What Gavin is up to these days

I just had to post the fun things Gavin is doing and saying at the one year mark so I don't forget!

Physical accomplishments!

• Walking all over like a crazy man
• Can throw a big ball with two hands
• Loves to feed himself anything bite sized
• Drinks out of a sippy cup or straw
• Claps
• Waves
• Does the "touchdown" sign
• shakes his head no
• plays peek-a-boo with blankets
• climbs on anything he can
• Loves to dive on to pillows
• takes ordaments off the tree
• Can twist the top of most containers on and off (yeah dangerous)
• Has 6 teeth (4 top, 2 bottom)
• Love to brush his teeth
• Loves bath time

Sign Language

• signs eat/hungry
• bannana
• more
• water
• fishy/cracker
• sometimes signs Bird and dog
• Sometimes Dad

Words

• Mama
• Dada
• Al (for Allie, though he hasn't said it for a while)
• Cracker
• Ball
• Ya-Ya (means phone or Aunt Jessica) or just making noise
• quack- for Ducks
• Gandma/Grandpa
• sometimes love (short for love you)
• Santa (Just in time for Christmas---so cute)
• Will usually try to repeat most words you say

Other cute/funny stuff

• Throws his head back when he laughs
• Cheeser smile
• runs away laughing/squealing when he has something he shouldn't have
• Feeds Allie when he gets the chance
• Also feeds Mom and Dad
• Grabs his hands when frustrated
• Thinks its great fun to throw toys through the gate, and down the stairs
• will lay on the floor in front of you to tickle him
• hugs and kisses Allie all the time
• kisses his favorite pages in books
• Squats down to look at things
• If you give him something he doesn't want, he immediately throws it
• Puts food he doesn't want by the side of his high chair (almost like he's hiding it)

Gavin's Big Day!

We had so much fun celebrating Gavin's Birthday and want to thank all of those who joined in! We got a great start on a college savings account, and so much priceless advice for Gavin's time capsule/memory book! He's very lucky to have such wonderful family and friends! Here are some fun videos of Gavin's Big Day!

Turtle Power

Our first Halloween with Gavin!
We went to Dax and Jen's so Gavin got to see his cousin's It was impossible to get a good picture of all of them, although Kelty (the blonde in the back) was posing perfectly in all of them!
The back view!
Touchdown!
Gavin spent half of the night putting his candy in, and then taking it back out of his pumpkin. Apparently he hasn't learned what else you can do with chocolate!

Fall Leaves

10 months and growing!

It's hard to believe, but Gavin turned 10 months old today (not quite as cool of a date as last month when he turned 9 months old on 9/9/09) but, he did take his first steps tonight! He only took two, but it was very cute and exciting. Here are some other things he's been up to:

• Waving Hello, and Goodbye
• Trying to say "Allie" (our dog's name, and his favorite friend)
• Making and Indian sound (ah-wa-wa with his hand to his mouth, or mom or dad's hand)
• Love's to eat finger foods
• Standing up everywhere and anywhere with no assistance
• Jumping while standing
• Jumping on Dad
• Falls asleep great on his own
• Cheesy smile
• 1st tooth
• laughs when we do silly stuff
• Walking while pushing a "walking toy"
• drinking from sippy cup
• kind of can throw a ball

Here are a few pics I took today, He has been sick and it was hard to get a smile, so I'll post happier one's soon!

6 months already!

So I'm eating lunch at work and decided I should do a quick post! Gavin is getting soooo big! He is 6 months old now and is:

• sitting up all by himself
• loves to eat everything
• can self-feed gram crackers like a champ
• is getting better at falling asleep on his own
• tries to pull himself up to things
• can scoot on his belly for toys
• loves baths
• gives hugs and kisses
• says da da and ya ya (with an occasional mmmm or ma)
• shakes his head no
• can get out of his car seat if he's not buckled in
• learned how to blow/spit through his lips, and likes to practice this trick while eating (messy but cute, and Dad's favorite)

The other night I was laying side by side with him on our bed reading books. The first two we're darling pop-up books Aunt Carol gave us. He loved them and kicked and made noises the whole time. Then the 3rd book was "How do I love you" that Aunt Jessica gave Gavin. Throughout the whole book he kept turning to me, grabbing my face and giving me kisses, it was sooo adorable. Sometimes I wonder if could get any cuter, then the next day comes, and lo and behold he has!

