Gavin is having a rough week...

It all started last Sunday when this happened...
Gavin was playing football in the kitchen and slid into the cabinet... taking a piece of wood out of the cabinet and a piece of skin out of the inside of his lip.

By Wednesday this happened...
And by yesterday this happened...

Gavin has now developed a rash from his neck down his chest and stomach. Dr. says it's because he has a virus. This picture doesn't even do it justice.

Poor kid, he needs a break!

Christmas...

at the hospital! Yup, that's right Gavin spent all day Christmas Eve, night and Christmas Day tucked away in a hospital bed. Gavin officially has RSV. Fun stuff!! I am glad to say that we are home now and on the mend. Here are a couple of pictures of Gavin's third Christmas...

He loves his Daddy!

We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and you will be richly blessed in the New Year!

Love, Adam, Faith and Gavin

Happy Holidays From Our Family to Yours!!!

Thanks Sharon for designing our card this year, we LOVE it!!!

http://www.redbuddesigns.blogspot.com/

Santa, not so jolly...

Last night was our Mended Little Hearts Christmas party at the Heart Hospital! It was a great night with all of Gavin's heart friends. Dr. Kimberling (Cardiologist at PCO) came and spoke to us about the new children's hospital and the new pediatric cardio/thoracic surgeon. We enjoyed yummy food, cookies and Santa... most of us did... all of us but Gavin. It was bad, really bad. Full on hyperventilating, red face, sweat, rapid heart beat and hard breathing. Not the best scenario for a child with a heart defect. Adam had to take Gavin out in the hall until Santa left. He wanted nothing to do with him. Gavin is not scared of anything. Needles, IV'S, blood, doctors, nurses, water (we are talking about the ocean people!), getting a bruise, scrape, nothing. He hardly cries! However, when it comes to costumes...he HATES costumes...when he met Elmo and the Cow at Chick-fil-a, he was scared, really scared and he cried. When he had to wear his Rooster costume at Halloween, he cried and barely moved in it. Something about those costumes!

Here's how it went: As soon as we said "Santa is coming" and Santa's bells started to ring, Gavin flipped out and squeezed my neck. "Home, Bye-Bye, Now, Gone, All Done, Home, Now, No Santa"... these are just a few of the words that Gavin repeated over and over.

We bribed him with a cookie to get a "picture" with Santa. The best we could get was this: Santa was so small you couldn't even see him! We are going to have to make up a code word for Santa. You say his name and Gavin comes full force to your neck. We might have to skip the whole cookies and milk thing this year. I want a full night of sleep!

(The above picture was taken after Santa had left. Mommy was trying to explain that Santa went back to the North Pole and you don't ever have to see him again... he was still upset)

Christmas Train

This is where I have found my boys a lot lately...

Growing up, we always had a girly Christmas tree, just for me and my sister Kristen. So this year my mom wanted to do a boyish tree for Gavin. She came up with a transportation tree... It has trains, police cars, school bus, boats, airplanes, and more! Mitzi has a train that she let us borrow. It goes around and around the tree, it is complete with smoke, lights and sound effects! Gavin loves it, the child could sit there all day and watch it go! When he woke up from his nap today, he said "TRAIN, CHOO-CHOO, PLEASEEEE!!!!"

This Christmas will be so much fun!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble-Gobble, it's Turkey Day!!!

We have so much to be thankful for this year...

another year with Gavin, another year of giggles, hugs and kisses...

so, so thankful! We love you Gavin!!

This year is extra special because I am thankful that on this day four years ago, I married my best friend. I love you Adam and here's to many more Thanksgiving/Anniversaries together!!!

Over due pictures from Halloween...

I just realized I never posted pictures from Gavin's "FIRST" Halloween!! You are probably thinking first?!? The first two Halloweens he was in the hospital... so I wanted to put some pictures up of his first Halloween at home!! Gavin was not a big fan of his costume, but he got the hang of it after he realized everyone else was dressed up. We had a great time, Mimi and Papa came over and we had dinner. Cousins Camryn and Carson came by to take pictures. It was a great night!

Gavin and his "pirate" cousins!

Gavin going trick-or-treating to his friend Danny's house...

Trick-or-treat!

Prayers for Baby Reed and Owen

Over the last few months I got connected with Keeley through Max's mom, Kelly. Keeley is Baby Reed's mother. Reed and his twin Braden were born last week. Reed was born with HLHS and he is now on the waiting list for a heart transplant. He is at the top of the list. Keeley has been such an inspiration to me, she is so faithful and strong through this. I have never read a negative post on her blog, she is always uplifting! I don't really know how to ask for prayers for children who need heart transplants, because in the end another family is loosing their child. I know it is all a part of God's timing and plan, it's just hard to wrap my head around it. I have also been connected to Baby Owen (HLHS) through blogging, his mother Andrea is such a sweet and loving mother. Owen is now waiting in the hospital for his new heart. Please pray for both families as they face the up's and down's through this journey.

