Happy Easter & Meet Gavin (finally, I know)!!!

We had our day of firsts . . . first Easter with Baby Gavin, first bath, first time coloring Easter eggs in Washington, and our first holiday with a family member in 3 years (thanks Mom for all your help since Gavin's birth)!

Gavin Blake Cartwright was born on March 17th (Happy Birthday KTP as well) at 5:46 am. He weighed in at 7 lbs 9 oz and was 20.25 inches long! We endured 10 hours of labor and accomplished an all natural birth!!! We're proud to have met that challenge with success as it was a definite goal of ours. Gavin was voted Best-Looking-Baby on the floor during our hospital stay as well as Best-Head-of-Hair!

Gavin is extremely healthy . . . no jaundice, passed his hearing tests, as well as all of his reflex, etc. tests. He's extremely low key and not very fussy. We can't even say that he's really done that much crying since we've been home. He eats well about every 2 - 3.5 hours, potties regularly, sleeps well, travels well in the car and in his stroller, and isn't really bothered by noise (I attribute that to being a high school teacher that deals with 150 students that whine loudly all day long!!) - Gavin clearly got used to noise when in the womb!!

Barley, Sage, and Poppy are excited to have a baby brother. Barley kisses Gavin at least 500 times a day. He checks on him when he's in the crib and watches him as he swings away in the swing. Poppy started sleeping near Gavin the moment we brought him home. She checks on him in his car seat every time he gets ready to leave and comes home. And she has decided that when Gavin isn't using the crib or changing table, those belong to her!! Sage has just been a pleasant big sister. She checks on Gavin when he's sleeping in the crib and sleeps on the bed near him all day long! Everyone's adjusting very well and very content!!

Gavin has had lots of excited visitors already. One set of grandparents (new grandparents!!) have visited . . . my mom and dad arrived the Sunday after Gavin's birth. My dad left a week and half later and my mom is still around (thank god for the help - it has been needed and much appreciated). The new great-grandparents made a special trip out for 3 days to visit as well. Some of my students showed up at the hospital (they skipped school to visit - I think we've found our baby sitters!) and a small crew from work had a get-together to get us out of the house and do a meet and greet with baby Gavin!!

We're having a blast being new parents and it seems we are successfully navigating our way through parenthood (with some helpful hints from Grandma Glo). We're extremely thankful that Gavin is so healthy and that labor and birth went extremely well. We look forward to having more visitors to experience the new addition and look forward to more and more baby milestones.

Enjoy the pics - sorry it took so long! Hope everyone had a great Easter!

Love,

Dre, Joe, Gavin, and the Pets!!
(1st bath and Easter pics coming soon)

The Start of Labor - getting ready to leave for the hospital


Just moments after birth


Napping with Mommy after bath time (check out that hair!!)


Getting Ready to Come Home!!


Hanging with Grandpa!!


Time with Grandma (better known as the poopy diaper queen!!)


Meeting the Great-Grandparents!


Gavin and the Ladies


Kisses goodbye


Sage loves her new brother


"He's Cute" (mommy's constant comment)