Week 8 - I'm a Party Animal

(Snuggling with Heather, the birthday girl)

Gavin is growing chubbier and chubbier every day, but we are also noticing that he is becoming more alert, has found his hands, and is starting to "play" with toys a little bit. The best thing is he is starting to smile more! It is amazing to look back to see how much he has changed already.



We had another busy week, Wednesday Gavin and Mommy took a trip to Eau Claire to spend the day with my friend Michelle and her 2 kids Carli (3) and Parker (15 months). Of course I brought the camera and it never left the diaper bag! We then went to visit Nana in the nursing home and had dinner with Grandma B and Dick. Gavin was a great traveler!

(Meeting all these people really wears a little guy out)

Friday Gavin and I went into work to meet my co-workers! He pretty much slept the whole time we were there, and of course everyone thought he was adorable. We also went and had cake to say goodbye to my friend Kristi F. who is moving to PA ;( She has a little guy who is 3 months older than Gavin so he is losing his buddy too. I'm afraid I'm going to be going back to work sooner than I'd like.



Friday night we had dinner with Cary's cousins and got some exciting news! Gavin is going to have another little "cousin" next August. Monica and Brent announced they were expecting and we are very excited!

(Kristi, one of Gavin's favorite snuggle buddies)

On Saturday we went back to Eau Claire for a surprise 30th birthday party for Heather, although she had figured it out before she got there we still had a lot of fun. Gavin was a good little party animal, and got passed all around and then slept the whole way home, we are lucky he is such a great traveler.

(Someone stole Mommy's spot sleeping in front of the fireplace???)

Sunday was spent relaxing and recovering from another busy week!

Week 7 - I'm in Love with an Older Woman

(I'll sleep however you want me to as long as you don't put me down)

Gavin had a big week this week...we started out the week by interviewing day care providers, reality is setting in that my leave is going faster than I would like it to and I am going to be going back to work before I know it! We did end up finding a lady that we are really happy with, it turns her son was in Cary's class 5 years ago when he was teaching 4th grade. She has raised 4 boys and has done day care for 20 years so we think she must be a saint.

(Gavin and Amanda, he loved snuggling with her)

On Wednesday Cary's cousins Travis and Amanda came over to meet Gavin and brought us a wonderful dinner, it was much appreciated and we were excited they could meet our little man!!!

The 3 of us had a hot Valentine's Date at home, Cary brought home wings and we all sat in our comfy clothes...we are becoming home bodies!

(Telling Great Grandma Sis a story...she always believes me)

On Saturday we took Gavin on his first trip to Pipestone to meet his Great Grandmas and visit Grandma Colleen and Grandpa Dave. He did a great job in the car, and was a good little guy as we traveled from place to place and he got passed all around. Gavin gave his first smile (that wasn't just a reaction to gas) to his Great Grandma Sis...and he did it multiple times, it must be her sweet voice that he loved! He hasn't given us another one since, but we are hoping he will soon.

(Gavin's girlfriend Luciana...they still need to bring their moms on dates!!!)

On Monday, after many attempts, we finally got together with our friend's Amanda and Tony, and their 8 month old Luciana...Gavin is quite fond of her already, and we approve! Ok, maybe he just slept and looked at her...but what do you expect?

Week 6 - Getting Chubbier by the Day

(Gavin was stylin in his little frog outfit!!!)

The weeks continue to fly by, I am sad that my leave is already half over! I can't imagine how people go back to work after just 6 weeks. We had a pretty uneventful week, but Gavin and I are staying busy during the day visiting people! This cold has us spending lots of time indoors, I'm hoping for it to warm up soon so that we can start walking outside.

On Friday Peg, Ella and Matthew came over for lunch and then Ella stayed to help me "babysit" Gavin for the afternoon. Ella is almost six and was quite the helper, although I don't think she realized that Gavin would sleep as much as he did! We then headed over to watch Will's basketball game and go out for dinner.

On Saturday morning Grandma B stopped by to see Gavin and bring some Valentine's for him!

(Mama's little Valentine!!!)

Tonight we started interviewing day care people...it is the one major thing on my list that is hanging over my head! I hope to have it figured out by the end of the week.


Gavin is starting to get more active and is finding his hands...or almost, I'm sure in the next week or so he will have discovered those hands are actually attached to HIS body! It seems every morning his cheeks have gotten just a little bit chubbier...he isn't that fragile little newborn anymore!

Week 5- First Super Bowl

(What?)

Jill and I had a good week just hanging out with our little guy. Jill didn’t brave it too much earlier in the week when the temps were dipping down into the negative numbers. By Wednesday, she was a little stir crazy, so she “forced” me to take her out for diner at the fancy Applebee’s in Rosemount. Little G was a sleeping angel the whole time. On Thursday we had another get together with Rob, Peg & the kids; meeting up at TGIF’s in Woodbury. Papa T and Grandma B joined us as well.

(Huggin' Daddy)

Gavin got to hang out with daddy on Saturday and Sunday while mom went shopping at various stores for the necessities….which no longer are the same as they were a couple months ago. Things like diapers, gas relief, and other baby related items seem to fill our cart more and more each trip. Boy have things changed! Jill and Gavin also got to go to Mommy and Baby class. They had a good time meeting and visiting other new moms and babies. Gavin like the girl to boy ratio....the odds were in his favor.

(Pucker Up Buttercup!!)

Dan and Kristi had us over for the game and we all got a kick out of Sydnee their dog. She wasn’t really all that sure about this little bundle of squeeks and cries. It was a good night to relax and hang out with some friends. Gavin enjoyed his first Super Bowl, commercials and all. Gavin was pulling for the Giant’s this year, also known as the "G" Men. He would have placed some money on the game, but couldn’t find a bookie at such a young age. Gavin seems to be changing more and more each day. He is starting to fill out and those cheeks seem to be getting chubbier and cuter each day.