A Quick GeorgiaTrip

Dave, Gavin, and I made a quick trip to Georgia over the weekend to attend a shower hosted by my cousins, Jennifer and Stephanie. I was unable to travel before Gavin's birth, per doctor's orders. So, Jennifer and I decided a meet the baby party was in order. So, Gavin made his first plane ride this weekend.

Getting on the plane was a hassle. Our 9:30am Delta flight was canceled due to mechanical problems. My cell phone started ringing at 6:30 while I was feeding Gavin and Dave was in the shower. I sent Dave down to check the phone when he was able. We had been rescheduled on a flight leaving at 5:30pm and arriving at 8:45. This would seriously reduce our already limited amount of time in Georgia, so I got on the phone. After 52 minutes, I had us on an American flight leaving at 11:55am. (I had to ask for them to look for flights on other airlines.) Dave made us a nice breakfast, and we headed to the airport at 10:00. By 10:45 we were standing at the ticket counter to discover that we were booked on the American flight, but not ticketed because Delta didn't release the ticket. The American agent started calling Delta--no answer. I started calling Delta--a busy signal. Finally, Dave and I were both calling. After sitting on hold, I finally got an agent. By 11:15 the nice American agent was saying, "You know you aren't going to make the 11:55 flight, but I'll get you on the next flight at 12:45." Thankfully, Delta finally released the ticket, and we were on our way after standing at the counter for 50 minutes. We got through security, changed Gavin's diaper, picked up a sandwich, walked to our gate, got gate check tags for the stroller, and first class started being called to board.

Gavin did well on his first flight. He needed to eat when we got on, so he was fine on the way up. He slept for about half of the two hour flight. Near the last 10-15 minutes, he was ready to stretch and get off of the plane. During the decent he sucked on Dave's hand to alleviate pressure on his ears. He would have nothing to do with the pacifier; thank goodness Dave's hand was an acceptable substitute.

We got to Grandma's around 6:45 and had dinner. Saturday was filled with the party, playing with Hayden, and a visit from my Aunt Fredia and Uncle Sidney. Sunday we played with Hayden some more then headed to the airport for our 6:55 flight. Though we got stuck in traffic, we walked to the gate for our flight as it was boarding. While Gavin was more restless on the flight back, he did better than 2 other babies sitting behind us. He was fussy as the plane decended, but not nearly as unhappy as those other babies. I hope our flights to and from Minneapolis this next week go as smoothly.

I'll be making several posts with pictures to chronicle our Georgia visit.

Four Months Old

Gavin is four months old! I really don't know where the time has gone. He is growing by leaps and bounds. For his 3 month pictures, we squeezed him into a cute OshKosh polo-style onesie and shortalls that were sized 3-6 months. The outfit above is a 9 month. It's a little roomy, but not that much too big. It's super-soft cotton (thanks Aunt Letha and Uncle Mike; we love this one). It's so sad to pack away clothes that have barely been worn and wash bigger clothes.

We went in Tuesday for his 4 month check up and shots. He weighed 15 pounds 7 ounces--in the 65th percentile; measures 25.5 inches--in the 75th percentile; and his head circumference is in the 25th percentile. (I suppose they measure the head for encephalitis ? I really don't know why--I should investigate that.) Dr. K reports that he's healthy and doing well. While Dave and I knew that, it was nice to hear it. Gone are the days of me fretting over him not gaining enough weight. I get teased that I should feed him more :).

Gavin loves his toys and is becoming more aware of them and ready to play with them. The cow is one of his favorites right now. It's a good size for him to grab ahold of and chew on; however, yesterday I caught him with Freddie the Firefly on top of him as he chewed on Freddie's head. He was laying on a blanket in the floor of my office just chewing away. He has been a trouper the last 2 weeks going to work with me each day. He's had a good long nap in the morning followed by 45 min. - 1 hour of play time on the floor. He gets loved on by Aunt B and Uncle Ted. I'm so glad that I'll be home with him until August 3rd, when he starts daycare.

