What "Gavin Lee Batta" Means to Me

Today is a special day for my little guy. 5 years ago today, at 9:50 am, my little boy came into this world and caught us all off guard. He was 6 weeks early. I was in a panic and was hoping for the best. Even though he had to spend 15 days at Blank Children's Hospital he ended up with a clean bill of health and no long term health problems, prayers had been answered and so we started our new life as a family of 6.

So for his birthday I thought I would tell what the name Gavin Lee Batta means to me.
G is for gracious. Underneath all his toughness, he is a kindhearted and friendly little boy. Has many hugs and high fives for everyone.

A is for adorable. I mean come on, look at those dimples. Makes me smile every time.

V is for victorious. If you are playing a game of football, basketball, or a board game with him, he will find a way to win every time. He is relentless.

I is for intelligent. He may only be 5 but he is a smart little dude. And it is amazing how quick he catches on to everything.

N is for no fear. This kid will do anything. Premature aging is already setting in with me because he stresses me out with the stuff he does.

L is for loving. Love it when I wake him up every morning and he wants a hug and kiss right away. And out of the blue at least 3 times a day he will say, "I love you, Mom."

E is for energetic. Seriously, the energizer bunny here. No wonder he wants to eat all the time, he burns off 5000 calories a day. :)

E is for education. He LOVES school. And his teacher loves him and calls him a sponge because he just soaks up everything they are learning.

B is for bold. Not afraid to do or say anything.

A is for ambitious. Always sets out to do his best but he is a very good sport if things do turn out how he would like them too.

T is for tough. I have to admit, I thought he would have a broken bone or something by now. Only two stitches from a blow with the Wii remote and he didn't even freak out when they numbed him.

T is for tackle. Favorite game to play. He has the ball and you have to try and tackle him. Simple as that but not always easy.

A is for always be my little boy. No matter how old he gets, he will forever be my baby!!

December 2009

January 2010

February 2010

March 2010

April 2010

May 2010 (love his pout)

June 2010

July 2010 (first time to ride 2 wheeler)

August 2010

September 2010

October 2010

November 2010

December 2010

I hope all your wishes come true little buddy!!

He has...

He has been nicknamed by many as Smiley.

He has cheeks that you always want to squeeze.

He has a giggle that when you hear him you want to giggle.

He has so much love in his heart that it gives me great joy.

He has a love of swimming and pretty much all sports.

He has a love of baking and makes some mean cupcakes.

He has major brains and makes school look easy.

He has a LOT of hair that his dad wishes he had. :o)

He has a great love for all his family.

He has shyness in him but that just makes him more sweet to me.

He has a love of all video games.

He has a knack of warming me up with his cuddles.

He just has my heart and I love him so.

Happy Birthday, Zach!!!

October 2009 (loves the fall)

November 2009 (family pictures)

December 2009 (making Christmas cookies)

January 2010 (at hotel pool when ice took our power out)

February 2010 (sledding at Hyde Park)

March 2010 (Regional swim at Minnesota)

April 2010 (Easter)

May 2010 (track and field day at school)

June 2010 (pitching premiere)

July 2010 (conference for summer swim)

August 2010 (showing his flipping skills)

September 2010 (fun day of tackle football with the boys)

October 2010 (Titan football - last game)

Gavin Back to School and a Missing Tooth

I will say it has been very strange having Gavin in school now four days a week for half days. And when I am not watching Noah, it is even more weird having time to myself during the day.

After 11 years of staying home with the kids this is new territory for me and I find myself missing this little guy because he is usually attached to my hip. I hate to see him grow up but love it that he enjoys school so much. He is constantly asking me every morning if it is time yet for school. I hope he will always keeps that enthusiasm for school.

It was a cloudy and rainy day his first day of school so we didn't get the best pictures but still love them all.

Gavin finally got to the point here that he was done with pictures. Just one more for Mom, please!!!

Some exciting news at our house this morning and for those of you who heard Riley's screams of happiness and didn't quite know the reason behind them, she lost her first tooth this morning. She couldn't wait to go to school because she gets to sing the missing tooth song. I can almost guarantee you that the whole school knew of her excitement this morning before classes even started. That's my Riley.

Back to School

Ahhh, routine again. I love routine. The kids may not like the routine of school, school functions, sports, etc. but I love it because my life feel so much more organized. I will say it is a bittersweet moment the starting of brand new school year because as much as I like routine, I will miss my kids when they are gone to school. I tend to get very used to having them around for the summer and then poof they are gone. At least I still have my little buddy, Gavin, around for half of the day when he isn't in preschool. (He starts that today by the way and I will post pictures of that soon). I hope my kids have a great year and that they accomplish everything they set out to do the 2010-2011 school year.

Jordan - 8th grade. Savoring this year before he heads off to high school.

Zachary - 5th grade. Big grade for him because he has been cut down to one recess, can now be in band, and has more than just one teacher.

Riley - Kindergarten. Can't believe she is going full time now. She LOVES it though and can't wait to go to school everyday.

Happy Birthday, Rybear!!!!

My little girl is 6 years old today. I never would have thought she would grow up so fast. It seems like we cherish so many moments with the kids hoping to make them last forever but then before you know it, they are growing up so much faster than you ever want them to.

When I think of my dear Riley I think of a beautiful, independent, sassy, kind hearted, people loving, giggling, life loving little girl. She spreads joy every where she goes and always finds happiness in everything she does. I have never known someone to enjoy the life she has, at 6 years old, like she does. She could be helping me with the dishes or picking up her toys and make it fun and giggle the whole time doing it. Now don't get me wrong, she can be very moody, can sass back, and throw a few punches and kicks at her brothers, but when it is all said and done, she is quick to forgive and forget and she is right back giggling again. I just want her to know that I love her to the depths of my heart and am so grateful to have such a precious little girl in my life. In all our lives.

August 2009 (her shirt is so true)

September 2009 (LOVES school)

October 2009 (Playing in the leaves)

November2009 (Getting her ears pierced)

December 2009 (One of her favorite pastime, drawing)

January 2010 (All bundled up and cute)

February 2010 (loved playing in the snow)

March 2010 (Father Daughter dance)

April 2010 (playing her favorite sport, soccer)

May 2010 (All ready for her dance recital)

June 2010 (on vacation by Lake Superior)

July 2010 (Little Miss Calhoun Contest)

August 2010 (Love you Riley)