Happy First Birthday Gavin

Note: I finally got around to updating the blog on the activities of the last few weeks so if you scroll down after this post you'll get the full update!

Wow, the last year has been quite a whirlwind. I must say I've been a little emotional about the thought of my baby turning 1. 1 is like he's officially not my baby anymore...not the baby that used to be content snuggling in my arms. Now Gavin only wants to snuggle with me if I'm giving him a bottle, and I know the days of giving him bottles will be coming to an end very soon too. I must say as sad as I was about the day coming, I am enjoying Gavin more each day and he really is such a fun little boy right now and his personality is coming out more each day. I guess I'll have to get my baby fix when Baby Mac arrives (because there are no plans for Baby #2 in our near future).

1 year ago...fresh from the oven

What a happy day

Gavin's First birthday wouldn't have been complete without a party, so we all chipped in cleaning and cooking to get ready for the big day!

G and Daddy working on the floors

Presents are fun...but getting your very own birthday cake is even more fun! Lauryn wasn't sure that Gavin should get that whole cake to himself.

This frosting is pretty good stuff



Off to the tub

Gavin enjoyed and destroyed his cake, and then was wisked off to the bathtub!

He had lots of fun people to celebrate with him...including Grandma B and Great Gram

The Sutherland Crew

Lauryn, Tyler, Spencer and Finley

and of course...Mom and Dad

his friend's parents and Kristi came too!

Once again Gavin received lots of fun presents, what a lucky little boy we have!

Since Gavin can't read the cards yet...he just eats them instead

Grandpa was looking for a helper on the farm...so he and Grandma got Gavin his first John Deere tractor!

I think we have a little farmer in the making!

One year later...what a sweet little boy we have!

Christmas Fun

Gavin had a big week of Christmas fun! We started our celebrations on Monday at Rob and Peg's house gathering with my family. Peg made a delicious lasagna lunch and then it was on to the presents. Things sure have changed a lot since last Christmas, a year ago we were waiting and wondering who that little person was growing in my belly, this Christmas we were chasing around our little man who kept trying to crawl over everyone's presents.

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Gavin was very spoiled by everyone. He got some fun and noisy toys (payback for all the noisy toys we have gotten for our nieces and nephews), and also some money that Gavin decided he should put in the bank and save for college. It was a fun day spent hanging out with family.

We were planning on heading down to Madison, SD on Wednesday afternoon to spend a few days with the Krusemark family, but the stomach flu changed our plans a big :( so we ended up staying home on Christmas Eve. While we didn't feel great, it was nice for the 3 of us to spend a quiet day at home. That doesn't seem to happen very often anymore.

Gavin must have been a good boy because Santa paid him a visit....

G got most of the things he asked for...sippy cups, a new toothbrush, some snacks and 2 new Christmas ornaments

And the favorite is...the new toothbrush!

G's new friend...George

Kisses for George

Tackling George

By Christmas Day we were all feeling much better, so we jumped in the car bright and early and drove down to Madison! We spent another day eating good food and enjoying the company of Cary's family. G was once again spoiled by his Grandma and Grandpa and aunts and uncles. What a lucky little boy he is.

An attempt to get a picture of all the cousins


G opening his tunnel


He's cruising now


Snuggling with Grandma Colleen

G enjoying some good Christmas eats

With the Christmas fun over it was time to start thinking about Gavin's First Birthday!

Snowy Days at Home

December has been a quick and snowy month for us! We once again enjoyed having Dan and Kristi living so close to us as they babysat G while we ventured out in the snow to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. We are so lucky to have such good friends for neighbors, and can't wait until we can return the favor and babysit Baby Mac.

Getting ready for our big date to the Saint Paul Grill

Gavin is really starting to play with things, one night before bed he was having a blast taking all of his diapers out of the basket! They are probably the most expensive toys he could play with, but don't worry we folded them back up and used them. Now if he could only start changing his own diapers.

This is another one of Gavin's favorite toys...he has learned how to flush the toilet, and if the lid is up the water is great for splashing around...GROSS!

Look at me mom...

We were excited to have Scott and Becky come and stay with us one Friday night...Saturday was snowy so Gavin and I hung out at home all day in our jammies!

Scott (or is that Santa?) and G snuggling in their jammies

Gavin usually doesn't sit still long enough to watch tv, but one morning Daddy put cartoons on for him and he sat in his chair to watch!

If you look closely, you can see G in his chair!

Holiday Fun

Gavin continues to be a happy and BUSY boy! Our house is quickly getting childproofed as Gavin is finding new things to get into every day.

G is getting ready to hang up the lights!

Attempt #1 at getting the Christmas tree

Attempt #2

Failed attempt at climbing up to get his stocking!

G meets Santa

Gavin and Mommy went to a Christmas party at my work and Gavin got to meet Santa, he asked Santa for diapers and puffs!

After the work party Gavin and I attended a 1st birthday party...for Gavin and the other babies in my mom's group. I can't believe that my baby is almost 1. Honestly I'm having a hard time accepting that his birthday is in less than 2 weeks. He is getting more and more fun every day, but he certainly isn't the same little boy that used to lay in my arms and snuggle.

G opening his very first birthday present

All those parties tire a little boy out!

Gavin loves to play with anything that Mom and Dad are using, some of his favorite things include the TV remote, laptop, fireplace and mixing bowls.

G helping Mom make dinner

Gavin helping with dishes (or getting his hands washed)

Our little boy is even busy in his sleep...every time we check on him he is in a different position!

A Turkey Week

Gavin Lee Krusemark, D.D.S. ?

Gavin enjoyed his first Thanksgiving this past week, filled with family, friends and lots of goodies. Gavin began his week as normal, but still attended swimming lessons Wednesday night where he continues to be "that kid" who splashes and plays in the water while getting other kids wet.

Gavin and his "R" is for reindeer shirt....and the tounge

Gavin met his friend Annika this week. She and her parents, Ingrid and Kevin were up for the holiday from Arizona. He is a little bit older, but she easily holds her own with Gavin......typical Nelson girl!

Gavin and Annika

Thursday was filled with Jill's family and Cary's parents for Thanksgiving. Pappa T injected one turkey for the turkey fryer and another turkey was in the oven. Let's just say we are glad Gavin likes turkey. However, which one in the picture is the turkey? HA! Gavin really enjoyed having everyone here and he had plenty of entertainment with his cousins.

Which one is the turkey?

Friday cousins, Kaden and Kylie visited with Stacy and Steph. Kylie would take Gavin home with her if she could convince her mom....oh, wait.....that would be a piece of cake. Gavin was getting a lot of practice crawling and pulling himself up on various things like the coffee table. It was good to have extra helpers watching out for him.

A tired little Viking, snuggling Grandpa Dave

Saturday was spent in Mankato for Thanks-mas. Gavin met a whole bunch of his extend family and all of Cary's cousin's little ones too. It was a full house and a lot of entertainment.

Gavin teaching Grandma Colleen all about Sesame Street

The rest of the weekend we relaxed and decided to be bumps on a log after a busy 4 days. It was nice to be at home on a cold day filled with some snow flurries.

It's all up here.

During these past four days Gavin's major accomplishments include crawling with speed and efficiency, discovering how to climb stairs, and waving and clapping with some prompting. Yes, we will be buying another safety gate so Humpty Dumpty doesn't fall. Daddy feels the pocket book getting hit again. Now it is safety gates and diapers, next it will be 4 pairs of shoes in a year! Crazy how fast the little fella grows.

Gavin and Adrianna