from both kids!

Lilah has been saying what sounded suspiciously like “Mama” for a while now.  In the last couple of weeks, it’s become undeniable that she is talking!  She says “Daddy”, “Mama”, “uh-oh”, “no”, “hat” and something that sounds like it’s supposed to come out to be “Gavin”.  She also signs “hat” and “more” in ASL, nods her head yes, and claps.

Gavin is using several word phrases more and new words everyday. He really likes singing too.  His favorite new words this week are “dragon”, “pasta”, “circle” and “color”.

at long last…

here they are! presenting the new pictures:

If you click on the pictures they will open bigger so you can see them better.

Gavin and Lilah cuddle on the couch

Cuddling (or possible scheming)

Lilah poses on the couchwalk

Fun together

Gavin getting the tubtoys clean

Excited about a toy

here are a few favorite pictures from the short but sweet time at the beach in California

Erin, Lilah & Gpa McC

Chris and Lilah

Gavin and Gpa McClenahan brave the wavelets

Packing the sand for a sandcastle tower

Getting ready to tip it upside down... (Gavin's excited!)

Who's in charge and who's helping here?

Lilah & Erin down the beach

Lilah is enjoying herself almost as much as Erin

More Erin & Lilah

Gavin had more than one party for his third birthday.  He’s a lucky boy.  Here are a few highlights:

Hey, this looks pretty good!

Meara, do you really think we should open this?

It’s so pretty wrapped up!

Playing with new alphabet and number stickers

Gavin named all of them and started on a second round before we distracted him with cookies shaped like stars.

What Lilah did at Gavin's party...

She’s wondering if she can make it to any wrapping paper bits before Gavin takes them all away.

Lilah and Grandpa McClenahan

Playing catch with Meara

Gavin and Grandma Reynolds looking at a special card

It has cars that move! Big hit with Gavin!

A group shot of most of the Reynolds

Gavin is reaching for the wheelchair handles here. Great Gma and Gpa R. got some wild rides from Gavin.  Everyone involved enjoyed it quite a bit.  Lilah is watching in hopes she can participate in the wheelchair race events next time.

Gavin with Grandma & Grandpa Johnston

Gavin hopped right up to sit with them on the bench here.

Some Johnstons on the way to the beach

Some of the Johnstons at La Selva on the way down to the beach and some Reynolds on their way up met in the middle.

Pictures of us enjoying the beach will be coming next.

in this episode, we find Lilah, who has seen her brother’s antics and wants to get in on the fun:

Gavin pointing

happy Lilah

Come back soon because there’s birthday pictures coming and some beach pictures coming and Great Grandparents pictures too!

Gavin approves of the new design his employee (his mama) made for this blog. He looked at it and exclaimed in delight and put his hand up on the monitor against the handprints there.  I am happy he was interested because I was hoping it would be something he liked to look at, since it is a blog about him and his sister.

Gavin’s favorite things this week are space (the final frontier), caterpillars, popcorn and when Mama helps put Lilah on his shoulders for a piggy/wheelbarrow ride.  (In case you have trouble picturing this, I will try to explain.  Lilah’s legs are around his neck and he holds her feet and I hold her under the arms and then we run up and down the hallway.   They both enjoy this quite alot.  I’m hoping Chris will be able to get a picture of us in action soon.

Lilah is climbing onto our couch now!  Eek!  You can tell she’s so proud of herself but the way down is long for a baby.

Gavin and Lilah are having more and more “play” together now as Lilah is able to do new things each day.  I am looking forward to the creation of exclusive words and games between them.  Lately Lilah has been reaching out for Gavin’s face and they both laugh when she touches him.  Then he takes her hand and tries to help her grab his face again.  The learning experiences for both of them are so interesting and exciting to watch.  Lilah is learning motor skills and how to play.  Gavin is learning that other people have their own ideas and feelings and how much fun it is to make other people laugh!

I will be putting up some new pictures soon too, so check back!