Gavin has been kicking those legs and moving around more. You can see how the blanket is all bunched up in the picture. He's moving himself in the crib at night. Dave and I have been going in to pull him back to the middle of the crib because he has scooted all the way to the top and hit his head on the crib. His head and neck strength is increasing; he can hold his head up for long periods during tummy time, when he's in the mood to do so.

And, he's much more vocal. He coos and "talks" up a storm while laying on his back. He has started to squeal some. He's working on the laugh. I think Uncle Ted may have gotten some of the first ones out of him last week while Gavin sat with him while I make a quick run to Wendy's for lunch and a Dr. Pepper. Gavin definitely opens his mouth, he just can't get the sound to come out.

Dave and I couldn't be happier playing with our little guy.

Jonas and Gavin

Saturday some crazy Mama had the idea to take the boys to the park and that we should walk the mile to the park instead of drive. I'm not naming anyone, but I think her initials are MM. We headed out around 10:30, before it got "too hot." Thankfully, the playground has a big blue canopy giving shade. We did have the good sense to take water with us. Once there, Jonas had a great time playing on the slides and toddling around.

Gavin and I sat on the sidelines watching.
Mike and Jonas get ready to race down the blue slide.

Jonas decides to go down the taller red slide.

At first he wasn't sure about crawling through the tunnel to get to the red slide, but soon he was a pro.


Jonas takes a water break. Gavin looks at Buford.


After a long mile trek back, we stripped the boys to their diapers, cooled them off, and put them down for naps. Jonas was tuckered out after all that playing and slept a good long while. Then, we were off to a pool party. While the big kids played in the pool, the little guys stayed safe in the unheated hot tub. (Believe me, we didn't need anymore heat.)

Jonas and Dad (Mike) smile for the camera.

Gavin tries to keep the sun off with his hat.
We all pose for the papparazzi (aka Dave and Letha).
Sunday morning we celebrated Father's Day with breakfast out. Afterwards, we posed the boys on the sofa. I know Jonas and Gavin will be great friends one day. Jonas was very gentle with Gavin. Their car seats were next to each other in the back; it was so sweet to look back and see Jonas' hand on Gavin's seat. Gavin sneezed, and Letha and I heard Jonas say, "Bless you." Jonas loves to sniff hair as a sign of affection, while he didn't sniff Gavin's hair, he did rub his head. Maybe Jonas saw that Gavin doesn't have much hair to sniff these days :).

Pictures of the Boys

Mike, Letha, and Jonas arrived today to meet Gavin. After a lunch in Grapevine, we hung out around the house letting the boys play in their own ways. Jonas has been very gentle with Gavin, rubbing Gavin's head. After some dinner, we made the boys sit down for a picture. These two were all we got before Gavin got grumpy and Jonas became uncooperative. We'll try for more pictures tomorrow when everyone is well-rested.
Both Gavin and Jonas were asleep by 8:30, so we sat down to watch No Country For Old Men. I couldn't tell you the last time I watched a movie.

Gavin "Hefner" McLaren

Just call him Gav for short. We are looking into getting Gavin a bubble pipe and some slippers to go along with the robe....But Momma said no bunnies are allowed in the house (the plush variety of course).

Mmmm. . . Lion Meat

Gavin is learning new things. The first week in June, Grandma bought him Buford the Cow. During that week, Gavin figured out how to bring Buford to his mouth. Today during play time, Gavin decided to see how this lion tastes. It's so exciting so see him doing new things. He's reaching out and grabbing toys now. He's also started grabbing onto your shirt when you hold him. For a few weeks, he's been grabbing at necklaces when I have one on. And, he's figured out how to grab a handful of Mama's (and Grandma's) hair.

He's making new sounds. Occasionally, we get a squeal. I keep waiting for a laugh to accompany his big smile. He goos, he ahhhs; sometimes we get ah-goo. He's working on brrrrrr. He bubbles and drools. It's all so exciting; we never know what he'll do next.

