0 to 2 in 287 Days...and Living to Blog About It!!!

Gavin's First Thanksgiving!

Well, time really seems to be flying.  Gavin is already seven months old and I will have his monthly post coming in the next couple of days but thought in the meantime I would add some pictures from his first Thanksgiving!

We spent his first Thanksgiving with my family and  I think everybody enjoyed spoiling him.  He was certainly the center of attention and really hammed it up!

There were points in the day that I was honestly overcome with thankfulness.  So much has happened since last Thanksgiving.  At this time last year, we were still trying to digest the fact that a baby girl would not be joining our family at Christmas.  Our agency had matched us with a different birth mom due with a baby girl on March 4th and we traveled six hours to meet her a few days before the Thanksgiving holiday.  We were both hopeful but our future was still filled with so much uncertainty.  Then, just when I thought we couldn't take one more thing, my grandfather passed away over Thanksgiving.  I read over my Thanksgiving post from last year and every emotion I felt that day came back to me in an overwhelming manner. 

November and December were so tough for us last year.  I remember literally feeling like I could not put one foot in front of the other.  It was so difficult to believe happiness would ever come our way.  But, indeed it did!  We are not promised a tomorrow, so we should enjoy every moment of today.  Drink it up.  Believing in God doesn't mean that you won't experience sorrow here on Earth...it just means you will have him to turn to in times of true joy and true sorrow. 

So when I think about all that I am thankful for, it is hard to know where to start.

I know Pa is looking down from heaven with great pleasure on his first great grandbaby.  He loves Gavin and for this I am grateful.

I am thankful for my relationship with God.  He knows all about me and loves me anyway. 

I am thankful for my little boy's smile and the light in his eyes.  He is such a blessing that I will be forever grateful for. 

I am thankful for the miracle of adoption.  We would not have Gavin to hold if Jamie hadn't made such a selfless decision.  Can you believe she sent us an email on Thanksgiving thanking us for being a blessing in her life?  Amazing, is all I can say!

I am thankful for my husband.  I always knew he was a good husband but watching him as a father has made me fall in love with him all over again.

I am thankful for our baby on the way.  In fifteen short weeks, he or she we will be here.  We can't wait to meet this knew bundle of joy!

I am thankful for our family that loves us though the good and the bad.  They always know exactly what to say to make us feel better.  And, this isn't always easy.

I am thankful for our friends.  We consider our friends to be family.  They play a huge part if all of our lives.  Always have and always will.

I am thankful for our home, Dustin's job, and the security that it provides us.

I am thankful for two dogs that love Gavin.  They make him giggle uncontrollably, therefore they are earning their keep around here.

Finally, I am thankful for this blog.  It is so good for me to keep things in perspective.  To remember where we have been and how life is full of all kinds of curves BUT the journey we are on is OUR story.  It is unlike any other family's story and together we will continue to write our way through life. 

Our First Family Vacation and Skip and Dorothy's 40th Anniversary!

Well, we took our first family vacation to Florida.  We honestly didn't do a whole lot other than relax and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Dustin turned 35 while we were there, and this birthday was hands down better than last years.  Last year, we found out the day before his birthday that our birth mom had decided to parent her baby girl.  Who would have thought one short year later we could be so happy with Gavin and another baby on the way.  Everything does happen for a reason and we certainly did find the child we were meant to raise.  We are so blessed!

Dustin golfed with his dad at a beautiful course called Celebration on his birthday and shot a 76.  This was his best score in years!  Then, we all went to dinner together in downtown Celebration.  Dustin enjoyed yummy lobster and steak.  Gavin enjoyed sweet potatoes and pears, LOL! 

Here are some pictures from the pool.

 

 

 

Pictures from Skip and Dorothy's 40th anniversary party.

 

 

Here is a link for the video we made for Skip and Dorothy's 40th anniversary.  I believe the video plays in QuickTime. 

Download Skip and Dorothy's 40th

I also uploaded it to our other blog.  Click on Skip and Dorothy's 40th post and it should open up.

http://web.me.com/itwasmeanttobe/Site/Blog/Blog.html

I am trying to avoid Youtube and am sorry if this makes the entire process a bit more complicated.

Happy Halloween!

