Happy Birthday Brian!!

Yesterday was Brian's 26th birthday! I know...he's a youngin! Macie and Gavin (and Mommy too) picked out 2 UK shirts for him. I realized not too long ago that he didn't have any UK shirts. Brian loved them, but I think that he loved his card just as much! We always ask Macie, how much do you love me and she will throw out her arms and we will say "This much!". I found a card that said that same thing. It made his day! During the day, he ran a few errands with Macie and picked up some lunch from Hardees. I don't really like Hardees that much, but he swears they have awesome burgers. I couldn't believe how expensive they were! We spent almost $17!! We could go to a sit down place for not much more than that! After lunch, my parents came over and stayed with the kiddos while Brian and I had a little date...to the grocery store:) We actually like shopping together and it is a much more pleasant experience when we aren't fighting kids. Gavin got a present yesterday too! My dad brought him a football piggy bank. Too cute! Brian's friends, Kenny and John, came over later and took him out for food and drinks. He got another UK t-shirt and a pair of warm-up pants.

Today, we met my parents and Allie at Firedome Pizza in Henderson for lunch. It was great! Brian got some money to buy a new wii game. After lunch, they came over for a short time to eat some pineapple upside down cake. We ended the day with a visit from Beth and Wil. They were kind enough to bring us dinner and a blizzard from Dairy Queen. Overall, I think Brian had a good birthday. Another weekend come and gone!

I wanted to get a picture with both kids and it just never happened!

Macie conked out as soon as we left the restaurant. I thought she looked too darn cute!

Gavin's new bank

Sharing

Every night Macie loves to play a new game. She will bring me one or two balls from her ball tent at a time until I have too many to hold. She squeals with excitement and this can hold her attention for quite some time. Of course, she wants me to hold all of them at the same time so I have to get rid of a few when she isn't looking. She loves to put them in bags, her shape sorters, anything. Last night after both kids had their baths, I laid Gavin down on the floor because he was wide awake. Mace LOVES her little brother and within a matter of seconds, she started giving him her beloved balls. It was soo sweet! Then, she sat down next to him to show him a piece of her book and other toys. I love it because we don't have to make her, she does it on her own. I'm sure there will come a time when she won't be so thrilled about having a little brother, but I'll take it for now!

Gavin's ball pile

Birthday Buddies

Today I took Gavin to meet his birthday buddy. Gavin was born on my Grandma's 84th birthday. He is the 22nd great-grandchild on my mom's side! My mom and Macie met us over there with soup from Zoups. Gavin and I have been taking little outings almost every day. We can only do short ones because he is eating every 2 hours. Every now and then he will stretch it out to 3 hours, but the time goes by so quickly! Yesterday he was already 3 weeks old! I am just trying to soak in every moment because he is changing every day!

Birthday Buddies

We found a solution!!!

We found a solution to Macie's button pushing problem...

Aunt Allie came over to hang out, do laundry, and eat dinner. We put her laundry hamper to good use! We also took the kids out for a walk. It was so nice to be able to get outside! Macie loved it and Gavin slept the whole time. I walked about 3/4 of a mile. I'm just proud of myself for getting out and doing it!

Madisonville Road Trip

After going to Borders, we went home, fed both kids, packed up, and headed to Madisonville. We planned to visit both sets of Brian's grandparents and his cousin who had just had a baby on Friday. Our first stop was Nanny's house. She was very excited to see us. She made a bag and embroidered a blanket for Gavin. She also got him a shirt. Macie enjoyed the visit and was quick to find the remote! We unfortunately didn't get to see Papaw because he is in a nursing home and hasn't been feeling well. I was afraid the kids would get sick and that is the last thing we need! Our next stop was the hospital to visit Kelly and Lee. Gavin was hungry so I started feeding him before we went inside. Brian called to see what room they were in and was very surprised to find out that they were actually packing up to head home! I wouldn't want to go home a little over 24 hours after having a baby! Brian and Macie ran in quickly to see baby Megan and give them their gifts. I was sad that I didn't get to see her, but hopefully I will next visit. Our last stop for the day was to visit Mamaw and Papaw. Aunt Moncia was also there and couldn't wait to get her hands on our little boy! They got Gavin a lot of bottles and some cute outfits. Macie also got a new outfit. They were very impressed with how smart she was. She even tried to pull a fast one on Papaw and trade him her cracker for his remote! What a tricky little thing!

