Santa Baby!!!

On a rainy, windy, no-one-should-drag-their-kids-out night, we took ours to see Santa Claus! In spite of (and because of) the ugly weather, it was perfect timing to see the jolly man in red. There was a five minute wait. And, behind Santa's Village in the rotunda at Blackhawk Plaza, it "snows" (bubbles... so fun) and Frosty the Snowman walks around (although he was MIA that night, much to Preston's dismay). The fire was roaring in the outdoor fireplace and the ducks were happily swimming about the ponds even with the intermittent downpours. Luckily, Gracie was perfectly content with the entire outing until we walked into Starbucks for a hot drink, so we got our treats to go, grabbed dinner to go and, in true Swann fashion, had a car picnic to keep Gracie content. In all, a good (and very typical) family outing!

Everything about this makes me smile!
I am so glad we got this shot... the young woman working the camera was trying to get Gavin in between the hysterics... I just wanted the real shot!  He was not happy about Santa. At all! 
However, once it was over, he just waved and waved at him and all the decorations in the rotunda where Santa's village was.

Same shot... in color.  (I love it so much, I can't decide which edit I prefer!)

Gracie... "Um, does anyone see that Gavin looks like he is about to scream a scream that I might be able to hear?!"
Gavin... "Um... you have 1/2 a second and I am screaming!"
Preston... "I got this!"  (And cheesy smile!)

Gavin... "Your 1/2 second is up!"
(See top photo... screaming begins again!)

This is a zoomed screen shot from a video John took on his phone.  Gavin and Santa exchanged a split second of content gazes and then the tears started again!

Mama with her little Santa
(Thanks, Nana... cutest Santa outfit EVER!)

Little man checking out the ducks and decorations

Gavin wasn't any more thrilled sitting with Preston than he was with Santa!

Little Swanns by the fire

Fa La La La La

Deck the halls with boughs of holly...

Fa la la la la, la la la la

'Tis the season to be jolly...

Fa la la la la... la la la laaaaaaaa!!!

(And... the big kids finally got out! Fa la la la la, la la la la!!!)

 

We've decked our halls!  We (and by "we" I mean, John!) managed to get the outside lights up during Thanksgiving weekend.  It isn't as elaborate as we used to do in Roseville (picture a tasteful Griswold scenario!), and even less than down South (as Preston pointed out), but there are lights up and the kids are happy!

We (and by "we" I mean, I) got the inside decorated by the 3rd of December... with all things above Gavin's stretching capabilities. (Though he has grown enough to stand on tippy-toes and reach for things that he couldn't just a few weeks ago!)

I couldn't hang the stockings from the mantle as they were in perfect reach for Gav-man!
(And, notice that his stocking is still missing his name... oops!)

We (and, this time, I actually mean "we!") got the tree up and decorated by December 4th.  Gavin's first Christmas tree... and it's on the kitchen table where we can all see it and appreciate it... and NOT touch it!  Not too shabby considering a nasty stomach bug was running rampant through our house for a few weeks straight!  Miss Gracie is bummed that another little brother is coming between her and her beloved Christmas tree. Her favorite thing this time of year is to lay under the tree and stare at the lights (and take off and re-hang ornaments). She has been content to lay on the table and hang out a bit each evening, but I know she will be glad when the big tree is back!

I adore that Preston is telling and signing the light colors to Gavin.  Sweet.

Our littlest Swann taking in his very first Christmas tree.

There have been parties and school activities and all kinds of Christmas fun to enjoy. For the first time in five years of Christmas parties, I was able to attend John's with him!  A huge thanks to Nana and Papa for watching all three kiddos (and driving two plus hours each way) on a Friday night!

 

Our first date-night in a year and only the third since October 2008!!!

All of the cousins on the "Swann" side together for the first time in years!

My reindeer saying "Ho Ho Ho!"
Ice skating with Daddy
Making "Snowman Soup" for all of the kids in his class
Enjoying a craft and fun-filled party at a classmate's home

Miss Gracie... chilling as she does each evening by the light of the tree!

