Christmas Pictures

Christmas

We've been to Illinois and back and Gavin's first Christmas is over. The car trips there and back went well and I was surprised. Gavin never wants to stay still at home so I thought many hours strapped into a car seat would drive him crazy but luckily he found many things to keep him distracted and stayed in a good mood.


We had a really good time, it just went by way to quickly. It is so hard to cram everything you want to do and everyone you want to see in just 4 days. Also Gavin may have traveled well but he did not sleep well once we were there. He just did not want to sleep in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar place. I thought it was too bad because he doesn't get to spend much time with our families and he was tired and cranky some of the time. We got to visit with a lot of family on both sides and he got to spend quality time with his Grandparents, Aunts, Great Aunts, cousins and even Great Grandparents. At the Hillyer family Christmas on Sat. Great Grandpa Hillyer was so adorable. He sat next to Gavin feeding him little cereal puffs and helping him drink a sippy cup, making sure he was happy.


Jacob had to stay in Ten. until Christmas eve when he got off work at 7. He got to my parents house in the wee hours of the morning very tired but it was just great that he was able to come. Christmas morning was a lot of fun but Gavin was so tired that he didn't really show to much interest in the presents we put before him. He had gotten up at 4:30 that morning and by 7 when we opened presents he could barely keep his eyes open. To tell the truth I was also pretty tired and when I look back on the pictures from that morning I don't even remember taking them. When all was said and done, the only thing that really interested him was rolling around in the wrapping paper. Luckily he took a nap before the big breakfast when all of the Hillyer clan come over so he was a little more alert. He loved getting so much attention and he really loved his cousin Evan. Gavin was crying and Evan came up to him and Gavin stopped right away and just smiled at him. He really wanted Evan to hold him but Gav is a big boy and it just wasn't possible.


Later in the afternoon we went to the Abels Grandparents house and again he wasn't too interested in presents. Maybe next year he will be more enthusiastic. He was interested in exploring their house and staring at their dog. He hasn't had too many up close encounters with animals and he did not know what to make of the furry little creature making noises at him.


Like I said before the whole day was really nice, it just went by in the blink of an eye. We all got a lot of really good gifts. One thing Jacob and I got were gift certificates to Red Lobster that Jacob is really excited about using. He loves shrimp but we don't get out much (I wonder why). Gavin also got a lot of things. Since we have been home he doesn't know what to do with all his new stuff, he just goes from one thing to another trying to touch them all.


Here are a few more pictures from our trip.

Teeth

Gavin is now getting 2 teeth. There is one on the top also and it seems to be beating the bottom one in the race to come in. Here is a picture of his first tooth (don't judge him just because the angle makes him look ginormous)

2nd Anniversary

Last night was our second wedding anniversary and Jacob planned a really special night. Way back in October he got tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes. I was really looking forward to it, who hasn't grown up watching the Rockettes every Thanksgiving on the Macy's parade? We are lucky to live less than 10 minutes away from the Opry, which is were it was, but this was our first time going to a show there. Before the show we went out to eat and I had ribs that could possibly be the best I've ever had (sorry dad). The original plan was to walk around the Opry hotel lobby after dinner, which is supposed to be beautiful during Christmas but the shoes I got to go with my outfit matched perfectly but hurt incredibly. I had to walk like an old lady and hold onto Jacob for support. So we ended up going and sitting in our seats a little earlier than planned but the night was still really good. We had great seats, center balcony, and the best part was we sat on the aisle and anyone who knows me and my bladder know that is a good thing. It was a great show, the Rockettes are amazing to watch and the famous wooden soldier routine was fascinating. Other parts of the show were good too especially the Nutcracker scene, it was done with bears and was pretty funny, and the living Nativity at the close of the show that was really neat to watch. The only drawback to the night is that Jacob lost his cell phone. He thinks it fell out of his pocket when he put his coat on and he didn't notice till we got home so that is not good. Overall though the night was a great success and it was very nice anniversary.

Pics

Just pictures today. The toy box is the first Christmas present ever for Gavin! It is from his Hillyer grandparents.

Pretty little what?

Yesterday Ellie, Gavin, and I were at the grocery store and while Ellie and I were contemplating over an item Gavin was sitting in the cart making happy little baby noises. An older woman walks over and says "she heard that pretty little song way over there" talking about Gavin's noises. We laughed and agreed and then she said "such a pretty little girl to sing a pretty little song" and walked off. Ellie and I just looked at each other and at Gavin (who was wearing all blue with a bear playing baseball on the shirt) and the only thing we could do was laugh. I guess it is good to know that if Gavin was a girl he would be pretty.

Also, the thing I have been dreading since Gavin's birth seems to be happening..... TEETHING!!! I can plainly see the bottom lower right tooth just about to poke it's way through. Since this is my first time experiencing this I have no clue how long it will last or if the worst has even begun yet but so far it is not good. He is waking up 10 times a night and is very, very cranky. All I can do is hope, for both our sakes, that it passes quickly. Of course there's always the second and third to follow.

I'll be home for Christmas

Up until today it was undecided if we would be able to go home to Illinois for Christmas, but we found out today that we will make it!! We are really looking forward to spending Gavin's first Christmas back home with our families.

Thanks to Jacob who is making sacrifices so that it will be possible.

Ma-Ma vs. Da-Da

Yesterday Gavin spent the whole afternoon saying Da Da over and over ( I swear that he said Daddy at one point and Ellie is my witness) and I realized that he says Da Da when he is happy. When does he say Ma Ma you might ask? When he is crying, that is when. When he wants to be picked up or when he is angry or sad he says Ma Ma. Everything I read says that babies Gavin's age do not know what they are saying, they just make sounds but it seems suspicious... why ma ma only when he wants something?

GGJ Abels

We are starting a blog! My mom wanted me to start one when I was pregnant so 16 months later, here it goes.

Gavin is growing so fast and changing every day and we want our families back home in Illinois to be able to share in his life as much as possible. He started crawling about a month ago and two weeks later he decided he wanted to stand so now that is all he does. I can not get him to sit anymore and sometimes I miss the quiet days of yore. Mostly though I am so excited. All his firsts are ours too and I love seeing him grow day by day. I am really lucky because so far I have been able to stay home with him and I have not missed one single change. (Technically Jacob saw him crawl first but I saw the second time)

That is pretty much all for right now but hopefully I will update often.