Snow!

The snow is coming down! While there are more 1st for Gavin these days, Caylin and Daddy had a first today... Their first time in the snow together. Caylin experienced her first snow play last year over MLK weekend up in PA. She and I were up visiting while Daddy was in AZ at a swim meet. She didn't seem to enjoy it so much. My, how almost a year can change things! She was so excited to get out there, and Tim was just as excited to get her out there. So, after breakfast, he announced that it was time to get their snow things on and go outside. I pulled out the new boots that she was going to get for Christmas and gave them to her early. She was quite excited about the boots (she enjoys getting new footwear)! We then got her snow pants and other warm clothing and geared her up:

I stayed in (for the most part), as Gavin was still sound asleep, but I did manage to snap a few pictures of our snow adventurers:

As of right now, we've got more than a foot out there and it is not predited to stop any time soon! So, lots more snow playing to come, I'm sure!

Visiting Santa

This afternoon we venture out to run some errands and make a visit to Santa. Caylin was very excited about this last stop in our trip. Though she doesn't really understand the whole concept of telling him what she wants for Christmas, she was looking forward to seeing the jolly fellow. Unlike several of the other children before her, she walked right up to him, said "hi" and enjoyed talking with Santa. Gavin just went along with the flow, if Mama was holding him, that was ok... if Santa was holding him, that was ok too. I think he was more interested in looking at all of the twinkling lights that surrounded Santa's workshop. All in all, we had a very successful visit with Santa this year.

Caylin with Santa

Gavin's First Visit With Santa

Two age markers

Within a week of each other, Caylin and Gavin have had "age milestones".

First, this past Saturday (28th) Caylin officially turned 2 1/2 years old. She is still as spunky as ever; always on the go, go go and talking anyone's ear off who will listen (or is within ear shot). She has such a fun and vivid imagination! And, fortunately for us, she loves to help. So, as long as we can find ways to let her help with things, we can curb some of the grumpies and stubbornness that go along with being 2. Though we didn't do anything to officially celebrate Caylin's 1/2 birthday, we did happen to have dinner at Gpa and Gma Brown's house that day to spend some time with Granny (Tim's Gma Brown) while she was in town. Caylin seems to be settling into her new role as Big Sister, usually trying to help with Gavin as much as she can.

Today, Gavin turned 1 month old! Time is flying by! He is already growing and changing so much. This past Tuesday we had his 1 month well baby visit. Everything looks great! He tipped the scales at 9lbs 10 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. Though, I didn't need the scale to tell me that he has grown... we can see it in his pudgy little arms, legs, and cheeks and the fact that his newborn clothing barely fit him. Maintaining eye contact and lifting his head up (and plopping it from side to side) are among his newest skills these days. He's quite a nosy little one, making silly little squeaks and grunts when he is both asleep and awake. In the past week he has developed a pretty awful case of baby acne. Tim has called him pizza face on more than one occasion (not in front of Caylin, the human parrot, though). We're hoping that it clears up a bit before we take the kiddos for pictures next week.

Tim started back to full work days this week, so the kids and I have been working on figuring out our day time routine... its a work in progress at this point. I still get a bit of a break to rest when Caylin goes to stay at Gpa and Gma Brown's house Tuesday nights. And, Ama Flo is coming down for a long weekend visit tomorrow, which is perfect timing because Tim has a big swim meet all weekend. Needless-to-say, we are blessed with very supportive family!