Month Two

You're two months old, Gavin!  

And my how you've grown.  You're now 10 lbs. 10 oz. and 22" long. You are starting to be much more alert, looking around and making eye contact.  You've even started smiling at us, which is such a beautiful sight!  We've also heard an occasional coo from you, and I believe it's just the beginning to the many conversations we will have.  You are sleeping four-hour stretches at night, and have made it a habit to hop into bed with me in the morning just for some snuggle time.  You are intent on nestling your head into mine while you sleep, and I can't say I don't like the affection.

You are still very easy-going and laid back.  Sometimes all the commotion of the household will overwhelm you, but a tight hug and a pacifier will soothe you right away.  You've started befriending the little objects that hang above your head and noticing patterns and contrasts in the environment around you.  Your sister can't stop tending to you, whether it's to wipe your mouth after you spit up, or replace the pacifier that fell out.  She also likes to sniff your head and sneak in kisses on your toes.  Your favorite thing to do right now is to go outside and just enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.  You are our little observer and I can't wait to hear what you have to say about all the things around you.  

sunshine & smiles

At seven weeks old Gavin began to smile.  I still think he does it right before he poops, but he's making eye contact and charming us, so I'll take those smiles regardless of the reason.  I'm looking forward to seeing more of his personality, and getting some confirmation that he likes being a part of this family.

Meeting his Great Aunt Sharon for the first time.  He was quite a charmer.

These moments make me ridiculously happy.

Gavin loves being outdoors.  Snapped this one while the sun was setting and we were watching Ella and her Auntie Ashley walk up and down the street.

Morning smiles.  Someone just wanted to snuggle in bed all day this past weekend.

The perks of amazing spring weather is all the outdoor play time.  Ella loves drawing with chalk outside with her auntie.  She wanted me to snap a picture of her and the artwork.

This is her "pose."  She puts her hands on her bum and pauses for the camera. 

She loves "jumping" over cones (something she does during her dance class), so we set some up for her this past weekend. 

Gavin just enjoys hanging out outside. 

On Sunday we got to entertain Caiden for a few hours.  We had mum-mums al fresco.

Ella with her Nino.

Weekend Adventures

This is a delayed post as I never got to finish it.  A couple weekends ago we finally got a chance to visit my good friend Shirley, who had recently moved back to California with her husband.  It was also an opportunity to take Ella to the beach again.  She hasn't been since our trip to Hawaii, and I was excited to see how she would be with the sand and ocean now that she's a year older.

This picture melts my heart.  I forget that she's still such a little girl.  I love how she's looking up at her dad as they take in the beach together.

Ella loved standing in the surf and feeling the waves on her feet.  She wasn't happy when Adam pulled her out because the water was too cold and her feet were freezing.  Thankfully, she was content putting sand between her toes during the rest of our time there.  We're sure she's going to have a grand time when we go to Hawaii again this summer.

It was colder than we expected, but we enjoyed the beach nevertheless.

On Sunday we went to Griffith Park for some picnicking and horseback riding.  I wasn't sure if Ella would want to ride a horse, even though she loves playing horsey.  She seemed to really enjoy the  circular pony ride, but (after a 45 minute wait) cried the minute she got on the longer ride.  I think it was because she got scared that the horse was taking her away from Adam and she couldn't be certain where she was headed.  That, and the wait was just too long for her and we all got tired and hungry.  Hopefully next time will be more successful.

My parents used to take me here when I was Ella's age.  Hard to believe that 30 years later, I'm taking my own two kids!

She enjoyed this pony.  She waved and smiled every time she came around to us.

A quick picnic lunch.  She chose to lounge like her Dad.

My mother used to love taking us on this train ride.  Ella now thoroughly enjoys it, too.

Train ride antics.

Gavin slept most of the time, but got to enjoy the picnic a little with Grandma.

Later that evening, Adam and I got to enjoy a double date with our friends watching the Lakers game at the Staples Center.  I'm not a huge basketball fan, but it was some much needed adult time.  

The Lakers won, but I was bummed that I missed the dessert cart.

Backyard Fun

Warm, spring-like weather plus longer days has meant more time playing outdoors.  Ella has been one busy bee.

Drawing with chalk and watering the bunny statue... So much to do, so little time for this busy toddler.

