Updates from Upstate

First of all, no....we do not have 3 feet of snow that you're hearing about on the news :) It is true - Buffalo gets more than we do. I heard them on the morning news saying how Buffalo has a chance of upwards of 3 feet of snow, and was thankful that Jarrod didn't get placed in Cheektowaga! On the map, there were two areas of a lot of snowfall, and we fell in the middle. We have about 2 inches maybe...and it's not snowing anymore. I think it's supposed to snow some everyday for the next week, but at least it's not horrible right now. They did talk about how bad the thruway travel is, which makes it more of a concern for me to drive home during the winter time.

We're all battling sickness here. Jarrod's been coughing for well over a week and I'm beginning to think I need to find us a doctor here. I didn't feel the greatest yesterday, but I think that I'm just tired from "working" the last couple of days :) I am babysitting Alex and Stephanie's kids a few days this month while she has training for work. After Gavin woke up from his morning nap yesterday, he was really cranky and just not himself. He cried really hard while I changed his diaper, and though he didn't have a fever, his gums were swollen from some new teeth coming in so I gave him some Tylenol. Afterwards, we snuggled on the couch with Dog-Dog and watched Sesame Street with some goldfish and juice....what better treatment is that? :) {And he did end up with a fever yesterday, but was acting totally fine and seems good this morning.} I have a Tastefully Simple party tonight and tomorrow night, and then we're volunteering on Saturday for a program Sam's Club is teaming up with, Fantasy Flight. We'll be wrapping presents for needy children ~ read: I'll be wrapping presents while Gavin plays with Daddy. Jarrod isn't the greatest at wrapping presents.

Lastly - what has Gavin learned lately? He is a pro at animal sounds now; he knows cow, horse, pig, dog, cat, monkey, turkey, bird, snake, tiger, alligator (snap, snap), duck....I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but you get the idea. He knows how to snap his fingers....crazy, huh? He can now open all the doors in the house, so he tries to help himself to the pantry for crackers and pretzels. When I open the door to let Shirley in and out, he says "brrrr" yet he wants to go out and play :) He loves playing hide-and-seek, and thanks for Grandma, he now says "Are you?" when he's hiding....his version of "where are you?" He's growing so fast...and we're loving every minute. Someday I know I'll go back to teaching, but for now, I'm so happy that I'm not in the classroom everyday and I get to spend everyday as Mama.

Wordless Wednesday

Visiting Santa = FAIL!

Remember how much Gavin liked Santa last year? He did so well...the pictures turned out so cute!

Well, this year....it was another story. We took Gavin to Christmas on the Canal in Spencerport this past weekend. The event itself was not what we expected. It was really small, and pretty cold out. But, there was an indoor area with pictures of Santa that we were excited to try. We didn't even get Gavin out of Daddy's arms. He clung on to him so tight and cried. Looks like we won't be getting pictures of Gavin and "Ho Ho" this year!

If you look closely, you can even tell he's crying from behind before they even made it all the way up to Santa.

But he was all smiles once we got home and he was back with Elmo!

Happy Birthday, Avery!

Gavin attended his first "friend" birthday party in NY this weekend. Avery is a friend from our playgroup and he is turning 2 this month! His birthday party was at a place called The Little Gym, which was like a gymnastics gym for the toddlers. The kids all had a blast and Gavin fell asleep on his way home, so I guess he wore himself out! :) Here are some of the shots.

Bubbles galore!

"Camping" inside the parachute :)

Avery, the birthday boy!

Gavin didn't get the "bouncy" equipment at first...he couldn't stay standing.

Finally standing

And this is the start of a mini-meltdown :)

Sitting at the table with Antonio and Evan

Thanks for the yummy cookie cake, Avery!

Whose blog is that, anyway?

It's been on my blog list for just a few days, but people are already asking, so I thought I'd explain. Earlier this week, I added a blog to my page. Keeping Up With the Joneses. Last week, I was searching for some info on North Carolina for Jarrod, and somehow stumbled across this blog. I started reading, just because I love blogging and love reading other people's stories. Well, little did I know how sad it would be and how I wouldn't be able to stop. Believe me, if you don't want to cry, don't read it! Ayden was just 4 months old when he lost his life, and I think the reason I couldn't stop reading was that it reminded me so much of Gavin. He, too, was born at the end of April, but a year after Gavin. His mom is a teacher. Ayden learned to roll over right around the time he turned 4 months, just like Gavin. When I read it, I find it unbelievable how strong his parents must be. I don't know her, but I feel such compassion for her. It makes me realize how precious Gavin is. It puts things into perspective. I thought leaving my family and moving to a new state would be the worst thing ever. I thought leaving my friends would be the worst thing ever. I thought quitting my teaching job that I loved would be the worst thing ever. Nope...I was wrong. The Jones family has experienced the worst thing ever. Not me.