a new year and a (still) big boy

Happy New Year! One of the first things I said on New Year's Eve, after kissing Jason and sipping from the champagne was, "It's not the year Gavin was born anymore!" It was a sad thought, and I'm not sure I can even explain exactly why it is sad. I console myself with the thought that this is the year my baby turns one. Wait, that is hardly a consolation, is it?

So we spent New Year's Eve with our friends Dylan and Susan, who threw a lovely dinner party. We had a great time there, with mountains of good food, and lots of good people around us. They even had someone there to watch all the kids. She was such a nice person, and so good with the kids. Gavin was good about being down in the family room with her, and only needed mommy a couple of times.

Saturday afternoon Shannon & Company came over for games and our traditional New Year's Day feast of knockwurst, bratwurst, sauerkraut and black eyed peas. We actually managed to get in three games (Settlers of Catan, Phase 10, and.. um, shoot, now I can't remember the third), which is an unheard of feat with all the kids. I think it helps that the boys are old enough to entertain themselves for long periods of time, plus Fiona is a a great help and plays with the boys so well.

Yesterday Jason woke up with a bit of a stomach flu, so we hung out at home all day and nursed him back to health. He's doing better now, and so far **crossing fingers ** I haven't come down with it. Unfortunately, although Gavin had a great night last night, Jason was tossy and turny so we didn't get much sleep anyway. Yet another corollary to that pesky Third Law, methinks.

Lastly, Gavin had his nine month well baby checkup today. We saw a different pediatrician today, because our regular one was all booked for this week. It turns out I like the new guy better anyway, so it was a blessing in disguise not being able to get an appointment with the old doctor. I have decided to switch and see this new doctor from now on. Our previous pediatrician was a nice enough guy, who I wasn't unhappy with, but the one we saw today is more outgoing, very gentle, asked a ton of questions. Plus, he is vocally supportive of breastfeeding - and not just breastfeeding, but extended breastfeeding - cosleeping, and he didn't push us to increase his solids at all (wasn't concerned that Gavin is still mostly nursing). He did suggest letting Gavin cry if we wanted to teach him to fall asleep on his own, but it was just a suggestion. He didn't by any means demand we do it, or even suggest it was a bad thing that Gavin couldn't fall asleep on his own, so I am not counting that as a black mark against him. A point of caution, perhaps, but not a black mark.

Gavin's stats: 23 lbs 2 oz (90%), 28.5" (45%), and 18.5" head circ (85%). I have been assuming Gavin hadn't gained much in the past three months, because with all his crawling/cruising, he has slimmed up so much, but it turns out he still put on 2 pounds, even with all the exercise he's gotten. I was surprised when he weighed so much today.