at me and leaned forward as if to say, "Hey, Mama... I don't think I want to sit still for pictures!"

Thanks for indulging me, sweet little man.  That's more like it! 

You look so HUGE to me now.  Sigh.

Dear Sweet Gav-man,
You are four months old.  What?!

You are a happy little guy (though you're still not lovin' the car much). 

You continue to be easy going (though daddy might beg to differ, but that's only when you're hungry and he can't provide you what you want). 

You have become a bottle snob.  You won't even take breast milk from a bottle now.  We must work on this as it is unacceptable!  (That being said, I love that you and I have accomplished this great thing by being successful at breastfeeding.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.)

Your faux-hawk has gotten really long, yet the sides of your hair have fallen out and the new hair is very blonde.   If you were a middle-aged man, you'd be considered a guy with a comb-over, but on you, well, it's just too cute!

Little bits of your 4-month-ness that I want to remember forever

You love to play and you giggle a lot.  One of your favorite things with me is to fly... you fly through the house and you love to lay on my knees while I make airplane noises and you "soar" around.  (This was also a favorite of Preston's well past the age of two.  Just wait, Gavin, the rides get crazier the bigger you get.  I am sure you'll love it!

You love bouncing, you kick your legs like crazy when you watch your dog run and play outside.

You easily grab at toys and put them in your mouth.
Everything goes in your mouth and lots of drool comes out.  Lots.

You love being "worn" in the Baby Bjorn or the Moby Wrap... facing out, of course, so you don't miss anything.  You thoroughly enjoy dancing when you're in there. I repeatedly say "dance with me" and we groove.  You crack up.  And, if you dance with Preston you really love it!  The other night the whole family danced with you and you couldn't stop giggling.

You continue to be a great night sleeper and take one solid nap during the day.  The only way to get a good second nap out of you is if you get in the car and scream yourself to sleep!  Otherwise, I might get 45 minutes from you in the afternoon (and that's adding up cat naps).  It's okay, though, I am super grateful for your solid nights!

This was taken last night just after you fell asleep. 
I adore that you are cuddling the giraffe.  It was Preston's first Valentine gift from Nana and he is happy to share it with you - - and quick to remind you that it was his first!
I take it away once you are asleep for safety.  Tonight, you drifted off while clutching him again.  So sweet.

You are a total flirt and will smile at anyone who smiles at you or engages you in conversation.

You have started squealing with delight and you get super mad (and vocal) when you can't reach a toy or if you drop it.  You already seem to understand the concept of "object permanence" for when you're in the Bumbo and you drop a toy, you lean over and look for it.

Prime examples of the faces that you make when you are less than thrilled.
Even though I don't like it when you're sad, I love these faces!

You turn toward our voices when we say your name.  You look around when Daddy holds you and asks, "Where's mama?"  And you absolutely, positively, adore your sister and brother.

Gracie wanted in on the action when we were taking your pictures.  She scooted over, eyed your toy, stole it, then decided she was far more interested in playing with your toes. 
I love the mildly bewildered expression on your face when she grabbed your toy.  The whole interaction reminded me so much of what she used to do with Preston.  She loves your feet just as much as she loved his!  And, she chuckles at you the same way she did with him.  You have no idea how happy this makes me.

You love when we read together.  You listen intently and look at the pictures with such focus. 

This was taken a couple of weeks ago (coincidentally wearing the same shirt as in your 4 month pics!) while Preston read one of your crinkly books to you.  I adore everything about how you look... your little hands clasped and your sweet face concentrating so hard.

You even loved story time when I was pregnant.  I'd read to Preston and Gracie and you'd get really active.  I assume you liked the cadence of me reading.  (Especially when compared to me sternly and repeatedly telling Preston to brush his teeth!  Ha!)

The other night you sat still for an entire reading of "Horton Hatches the Egg."  That's a long book.  Pretty cool, Gav, I hope this continues forever.

