Angela & Steve Family

Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-07-05T09:45:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday to me!

Some of our friends dropped by (and brought BBQ - so I didn't have to cook, sweet!)

Somebody loves cake. (I mean other then me, of course)

We Had a Baby! And We Named Her Harper.

2010-04-03T18:38:00.005-04:00

So, I was scheduled to be induced at 6am but this sweet girl decided to throw me into labor at 2:04am. I woke up in disbelief; I thought 'no way, I can't be in labor!' So I laid there watching the clock and estimated my contractions to be 4 minutes apart. I woke Steve up at 2:25am and told him I thought I was in labor. And I couldn't remember if we were supposed to go to the hospital when the contractions were 3 or 5 minutes apart. Well, I decided we should go just to be safe because my labor with Gavin was only 6 1/2 hours long. We got to the hospital 3 hours early and she was born that morning at 10:38am. She was 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 19 inches long. She seemed so little compared with Gavin who was born at 8 pounds 7 ounces.

Either Harper is really small or Gavin is gigantic!

Hello! HELLO! Hey, this phone isn't working.

I'm a hat. I'm a boy. I'm a hat. I'm a boy. I'm a hat. I'm a boy. I'm a hat. I'm a boy.

We're Having a Baby!

2010-03-12T20:35:00.003-05:00

We're having a baby this month and here's the proof! For those of you that have been relentless in bugging me for BIG BELLY photos (Alia, Catherine and Carolyn to name a few), here they are:
And before you start bugging me some more, I'm tipping the scales at 160 pounds. I LOVE COOKIES!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-15T10:30:00.002-05:00

My handsome boys played me a beautiful song.

I LOVE PIZZA!

2009-12-04T19:29:00.006-05:00

We've been waiting a long, long time for Gavin to attack food the way he did tonight. Apparently all we needed was a 24 inch meat lovers pizza. Just so you know, we didn't give that piece to him, we left the pizza on the table after dinner, he saw the box climbed up on the chair and got it himself. I guess he didn't like what we fed him.

He's Jumptastic!

2009-10-11T08:40:00.004-04:00

When you have 3 boys living in the same house that have more guts then sense, sometimes these things happen. I can't watch them all the time.

Oh wait, it gets worse.

Blooper Reel. It was bound to happen so I put a cushion back there. He wasn't even phased, he climbed back up and did it 3 more times. BOYS!

Scott and Quang Came to Visit!

2009-09-27T10:43:00.007-04:00

So Scott and Quang came for a visit. I pretty much used them as my personal jungle gyms. Mommy was really happy that I gave her a break.

Then Uncle Quang took pictures of me. I'm so handsome!

New Baby Ultrasound!

2009-09-25T20:31:00.004-04:00

It's a ........................ (an) alien! We had the ultrasound yesterday and we found out I am 13 weeks along which puts my due date at April 1. I am not interested in having a baby on April Fool's Day! Fortunately babies are not often born on their due dates.

Gardening Men

2009-08-17T11:30:00.003-04:00

Me and Daddy did some gardening, we're trying to make our back yard look beautiful. That first one is me telling Daddy what to do - he needs a lot of instruction.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. The smell beautiful.

Josh and Gavin ROCK!

2009-08-08T21:53:00.003-04:00

It's a good thing Josh has been around to teach Gavin what kind of music he's going to like. Gavin's education until now has been lacking.

Happy Birthday Steve (Daddy)!

2009-06-29T20:07:00.007-04:00

Happy Birthday Daddy! We celebrated Steve's Birthday with his favorite tropical fruit layer cake with citrus cream cheese frosting. YUMM!

So, Steve thought it would be a good idea to really try out the rope swing.

And here they are taking it to a whole other level - Josh is featured in this video.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Doughnuts!

2009-05-11T22:30:00.003-04:00

I call this one 'couch surfing'. Mama calls it 'Get Down From There!'

I really, really like the refrigerator. (Whew, that was a big word)

Finally mommy and daddy found something I will eat......doughnuts! I love doughnuts, that one had sprinkles! I don't know why daddy insists on running me under water every time I eat, I was trying to save that goo for later. Oh well.

I LOVE TO DRUM!

2009-05-08T21:41:00.005-04:00

I wish someone would buy me a drum. All I want is for someone to buy me a drum. I'd be such a happy little guy if someone would buy me a drum.

I'm so happy! I'm so happy! I'm so happy!

