Tee Ball

It is that time of year again.  With the weather being so nice, they have been practicing for most of the month of March so Gavin has been ready for his games to start.  Ashland always has an opening day parade, this year it was on April 7th.  Unfortunately, we didn't have the opening game and had to wait until April 16th to have our first game. 

The first game was awesome.  The team did great - all the practice really paid off.  Most of the players didn't even need even need to hit off the tee.  The way Ashland runs tee ball is that if the coaches have practiced with their players, they give the kids 3 pitches to hit the ball before they hit off the tee.  Gavin hit the ball both times without the tee.  I was so proud of him.  Actually, I think that the tee was only used a total of maybe 5 times.  Hopefully they continue to do so well!!

Walking up Centre Street in Ashland to the Little League field. 

Coach Daddy and Gavin



I have to say he has a pretty good stance for a 5 year old.



This was his 2nd hit of the day.  I wasn't ready for the 1st because he actually hit the first pitch and I was too busy just making sure that I got a picture of him up to bat.  Lesson learned - don't underestimate your kid!!



Playing first base, his favorite position.  We have a little work to do in this area!  One step at a time :)

Gavin - Easter

Gavin loves the Easter bunny and egg hunts.  He had no problem running and finding the eggs "all by himself."  He is such a big boy now.  It is very hard to realize that he needs me less and less every day.

Unlike Owen, Gavin couldn't wait to pose with the Easter bunny.  I don't think that the bunny loves to see Gavin all the time considering how big he is!!



Getting all ready to get his eggs.  Autumn made his shirt - isn't it adorable?  Owen had his on too, but it was a little cold for him to wear without his sweatshirt since he was sick.

Great Week for the Boys!!!

This week has been momentous for my boys.  Gavin scored two goals in his soccer game on Tuesday and Owen clapped for the first time today!  I'm so excited for them.  I will attempt to post the videos soon!

Disney!!

The week of July 16th was such a great week.  We took the boys to Disney.  Of course this was crazy to take a 9 month but luckily he was such a good boy.  We went because Greg is taking classes to get his doctorate through Nova Southeastern University and had to attend a class during that week.  If Greg was spending a week in Florida, then we were certainly going with him. Luckily, my parents and brother went with us so when Greg wasn't there, I had help (and we appreciated the help when Greg was there too!).

The week was special for so many reasons besides just being in the most magical place in the US.  Greg and I celebrated our 8th anniversary, my brother, Aaron, celebrated his 29th birthday, and Owen turned 9 months old.  Owen got his second tooth on vacation as well.

Saturday

We arrived in Florida about 12:30 and Disney's Magical Express wisked us away to our hotel, Port Orleans - Riverside.  We didn't even have to claim our baggage.  They collected our bags for us and brought them to our room.  The only problem with the hotel was how far you had to walk to actually get to our room and they didn't seem to take into account that since I had an infant, I would in turn also have a stroller.  Unfortunately, we were on the second floor and there were only steps to get there so it was a little difficult but still very nice.

This was waiting on our bed when we got to the hotel.

We went swimming that afternoon and then got ready to attend the Hoopty Doo Revue.  It was a great show and dinner and a nice way to start the week.

 This was a funny place.  They slammed the bucket of chicken in front of Gavin so he thought the entire bucket was his and he didn't want to share.

Sunday

We started by eating breakfast at the Contempory Resort at Chef Mickey's.  Here the kids met with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto.  Gavin was very excited though disappointed because he was very much looking forward to see Daisy Duck so she could blow him a kiss.  Sometimes I wonder where he comes up with this stuff.  Owen enjoyed seeing Mickey and Goofy, but while I went to get us some food and my mom stayed with the boys, Minnie snuck up behind him and gave him a big hug.  This did not go over well and every character scared him to death!  Poor little guy.

Gavin loved every minute of the attention and Owen was fine until...

... Minnie attacked.  Gavin was trying to comfort Owen - it is really sweet how protective he is.

The way to Owen's heart is definitely through food.  Any girl that wants to marry Owen in the future will have to be a chef.  These Mickey-shaped waffles were his favorite!

