Photoshoot

The boys love to take photos with Gavin. Especially Matt. If it didn't take so long to download photos onto the blog I would have added more, but I don't have the patience or time necessary. Here's a few that I thought were cute and showed Gavin's resemblance to Adam and Matt. Adam and Gavin with their nice, olive skin.

I finally got a picture of Gavin smiling.

Matt loves to cuddle Gavin. Sometimes too much.

Extremes

Last weekend we had 10 people at our house. This weekend we have two--me and Gavin. Talk about a change. Adam and Matt went home with G&G Kennington to Leavenworth on Tuesday. Robert is in Wichita for work. Tomorrow afternoon he'll drive up to Leavenworth for the weekend and then bring the boys home on Sunday. I'm going a little stir-crazy. It's so quiet. And there's no one to talk to. I'm trying to keep myself busy. I've made a couple of batches of jam. And will clean the house tomorrow. I find myself turning on the TV more than normal, just to have some noise in the house. Or to feel like someone is talking to me. I keep telling myself to enjoy this time because come Monday, life will be crazy and noisy again.

Fun Weekend

Call me crazy! On this Father's Day weekend, we decided to host Matthew's 5th birthday celebration and Gavin's baby blessing. Everyone had a fun time. There were a couple of times, though, I did think I must have been insane for doing all of this during one weekend. Matthew's 5th birthday was on Friday, the 18th. Every year I weigh and measure each of the boys on their birthdays. Matthew weighs 36.5 lbs and is 41.5 inches (3 feet 5.5 in.) tall. He gained 3.5 lbs. this past year and grew 2.5 inches. He has been very excited about turning 5 years old.

Matthew got to share his birthday celebration with his G&G Kennington, G&G Leonard and his Aunt Holly. As soon as Dad came home from work, Matt got to open up his presents. We then ate dinner at Golden Corral (Matt's choice).

Matt told me he wanted a robot cake. So, here's my attempt at one. I'm not too big on decorating cakes, but it was fun doing this for Matthew. Both he and Adam thought it was "super cool".

This morning we had Gavin's baby blessing at church. Robert gave him a nice blessing and he was calm and didn't fuss. Don't our three boys look handsome? Now the festivities are over. And I can relax a bit. And try to get Gavin back on his schedule.

One Month

Gavin is one month old today. He weighs 8 lbs.13 oz. and is 21 inches long. He gained a little over two pounds this month and grew two inches. Of all three of our boys, he was born the smallest but he is now the biggest at the one-month mark. He nurses well; he just likes to take his time and doesn't want to be rushed. He typically nurses every three hours, including at night. Adam and Matt enjoy playing with him. Generally he just stares at them with a look on his face that says, "I'm not so sure about you". He is definitely more alert now and we can tell he's thinking things. He still has lots of brown hair, although the roots look lighter than the ends. His hair has a natural mohawk and is quite wispy. We think his eyes are going to be blue. We don't see any brown in them. He has started to find his thumb and likes to suck on it. He may be our first thumb-sucker. Most of the time he has a calm disposition, but if he's hungry or tired, he can put up a real fuss.

Summer Swim

Adam and Matt started swim lessons this past week. They're both enjoying it a lot. They're taking them through the YMCA. We got a great deal on a membership. It's been great because the Y is literally down our street (.2 miles). We've also been going down there just for open swim a couple of times a week. Adam starts up his playground program tomorrow and will have it for the next seven weeks, in the mornings. They've been having a good time since school got out a couple of weeks ago but they're also ready for some structured time and activity. Otherwise, I'll soon be hearing, "I'm bored. What can I do?". I'm thinking of doing "Fieldtrip Fridays"--doing an extra activity or short daytrip on Fridays. Robert is going back to work tomorrow and I start teaching piano again this week. So, reality with a new baby sets in tomorrow.

Long are past the nights of five hour naps. Gavin has found his "voice" and has definitely been using it. . . . .non-stop for the past nine days. He has gone from nursing seven times a day to 10 times. In fact, he is nursing so much, that during the 30 minute nap I got this morning I dreamt our doctor told us that Gavin now weighs 13.5 lbs, at 3 weeks old. He has not been fond of the pacifier either. Finally, this morning he decided it wasn't so bad. Oh, the tender mercies!
I feel too old to be doing this all over again. I don't have the energy at 36 like I did with Adam or Matt. I have decided, very definitely, that I will NOT be pregnant again, deliver another child or take care of a newborn. I am already thinking of preventive measures.

On a positive note, I have lost 22 lbs. And, sleeping on my back feels SO good. And, now I'm off, to once again, take care of a crying baby. Serenity now!!

The Second Week with Our Three Sons

We made it through another week. Gavin really is a sweet baby. He doesn't fuss very much. And he's a great sleeper. For the past three nights, he has gone five hours between feedings. I nurse him between 10-11pm and he sleeps until 3-3:30am. Yippee!! Adam and Matthew are enamored with him. Matt keeps calling him "precious baby". All of our help has gone home so we're on our own now. Robert has this week off so is helpful. He's been able to take off three weeks. Next week when I'm by myself will be the true test. Thank goodness it's summer break and I don't have to get the boys up and ready for school.


Matthew finished Preschool and had his graduation this past Wednesday. He looked so cute in his cap and gown. Of course, he felt a bit self-conscious and didn't really want to pose for pictures. In this photo with his teacher, Ms. Janine, he had to say his name and tell what he wants to be when he grows up. He said he wants to be a ninja.

Adam had his last awards assembly of the school year on Wednesday, too. He was most excited about getting a running award. He received a Silver Medal for running the second most miles this spring semester. His school has a running program. The students use their after-lunch recess (15 minutes) to run laps. Adam is very motivated to do this and would run 1.25-1.5 miles everyday. He was able to run 55 miles this semester. He was the youngest student to receive a medal.