Nanny and Gavin
Macie was too interested in Nanny to look at the camera

Mamaw and Papaw checking out the newest Mitchell boy

Our sweet boy stretched out in Mamaw's lap

Aunt "Poggy" and Gavin

Elmo

My Aunt Dawn called me on Friday night to let me know that Elmo was going to be at Borders on Saturday at 11. Elmo was having a birthday party. Even though we had a lot going on Saturday, I thought that we couldn't pass up an opportunity to take Macie to see Elmo. Well....Elmo wasn't invited to his own birthday party! I guess the paper didn't advertise correctly and Borders had no intention of having an Elmo at the party. Let's just say there were some upset kiddos and parents! Why Borders didn't make one of their employees dress up for a short time, I have no idea. Thank goodness Macie was too young to realize that she missed anything. She had a good time seeing my aunt and cousin and walking around. We haven't ever let her walk around a store like that so she was thrilled.
Macie and Gavin did get an adorable gift though! Jamie and Aunt Dawn got them Elmo pj's with their names on the butt! Way too cute!!! Gavin can't wear his yet, but Macie looked precious!

Macie was satisfied with the stuffed version

Macie has been playing with her babies more lately. I don't know if it is the age or our new addition.

Patting her baby

New pjs

Future Sceamin' Eagle?

USI sent Gavin a new t-shirt. They sent Macie one when she was born too. We may just have a future screamin' eagle on our hands!

First Visit to Grammie and Pops' House

This afternoon Gavin and I went on a little road trip. We headed to Sturgis to visit for a bit and to pick up Macie. So far, Gavin is a great traveler and has slept every time we get in the car. I am still crossing my fingers that he will like the car! When we got there, the kids were asleep and Grammie was the only one home. I fed Gavin and then the chaos began! Pops and Aunt Katie came home, the kids woke up and some friends stopped by to see Gavin. The kids loved baby Gavin and couldn't take their hands off of him! Scarlett wanted to "pet her"! How cute! I know that Gavin will be in good hands when I go back to work!
As we were getting ready to leave, I was gathering up all of the kids' stuff, making sure both of them had clean diapers, putting on coats and getting Gavin into his car seat. During that moment I realized....I have two children! Holy cow! I even had help getting them ready and loading them into the car, but it was the first time I had to think about both of them at the same time. On the drive home, I looked in my rear view mirror and it was a crazy, yet awesome realization that, yes indeed I have two children I am responsible for!

First time of many snuggling with Pops in his recliner
Noah checking out Gavin for the first time

Camden, Noah, and Gavin

Aunt Katie had to get her snuggle time in too!

Both of my babies in the back seat!

Macie was already too focused on her movie to look at me!

Froggy Bath

Yesterday, Gavin's umbilical cord fell off so tonight he was able to get his first bath in the froggy tub. Brian and I waited until tonight because Macie wasn't here. Gavin screamed when we first stripped him down, but I don't think that he minded once he was in the bath. Giving him this bath brought back all of the memories of giving Macie her first bath in this tub. I love making memories with my babies!

Snuggling with my buddy after his bath

Our precious angel

Mom...what are you doing back there?

Kaylee and Gavin

My Aunt Alice and Kaylee stopped by for a visit this afternoon. They brought us a Hacienda gift card. I can't wait to use that! Kaylee hadn't gotten to see Gavin yet and she was so excited to meet the newest addition. For 4 1/2 years, Kaylee was the baby of the family on my dad's side and in the last 16 months we have had 3 little ones born. Kaylee loves to hold and play with them. Gavin was awake for most of the time they were here. In fact, he was awake for the majority of 4 hours! He was also a little fussy due to gas:( As soon as they left, I fed him and he conked right out!