Donald snuck in for a quick picture, but ... 

... Pluto was not as slick.

This was also our first trip to the Magic Kingdom. Gavin went on every ride even Space Mountain and Splash Mountain - not much scares him.  He really loved the Buzz Lightyear ride of course.  The greatest part of the Magic Kingdom is how family friendly it is.  Owen went on a lot of rides.  I was so worried that he would have to sit in his stroller all day, but he went on many.  We all loved "It's a Small World."  Gavin sang the song all week and Owen didn't know where to look since there was so much happening.
 

Gavin finally got to meet Daisy.  She did blow him a kiss.  Owen was exhausted from breakfast.

Waiting for Gavin and Daddy to get off a ride, Owen finally shows off that first tooth. He loves to wave hi and bye bye right now!

The boys were exhausted from a very long first day in Florida.  We were waiting for the electric light parade.  Gavin woke up to see it - he loves parades.  Unfortunately, it was too much for Owen - he slept right through it.

Gavin loved all of the parades, but this was his favorite!

July 4th

The Fourth of July was a weekend event for our family this year. There was a lot going on and despite not getting to bed until very late each night from Friday to Monday, the kids were awesome. It is so exciting to share all of these first holidays with Owen and Gavin continues to party hardy!

On Friday, my mom, brother, and I took the boys to Gavin's favorite spot - Knoebel's. I love the Friday night bargain prices. You can't beat it. Gavin is such a dare devil. We don't even venture to the kiddie section anymore. Gavin's favorite ride is the Phoenix. Usually this is a Daddy and Gavin event, but since Daddy was umpiring a game, Mommy was allowed to go with him. We sat in the very front and if I wasn't with him, he would have flown right out of his seat. I was scared, but Gavin decided that it is more fun if he doesn't hold on, so I was holding on to him for dear life! Can't wait to see what he will want to go on in Disney World!

Saturday was spent with great friends. We all went to Autumn and Nick's house for the steak night we have wanted to do for 2 years! The food was great and the company was even better. Dominick and Penelope's new swing set is awesome and all the kiddos enjoyed themselves. We even topped the night off with smores and fireworks. Unfortunately, Owen and Penelope fell asleep before the show, but Dominick and Gavin enjoyed it!

Sunday was fireworks night in Ashland. We took a walk to get some light up swords for Gavin and his friend Jake, and my Uncle Jim got Owen a light up spinny ball thing that he absolutely loved! There were some personal fireworks set off before the actual show started and Owen finally got to see his first fireworks. He thought these were great! He sat with Aunt Brenda for Ashland's official show and though he loved the bright lights, exhaustion got the best of him and he fell asleep on her lap.

Finally, Monday was July 4th and we started the day with swimming lessons at Knoebel's. Since many kids didn't show up because of the holiday, Gavin got a lot of personal attention. He learned to float on his back today and enjoyed going down the slide a million times and going underwater. As I said before - he has no fear! In the afternoon, we went to my parents' house for our traditional family picnic and though we were missing some cousins (we do miss you guys!!), we still had a great time swimming, eating, and playing with sparklers!

Me and my Boys!!

Hannah posing with Owen and Penelope!

Owen and Gavin enjoying the slide with Aunt Teri.

Owen and Pap Pap watching Gavin with the sparklers.

Gavin enjoying the sparklers that Daddy got for him.

Swim Lessons

Gavin has been attending swim lessons at Knoebel's pool this summer. It is 2 weeks long for an hour every day and it has been great! They do a great job with the kids from beginners to advanced and it only costs a dollar for the entire week! BEST VALUE EVER!!

Learning to kick on the side of the pool.

Having fun jumping in. I'm surprised that he allows them to catch him because he loves to go underwater.

Learning to float. This is the third time trying. The first two didn't go this well, but he eventually got the hang of it.

Having alligator races in the shallow water.

Pictures

We were able to get Gavin's 4 year old pictures and Owen's 6 month old pictures at the same time. Gavin's eyes weren't quite healed, but he is still adorable. Owen was also very personable this day and very cooperative - thank goodness!