The joys of picture taking...

Fit throwing...

Refusing to get his picture taken...

More interested in the quarter...

Totally worth it!!

Stayed tuned for the finished product!

Prayer Request

Please keep Max in your prayers... he went in for emergency brain surgery on Friday night. I talked with his mom Kelly several times last week, so this came as a complete shock to me, as I am sure it was a complete shock and very scary to Kelly and John. Kelly has been such an inspiration to me and she cares so much about children with illnesses. You can read Max's story here. Please, please keep him in your prayers, hopefully he will be discharged soon!

The Winners are....

Cassie, Andrea and Allison... yay!!

Email me your address @ afgk03@gmail.com and your gift will be in the mail! Thanks ladies for commenting!

Pay It Forward...

I don't usually participate in the"blog surveys/contests"... however, I read about "Paying it Forward" on my wonderful sister-in-law, Erin's blog and thought it would be fun! Here is the very cute polka dot frame I received in the mail a week ago...Now it is my turn to "pay it forward." What am I talking about, you ask? I am paying it forward with a premeditated act of kindness. Would you like to receive a fun gift and then give a gift in return? THE RULES: The focus of this is to do an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and "pay it forward."I will send a small, fun gift to the first 3 bloggers who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and then the game will continue!! The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found, anything you want!! Just a gift that will make the person's day!! If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 bloggers to leave a comment!! You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link back to me, and then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog. Doesn't this sound like fun!!?? All of you lurkers out there who never comment, now is your chance to prove to me that you read my blog. :) Let the games begin! Good luck trying to be one of the first 3 commenter's!

Praying for Gavin...

We have always prayed for Gavin, even before he was conceived. But I never really put much thought to pray for each activity that Gavin is involved in during the day. I ran across a blog post talking about praying for children and using bible verses to pray over them- praying for seven activities, for seven days. So I have decided to use the same format, but pick my own verses for Gavin- verses that apply to him and his age. I encourage each of you with children to do the same. I can't wait to see what God reveals to me in doing this! I am so thankful for Gavin and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him!


1. When he wakes up/gets dressed: "I prayed for Gavin, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give Gavin to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." (Adapted from 1 Samuel 1:27)


2. When he is eating: "Lord, as Gavin grows teach him that life is more than food, and the body more than clothes...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Adapted from Luke 12:23, 34)


3. When he is away from us: "Lord, please be with Gavin as he is away from us because we know that the One who was born of God keeps Gavin safe, and the evil one cannot harm him." (Adapted from 1 John 5:18)


4. When he is playing: "Lord, please do not let Gavin forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (Adapted from Hebrews 13:16)


5. When he is taking a bath: "Lord, give Gavin clean hands and a pure heart, and let Gavin not lift his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. Let Gavin receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. Let Gavin be a part of the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob." (Adapted from Psalm 24:4-6)

6. When he is going to bed: "Lord, give your angels special charge to accompany, defend, preserve and provide safety for Gavin, day and night" (Adapted from Psalm 91:11 and Psalm 4:8)


7. When he is sleeping: "Lord, we ask that you continue to give us wisdom, knowledge and understanding as we raise Gavin" (Adapted from Proverbs 2:6)

"Cock-A-Doodle-Doo"...

...."Happy Halloween".... From Gavin!!!

Two Years Ago...

...today was my original due date and since I didn't post a sentimental 2nd birthday post, I thought it would be appropriate to share a video I created for Gavin. It includes some of the bible verses that really pulled me through during our times of struggle...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Our Little Pumpkin...

Past and Present...

2006

2007
2008

...Our Little Pumpkin has come a long way!

Gavin's 2nd Birthday Celebration...

Sunday evening, the night before Gavin's birthday, our church honored Gavin and threw him a birthday party! Several of our dear friends came up with the idea to help raise money for Gavin's third surgery, which will be out of state. We are so humbled by their actions and their support. It was a great opportunity for Adam and I to get up and read a letter to them, a letter I have wanted to share for a long time. Thanking them all for their wonderful and gracious love they all have shown.

Here is a video montage of the wonderful evening... I chose the song "Mighty to Save" by Laura Story. It is one of my favorite songs. The song reminds me of how Mighty our Savior is and how he has moved so many big mountains in Gavin's little life.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?" 1 Thessalonians 3:9

Sick Season is Here...

RSV season brings much disappointment at our house. We are stuck in the house with a 2 year old who likes to be on the go! We are constantly cleaning and washing hands!!