Finally a post from Lainie

So it seems like I am always waiting for the perfect opportunity to blog, you know when Gavin is soundly sleeping, and the house is perfectly clean, and I've worked out, and played with Allie and read my scriptures, and don't feel guilty about whatever else I have on my "to do" list. But since having little "G" that time has not come, and I don't think it's going to. The house is a mess, Allie is sitting right by me with her ball, hoping I will play with her, and I there are a million things I should be doing, but Gavin is asleep, so it's now or never!
So I just have to say how much I love being a Mom. Piper texted me, while I was in labor, and said "How does it feel to know in a few hours you'll actually be someone's Mom? Probably a little painful at this point, lol, but by tomorrow you won't be able to remember what life was like before" boy was she wrong, I totally remember going to bed when I wanted, and eating food when it was warm, and not having to carry the laundry and a baby at the same time....
But I wouldn't change any of it, because I honestly can't imagine living the rest of my life without my little buddy, who knew you could feel so much love? It's such an adventure, watching him grow and learn, and seeing yourself and your husband change into parents, who now talk about how many messy diapers he's had today, and what they looked like, and when did he last eat. Who would have thought me and Cody could have so much fun just staring at our little boy and laughing at every funny face he makes. And you should see Cody as a Dad, I mean you all know him and how great he is, but Gavin adores him! Today at church Gavin was sitting on my lap and looked over and saw Cody and just grinned at him until he got his attention.
I've been back to work now for a couple of weeks and it really hasn't been too hard, because luckily Cody is able to watch him while I'm at work. It's a lot eaiser to leave him knowing he's with someone who will love and care for him the same way I would. He's totally become Mr. Mom, it's so cute how proud he is to be Gavin's Dad. He is crazy busy with school and work and Gavin, but somehow he does it all.
So this blog is kinda turning into one of those cheesy blogs that make it sound like I'm trying to make everyone think I have this perfect life, don't get me wrong, we're way sleep deprived and as mentioned earlier who knows if my house will ever be as clean as I'd like it again, but we are a very happy little family!

Just a thought

How the days go by...  Another month has passed, and I don't think that I have ever felt more tired or worn out in my entire life.  Remember Frodo Baggins after he just drops to the ground when he his done destroying the ring, yeah that is pretty much how I feel these days.  School is getting tougher, work is getting longer, I barely get to see my wife during the week, and Gavin never seems to want to take a long nap.  

But even with all that is going on, life really is just so great.  I'm living the life that I have always wanted.  Maybe it's because of my own experiences (or lack there of) with my own father, but I have always wanted to be a Father and Husband.  Now I am, and it's really the best thing in the world.  For those of you who are parents I know you know what I'm talking about, and for those of you who aren't you are missing out.

This is what life is really all about!

Thank Goodness for Great Friends

This last week was a trying one for this little Harris family. While I was fighting a bad cold, Gavin must have picked it up from dad. Being just 7 weeks old he clearly doesn't have the immune system to handle it. He started with a few simple symptoms but as the week progressed he just kept getting sicker and sicker. We took to the Hospital 3 different times and all they could do is run tests to see what was going on. It was a truly terrifying experience to see our little son who had begun smiling and interacting not himself, and worry if he was going to make it to the next morning. Life was miserable for all of us, and all we could do is have faith that Heavenly Father would take care of him. Towards the end of last week his symptoms had lightened and we could tell he was slowly getting better. So we talked to our doctor to see what he thought about us heading to St George to get away from stress and home for awhile. He didn't think that it would be a big deal as long as we were close to a hospital just in case. So we decided to take off. We stopped my Jake's on our way down where He and Josh were able to give little G a blessing. During the blessing the Spirit confirmed that Gavin would be just fine, which made all the difference to Lainie and I. Jennyrose and Josh were willing to watch Allie bug while we were gone too! We got to St George late last Friday night where we met up with Shari and Jeremy (Shari is to Lainie as Jake is to me). The next day was Lainie's birthday and we pretty much celebrated the entire day. Went to a movie and dinner, then made Birthday cake and played games (lainie's favorite past time). Jeremy and Shari were fantastic hosts and we really had such a good relaxing time with them. It was just what we needed.... a vacation with good friends. We have been blessed with amazing friendships and are so grateful for it. THANK YOU HILLERS AND STOKERS!!!