I LOVE KITTIES!

2009-04-24T14:01:00.003-04:00

I love kitties! I love to pet them. I love to cuddle them. I love to ride them. I love to lay on them. I LOVE KITTIES!

Quang Took My Picture!

2009-04-15T10:48:00.007-04:00

Well, I turned 1 last month. Me and mom went to DC to visit grandma and get my pictures taken. I'd like to give a big, slobbery, thank you to Quang - because that's how I kiss!

Gavin Really Likes Football!

2009-03-15T21:21:00.007-04:00

And when I say "Gavin likes football." I mean he REALLY LIKES football.

Gavin also likes water bottles. And he likes Nick. And he likes slides but he hasn't quite figured out how to slide and wear shoes at the same time. And he likes playing in the sand with toys.

And he likes watching the Space Shuttle take off. This picture was taken in our driveway - sweet!

Auntie Sara Came to Visit!!!

2009-03-08T21:14:00.004-04:00

So, I got a swing for my birthday and first daddy wanted to push me in it, then mommy wanted to push me in it. Is that daddy over there asking Leanne, our neighbor, if she wants to push me?!? YIKES! Get me out of this thing! Someone call child services. Are my legs supposed to go numb?

Whew! I'm finally out of that thing. OK, daddy you hold onto the rope so you don't get lost.

Look, auntie Sara came to visit and she brought her boyfriend and his roommate. I like them, they're really tall. When they carry me around I get nose bleeds.

My 1st Birthday!

2009-02-25T09:12:00.006-05:00

First of all, I would like to say HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! I celebrated by throwing everything I could get my little paws on behind the couch. Do you see my cute little T-Shirt that mom bought me? I thought Snoopy was a little childish and I didn't want to wear it. So, to remedy this situation, immediately following these pictures, I spit up all over my shirt and even got some on my pants - HA! I'll show you mommy.

Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Birthday to Me! I got to go to the park to play, there were other people there too, but mommy's memory card ran out of space so those pictures are on Grandma's camera. Way to go mom, it looks like I don't have any friends.

Mom didn't think she got enough pictures of me at the park, so we did my birthday again on Sunday. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM cupcake!

I'M READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!

2009-02-05T16:18:00.005-05:00

Here's what happened last week...As you can see from the above photos, I wasn't feeling well last week. But, I'm all better now.

These pictures are of me playing my favorite games. The first one I like to call, "throw anything I can get my paws on behind the couch, then crawl up the back and look at it". The second one is called, "hide daddy's shoes" - I'm like a puppy!

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!?! Me and daddy watched the Superbowl last Sunday. He let me try chips, I like to lick them. OOPS, I dropped it. Got it. Will you look at the size of my tongue!

Tara Came to Visit Me!

2009-02-02T08:52:00.005-05:00

So, mommy's friend Tara cam to visit. I really liked her from the minute I met her. I like to claw her face, smack her a little, use her boobie as a ladder so I can climb into the booth behind us.

But what I really really like to do, is ride her! YIPPEE!!!!!!! She really knows how to take care of a guy!

A Horse is a Horse, Of Course, Of Course

2009-01-24T10:57:00.005-05:00

Well here I am with grandpa, he took me to visit grandma's horse - he's really really big and I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Here's something I know I like - cookies! MMMMMMMMMMMM cookies. Mom says I was made of cookies.

Here we are outside, notice my mittens; mom says I have to wear them so I don't get 'frosty paws'.

Gavin Walks!

2009-01-15T21:51:00.003-05:00

WARNING: THIS VIDEO MAY CONTAIN CONTENT THAT COULD HURT YOUR EARS!

(Turn down the volume there's a hyena in the house)

The Mighty Hunter Stalks His Prey!

2008-12-28T12:10:00.003-05:00

This would work better if the mighty hunter didn't squeal with delight.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-25T15:52:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas! We're here in Lawrence, Kansas but we're not celebrating the holiday until aunt Joy gets here on Friday. Because as Joy reminds us over and over again there is no Christmas without Joy.

As you can see 'the bit' (that's what we've started calling him because he's become a little BIT O'TROUBLE) has found his favorite toy, no need to open any presents on Saturday.

Up Up and Away

2008-11-22T08:36:00.003-05:00

Daddy is so proud!

SIMON SAYS - SHAKE YOUR HEAD!

2008-11-19T14:47:00.003-05:00

Yes, Josh and Zack.....shake my head? OK. What do you want me to do now?

