Gavin James is 4 Months Old!

It's hard to believe that our little Gav Gav is already 4 months old!  It seems like overnight he went from a newborn to a bouncing baby boy.  He's gotten quite chubby, which I love! We went for his 4 month check up and his stats are 15 pounds and 26 inches (I actually overestimated his height from December so disregard that one).  So from his 2 month appointment he gained 2 1/2 pounds and grew almost 2 inches.  He's currently 75-90% for height and 50-75% for weight.  So his chub is starting to catch up to his length.

I can't say that I miss the newborn stage too much because to be honest it kicks my behind.  But I actually really love this baby stage!  It's like the super hard time ends and the fun begins!  Gavin is so happy, playful and active.  He's also super chill and such an easy baby.  Aside from mild teething and not always sleeping through the night, he's kind of a breeze.  He sticks to an awesome schedule, naps great, loves to play by himself and only cries when he needs something.  He's such a sweet, loving little cuddle bug with an infections laugh. 

I also love this stage because he's starting to do all kinds of fun new tricks.  Just this week Gavin started rolling over, grabbing at toys and eating solids.  He's actually a few weeks behind schedule on the first two things (according to all the books and compared to Jack who did everything a month early) so I talked to my pediatrician about it.  She laughed at me and told me I read too many books....and that I needed to STOP comparing Gavin to Jack.  She said Gavin is growing and developing just fine and I need not worry.  So I won't.  I'm just going to try to relax and enjoy him and Jack a much as I can.  And I'm so looking forward to all of the fun milestones that the next month will bring.

For now here's what Gavin is up to these days...

Just being so adorable in Big Brother Jack's old hat...

Sitting up in the Bumbo like a big boy...AND holding onto one of Jack's Lightening McQueen Cars.  Jack is so sweet and always shares his toys with Gav....

Starting to roll over...

Ummm, what just happened here...

Ok, I really didn't like that feeling at all...

Rockin' the happy skull and vans socks...

In an attempt to fill him up and hopefully get him to sleep through the night, we started Gavin on rice cereal. But so far he thinks its pretty nasty stuff...

All these new tricks really wear a kid out...



 

Five Fun Facts

Hello blog followers....all 5 of you!  So sorry I have been MIA this month, but life as been a little hectic these days (see topic number one for an explanation).  I have so much to update you all on, including Christmas pictures, but those will have to wait til next time.  For now I'm bringing back the 5 fun facts so I can quickly update you what we're up to these days and share some cute pics of the boys.  Enjoy!

Here's a recent picture of my hansome fellas to get things started.  Jack is 2 1/2 and Gavin is 16 weeks...

Workin' Mama
So I'm officially back to work!  I started right after the new year and I hit the ground running. It's definitely been very difficult juggling it all - working, spending time with the boys, taking care of the house, trying to find time for my family, friends and the hubs...lots of hat switching going on here!  Every second of every day is filled with something so I have very little time to myself, hence the blog has to take a back seat, among other things. But it's actually forced me to fall into a nice little routine at home so somehow I manage to get it all done.  It's a tough schedule but I realize that I am very fortunate to have such a fun and flexible job that allows me time with my kids, so for that I am very thankful.  Overall, I'm glad to be back to work, doing something that I enjoy and flexing my brain muscles again!

I already had to go out of town last week - first to Orlando then to Santa Barbara.  It was bitter sweet.  On one hand I was so happy to be able to have adult conversation, enjoy a warm meal (sitting down) and get some uninterrupted sleep in a comfy bed without a toddler kicking me.  And I knew the boys were in good hands with their daddy, my mom and Joey and my new "nanny" Auntie Julie, one of my dear friends.  But I still missed them terribly and I was so happy to come back home.  Jack was so excited to see me that he literally squealed and jumped in my arms for the biggest bear hug ever!  I gotta tell you, that feel good.  I really missed their sweet little faces...

