Completely random picture. I was driving home from getting the seasonal flu shot and this truck passed me. I had to speed a little to catch up and snap this shot. It came out better than I thought it would. It reads: "Gavin Transportation Systems" Hysterical.

Gavin's 4-Month Check-up

Quick update as I'm behind with work. Lena took Gavin to his 4-month check-up this monrning. We did a little scale test the other day and it came back 13.5 pounds (13 pounds, 8 ounces), just like he was today at the doctor! Big man. He's more than tripled his birth weight, putting on almost 10 pounds since birth. Awesome. He measured at 24.5 inches long, which is 7.5 inches longer than his length at birth. WOW!

I tried to pull up the growth charts on the CDC's website, but they seem to be charting differently than the chart we have at home; lower actually. I'll chart tonight and post again with that info.

Happy Halloween Pictures

Gavin was dressed up like a pumpkin on Friday and a pea pod on Saturday. Chloe was originally dressed up like a pirate and was absolutely cute. We didn't get a picture of it by the time she wanted to change. About time to go out trick-or-treating, she decided to dress up like Dr. Jenn. She also decided to help herself to our candy bowl, trying to put it all into her bag. Enjoy!

Maybe A Bit Too Much Like Daddy...

Happy Halloween & Other Random Pictures

Just a few other pictures that were on the camera from the last week that I thought should go up.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! BOO!!!

"But, Mommy, I don't like tummy time."

Kitty Cat blabla with Chloe's New Shoes On

Chloe, Rock Star...kind of...

Baptism Pictures

As promised, pictures from Gavin's baptism a few weeks ago.

Aww...

Lena sent me this picture. I kind of wish I was at home right now.

UPDATE: I was just informed that this was taken between nightmarish children; apparently neither is a happy camper this morning. Maybe I am okay to be at work...

Time Keeps on Ticking...

Wow, it's been over a week since an update was posted. Sorry, folks, we've been super crazy lately. Plus, I was sick a few days last week, so that didn't help things. We have tons of pictures from Gavin's baptism to get up, so we'll shoot for that next.

On another note, Chloe and Mommy went to the "balday" (ballet) yesterday while Gavin and Daddy stayed home. Lena was given someone's seats, so she took Chloe. The little bear was so excited when they got home. She came running into the "diamond room" (living room...you're guess is as good as mine) to tell me all about it. The gist: jump, jump, jump. I guess she enjoyed it. That's my girl.

Happy Monday, everyone.

Wonderful News

I wanted to give this little shout out to my friends Alicia and Nate. They welcomed little Veronica Belle into the world yesterday (Oct. 16, 2009) at 12:08pm. She was born at 38 weeks 5 days, weighed in at 6lbs 15oz, and measured 19.5in.

Updates will be here -- http://avonde.wordpress.com/

Congratulations!!!

Causes

Many of you know that I am not big on asking people for money; it's the main reason I got out of the development side of non-profit work. However, you'll pardon me as I make a little pitch. Get your tissues ready.

Did you know that every year 13 million babies worldwide are born too soon?

In the United States alone, the rate of premature birth has increased 36% over the last 25 years?

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard the name for the organization March of Dimes. Unless you've interacted with them or read about them, you may not know what they do.

Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.

As many organizations do, they could always use help. Please consider clicking the banner above to visit them.

This comes on the heels of my late knowledge that yesterday was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. But just because it was yesterday doesn't mean that people don't remember every day the loss of a child. It was only yesterday that I learned that the daughter of a woman I went to Hope College with lost her 5-month-old daughter to SIDS one month ago today. It's heartbreaking in a way I don't have words to express, which is a big deal for someone who writes. And if you click this link - http://www.rememberingcicely.com/ - to Cicely's remembrance page, you'll see pictures of a beautiful baby and her loving parents. I'll put the disclaimer on it: very few words, mostly pictures, bring tissues. And if you can find it in your heart to donate the cost of your morning coffee or energy drink or whatever, I know they'd appreciate it. Deanna, we're thinking of you.

I'm going to close my mouth now.

-Josh