Swimming Pool

Gavin and I were in Lake Charles for the weekend- we went to my sister in laws baby shower-- David will be here in just a few weeks!! Yea!!

On Friday, we decided to go to the pool, since our beach trip on Wednesday, didn't allow Gavin to get into the water. We played in the baby pool for a while just to get him adjusted to the water. In the beginning, he was very timid and held on to me tightly, but after a while he was splashing and playing in the water.

I bought him this spring loaded raft for him to sit in while playing in the big pool. I spent a lot of time at Wal-Mart choosing which raft to get for him and ultimately decided on the one that did not require any blowing up. I thought it would save time to just pop open the raft versus blowing up some crab shaped raft. Well, I opened the spring bound raft and put it in the pool and then placed Gavin in the little holder.... and he sunk!! I panicked. Gavin just stared really confused. So, I repositioned him and tried it again... and he sunk again. I was very frustrated seeing as how I spent a lot of time choosing this raft in particular. So, Anna, my sister-in-law, went and got the package it came in and read the directions for me. Yea, it's a spring bound raft that has 2 blow up floatation devices. I didn't know that. So, once we blew up the 2 little blow up parts to it and put him back in it for a third try, he stayed a float and moved around in the water. He LOVED it.

I also decided to see how Gavin would do if I blew in his face and placed him under water for a second. He did pretty good. He never complained about it, but I think he was shocked to be covered in water. I've been trying to upload a video to show you his reactions and how he did-- but I haven't been successful at it!

Beach Fun

Yesterday, Gavin and I took our first trip to the beach with some really good friends of ours, Susie and her son, Cade. The boys' baby sitter was closed half of the day, so we decided to take the entire day off of work to play in the sun.

We drove down to Galveston and found a spot where we could lounge around and have sand that wasn't covered in seaweed. The sun wasn't shining (it came out here and there) and the wind was blowing sand EVERYWHERE BUT it was still a blast. Gavin played with Cade's shovel and Cade made little sand castle/shapes. We put our feet in the water- but the tide was a little rough- so we didn't go into the water. It was nice having a change of scenery and watching the boys play.

It was a perfect day! We love getting to spend time with the Carpenters!!! This was one of my favorite pics from the day!! The tail of this monkey was covered in sand...

Meat Eating, Army Crawling Machine

We have been having sooooo much fun the past few weeks. I feel like I say this all the time, but Gavin is growing up more and more everyday. His top 2 teeth FINALLY broke skin and he's starting to say his "m" sounds (maybe mama will be his next word). I think he just likes the feel of his teeth rubbing on his lips.

Gavin has started army crawling--- it's really cute to watch him glide across the floor. On Sunday, he started at the opening of our bathroom door and made it to our closet within 30 seconds.... he was booking it. He has been trying VERY hard to crawl on his knees, but so far, he's only been able to rock back and forth. He's starting to get frustrated with himself because he wants to move so badly, but can't unless he falls to his belly and crawls with his elbows. He loves chasing his toys though!

We also started giving Gavin his first meats this weekend. He was a little thrown off by the taste, but enjoyed it. We haven't had much luck with any other flavors other than Chicken and Apples, but we're still working on it.

For Mother's Day, all I wanted was to hang out with Brooks and Gavin. (like the big drool stain?)

So, we went to church, had lunch at Carabba's, and then we all went home and took a REALLY long nap. Afterwards, we filled up Gavin's baby pool and let him "swim" around in it. The water from the water hose was really cold, so it took him a while to get use to it. Once we brought out some toys though, he LOVED it.

Trying New Things

This week has been another exciting week for Gavin. We've been helping him learn how to hold his own bottle when eating, which he is slowly practicing daily. Sometimes he will hold the bottle and other times he just holds it with his teeth. Tonight, he drank his entire bottle using only his hands!!! Yea!! We were really excited for him and I think he enjoyed grabbing it and shoving it back in when it would fall.

We also got Gavin a walker after seeing how much he enjoyed the one at my parents house. The first few days, he would just sit in it and play with the toys attached to it, now, we'll put him in it and turn around and he's already across the room. Yesterday, Brooks missed Gavin playing with the dirty dishes in the open dishwasher. OOPS!

We've quickly realized that Gavin is faster than we think. The other night we were playing in his room with him while he rolled around on the floor. Next thing we knew, Gavin was underneath his changing table. It was hilarious when he started trying to roll over but he was stuck. He wiggled and wiggled until he got tired and just laid there.

The Easter Bunny Came

This was Gavin's first Easter and we spent it in Lake Charles. Sunday morning when Gavin woke up he found two easter baskets waiting for him. One was from Brooks and I- a duck basket (which his Mim got for him) with some really cute books called Clappers (you shake the book and it makes a clapping noise) and then he got a basket from Captain and Kimmie with more books, some LSU stuff (which is always needed), a bathing suit and hat for this summer, and a blanket that has a precios lions head as a pillow. But, Gavin's favorite part of that basket was the "grass" on the bottom.

Playing with the grass
Liked his presents but is interested in the basket now.

Finding the grass at the bottom of his basket

Playing with the grass

After he played with all his goodies, we went to church, and then had a crawfish boil at Aunt Peanuts house. He found a singing lamb/sheep that he quickly became obsessed with. It was great to see all our family and hang out even in the pooring down rain.

We're ready for Grammy's visit this weekend!

Easter Egg Hunt

This weekend we were celebrating Easter in Lake Charles and it was a jam packed weekend. On Saturday, Gavin and his cousin Neve went to an Easter egg hunt! I think those two got MORE eggs in their basket than any other kids-- just kidding. But we did find a small corner in the grass for them to at least look at the eggs. They also had the chance to see an Easter Bunny- they BOTH were intrigued with him. Neve wouldn't stop going up to him with her arms opened wide signaling for him to pick her up, and Gavin was HIGHLY interested in his bow tie.

He was very intrigued with the eggs.

At the Easter Egg hunt, there was also a petting zoo. Gavin LOVED petting the animals.

Here are some more pictures from the outing.

It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed getting to celebrate Gavin's first Easter!

"Changes are Coming"

I heard this "quote" from my favorite TV show (Jon & Kate Plus 8) and thought it was fitting for Brooks and I and the events that are coming up. One change that is coming is I've decided not to go back to work next year... so as of June 5th, I'm officially, "retired". HAHA, I guess being a stay at home mom isn't really being "retired" but I will technically be retired from teaching. I'm really excited about this, yet nervous about the "change". I'm definitly going to miss my team mates and being around kids, but now I get to hang out with Gavin all the time! He's been sick this week and I had to take yesterday off so I was able to get a glimpse at what life will be like! YEA! I think Brooks really likes the idea of me being at home, seeing as how last night he came home to a lemon chicken asparagus entree, potato casserole, and chocolate chip cookies!!! I enjoyed being back in the kitchen!

By the way, a few changes that are happening with Gavin are: he got his 2 bottom teeth in a few weeks ago and the top 2 are really close to popping out. Take a look:

He started sleeping on his tummy during the night:

Which is causing him to wet the bed

We had to move him into the next size diapers! He seems to stay in one size for like a month and then he goes to the next one. (notice the dark blue on his light blue outfit-- that was pee)