Saturday, January 29, 2011

A Few Family Updates

Just finished eating a fruit bar
Hunter: Can you believe that he's almost 11 months old already !!! Our little "Peanut" has turned into a little "Monkey" with a whole lot of energy. Each day brings a new discovery and challenge, but we are loving it. At his 9 month check-up, Hunter had lost a little weight and his Doctor was a little concerned. We had him back in this past week for a recheck of his weight and I'm happy to say that he gained. He now weights 18 pounds 3 ounces and is 29 inches long. He's still very low on the growth chart for his weight, but with the way he's taken to eating "table" food I don't see him staying on the low side for long. This kid will eat anything and everything you put in front of him, and still look for more. Some of his favorites are grilled cheese, black beans and avacodo's.

He is very much an explorer with no fear. He's into everything these days, and keeps me on my toes chasing after him. He has proven that he can indeed crawl, however he likes to take the easy ride and army crawl. He is able to pull himself up on everything, and has even climbed a few stairs and tried to climb over the gates we just put up. 100 % boy is all I'm going to say.



We finally found a great playgroup in our area, and have become exteremly active with all the different activities. Above is Hunter at a playgroup this past week, celebrating Austriala Day ( I guess it's like our July 4th Holiday) Hunter even tried some vegemite on a cheese cracker. He ate it, but didn't seem to interested in wanting more...geez I wonder why???? Although, it appears we may have a "bully" on our hands. Hunter does not like to share toys with any of his friends, and will crawl right up to them if they have something he wants and just rip it right out of the hands. And if another Mommy get's out a snack for her little one, my little one is the first on the scene. Yep, that's our little monkey....


Here's our little monkey, looking out the window at the dogs playing in the back yard.


Not only is he an expert explorer, he's also very much into helping Mommy with the chores around the house. He loves to help me fold laundry... making sure that I fold everything at least 3 times. He also is good at light switches, and carrying things downstairs for me.

Here's our little "go-getter" Not to interested in sitting on the scooter, but rather pushing it forward. He's really starting to get the hang of walking, he'll walk about 15 steps holding onto your fingers, before he poops out and starts to army crawl.

Who need's a gate to block the stairs, when you have this....... Well, really Sierra was the motiviating factor to get Hunter to climb 9 stairs all by himself.
Greg showing off his awards he won at the Regional Meeting in Dallas
Greg: Has been very busy with work, his branch finished 2010 #2 in the country. Way to go Honey !!! And starting March 1st, he will be taking over the McAllen branch (which includes Corpus Christi and Laredo) This will be a challenge for him, but also a good learning experience and hopefully a good stepping stone for a bigger branch up North at some point.

Sharing Animal crackers with Daddy....
Welcome to Hunter's new Play Room..... after spending days trying to figure out how to make the gates work in our family room, we realized that was a loss cause and moved all the toys to our front room, where we can keep our little monkey safe (and not to mention the dogs away from his toys)

Me: I've been keeping very busy with the daily grind of life as a "Stay at home Mom" With making time for the gym, playgroup activites, working at Panera a couple of hours a week, chores and taking care of my boys. Doesn't leave much time for "me" but I wouldn't trade any of it. With each week, comes a new obstacle and hundred smiles,giggles and so much love, but it still makes me take a step back, and wonder how working mom's make it all work. I just wish there were just a couple more hours eachday to accomplish my "To Do List" Oh well, what doesn't get crossed off today, just get's added to tomorrow. No wonder my list never get's any shorter.....
Foot print Snowman- 10 months old
Several weeks ago, Hunter and I hosted a play date at our house. We welcomed 9 little one's and their mommies into our home for a fun morning of play, crafts and snacks. It was a fun morning, and a great way to end the long week that Greg was in Dallas.
After play group ~ not to bad, I thought I would be cleaning up for hours.
Hunter taking a quick inventory of his toys and deciding who or what he was going to attack....
















Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Baby It's Cold Outside.....

Baby it's cold outside..... I know you all are probably thinking "how can it be cold in Texas?" but it truly has been down right cold the past couple of days. So with that being said, along with Greg in Dallas, Hunter and I have had to get a little creative with daytime routines. Sunday night we went to Panera for dinner. A little Mommy- Son date night. We shared some mac and cheese and a hot fresh french baguette.. Yummy !!!!
Tuesday morning it was only 32 degree's and I surely wasn't feeling like going to the gym. So I pulled out the big guns and got out the alphabet mat for Hunter to play on. But instead he had more fun taking the pieces apart faster than I could put them together, so I made a life size block and boy did that entertain most of the morning. Lesson learned this week, pulling out "new" toys from time to time is such an entertainer in it's self. So my new mission is to separate Hunter's toy's into several baskets and rotate them every couple of days.