Gavin... obsessed with the Nutcracker (regardless of his attire!)

Another "virtual" photo shoot with Chloe and Gavin...
Caption ideas from various family members...
"Hello, Deer!"
"Neither of them looks very 'fawned' of their antlers"
"Oh, Deer"
 

Next stop... visiting Santa Claus!!!

Gavin (Month 10)

Oooh... just want to smooch you!  You make me smile!

I had to use "Signing Time" to get you still enough for a few green-chair pictures!
(It's December, so the Santa pants were appropriate!  These have now been worn by Gracie, Preston and you!)

THIS... standing, cruising, moving all about the house... is what you do rather than sit in the green chair!
You're cruising and transitioning like a pro now.  Fewer bonks and bruises, which makes me more sane.  You haven't gotten very bold about standing on your own yet... just a split second at a time... thanks for slowing down that part of your speedy development! 

Oh, Gav-man, so much is going on with you!

You sign "all done" and have a sign approximation for "more."  By 9 1/2 months, both had been used unprompted - - "all done" on three separate occasions when you did not want anything else to eat.  So cool.  Now you sign it every time you eat! Your wave got super defined during the last month and is now completely outward rather than a wave toward yourself. (You wave to everyone!)  You've also started noticing when Girlie (Gracie's nurse) puts on her shoes that it's time to say "bye."  Similarly, I have caught you listening to conversations about leaving and you start waving "bye."  I love all of this emerging communication.

You also sign "dog," say "mama" and come searching for me chanting it over and over!  It's so cute! You say "Bubba" for Preston and "da" for dog.  You have a (darn close) sign approximation for "ball" and say "ba" for ball. You also seem to be attempting to say "hi!"  You are quite the mimicker of sounds, whether words or the crazy sound effects from your brother and daddy!

You love: hi-fiving, waving hello and goodbye, playing peek-a-boo in your car seat or stroller by putting your blanket up and pulling it down really fast or going behind a door and then peeking around it while pulling it open. You give kisses by smacking your lips together. "Go give sissy a kiss... and you crawl toward her "smack, smack, smacking" your lips.



This is how you use a binkie!  Unlike your brother (who couldn't go anywhere without at least two binkies), you are pretty indifferent.  When you're teething, you enjoy biting one, but don't really hang out with one in your mouth. 
You love going in and out of Preston's room... and playing peek-a-boo at his door!

This month we started Sleep Training... I really dislike that term. Anyway, regardless what you call it, we (you and I) started the month by working on getting you to go down on your own rather than me nursing you and holding you. I am not sure who it was harder on... you or me. And I am not certain who misses the old way more. It's likely me on both counts. You're my baby and I love snuggling with you. I love that you need me and want to be held by me. (Selfishly, and now, not-so-secretly, I also love that time because I have a legitimate reason to actually sit down for a bit!) You did great with it... once you got over your stomach flu. We had to start over when you were feeling better. By the third day, you had our routine down pat and wake up once to quickly nurse and go right back down. We should have done it a long time ago... but I am selfishly (there's that word again!) glad we didn't!

Brotherly Love
Preston loves being your big brother as much as you love being his baby brother!

You get so excited in the morning to see Preston.  You squeal and chat with delight when he comes into your room and plays with you while you're still in your crib.  When you're out, you love going into Gracie's room, waving to her as you stand at her bedside, while I tend to her and unhook her feeding pump.  You lay your head down by hers and pat at her.  SO SWEET.  Melts me every time.  You continue to love pulling all the books off of her bottom shelf.  I think I re-shelve those at least five times a day!  (Girlie does, too!)   

You have the most infectious smile and giggle.  Seriously.  In the evenings, you laugh uncontrollably while we wear you out before our bedtime routine.  It's so fun.



This is you at 9 months and 1 day... hamming it up on your new toy and sporting your CHP onesie.

Hanging with Elmo on your 10-month birthday

Mama's laundry helper... all retro in your Santa pants!

