Momma's little Hunny

(This is how I found him...he already knows how to make a tent!)

I thought I would do one more blog before heading to Dominican Republic---we are leaving Wednesday and will be gone for 10 WHOLE DAYS! Please say a prayer that we have a safe flight both going to and coming from DR and that our overall trip is safe. Gavin hasn't seen his Abuela and Abuelo since he was around a week old, so I'm certain they are very excited about seeing him! We are attending the Nolasco Family Reunion on Saturday where Gav will meet many family members for the first time! I'm excited about the trip, but I'm already stressing over the heat. For those of you who have never been to a THIRD WORLD COUNTRY...there is NO air conditioning in the homes (only in the bedrooms)---baby G is a sweater as it is, so to be in the heat all day long for 10 days...uhhhh...well it worries me. But we are going to buy a portable fan and keep him in the shade so hopefully it will go well---think positive, right? On the UPSIDE we are going to be staying at a resort in Punta Cana for a few days, where the AC will be a-flowing on HIGH! YIPPEE. I love vacationing at the beach and the beaches in the Caribbean are the best!

My little baby boy will be 5 months on the 4th of August! I can't believe it! Some new things going on with Gav----

• He is now eating food!!!! So far, he has had green beans, peas, and carrots. He seems to be a fan of peas. Tomorrow he will have squash for the first time! He had sweet potatoes once, but he got a little rash on his back a day or so later...prob. wasn't the sweet potatoes, but I'm going to hold off on giving him those again---we're going to have all the other veggies first!




• He can sit up SOMEWHAT now!!! He leans over and holds himself up with his hands, but hey---he's getting there!




• He got in the pool for the first time yesterday...didn't stay in for long, but he seemed to enjoy it!




• He has now flown---all the way to KY and back...and was nothing less than an ANGEL!




• He is beginning to enjoy "tummy time" a little more these days ;o).



• Everything continues to go straight to the mouth.



• He is trying to talk, babbles all the time. I'm pretty sure that "da-da" is going to be his first word as he is practically saying it now (he just doesn't know what he's saying).



• And he just jumps away in his Jumperoo, it is hilarious! I'll have to get a video of him and post it.

My Old Kentucky HOME

We had a fantastic time in KY this past week. Beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, awesome family, wonderful friends, it was just perfect---except for the leaving part ;'o(. I planned on taking lots of pics, but we were busy non-stop so I didn't get as many as I had hoped. BUT we did get our family pictures taken with First Comes Love photography! It will be a while before we see them, but I know that I will be soooo pleased with them---thanks Tashi and Kena!

We met up with my brother (Uncle Mike and Aunt Teri) and his family the day we arrived, they were actually at the airport with my parents waiting for us----so sweet of them! Don and Phyllis--thank you so much for taking time out of your afternoon to visit with us, we had a wonderful time! Here's a photo to show you all just how much fun we had! And Gav got to meet his first cousin Madison for the FIRST time---she has grown so much, what a beautiful big girl she is!

Wednesday- Gavin got too meet his Great Grandfather---Papaw Lloyd for the first time, just precious! I have a video of them to post later ;o). He also got to meet his Aunt Kelly and Great Aunt Mary for the first time---they were just smitten with him & he was full of smiles for them! That afternoon my dear friend ANGEL had all of our buddies over for a meet and greet for baby G. We had the BEST time...lots of laughs, discussion, and FOOD! Here is a picture of our babies...ALL BOYS (how crazy is that?) except for sweet Kinley (who isn't pictured---they had already left). Thanks Angel and Jean---my trip wouldn't have been complete without this gathering!

Thursday--family photos. (Aunt Kelly and Aunt Mary came to visit again).

Friday--Dress Rehearsal for Mrs. Britta Richmond's wedding. And Saturday was the BIG Day! Gavin got to meet many people that I had been anticipating. But---I was so caught up in the moment that I got ZERO pictures! I have to mention two special young ladies that Gavin just loved---Liv and Catherine! They both held and hugged him and he was sooo HAPPY! Britta was nothing short of GORGEOUS on her Wedding Day...it was a beautiful wedding and good times---Congrats to the Richmond's!

And during this visit Gavin got to ride the fourwheeler that I spent many many days on when I was just 5 years old. Pappa fixed it just for Gavin! And he got to ride the rhino with mommy and daddy!

All in all, this trip was just what I needed & I'm already trying to figure out a way to get us back there! Please pray that we make it back to Kentucky PERMANENTLY! Thanks Nanna and Pappa for everything-we love you-and are so glad that we got to visit!

Monday Blues...time for more shots!

Yes, today was the dreadful day for 4 month shots :'o(. And mommy had to take baby G all by myself, because daddy had an important meeting. I do enjoy going to the pediatrician just because it's nice to get answers to my many questions face to face and not from Google, lol...but the immunization part I have been dreading for a while now.

For Gavin's 4 month stats:

• His weight was 16lbs. 12oz. which puts him in the 90th percentile---yes he's a Big Strong BOY!







• His height is 25 1/4 inches...placing him in the 60th percentile







• His head 16 1/2 inches--don't have a percentile on that one :o).







• He met all of his developmental milestones (ie: responds by laughing, smiling, squealing, sits with support, holds head upright and steady, rolls from front to back, reaches for and holds toys, everything goes to mouth!)







• He has officially been given the "go ahead" to start foods...but we're already on top of that, since he is, after all, 4 months and 2 weeks.

I added a little bit of applesauce to Gavin's oatmeal, but he wasn't too sure about the new taste. I have recently noticed a little bit of a rash on his back, so I'm not going to do sweet potatoes or applesauce again for a week or so (and I will only feed him ONE at a TIME)...hopefully I'll figure out what caused the rash.