Kaylee and Gavin
He is already sticking his tongue out at people!

First Visit to Grandma's House

Gavin took his first trip to Grandma's house today. I had to go to school to drop off some insurance papers and other things. I didn't want to take Gavin in to school yet because it is too germy! My mom watched him for about half an hour before I headed back. I snuggled with Macie and fed Gavin before coming back home. Macie stayed with Grandma for the rest of the day. I haven't kept both kids by myself yet, but I am doing more and more. The problem is that I am technically not supposed to lift Macie for a few more weeks. Maybe next week I will be brave enough to keep them both for a while! On Friday, Gavin and I plan to drive to Sturgis and pick up Macie. Hopefully the weather will be good and I will feel up to it so Gavin can make his first trip to Grammie and Pops' house.

My Great Escape

Since coming home from the hospital, I hadn't left the house until today. Gavin had even gotten out twice to get weight checks, but Brian took him because I couldn't drive so I stayed home with Macie. With the cold and snow, I waited until today to make my great escape. Both kids had a doctor's appointment. Macie had her 15 month check up (we had to reschedule because she was sick for her first appointment and couldn't get her shots) and Gavin had his 2 week check up. My mom went with me and I'm so glad that she did!
Gavin went first. His weight is back up to 8 pounds 1.5 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long (both 50th percentile). His circumcision is healing well and his umbilical cord is about to fall off. The nurse wanted to keep him because he snuggled right up to her! He is quite a sweety! As far as his hemangiomas, they sent a referral to Riley and the office is supposed to be contacting me soon to set up an appointment.
Macie was next. She weighs 23 pounds 10.5 ounces and is 31 1/4 inches tall (both 7oth percentile). For as wild and crazy as she can be, she is so calm when Dr. Voyles is checking her out. I think she is a little terrified to tell the truth! He was very impressed with how many words she can say. I guess they want 15 month olds is say around 3-5 words. I can't even tell you how many words she can say! She screamed when she got the shots, but other than that she was great! Dr. Voyles gave me a pat on the back and we were on our way!
I take them both back in two months and they will both have to get shots. I already told Brian that he is going to have to go with me to tackle all of the madness!
Afterwards, we went to lunch at Crazy Buffet. Gavin was great and let me eat and Macie ate about as much food as I did! It was so nice to be outside of the house. Macie went back home with my mom and Gavin and I headed home so he could eat and we could nap. We actually got back out this evening so that I could get a much needed brow wax and pick up a few items at Walmart. I have a few other outings planned this week so we will see how it goes!

When I was getting everything ready this morning, Gavin stretched out and took a nap. I swaddle him up at night and I think he enjoyed the space. Brian's family always talks about how Aunt Beth used to fall asleep with her arm above her head. I guess Gavin is following in her footsteps!
Look how long he looks!

Snow

I've been feeling really guilty because we've had a lot of snow days this year and I haven't taken Macie out to play in it yet. I've had a good list of excuses... too cold, miserably pregnant, Gavin's birth, etc. My cousin brought a bowl of snow in for her son to play in and I thought that I would steal her idea. I have been feeling a bit better so Brian and I decided tonight was the night. Macie loved it! Of course, all she wanted to do was eat it. We had a feeling that would be the case so Brian tried to get the "freshest" snow possible. She didn't mind the cold and even cried when he took it away. I'm so glad that we were able to make these memories tonight and I look forward to taking her out to play in the snow for the first time next year!

What's this?
First touch

This is fun!

Yummy!

Gavin is 2 weeks old today! He didn't get to enjoy the snow this time. Can't wait til next year!

Bath Tub Fun

Tonight we had to give Macie a bath and let her play with her new letters and numbers. She loved them! Of course most of them ended up in her mouth, but she also had fun sticking them to the wall. I know we will have lots of fun in the future with these!

Splash, Splash, Splash!

Daddy had fun too!

Brian said, "Now our bathroom is officially a kid's room!"

Daddy helped Macie with a puzzle before going to bed