Last of Durham

The last few weeks in North Carolina were a little crazy!

Chase graduated from Duke, Gavin had his 3rd birthday, we cleaned out our entire apartment and got it ready for the movers and we had Chase's parents in town. 

The last two years went by so fast, I remember moving to North Carolina and being so scared! But it was the best 2 years I've ever had. We made some amazing friends and Chase and I grew so much closer. I guess thats what being broke and having your husband around all the time will do to a couple ;)

Graduations are usually really boring and I'm never really into them, but I was freakishly proud of Chase so I was fully invested in this one. When Chase was about to walk across the stage I took Gavin up close and we both screamed as loud as we could. Mine was a little ridiculous, Grant Hill turned around at looked right at me. I'm pretty sure he thought I was a crazy person.

We were lucky enough to have Chase's parents come out to see him graduate and help me with the kids during the ceremony, we were all so very proud of our graduate. 

These girls saved me from going crazy in a new place! I love them all so much

He's ready for DUKE!

3 years old

I know every parent says "I can't believe how fast the time has gone", but it is so true! It feels like I just had my little boy and now he is 3! But if you ask him he will always say a different age, usually 11. We celebrated Gavin's birthday at a beach house with all of his little friends. He felt so special when we sang to him, he was beaming. 

Here are some things I want to remember from Gavin at this age


you make me laugh everyday by the random things you say. When the shorts you were wearing were too big you said "Mommy my butt is falling".

you are a kind and caring little boy. When you see that I am sad or stressed you always come to me and hug me and say "it's ok mama, just be happy".

You have started to call me "mama" and my heart melts every time I hear it

You just started to draw stick figures and its the BEST

You have to sleep with your three favorite animals. Mami tata, baby tata, and your teddy bear (Pooh Bear).

You are literally the best big brother EVER, you constantly play with Olivia and shower her with love. She adores you so much already.

4 Months

Our little Olivia May is 4 months! It feels like she was just born and some days it feels like we never had life without her. We had a rough start with this little one. From not gaining enough weight, me hating nursing and her not being "happiest baby" we almost all went a little crazy. But now we are all so in love, Gavin wakes up and immediately asks for "baby yivia". He really is the best big brother ever.  With the possibility of this being our last baby I sometimes want time to freeze altogether. We love you baby girl

Easter

Now that Gavin is getting a little older he gets very excited for holidays, especially ones that involve treats. I showed him some pictures of last years easter and he caught on right away that the easter bunny brings some pretty good stuff. He kept telling me "Mom the Easter bunny is going to dump eggs all over my house". We also got to sit down and explain to Gavin what Easter is really all about, he sort of got it, "Resurrection" is a tricky word for toddlers.

Since we started dating Chase has had an egg hunt for me but since having kids the easter bunny has gotten on steroids! He brings us WAY too much candy, but its way too fun to stop.

We also got to enjoy a nice Easter dinner with all of our friends from Duke, being away from family makes me appreciate all the friends we have made here in Durham. Having a large group of LDS friends makes for tons of kids, so of course the egg hunt was crazy!

Our little Olivia celebrated her very first Easter with non other than her very own Olivia book. We are all looking forward to next year when she can enjoy some treats with us.

Baby Blessing

Since Olivia was born it feels like our lives have been a little hectic, getting used to a brand new baby and a needy toddler has not been an easy task for me. But I wouldn't trade it for the world! I realize that these kiddos will only need their mama for a very short time and I want to soak it all in while I can!

We were so lucky to have Gavin and Olivia's "Poppa" (Chase's dad) and uncle Lee come out and visit us in february. So we took advantage of having family in town and blessed our little Olivia. I kept joking that they came to watch the Duke VS Syracuse game and not really for her blessing, either way it was a really big treat for all of us especially Gavin. He still asks for them pretty much everyday.

Backtrack to when my mom was here I asked her to bring some fabric from my wedding dress to make a blessing dress for Olivia. She is so talented she didn't need a pattern, she pretty much just asked me what I wanted it to look like and made it perfectly!

I'm so glad my mom got to be part of Olivia's special day even though she wasn't here. Our little girl looked so precious and she slept through the entire thing. I was scared she would scream and I wouldn't be able to hear anything. We sure do love her and we are so happy she is part of our family!

Christmas Day and Olivia May

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect Christmas morning, we enjoyed watching Gavin open all his gifts and having Grandma here made it even more special! After dinner is when the real fun began... I started having contractions as soon as we finished dinner and drove to the hospital about an hour later. Here are pictures of Christmas and Olivia's birth. 

Olivia May Busby

December 26, 2013

12:17 AM

6lbs 12oz

18 inches

of pure perfection

Interview

2 1/2 years old

What is your name? Gavi

How old are you? six

What do you like to eat? A lollipop

What book do you like to read? Joey and Jet

What do you like to do with Daddy? Play

What do you like to do with Mommy? on the bed (I guess I'm in bed a lot)

Who are your friends? Adeline, Paige, Ben, Eve, Daddy and the boats in the sandbox 

What is your favorite store? Toys r us and target

What do you learn about at church? tables and trucks, and playing and singing. Oh and Jesus and I eat nuts

What does Daddy always say? 3 more minutes then all done with the toys

What does Mommy always say? Come eat and I love you

What does mommy have in her belly? Livia!!!!!

What is your favorite animal? a sheep and a deer

Random things he said throughout the questions

There is a bee in my booty

Nice necklace mommy

is she a big baby (pointing to my belly)

I have a ladybug!! (Pointing to a beauty mark on his tummy)