'nuff said

Another Flashback and a Look Ahead...

I suppose I will include a picture of *gasp* Mommy on here. I'm cleaning up my computer to make some room so that's why I'm going through old pictures these days. This computer started out with 146 GB on the hard drive and now it's down to 98.2.

I look at this picture longing for cooler weather on this 100 degree day. The cool breezes and the need for a comfy sweatshirt... I am getting excited for fall already, because with it comes the colorful trees, leaves falling, and then Thanksgiving & Christmas. Just so you know, as of today, there are five months, 149 days, 3590 hours, 215,423 minutes, and 12925415 seconds left until CHRISTMAS! Better start Christmas shopping!

Flashback Friday

This is a funny picture taken last summer when Nater was still learning how to use a spoon. Using a spoon was quite a milestone for him so I took many pictures of it. It made me sad for a while because I so enjoyed feeding him and our silly time together during feeding time. Why does he look so angry here? Beginning around his one-year birthday, he starting giving us "The Look" on cue; it was SO FUNNY! Sometimes he would really get into it and roll his eyes back into his head and then we would all laugh, including Nater! He will still do "The Look" sometimes for us but he tends to shy away from the attention.

Friends!

I hope Shannon sees this post! What a cute picture John took of the kids; they are watching Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story). Nater's new thing is Buzz. You can see his toy version of Buzz on the table behind him - right beside Mr. Potato Head. Nate had a playdate for a while Saturday afternoon. Grandma even took him and Morgan for a walk to the park and he showed his gratitude by having a major meltdown right in the middle of the street. Grandma told him he needed to take his tantrum to the grass, where he then proceeded to throw himself down on the ground, mouth wide open and yelling at Grandma to CARRY HIM! I think he was maybe getting hungry at the time - my justification for the two-year-old simply being two.

We had another visitor yesterday! My friend Beth came over for brunch with her five-month-old daughter. I SO wish I had taken a picture of the babies!!! Her daughter makes Gavin look seriously GIGANTIC - no exaggeration. Gavin is one big boy! Both of the babies are on opposite ends of the spectrum. What's funny is that one day they will both even out and probably be the same size. But for now we have a toddler-sized baby on our hands and boy is that infant carrier getting HEAVY!

Matching Jammies

Nathan showed us what he thought of their matching jammies. After much prodding, he decided the best way to deal with his anguish was to sit on Gavin.

and more tummy time...

Chubby Cheeks

Look at those cheeks!!!!!

Little Athlete

Does this look like the image of a future baseball player, or what!?

Actually, this is Nater interrupting the men's attempt at playing Bocce Ball.

Tummy Time

I got some CUTE pictures of "tummy time" yesterday!

Grandpa Denny!

Here is Gavin with his loving Grandpa Denny. What a beautiful day for outdoor pictures!

Happy Birthday Ella!

Today is Ella's actual birthday! She was born one year ago, TODAY! Happy birthday beautiful little girl!

Grandma Kathy

This weekend we went to Auntie's to celebrate Cousin Ella's first birthday! She had a fun cowgirl themed birthday party complete with a backyard party! It was a perfect day to turn one. Well, she actually turns one tomorrow, the 25th. Wow - one year ago we welcomed this little blessing into the world! Here she is with her lovely Grandma Kathy.

Work Week

Last week I worked 38 hours (including Saturday and Sunday). So, it was a very busy week with very little sleep. One evening I looked around my desk and found it funny how very different a work-at-home desk looks from a work-at-office desk. Here you see a pacifier, an empty baby bottle, a bowl from dinner, several cameras...It just looked funny enough to take a picture.

Ode to Salsa Lisa

Today, I must pay homage to the Queen. The Queen of salsa, that is. In case you have never met, allow me to introduce you to the one…the only…SALSA LISA! She’s delicious, she’s beautiful, she’s the BEST!

Ode to Salsa Lisa:
Please try some today
You’ll love it, I say!
You’ll find her so kosher
Go on, ask your grocer!
Put some on a taco
Your World it will ROCK-O!

Sadly, I have no “gift” for sonnet writing. I just felt compelled to highlight this awesome condiment. Salsa Lisa … Truly AMAZING.