For a little guy, you play independently so well.  It's amazing to me how different you and Preston are in that way.  You will go from toy to toy... down the hall, to your room, back to the hall, down to the playroom and play all while I stand at the linen cabinet counter in the hall folding laundry.  It amazes me how long you will entertain yourself with only a brief "check-in" to see me for some kisses and a hug before you're off again.  Granted, if you're hungry or slightly tired, it's a whole different scene!

You LOVE the Christmas decorations and wave at all of them! Your favorite is the Nutcracker. You crawl over to the table and talk to him, wave at him and seem to wait for him to answer.  You wave at all of them, actually... but the Nutcracker is, by far, your favorite!

You have cut two more teeth... six now.
You had your first bout with the stomach flu and you didn't mess around. It was BAD. Poor baby.  The worst of it was three days, but a total of a week.  You lost 15 ounces by day four and narrowly escaped a hospitalization. :-(  You also had a bilateral ear infection.
  

Sad, so sick baby boy.

You love big boy food and pretty much turn your nose up at anything resembling a puree unless it's yogurt!
You love cottage cheese (have for some time), yogurt (especially Greek... you also love the kid yogurts), avocado, cooked carrots, bananas, baked squash, garbanzo beans, pasta with sauce of all kinds (even slightly spicy!)... the list is long.

The leaps and bounds by which you are growing and changing makes me want to freeze time (I say that a lot) so I can savor these last two months of you being under one.
I love you Boo-Dee!

Thankful... that November is over

Well, it’s November 30^th and my intention to post about my thankfulness each day clearly did not go further than intent.  Complete failure to execute… at least in writing.

Actually, if I am being honest, I am very thankful that November is over.  I have looked forward to its end since darn close to the beginning of the month.  The first was a good day, but after that, there was a downward spiral and I struggled a lot to feel thankful this month.   It shouldn’t ever be hard to find things to be thankful for IF one chooses to have that perspective.  Generally, I am one to find good in every day and take a moment to feel thankful, even if only for a moment.  But, in November, I found a lot to gripe about. A lot.  (Just ask my mom… she heard most of it!) 

I was thankful, don’t get me wrong.  I am always thankful for the obvious “big ticket” things that are most important in life.  And there were fleeting moments throughout a handful of days where I felt thankful and was very conscious of my gratefulness.  On the 1^st of November, Gracie had her best day of school so far (she later trumped that “best day” near the end of the month).  On the 5^th, she pottied on the toilet for the first time ever… and it was at school.  Let me say that again... it totally bears repeating... Gracie pottied on the potty for the first time. EVER!  She has now gone a handful more times.  We've been sitting her on the toilet for years.  She loves sitting there and knows how to use the toilet paper and will even help flush.  But she'd never gone at home.  This milestone is HUGE in the world of Gracie!  But, after that day, she missed an entire week due to her nurse being ill and three additional days in the month due to her own health.  That was a bummer.   

Gavin is growing and changing at the speed of light and doing so many entirely adorable things that I can’t help but smile when I think about them.  Like his dancing - - I am so thankful that baby boy will dance the second music starts… even if it’s just one of us dropping a beat for him.  He starts grooving and I smile.  That's easy to be thankful for. 

I was super thankful for plans in the middle of the month with my sisters in CHARGE.  But then, Preston had a nasty stomach flu that caused him to miss the last day of school before Thanksgiving, and thus, miss his Thanksgiving feast.  He was so bummed.  I was bummed for him.  I was also bummed that he threw up for three days and was out of sorts for five.  And, I was less than thankful for the three times I washed every piece of linen in his bedroom… including pillows, which, incidentally, take so long to dry I could have done four more loads during that time.  Anyway, poor little dude felt 100% better by Thanksgiving.  But, by then, the wonderful weekend plans we had were blown to smithereens and, I am not going to lie, I was so disappointed (and exhausted) that I cried about it.

I was very thankful to that my mom and Jim came down on Thanksgiving and spent the day with us.  My mom cooked and John got home from work in time to enjoy dinner with us.  Then the following day, Gavin and John got sick - - the same nasty bug Preston had.  Gavin got it worse… way worse.  He narrowly missed a hospitalization this past Monday due to four days of awful stomach stuff that left him bordering on dehydration and down almost a pound.  He just got his appetite back today… I was thankful for that.  But he also still has a very upset tummy and a bilateral ear infection.

