Sunday, October 16, 2011

"Don't Blink"~Catching Up

I never thought my life would sound like a country song, but Kenny Chesney's song "Don't Blink" is exactly how I feel right now! I blink and my baby is 3 months old, then I blink again and he is 6 months old and counting! Every morning Davin seems to have grown an inch overnight....and his personality gets more adorable by the day! We have enjoyed many milestones over the past few months and we are soaking it all in!

First Tooth- July 2011
First Steps- August 2011


Thursday, October 13, 2011

A Mother's Day Milestone

May 8, 2011~Our baby boy is on the move!

I was thrilled to spend my first Mother's Day with my guys and we enjoyed a relaxing "lazy family day". In the evening, to our surprise, we watched Davin crawl in his room for the first time! I can't imagine a better gift than this!!



Wednesday, April 27, 2011

To Crawl or Not to Crawl...

Our little man has one question lingering on his mind...to crawl or not to crawl? Dace and I have watched him roll over, scoot and "swim" on his belly around the living room but still no crawling. He is even sitting up Bumbo Chair free now! Tonight we watched as he did several baby push ups and plank positions (no joke!) and is trying so hard to get the knees going too! So we are waiting....and guessing it will be any day now! In the meantime, we will enjoy these moments while they last!









Saturday, March 12, 2011

Operation Apples

On March 9th, Davin had his 6-month check up!  He had a great appointment and even smiled at all the women in the office, such a flirt already!  Our baby boy is growing right on track and will definitely be tall and lean just like his Daddy.  His pediatrician also said its time for Davin’s 1st foods!  I was so excited to hear that but at the same time, it is sad to see him growing up so fast.  He has really changed in the last couple of weeks and is developing such a cute personality.  His laugh makes us laugh daily!  His appointment wrapped up and we were on to our next mission: Operation Apples!  I thought this would be the perfect fruit to start him on since Dace loves apples and I craved applesauce during my pregnancy.  We loaded up on the goodies at the grocery store and hurried home so Dace could participate in this exciting milestone.  We were so anxious to see his reaction and even got the camera ready.  Aunt Dara also stopped by to join in.  Davin was in his high chair, bib was on, apples and baby spoon were ready-Operation Apples was in full swing.  First taste was underway and to our surprise, he hated it!  He did not want to have anything to do with the baby food!  This is one of those moments captured best on video :-)


                                   

Monday, February 21, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

Looking Back While Moving Forward

I cannot believe it is already 2011, but here we are!  The last four years have come and gone and we closed an important chapter in our lives.  With that said, I want to share just a few of the many memories my husband and I experienced during his military career.  I knew before we got married that joining the military was something Dace always wanted to do.  Of course, I never wanted him to go, but I did not want to be the reason that held him back.  So setting my feelings aside, we said our tearful goodbyes as he left for boot camp in May 2006.  During Dace’s service in the United States Marine Corps, we experienced the trials and tribulations of boot camp and basic training, relocation to a military base, two overseas deployments, being a part of the “military family” and the best part, well-deserved homecomings!  This was definitely a challenging adventure for us but it was worth every second.  I am so proud of my husband’s accomplishments and feel very blessed to have such an amazing man as my husband.  ♥


2006-Boot camp graduation and basic training
     


         2007-1st deployment, homecoming and Marine Corps Ball


                      

2008-Machine Gun Leaders graduation, Jane Wayne Day (I was a Marine for a day!), CAX training, and 2nd deployment

2009- 2nd deployment homecoming, 3rd wedding anniversary pictures by Kelly Adler and Fall Military pictures by Erin Dietrich photography


Kelly Adler Photography:


Erin Dietrich Photography:




2010- Dace completes his four year service in the military and we are blessed with a baby boy!
Maternity and Newborn pictures by Memories by Lauren:






  



        





Saturday, January 22, 2011

2010-A Year To Remember


Last year was challenging, chaotic, traumatic AND a blessing altogether! The first few months of 2010 were focused on our transition out of the United States Marine Corps and back into civilian life. To our surprise on January 18, the doctor confirmed our dream to have a family. We had been trying without success for quite some time and were ecstatic about the news! The next memorable day for us was on March 10th when we had our first ultrasound and heard the heart beat. Dace was right by my side and the experience brought tears to my eyes. Our excitement continued to the next month and on April 1st, we drove to Orange County for the day to have an elective ultrasound. Right away, the technician told us wonderful news: we were expecting a boy! We wanted to remember this day forever so we went to the beach and shared our news by writing in the sand of the Pacific Beach. Towards the end of the month, we left California for the last time to finally head home to establish “our roots” in Texas. Dace and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary on May 5th, which was the first day I felt Davin’s first big kick! I truly believe it was his way of celebrating with us. On Memorial weekend, we were in an unfortunate car accident. A driver hit us on the passenger side, my side, at a four-way stop. The two doors were smashed in and I was horrified at the thought of anything hurting our unborn baby. Paramedics arrived at the scene and I was taken to the E.R. at Lackland AFB. I think I was more scared than physically hurt and the paramedic that rode with me kept talking to me to calm me down. He asked what we were naming the baby and I told him Davin Troy. He then told me that was his name and I immediately felt reassured. Troy does not seem like a common name to me and I felt that was God’s way of telling me everything will be ok. I was monitored at the hospital for several hours and we went home late that evening unharmed! The summer came and went and before we knew it, we were celebrating our gift from God at our baby shower. My cousin Missy and best friend Heather put our special day together. Many family members and friends surrounded us and the day was absolutely perfect. We had a couple of “delivery scares” in August and on September 2nd, I went to the naval hospital for routine blood tests. I was not feeling good that day and thankfully my sister-in-law drove me back to the hospital after we noticed my blood pressure was elevated. To my surprise, the doctor on duty, Dr. Rumsey, admitted me to Labor and Delivery. I was very shocked, scared and excited all at the same time! My due date was not for another few weeks. However, Dr. Rumsey was very reassuring and coached me through the process. Labor was very difficult and at 3:09 a.m. on September 4th, we finally met Davin Troy Dunn. It was one of the best days of my life and we were so thankful for all the visits from family and friends. I stayed in the hospital longer than expected ( 28 days to be exact) due to severe complications and finally returned home to my new family on September 30th. The first holiday we celebrated as a family was Halloween and we dressed up as a “skeleton family”. Thanksgiving was a wonderful day for us, followed by my favorite holiday, Christmas! Davin also went on his first trip to see Santa! One of our favorite moments of the year was waking up Christmas morning with our baby boy! At the very least, we had an eventful year, but it was worth every moment. We are so blessed with our new addition and cannot wait to see what the New Year brings!