Little Faces

There is nothing like four shifts in a row to tire a Momma out...two down, two to go.  However, these little faces make my day!  Gavin has been teething and last night was a bit rough.  Hoping he(and everyone else) can rest tonight.  Too tired to write much else.  Hope everyone is taking care and staying well! 

On Death

No pics tonight just a little update.  Paxten the baby girl I asked you all to pray for last week passed away today.  (sigh)  Life(and death) can be so difficult to understand sometimes.  I just have to stand secure in my hope that there is a bigger plan that only one person knows.  I was looking through songs to sing at the bereavement service for the hospital in April, tonight and came across a cool song entitled, "Hug Him Once For Me."  The youtube video was playing and Logan was completely captivated.

I know he has heard the word "died" several times today.  This video launched and hour and a half long conversation about death and people that die.  I was explaining that the babies in the video had died, were no longer with the mommies and daddies anymore.  He looked at Gavin sleeping on the couch and asked if he was gonna die too.  I assurred him he was not(what do I know?).

So then I switched the focus, tried to explain that big people die also.  I told him I had several grandpas who had died.  Then he became upset thinking his grandmas and Nana were going to die.  This is an extremely abbreviated version of the conversation I am sure you can understand.

I guess I wasn't really prepared for these questions tonight.  Just when I think he is ok with it all he starts stuttering and says over and over again, "Some people die..."  Bless his little heart.  I hope God will continue to guide me and give the wisdom I need to help Logan begin to process this concept.

Who Goes to the Park in January?

Who goes to the park in January?  We do!  It was really nice today...but the wind ruined it all!  I promised Logan if he was good all day, laid down for a nap and was nice and patient with his brother then we would go to the park.  SO, although Daddys was horrified, we bundled up baby Gavin, put on our jackets and to the park we went.  I am SO ready for nice war spring days.  Logan is such an outdoors kind of boy...the best kind if you ask me!  I hope Gavin loves the outdoors as much as Logan.  Daddy went with us since he had just gotten home from work(and he thought mommy was CRAZY).  Daddy was able to catch a moment on camera of Mommy and Gavin, even if Gavin was giving him and awful look!).  But, our trip was cut short by the darn cold, KS wind.  I'm sure by the pics you can see how much fun a certain 2 year old had...come on Spring!

Brother, brother

I think these two are definitely gonna be best buddies for life.  I never grow tired of watching them interact.  Gavin has just recently started reaching for toys and Logan loves to bring things to him, entertain him and just watch him play.  Logan was so excited because I told him he could "watch" Gavin while I took the trash out this morning.  Don't be alarmed.  I assure you that Gavin was safely placed in the boppy on the floor but Logan felt so important because I left him watching over his little brother.  They are so sweet together.

Gavin Likes Rice Cereal!

Gavin was fussy and seemed to be constantly hungry today...I decided he was close enough to four months to try rice cereal and he loved it!  Logan never would eat the stuff and we quickly abandoned trying.  I think we have a real eater on our hands.  Here lately he is trying to grab stuff off our plates and whatever can go in his mouth does.  Rice was no exception.  The little guy is growing so fast!

Oh, You Make Me Smile

The boys and Mommy are home today.  Home with no doctors or dentist to visit, no grocery list, no planned visitors, no agenda...just each other.  Since I have gone back to work after maternity leave I am working 4 ten hour shifts per week.  That only leaves one day off during the week which makes days like today a thing of the past. 

Logan tells me everyday I take him to the sitters that he wants to stay home with me, wants to sleep IN HIS BED.  We all know that he really doesn't want to sleep...but he does enjoy being a home body and playing with his trains all day long.  This is such a change from a year ago.  He used to love be on the go all the time.  Now he is the happiest when we have no where to go.  I love it!  I never thought I would say that.  I used to love being out and about. 

We have really been working on enjoying simple things a.k.a. things that don't cost $.  My new favorite entertainment is watching Logan dance around the living room "playing his guitar" and singing.  I wish I could find our small camera, I would get a clip for you.  He is such a charmer.  I think we are gonna have a little ladies man on our hands. 

Of course I never tire of tickling Gavin and listening to him giggle.  He is so much like Logan was, yet still so different.  Logan used to love playing with my hair and would giggle if I leaned over him with my hair in his face.  Gavin loves it too, kinda weird I know.  But Gavin also loves to grab the hair at the base of my neck and pull and swirl it until I have these lovely little, ratty knots! 

I have been following a little girl named Paxten in Wichita that has leukemia...diagnosed about a year ago.  Her story is so sad but God is really using her.  It is amazing how many people her story has touched.  You can check out her support page below.  I pray that God eases her pain and sends peace and comfort to her family. 
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/paxtenpearson

I can't imagine not having these little men in my life.  I am striving to embrace each day with them and never take one moment for granted!

Cutest Baby Contest-Local

I did it!  I entered Gavin in the cutest baby contest at our local paper.  So far there are only 23 contestants.  Please click on link and vote for him.  You have to register but it's free and you can vote 10 times per day.  There are some nice monetary prizes that would be a real gift for us to have right now.  But let's face it, who could ask for anything more than to have their baby names "cutest baby in El Dorado?"

http://eldoradotimes.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?p=V&c=46766

Watching Love

I absolutely can't get enough of watching these two brothers together.  Logan is so sweet and attentive.  Gavin never fails to smile or giggle at Logan's animated face and personality.  They are truly such blessings.

