Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The holidays are officially over.  The has family come and gone, the presents have been opened and the paper thrown away and New Years resolutions have been made.  We had a truly blessed holiday season.  Both sets of parents were able to make it down, and we were able to spend part of our holidays with friends that are close enough to be family.   Gavin was such a blast.  He was so amazed and excited about ever gift he opened, even loved clothes and shoes he received.
As we start this New Year one can't help but self reflect.  This past year has been full of laughter and tears. Gavin was born just a week after we celebrated 2010,  on January 9.  He has made this year full of excitement and joy.  However there were some days that were a little bit rough.  Jason had to do some medical rotations from home, and was unable to be here for weeks at a time.  That took a toll on both me and Gavin.
But 2011 is going to be truly an adventure.  I will be finishing pastry school and Jason will graduate Medical School in May.  We will then be moving to Jacksonville FL for Jason's residency.  Those things are just the planned events, I know there is sure to be some unexpected surprises, there always is.

With the new year comes resolutions:
Some of mine are...
1. Be bathing suite ready for our vacation to the beach in May
2. Stay off Prozac... It treated me well but hopefully I am done with that
3. Catch up on my scrapbooking.

Meeting Santa

Yesterday Jason and I took Gavin to meet Santa for the first time.  I know we were more excited than he was especially since all he wanted to do was run around the mall.  We got to the mall and he was great.  Gavin was happy and ready to play, the only problem was... Santa was on a potty break or something so we waited for 25 minutes for Santa to return only to wait another 15 to see him.  When it was finally Gavin's turn to meet him we had been at the mall waiting 40 minutes... which I am sure to a sleepy baby seems like much longer.  It was finally our turn, and walked him over and tried to put him in Santa's lap. I tried but Gavin had other plans.  He started to get fussy so I gave him a candy cane. Nope.  I tried standing him on the ground near Santa. Nope.  He ran away.  So of course me being the fabulous mom that I am I left him there in Santa's lap screaming so they could take the picture.  Maybe next year will go better.

Gavin's First Hair Cut

Gavin's hair was looking a little shaggy and he wants to look good for Christmas, so he got his hair cut.  It was his first.  He did so great.  He sat there like a big boy.

Texting his dad telling him what was going on

He looks so serious

 He did great and he looks so awesome!!

After photo He looks like a little man!

Before: Looking a little shaggy

Gavin's First Christmas gift

Gavin gets to celebrate Christmas several times.  He got to open gifts with his grandma and grandpa Croad.  The first gift he opened was a pull-toy dog.  He couldn't quite figure out the "pull" part so he just carried it around.

Halloween

Gavin's first Halloween was a success, the only bad part of the whole day was that Jason wasn't here for any of it.  We had a full day of activities that started early in the day with a Fall Festival held by DCOM SAA.

Even though he was too small for the games he was not too small to get his face painted.  He got a small candy corn on his face.  He sat there like a big boy.

 After he got his face painted he got his trick-or-treat pumpkin and got his first treat, a sucker.  His fist piece of Candy and he LOVED it!

 He hung out with some friends and pushed around his stroller to pass the time.  He ended up winning "Cutest Scarecrow."  Then home for a quick nap before we headed out to trick-or-treat

 Ready to hit the streets!

We went ToT with our friends the King's.  Halle, his best friend, was Dorthy to his scarecrow.  We saw many friends along the way

 He really liked his pumpkin,  he kept looking in it for goodies.  He especially wanted the caramel apple.  He was trying to eat it with the wrapper still on.

They were so tired after the long day. 

All in all it was a great day.  Even though he only had one nap he wasn't fussy and was very friendly to everyone.  We had a great time.  I can't wait for next year when he will be more aware of what is going on, and Jason will be with us hopefully.  

For smiles and giggles!!

Our house is full of laughter and smiles.  Gavin is a very happy baby.  There are very few sounds that are as sweet as a baby giggle

And nothing melts your heart quite like a baby smile. Gavin's smiles are so sweet!  Gavin doesn't just smile with his mouth, he smiles with his whole face especially his eyes! 

Bath Time

There are many things that Gavin enjoys, one of them especially his bath. Bath time has certainly evolved over the past nine months.

Getting a bath was not always one of his favorite things.

This was his first bath at home.  He was little on the angry side.
4 days old

Then once his cord fell off he could finally get a real bath.

He would just right down if you put him in the tub.
 2 weeks old

He especially loves when Daddy gives him a bath.

3 months old

He discovered that if he laid on his belly he could get to his toys

5 months old

He now sits like a big boy.  He refuses to sit on non slip pad.  That is nearly as much fun, he slips and slides all over the tub!

9 months

This is my favorite, even though he look a little crazy!

Bath time is great!