Seven Months Old!

Wow, can you believe it? Gavin turned seven months old on July 28th! He is getting to be such a big boy. He is sitting on his own quite well and he will grab for the bottle with both hands when he is ready to eat.....but needs work on holding it, so daddy and mommy will continue to help him out with that.

(Look at me sitting up all by my self)

(Seven months! Oh, no it can't be!)

(Maybe if I eat it, nobody will know?)

(Hmm, eating didn't work, maybe I'll rip it up)

(Or I'll just crupple it up)

(Here Gram, let me help you)

This little monkey went along with us to Rice Lake on Friday to go meet both Grandma B. and also Great Grandma Mary. We really had to twist Grandma B's arm into baby sitting for us while we went up to a friend's cabin for an annual weekend get together. It was nice that he was an angel for her and Grandma B said she wasn't ready to give him up when we returned.

(Hey, I'm nakie!)

Mom and Gavin hung out all day on Monday, since Jill had the day off. Our little man enjoyed hanging out with mom an extra day. Mom and her friend Nancy went to the hair stylist with Gavin....needless to say, she didn't need to do anything to his hair yet.

(Buns of Steel!)

Lately he has been quite fond of his blanket when sleeping.......he will snuggle right up and cuddle with it, taking a nap when he is tired. He likes to have the blanket brush across his face too, resulting in many smiles and giggles. He is getting more interested in a fun little game of peek a boo too.

(What? You say I have to pick them all up?)

G is looking forward to more new foods. He is fond of peaches now. He joined us as we went to the farmer's market while daddy and mommy bought beets and other goodies. Daddy has now made homemade peas, green beans, and beets for Gavin's baby food. We haven't tried the beets yet, we need to wait until 8 months, but I'm sure he will scarf them down just like everything else.

(Studying the red glass)

Our little man is now eating bottles and food only. Gavin has transitioned well during this change. I think he is getting so active and hungry by feeding time, he would almost eat anything you put in front of him. We've added solids to the mid-morning feeding and continuing with the late afternoon feeding as well. He is a champ!!

(Stealing some huggs!)

A Loud Munchkin

(Just a little bit further....)

As promised last week, we caught the monkey in the act of chewing his toes. This is one of his new things along with smacking while eating solids, adding to the mess....so we are trying to end the smacking......and the toes??? ......well, once they start to smell and stink, Daddy figures he will stop on his own, ha!

(Hmmm, what to these things taste like?)

In addition, he has had his voice for quite a while, but this week he has decided to be really loud while playing just when daddy is on the phone.....he's had to leave the room so he can hear!

(I love my mommy!!)

Gavin is having more and more fun as he is getting stronger on his tummy and improving his sitting skills. He still falls over as he grabs for objects when sitting, but is showing signs of caution, when attempting to grab a toy.

(Just a couple of Beach Boys)

Gavin has been more and more interested in his surroundings. This past week he and daddy have walked to Target, and his head is on a swivle, checking every thing and every body out....and of course he gets a lot of attention....He's such a flirt!

(Showing off my dimples!)

Gavin continues to be a trooper, spending a couple nights this past weekend at different houses. Mommy and Daddy had a date to the Neil Diamond concert at the Xcel Center....we had a good time while Gavin played with cousin's Tyler, Lauren, Eric and Nikki....the 3 of us crashed at their house for the night.

(Yippie!)

This worked out well because Gavin got to have brunch at Great Auntie Nadine's house and also see his Grandma Colleen, who was up for her annual siblings' get-together. He continues to fit right in on her lap and is content to hang out with Grandma C.

(An Apple a Day.....)

Sunday Gavin crashed at Patrick and Heather's house as mommy and daddy finished up helping Papa T. get moved out of his old place. He and little Finley look forward to more sleep-overs, especially when they can get into trouble together.

First Overnight Weekend

Gavin had a fun week running errands with daddy, as he prepared for camping over the weekend. He hit all the good stores like: Fleet Farm, Sam's Club, & Von Hanson's Meats. Gavin was having a blast outside this week too, as he played in his exer-saucer for an hour and a half as daddy washed and waxed the car.