Gavin has officially caught a bug... vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, no sleep and congestion... When Gavin gets sick, especially with upper respiratory issues, he is almost always put on oxygen. He hates the nose cannula (you can barely see it on Gavin because he is so pale right now : ( you can tell he doesn't feel good at all), so Grandpa and Daddy decided to make him feel better by putting the tubing on their noses too! I had to take a picture, too funny! Daddy and Grandpa definitely made Gavin feel better!!

Elmo Party

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy 2nd Birthday Gavin!!!

Today the birthday boy and I went, for the first time, to Build-A-Bear!! We had a blast, he really enjoyed "making" the bear. Can't wait to go back! Gavin is holding his new motorcycle "cool" in all of the pictures... he is obsessed, he sleeps with it every night!!

Getting ready to put his foot on the pedal to "stuff" the bear.

Holding "half" of the bears heart...

They cut the bears heart in half to make the bear just like Gavin!
Hugging the bear
Holding the other half of the bears heart
Giving the bear a bath
All done
I am outta here!

This weekend was full of parties for Gavin. We had a great time and we enjoyed having family and friends from out-of-town... we already miss all of you!! Stay tuned for pictures and posts from the parties!!!

Almost TWO!

I realized I never posted a "23 months" post. I thought I should because Gavin has really picked up his vocabulary. He was actually dismissed from Speech Therapy last month, which really, really makes us proud!!

*New words/phrases:

Phrases I hear in the car, every time!
"Mama, da cool bus" -Mama the school bus.
"Mama, da truk" -Mama the truck.
"Mama, da pane, da sky" -Mama, the plane in the sky.
"Mama, cream" -Mama, ice cream. (Every time we pass an ice cream store)
"Mama, booooo"... starts crying -Mama, moo. (When we pass Chick-Fil-A, he is very scared of the cow that stands out there and waves)

Colors:
"Owange" -Orange
"Yellow"
"Boo" -Blue
"Wed" -Red
"Geen" -Green

*Gavin's Great Aunt Patti brought him an early birthday present last week... it's really a rocket, but Gavin calls it a "pane"! You press the button and it says "Blast Off"- Gavin screams "OFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF". He rides that thing around every where. Definitely a favorite toy! Thanks Auntie P!!

*Gavin loves to say his prayers. When we sit down for dinner he has his hands together, ready for prayer time. I know you all are thinking, "what a sweet little boy"... well we discovered the other night that once we close our eyes, he throws his food on the floor for the dog to eat! We caught him... and for awhile we were so impressed with his wanting to pray at such a young age! Ha! Ha! Don't worry he is still a sweetie and says his prayers at bedtime... Our night time routine is bath time, read a book and say our prayers together. We each take a turn... Gavin says "Daddy pay... Mama pay". Then he pretty much repeats what we prayed for. Most of the time this is how his pray goes, "MamaDadaNanaPaMimiPaPaKikiBubbaCarCar(his cousin Carson)...AMEN" no pauses, no breaths, just straight through! These are the names that he has down pretty solid. The other night he threw in "Rye-A-Knee"(Uncle Ryan)"TaTa"(Aunt Tara)"Yawn"(Jon)"Baby"(Cousin Paxton). We are working on Cousin Camryn and Aunt Erin, a little hard for him to say!!... but don't worry you and every one else are in Mama and Dadas prayers!!

*Monday, Gavin will be TWO!!! I can't believe it!!! Stay tuned for a birthday post and pictures!!!

Favorite Poses...

Hands behind the back...

Hands behind the head (this pose means "I am tired")....

This picture was taken on our way home from his heart cath, his neck was a little sore, so he could only put one hand up.

Back from our trip....

We are home! We left last Wednesday to see Gavin's cardio thoracic surgeon Dr. P! It all worked out, my dad had a game and it happened to be where Dr. P and his family moved to this summer. The visit and hospital tour re-assured our decision to follow Dr. P for Gavin's surgery in the Spring. Dr. P's staff got us free tickets to Sea World and the zoo. We had a blast! I put the pictures in a slide show because there are to many to choose from!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Family Fun Night!

Cheese!

I love my Gavin kisses!

"Mommy, you need more flour on this side!"

"Daddy, you are doing such a great job!"

Tasting the flour...

Dipping the cookie cutters in the flour...

Coloring with Dad...

Dads wonderful creation!We have been busy the last couple of weeks! This week we have nothing planned so we decided to have a Family Fun Night last night! No TV, no Computer, no phones, nothing... just quality fun time together! We made animal cracker cookies, cut out shapes, colored and talked about the letters of the alphabet. When you ask Gavin to sing the alphabet his answer is "W", we are trying to explain to him that there are other letters in the alphabet besides "W". I guess he thinks "W" is the most interesting!