18 months - welcome baby brother spike

Playing with a shape sorter!

Gavin is becoming such a little man!  The other day I was dressing him and all of a sudden he looked so big...what happened to my little boy?  Each day Gavin's vocabulary grows and grows. He has started to say a couple short phrases like "read the book" and "where's the ball".  He is also using "thank you", which is my favorite!  

Fall is upon us!  Gavin has enjoyed some great outdoor time running and climbing on local playgrounds.  We also had the opportunity to check out a Touch-a-Truck event.  Gavin was more interested in the balloons however.

This month we also had some exciting outing to dinner.  Gavin loves eating out...well just eating in general!  He especially loves coloring with the crayons and occasionally trying to eat them.  I'd say his favorite meal thus far was grilled chicken on a stick at Red Robin.

We also had a fun outing with Auntie Elissa to The Gap in search of a coming home outfit for his new baby brother.  Alas I found the perfect hat for Gavin but he did not like it very much at all!

             

Patrick liked his hat lol!

Of course we also spent some quality time with Gavin's best buddy Ridge and Jessie.  They seem all grown up sitting on the couch like big boys.  

Jessie also watched Gavin while Chad and I delivered our second son Brycen John!  Gavin was such a good boy and slept all night for her.  She was also able to test out the double stroller :)  We are so lucky to have such great friends!

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Brycen John Richardson was born on September 20, 2012 at 7:46 pm.

He weighed 8 pounds 7.7 ounces and measured 20 inches long.

He is adorable!

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Gavin is acclimating to his baby brother.  He hugs and kisses him occasionally...though i'm sure it will continue to be a challenge for him to share attention.  I think they will grow into best buddies.  My favorite moment this week is my two men snuggling!  The question now is....where do we go from here???  Maybe... http://twoboysrunning.blogspot.com

17 1/2 months - how do you brush your teeth

Gavin is 17 1/2 months and I am 37 weeks pregnant with Brycen.  I cannot believe how fast time has gone by.  Julie Vogel, my cousin, took a photo for Brycen's bedroom to mimic Gavin's.  Recently, I have been contemplating how to blog about both of my boys but also keep them separate.  I think I will have to start a blog just for Brycen.  This way I can continue Gavin's!  But then I think the photos will probably be of both of them...hummmm.  I will have to think some more :)  

This week Gavin continues his journey with language.  He has started to say "no no" which I can't help but chuckle at.  He is not really sure why he is saying it but alas that dreaded word has entered his vocabulary.  Can I go back! LOL  Other favorites include meow, wow, and Julie "ju...deee".  He is also using momma when he wants me which makes me super happy :)  This week I began going back to work which has been a big adjustment for Gavin.  Though he loves his daddy time leaving in the morning is a bit traumatic at first!  He does recover quickly however!

Since I am working again he had the opportunity to spend some quality time with Jessie and Ridge, as well as Kelly and Zoe.  This did seem to make Gavin happy! So happy in fact because his best buddy has refined the fine art of brushing his teeth.  Which means Gavin won't forget.  Thanks Ridge!

This week I made Gavin some carrot zucchini muffins which he devoured and he has also found he loved cheese, especially mozzarella, thanks to the Vogel family who gave him some fresh pieces...he is a true Italian.  

We also spent some fun times playing with the Vogel Family in the pond.  I look forward to them sharing some photos we can add to the blog.  Gavin loved the pond so much he waded right in his clothes.  Lucky for me his Auntie Carrie followed him :)

We also had the opportunity to spend some quality time with Patrick and Auntie Elissa at the playground.  Patrick is getting so big.  He can go on the swing without Gavin holding him up...they grow too fast!

Walk on the Bike Path

As I begin my journey to create a loving space for Brycen, Gavin continues to revisit his younger days.  He is so fascinated by the infant car seat and likes to crawl in and out of it.  This includes bringing his baby doll in it.  Gavin also has found a new love for his bumbo, bouncer and rocker.  I think however he has broken the bouncer.  It does not appear to want to retract from the floor, alas we may need another one in the future LOL!

I think Gavin is ready for his brother!  Looking forward to see how everything progresses.  According to the docs, I am 4 cm dilated and 75% effaced.  Could be tonight - could be two weeks from now!  What do you think?

