Thursday, January 21, 2016

Gavin at Two Months

If I were a better mom I would have written this post three weeks ago, but that is just not the way things are. So here is Gavin's two month post, a week away from his 3 month mile stone... Better late than never right?

Gavin is a sheer delight in my life. Whenever people ask me how he is doing I just smile and think of how much I love him. I just tell people that he is wonderful and I love him so much, because that's the truth. However, with all of that love has come some pretty big challenges.

Gavin at two months
I couldn't choose just one picture, he is too cute!




Gavin's two month doctor's appointment went really well. He is just a regular healthy boy. In fact he is a fast growing healthy boy. Since birth he has gained 5 whole pounds! Which is actually a lot. In all my worry as a first time mom, I can be assured that I am feeding my baby enough. Gavin also received his first round of vaccinations and it made for a pretty sad day. It was hard to watch him get the shots because there was a definite look of terror in his eyes with each shot. Even though it was sad, he made it through like a champion and we had lots of snuggles after. Here are Gavin's stats at his two month appointment:

Weight: 12 pounds, 59th percentile
Height: 23.25 inches, 63rd percentile

Gavin has started smiling all the time and I love it. Sam and I have noticed that his most smiley time is at his middle of the night feeding, especially at 4 am. It's hard because he is being so unbelievably cute but you want him to just go right back to sleep so you have to try to avoid all eye contact. One look at he just bursts into grins and it melts your heart. Sometimes I succumb and just smile back even though I know it makes him more awake and harder to put back down. Gavin has rolled over from back to front one time at his doctor's appointment. I think it was mostly because he was naked and on a hard surface where he could get a grip with his feet because he hasn't been able to role over at home. In fact he really hates tummy time because I think it hurts his stomach. 

With all the cuteness and the good, there are major challenges that really try me. I have cut back dramatically on dairy. I have not cut it out completely but I don't eat milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, etc. The hardest thing by far is cheese. It is in everything and basically one of my favorite foods so not eating it is a huge challenge. I think it has helped his tummy a little but I really can't be sure. But I am going to keep it because whatever might help is worth it. The reason for no dairy is because Gavin has some serious tummy issues. He has the gas of a grown man. The other day my sister said that he had the most explosive sounding poop she has ever heard a baby make, and she works with sick babies. Gavin also spits up A LOT. It has gotten a little better since I have been able to pump more and he doesn't eat formula hardly ever and since going off dairy. But even with that sometimes he spits up so much that I wonder if there is anything left in his tummy. Gavin has definitely started becoming more vocal about what he does and does not want. His cry is so sad and yet so cute at the same time. He makes the saddest frowny face but it also just melts your heart. Right at about two months Gavin started this crazy thing where he would not go to bed for the night until sometimes 1 am. Those were some long nights. He just wanted to nurse and nurse until I was nursed out. Finally he would settle down enough to go to bed. However since going back to work he has gotten in a pretty good little schedule and he is always ready to go to bed by 9 pm every night. He usually only wakes up once or twice in the night which has given Sam and I a lot more sleep.

There are so many things about Gavin that I don't want to forget. I love that he has started sucking on his hands. I love that he has started making this cute little "oh oh oh" noise and it seems like it is actually on purpose. I love the way he gazes into my eyes. I love how he kicks his right leg more than his left. I love that he likes to stare at himself in his little play mirror and laughs at his own reflection. I love that when he cries it sounds like he is saying "mom" even though it also makes me sad, I love that he likes to hold hands when he nurses. I love how he looks when he falls asleep on my shoulder. Gavin is so sweet and I think this age is so perfect, but of course I can't wait for what is in store. 

The first Sunday in January we had Gavin's blessing. We were going to do it in February but quickly changed it because of a family conflict. I felt a little flustered the whole day because I had to plan it so last minute and just felt like I was two steps behind. It also didn't help that the next day I was going back to work for the first time since October. We ended up being late to Sacrament which stressed me out, we forgot to record the blessing, we were super slow in getting all the food set up afterwards, I felt like I never really got a good picture the whole day, and all in all I just kind of felt like a huge Mom fail all day long. However, despite all that, I think Sam gave him such a sweet blessing and I was just happy to have all my family there to support Gavin. Really, that is all that is important even if everything else seemed to be so crazy.

