Spring Break!

Even though I am a stay-at-home-Mom and Gavyn doesn't go to school, the past week has been much like a Spring Break for us. Evan has been staying home with his Mom who is off from teaching for two weeks, and Gavyn and I have been doing lots of traveling and visiting! The weather has been so great that we have also been on lots of walks. On Thursday we went up to the suburbs and had a picnic lunch with my Aunt Dar (lovingly known to little ones as Auntie Dot) and visited her work, which was also where my Dad had worked, and visited Nana at her work too! That evening we had dinner with a friend of mine that I used to work for, Lisa. She is expecting a little girl in May and Gavyn did a test-run of all her toys!

On a walk at Lake of the Woods

On a picnic

Dad was pulling me really fast!

Yesterday morning we went to the first "Farm Breakfast" at Prairie Fruits Farm. This is a farm that makes goat cheeses and had breakfasts and dinners made with all local foods. As an added bonus we get to see all the goat kids, some of which were just born! Last night we had some of our friends over for dinner: Evan and his parents, Mark and Stephanie, and another of Gavyn's friends Madison and her parents Adam and Haley. I love getting the little ones together just so they can socialize and be around each other. Personally I benefit from talking to some adults! Granted we talk about our babies, but at least its conversation. The kids did a great job sharing and playing and eating!

Madison and Evan

Cutie

Gavyn wanted to share his blueberries

Evan!

Goats!

Eating our local breakfast

The goats liked Gavyn too!

Blue eyes

Friday morning we went and saw Vicki and Zack and had a great time playing in their basement and going to the park! While the boys spent a good amount of time doing their own thing, they also played together and Gavyn certainly looks up to his older friend. When we left Gavyn was asleep in two minutes. 

Layin' around

Playing with Zack

I also got one room painted with a third coat and finished yesterday, and started on the kitchen. That is two rooms down, three to go. John is working on finishing up the family room today and next weekend we hope to be nearly done! Hopefully I'll be able to put a before/after post up!

Capturing Perfection

I never though I would be interested in photography. As you all know, I like taking and having pictures. I want to capture memories that may not be imprinted completely to my brain. However, the quality of the picture never really mattered to me before. Turns out, all I needed was a muse. After having Gavyn, I became a little obsessed with taking pictures of him. I became increasingly frustrated with the quality of them. I didn't like the way the flash altered his features, making him look like a different baby. I also didn't like how without the flash, my pictures were blurry. While I really like my little point-and-shoot, it was time for an upgrade. Enter my new DSLR camera. From the very first picture I took, I was amazed. After learning a few things about it, I was even more impressed. I am so happy with this investment. Its not just for me either....everyone gets to enjoy the product it creates.

Some recent news...Gavyn is taking steps! He is not walking yet, as my cautious little fellow hates falling on his bum and is quite content holding someones hand, but he has been standing by himself for some time and I can get him to take a step to me now. When he does decide to let go of our finger, I'm expecting him to break into a run, as he has had plenty of practice.

We have also been working hard to get the Allerton house painted. I absolutely love the colors we picked out and it is really starting to look like our own. John is planning on getting the floor in the kitchen this weekend after I paint it. I can't wait to uncover the furniture and sit down in our living room!

Here are some pictures with my amazing new toy....enjoy!

My Hero

I always knew I would make a good mother. I've been practicing since I was three. Its all I've ever wanted out of life. I knew how to care for children, teach them, discipline, and love them. I knew how to create an environment that would encourage my children to be independent, thoughtful, imaginative, and helpful. I gave birth without medication because I trusted my body, and I trust my instinct always. Sure, I've read the books, and learned that I should not have read the books. I knew it wouldn't always be easy, and that I would come upon times where I wouldn't always have the answer. I knew I would feel rewarded every day by the smile on my child's face and the trust in their hearts. That is really all I need. There is, however, one thing I never expected out of motherhood. I never thought that I would be on the receiving end of being taught how to live. Once becoming a mother, I had not just the inclination, but the desire and need to become a better person. I've found myself working on my patience, my understanding, and my acceptance. I have found more compassion in myself than ever before, as I refuse to take for granted what I have. I grieve for those that have so little. I know Gavyn will grow to be a wonderful, talented, loving, and generous man. I hope that by giving him a good example to live by, he will display confidence in these qualities and never doubt the person that he is, although he will find challenges all throughout his life. I am already so very very proud of him.

Just because I can't get enough of him...here are more pictures of my amazing little man. 

He likes to help Mama clean

Here he is in his "car"

My little ragamuffin

Here he is displaying some of that imagination I talked about

He loves getting laughs, by any means

Playing with Bella (who recently became a big sister!)

"G" is for Gavyn!

The March Winds are the Morning Yawn

While today we have stayed mostly inside due to rain, chill, and chores, the past few days has given us a taste of Spring and we are more than ever looking forward to the season to come! We got the opportunity to get out Gavyn's wagon, which was a Christmas present from his Grandma and Grandpa Griesbaum and the boys had a blast playing with it! Gavyn liked pushing it around and both he and Evan got a thrill out of being pulled around the yard. We also went for nice long walks in our new double stroller. While it was incredibly windy yesterday, we still got out and went to the park. We got to swing, walk around, and watch all the older kids play! I have so many plans for warmer weather. Aside from activities and and the basic ease of Spring, I am joyed to share the little things with my son that come with it. A deep breath of awakening earth, the wonder of a storm, the feel of the sun's warm breath tingle on your skin, and the sense of life that surrounds us. It is these things that make you stop and listen to the earth, your spirit, and the music of life.

"I'll help put it together Mom"

Belle is always standing guard

You can see how much I trust this dog

Awesome!

Always practicing our walking

Swinging is FUN!

We love walks!

Who needs pants??

I love, love, LOVE him!!

Little Comforts

If you thought Gavyn had a rough, tough exterior (ha!) check this out. Besides clinging to Mama and Dada he has taken comfort in a few things, but most of all his little blankey. His Nana made him this blankey by accident. She made a very large blanket with lots of squares that each had a different animal on it (all local to the Midwest, mind you) and it is so big it will be a comforter some day. She had this one piece on the side because she made the cardinal too big. Gavyn liked the big blanket so much that Nana made this one square into a little Gavyn-sized cuddle blanket. Every night when bedtime arrives I give him a big hug, kiss, and lay him in his crib. He finds his blanket, sets it down so it is just right, and lays his head down on it to go to sleep. I haven't seen him sleep without being on his blanket in a long time. He will sometimes play with it, chew it, and wave it around to challenge the sand man but as you can see, he can only fight so hard. I don't see how I could ever tire of watching my son sleep in complete peace and contentment. 

Gavyn also enjoys sleeping without pants

Another blankey featuring loons - not the original, but still works!

This is why I don't get things done while Gavyn naps.

Gavyn also loves on the owlies his Mama made him