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. 

thirty three weeks - bye red sox & hello knees

An old summer table cloth from the closet!
This was the first week it was hard to photograph the wiggle worm :)

I can't believe it is November...where has the time gone!  Gavin is growing by the minute.  This week he took his first attempt at crawling.  Unfortunately, he took a digger but he continues to try each day.  YAY Gavin!  He has also been making this really silly sound with his fist rubbing against his mouth.  It almost sounds like mama but totally accidental.  I am going to try and video tape him if I can.

Alan has been starting this really cute thing of sending me video at work of Gavin!  I love them.  He even sent me one of him attempting to crawl...getting up on all fours was new much less going for it!

Gavin getting ready!

Here is a super cute video of Gavin attempting puffs!  

Hummmm....I guess he won't be a spokes-baby for them...lol

Monday, Busia took a ride with us out to Target to buy some supplies.  She bought Gavin a new winter hat which even scares me lol.  Yes it is a lion...and she also got him some new fun blocks that he is enjoying :)  

On Wednesday Dylan and Trevor came over to play with their mommies.  It was so nice to catch up and let the boys play together.  Gosh it seems like so much time has passed.  Dylan is already walking and scaling objects in the house.  It allowed me to get accustomed to the future of walking Gavin!  

Dylan & Gavin

Dylan trying to plug a block into Gavin!

Gavin giving kisses to his long lost friend that Dylan was borrowing.

Trevor enjoying the bouncer!

Gavin asking Dylan to get him out of that walker.

On Thursday Gavin and I started to go through some clothes of his that he no longer fits in.  It never ceases to amaze me how fast he grows!  We are so lucky to have some friends who have passed down clothes to him.  This time we are passing down two Red Sox outfits to Auntie Elissa and Uncle Tim to share with their little one...he will either be a Patrick or a Joshua!  Here are some photos of Gavin's last romp in them :)

Busia and Pop came over on Friday to spend some time with Gavin while I was doing some extra work at school.  He also got to spend the day with them on Sunday while Alan and I took a bike ride together.  

Saturday Gavin and I joined Phoebe, Jessie and Ridge at the local craft fair where some of our friends had a booth of homemade goodies.  It was so great to see them and check out their new creations.  Gavin choose a Sophie blanket (also known as a mother's helper) to keep his giraffe close by.  

You can check out their other great products on their Etsy sites.  

thirty two weeks - mouse mayhem

This is Auntie Elissa's birthday table cloth!  Gavin wanted to sit up this week...and is
wearing pink in honor of the birthday girls favorite color :)  Happy Birthday Auntie Elissa!

I cannot believe that my favorite holiday is upon us!  I love it and I am so excited to share it with Gavin.  I remember back to the first piece of clothing I purchased for him last year at this time...a halloween onesie.  I wanted him to come home in it...alas I look at this little black onesie and wonder where the time has gone...too fast too fast!

I must say this is the baby time I love.  Gavin is such a happy baby...and he is always exploring the world around him.  He has become quiet confident in his abilities to sit up and he is beginning to start the crawling process.  I must say Alan has been working with him on this and I finally got to see him push up on all fours :)  YAY!  I have the video to prove it :)

This weekend we attended a baby halloween party with some of the babies and parents from our baby class back in January 2011 :)  It was so great to see so many friends and share some fun times.  We attempted a group photo and lets just say things didn't go as planned lol :) 

This mouse costume my mother made me when I was Gavin's age :)

Attempt at baby photo :)

Gavin the mouse was not happy!

He looks like he is going to eat someone in this photo !

On Sunday we had a surprise party for Auntie Elissa :)  It was so great to see some old friends and enjoy the day together.  Gavin of course was the hit of the party and the soon to be Patrick or Joshua inside Auntie Elissa's belly...as well as another unknown friend in Miss Phoebe's :)

Baby bellies :)  Auntie Elissa and Phoebe 

Sporting a Busia hat :)

It was a busy weekend full of new friends and fun times :)  Of course in the honor of my favorite holiday I couldn't help but create a halloween version of Gavin to share with all....VAMPIRE of course :) You can make your very own on Picnik.com...check it out :) 

And in closing I want to put a special photo of Gavin and Alan to share with Gavin's grandfather who is visiting us from far away in Kentucky!  Hello Grandpa!!!  Gavin hopes to meet you some day :)  

Best dad in the world!

thirty one weeks - the many faces of gavin

Another new blanket for the big bed!

This week Gavin played with Zoe and Kelly on Tuesday and had a playdate with Ridge on Friday.  I have to get better at taking photos...I have been slacking lately.  On Saturday Gavin broke out in a strange rash on his face and after confirmation with the doctor on call we think it may have been related to teething or a cold/virus.  On Monday we brought him to the doctor to get checked out and it just seems to be a cold.  Poor little guy did have a hard time sleeping the past couple nights.  Let's hope it goes away for good soon.  At the doctors he weighed in at 18 pounds 13 ounces.  

Over the weekend we hung low since he was not feeling the best.  I did manage to work on some photos that I wanted to make in a collage.  These were ones that Julie Vogel took of Gavin when she visited this summer.  I love that they show his facial expressions....it is so perfect.  I even took my favorite one and played with some lens to change it up!

On Sunday we went to visit Busia and Pop and pick up a walker that Gavin now has.  It was so funny to watch him try to jump in it the first few times.  He is just starting to get the hang of moving....yay Gavin!  

As Gavin continues to become an expert roller we anxiously await him crawling.  He can manage to get up on all fours and I think it is only a matter of time.  He is also making this funny monkey-like face often that is so silly.  The other day Alan laughed so hard I thought he was going to bust open lol.  I will have to get it on video to show to potential girlfriends in the way way future!  During tubbie time, Gavin has enjoyed sitting up but recently likes to bath on his side.  Silly Boy!  I thought he was tired but then realized he does it no matter if he is or not.  

thirty weeks - tooth fairy here we come

Our new big bed comforter! YAY!

Gavin will be seven months in just a few days.  I look at him and can hardly remember when he was just a little one.  Now he can sit up most of the time with no support, he is attempting to crawl, we have lowered his crib to the lowest setting, he is eating solids, and he has two....yes TWO teeth.  Sighs!

Lucky for Alan and I Gavin is back to his typical sleep routine waking once in the night.  With his cold a week back and two teeth popping through it was a rough couple weeks.  On Tuesday Zoe and Kelly came over to play with Gavin.  Here is a cute shot of them eating together...so cute they are!

On Thursday I was surprised, after a night of unrest, to find a little tooth poking out on the bottom left side of Gavin's mouth.  After talking to Busia I found out that I also got my first tooth around 6 1/2 months.  

On Saturday Busia and Pop watched Gavin while Alan I went for a bike ride and out for lunch for some yummy oysters.  Busia is working really hard to get Gavin to use a sippy cup and she also introduced some mesh bags to him with cookies in them!  

Here is Zazu and Gavin in his new walker at Busia and Pop's house!

Saturday night was also a rough sleep night for Gavin.  What a surprise it was to find another tooth on the right bottom when he awoke on Sunday!  Yay for Gavin! Now if only mother nature will hold off for a while so we can all get some sleep lol :)