thirty nine weeks - welcome little beaver

One of Gavin's play blankets

On Monday morning I awoke to the loud sound of things crashing in Gavin's bedroom.  Upon entering I found everything from the top of his bookshelf on the floor and a pair of new socks in his crib which he was gnawing on.  The cardboard-like paper on the socks was mostly chewed.  Upon further examination I found most of it stuck to the roof of Gavin's mouth.  Additionally, the rails on the crib look like a beaver lives in it :) Consequently we decided to move things far away from his reach....he is a sneaky little one lol, and buy a crib protector for Gavin the beaver.  That afternoon Phoebe watched gavin while I went to a doctors appointment.  She took this great photo of him in the stroller.

On Tuesday Gavin cut his first top tooth on the left side.  I brought him to the doctors office to check his ears do to excessive pulling and crankiness, however we instead found a tooth emerging.  YAY!  I will have to take a photo if he will let me ;)  Wednesday Ridge and Trevor came over for a playdate.  It was great to see the boys play together.  It has been too long.  On Thursday Ridge also spent the evening with us.  I cannot believe how much they have grown.

Gavin and Trevor exploring

Ridge and Gavin 

What cuties!

On Friday we went to Auntie Elissa's and Uncle Tim's for a visit.  Gavin ate dinner while he was there and tested out their travel seat for their little one who we will refer to as Patrick.  It was silly to see him eat in it.  We determined he looked like a cross between a parachuter and Mario from Super Mario Bros. 

Over the weekend Gavin ended up at the doctors with an ear infection.  Poor little man is still fighting it off...hope he gets better soon!  Also here are some photos from his haircut a while back from my sister.  I adore the sink photos :)

thirty eight weeks - parties and presents

busia and her blankets :)

Gavin has perfected the art of pulling himself up.  It all happened so fast...on Tuesday he just did it while Alan was watching him and hasn't stopped.  Anything and everything he can get his hands one becomes a pulling device.  A few bumps and bruises have occurred this week...of course I am a nervous nelly and Alan is the calm one lol.  

One of his new favorite toys this week is a little music walker that Ruthie, Adin and Ty passed down to us.  He loves it and has started to walk with it with support.  I just keep thinking please don't walk not yet! 

This week Gavin also spent sometime with Zoe and Kelly at their house.  He loves their tree!  The lights are just amazing to him.  This week we started putting ours up too.  I can often find him gazing at it.  He must like the bright lights.  Alan says he also enjoys turning the television off lol.  He hits the buttons that are lit up.  snickers!

On Saturday Gavin had a busy day swimming with Busia in the morning.  He got dunked a few more times this week and took it like a trooper.  He is working on blowing bubbles and kicking.  This week they even floated on water noodles.  

 That evening we headed out to the parade in the evening with Jessie and Ridge.  Afterwards they came up for some play time.  It was so nice to see the boys crawl together.  They are growing way too fast!

children always enjoy the simplest toys :) 

On Saturday Gavin also got his Elfster gifts from a friend far away.  It was so fun to watch him open them as he is loving paper....especially eating it.  This swap was with a group of women who have talked since we were first pregnant.  What fun!

On Sunday we had a holiday party with some friends from our birthing class.  It was great to reconnect and let the boys play...yes we all had boys.  I unfortunately did not talk photos...bad mommy but managed to get one from someone.  We even had a gift exchange and Gavin got a fun car and duckie...thank you Will for the great toys!

Upon leaving the party Gavin was so wiped he fell fast asleep while driving out of the driveway...lol and boy did he ever... :)

...photo of tree to come...

thirty seven weeks - a scrambled swimming seven days

Our kitchen floor...we moved Gavin into a bigger onesie this week!

Gavin continues to amaze us as he grows faster and faster.  Now efficient at crawling he is beginning to pull himself up to his knees and attempting to figure out how to stand.  It's so cool to watch him troubleshoot and problem solve how to move his body to get his feet planted on the floor.  He is often found practicing in his crib.  This week he has also begun sleeping through the night randomly.  Not quiet consistent but more frequent.  The house is still filled with high squeeks.

What a great smile to wake to!

The bumpers come in handy!

On Wednesday Busia and I took Gavin for his first swim class.  He absolutely loved the water.  I was the photographer and Busia braved the water.  The class ran about 30 minutes and at the end Gavin even got submersed.  We look forward to class again next week!

That evening we went to visit Meghan and Clara for a playdate.  They haven't seen eachother in quiet sometime.  It was so much fun to watch them play together.  Gavin even brought Clara a birthday gift since she is turning one year old in a week!  I think he enjoyed it more then her...lol.

On Friday Gavin and I went for a walk around to check out some of the Christmas lights!  I look forward to us getting a tree soon and for Gavin to meet "Santa".  I hope we can go take photos soon at the mall...unless I can dress Alan as Santa :)

Clara also came over to visit us at our place during the evening.  It was nice to spend some more time with her.  She enjoyed pushing Gavin around in his walker...they are so cute together!

On Sunday Gavin got to Skype with his Papa in Kentucky.  It was fun to see Gavin crawl to the screen. Maybe one day they will meet in real life!  In the evening Busia and Pop watched Gavin while Alan and I went to the movies together.  We then ate dinner with the family.  Gavin got to try some of Busia's homemade stew.  Yummy!  This week he also enjoyed eating scrambled eggs and pancakes :)  

thirty six weeks - our little turkey crawls

A blanket from my great grandma's house!
I wonder who knitted it?