17 months - explore, enrich, enjoy

17 months - playing hide and seek behind the curtain :)  

Each day Gavin gains more and more language.  He loves to talk and I cannot wait until he is ready to share all his knowledge and thoughts with me.  This week he is loving strawberries and grapes (which are balls) and also steak LOL.  His pop came over for dinner and Gavin ate half his steak.  He would place a piece in his mouth and say more...more...more.  Needless to say that night Gavin ate a half of steak and that was all for dinner!  I find it is harder and harder to create meals that are unique for him.  I have to spend some more time researching fast kid friendly and healthy meals.  Especially before Brycen joins us :)

Summer is winding down and work will start back up in just a week.  Gavin will be transitioning from having mommy all the time to spending more time with his dad.  I think he will enjoy that time!  He will also get to play with Kelly and Zoe on Tuesdays again...and this I know he will enjoy!

This week we spent some time playing in the marsh with Ridge, Zoe, and Clara.  It was a blast to watch the kids explore and journey through the mud and water.  Gavin loved engaging in a game of throw with some big kids and found a net to dig with. 

Our Explorers!

Making Friends

Zoe and Gavin...priceless :)

This week we also took advantage of the beautiful weather when we had it.  I find more and more Gavin naps better with some physical activity.  His new favorite toy outdoors is a long tomato pole which I try to hide but I am usually unsuccessful.  I hope he will use this time to fine tune his pole vaulting skills for the future.   

We also had the opportunity to check out the Hidden Hallow and Carousel this week with Ridge and Jessie.  What a fantastic outdoor space for children to create in.  Both boys enjoyed playing with the instruments, creating masterpieces, and mixing with water and mud.  The Carousel ride at the end was less traumatic then our last visit.  Gavin did get on the horse, however was a bit leary with the up and down motion.  We came out of it safe that's all I can ask LOL!

Our Meryl's Music class sadly ended this week.  Since Gavin appeared to really enjoy music time I signed him up for the next session.  I look forward to watching him begin to grasp the concepts of rhythm and beat.  Jessie brought her camera to the last session and got a fantastic shot of Gavin on the drums.  I can envision future drum kits banging in my house....sighs!

In closing, I want to say that things are going great on my end with the little man Brycen living in my belly.  Each day I feel him grow and move.  I am looking forward to the day we meet eye to eye.  Though Gavin is still unaware of what is in store for him...I know in my heart that he will be the best big brother ever :)  

16 months + - Up and Running

Gavin Alan - 16 1/2 Months

So the computer is back and up and running!!!! YAY :)  It is amazing how much you can miss something like a computer.  I had so many photos to download and updating to do on various sites.  However, I must say it was not as difficult as I thought to live my life without it for a few days.  

Gavin continues to grow and learn each day.  He knows a variety of words now.  A few favorites are shoes, more, and dog.   He of course continues to identify anything round with ball, however I did manage to get him to say "mon" for a lemon instead of call.  Baby steps ;)  We have also been transitioning from two naps to one.  I am hopeful by the time Brycen appears we will have it down to one long nap which will be helpful.  Sometime I think about how a month from now we could have another little man in our lives.  It amazes me how fast time goes :)

Over the past few weeks we have taken multiple opportunities to enjoy Cape Cod.  Spending days at the beach, playing in the marsh or building in the sand.  Gavin, Clara, and Ridge spent one day during low tide exploring the ocean floor....including the mud :)

We have also enjoyed spending some days playing at the beach with Auntie Elissa and Patrick.  Gavin even had his first ride in a row boat.  His favorite times are playing with his daddy in the water.  We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place :)

Last week we also had the opportunity to have some family photos taken with Kristy of Portraits by Kristy.  You can check out her facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portraits-by-Kristy/398908706811028 or her new blog at http://portraitsbykristy.blogspot.com/.  We were so lucky to win a contest she had and got some fantastic shots.  Here are just a few to share :)

It's so wonderful to have someone capture the moments that pass so fast in life for you.  As many of you know I love photography and its makes my heart melt to have them document my family and their love!!!  Thanks so much Kristy :)  In closing here is a current belly shot so Brycen John is officially part of the blog :)  35 weeks and counting.....we can't wait to meet you!!!