Clothes Fiasco

So I was switching out Gavin's clothes today from 0-3 to 3-6 months and came across this adorable onesie that says "Air Force Kid."  When Gavin puked all over his shirt it was the perfect time to try it on...and that's about the only time he will ever get to wear it!  The tag said 12 months but it seemed to be newborn size.  I stuffed Gavin in it so I could at least get a pic.  Ok, so "stuffing" him in it sounds kinda bad...it wasn't THAT bad but clearly it didn't fit!  As you can see he was extremely cooperative throughout the process and even had smiles for me when we were done.  Uncle AJ, this one's for you!

Happy Boys

My boys have the best smiles...and Logan will ow smile and say cheese on cue.  Steve says he has the same camera smile that I do.  I love it.  Gavin is more difficult to catch with his smiles but when he does he has dimples on BOTH sides.  These two lovable little boys of mine never fail to keep me smiling!  I think Logan should do a Coke commercial. 

Big Cheese

It seems like it is all I can do these days to get everyone played with, loved on, fed, bathed, loved on some more, read to and tucked in!  These little bald and blonde headed boys sure do make a mama feel loved and needed,

Hey You!

I came home from work to this smiley face tonight.  Nothing better in my books!

All Smiles

I just love my boys and their always-keep-you-guessing-never-dull-for-a-minute-fun-loving attitudes.  Their big blue eyes and smiley faces are enough to make anyone's day.  You know what it NOT making my day?  The little scratch, piece of dirt or whatever is on my camera lens!  I have taken the camera apart and can't seem to figure it out.  Anyone have an idea for me?

Gavin {3 Months} a little late!

I'm only a week late in writing this post...not too bad!  At three months our dear "Baby Gavin:"
1.  Weighs 12 lbs 10oz(weighed him just today when Logan went to the doctors)
2.  Is still exclusively breastfeeding although we have contemplated rice cereal due to his reflux
3.  Goes to bed between 8 and 9...sleeps til around 2a.m.(almost 6 hours)  then up about every 2 hours after that.
4.  Is so happy and easy going! 
5.  Seems to be changing everyday.  Gavin started rolling from tummy to back shortly after 8 weeks and is trying hard to master the back to tummy roll.  He already likes the jumper and seems to be a bit of an overachiever.  He giggles at us, at himself, but mostly at his brothers...is shameless flirt also like his brother(thanks Dad for instilling this in both of them) and always melts our hearts.

My baby is growing to fast!  The thought that this might be our last child makes me want to keep him little even more.  However, Gavin seems to be doing more things even sooner than Logan did.  (sigh)  This baby boy isn't going to be little very long!

New Hangout

Gavin has been growing up and growing right out of all the little infant things in our house!  We broke out the jumper today.  I think Gavin is most fond of it right now because it makes such a good teether.  At any rate, it was something new and different.  This little 3 month old is a shaker and a mover.  No more sitting in vibrating seats or being placed in the swing without straps.  He can arch himself right out.

On the Mend

Just a quick to let you all know we are doing ok and on the mend.  I think the boys are feeling better however now I can barely hold my eyes open and head up.  It seems to be a 24-48 hour bug and it will not keep us down!  No more fevers since Saturday night.  Last night I think Logan felt as bad as I did.  He went to bed at 7:45 and minus a few short wimpering sessions slept until 7:20 this a.m.  I was somewhat worried because I couldn't get him to drink for me yesterday but has acted like his normal self today.  Gavin's secretions are lessening and while I now sound like a frog, I feel much better. We are back to work and daycare tomorrow.  WIll keep you posted.

Yuckies

Last night/yesterday Gavin was pretty crabby...I thought maybe it was just me.  This morning he woke up and could hardly breathe due to all the mucous and snot.  The snot continued all day.  It may be a little more than you want to know but I would almost swear he was puking up everything he was eating due to all the snot.  Yucky!

Then, about noon Logan fell asleep on the living room.  I'm pretty sure this has NEVER happened before.  Nap time is still a major fight.  Needless to say, I knew something was wrong.  When he woke up, it was with a 102.5 degree fever.  No other real symptoms.  Yucky!

So the rest of the weekend will be spent medicating/suctioning/cuddling my boys and their yuckies.  Poor little guys.

Home

After the chaos of the holidays, this weekend we enjoyed some time at home together...and it felt great!  My house is trashed but my boys are loved so I am having a difficult time caring at the moment!  Logan is really starting to take up an interest in his guitar and it's absolutely adorable to watch him imitate his daddy.  Gavin seems to be changing everyday and I am soaking up as much as I can!

Exploring Fun

We had a much needed playdate with the Maclaskeys today.  We hadn't seen them since Dec. 18th with all the holiday chaos and we missed them dearly!  Nana gifted the kids a membership to exploration place for Christmas so we decided to head over and check it out.

They LOVED it.  We were there 3 hours and no one was ever bored.  There was a water table, a castle, Thomas table, airplaces, fishing hold, caves to run in and out of...the list could go on and on.  We had a difficult time getting them to stop for lunch. 

The best part was that is completely wore them out.  Logan made it all the way home before falling asleep then all three of us took a much needed 2 hr nap.  Perfect day!

Special Book=Extended Christmas

Grandma and Papa brought Logan over a special book tonight.  They ordered it for Christmas but it was a little late coming in. Logan didn't mind at all.  It was like an extension of Christmas.  It's a special Thomas book that has Papa and Grandma recorded reading it.  So cool!

January 2, 2012

We spent a nice quiet day at home today...in our PJs!  Mommy went to work in the ICU, a rare occurence these days.  All the children were clean, breathing and fed when she got home...her only request nowadays.  Daddy was home today with the kiddos.