Let Me Hold You Longer

Well, I always knew I was an emotional person, and I knew it's gotten worse since I had Gavin, but this is crazy! The "book man" came and put new books on display at work, and one caught my eye. Let Me Hold You Longer was sitting there, so I picked it up and couldn't even get through the first few pages without my eyes watering. I had to buy it, without even knowing how it ended. Just for Gavin.

I used to think the teachers that couldn't read Love You Forever without crying were exaggerating a bit...now I know exactly what they meant!

An excerpt from the book:
Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips.
The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip.
The light night when you woke up crying, needing to be walked.
When last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold.
The last time you said you'd marry me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past -
Would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last?

Love you, Gavin!

Can't wait for spring break!

I'm so excited for a week with my husband! We're going to do an early Easter dinner with the family in Cincinnati since we'll be in New York over the Easter break, then we're heading to Gatlinburg for 3 nights! A hot tub, a fireplace, rocking chairs on the deck overlooking the mountains....I can't wait to take Gavin to Cade's Cove and to the aquarium. It's going to be so nice to get away and spend some time together.

And just for your viewing pleasure...another cute picture of the boy :)

Even more pictures!

Daddy was home this weekend and we had so much fun! We spent a lot of time outside since it was beautiful, walked at The Greene, took a couple walks in the neighborhood, and played in the grass (which Gavin hated!) Last night was the best! Jarrod decided to drag the futon mattress out in the living room and have a "sleepover." We used to do this every once in a while before Gavin, and you all know how much we slept in the living room when he was just a little guy. :) So, we stripped Gav down to his onesie and had a blast on the mattress. He was crawling back and forth so fast! He learned how to crawl off the side pretty easily, but did fall a few times. But, it was still a great night. He eventually went to bed in his own crib, and mommy fell asleep early again (sorry daddy...I tried to make it to 10!) But, at about 5am Gavin joined us again for a little family cuddle time (until he just wanted to keep playing and we wanted to go back to bed...so it was back to the crib for him until about 7:30).

Here he is crawling off the side. Notice his tongue...I think it was out of his mouth ALL day!

Family picture with the help of the self timer. Far away, but still cute. And I love how Shirley is in the picture, laying her head up on the futon because she knew she couldn't get up on the bed.


Gavin and Daddy

Gavin and Mommy

In my big boy PJs, ready for bed! If you look closely, you can barely see his little "fang" on the upper right :)

Pictures Galore!

Wow! So many things to post pictures of... so let's get started :)

"What do you mean I'm not supposed to sit in the dishwasher? You put me in the dryer!"

Love the look on his face...it's like he's saying, "I know I'm not supposed to be in this bin...but I'm cute, so it doesn't really matter, does it?"

Look how big my man is getting! 10 Months Old!!

Oh, what a story! Gavin wasn't letting me get him dressed for bed, so I just let him crawl around on the floor in his diaper. I went over to wash some bottles and heard a loud crash. Apparently, he could reach the leaves hanging down from the top shelf of the baker's rack! I'm so lucky it didn't land on his head...but of course, the soil did. And it was all over the rug, under the rug, in the basket of magazines, in the salad bowl, in his ears, in his diaper...never ending dirt!


My first taste of frozen blueberries in the mesh feeder! Loved them :)

We're gaining weight!

Though he's still in the 10th percentile, Gavin has gained weight. I took him to the dr. today for a weight check and he's 18lb 3oz., up from 17lb 7oz. a month ago. Since he's eating better and starting to try some new things without gagging, she said she's not so worried. We'll just keep offering new foods and see how he does with them!