Gavin turns 5

Gavin turned 5 years old on Saturday. I can't believe he is 5 years old. He has been counting down the days until his birthday since about a month ago. He was so excited the night before his birthday, he could hardly sleep. He woke up early the next morning and crawled into bed with me. Luckily Lucas was able to leave work early and get home by 6am. Gavin opened presents then and was so pleased with his gifts, especially his GI-Joe Bike, remote control tarantula and his Raiders football t-shirt (he has become a huge Raiders fan in the past month, despite all the coaxing Lucas has done to convince him to be a Chicago Bears fan.) We had doughnuts and chocolate milk for breakfast. For lunch Gavin decided he wanted to have McDonalds. We had a Spider Birthday party that evening with about 30 guests. Yeah, it was a full house. Gavin was so happy the whole day and got so many wonderful gifts from all his family and friends. He literally squeeled and jumped up and down when he opened Grandma & Grandpa Abbotts gift, which was a Raiders Football helmet and uniform. I have never seen him so excited. It was an exhausting day for Lucas & I but Gavin had such a terrific day. He thanked me at the end of the day for his cake and party. That made it all worth it :)
Did I mention that Gavin is obsessed with Spiders. He would love a real Tarantula, but as I am terrified of Spiders, he'll have to settle for a toy one.
His new bike.
Getting ready to blow out his candles.
Gavin & Ryan enjoying cake & icecream.
Cousins & Friends.
Reaction to opening his Raiders Football Helmet & Uniform. Getting into character.

Fun at the Lake

This past Saturday Lucas' brother Jason and his wife Susana invited us to go out on their boat with their family to Lake Mead. It was a beautiful day, a little windy but perfect all the same. That was the first time we've ever been on a boat together as a family. We had a terrific time, the kids loved it and it was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.


Cousins; Cade, Tyrone, Josh, Luke & Gavin.

Gavin & Tyrone were so happy to be at the Lake.

Right before we jumped in to swim.

Tyrone would not get in the water, but he enjoyed a Capri Sun.

Niamh was not too happy with the lifevest, but she got used to it after a while.


Lucas, on the surf board, he was on there forever. Lookin good!

Gavin & Lucas on the innertube, Gavin had such fun doing this. He couldn't stop smiling.

Niamh at 10 months

My baby girl is walking! Niamh took her first steps on August 22 while we were at my mam's house in Alamo. Since then she has been just standing up and walking. She still prefers to crawl most of the time, but is getting better and better at walking. She gets so excited when she walks and we all cheer and clap for her. She usually stops and claps also.


(As a side note) Niamh was sick when we took this video, so she is a little miserable and grumpy.

Gavins 1st day of Kindergarten

Gavin started Kindergarten on August 24th. He was so excited to ride the bus and to finally be able to wear his new backpack. We followed the bus to school and saw him meet the other kids in his class and walk into school together. Lucas and I were a little sad, even though he has been going to school since he was 3. Our first child embarking on the beginning of his school career is a big milestone. Tyrone missed him terribly, even though Gavin only has 1/2 day Kindergarten. He kept asking when Gavin was coming back and he didn't know what to do with himself until Gavin came home. So far Gavin is loving school and his teacher. He has made new friends and talks all about them a lot. He got to be the "door holder" the other day and showed us all how he held the door open for the other kids to walk through. It made me smile, when I caught him singing "Puff the Magic Dragon" to himself one afternoon. He is already learning so much. He loves going to the library at school and he absolutely has to bring a quarter to school each day so he can buy chocolate milk.

Niamh at 9 months

This little girl:

1. Can stand all by herself.
2. Climbs the stairs in 15 seconds flat.
3. Digs in any trash can until she finds something, anything to eat.
4. Loves The Wiggles.
5. Loves sitting on Daddy's lap when he eats his breakfast.
6. Loves her blankie.
7. Favorite song; Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
8. Has almost 4 teeth.
9. Throws some dramatic tantrums; stiffening up, flailing arms & legs.
10. Loves to wrestle with brothers and Daddy.
11. Is a picky eater.
12. Waves bye bye.
13. Is obsessed with water.
14. Loves to dance.
15. Is the little gem of our family.

