Gavin's First Plane Ride...

(In case you've missed me, I'm back!!!)

I apologize in advance to all of you loyal readers of our blog...between the craziness of the last 2 weeks and computer issues updating the blog hasn't been our highest priority! The computer is now fixed so I'll have no more excuses not to get it updated...or at least I'll try my best!

I had a work meeting in Boston so we decided that we would press our luck to see how Gavin did on vacation! I must say that with the exception of 1 dinner, Gavin was a perfect angel! On the flight out he took 2 naps and played the rest of the time! Having Gavin with us certainly didn't stop us from seeing the city! While we were in Boston we ate LOTS of seafood (well Gavin stuck to formula and baby food) ,we took a trolley tour of the city, we toured the Sam Adams Brewery (which ended with samples) and did lots of walking...oh yeah and Mommy did work for a few hours too! On the way home Gavin fell asleep within minutes of sitting down and snuggled in my arms for the first 2 hours of the flight, I was in heaven as I don't get to cuddle my big boy very often...he doesn't sit still long enough anymore! When he finally woke up he spent the last hour flirting with all the ladies around...there were about 6 other crying kids on the flight, of course we were proud of our little man! I have a feeling we will never have another plane ride where Gavin will sleep for 2 hours! It was great for the 3 of us to have 4 days to hang out together!!

(Gavin and Mommy waiting for the brewery tour to start)

(Waiting for the subway)

(We ate LOTS of crab)

(Gavin drank formula)

(Gavin and Mommy wrestling on the bed, it looks like G is winning)

(looks like G got mommy here too...he spit all over my face while Daddy took pictures instead of helping mommy out)

(G and Daddy snuggling in the big bed!)

(G and Mommy snuggling on the plane ride home)

Last weekend we joined Dan and Kristi at their cottage on Lake Wissota...Gavin joined us for awhile and then Grandma B kidnapped him for the night!!

(Do these guys look guilty or what?)

(Gavin was trying to get Kristi to explain what all the animals on the walls were)

Gavin is continuing to try new foods and seems to prefer veggies over fruits. So far he hasn't refused to eat anything...we hope it stays this way. He isn't quite crawling yet, but does manage to get where he wants to go by rolling or squirming. He is sitting very well now, and loves to sit and play with his bucket after he dumps all the blocks out.

(Gavin playing with his gym...instead of kicking to make it light up, he just lifts the whole thing off the floor)

(Gavin eating a banana...he wasn't too convinced he liked this one)

Daddy's new job is in full swing, and we are actively house hunting! Hopefully we will have a update on a house for you next week!

Double Feature - Excitement at the Krusemark's!

(Daddy didn't get to go to Sturgis this year...so G is sporting his Harley apparel)


(Hey...my feet are tickelish)

Sorry to those who are weekly readers of our blog! Our computer took a crap on us :(, so you can consider this a "double feature" of Gavin's events for the last 2 weeks! Until we get a new home computer we will do our best to post as often as we can...what pressure.

OK, I won't make you wait to find out about the excitement (and no Gavin is NOT going to be a big brother)...we are really excited to share with everyone that Cary has accepted a new position as the Principal at White Bear Lake Lakeaires Elementary School. In fact, he starts tomorrow! This also means that we are in the market to find a new house closer to where he will be working, hopefully by next summer Gavin will have a yard to run around in.

(I'm so cute my mom won't get mad if I get into mischief)

(G playing in his "bimbo")

Gavin is getting to be quite an active little boy!!! From what Grandma Colleen tells me Cary was an active little boy too... what have we gotten ourselves into? Getting him into his car seat or high chair is quite a chore as he likes to arch his back and thrust his hips to get out! Changing his diaper and getting him dressed are like wresting matches these days.

(Big boy car seat)

Gavin loves to play with (and chew on) anything and everything...in fact last Friday his first tooth came through and another one this week! He is back to wearing bibs daily because he is drooling so much! Other than drooling and chewing on everything teething hasn't seemed to bother him too much, he is just as smiley as always.

(Pucker up for Dad!)

(if it's in reach it's fair game for getting chewed on!)

Last Thursday we attended our first Saint's game of the summer with our friends Matt and Sarah, Gavin thought tailgating was great...and even managed to stay awake through the whole game. Of course he passed out the minute he got into his car seat!

(Hey Dad, I'd like to share that with you)

(oh - mom busted me snuggling with another woman)

Mommy had a trip to Nashville for work this week, so Daddy and Gavin decided to go to Pipestone for a visit! Gavin loved playing in the Johnny Jump Up at Grandma's, visiting his Great-Grandmas, hanging out with his cousins, and going to the porkchop feed at the Pipestone County Fair! What an exciting weekend for a little boy. (Mommy also had an exciting visit to her first "Honkey Tonk Bar" in Nashville!) We were all happy to be back home together on Saturday night.

(Having fun in the Johnny Jump Up at Grandma and Grandpa's)

(Lunch with Adrianna)

Gavin isn't crawling yet, but that doesn't stop him from getting where he wants to go...he just rolls! Daddy has been working with Gavin on his crawling technique, while I'm keeping my fingers crossed he waits a little bit longer (we haven't started baby-proofing yet)!

(Crawling practice)

(Who are you looking at?)

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.)