Here are a few photos of our monkey from Halloween.  We had a great evening with some close friends.  Gavin kept the outfit on longer than I thought he would and was snug as a bug on a very cold evening.

 

 

 

 

 

Our "Great" Pumpkin

Here are a few photos from our trip to the pumpkin patch.  So much fun, is all I can say! Gavin wasn't exactly sure what to think of everything, LOL!

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

Six Months Old~ October 22, 2009!!!

Well, I am trying desperately to get caught up on blogging.  Stay tuned over the next few days for the following posts.  Six months, Pumpkin Patch, Halloween, and Florida!!!  We have been busy and blogging has taken a back burner.

It is becoming more and more challenging to take a picture of Gavin with the signs.   He really just wants to tear them up.  I am thinking I need to become more tech savvy and overwrite the photo with what month it is, LOL!  

Dear Gavin,

We honestly didn't think that being a mommy and daddy to you could get any better but every day you continue to surprise us!  Your little personality is truly the BEST!!!  You are so much fun to be around.  We want to hold onto the end of every single day because you make our lives so much fuller.  I always try to remind myself to really be in the moment because time is flying way, way too fast.

*  At your six month appointment you weighed 23 pounds and 4 ounces and were 29 and 3/4 inches long.  Off the charts!

*  You are sleeping about 12 hours a night and enjoy a morning and afternoon nap of about an hour to an hour and a half.

*  You have two teeth and are working really, really hard on getting some more in.

*  You started rocking back and forth on October 21st.  You can get anywhere you want to go by rolling or doing your pseudo army crawl.

*  You are now eating cereal in the morning and at night.  You have tried all kinds of yummy food.  Mommy is trying to make most of your food and you have been a good sport and seem to like most of it.  You also still take about 32 ounces of formula a day.

*  You make the cutest clicking sound when playing with daddy.  You love mimicking daddy too!  You definitely have picked up on his mannerisms.

*  I am already needing to place some things on higher shelves because you are really starting to explore the world around you.

*  Your favorite book is your Boom Pa Pa book from Kindermusik.  You will listen to it over and over again! 

*  Your favorite toy is probably the Leap Frog exploration table we bought for your six month birthday.

*  When you go to sleep at night, you need a burp cloth to hold in your hand.  You always cover your eyes with it before going to sleep.  We had to lower your bed already because you are pulling yourself up.

*  You are doing a great job at sitting up on your own!  You really have to use those tummy muscles but they are getting stronger.

*  Mommy can almost always bring a smile to your face by singing your "Gavin Boy" song.

We love you bunches little buddy!

Mom and Dad

Gavin's Six Month Video

I am still working on the best way to share a video via Typepad.  So, I will post two different ways to view it in this post.  Let me know what is the easiest to view for future reference.  This is a little video I made of Gavin's first six months.  I had a great time piecing it together and hope you all love it!

The first option is to click on the blue link below.  I do believe the sound will work on this one but will probably take just a bit to download.

Download Gavin Six Months- you tube

The second option is to visit our other family site.

Please God...

How many times did we pray, "Please God, help us find the little one we are meant to raise."?  Boy, did God ever deliver!  I truly believe God knew that through all of our heartache something amazing was going to happen.  When I hear Gavin's little voice talking in the morning, I automatically smile and remember that I am a mommy now and I need to go to him.  He is such an amazing blessing that truly is from God's arms, to Jamie's arms, to ours.

Our son was baptized on Sunday, October 11, 2009.  It was such a special day.  All I could think as I was standing there was my SON is getting baptized.  I am a mom to this little precious being.  God chose us!  The miracle of adoption made this day possible.  Praise the Lord!!!  

I came across this poem and thought it was perfect to share.

Please God...

Grant this little child Your love
As each new day appears,
Grant the parents guidance
And wisdom though out the years -
Smile down upon this baptism
And in Your loving way
Let Your presence gently bless
This little one today.

Here we are with Father Bob after the Baptism.

Gavin's Godparents, Maggie and Drew with their kiddos Camryn and Eliza.

Gavin with his buddy Harper and Harper's mommy and daddy, Brian and Gindy:).

Gavin with his Grandma and Grandpa J and Uncles Grady and Ben.

Gavin with his Grandma and Grandpa H.

Gavin with his Great Aunt Mary Carol and Uncle John.  Mary Carol and John are Dustin's Godparents.

