Rob and I are excited to finally let you in on a growing little secret: Dessa is going to be a big sister! The baby is due October 7 and we are completely overjoyed. It has been incredibly difficult to keep the news a secret from our friends, family, and all of you and we … [Read more...]
What We Are Doing to Raise a Child who Loves to Read
As an early childhood educator, I know the importance of reading to young children. It sounds so simple and, to be honest, a little unbelievable, but reading to a child for 20 minutes every day from the time she is a baby is the simplest, most-effective thing a parent can do to … [Read more...]
‘Tis the Season!
There was something special about celebrating our first Christmas as a family of three last year, but it turns out that second Christmases are a lot more fun! Dessa was filled with excitement and joy all season long and we have loved every moment of our second Christmas as a … [Read more...]
My Daily Goals at Home
One of the most challenging aspects of settling into my new routine as a stay at home mom has been finding a compromise between my former self (with an impossible-to-accomplish list of daily goals) and my new role of mommy with a dependent toddler in tow. I tried and gloriously … [Read more...]
A Trip to the Apple Orchard
Fall has arrived in Michigan! The season was off to an unusually warm start with early October temperatures often reaching into the 80's. Now that the cool weather has finally set in, we have been enjoying every possible moment of the shortened autumn weather before winter comes. … [Read more...]
A Trip to Mackinac Island: Our First Family Vacation
Well, it only took 14 months for us to muster the courage, but we did it! We took Dessa on our first-ever vacation as a family of three to Mackinac Island. We've had a few overnight trips the homes of friends or family members, but this was an actual, legitimate mini-vacation. … [Read more...]
The Super-Weird Thing That Happens When I Sleep At Night
We have a new form of late night entertainment in the Gavin household and it seems as though I am at the center of it. For the past few weeks, the strangest thing happens when I'm asleep. I don't know if this is a phase or the latest long-term change in my life to come from being … [Read more...]
Happy First Birthday, Dessa!
This post contains affiliate links. We receive a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of our links, which helps to support the blog. We hope you enjoy this little peek into our princess' very first birthday celebration. I cannot believe that our … [Read more...]
Happy Belated Easter from the Gavins
Life with a baby has changed our hearts and our home in ways we never could have imagined and this year our family's Easter celebration was magical. It wasn't anything extravagant (in fact, Easter this year was super simple), but we treasured every moment of the day and we … [Read more...]