You were popular on facebook with your lesson on "How to smile with your whole entire face!"
I just love this of you... you were looking at Preston doing something goofy. 

You grew a birthmark.
See it?  It's really light in this picture, but this is the first one I took after I noticed it was not, in fact, something that needed to be washed off!  It's in the middle of your forehead, a bit darker now... and so cute.  :)

You got much better at tummy time...

And are now so close to pushing up onto your elbows.

You don't yet roll over completely on your own on a regular basis, but are so close. 

The "fluke" rollovers from 2 3/4 months were just that... flukes.

You still manage to scoot when rolling side to side (and when you kick your legs real hard) as, the other day, I put you in the middle of your activity mat and within 15 minutes, you were complete off of it!

This footage was taken on May 30th, just a few days after you started blowing raspberries.  This was the first "reciprocal raspberry conversation" you ever had.  Daddy and I were floored that you were trying to copy him.  (The sound is low, so you have to listen carefully!)  Now, just two weeks later, you're even better at it!

You are deliciously sweet and snuggly. I love watching you grow and change (though not how fast it's happening) and adore seeing you light up when you see your sister, brother and daddy. And, every time you look at me and grin just because, I truly melt. I could stare into your soulful blue eyes all day, sweet baby boy.

I love you so much,
Mommy

** At your 4 month check-up, you weighed in at 14 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 25 1/4 inches. **

Second Date

On Friday afternoon, Gavin had his second date with Miss Chloe.  I took a lot of pictures.  A lot.
And, since I can't (well, I could, but I shouldn't) post all of them here, I had to try to narrow down the adorableness and just include the highlights.  It was a painstaking process!  They are too cute together!

It's amazing how much they've both grown since they last saw each other four weeks ago. (Chloe is six weeks younger than Gavin.)

"Hmmm... you've changed a lot since our first date!"

LOVE Chloe's flirty grin, here!

Checking each other out... so sweet.

Be still my heart.  They are so cute looking at each other!

So... let this be evidence as to who made the first move!

Gavin had a wardrobe change so he could show off the Police Captain onesie that Tannyka (and William & Chloe) got for him before he was born!

LOVE!

A shoulder to lean on from the very beginning...

They are so sweet!

Lovin' those baby feet and matching leg-lifts!

Chloe just makes me smile here.

Gavin's face just says, "Helllooo..? She's crying... is anyone planning on doing something about that?"

Can't wait until their third date!

Lash Out

Our kiddos have been blessed with some pretty incredible eye lashes.
Don't be jealous...  I am jealous enough for all of us!  LOL!

Tummy Time

In just five days, someone went from despising tummy time and fussing up a storm to this...

If only my workouts yielded such great results so quickly! 

Highlights

This is a very loose attempt at resurrecting the "Foto Friday" segment of previous years. I don't know if it will stick... I can barely get to the blog lately! At any rate, here are just a few fun photo highlights from the last few days:

Brotherly Love!

There's a story here... isn't there always?!

The top row... my attempt to get pics of both boys in their matching t-shirts.  Gavin went from perfectly happy to perfectly starving in a flash.  Preston tried everything to make him stop crying, but there was only one thing that was going to make Gavin happy again and that was a meal!

The bottom row... after nursing.  The happy, sweet Gav-man returned and gladly hammed it up for the camera.  Unfortunately, Preston was off to play and I never got the intended pic of them together!

Leave it to Miss Gracie to find her own special use of the Boppy Pillow!

This was taken about 10:30 the other night... and the funny thing is, I was looking all over for that pillow because I only usually use it in my room.   I came over to her, kissed on her, talked to her and went back to searching for it.  (Kind of like looking for your sunglasses when they are on your head!)  I kept thinking, "I know I just saw it..."

Peeking in on Gavin about 1am Thursday morning...
I love when my babies sleep like this - - they are sacked-out, feeling safe and are oh-so-comfy!