Those Moments

Before becoming  a parent, you see images/clips/tv shows/movies etc. of parents gushing over those “proud parenting moments.” Before kids, we can all live to imagine what that must feel like, how it must feel to see a part of you succeeding.

But nothing can prepare you for those moments. Whether it’s a first step or a gold medal, watching your heart and soul accomplishing milestones is hard to describe.

One of my favorite characteristics of Gavin is that whatever he tries, he gives it his full attention and dedication. Nothing is ever done halfway with this little guy – like his mama, it’s all or nothing.

Since getting his bike tire fixed, getting Gavin off his bike has become a challenge. Every free moment is filled with, “can I go ride mama? please?” We luckily live on a dead end street and in the last 48 hours I’ve lost track of how many laps he has pedaled. As he crosses the street to enter our driveway (after cautiously looking both ways) I immediately hear, “AGAIN!” And either Casey or I have to say, “Ready….set…go!!!!” And he’s off, pedaling as quickly as those little legs will take him.

If this keeps up, I’d be willing to bet he’ll toss those training wheels aside by the end of the summer. It’s more than fun to watch him enjoy this new sense of freedom, and nothing is better than spending the last few minutes of dusk (in a season before mosquitoes) watching him ride and listening to his little voice singing happily as he circles the block again and again.

Gavin is also finishing up his first year of preschool. After swallowing my fears (and pride) of sending our kiddo with some extra needs into a place I can’t control – my fears were quickly diminished. In this last year school year, Gavin has thrived. He loves making new friends, learning letters/numbers/simple math, and getting some time away from the chaos of our home. He was blessed to have two of the best teachers I could have asked for.

When you see someone everyday, it can be difficult to see the physical changes happening right before your eyes. While I knew he had grown since his first day, seeing the images side by side really show the difference the last few months have brought.

 

The baby face of three has disappeared into the “bigger” kid looks of four. We couldn’t be more proud of the kid he has become.

Catching Up

Finally. Spring.

After a snowstorm at the beginning of May left us with 15.5 inches of snow – we’re finally past one of the worst winters I can remember.

Mother nature really messed with our heads this year

Tuesday, April 30th

Thursday, May 2nd

Sunday, May 5th

Yep, shoveling snow in shorts. That pretty much sums up the last month or so!

In the midst of this we had our FIFTH Great Strides Walk! Once all the checks are deposited, we will have raised nearly $7,000! Thank you so very much for your generosity! We feel very blessed to have so many people fighting alongside us to keep our kiddo healthy and strong!

This year Gavin really understood that the money we raised was for him – and as much as it breaks my heart that at 4 he already understands his life will always be a fight for health, it makes me proud that he is becoming just as determined as we are to work hard and raise awareness.

It was far from being the warmest weather we’ve walked in…

But we trudged through the slush & snow! Another successful walk in the books!

And thanks to a group on Facebook filled with fellow CF mamas – I became aware that this little guy was “free” for our our family since Gavin uses the Hill Rom vest. Gavin named him Button, and loves that he’s no longer the only one with a vest in our house!

At four, he’s already beginning to learn to read. He’s working hard on sounding out the letters and trying to come up with the word. I love listening to him in the evenings as he lays in bed (after we’ve read him his stories) trying to reread some of his favorites on his own.

He’s fascinated with simple addition & subtraction problems and when watching a sport on tv he can quickly figure out who is in the lead, by how much & what the other team needs to do to catch up/win.

His imaginary friend, “Brainy,” (quite the name I know, he must be smart!) makes an “appearance” fairly often these days. Gavin loves to pretend that he’s playing sports with this buddy and talks about him often. Thankfully we haven’t had to set a plate for Brainy at the table! (yet!)

Getting him back inside when he’s playing outside is always an adventure in itself. This kid loves the outdoors – especially when he’s playing some sort of sport. He still loves to drive his John Deere tractor around the yard, peddle his bike around the cul-de-sac, play in the sand at the park  and swing on our swing set in the backyard.

As much as he doesn’t like doing his vest he rarely complains about it. As long as he’s got the cartoon of his choice on tv, he calmly & bravely sits for each thirty minute session!

