Little Underwood, Big Harte

Gavin survived a work trip for me and Stefan at the same time. Only because of our amazing friend, Libby! Seriously, everyone should have a friend like her in their life. Thank you so much Libby for watching Gavin for two days/nights, while we both were gone, and using your float days off to be with him. So glad he was good for you and you both had fun. Enjoy some pics she shared of G while I was gone. My trip was for two nights in New Orleans and it was not only a great networking event but fun to see so many colleagues in person! (A big deal when you work remotely). I also got to spend lots of time catching up with a dear friend from Indy and my LLS office days. Mal and Elissa in NOLA at dinner on the last night overlooking Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Patti (from IN office, we had some connections by hadn't met yet), Cathy, me and Elissa Stefan is heading home now to arrive late tonight before our big Canada trip! We are so excited to see some fam...

Gavin is 2 1/2, and I wanted to document what his little world is like right now because it is mostly so stinkin' awesome! (You know, most of the time.) He is mostly fun to be around as he narrates everything he sees and thinks. His vocabulary is well developed so far and he speaks in full sentences. His conversations are sometimes quite impressive and his memory shocking! We love his nicknames for us:  Mommy, Mama and Mommy Bubby / Daddy, Dada and Daddy Stefan. I in return like to call him tons of little pet names but the most common being:  Bubby, Gav, Buddy. He will ask you to "Talk to me about ... X" and it is usually trucks, tractors, bulldozers or race cars. All boy here! Singing about these topics is often requested too. He is also into singing himself (loud and proud with his own words or babble) while "playing the drums" or the guitar. Hilarious!  The funniest words he says are Bob, Bamboo, Blue, together and library. Most of the time he is fun but...

Gavin and I made do just us two this weekend. We ventured to the beach, a couple stores and got some things done. Gavin picked out this fabric below, the tractor is his fav, and we made these new pillow cases for his toddler pillow. We also got him new jammies (trucks of course). I  also includes some pics we sent daddy over the time he was gone because he's so funny :)  Busy times coming with a work trip for both Stefan and I (Gavin will be hanging with Libby!), then our trip to Canada!

Gavin has been going to gymnastics for about 6 months now. He goes on Saturday mornings and one of us goes in with him. He loves it! We didn't think we would have him keep going because it is by our old home, is another expense and is early! But, when we did our test class it was amazing. The coach/owner is well educated in childhood development and her and Stefan share similar philosophy in this area. He has definitely grown both physically and cognitively and it is fun to watch. He is about to move up to the next class, whenever the scheduling works out, as he has checked off all the skills for this first level. That means we don't get to go in with him anymore - so we will see how he does with that. I have posted some pictures here or there but this past weekend I took some video finally. Love our little monkey! "Stretching" hee hee And just a cute pic from the beach this weekend to end this post :)

We have enjoyed lots of time at home together and with some friends throughout the last month. See pics below (most were also on Facebook so you may have seen them if you are on there, too).  Canada Day - complete with a brownie that had a little Canadian flag toothpick and a handmade Gavin card! The smallest lizard we have seen around here. Gavin thought it was funny he was on his car. Modeling his new outfit from Grandpa Jim while helping with dinner. Love his face! and this one! Happy 4th of July! Candid snuggles. Finally some progress with dogs, he wanted to hold Simon.  Picking blueberries, if you could hear him say blueberries you'd smile. A little homemade ice cream to cool off afterwards. Testing out the baseball gear while shopping.