Gavin wore his Uncle Matt's blessing outfit that is 37 years old




In the end I was just kind of happy to get the blessing day over with and get the holidays over with. It was kind of nice to feel like all the hoopla was done and we could just settle down a bit. Going back to work had been hard but it has also allowed me to get into a schedule with Gavin. I sure miss him when I am gone though. He is such a sweet boy and I am so happy to be his mom. Every day I just give him a squeeze and thank Heavenly Father for allowing me to be his mom. He is growing so fast and I can't believe how much he has changed already. It is so fun to see him grow and develop a sweet personality. We love you Gavin!

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

The Holidays with the Prusses

So it is true that holidays are just more fun with kids, even if that kid is only two months old and has no idea what is going on. For some reason it just makes the day more special and fun. So even thought Gavin had no clue what was going on on Christmas day, it just made it more fun to have him with us. We had a great December with little Gavin and a wonderful Christmas. I can't believe that almost a month has already passed, so it is about high time that I get this post written. 

The night before Christmas we had my family's traditional Bethlehem dinner, where we eat on the floor and have special foods. The kids put on a nativity as my mom read the story of the birth of Christ, and I must say it actually went really well. Gavin got to play the role of the Baby Jesus of course, a role he played twice this Christmas season. The whole night was really fun.

All the Grandkids dressed up

Our little Family on Christmas Eve


On Christmas we slept in, ate a delicious breakfast with my parents, and opened our presents all while little Gavin slept. Then when he woke up we opened his presents (which were very few) and then headed to Sam's parents for some more Christmas magic.

Our little Christmas Tree

Gavin's First Stocking

Sam and his presents

Me and my presents

Gavin and his presents (He was too wiggly for a good picture)

Gavin and Mom

Gavin and Dad (We didn't get one with all three of us)

Gavin and his cousin Ellie (they were born 13 days apart)

Christmas came and went and soon it was time for my birthday. This year I turned 29 and you know what? There is nothing that makes you care less about your birthday than having a baby. All I wanted was to have a relaxing day and to sleep and that is pretty much what happened. If it weren't for me and Sam being dumb and staying up until midnight at my sister's house then it would have been a perfect day. I got to sleep in and Sam made me breakfast. Then we went out to lunch with my sister and her family. After that my sister took Gavin and we went home and took a nap. We then met back up and my whole family got together and had dinner at Joy Luck. Afterwards we all went to my sister Rebekah's house and had a little party. Everyone played games but I pretty much just felt like I fed Gavin and changed poopy diapers the whole time. Gavin had been staying up super late around that time so we thought we would just stay up until midnight. Well, that was a terrible idea. By the time we actually went home and got him ready for bed, we didn't end up going to bed until 2 am. Not cool. The next day I was more tired than before, even with my nap. Oh well. You live and learn. 

Sam cutting the Birthday cake

First picture of 2016, you can tell Gavin was loving it!

I did get the most amazing present from Sam. He got me a night at the Little America Hotel. A night of sleep! And the breakfast buffet the next morning, which is what we did on our honeymoon and it is amazingly delicious. On January 9th we had our hotel stay and it was really nice. We didn't actually get to the hotel until about 9 pm. We wanted to make it special so we went to this delicious bakery in downtown and got some treats and brought them back to our room. But again, we are kind of dumb and ended up staying up until midnight. This wouldn't have been a big deal but we had to go to a missionary homecoming the next day so we couldn't just sleep in as long as we wanted. So really even though the point of the stay was for me to get a good night's rest, I was really pretty tired the next day. But the whole thing was still really nice. My mom was so nice to watch Gavin and get up with him in the night. Sam was so nice to give me such a thoughtful gift and it was just fun to have a special night with the two of us, but I did really miss Gavin the whole time.

Our delicious desserts!

At the hotel and the amazing brunch buffet

So the holidays came and went and you know, I am not sorry they are over. I loved this Christmas and loved having our little Gavin here to spend it with us, but there was something satisfying about cleaning all the decorations up and getting back to normal life. So here is to the New Year! Happy 2016!