And baby makes four!

After my last miscarriage in March, I was feeling discouraged, but hoping that I would get pregnant again soon.  I probably ended up wasting a few too many pregnancy tests over the next few months following the miscarriage because I was constantly taking them too soon in the hopes that I would be pregnant.  However, I woke up November 10 to the most wonderful surprise!

I was ecstatic!  Another pregnancy!  Now, if I had been updating my blog regularly like I always intend to, I would not have announced it right away, since Matt and I agreed to wait until after the first trimester to tell everyone this time.  However, since I am super behind on my blog posts, it is now February and I will be 19 weeks tomorrow and things are still going wonderfully!  Hooray!  More info on the pregnancy to follow...

Halloween 2011

We spent Halloween in Canyon Lake again this year since we had such a wonderful time last year.  Gavin got tons of candy and lots of compliments on his costume.  I also forgot to mention that Gavin had specifically requested that I dress up as Minnie Mouse since he was going to be Mickey and how could I resist my sweet boy?  So, I found a Minnie costume online that I was willing to wear and Gavin was very happy.  Overall, it was a wonderful Halloween!

Gavin and his best bud, Kadem

Gavin and I in our costumes

Showing off his loot

Gavin had a very good Halloween!

The Scary-Faced Pumpkin

We carved pumpkins just two days before Halloween this year at a good friend's house.  We ended up using a stencil for my pumpkin which is something I had never done before, but it was a lot of fun.  Gavin kept requesting a "really scary" face for his pumpkin, so Matt drew on a spooky mouth with triangle eyes and a nose and a small scar on Gavin's little pumpkin.  However, after he carved the semi-spooky face, Gavin decided that it was "too scary" and he refused to even hold it!  Luckily, he did let me take a few pictures of him next to the horrifying pumpkin so at least we'd have the memories.

Isn't it just so creepy??

Gavin with the scary-faced pumpkin and my bat pumpkin

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

This year, I decided to ask Gavin if he had any ideas in mind for Halloween costumes and without hesitation, he declared that he wanted to be his very favorite character, Mickey Mouse!  I looked at several Mickey costumes online trying to find the perfect one and determined that the options were not very appealing.  Most of them were one-piece pajama-type suits that had Mickey's head on top of a hood, which is not the look I was going for at all.  Therefore, I decided that my only choice was to put together a costume myself.  Thankfully, I have a very crafty friend (who also happens to be my boss) who offered to help create the perfect Mickey costume for my little man.  She created adorable yellow Mickey shoes and added black felt to a little pair of gloves to help "Mickey-fy" Gavin. I sewed some buttons on Gav's old red shorts and with the help of black leggings, a long-sleeved shirt, ears and a tail, the look was complete!  I let him try it on a few days early and he was so excited!

He sang the Mickey theme song in front of mirror when he first tried on the costume!

My little Mickey Mouse!

Plaque Dedication

Near the end of October, the school where my mom used to work had her name engraved on a plaque and posted on the wall.  They had a plaque dedication ceremony and my dad, sisters, and I all attended.  It was nice to see the school acknowledging all she had done for the students during her time there.

Pumpkin Patch

Since I insist on posting in chronological order, I am now moving my way through Halloween, even though it is the middle of December!  So, that being said, on to our trip to the pumpkin patch.

We decided to visit Tom's Farms again this year for pumpkins.  As you may be aware from many previous posts, we really enjoy Tom's Farms because it is a cute little local spot with a pond, carousel, petting zoo, mini train, pony rides, and a few great little places to eat.  Gavin loves the rides and Matt and I adore the ambiance.  This year, we also met up with our friends, Jeremy and Lindsay and their son, Kadem, who is one of Gavin's best friends.

We all had a wonderful time and I got some adorable pictures of our two little guys.  Gavin had so much fun (as you can probably tell from the pictures).

Gavin spotted this little pumpkin right away and he knew he had to have it

As you may notice in all of the pictures, Gavin always brings a "hot rod" with
him wherever he goes (in this case it was Cars "Snot Rod")

I took a few pics with the camera flash off and they came out a bit blurry,
but they were just too adorable not to post!

Our happy little family

Gavin helped Kadem select a pumpkin

Our cute little pilgrim and Native American

The boys took a carriage ride

Mommy and Gav

31 Months Old

My sweet boy,

I am so very behind on my blogging that you are now almost 33 months old and yet I am writing your 31 month post!  Luckily, I have been trying to keep notes on some of your cute "Gavinisms" and things you are learning and doing at particular times.  That way, I am able to continue your milestones posts.  However, I do realize that you are nearing three years old, and at that time, I plan to stop doing the monthly milestone posts and just post milestones as you achieve them.  Because I do know that it may be a little ridiculous for me to do milestone posts until you are 216 months old!  But for now, onto your 31 month post!  You continue to be such a wonderful and easy child.  You make Daddy and I so proud!  Here are some (only six this month, that's all I was able to jot down and remember!) new things about you at 31 months:

• One night, after cuddling with you for a little bit and then tucking you into bed, I said, "Thank you for letting me cuddle with you," to which you replied, "Anytime."  It just melted my heart!

It's looks like you fill Daddy's big shoes pretty well!

You were squatting down on day and I told you I could see your little butt-crack and you said, "Hey, Mama!  Don't look at it!"  It was hilarious!

Helping Daddy with the Chevelle






 You even asked for a wrench - you already know more about cars than I do!






Working hard

• Your concept of time makes me laugh.  One day you said to me, "I had a sippy cup years ago."  Years ago???  You've only been alive for 2-1/2!!

My two favorite boys

• Your vocabulary continues to amaze everyone around you.  Whenever you go out, people make comments about how wonderful your speech is and it makes Daddy and I so proud of you!  One night, while tucking you in, you requested that I "leave the door ajar."  Ajar??  I promptly agreed, but stood in shock as I wondered just how in the world you knew that word.  I know I had used it front of you once before, but it truly amazes me how quickly you pick things up.  There are adults who don't even use that word!

Shining the headers with Daddy

• You love helping Daddy in the garage (as is pretty obvious from the pictures).  But you are old enough now, where you can actually help a little bit more.  It is so cute to see you out there with him!

Cuddling with Aunt Evie

• You constantly ask "What is this place?" when we go somewhere.  But, the funny thing is, you will also say it at home.  You always want to know exactly where you are at, I guess. 

Shopping for sunglasses

Such a cool dude!

You are such a wonderful kid, Gav!  Being your mommy is the best job in the world and I am just so thankful for you every day!  Holidays will be even more fun this year because you are at the point where you will understand and appreciate them more.  I look forward to this year and all the years to come!

I love you to pieces, Gav!