2nd Birthday Party

Gavin had a great time at his birthday party. We ate pizza, then cake, then opened presents. He liked the dinosaur cake and the cupcakes, but his favorite part was the m&m's on top. He kept fussing for more after he ate his. He has not learned to blow out candles yet, so I helped again this year.

Gavin's good friend Romana:

His other good friend, Carleigh:

Gavin was able to open all his presents himself this year, which is better than he could do at Christmas.

He was most excited by these toy guns, immediately jumping up and running around making shooting noises.

His other favorite toy of the day - a bulldozer I got from the Waterfront Mission in FL for $.75

In all, Gavin got the guns, the bulldozer, a dump truck, a puzzle, coloring books and crayons, books, the movie "Cars," dinosaurs, a potty seat, a dinsoaur watch, dinosaur magnets, and farm animal magnets, which Jake cleverly figured out work on our front door. Gavin enjoyed having friends to play with, but was upset when they wanted to play with some of his new toys. I personally really enjoyed his party, and am impressed with what a big difference a year makes. Gavin's attention span is much better, he plays with his toys more appropriately, and both his gross and fine motor skills are vastly improved. While his speech isn't great, he does do a fabulous job of communicating his wants, and understands what is going on around him. He can also point to most things I name. Now I just have to figure out how to top the dinosaur cake next year...

Happy Birthday Gavin!

Gavin's birthday party is tomorrow, so today we enjoyed a peaceful rainy day at home, just the 3 of us. Gavin opened his presents from Jake's parents. He got a monkey that has sensors in it so that it moves in response to your movement. Gavin was a little scared of it at first but soon he and the monkey became good friends.

Monkey is wearing the jacket Jake's parents sent for Gavin:

Monkey kisses:

Dinosaur cake I made for Gavin's party tomorrow:

You cant' see me!

Last night Gavin wasn't in the mood for a shower, and decided to hide from me.

He tried two different methods:

Gavin has taken an interest in coloring at home. Up to this point it has not held his attention, and still doesn't at church. Every week he brings home a coloring page home from nursery that is blank with just his name written on it. Some Sundays there is crayon on his face, however. The occupational therapist in me tried to get Gavin to color sitting on the floor, which is better for muscle development, but he insisted on sitting at the table. I discovered Gavin still requires supervision with coloring when I turned around from cooking lunch and found Gavin had bitten off the tip of his blue crayon.

Florida trip

We took a short trip to Florida this week to visit with my parents and meet up with Tom. He had a Christmas present for Gavin waiting there for him:

Finds from the dollar store:

 Here Gavin is getting psyched up on our car ride to Panama City to go to Gulfworld:

Waiting for the Sea Lion show at Gulfworld. Outside in the cold. We sat up in the top row to try to get a break from the wind.

Gavin liked the show.

Penguins.

This reminds me of Finding Nemo:

Right before the dolphin show we were allowed to go up to the tank and watch the dolphins swim around. Gavin loved this, maybe his favorite thing there. He also really liked the bird show.

Playing "fort" with Uncle Tom

Merry Christmas!

Our weekend

Last Friday night was our church Christmas party. Gavin was excited to wear his Dinosaur sweater, another much appreciated hand-me-down, for the first time. He's been into dinosaurs since PBS started a new kids show called "Dinosaur Train." He likes to put his hands up and roar like a dinosaur. It's the same motion he makes to indicate anything that's scary. Here he is pointing to the dinosaur:

At the party Gavin once again had issues with Santa. This time he refused to sit on his lap at all. Normally Gavin really likes Brother Bonner and will let him hold him but for some reason Brother Bonner in a Santa suit freaked him out.  Notice Gavin pulling his hand away:

Saturday Gavin's grandparents came to visit him. They brought him a stuffed dog that sings and dances. Gavin wasn't too sure what to think of it at first, but by Saturday night he loved it. Here he is pushing the button in its foot to turn it on:

Gavin decided the best place for the dog was sitting on his car. He likes to turn him on, put him on the car, and then dance around:

Dadin!

Gavin has been saying his name for about a week. It sounds like "Dadin" or "Davin." Today he started speaking in the 3rd person. Instead of saying "mine" like most toddlers when he wants something he points to it or grabs it and says "Dadin!" He also says this when I take something away from him.