With all the “ick” I am exhausted.  And, even though I don't get much sleep, I haven't been able to get myself to sit down in the middle of the night and deal with the pile of paperwork that sits on my desk.  I am sure there are things in that pile that should be done already.  It nags at me every time I pass by.  Even more nagging,  I am behind on the blog (which is self-inflicted pressure, not anyone else’s… but it’s how I keep pictures and life stuff sorted.  It is the only “scrapbooking” I do for our family and I can guarantee if I don’t keep up with it, I will never go back and do it “someday when I have time”) and I haven’t even written Gavin’s “9 month” post.  I did manage to take his pics  on the 16th in between Preston being sick and I jotted down some things about his ninth month, but, once again, complete failure to execute.  I will have to backdate the post and hope I get it done before he is ten months.

The list of stuff that I griped about this month is long...  the status of our garage was near the top of that list.  It’s small and very full.  (We are bordering on needing an intervention from the show “Hoarders” quite frankly!)  I am trying to get into the Christmas spirit and motivated to decorate (for the kids… because otherwise I’d boycott this year!  I still don’t feel settled from our move.) I have been whining about feeling overwhelmed about decorating for Christmas when I still haven’t finished hanging pictures and Gavin’s room is still just a thrown together mess.  You get the drift.  I complained and whined about a lot of things.  My house looks like it was ransacked five seconds after I get it straightened back up.  I clean the kitchen and, no joke, two minutes later there is stuff all over every counter top.  I am not sure how it happens.  But, it always does and I managed to gripe about it this month. A lot. 

Then a friend posted this on facebook. 

It was then that I remembered that I am always able (or should be able) to find little things here and there for which I am thankful, even on the rough days.  The kids could have been worse.  At least I am fortunate enough to have a washer and dryer to accommodate Preston’s bedding and wash it at home instead of dragging it all to the laundromat.  I am thankful to have a garage full of crap to complain about in the first place.  It’s all perspective and how we choose to spin it.  Sometimes, I just need to be reminded. 

Still... I am thankful that it will be December in less than an hour! 

Gavin (Month 9)

This is all we got actually in the green chair!
You are a man on the move!



You are BUSY!

Dear Sweet Gav-Man,
You are an ever-changing and growing bundle of fun.  You are such a happy little guy and continue to be so observant of (and often serious about) the world around you.  You love books, dancing and playing with your big brother.  You are obsessed with the toys in the playroom that are out of your reach (for a reason) as well as your sister's equipment and accessories.  Aside from books, everything that's off limits is pretty much the only thing you want!

Though you love all books, "B is for Bear" and Gracie's "Dora Gets Dressed" are your current favorites.
You also love the "100 First Words" book that was Preston's, but it is literally falling apart at the spine!  Time for a new copy!

Within eight minutes of starting your monthly photo shoot, you played with toys and books in the family room and then made your way into Gracie's room where you pulled her books off the shelf.

You are 18 pounds, 13 ounces and are 28 7/8 inches tall.  You climb EVERYTHING and are starting to cruise all around the house.  You cruise furniture, walls, people to objects, etc. 

You're not yet super stable in your transitions, but that instability won't last much longer.  I think you're going to be an early walker.  I would like to know who told you this is a race!  You can slow down a bit!

Looking cool and retro!

This month you...

- Cut your upper two front teeth. At the same time.  It was not pleasant - - for either of us.  I am not exactly sure why you need to be such an over-achiever and do two teeth at once for the second time.  It's just not necessary, Boo-Dee. 

- Officially stopped sleeping through the night.  The entire month there wasn't one night where you didn't wake up.  Surely this has to do with those teeth. I hope.  Perhaps it's because I was so happy to share the fact that you've been a brilliant night sleeper since the get-go.  Maybe I jinxed us!  I really hope it's your teeth.  The wake-ups started at the end of last month and I thought maybe it was because of all of your gross motor developments... maybe it's that and your teeth.  Whatever the cause, it's been brutal.  Between you and your sister's night parties, Mommy walks around like a bigger zombie than usual!

