New beginnings

So, our carefree summer has ended. Gavin has begun daycare and my FINAL internship (last semester- whoohoo) has started as well. I'm very relieved and happy that he seems to be enjoying Ms. Stephanie and the other kids. He smiles at her and goes easily to her (at this point) when I drop him off three days during the week. It's pretty easy to get to her house....walk across the street! :)

If I think too hard about not being with him during the day I can let it get to me about all of the "what if's;" but I try not to do that. I also feel the slightest bit guilty about actually enjoying my time back in the professional world. Seeing Gavin's precious little face when I pick him up at the end of my day is so wonderful! I let him have unlimited cuddle time, nurse him, play, etc. (in the midst of trying to pick up a bit around the house, pack a lunch for the next day, etc.) I'm certainly understanding the world of a Mom "after hours"- when baby is asleep and husband is in bed- one can be pretty productive if not too exhausted.

We also have two bottom tooth buds now! Not breaking the surface yet but visible and OH SO CUTE! Gavin is also exhibiting the understanding of object permanence and beginnings of separation anxiety/I don't want to go to sleep yet. When I put him down for a nap or for bed time he will sometimes start a full out pouty cry as he sees me leave his room. If I come right back in without giving him some time to settle (and I've made this mistake a couple times)- the crying stops but is worse when I try to leave again. Smart baby!
Another first: Gavin had his first cold; a mild one thankfully! I got sick the Sunday before my internship began (yeah- loads of fun) and then he had a low-grade fever and nasal congestion soon after. We used a cool mist humidifier in his room and that was it; he was fussy only one day. No need for any medications- just TLC. Thankfully I had two days off from the internship with him when he got sick. By the way: there's no time for a Mommy to be sick, especially when baby is sick, too. AND--the WORST sick patient is the Daddy!! Are all men like that? :)

And finally----the moment we've all been waiting for (well, at least me): Gavin slept from 7:30pm-6:15am last night with no feedings!! He woke at 1:30 for about 10-15 mins but got himself back to sleep! YAY- great job! We'll see if this is a trend- fingers crossed. :)

(oh lastly- aunt flow has decided to return to my life after a 16 month hiatus- wonderful gift of nature she is.)

Ok- time for some homework then bed for me---ahh, sweet, wonderful sleep.

First day of daycare and baby babbles :)

Today was Gavin's first day at Stephanie's home daycare. He only went for four hours and it is right across the street (so nice to be so close). He apparently was having a great time; Stephanie sent me a text picture with him in a jumperoo with BIG smiles! He napped and had a bottle also- two things I was a bit worried about.
We are blessed with such a good, easy- going baby. So this is our first "transition"; Gavin going to daycare and me starting with my internship (starts Monday). It's really hard to believe that almost 7 months have passed by. My little breech baby is growing so fast! I think his fingers and toes grow exponentially every week!
This weekend we HAVE to switch his car seat out to the convertible one; he's very cozy- squished- in his infant car seat.
Baby babbling: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE baby babble! He started out (and still does some of this) just moving his mouth without noises- really WIDE mouth- trying out all positions of his lips and jaws. The noises that come out of there are equally entertaining. Blaaa, blaa, blaaa---aaaaah. Haha, I love it. I love my "conversations" with him. He's particularly talkative after naps and at the end of the day. No recognizable words yet, I'm sure they'll be coming soon- along with teeth; this boy is the drool monster!
We tried these snacks this week- he LOVES them! We got the plain ones because the others had too much sugar content for my liking at this point. We also have snacks- frozen fruit, fresh fruit, ice, etc. in this. He makes a mess but isn't that part of the fun of being a baby?!
Also- Daddy is following this website for making baby food- Gavin LOVES Daddy's cooking already. Thank God- because Mommy is a bit "delayed" when it comes to cooking. :)
Ok, signing off for tonight. Shout out to Aunt Tootie- the vitamin C lover! :)

Happy half-year birthday!