Happy First Turkey Day Gavin!!!  

What a fun week this was for the family.  On Wednesday Gavin decided he was ready to crawl.  Alan and I were hanging out in the living room and he just went!  It was awesome!!!  We are so excited for him.  Already we can tell that he is happy with his new skill...less growling and more exploring.  Here is his first video crawling for his Auntie Elissa!

On Wednesday night we left for a long trip to New York to visit family for the holidays.  We stayed at my grandmother's house.  Gavin enjoyed testing his new crawling on her floor!  His favorite was a mirror my Grandmother has in her bedroom.  It was just at the right level!

Gavin's First Encounter

Gavin playing in Grandma's sink :)

Here is crawling part II...wonders who he thinks that baby is?

On Thursday we had Thanksgiving dinner with a bunch of my cousins and Gavin's cousins.  We also got to see Aunt Rene, Michele, Gina, and Michael. Gavin tasted his first turkey and mashed taters.  He seemed to really enjoy them. A big Thank You to all the amazing Vogel's that hosted.  We had a blast! Look for more photos to come...

Cousin Carrie feeding Gavin his first turkey and taters!

Gavin in his Thanksgiving attire!

On Friday Aunt Rene and the ladies watched Gavin while Alan and I spent the day in the city exploring.  It was Alan's first time on foot so there was lots to do and not much time.  We walked for what seemed like miles and miles.  It was a great time!

A piece of the big apple

While we were gone Gavin got his first BIG BOY hair cut from his Aunt!  He looks so cute :)  He also had some cheerios :) Still waiting on some photos of the big haircut....I'll post them as soon as she sends them :)

On Saturday we headed back home but stopped along the way to visit Ruthie, Adin and Ty.  Gavin had such a nice time visiting with them.  Here a a photo from then and now :)  They also gave us a great collection of clothes and toys for Gavin to use.  Thank you so much!!!

Sunday Gavin spent some time with Busia and Pop.  They had so much fun swinging in the outdoor indoor swing lol.  We all ate dinner together that night and Busia made Gavin some sweet potato.  He is growing so fast eating all this food.  What happened to the little baby we once had?

week thirty five - sweet taters are yummy

This big boy checkerboard was passed to us from our good friend Moira!
One day we will teach Gavin how to play for know he just likes  to chew it :)

Today Gavin turned exactly eight months old!!! How exciting :)  He continues his quest to crawl and has begun to maneuver himself backwards to acquire things he wants.  His fascination with technology is beginning to bloom.  Often you can find him trying to play on our laptops.  He is attracted to the screen and the noises the keys make.  

This week he spent some time with Zoe, Kelly, and Zoe's grandma.  It is so great to see them grow together.  In addition, he had multiple opportunities to have photos taken.  On Wednesday Ryan Webber from www.webberdigital.com came to take some photos of Gavin.  It was great to watch him interact with the  camera....such a ham :)  Also on Saturday he had the opportunity to get photographed by Kate from kml photography during a mini session held at a local press company.  You can check out her blog at http://www.kmlphotography.net/.  We anxiously await photos YAY!  

Also on Saturday, Alan and I took Gavin out to his first restaurant as a big boy.  He even got the chance to sample some of their yummy sweet potato fries.  Though he made some interesting faces, we determined he does like them.

On Sunday, Gavin spent the day with Busia and Pop while Alan and I got to take a long walk and eat some yummy food!  Busia is trying to teach him how to play the piano at a young age.  He prefers to bang it and knock it over lol.  One day maybe he will write his own music...you never know.  

thirty four weeks - big shark small hedgehog

Another beach towel from the closet...missing summer!
It becomes harder and harder to keep Gavin on the blankets lol

This week Gavin has been exploring with his voice.  Creating screeches and babbles that only he understands.  He is aware that he can make his voice loud and soft...I think he prefers to be loud lol!  On Monday and Wednesday he spent some time with Busia and Pop.  Busia bought him a new very large stuffed toy shark, which I must admit I enjoy!  Here are some cute photos of Gavin with his new friend.  I look forward to the day he decides to ride it :)

Showing off their teeth!

On Tuesday Gavin spent some time with Zoe, Kelly, and Zoe's Grandma.  What fun!  Gavin really enjoyed playing with Zoe's toys.  I think it may be time to search for some "big boy" toys.  

Auntie Elissa also spent sometime visiting with us this weekend.  Gavin enjoyed playing with her stuffed hedgehog that she is waiting to share with her little one we are expecting in February.  Here is a cute video of Gavin's first encounter. 

This was a long weekend and it seemed to fly by.  Alan and I got to spend some time eating a yummy lunch on Friday.  Saturday I had a shower and Gavin spent the day with his daddy playing.  Sunday we all took a family trip up to the mall to get some new tires on the car and do some clothing shopping.  We did happen to see the Santa set-up getting all ready.  YAY!  Look forward to bringing Gavin to meet "Santa" soon!  Here is a shot of Gavin and I checking out the goods.  He enjoyed the lights and sparkles.