(Take that!!!)

On Thursday, Gavin did get to hang out in the basement at daycare, since we had some nasty storms. Daddy came home to find his grill had rolled down the front lawn, dumped over and was in pieces. Surprisingly it did not break, but boy, it was a mess. Luckily we didn't have the car parked in the driveway, as our neighbor's topper was ripped off his truck and landed in our driveway.

(Just downing another bottle!)

Friday morning mommy dropped Gavin off at Auntie Peg and Rob's for the weekend. Mommy and Daddy had a weekend of camping and tubing down the river in Lanesboro, MN. Nikki, Eric, Dustin, and Kelly joined us, and we all had a blast...even sleeping in the car Friday night as we waited out a storm.

(Will getting some feeding practice)

We were excited to get back and get our little man. He was an angel for Peg and Rob, and the kids were so good to Gavin. Mommy only smothered him with about 150 kisses before bedtime that Sunday night.

( Little buddies)

(A future babysitter for Gavin?)

Gavin is now excited to announce that his new buddy in the oven, Baby MacNamara is on the way. He learned that BabyMac had a good strong heartbeat on Friday, and is due in early February. He can't wait. Neither can Kristi and Dan.

(Grip it and Rip it)

Other than that, Gavin is still practicing on sitting independently and has found that he likes to chew his toes and squirm like a fish when mommy is putting his PJ's on. He is already trying to find ways to delay bedtime!

(Busted! )

(Yep, he was chewing his toes, next time we'll have pictures to prove it.)

So Many Baby Boys!

(Happy 4th of July)

(Mommy thinks I'm so cute in my Astronaut jammies)

This week brought some new friends for Gavin, but there seems to be lots of baby boys lately...and not many little girls! Meet Gavin's new friends...

(Luke)

• Luke Andrew Driedric...born June 25th and weighing in at 11 pounds 5 ounces. He looks so sweet and cuddly we can't wait to meet him.
  
  
  (Finley)

• Finley Patrick Market Sullivan, this little peanut arrived a month early on July 3rd and only weighed in at 6 pounds. While he was an early bird, he seems to be doing well and was able to go home on Sunday. After waiting 3 long days Cary and I finally got to meet him on Sunday. He is just a doll and I hope we can see him again soon. It makes me realize how much Gavin has changed in the last 6 months, he seems like such a big boy now. Finley does have WAY more hair than Gavin does though.

• Hayden Anderson - born just this morning and we haven't even seen pictures yet so you will have to stay tuned. The newest Anderson was 11 pounds and was welcomed by his older sisters Emma and Addison.
• We also found out Kelly and Dustin will be having another baby boy in November!
  

Gavin had a great week, and was a good little boy. We spent the 4th up in Cold Springs, MN visiting Les and Marcia's (Steph's parents) lake home. Gavin got to snuggle with his Auntie Steph, hang out with cousins Kaden and Kylie and even got a ride in the Clifford swing with Marcia.

(Gavin and his Auntie Steph)

(Kaden, Kylie and Gavin)

(Gavin checking out the Clifford Swing with Marcia)

Saturday morning we drove over to Eau Claire. While Mom and Dad were packing and moving Papa T, Gavin went on a picnic with his cousins and Grandma B. We stayed with Ed and Bonnie and Ed was teaching Gavin all about fishing starting with sunnies and making their way up to Muskies!

(All that running around tires a little guy out so G decided to use Mommy's tummy for a pillow)

Gavin is getting stronger and is learning new things every day. This week he decided he should help use the spoon while eating green beans! Daddy doesn't think Gavin is very helpful! The other thing Gavin is working on is sitting. He is getting pretty good at sitting for a little while, but usually falls over if he tries to reach for something. I'm sure he will be a pro by next week.

(G "helping" Daddy with the spoon)

(Look at me...I can sit all by myself!)