Frustrations, Golf Balls, and Mommy's Shoes

Lately Gavin is challenging himself with balancing feats. For instance, the other day he had a spatula and a golf ball. He had the spatula on the floor and kept trying to balance the ball on it. He was getting really frustrated and crying. Eventually he got it balanced so he was happy again. But that wasn't good enough...then he picked the spatula up and off fell the ball. So he starts crying again and he had to start over. He doesn't give up, but he ends up sitting there crying. I try to help him, but it's even hard for me to balance the ball on the spatula. Eventually I gave up and distracted him with something else. Similar balancing acts have been attempted daily. It's so interesting to me that he gets so frustrated that he sits there crying. Maybe he's going to be really good at the egg on spoon balancing at parties.

In other news, Gavin has no problem balancing the golf balls in his mouth.


After we went walking the other day, he made me put my shoes on him.



Playing with Daddy.



This is how well Gavin is learning his body parts.



"Jumping"

"New" Aunt Carolyn

Jordan and I starting doing our family history a few months ago. Since a lot has been done on his side, we have mostly focused on my side of the family. Jordan has taken over my mom's side and I have been working on my dad's side. We signed up for Ancestry.com, talked my parents and grandparents (on my mom's side). My dad's mom was unfortunate enough to not raise him after he was about 2 years old. My dad also found an old letter from one of his aunts that told him he had a half-sister a couple of years older than him and her name was Carolyn. My main focus became to find out what happened to my dad's mom and half-sister as there was a slight possibility his mom might still be alive, and good possibility his sister was alive. Using the little information we had, I was able to find a possible birth record, and two marriage records for Aunt Carolyn. The first marriage was in Los Angeles, not too far from us here in Riverside. As ancestry.com provides indexes, but not certificates, we decided to drive over and have a look at the records to find out more details. We found the certificate for her first marriage and from that, found out her first husband's parents' names. I was able to find them living in Hemet (30 min from us) and found a phone number for them online. They were so nice and gave Aunt Carolyn my number. The next day I got to talk to my Aunt Carolyn for the first time. She is so nice and sweet and excited to be part of our family. Unfortunately my dad is still in Canada picking up Josh from his mission and hasn't been able to talk to her yet. I'm so excited that after nearly 60 years, my dad will get to know his sister. I think she was shocked to learn that she has 6 nephews and 3 nieces. We have all been overwhelming her with information.

Can you see the family resemblance?



I definitely can. We also have two new cousins, Diane and Karen. Diane lives in Chino, so we'll get to meet her soon. We're so glad to know that families are forever and we'll get to meet Karen someday. We're going to have to plan a trip to Wyoming to meet Aunt Carolyn. We can't wait! We love you Aunt Carolyn! Welcome to the family.

Uncle Ed and Aunt Carolyn


Diane and Marty


Karen

No More Curls

A couple of weeks ago, we decided it was finally time for Gavin's first haircut. It was also my first time giving a haircut, and it's a good thing Gavin doesn't care what his hair looks like.

Some before shots



This is Gavin playing with the magnet board Charee made me. He loves it and cries when I put it up.




The Hair-cutting process





No More Curls:(



Finished Product











Awesome picture of my boys.



Just cause it's cute




This is for Connie's sisters who think Gavin has the best temperament.





A second later when he sees the camera




And just for Kerri, here is how Gavin helps with the silverware.



I'll have to do another post soon because I'm behind and there is just so much. We have been going to the park a lot lately (notice Gavin's farmer's tan), and playing at home. Jordan works hard at school as always and even let me cut his hair (we're not posting those pictures). Maybe after I get some more practice. After my first attempt with Jordan's hair, I decided I had better do some more research before our next attempt.

Boy or Girl?

Ha that title might mislead some people. Anyways, today at the park literally 4 people in different parts of the park called Gavin a girl. Here are some pictures I took when we got home. Note red baseball onesie, jeans, and blue shoes. I don't get it.





He walks around with this "little person" in his mouth.



As you can see, Gavin is a cheeseball. Here are some pictures we took yesterday and today. This is the face he makes when the flash goes off.

Marine Corps Blanket Tent

Does your kid's blanket talk about appropriate use in a combat area? Thanks to my dad, Gavin has his very own Marine Corps blanket. When I was three, I was cold and stole the blanket my dad was using. From then on I always had that blanket. It's pretty old now, but I still sleep with it some nights. My dad carried on the tradition and sent Gavin his own embroidered blanket for his birthday. Here are a few shots from his first Marine Corps blanket tent.

Quarterly Update

As we all know, I'm not very consistent on my blogging. I'm here today to update everyone on everything from Halloween to Gavin's first birthday. I can't believe my little boy is already a year old. He loves doing everything with mom unless it's eating vegetables. You can ask Jordan...Gavin is a mama's boy. He started walking right at 10 months and his hair is starting to look like a mullet, which means we need to cut it finally. Jordan's sister, Kendal was so nice to take some great pictures of Gavin while we were all in Arizona in October. Gavin had so much fun with his cousin, Stone. Here are some of my favorites from the shoot.



Here are some pictures from Halloween. For our first party, Jordan was a Guitar Hero, but then for the ward party, he was Edward Scissorhands. I think it turned out pretty great. Gavin was the cutest little monkey and I was some sort of purple sorceress.




Look at those curls!



They REALLY like yogurt.



Four generations of boys.



Thanks CC!




I gained a few pounds over the holidays, so I was forced to compensate by chopping my hair off.



This is Gavin with his cousin McKayla. He looked so handsome in his Christmas suit.



On the subject of Christmas, we all received some great gifts. Gavin got a new car seat, lots of books, and some really fun toys. Jordan got new head phones, some yet to be bought running shoes, a book, a jacket, and a shirt. I got some clothes, of course, and Jordan completely surprised me with this gorgeous necklace. I told him we needed to take it back, but I love it too much so I never got around to it. Guess I have to keep it now.

Gavin just loved Grandpa Cooper. My dad really knows how to play with the kids.



Just some random cute shots.



This one is really funny, but we had a really cute one right before it. Unfortunately I let Gavin play with the camera and he deleted it.



Gavin loves to smile for the camera now. Sometimes he goes a little overboard...



More cuteness.




He might have been called a girl at the park...I think it might be the curl wisps in back.



Gavin's cousin Dallin came for a visit on his birthday.



And FINALLY, here are a couple of birthday shots. Lame, but I don't have any of him with us. I guess I was too distracted.

He really did not want to keep his hat on.



I'll have to get the video uploaded sometime, but I think the pictures give you the idea.
I'm trying to get some videos up, but I keep getting errors, so maybe tomorrow.

We had a great time on our two trips to AZ and our two weeks in San Diego for Christmas, but there is always something nice about being home. Jordan just started his second quarter at UCR and Gavin and I play, go to the park, and learn how to eat like a big boy.