Gavin Plays the Guitar

2008-10-20T09:50:00.003-04:00

Let me touch those strings. Give me those strings. I want to mangle those strings. Got to have those strings.

More of ME!

2008-10-15T08:48:00.004-04:00

That's my Uncle Sami, I like him a lot! He's really good at holding me.

That's Uncle David, someday he's going to teach me how to play video games.

Here's Great Grandma Banks teaching me how to walk. Look out world here I come at .001 mph - they call me speed racer!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH Waffles! I think I'm going to really like those. Come on Uncle Greg let me touch it!

This is Great Grandpa Banks teaching me how to read, this is going to come in handy with my 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?' book.

This is me and Grandma Saihati she kind of a camera hog. Does she not know I'M the STAR!

MY FAVORITE THINGS!

2008-10-10T18:29:00.004-04:00

Here's my favorite new toy - a black cord of the computer variety. In fact I learned to crawl so I could get my little hands on one of these. I like to shake the cord in one hand, then pass it to the other hand and shake it in that hand, then pass it back, you get the picture.

That's me with mommy's booby holder. I love to stretch it!

I love to swing the ottoman. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Sometimes I hit myself in the face and then I cry.

I love to read. What I really like to do is rip the pages out of magazines but mommy won't let me have her 'Martha Stewart' anymore.

I really like to crawl into and under things. This picture was taken just after I got my head caught in the box.

I love to kiss mommy! I get a fist full of hair in each hand, squeeze real tight, open my mouth really wide and plant one on her.

Here's daddy putting me to sleep. He's really boring.

1st (and maybe the last) Political Rally

2008-09-28T20:15:00.004-04:00

Dad made us all go to a Palin rally; that's me with mom and dad, aunt Joellen, Avery, and uncle Joe. It was really hot, mom do you have to hold me? You're sweating all over me! Boy I sure am tired, it's a good thing mom found a shady spot for us to stand. Whew, mom and uncle Joe whined enough and we got to leave early, we left dad and aunt Joellen there. That's me back home chillin with dad on the floor in front of the TV. I'm ready for some football!

My Trip to Kansas!

2008-09-16T20:24:00.012-04:00

Hello Friends and Fans! I took a trip to Kansas to visit mommy's family and friends. Here are some pictures from my trip...

This is one of me at chinese buffet I got to sit in a big boy highchair and eat NOTHING! Mom kept calling these people a true 'Springer Family' - I don't know what that means, she said she'd tell me when I was much, much older. Here's one of me and grandma she spoils me, I'm going to be ROTTEN very, very soon. This is one of me sleeping on grandpa he's soft like a pillow. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz I don't know why mommy put me in a trash can? She kept saying I was grouchy and calling me 'Oscar' - I don't know what that's all about but I think one of you should call Child Services! OOOOOh! We went to a party Saturday night, these are mommy's long time girlfriends Hey do these things work? Here's auntie Alia showing mommy how to give a proper 'baby massage'. Mommy, I hope you're paying attention, I expect you to do this everyday!

6 Months and Dangerously Cute!

2008-09-14T20:34:00.004-04:00

HELLO LADIES!!!!

LOOK OUT! I'M COMING FOR YOUR DAUGHTERS!

LOOK OUT LADIES - I'M MOBILE!

2008-08-29T16:29:00.003-04:00

Where's my toy? Where's my toy? Where's my toy? Where's my toy? There it is. I'm coming for you toy. Here I come. A little bit to go. Almost there. A little closer. Gotcha! SWEET!

I CAN EAT LIKE A BIG BOY!

2008-08-28T21:11:00.004-04:00

I'm not sure what to think about these vittles. I don't know why I have to have something other than milk? Mommy says she wants me to eat more so I can start sleeping through the night. HA! Like that's going to ever happen.

Uncle Ian Finally Gets Married! (And My 1st Trip Out of the Country)

2008-08-03T20:55:00.014-04:00

Hello All! This was my first trip out of the country, that's me with my dad on the airplane. We went to Toronto and ate a lot of Chinese food. That's me keeping the grandparents busy at a restaurant. Really we were in town because uncle Ian finally married aunt Grace, I asked why it took so long; mom said I was too young to know. Here we all are waiting outside the restaurant. This is me and my auntie Joy she kept complaining to my mom that there weren't enough pictures of her (I thought, of course there aren't the world revolves around ME not her!) That's me and mom, she gets on my nerves sometimes; always with the time to eat, time to sleep, time to change my diaper. Here's me and grandma grandpa says I'm sitting on a goldmine - sniff sniff can you smell that? It smells like toys! HA HA HA! We did lots of things at dinner: Ate shark fin soup Watched uncle Ian try to give a speech he couldn't remember it so he had to read it because he's old. Here's the rest of the family, mom says this photo is cliche - I don't know why. Whew I'm tired - SNORE! THE END.