4 Year Old Stats: 45 lbs. (96th percentile); 45 inches (98th percentile)

6 Month Old Stats: 16 lbs., 13 oz. (35th percentile); 27 inches (60th percentile)

Catch Up - Gavin!!

Gavin enjoying the spring weather. This is the first time he rode his big bike. He does such a great job and there is zero fight to wear his helmet - he thinks it is cool.

Don't let the picture above fool anyone - poor Gavin has had a horrible month of April. It started the week before his birthday when he came home from daycare with pink eye. We went to the doctor, got some eye drops and everything seemed to be cleared up by the weekend for his wonderful birthday party. Thank goodness that the weather held out and the kids could play outside. Gavin (and our whole family) is truly grateful to have such wonderful friends and family. They spoiled him rotten and it took forever for Gavin to open his presents. He is such a wonderful child and opens very methodically and makes sure that every scrap of wrapping paper is put in the garbage bag before moving on.

Unfortunately, last week he had another flare up of the pink eye - or so we thought. When I picked him up from daycare he looked like someone literally punched him in the eye. He was so swollen that the poor bugger couldn't even see out of his left eye. Off to the doctor again!! We got a stronger eye drop this time and again by Saturday everything seemed to be cleared up.

However, when he woke up on Monday, both eyes were swollen, red, and itchy. Luckily we were already scheduled to go to the doctor for his 4 year checkup and shots. This time the doctor decided that it has to be allergies and we have the poor little guy on 5 different medicines to get this whole thing cleared up! It is not clearing up and we return this Monday to find out what more we can do. Also, he still has to get those nasty 4 year vaccines, but the doc is not comfortable giving them until we get this situation under control.

It hasn't all been bad though. Gavin started Tee Ball this year and loves it!! It is also nice to get him outside (which he loves so much) and run off some of his excess energy. The only problem is that when I go back to work I feel like I will never see him. I will pick him up from school, come home to make supper, and then we are either rushing to practice or a game! Practice days I don't even get to see him long! On the brighter side, Greg is his coach so he is getting a lot of Daddy time! I will work on figuring out how to post a video b/c if anyone needs a good laugh, you just have to go see these little ones play. It will brighten the most depressing day!

First day of practice!!

Opening Day!!

Don't let this picture fool you! This was taken at the opening day parade and Gavin was mad b/c we made him stop playing with the kids to take a picture.

Action Shots: Gavin's first at-bat ever and running to 1st base.

My Football Player

Gavin is getting spring fever. Thank goodness for the warm weather b/c we have been able to get him outside to get all that pent up energy out! When we can't go outside, Gavin plays football in the house. Here is his famous pose:

Update on Gavin

On Friday, March 4th, we returned to Gavin's cardiologist for another echo to see how his aneurysms are doing. We were greeted with only good news!! Though Gavin's aneurysms have remained the same size; there are no signs of blockages and no problems with heart function. This is such great news and the doctor gave the OK for Gavin to start Tee-ball this year. He is so excited! I simply want both of my kids to be happy and healthy and hope that every 6 months when we return to Dr. Connuck we get the same news. Next up is another MRI this summer. Keep praying for continued health.

Snow Tubing

We have been trying to have special Mommy, Daddy, Gavin time at least once a month since Owen has been born. Luckily, he does love Owen and loves to help with him and play with him, but he misses having us all to himself. So far we have gone to Toy Story 3 on Ice, a Susquehanna basketball game to see one of my former players, and on Saturday we went to Eagle Rock for some snow tubing fun.

We are lucky to have a very adventurous child. On the first run, we weren't quite sure how to hook the tubes together properly so Gavin ended up flipping and I caught him on the way down. (Adrenaline can give a Mommy superpowers!) I thought that he was crying, but it turns out that he was laughing all the way down the hill. All he could say was "AGAIN!"

Daddy making sure Gavin's gloves are on before going down.

A little scared before the first run.

Coming down the hill. I have to admit that I was a little scared myself and am very proud of Gavin and his fearlessness.