Our family!

Happy Birthday, Granny Great!!!

I will start by giving credit where credit is due, LOL!  My dear friend, Gindy, always wishes her loved ones a happy birthday with her son, Harper, holding up a cute birthday sign on their blog.  Well, I thought we should begin doing this for Gavin's Granny Great's birthday.  So, the first picture is of Gavin with the sign...before it got all crumpled.

 

Wow mom, this paper is really cool!!!

Let's try a different location and see if I can get the money shot!

Keep dreaming, momma!  I am totally loving this paper.

I guess a big cheesy smile will have to do.  We love you Granny Great and miss you bunches!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXO

Apple of my Eye

Well, we took our first trip to the apple orchard as a family of three and had a blast.  It was a perfect fall day full of fun.

We picked apples, just as we did last year, but as we suspected last September...Gavin made the experience even better.  I literally want to soak up every minute of being Gavin's mother and Dustin's wife.  While we all sat together, on the hayride to the orchard, I was overwhelmed with how much my life has changed in a year and how fortunate I am.  

Here are some fun pictures from our day!

Five Months Old

Five months old and such a good boy.  Every where we go people ask how old you are and are shocked when I reply five months.  Then you flash that big cheeked smile and turn on the charm.  You seem to be very comfortable with others and have such a fun little personality.

*  I am not sure how much you weigh because your six month appointment isn't until October 18th.  But, I got on the scale with you the other day and am guestimating you to be around 22 pounds.  You are wearing mostly 12 month clothes but not because of your weight...you are sooooo tall. 

*  You are STILL a great sleeper but your sleep habits have changed a bit.  You stay up until about 8:00 and sleep until 7:30 or 8:00.  You are all smiles when you wake up in the morning.  You had a few weeks where you were restless but it was only because of teething.

*  I saw your first tooth pop through on Friday, September 25th.  We were at Target and you were flashing your smile and all at once I saw it.  The lady standing next to us must have thought mommy was crazy.  I was giddy with excitement.  It changes the whole look of your little face.  Your bottom right tooth is already through and bottom left is on the verge of breaking through at any moment.  Like everything else in your little life, you handled getting your first tooth great.  Lots of drool but, really, that was about it.

*  You are now eating cereal in the morning and at night.  It truly depends on your mood as to how much you are able to eat.

*  Mommy and daddy are still trying to decide what to make you for Halloween.  Daddy thinks Charlie Brown would be really funny.  It would, but, I know I only have a few years to dress you in really cute outfits before you can tell me what crazy, scary thing you would like to be.  Stay tuned for a final decision.

*  We have been going to Kindermusik for a whole month.  You love the class and have all kinds of little friends that you seem to recognize each week.

*  You love to giggle at your doggies.  Oh, how you love them, and they really won't give you the time of day.  No worries little buddy, sooner or later, mommy and daddy will get you a puppy that can be all yours.  Josie and Kotie have been around a long time and look at themselves more as our children than dogs.  

*  Two funny things I have noticed this month.  Every once in a while you will mimic the dogs and pant like a puppy.  So cute!!!  And, I have been chewing a lot of gum lately to keep my tummy settled.  I have noticed you chomping your mouth like there is a big piece of gum in it.  You are always watching even at five months.  You are one smart cookie:)

I mentioned last month that we have a favorite book, I Wished for You, An Adoption Story.  I would like to share a little more from this book. 

"One day..." said Mama, brightening as she spoke, "One glorious, special, wonderful day, I found out my wish was coming true."

"What did you do?" asked Barley, smiling and sitting up.  He could tell a lucky part was coming in her story.

"I shouted for joy!" remembered Mama, laughing.  "And I cried happy tears.  I told all my friends...and they hugged me and cried, too."

Barley wondered why grown-ups cried about happy stuff.

"Everyone knew how much I had wished for you!"

"What did you do when you first held me?" asked Barley.  As hard as he tried to remember he just couldn't.  He was a pretty little Barley then.

"Oh, Barley," said Mama. "I fell deeply in love with you.  I looked into your sweet face, and right then, you became my wish come true."

Every single thing we do is better because of you.  We love you so much buddy and thank God for his many blessings every day.

Love, 

Mom and Dad