Austin Trip

Dave and Gavin traveled with me to Austin so I could attend the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals' annual conference with my coworkers and still be close to Gavin. We left Tuesday evening around 6. Gavin was good for the first hour, slept for about 30 minutes, had to be fed, fussed a bit for 1 1/2 hours, then fell asleep 30 minutes from downtown Austin.

At the hotel, we were taken to 3 rooms before getting settled, all while carrying all of our luggage since no carts were available. Thankfully a Hilton associate was with us helping with the bags. The first room wasn't ours. The second room reeked of cigarette smoke. The third room was across from the ice machine, but I wasn't about to complain at that point. Gavin was awake, and I knew any minute he'd be crying because he was hungry.

After getting situated, Gavin got dinner while Dave set up the pack and play. Then we all crashed. The next morning, we found Gavin had turned himself at least 90 degrees in the night. (Dave says he may have made multiple circles around the pack and play, since every time Dave looked at him he was in a different position.) I headed off for sessions and left Gavin asleep with Dad. Gavin slept until 11, when Dave opened the curtains to let light in and wake the boy up.

Wednesday evening we had dinner with Pete and Lisa. I was supposed to go to the Oasis with the group, but it was hot. I didn't want to take Gavin out in the heat, and I didn't want to leave him and Dave behind. So, I elected to stay behind. Pete called us about 15 minutes later, so we decided to meet up with him and Lisa for an air conditioned dinner at Z Tejas.Gavin was good and let us eat before he tired of sitting around the table.

Life is good when Mallory (the red monkey) is around.

Ah, this is the life: a king size bed for a growing boy. (We had to dig out the 6-9 month zip'n'plays this week for him to sleep in. I'm troubled that the package indicates this is the biggest size. Yikes.)

After our sessions on Thursday, we headed out to the Salt Lick in Driftwood for some barbecue in honor of Ted's birthday.


Gavin was napping when we first arrived. But he soon woke up so he could enjoy the fun.

Waiting for a table at the Salt Lick is never too bad since there's live music and picnic tables for group conversations. The gang: (clockwise: me, Gavin, Becky, Susan, Ted, Krista, and Sharon).

The open pit at the Salt Lick...mmmmmmmm

Inside, Gavin was passed around while we ate. He loved looking at all of Dad's barbecue. One day we'll take him back when he can sink his teeth into some meat.

Aunt B had her turn entertaining Gavin, as did Ted and Krista.

Back at the Hilton, Gavin slept like a baby.

Friday, we got up, packed up the car and headed north. Gavin slept for 2 hours, we stopped for gas, to feed him, and to stretch our legs in Hillsboro. Gavin was awake for a while then fell asleep as we hit traffic. He woke up just a few minutes from home and was ready to get out of his car seat. We'll see how the 4 hour drive from the airport in Minneapolis to the cabin goes in a few weeks.

Traveling is fun with Mallory, Freddy the Firefly, and Buford the Cow.

Sitting???

We have been working on Gavin sitting on his own lately. Sometimes we are successful, sometimes not so much.

Going...
Going....
Gone.

Happy Birthday, Sara

Gavin went to his first birthday party today--a pool party for Sara C., who turned one today.

At first, we stayed in the shade checking out the big kids who were playing in the pool.

Sara was awfully cute in her red swimsuit!


The cake was a giant flower.
Sara seems confused that she's getting a cake all her own.

After the cake, Gavin donned his swim trunks and protective sun shirt.
Then, it was time to shed the shirt and try out the water on the Baja step. Since the sun was off of the pool, the water was a bit cool. Gavin wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
But, in his favorite position on Mama's shoulder (and with a hand to suck on close by), walking around in the water wasn't too bad.


We don't have a picture, but Gavin got his first taste of ice cream at the party. He sort of licked the spoon a bit, got melted ice cream on his lips, then licked his lips. Then, he sucked his hand for good measure to see where the sweetness was coming from. I'm sure he'll be a big ice cream eater one day.

My New Morning Pick Me Up Website

Ahhh, it's nice knowing that no matter how forgetful I am some days, there is always someone out there who is dumber than I am....

http://notalwaysright.com/