That's right he is WALKING!

Gavin started officially walking, at all times, last Monday. We are so proud of him! He gets so excited when he walks that sometimes he starts running and face plants. He also likes to scream and clap once he has walked for awhile. Especially if you didn't notice him doing it! Gavin's home nurse/physical therapist are so proud of his big accomplishment. They also think he is very smart. We think so too! He sits long enough to watch the Elmo segment in Sesame Street, but after Elmo is off he wants nothing to do with it! He has formed a love for Elmo, he got the Pizza Elmo from his cousins in Arizona and he has two Elmo books. He got an Elmo bib from his Aunt Tara, but he just likes to look at it and scream Elmo at the top of his lungs. (It sounds more like EEEEEEEMO)

Gavin experienced his first encounter with snow today. I took him out long enough to take two pictures and then we were back inside. It was way to cold!!! He screamed when the snow was falling on his gloves and he was trying to put some in his mouth. He really enjoyed the snow.

Update on Atticus

A couple of posts ago I wrote about Atticus (heard about him through Hunters mom), well today he received a new heart and as of right now is doing well. God is good!!!! Please keep Atticus and his family in your prayers, along with the family who lost their child and is giving Atticus a new life.

Shoguns

Last month Gavin experienced his first trip to Shoguns. Shoguns is a Japanese Hibachi Restaurant (they cook the food in front of you). We went with Gavin's Nana, Grandpa, Aunt Kiki, Bubba and The Montgomery's, very close family friends. We have had a Christmas meal and exchange gifts with them since as long as I can remember. Our families met when their oldest daughter and I were toddlers. They are among Gavin's many prayer warriors, and Mitzi has spent many nights with us in the hospital with Gavin. They are a very special family! Here are some pictures from the evening.....
We were a little hesitant about taking Gavin because of how long it takes to prepare the food and to eat. However, Gavin had a blast. He laughed, clapped, screamed and threw his hands up, especially for the fire!

15 Months Already???

Time flies... I say this a lot. I just can't get over how big my "baby" is getting!

Gavin's Favorites:

*Books

*Itsy Bitsy Spider

*Attempting to repeat everything you say

*Picking at my "moles"... he says mole and picks at it!

*Dancing

*Swinging his hand in the air when we sing songs in Church. He has watched the song leader do it, so he feels the need to do it too.

*His Daddy!!!

*His new "Pizza Elmo"

*His new wagon

*Cell Phones

*Remotes

*DVD player (which he has already broken from opening and closing it so many times)

*Music

*Purses (Adam doesn't like this one)

*Tickling other people

*Looking at belly buttons

*Bath time

Gavin's not-so-favorites:

*Walking

*Getting his nose wiped (has had a runny nose for awhile)

*Diaper changes

*Clothing changes

*Riding in the car

*Getting his hair fixed (he wants to do it himself)

Gavin has such a sweet personality, he is learning more and more everyday. He loves to "talk" and watch other people. He really is a good baby and we are blessed to have him as our son!

Maddie and Atticus

There are two more children I have added that need your prayers! The first child I found out about through Maxs Mom. Maddie was 2 when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her family has now been told that there is no more treatment available for her at St. Judes. They are now at home spending precious moments with her. Please visit her site and keep her in your prayers.

The second child is Atticus (found out about through Hunters Mom). Atticus has HLHS like Gavin. Atticus had his third open heart (Fontan) and is not doing well. He has had lots of ups and downs with this surgery. They are trying to make decisions right now for him to have a Heart Transplant. Please keep him in your prayers!

2008...

Well, let's just say we are THANKFUL it is a NEW YEAR! 2007 wasn't the best year for us. We had a lot of ups and downs emotionally, spiritually, physically, financially. However, we can honestly say we would do it ALL over again. Why? Because Gavin is still with us and that's all that really matters. When I look back at what Adam and I went through the last year it doesn't really compare to what Gavin experienced. Within the last year in a half our son has had two MAJOR open heart surgeries, a stroke, spells, several heart caths, EEGS, MRI, CT, ER visits, hospital stays, physical therapy, speech therapy, doctor appts. and so on... We are amazed with his strength, his endurance. And just to think he has to go through a lot of this again and again through out his life. Looking at Gavin makes all the other "issues" in life seem so small. With that being said, I pray that 2008 brings another year with Gavin! May you all be blessed in the New Year!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!

Since I am way behind on Christmas wrapping, card sending, etc. this will be short and SWEET! I thought I would do a quick post of Christmas last year and Christmas this year. What a difference a year makes!!

May you all have a blessed Christmas and New Year!

Love, Adam, Faith and Gavin

14 Months

Gavin is growing up so fast! He has become quite a mimic lately. Every thing we do he tries to do or say. Example:We have lots of hand sanitizer bottles/wipes laying around our house. In particular we have a rather large one we keep on the ottoman for a quick hand wash. Gavin has observed us "washing" our hands and started to do it himself. He goes up to the bottle (he can't reach it) acts like he pushes the dispenser and then begins to rub his hands together.

We have started really working on names with people. We have a picture book with family members/grandparents and we point and say their name. But in person I always put my hand on my chest and say "Mama". So Gavin puts his hands on his chest and says "Mama". I laugh every time he does it, so he has started doing it more often. We are working on correcting that, but oh well its too cute!

Weeks ago, Gavin was trying to pull the outlet covers out. I tried to remove him from it and distract him with something else, however, he always goes back. One day I had to tap his hand and tell him "no, we don't touch, that will hurt you". It didn't phase him at all. He went back to the outlet and took one hand and slapped the other and said "no, no". ;)

The other day Gavin was looking at a book and he just started laughing. Gavin has NEVER laughed much. He smiles a lot just no noise with it. It melted my heart to hear him laugh!