Boys Stats
Ok this is a little late but I wanted to share the boys stats from a few weeks ago. Right around Christmas both boys were sick with ear infections.  Jack is an old pro at them but poor little Gav was so miserable.  We had to do nebulizer treatments on him.  As much as I hate having to take them to the docs, I always like to get their current stats.  I really don't know why I'm obsessed with their height and weight but I am...call me crazy!  So here they are...

Jack at almost 2 1/2 was 40 lbs and 40 inches which was 95th for both.  Still a tank!
Gavin at 14 weeks was 13 lbs 12 oz and 27 inches - 90th for height and 50th for weight.  Still a bean pole!

Here's a few pics on my tank (apparently enjoying a toga party in his CARS sheets) and my bean pole (looking so stinkin adorable)...

No Rest for the Weary
So I was fully anticipating telling you that Gavin is FINALLY sleeping through the night.  But, sadly, I can't!  His sleeping routine is definitely better and I'd say half the week he'll sleep from 8:30 pm - 5:00 am which is heaven!  But the other days all bets are off and he could wake up anywhere from 2-3 times.  What gives kid?  Either he's starving or teething....or possibly both.  Or maybe he's just got our number and knows that when he cries, we will come. But how can we resist this face...

Jackism's
I love Jack at 2 1/2!  The kid is so smart, funny, affectionate and witty and some of the things that come out of his mouth just kill me.  They usually fall into three categories - really funny, really sweet or REALLY annoying.  But I'll take the good with the bad because most of the time they are just really hilarious.  Unfortunately, he's also been saying a few bad words (I blame his dad!) and it's so hard not to laugh when he does.  So that's forced us to watch our own language around him.  Anyway, I should be writing all of the funny stuff down because I have forgotten so many of the good ones.  But here are a few that remember off the top of my head. 

Sitting in our play room....
Jack: Mommy, this is a really big house....but you're bigger!
Me: Gee, thanks bud.

Taking a walk to the park...
Jack: Mommy, this is a really beautiful day today!

Role Reversal...
Jack: Mommy, you have to take a bath now!
Me: But I don't want to take a bath (fake cry)
Jack: Awe mommy, don't cry, Jack is here (hugs me)
(Repeat scenario about a million times)

Cleaning the play room...
Me: Jack it's time to clean your room
Jack: NO!
Me: Jack, I'm not going to tell you again, clean your play room.
Jack: NO, MOMMY, YOU STOP TALKING TO ME!! (as he runs to the bathroom and slams the door)
(I thought I had 10 more year before this happened)

Eating cookies...
Jack: Mommy, do you want a cookie too?
Me: No baby, Mommy's on a diet.
Jack: But, mommy, it will make your tummy feel better.
(How can I argue with that?  So, I had one)

Here's my little smarty pants looking way too grown up...

Magical Moments!
With my crazy schedule, every day is different and unpredictable.  Some days are good and I pat myself on the back for successfully juggling the kids, work, the house while managing to have fun and maybe put on a little mascara.  Other days are hard and I want to run away....really, really far away...like Africa far!  On the hard days I find myself just wanting the day to be over and then I feel like the worst mom ever because I'm not enjoying this oh so precious time with my adorable children...blek! 

So, on one of particularly hard days, I came across this article that addressed exactly what I was feeling. It's as if the blogger pulled thoughts from inside my head.  It's worth a read if you have time.  But, it's basically about not putting pressure on yourself to make each day a magical experience, but finding the small moments in each day that make mothering totally worth it.  I think it pretty much sums up my life right now.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glennon-melton/dont-carpe-diem_b_1206346.html

So this weekend was a good one.  We just relaxed and had lot of fun with the boys.  On Saturday we took them to Downtown Disney.  Daddy went to a heavy metal concert at the House of Blues so I dropped him off and met Grammy Delora and the kids for dinner.  We haven't taken Jack to Disneyland yet, so this was his first intro into the Disney experience.  Needless to say, he was in heaven.  I can't even imagine what he will do when we go to the real mouse house!  Here are a few pictures of the boys enjoying a few magical moments...

Jack loves his new R2D2 toy....the most annoying lights and sounds toy on the planet! But it sure came in handy to wake up daddy the next morning after he had a little too much to drink at the concert!