First Time to the Beach!

2008-07-30T21:04:00.006-04:00

Me and Mommy under our umbrella. She says she doesn't want the sun to 'get me'.

Daddy's getting ready to put my toes in the water for the very first time.
I'm not sure what to think.
I DON'T LIKE IT!!!!
He's doing it again!?!
DADDY, I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T LIKE IT! Mommy's right, Daddy doesn't listen!

CRAWLING???? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-28T07:21:00.003-04:00

I KNOW MY BABY'S NOT STARTING TO CRAWL! I KNOW MY BABY'S NOT STARTING TO CRAWL! I KNOW MY BABY'S NOT STARTING TO CRAWL! I KNOW MY BABY'S NOT STARTING TO CRAWL!

If I say it enough it wil be true.

Big Weekend for a Big Boy!

2008-06-26T22:32:00.002-04:00

I had a big weekend - went to Miami! First, that's a picture of me and mommy in her car, we stopped because I needed something to eat. Next, that's me a grandpa Smith playing with an educational toy, of course I'm too little and the educational part was lost on me. Then that's grandpa Smith and my cousin Nathen eating an ice creams - hey what about a lick for me?!? Then we got a family portrait taken. Last we came home and I had to go to the doctor and get 4 shots - I did not like that! Mom said I was getting very very big - that's me in the last picture grabbing my toes (it's my favorite game, I call it grabby toes).

My growth stats:
Weight: 16 lbs 3.5 oz
Height: 26.5 inches
Head: 16.5 inches

The Blair Baby Project!

2008-06-13T22:12:00.003-04:00

It's so scarry out here! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gavin Speaks! (sort of)

2008-06-04T21:57:00.003-04:00

Finally someone understands me! Whew, what a relief. At first I thought the giant creatures were not going to be able to grasp the complexity of what I was saying; I mean just listen to the goofball. But, then I figured out we speak the same language just different dialects.

Tummy Time Update! 3 Months Old

2008-05-25T14:31:00.003-04:00

Mom says I've had a lot of improvement with my tummy time. I don't like it very much I wish she didn't make me do it every day. OK, she doesn't really make me do it every day, but she makes me do it whenever she thinks about it. Someone must have told her it was good for me - curses!

The Many Moods of Gavin - 3 Months Old Today!

2008-05-23T10:59:00.003-04:00

I don't know what mom is talking about "the many moods of me"? I only have 3: Tired, Hungry, Gassy. She just wants to put me in that stupid chair and flash the light at me. I thought she'd be tired of that by now. Oh well, she is the restaurant, so I should do whatever she wants.

1st Reach and Grab!

2008-05-17T20:32:00.003-04:00

Auntie Catherine and mommy got so excited today when I reached out and grabbed the burpy towel. I don't know what all the fuss is about, I've been grabbing boobies with my mouth for months. They don't call me Pac Man for nothing!

Baby Pooh

2008-05-16T10:08:00.006-04:00

It's safe to say that G doesn't favor the rap music.

Mommy has been dropping the ball on posting my stats. I had my 2 month check up a while ago (I'm almost 3 months now) and here were the results and the videos correspond with the 2 month stats:

Height: 24 inches

Weight: 12 pounds 11 ounces

Head: 15.5 inches

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! These Knees Taste Delicious!

2008-04-20T20:03:00.001-04:00

Look deeply into my eyes! I am hypnotizing you. You are getting very sleepy. Cluck like a chicken.

I'm So Big Now!!!!

2008-04-02T22:38:00.003-04:00

I'm such a big boy now! I had my 1 month check up/shot and I didn't like the shot part of it!

Weight: from 8 pounds 7 ounces to 10 pounds even
Height: from 20.5 inches to 22.5 inches
Head: from 13.75 inches to 14.75 inches

My many moods!