Gavin is IN LOVE with his Daddy. I do not exist when Adam gets home. So when Adam is at work I try to enjoy my cuddling time with Gavin.

Here are some pictures of Gavin when we attempted to get a family Christmas card picture. We have a cute one of himself we decided to use instead. Happy 14 months baby boy! We love you!

Starting to get mad...

Fists Clinched

"OK, now I am REALLY ticked!"

(I think Gavin's temper tantrum messed the camera up, we considered using this one if it wasn't so blurry!)

*Adam changed clothes during the photo session, hince the different shirts...*

"Ho, Ho, Ho"

Gavin met "Santa" for the first time a couple of weeks ago. Gavin calls him "Ta" and attempts to do a version of "Ho, Ho, Ho". No tears for Gavin, but you could tell he was trying to figure this guy out! He just stared at him and wouldn't look at the camera for a picture. So I guess our first official Santa meeting was a success!

Baby Ella

Maxs mom posted about a baby that needs our prayers. Baby Ella was born with type 1 diabetes (one in a million odds). She weighed 4 1/2 lbs. full term. I am adding her to my list of children who need prayer. Her website is http://www.elladozier.com/

Please keep Baby Ella and her family in your thoughts and prayers!

My Boys...

Adam is one in this picture, Gavin almost one.

To Adam...

Happy 3rd Anniversary to my BEST friend. I LOVE YOU!

So Much to be THANKFUL for...

Happy Thanksgiving... This video shows exactly what I am THANKFUL for this year and every year...

Happy 19th Birthday Aunt "KiKi"!

Hope your day was EXTRA special and you enjoy your NEW car!

I love you, Gavin

13 Months

(Eating SUGAR FREE pudding for the first time)

I can't believe it has already been a WHOLE month since your FIRST birthday! Some facts about Gavin at 13months:

Length: 29" (25%)
Weight: 20 lb 2 oz (10%)
Head: 47cm (75%)

You can say:

*Dada

*Mama (only when we say "BummmBummBum" for some reason it makes you say Mama)

*Barbara

*Pepa

*Nana

*Pa (for Papa and Grandpa)

*Ball (when you see football on TV or you see a ball)

*YaYaYa

*Falalalala (we got a children's Christmas sing along CD, he likes Deck The Halls)

*Ahhh (after you take a drink)

*Moo

*Arf Arf (for a dog)

*You love to scream as loud as you can

*Amen (said it in church when he heard other people saying it!)

*Dog

Things you do:

*Cry when Dada leaves, you crawl to the door and bang as hard as you can and scream "Dada, Dada"

*Touchdown Signal

*Point to things you want

*Clap

*Patty Cake

*Sing along when others sing (make sounds)

*Walk around the furniture, however you would much rather crawl

*Dance to music

*You have decided that night time is not sleep time, it's play time, even at 230 in the morning!

Gavin,

Each day makes me realize you are not an itty bitty baby anymore. You have become much more independent, with playing and eating. You love to "explore" the house. You like to see how many times you can get into stuff you are not supposed to before you get removed from the area. You are such a joy and we love you more and more...

xoxo Mama and Dada

We Are Home!

Just so you all know, Gavin was discharged Thursday night and we have been home resting! You do not get much sleep in a hospital! The EEG showed no signs of seizure activity, so we are thankful for that... the main concern right now is Gavin's heart rate when he sleeps, we should hear from the cardiologist this week. We have an appt. with the neurologist with in the next three weeks. Please continue to pray for Gavin as he will have more tests/evaluations for the enlarged ventricles in his brain and for his heart! Thanks again for all the prayers, phone calls, and visits!

Trick or Treat

Greetings from the hospital! Today Gavin had "Trick or Treaters" come and visit him... a princess, horse, cowboy, baby doll, clowns, raggedy Ann and Andy, and more! He got coloring books, crayons, bears, glow sticks and light up toys. He had a fun day! Gavin has been all smiles and an absolute sweet heart! He waves bye bye and blows a kiss to every nurse or doctor that comes in his room. One of the nurses told us how the nurses were talking about how sweet he is, reminds me of when he was born, he really has a way with the nurses! Gavin has had 2 spells but no seizure activity. So far the EEG has been normal. His heart rate dropped to the 50-60 range through out the night, and nurses were in and out, so the adults were without sleep til about 630 this morning. Gavin on the other hand slept all night! We will see the neurologist again in the morning to get details if we can come home tomorrow. Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Early.....

Gavin says Happy Halloween! Tonight we dressed Gavin up and had family over for dinner. Gavin will be admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for a 72 hour EEG, which means he wont be able to wear his costume on Wednesday. So we thought we would dress him up tonight! I will post more pictures/video from Gavin's birthday party, video from the pumpkin patch, and pictures/video of Gavin painting his pumpkin when we get home at the end of the week!

(Please keep us in your prayers that everything goes smoothly at the hospital, it is going to be hard keeping Gavin still for 72 hours)

Oh and one other side note (since I use this as a baby book/journal, October 28, 2006 was Gavins actual birth due date!)

Pumpkin Patch Part 2

Gavin went to the Pumpkin Patch again, this time with his Nana and Grandpa. Gavin picked out a big pumpkin to paint, rode the pony, and took lots of pictures...

Grandpa Joe let Gavin "back out of the garage" and Gavin thought it was so much fun! He was upset when we put him in his carseat to leave, he wanted to drive!

Gavin and Aunt "KiKi" Kristen
Family Picture
Grandpa and Gavin picking out pumpkins
Gavin saying "cheese" for the camera
Adam, Great Granny BARBARA, and Pepa