Say it ain't so...

Gavin turns the big Numero Uno!  What an exciting year it has been.  If the upcoming years are anything like the first...we are in for a treat.  Not to mention lack of sleep, lots of laughs, and "close-calls."  Gavin has surpassed what Adam and I imagined our son would be like.  He is strong-willed and happy-go-lucky all wrapped up in about 22lbs of fire!  He walks all over the place, pushes his wagon UP hills, and scales a flight of stairs in less than 60 seconds. His favorite foods are still mac-n-cheese, bread, and grapes.  He is doing a lot better with "big kid" food though.  He still takes 2 naps a day and we can't seem to keep the child up past 6:30pm at night.  Lol! He is "talking" all the time...all he needs if for you to say "uh-huh" or "really" for him to just keep telling you his story.  He has taken dancing to a whole new level now that he can walk.  He uses his legs and backside to help make his moves complete.  His latest tricks range from winking, shaking your hand, and giving hi-five's! 

We celebrated his first birthday in style.  The party lasted for about two weeks, with visits from lots of family.  Gavin's birthday party was on October 8 and we had a co-party with a friend that we have known for years.  Their little boy was born a couple of weeks before Gavin.  We share mutual friends here in Quantico so it was fitting that we throw a joint party.  Adam's parents were in town for the party and Stephen's (the other little boy) had grandparents in town too.  "Jungle Friends" was the theme for the party.  Haiden (Stephen's mom) and I made cupcakes.  She made the monkey and zebras and I made the lions and tigers.  I think they turned out pretty good.  You could tell what they were at least :).

Party Week One:

Gavin played with about 15 of his friends from the "hood." Unfortunately we didn't get a group picture.  As you can imagine, they were just having too much fun to stop and take pics. 

I made a couple of small cakes for Stephen and Gavin to play with.  Little did I know how much cake would actually be CONSUMED...

Happy Birthday to Gav, Happy Birthday to Gav, Happy Birthday dear Gavin, Happy Birthday to you!

No need to explain this picture :)...

Happy Birthday to Stephen, Happy Birthday to Stephen, Happy Birthday dear Stephen, Happy Birthday to you!

Let the fun begin!  He didn't know how to begin...so he tried dipping his face first :).

Then quickly figured out a fist full of cake was, by far, the best way! 

 Practice makes perfect!

 

Papa trying to steal a bite...

Here ya go Papa...

The Aftermath

 Yeah, Good Job Gavin.  All done!

Opening presents with Daddy

Now that the party is over, it was time to relax and enjoy the family time...and the Cromwell's are good at relaxing :0.

Green tea and a fire...cheers to that!

Even Tobiah got in on the relaxing

One of Gavin and Tobiah's new favorite thing to do is walking to the nearby basketball courts.  We let Tobiah run free, breaking the rules, and Gavin gets to push his wagon.  

Notice the leaf...always in hand

He's a climber too...dancer/climber, goes together right. LOL!

I should mention that DURING his birthday week, Gavin came down with the Croup. He was such a trooper though. After two ER visits, one urgent care visit, and a follow-up with his Pediatrician, we all made it through. 

After one of Gavin's ER visits, Brock helping with his milk.

Happy Happy BirthDAY!  Really this time :)

Opening MORE presents from friends and family...

Party Week Two:  With visits from Big Momma and Gran-Gran.  We started off the week with another "Co-Op Sitter" Day.  Big Momma enjoyed it as much, if not more, than the children did :).  And I was glad to have the extra hands.

Singing (and dancing) for the kids...hahaha.

Because Gavin was still recovering, we decided to take it easy this week.  We went on lots of walks and to the basketball courts...of course.  And Yes, that is a black eye.  Compliments of Tobiah...on accident though.  Gavin ran up behind him and threw himself on Tobiah (new trick of Gavin's).  This made Tobiah swing his head around  and jump up which resulted in both heads meeting in the middle.  Maybe "learning" occurred---you can't tackle the dog!

High-Five Gavin...Can't Big Momma gotta push my wagon (and carry my leaf).

THANK YOU LORD FOR OUR SON!!!!  It was truly a blessing to be able to share this special time with lots of our friends and family.  

You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes.
-- Author Unknown