- We took a family drive on a crisp and cool Sunday.  During our stop at a park in Danville, you giggled endlessly as you swung next to your sister.  Though this wasn't the first time you two have swung together, it's the first time you've been aware that she was next to you and the first time you really enjoyed yourself!  Daddy and I couldn't stop smiling at how much you smiled, laughed and kicked your legs. 

The video of this is the cutest!  You were too funny and having a blast!
Daddy was nice enough to take our picture - - you were unimpressed with that idea, especially when compared to the swinging fun you'd just had!  You and I have only a handful of pictures together since the day you were born.  We really, really need to work on that.

- Celebrated your first Halloween and were too cute for words! 

Nana snapped this of you in your "tie" onesie sitting on our giant pumpkin

You also had another "virtual date" via picture collage with Miss Chloe!
Koalas and Elephants might not be compatible, but Gav-oalas and Chlo-ephants sure are!

- Got a new toy and would not stop staring up at the box until we opened it. Too funny! Patience is not yet your strong suit!

- And you became the third little Swann to use Gracie's Rifton desk! Let's just be honest about this desk... with Gracie it was (and sometimes still is) a way to get her up, stable and supported. We generally do pedicures in this seat (without the tray so she can see), but other than that, she doesn't use it much anymore because she is technically too big for it. For you and your brother, well, it is/was a great way to keep you safe and occupied for a few minutes while I get a couple of chores done or, say, run to the bathroom knowing that you can't get into mischief in the two minutes I need to be gone!

One of our many silly songs that I made up on the fly and now it's a keeper...

Busy, busy, busy boy
You bring mommy so much joy
You're my Boo, my Gavin-Man
I'm so in love, yes I am!

xoxo
Mommy

The Flock's Halloween "Endeavours" (and thankful #1)

Happy Halloween from the Flock!
Gracie... Commander of the Endeavour's Halloween Mission
Preston... Batman
Gavin... Koala

Gavin the Koala
(a hand-me-down from his big brother)

Gracie testing out her shuttle in her classroom

I made her a "uniform" by ironing on actual NASA logos and patches.
She was not so thrilled at this point. We disrupted her routine at school and threw her off completely. In hindsight, a really bad move, but also a good teaching moment for her about coping with unexpected situations in the midst of her day.  Unfortunately (this mama bear was not pleased), the county special education classrooms were left out of this year's Halloween parade on Gracie's (which is also Preston's) campus.  It was an oversight... a very unfortunate oversight.  The problem for me is that no one would "forget to include" the kids in general ed.  It was not done with mal-intent, however, the lack of consideration and "forgetting to include" is unacceptable and, rest assured, will not happen again with this mama on watch!

Batman at his school parade (no masks allowed) and ready to trick-or-treat in the evening... all with his buddy, Peyton, who was Spiderman by day and Ironman at night.
 

Our super cute Koala
I could not get enough of him in this costume!

Outtakes courtesy of our Koala who just couldn't sit still!

This cracks us up because Gavin and the pumpkin creature behind him are sitting almost identically!

There is already some serious adoration between these two.
She is going to have two fierce protectors on her side.  Gavin is clearly (just look at his eyes) taking after his big brother when it comes to having a ton of love for his sissy.

I just love this... it makes me laugh.
Preston is hilarious.
Gracie is thinking, "Oh brother... always such a scene stealer!"
And Gavin is looking on wondering what the heck all the hoopla is about!

Endeavour's Halloween Mission Commander enjoying her flight as the breeze kicked up and made the ghosts in our tree fly above her.

~          ~          ~          ~          ~          ~          ~          ~          ~          ~

I decided last year, after being inspired by my dear friend, Hannah's blogging, that I would do a month's worth of "thankful" posts this November. Today's is simple... I am thankful that Gracie had her best day at school yet... really thankful.