ONE YEAR OLD!

February 11, 2014

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, GAVIN!

PSA: I did post this a day early so everyone would see it on his b-day, sorry if I confused you!

This day is more emotional for me than my 30th birthday. In looking at back at the indescribable amount of love that took over our hearts at 7:40 a.m. this morning last year, I can't help but smile thinking of the first moments of his life. I had that little soul snuggled up to my chest, skin on skin, for over a half hour before he ever left my arms. Then Daddy had his turn. That bond has just grown and grown. We are blessed with a healthy, thriving and charming personality that we get to nurture and raise.

Gavin, I hope one day you can understand the love we have for you by having children of your own. Until then, let's enjoy the journey. Love you so very much, Mom

At a year old, here is what Gavin is up to ...

His new favorite thing is to blow raspberries, a lot of times on mommy's tummy but anyone's arm, shoulder or leg will do. He even has done it to his own arm. He cracks up and it is hilarious!
He is a crawling monster. He got so efficient at it and so fast that he doesn't seem that interested in walking, which we are completely fine with! He certainly pulls up and climbs on everything and even lets go now, but he hasn't made the move toward steps yet.
He still eats just about everything. We haven't found much he doesn't like (hope he stays this way but know he may not), but he does get bored and doesn't want the same things over and over again.
We have cut nursing down to before bed, in the morning and one mid-morning. The mid-morning will probably go away soon then we have to figure out the other two. Those will be the hardest to let go of for him. After his second morning feeding he goes to his sippy cup for regular cow's milk and he seems to like it a lot, which is great.
We've been working on his sleeping habits and have seen some progress. He can sleep for a long stretch. He goes to bed around 7:15-7:30 and can make it until 6:30-7 but usually still wakes up once where we need to go in there. We say this, then he has a few rough nights from something (teeth, growth spurts, something else, who knows!). We are also wondering if he is trying to cut to one mid-day nap. We're just trying to go with it until he settles on something.
Signing back has started! He can do "more", "food", "milk", "all done". We are working on combos now like "more please".
He loves music and bounces along as we sing or play it on our phones or in the car. He of course loves everything he shouldn't have including cell phones, remote controls, cords, his monitor, etc. Now he starts to be upset when we take them away from him ... let the games begin!
For clothing he still wears 9 months and 12 months fit but are a bit baggy. We think he is finally around 20 lb. He seems small, but he has tripled his birth weight by one year so we think he is right on track. Plus we know he is taller. He can reach the doorknob now with his hand when he stands up.
He is so fun with mimicking our actions. He likes high five, bumps, blowing kisses, waving bye and of course smiling and laughing with us.

Tonight we will be having dinner, cake and presents with our small group (will post those pics!).

Tomorrow is Gavin's one-year appointment, so we'll get all his official measurements.

Uncle Matty has to leave tomorrow (boo), then Daddy has a work trip for a week leaving on Saturday, but we are looking forward to another week and a half with G&G, then onto March!

The b-day photo shoot out-takes ...