Even Sierra was feeling the effects of the cold.. After playing outside for about an hour, she came in a cuddled right up with the blanket. Oh, what will these dogs do if we ever get the chance to move back north. I'm thinking they will need wool coats and fur lined boots to survive the bitter cold of the north.
Seghetti for the first time.... I've been testing the waters with different foods lately with Hunter. Tonight's menu tasting. Spaghetti.... What a funny site that was to watch, it took him a few minutes to even touch the noodles, then he realized they would be fun to wave around, then after watching me slurp a few noodles.... He got it.... I am proud to say, we have a Noodle Slurpper !!!!!
There's a noodle on my head Mom.... "How did that happen?"
One happy and messy little boy
And of course, every mess must have it's own clean up crew. Unfortunately, our clean up crew is learning to like people food right along with Hunter.







Spring Cleaning (early)

With Greg in Dallas for the week, I thought this would be the perfect time to start a little Spring cleaning and organizing. And first up on my project list was my closet. When we moved in over a year ago, Greg did the unpacking of the closet boxes and I've just never had enough time or energy to get in there and get rid of old stuff and just plain old organize. So on Monday afternoon, I put Hunter down for his nap, rolled up my sleeves and headed into the deep dark trenches of the closet and was determined not to come out until it was well organized. I must say, I was pretty impressed with myself. Only 2 hours, 1 over flowing plastic tub of donation items and a closet a little on the OCD side... but it makes me happy now to walk in there !!! The final question is, how long will it last????

Before
Before
After
I'm so proud of my "rainbow" of colors......
Watch out honey, your side is next...... :)



Saturday, January 8, 2011

10 Months and....

SOOOOOO BIG !!!!!

10 months already...... Seriously, where has the time gone?? One thing I must say is with every passing day our love for Hunter grows more and more. He has been such a blessing in our lives. At 10 months old here are a few fun facts about our "little" guy.
~Walking with the assistance of a toy
~Pulling himself up on coffee tables
~The master of the army crawl, but still has not figured out the real deal
~LOVES to eat, banana's and graham crackers are among his favorite snacks
~Does not like to be gated in an area
~Is finally back to taking naps
~loves to look at books and listen to stories
Skyping with Grandpa and Grandma Garvey. He just loved seeing them on the big screen.

Standing at the coffee table has become his favorite thing to do. Although, playing with toys and hanging on still give him a little trouble, but when he falls he gets right back up or cries for you to help him....

Another favorite spot. The back door. Usually the dogs are outside and he'll lay there and watch them run around. But this afternoon it was raining so he and Sierra just laid there and watched with water. Of course not far from the back door is the dogs water bowl, which he's taken a few dips in already. OH, how long ago it seemed when I could lay him on the floor and walk into the other room and not worry about what he might find or get into. Those days are long gone. The bathroom door closed, laundry room door closed and 2 baby gates are now in place. Let the fun being.....




Happy New Year !!!!

Happy New Year from the Garvey's..... Hard to believe that 2010 has come to an end. What an amazing year it was for us. Settling into our new home and life in San Antonio, welcoming our son, Hunter in March, and having Greg's branch finish the year number 2 in the country. 2011 has some really big shoes to fill, but I'm very optimistic that many more good things are coming our way....
We rang in the New Year at home with some good friends from Houston. We had such a good time, homemade lasagna for dinner and Just Dance 2 on the Wii, WOW ~ what a work out, still not sure if it was from the Dancing or the laughing. I'm leaning towards the laughing... I haven't laughed that hard in such a long time.

Even our little party animal couldn't stay asleep and miss the new year. I'm sure the fireworks in the neighborhood had a big part of that, but Hunter stayed up with us until almost 2 am that night. And was in pretty good spirits, considering what all was going on around him. Unfortunately, the late bed time didn't change the normal morning wake up call (6:30am)

Group photo at midnight !!!!

Every party animal deserves a chocolate muffin for breakfast the morning after.....





Mr. and Mrs. Garvey

Mr. and Mrs. Garvey
Our Wedding Day- October 13, 2007