2008-03-31T17:55:00.005-04:00

Surprised. Annoyed. Content. Smug. Asleep (not really a mood). Do I look happier? Is it the swing? Or could it be that the doctor told mommy she needed to feed me more, so now mommy has to give me extra from a bottle after every booby meal? MMMMMMMMMMM? I don't know but I like the extra viddles. Mommy says I'm growing a snout and a curly tail.

Hiccups!

2008-03-26T20:31:00.004-04:00

Hiccups don't bother me, in fact it's nice to have something to do.

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!

2008-03-24T18:16:00.003-04:00

Happy Easter - ha! There's not any candy in these eggs! Mean trick mommy, mean trick.

1 Month Birthday!!!!

2008-03-22T21:11:00.003-04:00

Good Evening - Today I turned 1 month old and as you can see I'm a little cranky. Mommy had a hard time getting a photo where I looked happy. HA! I got her! She'll have to try again tomorrow. MOO, Ah, Ha, Ha, Ha!

Day 21 - I'm 3 weeks old today!

2008-03-13T21:53:00.000-04:00

This tummy time is exhausting! But it's working, I can hold my head up, I've been doing it now for 2 whole days - video to be posted this weekend and maybe a song.

I Had A BIG Week!

2008-03-08T21:30:00.001-05:00

First of all, I had my first home bath. As you can see, I did NOT like it!

Next, I went to the doctor to get my wiener sliced but mom called it a circumcision. Thankfully she didn't take pictures of that.

And I finally got a big boy belly button. OOOOOOh, aren't I cute now?!? Hello Ladies!

Day 11 - 1st Tummy Time

2008-03-05T09:47:00.000-05:00

Our first Tummy Time (sort of). Got to build those neck and arm muscles! Whew, that was a workout.

Day 9 - Tiny Fit

2008-03-03T20:36:00.000-05:00

Day 9 - We have mini fits during the day. Usually when we have gas.

Gavin Benedict Smith - Born Friday, 2/22/08

2008-02-24T20:29:00.000-05:00

We arrived at the hospital at 8AM Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008 to be induced; only to find out that I was already in labor and dilated to 2 cm (I had not been feeling the contractions, so I did know I was in labor); the contractions were coming every 4 to 5 minutes; so who knows how long that had been going on. At 7:30PM I was still only dilated to 2 cm, and still not really feeling contractions that were now coming every 2 to 3 minutes. There was another girl that came in to be induced at 8AM too - different doctor, and at 9PM her doctor took her of medication to induce her contractions and told her they would try again tomorrow. At 9PM my Doctor said we're having a baby tonight gave me medication to increase my contractions and broke my water - OUCH, feeling the contractions now! You all know I wanted an epidural and started asking for one at 10:30PM but the anesthesiologist didn't get to me for 2 hours and then it took another hour for it to kick in. LESSON: get the epidural much earlier, next time. Well, after that I felt much, much better, I even took a 45 minutes nap. At 3AM the nurse told me I was dilated to 10cm and it was just about time to start pushing. The nurse told me she wanted to turn off my epidural so I could feel to push, I told her NO WAY! I that I would prove to her I could push without feeling what I was doing. She told me it would take about 2 hours to get the baby from the cervix down the birth canal before he could be delivered and my doctor would arrive at 4:15AM, so I needed to spend some time getting the baby ready for delivery, before my doctor got there. Well, at 4:10AM I needed stop pushing because I was ready to deliver the baby and my doctor was just about to arrive - HA! I didn't need 2 hours! Dr. Ivery arrived at exactly 4:15AM and I only had to push 3 times to deliver Gavin, yeah! 8 pounds, 7 ounces, 20.5 inches long, head 13.75 inches around and I'm going to need some stitches! OUCH, again!

Here's a video of his 0 Birthday Party!

Tomorrow's the BIG DAY!

2008-02-20T08:14:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow's the BIG DAY and I couldn't be more nervous. I'm going to the hospital at 8AM to be induced. From what I understand there's wifi so I can take pictures and put them on the site. Unless, of course, he's wierd looking then there will not be any pictures.

8 Days to Go!

2008-02-01T14:06:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon! I never thought I'd be one of those people that posted anything, but I tried to email you all a video of the baby's room and the file was too big. So, here I am with a blog page trying to figure out how to upload a video. And, yes, I will be one of those people that send WAY too many photos and videos of my kid to everyone I've ever known. But, in my defense I live really far from most of you and I think this is the best way to keep in touch.