Gav's 3rd Bday Party at the Zoo

NYC for a minute

Let me preface this by saying I took all of these pics with my phone. 

Eric and I took a quick trip to NYC to see Ray, Jess and our favorite nephew, Lincoln! It was definitely too quick, but we made the most of it! Im pretty sure Jess saved up all her energy so that we could go non-stop for the day we had to spend shopping in the city. It's amazing to have family in such a great city, so of course it makes it a fun place to visit. But I have to brag on my SIL a bit, bc she is always up for whatever plans or expectations I might have while in town.  She never gets tired of going to H&M with me for hours upon hours so I can get my fix. She has a love for salad like I do, so our salad date is a must because delis in the city are like no other. And I feel like we catch up on a years worth of girl talk in 3 days, which is pretty impressive! I have two sisters, so of course Im not lacking in girl time, but there's something about the time Jess and I spend together that is so awesome, and irreplaceable. I just really love her! And really REALLY wish she lived closer. :) 

We spent the weekend in the Hamptons, and genuinely had a great trip overall. I can't say enough about the hospitality we get from our gracious hosts! I love the time we get to spend with our nephew, Lincoln, although it's never enough! And of course, thank you to Ray Ray for taking care of us in any way you can think of! We love you guys and cherish every moment we get to spend together! Until next time...

Freedom tower in the fog

I feel like a photographer! love this pic!  

Wine and shopping...what could be better!  

Jess wanted to know how I feel in every pic! 

Lincoln Bear

Coopers Beach in Southampton

Love you Linc

Is there anything cuter than matching jammies??

I don't think so....

Happy 3rd Birthday Gavin Ray

Sometimes I look at you, Gav, and think; "Where has the time gone?" And I immediately remember how I thought that phrase is so silly when said by someone whose children are grown and married and having kids of their own. But the statement stands so true for my life. I literally feel like I blink and one of the boys is a year older. I can only hope Im taking it all in and truly enjoying the moments I spend with my babies each day. Because I know they won't be babies much longer. I know they will one day soon have places to be and people to see. But right now, Im the cool one, and I will enjoy every second! 

To describe my 3-year-old Gavin Ray is to describe the happiest and silliest and orneriest and SWEETEST boy I know. (obviously im partial). Gavin loves to negotiate everything in his life. "I'll have one juice, and then no more juice and I'll only have water and milk." 

He is always listening to what I say and using it against me. His latest is "I dont have time for that!" But he says it in the funniest ways that somehow make sense while totally not requiring such a bold statement. Or "Im not happy with you right now." "I have so much work to do." And the list goes on...

At 3 years, Gavin: 

- is a little night owl. He won't go to bed before 9, and he's up with the sun. In fact, we recently had to buy him a Thomas the Train clock that tells him when it's ok to wake up. I set it for 6:40 am, and sometimes I see him staring at it on his monitor waiting til it says he can get up. A few days ago, he came downstairs at 5:40 am, WITH his Thomas clock, and set it on my nightstand. Then he turned to me and said "Mommy I brought my Thomas clock down so we can wait for it to say it's time to get up." LOL, I literally had no words bc he had reasoned this out that this was a good solution to sitting in bed by himself! 

- loves to eat and has made us so proud with how healthy he CAN eat. He will try almost anything, and loves all meats that we eat. He's not big on cheese, and doesn't care for many veggies, but does great with fruits and yogurt. 

- Wears size 4t clothes and is my lil "chicken legs" bc he has no meat on his bones anymore. He wears size 10 1/2 shoes. 

- Weighs about 37 pounds, and I will have to add his weight once we go to the dr. 

- Protects his brother and drives him crazy at the same time. It's really fun to watch how he can go from one extreme to the other. I have to intervene quite a bit. 

This weekend we celebrated Gavin's birthday at the zoo with all his friends and family. Then today we celebrated his real birthday with a fun day as a family. We played outside, made frosted sugar cookie sandwiches, and played with all his new toys. We are so blessed to have such a special day to celebrate with our first miracle. Love you Gavin Ray! 

The Unstoppable Duo of Woody and Buzz!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :) 

Pumpkin Patch - TG Farms

 A few weeks ago, we took a little field trip to the Pumpkin Patch at TG Farms. We've always gone to Orr Family Farm in the past, but wanted to try somewhere new. The Bakers and Nana and Papa went with us. It was such a beautiful day and the kids had so much fun. We did a hay maze, petted baby animals, played on a huge slide and picked a pumpkin before leaving. The kids had a blast! Happy Fall! 

Jax Baker at 6 months old

Crew at 20 months old

How tall is Nana? 

Gavin at almost 3 years old

My Baby - 20 month old Crew

I took this pic last night of my Crew Bear as he got out of the bath. I actually didn't mean to take it, I was trying to take a video. But later in the evening I found it and thought, OMG is that my big boy? He looks so much like a baby here! I love how a picture can capture something I didn't even see in person. Of course Crew will always be my baby, but this pic really puts that into perspective again. :) 

But here is the video I was meaning to take. Every night Crew wants this Lion Towel after baths and he has to "RAWR" at Daddy. He says it repeatedly until Eric "RAWRS" back! LOL