7 months & 2.1 years ~ music is in my blood

I cannot believe it has been a full month since I have blogged.....

We have been so busy with life and enjoying time with friends.  Some updates about the boys.

Gavin Alan has merged into a full fledged two year old.  He is communicating with more ease but still finds frustration when things do not go his way.  He now notices changes in his environment and finds wonder in it.  Rain is a new favorite.  Some of my favorite things he does is call bananas "bites" and call umbrellas "rain".  Still loves balloons, balls, and bubbles though has recently become interested in dogs.  He is starting to interact with his brother more and more.  And finds pure joy in making him giggle and make funny noises.  We have spent more time outside walking trails and playing on structures.  He is loving that he can go down the "big" slides by himself and can climb up some monkey bar structures.  I look forward to watching him explore more outside as the weather warms.  He is currently bordering on 2T and 3T clothes.  Some of his favorite foods are ice pops, cookies, chicken, ketchup, cantaloupe, and kiwi.  Another favorite of mine is that whenever something doesn't work it is "broken"...by not working I do mean not going his way! lol  When it comes to his brother he does such a nice job sharing balloons, flowers, and food (though most of these things he should not be eating ;).  He also gives great hugs and kisses to him :)  Here are some highlights from the past month...

another haircut and bubbles

time enjoying the spring

first time on a seesaw on vacation

new obsession spinning tires

spending time with his BFF

painting with shaving cream

Brycen John is a moving and a shaking.  His world is expanding each day.  He can spin, twist, and roll to get to anything he wants.  In addition, he is loving the walker and enjoys that he can move on his own.  Like his brother the bouncer is a hit and he also loves to spend time in the Ergo close to his mama.  He is a mama's boy for sure!  He has been trying some new foods all in whole form.  He seems to be more a self eater.  The first thing he enjoyed was cantaloupe.  He also has enjoyed broccoli, kiwi, apple and potatoes.  Recently we went to a diner with him and he sat in a big boy seat eating some yummy home fries.  He is getting so big so fast!  His current weight is about 20 pounds measuring about 27 1/4 inches.  He has four teeth now and we believe he is working on his fifth.  He also loves to suck and chew on everything he gets his hands on!  And I know I'm his mama so I am bias but gosh he has the best smile with those adorable dimples and an infectious laugh.  I love love love it when Gavin and Brycen start to laugh together.  It's the best sound even.  For fun Brycen also love to attend music class and will stare at the guitar the entire time it is played....he has music in his blood!  Here are some of Brycen's best moments...

helping mom practice her skills from photo class

sleeping on my mama

lots of swing time

four teeth and counting

quality time with big brother

starting to hold my own bottle

The continue to rock my world...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGkY8IBVat8

gavin alan the big 2!!!!

This little man has my heart and soul!  To believe just two years ago he entered the world as a 5 pound 14 ounce bundle.  If you watch him interact with the world around him you can tell he will have a special place in this world.  His laughter is contagious...his hugs are endearing...and most of all his smile lights up a room.  He is a kind, caring, gentle soul who is passionate about well balloons of course ;)

For his special birthday morning I made him some yummy blue waffles with fruit, a favorite.  It was a great way to start the day.  He was blessed with a new kitchen to play in while we cook in the kitchen, his very own ukulele to encourage his love for music, and a special painting for his wall.

yummy breakfast 

decorating for the big day

hotdog anyone? 

playing a song for momma

a painting I made for gavin's room from one of his favorite books...
do you know it?

On his birthday one of his favorite ladies, Ms. Kelsey, gave him a super special bubble wand.  He also loves bubbles...why you ask....well they are in the spherical "b" family ;)

We did have a little party for Gavin to celebrate the big 2 with some close friends and family.  It was so nice to see all his buddies together.  We filled his playroom with balloons for the event which of course made the event the best party ever!

brycen and his buddy lucy at the party

balloons "wow"

love 

all the boys blowing the candles out

In closing, mr. gavin alan continue to light the world with the fire inside you!  We are so proud of the boy you are....loving you always momma, dada, and baby brycen :)