Here are a few more recent pics of Little Gavin!

A Day to go Down in History

Today has finally come, and hope has filled my heart.  I know that discussing politics is something that can get people in trouble, but I feel the need to express some of my feelings.  For those who know me best, you know that I am a very compassionate person, I take "helping others" very seriously, especially those in need.  I am dedicating my professional life to being a social worker, not for the incredible pay, but because I want to help others better their lives.  Barack Obama, the (now) 44th President of the United States of America has been sworn into office and hope is on the way.  These last years I have lost nearly all of my patriotism and can honestly say that I was no longer proud to be an American.  America to me was all about greed, self-gain, and the dollar.  Corruption is everywhere, and the founding fathers would be ashamed to call themselves Americans in the current state of this country.  A country that they fought for, that was founded on morals and the pursuit of happiness.  Sadly, money has been mistaken for happiness.  This country was built on the principle of people helping people.  Jobs being created so that there was enough for everyone.  Programs and systems put in place for those who were unable to take care of themselves.  Friends and families working hard to take care of one another. But somewhere along the way money became God.  Serving the all-mighty dollar is all that matters.

But today finally happened, a man who cares about others, the less fortunate, and serving this country, not for capitol gain, but because it is his purpose, his obligation, has been put in a position to help more people than he could've ever imagined.  Hope fills my heart, hope for a better future for my son, for my mother, for this country, and hope for the entire world.  

I am in no way saying that I expect every promise to be kept, or that this country will be completely fixed in 4 years, but I am saying that hope is everything.  Hope, is the only reason that has kept me going.  

When I was a missionary serving in Arkansas, life became very difficult for me.  I was very ill, and was ready to give up.  The Lord, My Mission President (Randall Peterson) and I came to the conclusion that for my own health, I needed to go home. (One of the most difficult decision's of my entire life). When President Peterson met me at the airport in Tulsa, we had a very long and deep discussion about hope.  During our conversation he said something that I will never forget.  "Our Lord and Savior, has made Hope a permanent way of life."  "No matter how difficult life is, or how lonely this world becomes, we WILL always have HOPE."  "The Savior has made that possible." 

So you see, the hope that was brought today means everything, a hope for a better world, better life, and peace.  People helping people is the way, service of others is what Christ has dedicated his entire existence to, and at least to me, so far, that is what this President has said he will do.  Let us Hope that he follows through on that promise.

Year in Review

Happy New Year! Last night while I was at work and things had finally settled down, I began pondering what 2009 might hold for our family, then I began to think about 2008 and just how busy and crazy it was.  It was the epitome of a transition period for Lainie and I.  Let's review.

We began the year in Salt Lake, Lainie working for Dr. Aoki, me selling spas for Dolphin Pools while going to the University of Utah.  We had only been married 6 months.

-Lainie gets a great Job offer in Logan. We decide that it (as difficult as it may be) is in the best interest of our family to take the job.

-Late January we move to Logan (with the great help of friends and family) A little 2 bed apartment near USU campus.

-Lainie begins her job for Canyon View Orthopedics and loves it, I end up working for Qwest and hate it.

-In late February while at a baby blessing, Lainie and I are both prompted (simultaniously) that there is a child waiting for us.

-Early March, We are Pregnant!

-April, I have an emergency appendectomy and we also take off to Disney World with the Bambrough family. I also finally quit the job at Qwest that I hated. (no amount of money and benefits is worth working for that company)

-May, I get a Job with Logan River Academy as a youth counselor, and start my career at USU.

-July, We find out we are having a BOY!

-August, another semester, and thoughts of buying a house.

-September, Fantastic trip to Jackson Hole, and House hunting begins.

-October, Bought our wonderful new house, and move in.

-November, play the waiting game, celebrate Thanksgiving and move in. (officially)

-December, Gavin arrives and our lives are forever changed.

It was a very difficult year, but with the trials came enormous eternal rewards!

We are interested to find out what 2009 brings, hopefully it will be a few more rewards without quite as much stress!