My Peanut Butter & Jelly

I had one of those moments yesterday, when I felt inadequate as a mother. I promised Gavin & Tyrone that I would get them a slurpee after the park. When we got inside 7-Eleven, and I wrestled with the slurpee machine, with Niamh on my hip and both hands busy with purse and keys, I realized what a mistake it was to attempt it. The clerk was of little help and I ended up turning and walking out of the store without the slurpees and with two angry, screaming kids in tow. I realized when I got home and put Niamh & Tyrone down for a nap and was able to finally release a huge sigh, that there are some things that I just cannot do with 3 kids by myself. I don't like to have obstacles in my way, but sometimes you just have to admit that you are beaten.

Since we have all been stuck at home sick and I have not had much of a break from the kids, I have found myself losing my patience all too quick. I'll admit I feel sorry for myself and wonder what kind of life this is that I have. The past few days I have been made very aware of what a blessing my children are in my life. This post is about Tyrone & Gavin; my Peanut Butter & Jelly.

Tyrone (my peanut butter): Last summer, while in Ireland, we went to a museum one day in Dublin with my dad. We took a tour of the museum. Afterward Lucas was browsing the gift store while my dad and I talked outside. Tyrone was in a stroller, but I had let him out to run around the courtyard with Gavin. Tyrone had turned 2 years old 4 months earlier. One minute he and Gavin were playing, the next minute Tyrone was gone. We searched every where, inside and out. I said silent prayer over and over. There was a door that led outside to a building site and a parking lot. I had searched it already. My dad went out and searched one more time and there was Tyrone running behind some cars. I cannot explain the feeling of despair when the thought flashed through my mind that I might never see my chubby cheeked, big blue eyed Tyrone ever again and worst of all that he was lost in another country. What kind of life would I ever have if I lost one of my children. It would be hard to go on. I think about this now and all those tantrums and hard days with Tyrone are worth it, to have him in my life. He back talks me all day and tries me, but when I go to check on him at night and watch him sleep so peacefully, like an angel, I realize that I'll take the terrible 3's anyday if I get to keep him forever.

Gavin (my jelly): We registered Gavin for Kindergarten the other day. Gavin has been attending a specialized preschool program within the Clark County School District since he was three to help with his speech and some developmental delays. He has come such a long way. I was so worried about him, when he would barely talk and when he would get so frustrated because I didn't understand what he did say. I was so afraid that he would be one of those kids who are lost in a school system who needed help and struggle all through school. I had forgotten how little he spoke, until I looked at a video we have of Gavin last May before we went to Ireland. He really has come such a long way with his speech and I am so proud of him. I am really enjoying Gavin being 4, soon to be 5 in September. He is so grown up and surprises me everyday with little things he thinks of. I asked him the other night at bedtime if he was excited for Kindergarten. I said "Do you think you'll be shy?" and he said "No, I'm brave." And that's the truth, he really is brave. He has already attended 2 different elementary schools and was able to quickly adapt to 2 new teachers and friends. He makes friends quickly wherever he goes and he always seems to be the leader. I love seeing this quality in him, especially as my oldest child. I still remember the day he came into my life when I received the best gift of all, Motherhood.

Every day at lunch time, I ask Gavin & Tyrone what they would like for lunch. Tyrone says "A peanut butter sandwich" and Gavin says "Just a jelly sandwich." I love my little men and I am so proud to be their mam/mom.

The Sick House

It first started with Niamh. She had a terrible cough and runny nose. I had an appointment for her 9 month well-check and ended up changing it to a sick appointment. I'm glad I took her in because she ended up having double ear infections. Poor baby! The boys started to have croup, but luckily no E.R visits there. Their coughs have taken a full week to get better though. Lucas was sick at the beginning of the week and seemed to fight it off. Toward the end of the week, I started experiencing flu-like symptoms. After a few days of bedrest, it turned into a chest cough, possible sinus infection. At this point I am asking myself, Is there ever an end in sight? How much mucus can come out of one human being? and Will I ever get any energy back? Lucas has been such a good "Mr Mom." He was able to take 3 days off work to help me out with the kids and he kept up with all the laundry and housework too. He's amazing. It's hard keeping kids entertained indoors and not feel like you're on house arrest. This too shall pass, right?