5 & 23 months - broccoli, balls, and balloons

5 & 23 months ~ time continues to move

Gavin is almost 2 years old!  As I watch Brycen grow, I am reminded of all those moments I watched Gavin learn about the world around him for the first time...his first smiles, giggles, rolls, - sighs  That first year just goes too fast!  Gavin is a mover and a shaker.  His vocabulary is expanding and changing each day.  He really wants to communicate all his needs but at times we are all at a loss.  It's so hard to tell each other what we need and want.  I try to step back and enjoy those cuddle moments he still offers and breathe deeply when we are trying to make sense of each other.  It can be frustrating for us both.  One day he will speak....one day he will not want to cuddle...one day he will not be living at home.  Of course I am jumping ahead of myself, alas I am trying to live in the moment and enjoy his babyhood while I have it here.  

exploring with paint

food coloring in the sink

helping momma cook

playing outside in the snow

gavin and his grandma

Brycen John is also growing by the day.  He is rolling from back to front and front to back now.  On his belly he is pushing up and appear to be making attempts to pull his feet underneath him.  I know that soon enough he will be on the move and life as I know it will change.  He likes to pull things to his mouth to teeth on.  Gavin, the kind brother he is, often offers things to Brycen to hold....including but not limited to pretzels, balloons, and balls :)  Through adversity Brycen continues to grow and learn.  I am so amazed with his ability to find comfort in just the touch of our hands in his; as well as his mild temperament even when he is really sick and uncomfortable.  My prayer for him is that he is a healthy toddler and gets all this sickness out of the way as an infant.  

kisses from my brother

starting to hold my bottle on my own

sharing a balloon

new favorite thing to teeth on ;)

Some fun activities we continue to enjoy are music class and outings with friends.  We recently took a trip with some friends to the children's museum.  It was so nice to get all the boys out of the house and play.  I am so looking forward to the warm weather!  Gavin's favorite activities were playing with the beach balls and air machine; as well as using the ball ramp.  I think Gavin will forever have a soft spot for balls and balloons.  Brycen just enjoyed watching the fun!  Unfortunately, the next day both the boys ended up with the stomach bug going around.  Note to self no outings in the winter LOL!  Luckily they are on the mend :)

awesome ball ramp
 

beach ball fun

trying out the tractor with my bud

In closing, a comparison photo of the boys at twenty one weeks old.  Smiles....they melt me!

  

19 weeks - a year for patrick

brycen john 19 weeks
gavin's bedtime blankie :)

Life here has been moving and grooving.  The boys are getting bigger each day.  I just adore watching them grow and learn about the world around them.  Brycen has this amazing smile and giggle that can melt your heart.  Such big dimples on that chubby face.  He went for his 4 month appointment and weighed in at just under 17 pounds and 26 inches.  He loves to suck anything he can get his hands on, his most favorite is his thumb.  He is reaching and grabbing things in his world and loves to grasp our fingers as he drinks his bottle.  It is so cute.  He also loves to play in the tubby and giggles at his brother as he helps me to wash him!  

Gavin has turned into such a two year old.  He is so grown up sometimes it brings a tear to my eye reflecting on that little baby I used to cuddle at night and hold in my arms as he fell to sleep.  He still does like to cuddle and give hugs and kisses!  That I love about him :)  His language continues to expand with each encounter.  He is starting to label names to people in his life and find ways to help us understand what he wants by labeling foods and objects he needs.  His new favorite saying is "O-Kay", which he says to acknowledge us or when something falls.  The other morning I heard a loud bang in the living room from the kitchen, as I was running to see what happened I heard him inform me that he was "O-Kay" LOL :)  Love him :)

making balloons out of pipe cleaners 

little heart throb

getting ready for his haircut

haircut time :)

Last week we celebrated Patrick's first birthday with him.  It was so great to see all our friends and share such a wonderful milestone in Patrick's life!  Where has the time gone...too fast....too fast

the balloon did not leave his hands

music for everyone

lunchtime

In closing, here are some more bathtime photos to share.  Gavin is loving dying his water a variety of colors and I am enjoying Brycen's little toes.  I look forward to attempting a group bath soon...stay tune!