Not so fun times!!!

Let's just say we have had a rough week.

First..
As some of you know...we found out when Gavin was about 9 months old that he was allergic to milk. We have been getting him checked about once a year to see if he is still allergic. Well, last week we had him checked and we got the results last Friday. Not only is Gavin severely allergic to milk...he is also severely allergic to garlic. In addition to milk and garlic, he is also allergic to oats, corn and egg. SO, basically there is nothing that the poor child can eat. Trying to find any food that does not contain: milk, garlic, oats, egg, corn, corn syrup or corn starch of any kind is not easy. Gavin has always been very aware of his allergy to milk. He knows pretty much everything that he can eat....until now. He doesn't understand why he can't eat things that he used to eat all the time. His response to no more oatmeal was, "but Mommy...I can't give that up too. I eat it all the time and I am fine." He is only 3.....so smart.

Second..
Sunday night Nolen began vomiting at about 7:30. He threw up every 30 minutes to an hour until 7:30 the next morning. I think we got a combined total of about 2 hours sleep the whole night. The poor baby couldn't even hold down a sip of Gatorade. We took him to the Doctor Monday morning (he threw up all over himself on the way there and then again in the waiting room). Once the Doctors saw him...they sent us to be admitted to the hospital due to dehydration. So, Monday and Tuesday were packed full of IV's, Catheters, Enemas....etc. We got to go home Tuesday afternoon and you would never know that he was ever sick.

Mommyhood has been rough this past week....however, I am soooo thankful for healthy children. There were kids at that hospital that spend a lot of time there and it made me realize that I should be thankful for boys with food allergies and GI bugs...because it could always be worse. I wanted to be a Mommy my whole life and Eric and I went through a lot to get our boys. It was worth every bit of heartache. As inconvenient as allergies are and as horrible as watching Nolen get an IV was (I cried like a baby)....I will always be thankful to God for allowing me to be a Mommy. Children are a true gift....and God has equipped me to be Gavin and Nolen's Mommy (and hopefully a little girl eventually) and I can do it...even when it is not easy.

Gavin is a SURFER!!

I think the highlight of Eric and Gavin's trip to Florida was the last day when the waves were finally small enough for Eric to take Gavin surfing. Although, Gavin was a little reluctant...he had the best time. He actually stood up and rode 2 waves all the way to the shore. I was on the boardwalk trying my best to take video with our crappy camera while trying to entertain Nolen. Lets just say I failed miserably. Eric was not happy to find out that I did not get one video of him actually standing. It was so cute though because everyone on the beach was cheering for him and he was so excited. As Gavin said, "I caught 2 barrels and rode 'em all the way to the land." Eric is the proudest Daddy ever....kids are so fun!!!

Our Vacation!

Since we went to Destin for the reunion anyway....we decided to make that our vacation. We stayed out at the beach for a week. We did get to experience a little bit of Hurricane Gustav...which was fun for old times sake. Eric got to surf quite a bit which was good for him. We had a relaxing fun week and wish we could have just stayed there in our little condo.

It was really hot at Destin Commons..I don't know what we were thinking.


This is one of the only pictures of Nolen NOT crying on the beach. He is not a fan of sand....at all.


Nolen with his cousin Ayla....they REALLY love each other.

Gavin at Destin Commons...playing.




Nolen and Ayla

10 Year Reunion!!

So, Labor Day weekend was my 10 year reunion!!!! I cannot believe that it has been 10 years. It is crazy cause Eric and I started dating October 16, 1997 (yes, I remember the day) of my senior year. It was so much fun to get dressed up and see everyone (well not everyone....cause some people didn't come). We had a blessed and my husband looked HOT if I do say so myself. I am so blessed.

How adorable is my baby!!!!

I took these pictures on Sunday morning before we left for church. He is so cute I can't stand it. He is pretty much the clone of Eric (which is probably why I think he is so georgeous)! And yes, he is as ornery as he looks.

My big boy Gavin!!!

Gavin has been going to Mother's Day Out for over a year. This year he is going three days a week; Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You would think that after all this time at school he would be excited and used to it and it would not be a big deal. NOT THE CASE. He has cried pretty much every day that I have dropped him off. Some days are better than others. Some days he just complains on the way there; says he has a bellyache or that he thinks school might be cancelled today (he is a smart 3 year old). Other days he hangs on my legs while his teacher has to un-attach him from me while I hold a 30 pound baby (Nolen). Everyday when I pick him up he informs me that he did not cry....he just whined or he was gonna cry but he didn't and asks if I have a treat for him. After I tell him that whining and hanging on my leg are still "unnacceptable" behavior he tells me of his intentions to not cry next time. And yet....he still does.....until yesterday. FINALLY, HE DID NOT CRY!!! His latest treat request has been a harmonica (which he refers to as a remonica). So, yesterday I was so happy that I went to Cracker Barrel and got him a harmonica....he has played "song" after song on it and even slept with it last night. Now, he has cutouts of trucks from toy magazines hanging on our refrigerator so I know what to get him next time he doesn't cry. So....we will see what happens tomorrow. I am really proud of him though.

Family Vacation!

Eric's family took a vacation to Myrtle Beach last week.....there was 16 of us total!!! We had a lot of fun but nothing compares to the beaches back home! Anyways....Gavin LOVED playing in the sand, building sand castles, looking for seashells and "surfing". Nolen HATED anything to do with the beach.........he absolutely wanted nothing to do with the sand and totally freaked out when it got on him. It was pretty funny.......that just shows how different there personalities are.

Mamaw, Papaw and all 8 of their grandchildren!

The whole gang---all 16 of us.

Our family!

Nolen with his cool cousin Devin (who actually got him to step on the sand).

Gavin and Cope playing.

Gavin the shark.

Daddy and Gavin......how georgeous are my boys???

Copeland and Gavin

Adorable!

Happy at 7:00 in the morning!?

Newest addition to the Gifford family.......Elliott (always stylin).

My little model.


Daddy and Nolen..

Papaw and Nolen.........He LOVES Papaw.