Sticks and Stones

Leaves and dirt...these are now Gavin's favorite "toys."  You know it has been a "good day" for Gavin when he goes the whole day without playing in his playroom, when the inside toys are still in the toy box.  This means Gavin has dirt on his knees, under his fingernails, and most likely in his mouth!

Our home is located on a popular corner of the neighborhood.  We are the "bus stop" house and we have a big park right across the street.  This provides G with lots of things and people to watch while he digs in the dirt, bangs sticks on the sidewalk, and sheepishly smiles at passer-byers.  It is a great way to pass the time away.

He goes everywhere with a leaf in his hand.  He is very particular about how he holds it.  He positions it just right, holding the leaf by the stem.  Sometimes, if the leaf is too large, he will pull off some shaping it j-u-s-t right.

Tobiah looking out over his domain. He keeps an eye out for any "problems" that may arise.  

Once he has secured the perimeter, he takes a break to catch some quick Z's.

This day Gavin was playing while Daddy took the pics.  Adam is getting really really good at it. I wanted to make sure and separate his pics from mine because they are just THAT GOOD.

Gavin's bum...wet from the grass :)

His "stinker" face!

Go Rebels! I'm dirty...yeah.

"I like this stick"

"Whoa, it's a big one!" 

Eating grass, sticks, and dirt...Adam says no worries...extra fiber.

Not happy after bumping his head.

Getting better now that a truck is coming...

Analyzing his next move with the stick.

Anyone up for a sword fight?

I will just fight with myself then.

The days are starting to cool off and the sun is beginning to shine more.  Gavin is taking advantage of it all.  Thank you Lord for giving my son the ability to play outside and enjoy your beautiful land!

11 Months and counting...

Riding in the "School Bus"

Our home is located at the "bus stop" corner and Gavin gets to watch the big kids board the bus everyday.  So Big Momma aka "Biggie" made Gav his very own school bus equipped with toys and friends.

Gavin is really developing his own personality.  It seems like his weight and height have slowed down a bit but he has made up for it in A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E!   Most days he is a happy-go-lucky boy that climbs over and under just about anything he can squeeze his tummy past.  But on those rare occasions where he decides to test us, he throws some of the most impressive fits that I have ever seen an 11 month old throw.  He slings his head back, screams at the top of his lungs, and then the tears begin to flow.  Most of our friends don't believe me  because it is so rare they haven't been able to witness them.  However, for those unfortunate souls that have...they can affirm what I'm saying. This month has been a learning curve for all.  Daddy and Mommy are learning how to handle/discipline these new found "fits."

The G-man still has the love for dancing.  He will bust a move to just about any type of music you let him listen to.  He will even shake it when there is NO audible music playing....Adam says it must be in his head.

Beginning this month, he is strictly formula fed.  My goal was a year for nursing but Gavin had a different plan.  He had better things to do with his time :).  We are also fading out the baby food.  This has been a bit of a challenge because the texture of different foods really bug Gav.  However, I can always count on Velveeta Mac-N-Cheese (the broccoli kind.)  I have learned to be patient with meal time and keep trying is my motto.

Some of my friends and I in the neighborhood have started a co-op together.  We rotate one day a month and watch each other's kids for a couple of hours.  It gives the mom a couple of days a month to grocery shop sans children, hair cut appointments, or just go to the spa (yeah right!)  Best of all the care is with other mom's I trust and it's free!

This month, like the rest, has flown by.  We are now planning his first birthday party!  I can't believe it! Stay tuned next month for some exciting cake pictures.  I am heading to Office Max tomorrow to buy a plastic floor cover :).

Earthquake, Hurricane, and Ms. Pearl..Oh My!

Between the recent "bomb scare" on base and this weeks spree of natural disasters...I'm beginning to think God's about to wrap things up pretty soon.  In the mean time, we are enjoying each and every day...whatever that day may bring.  

While on the phone with Verizon, the house began to shake, pictures on the wall began to move, and our hanging light above the table started to sway back and forth.  I was in the floor playing with Gavin in an attempt to keep him occupied while I was talking.  At first, I thought it was the result of a plane flying above but the shaking quickly progressed beyond what a plane is capable of doing.  I realized it was an earthquake and told the Verizon guy to "hold on, we are going through an earthquake."  He laughed and said "No you're not, you're in Virginia." Then he shouted "It's shaking here now" because his call center was located in Virginia too.  LOL!  I am glad there wasn't much damage from the quake.  I must say it was something I don't care to repeat but I'm glad I got to experience...if that makes any sense.  

Next up was Hurricane Irene!  My dad flew in for a visit the weekend...poor thing.  Of course, he booked a ticket long before Irene was born.  Living on lots of coasts in the past few years, we have become accustomed to hurricane warnings and watches.  It started with Hurricane Isabel-2003 in Quantico, VA, then Hurricane Ivan-2004 in Pensacola, FL, then Hurricane Rita-2005 in Kingsville, TX, and last but not least Hurricane Irene-2011 in Quantico, VA.  Even though these were not direct hits for us, we lost power for days in almost all of them.  This time around we were most concerned for our friends and home in New Bern, NC.  They experienced the most that Irene had to offer.  Thankfully, all were safe!

Meanwhile, we just played and played and played with Gavin.  It wasn't long before the heat started to set in and Gavin lost most of his clothes for the weekend.

Next up on the excitement card...MS. PEARL...and trust me when I say, this one rocked our world the most!  She is a sweet puppy in need of lots of love and attention.  So Adam comes home on Thursday and says...oh by the way, I volunteered us to watch a friend's dog for the Labor Day weekend.  She is a PIT BULL/Lab mix and she is 3 years old.  My response, "OoooK.  How is she around kids?"  Adam-"I didn't ask that."  Needless to say, my anxiety level shot through the roof as I envisioned this dog snapping at my child's face.   I stressed about it all the way until Friday night.  Friday night came and it was time to meet Ms. Pearl.  She was a great dog, with lots of energy, and spirit.  She made Tobiah feel young again.  They wrestled and wrestled and wrestled until neither one of them could go anymore.  Gavin was not about to be left out of the action.  He was in the middle of the floor with them most of the time.  

Yes, that is Pearl's tail Gavin is about to eat...

Gavin offering his kisses to Pearl!

You can tell Gavin is not used to having a dog's tail to play with...good thing Pearl didn't mind an occasional bite or two :).

T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

After a long day of playing, it was time for Daddy to work his magic on the grill.  I hope he wasn't nervous because he sure did have an audience. 

There are always adventures in life to behold.  Some are big like earthquakes and hurricanes and some are small like Ms. Pearl and grasshoppers.  No matter what the size, we need to make sure we stop and smell the roses.