She loves to paint with water. After a quick intro to Jackson Pollock and the art of splattering, she throw the brushes into the pool, 

She literally grabbed Remy, posed and asked for her picture to be taken.

The G-man prefers to just lounge and look at shapes.

These Days

We had a play date with Ella's Gymboree friend, Madelyn, and her brother, Gabriel.  We went to the Descanso Gardens again for story time followed by some running around in the gardens and a nice lunch.  I feel like their mom and I barely got to talk and catch up, we were so busy with the four kids and making sure everyone's needs are met.  Despite the hot weather, we had a great time and Ella 

She loves finding "walking sticks" and almost threw a tantrum when I told her to put this pussy willow stick back before heading home.  Thankfully, saying bye-bye to things still works like a charm when I need her to leave things.

Ella was a champ during the long lunch (due to having to wait a while for the food and feeding Gavin).  A bottle of sparkling water helped maintain her patience.  She loves the fizzy water!

Over a year after fracturing her femur, we went for another follow-up with Ella's orthopedist.  Everything checked out and it looks like the fracture didn't affect her growth plate like we thought it may have.  She didn't enjoy having to walk up and down the hall for the doctor (she screamed bloody murder), but she did enjoy the day out she got with us after.  She loved having lunch with us, followed by Pinkberry.  I think that made the trauma of the doctor's visit go away.

Rocking shades with Daddy.

After our lunch, Adam took Ella home while I had a very much needed spa day with my girl friend, Denise.  The massage treatment was heavenly.  Then we picked up some cupcakes before heading home to our babies.  It was perfect.

From Confexion, the winner of Cupcake Wars.

Our house feels so full these days with the antics of a toddler and the noises of a newborn.  Despite being a neat freak, I have come to embrace the chaos of having young children and finding beauty in the mess they make.  Case in point: Ella's playroom is a perpetual catastrophe zone, even when I try to keep everything organized.  But sometimes you just pick your battles.  I do love that we painted a chalkboard wall for her to go crazy on.

She loves drawing lines and circles.  Auntie Ashley likes to create seasonal murals for her to add to.

We often get so distracted with Ella that we have to make a conscious effort to have that quiet alone time with Gavin.  Usually, after Ella goes to bed, I get my one-on-one time with my little boy.  We've fallen into a nice routine with him, and he's growing so quickly as he adjusts to life with us.

Starting to enjoy bath time.  We are ever-so-grateful for that foam bath thing we got.   Works like a charm with both our kids.

onesies

Ella loves her special day with Grandma where they get to attend the Baby & Me Onesies class at the Kidspace museum.  I love seeing the unique artwork she brings home and hearing about all the new things she's learning.  She has also made many new friends.  We are so glad we found this class for her and look forward to the next session!

A class photo from her Winter 2013 session.

Descanso

We are just drinking in the lovely spring weather we are having. Despite an unwelcome time change (hate losing that precious hour!), we had a nice outing to the Descanso Gardens. It was Adam's first time and Ella loved showing him around one of her favorite places.

The New Normal

I know I won't totally feel like myself again until Gavin and I are sleeping through the night, but things have started to feel more normal around here.  Normal meaning everything takes twice as long to do and half the things that need to be done actually, maybe, perhaps will get done by the end of the day.  But I figure that as long as Ella is still laughing and dancing, and Gavin is still eating and sleeping, and Adam and I are still keeping our sanity, we've basically accomplished our goal for the day.  I'm am starting to tackle the days solo, with naps and getting out the door the hardest to coordinate.  It helps when everyone cooperates, but more than likely someone needs a last minute diaper change, or someone spit up, or someone decided she just didn't feel like putting on her shoes.  Still, our hectic household has been full of a lot of love and firsts and amazement at how precious children really can be.  Not to say that I'm not looking forward to more sleep and then more energy to tackle our everyday.

Hamming it up in her playroom.  Ella loves to slide.

Our first time out together just Mother & Daughter in a while.  We enjoyed grocery shopping, sampling muffins and sharing a smoothie.  I love my little girl.

A rest break after tummy time, which Gavin is rocking.

My first time taking both kids out on my own.  Picked up lunch and met up with Adam at work. 

Ella loves driving around on the golf cart.

Kiddos got a crash course in the family business.  Gavin slept through it all.

You know things are going back to normal when I get a Saturday morning to myself.  Got a mani-pedi and some clothes shopping done.  I missed Adam and the kids every minute I was gone.