And on to the shots, 4 of them to be exact...he screamed a little harder this time and it lasted a little longer (tear). Thank the Lord that he will have no memory of these horrible shots that mommy has to hold his arms down for! But after cuddling and comforting him, he was all better. He is now sleeping like a little angel.

We leave for KY tomorrow...whhhhooooppppeeee!!! It will be Gavin's first time on a plane! Everyone please keep us in your thoughts and say a little prayer for us please!

Happy Monday.

My Sweet Potato eats sweet potatoes!

Unfortunately, I have no pics to post of Gav's feast on sweet potatoes, but he did have them for the very first time today! I think I expected him to fall in love with them immediately...myself being a big sweet potato fan, but he was a little "ify" on them. He wasn't too sure about the texture--when he eats oatmeal he opens his mouth, swallows, etc. but with this new texture he wanted to suck on the spoon :o). He ate 1/2 of a small container...we'll work on the other 1/2 tomorrow! Oh my baby is getting so big...already trying different food!!! In the morning, I'm going to add a little apple sauce to his oatmeal...I think he will love this! Can you feel the excitement in this post---I'm a big fan of food and can't wait for Gavin to enter the world of trying different flavors and not just drinking boring old formula, hah!

Since I can't post w/o adding a pic, I figure I can add some from this past weekend. It was Gav's first trip to Palm Coast. We went to visit some of my family for the day and had a fantastic time! I hope all of you appreciate having the luxury of seeing your family often, you don't know just how lucky you are!

(That's our cousin Todreana peeking her head in!)


(I adore this baby---he's my blessing)

(Daddy is full of kisses!)

(Cousins)

We are heading to Clearwater/St. Pete/North Redington Beach this weekend. My friend, Danielle is getting married!!! Weddings are so much fun to me and this one is actually ON the beach...it will be nothing short of AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL!!! Don't worry, I'll post pics ;o).

OH! We will be heading to KY on Tuesday!!! I am BEYOND excited and can't wait for everyone to see my pride and joy! We fly out Tuesday afternoon---for anyone reading this, keep us in your prayers :o)! There will be gazillions of photos to add when we come home. We will also be having a family photo session by First Comes Love Photography--very excited about that too!

One last thing---this goes out to one of my closest friends, Angel---Congrats again...I am so very excited for you and can't wait for our get together on Wednesday!

Gavin 18 weeks...

(He's getting so big!!!!)

A few pictures of my sweety at 18 weeks. These were taken outside yesterday...he loves being outdoors! There was a storm blowing in, so we got to enjoy a very nice breeze by the pool--- peaceful and relaxing.

(Everything, including my camera strap, goes straight to the MOUTH!)

(Daddy joined us!)

Happy Saturday!!!!

Dinosaurs and Giggles ;op

4 Months on the 4th! (Lots of PICS!)

(4 months on the 4th)

(The Nolasco's!)

(Chillin on South Beach)

(That is the downtown Miami skyline, from the balcony of our condo)

(Happy 4th of July!)

(Big Boy!)





(Gavin with his favorite toy! Duckie)

(on South Beach)

Wow...my baby is now 4 months! Yes, he is still very much a little baby, but it just seems like it really does pass so quickly (just as all other mommy's say). Gavin turned 4 months on the 4th of July, so Saturday was a very special day for 2 reasons!

We spent the weekend in Miami. We got there early Friday afternoon and stayed until today. Miami is a very special place to me because this is where Nelson and I met! I lived there for 6 months (mind you, I did complain about it 80% of the time), but I will always love the place because that's where I found my soul mate. Even though Gavin is only 4 months old, it was very sweet that we took him to the restaurant where I met Nelson for the very first time (Smith & Wollensky) and we had dinner. For those of you who don't know, Nelson was my server at this restaurant...so he was very excited to show off his baby boy to his old co-workers/friends. And by my surpise, many of them said Gavin looks just like ME...but I still see a combination of us both :o). We spent a few hours at South Beach on Saturday and we watched the fireworks from the park (on South Beach). We woke up today (@ 10:00!!!!) and headed back home. It was a pleasant weekend.

But most importantly Gavin is 4 months old!!! A few things he is doing now:

• He can roll over from his tummy to his back




• He loves to hear his own voice--he's constantly screaming (in a happy way)





• He smiles 24/7





• He drinks 7 oz. of formula every 4 hours




• He eats oatmeal from a SPOON once a day





• He likes to look at himself in the mirror (he always smiles)




• Some nights he sleeps until 7am, other nights around 4-5 am




• He loves to sleep in bed with mommy and daddy!!! (but only in the mornings)




• He holds his head up very well during "tummy time"

• He's still in a size 2 diaper




• He fills out 3-6 months clothes perfectly!




• He enjoys his "jumparoo"



• He has a toy duckie that he always holds :op





• He is def. a cuddler...loves to be hugged, kissed, and held




• He is beginning to observe everything around him, loves looking at trees when we go for walks




• He enjoys being outside (as long as it's not too hot!)




• He keeps his hands in his mouth and drools a lot---I'm guessing he's teething




• He loves the "abc" song and "the itsy bitsy spider"




• He recognizes his bottle and get's very excited when he see's it (smiling, kicking, etc.)





• And overall, he is a very happy baby that his mommy and daddy adore!!!!!!!

Hope everyone had a fantastic 4th of July!

Happy 4 months Baby G!!!!!!! Mommy and daddy love you more than you can ever imagine.