Sleep

Some times, this is the only way he will fall and stay asleep. I don't mind.

Dad and Lad

Moments like these...

Are the memories of a happy life. 

Sawyer Making Friends

Today we met up with our Pflugerville storytime friends. Sawyer had fun with his new friends Penelope "Penny" and Jacob. We're looking forward to seeing them again soon.

CASA Superhero Race 2014

Gavin and I enjoyed a special mother-son date last weekend. On Saturday, we ran the CASA Superhero 5K/1K. We missed our friends Jessi and Milo being with us, but we still had fun.

This year we ran the much shorter 1K instead of the 5K, which was much too far for my then 4.5 year old with a 15-minute attention span.

Gavin still has the same short attention span, but his superhero powers are only growing stronger with age. He ran a great 1K, finishing in 7 minutes. He shot across the starting line in a full sprint, which I was unable to match! I stayed just a few feet behind him and cheered him on. His endurance began to sputter out at the turnaround, allowing me to catch up.

"Mom, my legs hurt...when will it be over?"

"We're halfway done. I can see the finish line from here. You can do it, Gavin! Push through the pain," I encouraged. "You need to learn how to pace yourself."

In the end, he mustered what energy he had left and sprinted across the  finish line. We can't wait for next year.

Later that day we went for a swim at Kellie and Ryan's house. It was a great way to end the summer.

We have a reader!

It was a big week for us. Gavin started reading. We are so proud of him. More importantly, he is proud of himself. 

I'm looking forward to witnessing the world open up to him and introducing some of the same stories cherished from mine and Casey's childhood. I am also curious about Gavin's own taste in literature. What a fantastic journey he has in front of him. 

 

Conversations With My Son

While standing in the kitchen, waiting for me to give him his breakfast.

"Hey mom, I had the most funniest dream lastnight. There was a potato and it opened it's eyes and it freaked out!" giggled Gavin.

 

"It was funny, because a potato has never been alive before!!" 

Gavin was laughing and happy. It was a Good Friday morning. Cereal, cartoons, out the door on time, and we practiced our skip counting on our way to school. 

First Soccer Game of the Season

Gavin's first game, whilst 'hotter than the dickens,' was a success. His attitude has come a long way from temper tantrums on the pitch. Thank goodness for that. His skill level continues to improve and his enthusiasm for the sport is wonderful to see.

Gavin and Casey are growing a strong bond together. It's great to watch. It's become a kind of tradition for extended family members to come out an watch Gavin's first game of the season. This year it was Papa Don and Nana Kathy and cousins Katie and Madison 'Maddy.'

Maddy snapped some great shots. Like this one! It's definitely one of my favorites.

Gavin horseplaying on the sidelines with Fernando

More photos from Gavin's first game

More pics from Maddy. I think she did a great job capturing the spirit of the afternoon.

Conversations with my son

During our walk to school this morning, Gavin noticed a flock of blackbirds flying above us. 

"Mama, when I grow up I want to be a scientist. A nature scientist."

"I think that's a terrific idea."

"Yeah. You know why I want to be a scientist?"

"Why?"

"Because I want to study why birds fly in an arrow, like the ones I just saw. I saw that. And that's why I want to be a nature scientist."

"Well, I think you have the right idea."

Eight Months of Sawyer

Sawyer is moving and grooving this month. Cramming multiple milestones into one month. He's clapping, army crawling, pulling up, rocking on all fours, and loves to practice his walking while holding someone's hands.

He is also a terrific eater. We're already feeding him almost whatever we 're eating, with exception of meat. He has a hearty appetite for a lil' guy! 

He and I are slowly establishing a circle of playmates. We have two regular baby storytimes that we try to attend. 

His friends are Dax (and big sister Blair), Jacob, Maria, and Penelope "Penny." All the babies are within a few months or weeks of the same age. I enjoy their mothers too, which is a big plus.

working on his fine motor skills while feeding himself cheerios

Daxton and Sawyer at story time

Sweet Dax

pulling up on hi crib

so proud of himself

cute as a button

pulling up on the couch

working hard

pulling up on playpen

hanging out with Rocky, looking outside

pulling up on the ottoman, getting mama's sunglasses

working on crawling

discovering his bookshelf

experimenting with standing on his own