Gavin turned 6 months old this week! Six months really blew past in most aspects. This week Gavin began to grab for EVERYTHING that catches our attention. He also flipped from belly to back during several naps. He's had great head/neck strength for some time but was just not really interested in the whole rolling thing. I think he tries to get to his lion lovey (blanket) and the fish aquarium thing attached to his crib and flips---just needed some good motivation, I guess. Gavin has also definitely developed an attachment to his lion lovey. It's so cute: when I lay him down in his crib for a nap or at bed time- he reaches out for lion and then cuddles it to his face or "nurses" it.
More on the poop-front: WE HAVE SOLID POOOOO! :) Looks like the digestive system got it figured out. We also have BM's at least once/day now- I'm sure Gavin is a tad bit more comfortable. :)
Teething signs: LOTS-O-DROOL!! I mean LOTS. I know what those goofy little bibs that do NOTHING during meal time are for now---keeping the front of outfits less than drenched from all the drool! If I don't have one on him when he's just hanging out or playing- drenched he is.
**Got "real" bibs this week: plastic fronts and WAY more coverage from Kohl's on sale.
Another sign: chewing, chewing, noming, noming on everything constantly. I'm sure some cute little teeth are on their way any day now (let's hope he doesn't inherit the Whitehead gap between the two front ones).
Water: Gavin went with me to my 10 year high school reunion last Saturday out at Ginnie Springs. He was perfectly fine with the water temp! I, on the other hand, was not. Even with it being ridiculously hot and sticky- I did not go all the way in. Gavin got up to his chest and loved it just as if he was in the pool. Speaking of pools: Gavin went all the way under water for the first time yesterday at the YMCA pool. I was a bit hesitant to do it for fear he'd freak out, so I waited until we were about to get out of the pool. He was surprised by it but once I wiped the water off his face- he was fine again. No tears.
Two more weeks before I head back to adult world (internship) three days/week and Gavin is in a home daycare. I'll say it with no guilt: I'm actually looking forward to having a bit of my own identity back; however, I know it will be bittersweet! I'll probably be fighting back tears the first few days!

Cute blog I found this week: http://wakingupwilliams.com/

Sitting up and poop

We've been making great strides both in gross motor skills and digestion of solid foods. Gavin can now sit up by himself, grab for toys in front of himself and not fall over (most of the time). When he does fall over from sitting he can roll over on to his tummy and (unless tired or hungry) doesn't protest too much.

On the poop side of things: introducing "baby foods" has changed the whole poop situation. It looks like we are now getting in to a new schedule of once every 3-4 days and STIIIIIINKY!! Whew- the breastmilk poo's smelled like roses compared to this stuff! Daddy has made lots of good veggies and fruits. We pretty much like it all but what we REALLY like is to play the spitting/raspberry game- especially in the morning! Mommy has decided that after a few minutes of this game we are just not that interested in eating and we get down to play (avoiding a spit/food bath). Our tongue spends a lot of time outside of our mouth and reaching for Mommy's food or cup has become a hazard for which Mommy has to be very alert.

Oooh---we got a jumperoo recently and LOVE it! We didn't really know what to do with it until spending a night at Mimi and Papa's and seeing our cousin Camille bouncing away in it. NOW there's NO stopping the bouncing fun! It is hilarious to watch him do this! I'll try to video and post it on here.

Achievements

So within the last week Gavin has achieved sitting on his own! I still put the boppy behind him to cushion when he topples over but he's doing a great job. He is also picking up toys in front of him and bringing them to- his mouth mostly. He's also learning the whole concept of cause and effect: I throw toy over there and Mommy gives it back to me, then I throw it over there.... :)

What a smart baby- was there any doubt he would be?! :) We'll just continue to pray that he got my language skills and John's math skills.

Gavin's 6 month birthday is coming soon----WOW, 6 months; how can it be?!

A few of my favorite things

So I'm late at posting his 4th of July picture- we had a photo shoot before bed time :)


A few of my favorite things right now (in no particular order):
1. Gavin is infatuated with faces- especially Daddy's. He LOVES to sit with Daddy and touch his face and put his hands in Daddy's mouth. SO CUTE.
2. Baby giggles....melts you down to the core!
3. Gavin nursing and coming off to look up at me and give a great big gummy smile! (Note: this can also be annoying when trying to get baby to finish nursing...haha- patience, patience!)
4. First thing in the morning: my sweet baby babbling over the monitor and a GREAT BIG smile when I come in to get him from his crib. Then....just cuddling for a few moments to say good morning- LOVE this precious time. (It makes getting up by 6:30 every day a joy.)
5. Looking at my pumpkin sleeping.
6. Listening/watching John read to Gavin each night before bedtime.
7. Gavin blowing "raspberries." (Also even funnier when he tries to do this while nursing.)

Love my little guy and SO blessed and thankful to have been home with him for what will be 6 and 1/2 months before my final clinical internship begins.

Next post: 5 month old pics.

Giggling and Independence Day

Dear Baby Gavin,
Yesterday you GIGGLED for the first time for Mommy! Ahhhh, I'm in love with you even more (if that's possible)! I could gobble your little cheekers right up! :)

Today is July 4th- a special day for two reasons: 1. This was my Mom's birthday- what a day to have your birthday, right? I remember her telling me she loathed it growing up because her parents would always do a patriotic themed cake or something...haha. Get this- her sister, my Aunt Margie was born on April Fool's day- I'd HATE for that to be my b'day! :)
2. Today is Independence Day- much more special and meaningful than just fireworks. I am thankful for the efforts of our "founding fathers" and for the ongoing freedoms we enjoy here in the U.S.

Yesssss...I did buy Gavin a 4th of July outfit (how could I resist?). Pictures to be posted later today or tomorrow. :)
Enjoy family, friends, freedom and life! :)