Addition to the Previous Post

Fat Babies

It appears the jury is still out on FAT Babies. Some say Fat Babies face health problems. Others say Fat Babies make fat adults. But then there is this theory: there is no correlation between the size of an infant under age two and the size he'll be as an adult. I think the main concern is this - is your Fat Baby's height and weight proportionate? If yes, continue what you're doing. In Gavin's case? Continue eating on the hour every hour. Well, this may be a slight exaggeration but let me tell you, for a nursing mom and tired mom, this seems like the reality. What is the word these days? SUPPLEMENT SUPPLEMENT SUPPLEMENT! This Fat Baby's gotta EAT! Yes, Gavin's height and weight are equally proportionate. So, is there anything to be concerned about, CBS??? I think not! Just look at him!

Update on the Sleeping

Gavin woke at 2a.m. and again at 5:00a.m. I actually enjoy getting up with him at night so I was happy to see him getting back on his previous schedule. They're only babies for such a short time and one day I'll miss those late-night bonding times so I hope he continues to get up once at night. Plus, it's always fun to know there are still a few hours left of sleep vs. sleeping all night then waking up in the morning and having to stay up! (I really LOVE to sleep, if you haven't noticed; who doesn't, right?).

This picture is a flashback. I was going through photos of last summer and came across "Moving Day" photos - when we were helping my parents get ready to move away from the lake home. It's still hard to believe they don't live there anymore. It was a beautiful view!

Finally Getting Sleep

Gavin officially slept through the night last night. Actually, he has been sleeping through the night if you consider sleeping from 10:00p.m. until 5:00a.m. all through the night. But, last night he slept from 9:00p.m. until 6:15 this morning!!! Finally, I had to run into his bedroom this morning when I woke because I was worried something bad happened! But there he was - smiling at his musical crib mobile. What a cutie.

Today we went to the Mall of America with Auntie and baby Ella. Ella is walking now so I guess you'd say she is a toddler. It's so cute to see her toddling along. And all before her first birthday, which is not until July25. I forgot my camera today!!!! This picture of the porkchop was taken a couple of weeks ago. We call him Little Buddha now. Both of our kids have nicknames; Nathan has had multiple names - Boobadoo, "The Chunk," Nater the Urinater...but my favorite is "Kekeen." Kekeen is how Nathan says his name. How does he get Kekeen from Nathan? Who knows! He has so many funny ways of saying things like: Christmas - "tit-tit"; Food - "soom"; Auntie's dog, Ava - "Adem"; Kiwi - "Hee-eee"; Potato - "Ah-keeto"; and one more, Park - "Kuck." Some words he can say so clearly like applesauce. He can say applesauce clearly but not Nathan. What did we ever do for entertainment before these boys came along???

A Famous Friend

Please allow me to showcase Lois Mallory, a friend of ours and local author. You can find her book on Amazon. You can also check out her Website: A Healthy Spirit. We are currently reading her book; it is amazing! She is very inspiring, to say the least, and also a special friend. She is lovingly referred to as, "ba-blah Ois," (Grandma Lois) by her adopted grandson, Nathan.

Great Grandma

This weekend we went to Eau Claire to visit John's grandma who is 100 years old! She still lives on her own in her two-story home. This was the first time Gavin was able to see his Great Grandma!

Who is this?

We have been trying to figure out who this little boy looks like. His mom? Nope. Dad? Nope, it's Nathan who looks like Daddy. Then my aunt pointed it out to us - he looks like my mom's side of the family! I think we can see it too; in fact, he looks a little bit like his cousin Calvin did when he was a baby. We must get pictures...

Big Boy

Gavin had his two-month checkup (and shots!) this week. He weighed in at 16 lbs. 7 oz. He is bigger than Nathan was at two months. His height and weight are both above the 100% bracket (off the charts!) and his head circumference is about 57%. His stats are surprising given Nater was 100%+ all around, leaning slightly larger in head circumference. It's fun to note their differences and dream about what they will be like as they get older, both very tall basketball players for sure and Gavin, perhaps he will be the leading quarterback for the Vikings (Minnesota first, of course, and all before he goes on to be the second Dr. Severson).

Summer Fun!

Is it Friday already? We had a fun Fourth. We spent the weekend at my parents' new home in Menahga and then came home Monday. Our Fourth of July was pretty quiet but we spent much of our time outdoors. We called it "the Day Nathan became a Boy!" Until now, Nate hasn't liked being dirty or touching bugs but he did all that and more at the park. He was playing with dirt, throwing sticks, throwing dirt with sticks...so much for all those cute stain-free clothes! Next I'll need to learn how to remove grass stains.