First Boat Ride

Father's Day was our first boat ride of the season.  The weather wasn't perfect, but it wasn't raining so we decided to head out on the lake. 

Gavin on his first boat ride.  We had to put a blanket between the life jacket and his face, so it wouldn't rub against his skin.  He pretty much slept the whole time. 

Kaitlyn so excited to be on the boat!  She graduated to a "child" size life jacket this year.

Cruising around the lake!

Gavin is 4 Months Old

Wow, time sure flies with a baby.  Gavin is already 4 months old.  It is so much fun to watch them grow and start to explore the world around them.  Our little guy can be slightly challenging.  He loves to be held and interacted with while he is awake.  He is not a fan of us leaving him alone if we have to help Kaitlyn with something.  Nate's usual line is "Don't wake the Monster." 

Does he look like a monster?  I don't think so. 

Gavin's 4 months Stats are:

Height - 24 1/2" - 50%

Weight - 15.2 lbs. - 50%

Head - 16 1/2" - 50%
* The nurse had to re-check all her numbers to make sure he was at the 50th percentile for each measurement.

Happy Boy!

Gavin and Kaitlyn!

Brother and Sister!

He is really starting to interact with us.  He loves watching his big sister.  She is always busy doing something.  He loves to baby talk and smile.  He is starting to stick out is tongue if we are sticking out our tongues.  He loves to hold onto blankets and small objects.  He is amazed that they move when his hands move.  Nana is convinced that he can say "Hi".  He also giggles when you sneeze or make funny noises.  (I personally haven't heard this, but I have been told by Nana and Grandma that he does.)

A few weeks ago we had to talk Gavin into the doctor.  We found out that he has acid reflux.  He handles it pretty well with Zantac, but I can still tell when it bothers him.  We are hoping he grows out of this, but his daddy has had acid reflux for a long time. 

Even though our little guy can be challenging during the day, but he is an awesome sleeper.  (knock on wood).  He usually goes to bed around 9:30 and wakes up to eat around 6:30 or later.  So, that makes for a very happy mommy in the morning.

Kaitlyn still likes having a little brother, but has started to act out more.  I think she is realizing that Gavin is starting to interact more and take more attention away.

Gavin's Baptism

We had Gavin Baptised on Sunday, June 5th at True Vine Lutheran in Mora. He as two amazing Godmomma's to watch over him while he grows up.

Godmomma Mel and Godmomma Mandi helped us celebrate his Baptism.

 
Gavin looked adorable in the baptismal outfit his cousin Darren wore at his baptism.
 

Daddy showing off Gavin!

Nana Carol, Gavin, and Bopapa

The McNeilly's

Gavin and his Godmamma's Mel and Mandi

Pastor Marlin

Aunty Niki and Aunty Anny with Gavin!

Nana feeding Gavin.

Cuddling with Aunty Tammy.

Best Friends!

NPM Landscapes

It's official.... We started our own Landscaping Company this spring.  After 5 years with Keenan & Svieven as a foreman... Nate decided to start his own company after some downsizing at K&S.  We are excited about this new adventure in our lives. 

We provide the following services:

Landscape Design and Installation

Lawn care and Grounds Maintenance

Residential Property Management

Snow Removal

Memorial Day Weekend

We went camping at South Isle Campground with Nate's family and good family friends.  There were 11 kids ranging from 3 months old to 7 years old.  Friday night we drove to Mora and spent the time because it was raining.  We didn't feel like unpacking all our stuff in the rain.  The weekend weather was a little chilly, but manageable.

Wally driving the train.

Taking the train around the campground.  We sent all Lori to handle all the kids.

Gavin relaxing during his first time camping!

Cousin Gibson! My favorite picture!

Cody relaxing while camping!

Cousin Darren fishing!

Aunty Mel helping fish with Kaitlyn and Darren.

Hailey was the only one to catch a fish for the fishing contest.

Kissing cousins!

All the kids minus Gavin who was sleeping.

Preschool Field Trip to the Como Zoo

Kaitlyn's end of the year field trip was to the Como Zoo.  I was able to get the day off to go with her.  She was so excited to ride a "Real School Bus".  When we got on the bus... Kaitlyn was very confused on why there weren't seat belts on the bus.  This seemed to be a concern with several of the children. 

The weather wasn't the greatest, but we had a great time looking at all the animals. Kaitlyn's favorites were the Giraffe's and the Polar Bears.

Polar Bears!

Kaitlyn and her best bud Brayden!

Best Friends!

Kaitlyn and mommy in our new warm sweatshirts that we bought.  It was the best $50 I spent!

Brayden and Kaitlyn

The weather wasn't the greatest, but we had a great time looking at all the animals.  Kaitlyn's favorites were the Giraffe's and the Polar Bears.

Kaitlyn Quote's and Conversations

Here are some of our conversations with Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn likes to talk to strangers.  She loves talking to ladies at the checkout counters at stores, random parents and older children at the park.  The funny part about this is when we get together with friends she is shy for the first 10-20 minutes, but after that shyness period has worn off you can't get her to stop talking.

We were at the park getting ready to swing, when she kept wanting this lady to watch her swing.  At one point Kaitlyn told the lady... "Watch this... it will be amazing!"

The other morning while I was getting ready to breastfeed Gavin she asks:
"Is there a lot of milk in there mommy?"  I reply "Yes".
"Is the milk warm?"  I reply "Yes."
"Is there cold milk too?"  - I just laughed.

When Gavin first came home... Kaitlyn would ask me if I was going to feed Gavin with a bottle or my boobies.  If I responded... with my boobies... she would sigh and say "That will take forever!"

We found that time-outs are not as effective in our household, so we have gone to taking away her favorite things.  Right now it is her pillow pet.  The other evening as we were just about to give Kaitlyn her pillow pet back she decided not to listen... so we told her the pillow pet had to stay on-time out.  She shrugged her shoulders and in a sad voice said... "Maybe I will get it back tomorrow."

On frequent occasions she tells Nana that she has a "fabulous" idea.

Gavin - 3 Months Old

Today our Little Boy is 3 Months old.  He is growing so fast.  These last few weeks we have seen lots of changes in our little guy.  The biggest change is that he has finally moved into size 1 diapers and 0-3 months clothes.  He still can be a "high maintenance" little boy, but has been staying content for longer periods of time. 

 Kaitlyn and Gavin with the duck!

This week he has really started to "smile".  More so in the morning, but he does this cute big open mouth smile.  (I am hoping to get a picture of this soon.)  He has been sleeping longer periods at night.  We usually go to bed around 10:30 and he has slept until 5 or 6am a few times.  He loves being swaddled at night for bed.  We have started calling him our "little" piggy.  He will eat 5-6 oz in one feeding and than want more 2 hours later. 

He also has been focusing on more of his toys.  A few times he has actually moved or swatted at them.  He gets the biggest smile when he does.  I think he is amazed that he can actually control his arms and legs. 

Kaitlyn continues to be a big help with Gavin.  She likes to hold him and give him his nukie when he is crying.  There are times when asked to help get something... she just tells me "NO".

Gavin in Big Boy Clothes.  0-3 months.  He finally graduated out of Newborn.

Brother and Sister

Smiling Gavin!

This one's for Grandpa!

The other night Gavin was really fussy until Nate moved out of the chair and put him in the recliner by himself.  Nate and I sat on the couch the rest of the night!