And it continues…

We’re over it.

Winter, that is.

Nearly every morning, Gavin asks me if summer will be here by bedtime. Once again, on the 18th of March, we’re in the middle of a winter storm. A bunch melted over the weekend, just to get replenished today.

Yech.

In December, the first sprinkle of snow brought out all the neighbors – almost as if we’re racing to be the first to clear the driveway. By mid-March? Well, it’s 3 in the afternoon and I don’t think anyone on our block has touched a shovel. Looks like we’re not the only ones over it!

I hate to complain about the weather, as we do love living in a state with four distinct seasons, but too much is too much. The grey skies and never ending snow has put all of us in a funk.

But in typical Gavin fashion, he made the best of what we have and we headed out to build a snowman. We completely cheated this year by buying a snowman kit but when we only have one teeny little tree (no sticks for arms!) and wood chips for landscaping anything helps!

picture perfect snowman


that even got a hug…


and a kiss!

Enjoying the snow

 

What a bizarre winter this has been! From rain, to sleet to snow – and don’t forget the ice! It took until March to get a combination of enough snow on the ground and weather warm enough to enjoy being outside for more than 10 minutes. I kid you not, In January the daycare kids had out our summer bikes/toys as we had no snow! Anytime we’d get some on the ground, it would rain – bummer for the littles in my house needing to escape the house!

The last 24-48 hours brought about 10 inches of the fluffy stuff and we’ve been loving every second of it! It took a lot of convincing to get Gavin to come inside yesterday evening, even after being outside for nearly two hours.

Yesterday brought back a lot of childhood memories. Helping shovel the driveway. Digging tunnels in the large snow piles. The excitement of enjoying the outdoors trumping the wet and cold winter clothing. The shrieks of neighborhood children combined with the loud whirring of snow plows clearing driveways and sidewalks.

The news may have “complained” about digging out – but honestly our street was full of laughter and joy. Even amidst the piles of the snow, the warmer weather and fast melting snow was proof enough that spring is coming quickly – the end of cabin fever is near!

As ready as we are to no longer need 4o minutes to get dressed warmly enough to head outside to play, we’re enjoying what is here now and soon enough we’ll be sweating and cursing the heat, wishing for a quick relief of cool weather!

Valentine’s Day

We had a quiet, but fun Valentine’s day this year. Gavin is at an age where every holiday – whether big or small – seems magical & exciting. Probably because he is hoping for presents! Ha!

Valentine’s day shirt, and daycare valentines

This was the first year that Gavin was able to celebrate Valentine's day with a classroom of friends! He couldn’t wait to get home and sift through all the cards…and candy. I probably didn’t win mother of the year for the amount I let him have over the next 24 hours, but the faster he ate it – the faster it was gone – and I didn’t have to hear, “Just one more piece, mama?” anymore!

Any valentine that had a princess, or looked too girly, was quickly handed to me (gee thanks) – but not before removing the precious candy for himself! What a stinker!

He turned FOUR!

Not quite sure how time flew so quickly, but my little buddy turned four! He had quite the few days of celebration. Since Christmas he has been begging us for a Kindle of his own, and his wish came true!

We let him open it the night before his actual birthday so that he could bring it with him to his CF clinic if we had a lot down time.

I had hoped to get more pictures of him at his clinic visit – but it was a long, long day. He was really scared throughout a lot of it (I can’t blame him!) and he would barely leave my arms the entire time we were there. It was a long morning on all of us – an extra thank you to his team for their patience!

His CF team threw him an impromptu birthday celebration where they all came in and sang, gave him gifts and everyone signed a card. We are so lucky to have such a great team!

After clinic we headed over to the Children’s Museum in St. Paul.

Headed home to open a few more presents and enjoy birthday cake

Present from London from Unc

Enjoyed a birthday party with his daycare friends

Even though the weather prevents several friends/family members from his birthday party – our four year old was thrilled with his Spiderman themed party! Including the impromptu cupcakes, as the “real” ones got stuck in the Twin Cities!

After all the celebrations ended, Gavin told me it was his best birthday ever – but he can’t wait for his “five” birthday, and has already started a list of present ideas!