Chickens & Cheeks

So for those of you who read this, but don't know already, this month has been full of changes. Paul recently got a new job with a great company in town and is loving his new position. Since his new job offers benefits, we've decided that I will take some time off and be a stay-at-home-mom for a while. It'll be a big transition for me...I think the last time I was unemployed was when I was 15! I will miss study abroad advising, but am hoping I can keep my foot in the field by temping during the peak seasons. I'm excited about being able to be with Gavin more, and to try new outings and activities with him. He's growing up so fast!

So, that's the latest. And here are the latest pictures & videos of our bubba. :)


First time to the swimming pool! He liked it but didn't let go of me the entire time. :)




skinny-dipping on our deck


Hanging out at our friends' urban farm on a very hot Saturday




Gavin didn't seem to mind the temp as much as we did.


rosy cheeks are hereditary :)


more cheeks!


This is how he lights up as soon as the Elmo dvd starts

"helping" Daddy around the house

Daddy always knows how to make mealtime fun

Crawling and other cute videos

Gavin turned 9 months last week and went from amateur status to pro in the sport of carpet-crawling in a matter of a few days. He's EVERYWHERE! He loves all things electronic (his favorite things are outlets, cords, cell phones, remotes, and laptops). So, as excited as we are to have him crawling, now we're having to learn to say NO to his cute little face. :) Paul and Gavin have really become best buds, and they crack each other up all the time (as you'll see in the 2nd & 3rd videos). He's such a cute little guy...so full of giggles and funny faces.

Here he is making a dash for the calculator (yes, we lured him for the sake of video)...

laughing at Daddy's kung fu moves...

just being his crazy little self...

More laughing & talking

Gavin is changing by the day now. He's SO close to crawling he can taste it, and he's making all kinds of funny sounds that crack us up. His latest favorites are "da-da-da" and "thppppt!", which is always followed by a long trail of slobber. Here are some more videos:

Daddy is playing peek-a-boo with Gavin here

Gavin telling us about his toys

And now, a word from Gavin...

Here is one of his recent monologues. Notice the cute little teefies and his new skill of waving bye-bye. (Unfortunately, we could not edit the crazy hair.)

Gavin's Laugh

In one of my favorite books, the author described her baby's laughter as "what the background music in heaven must sound like". I'd have to agree. :)

how to tease a baby

Gavin has really found his voice and enjoys screaming, just for the fun of it. So, being the fun parents we are, we decided to tease him, just for the fun of it.* :)

*No babies were harmed in the making of this video.

Laughing in the Saucer

We opened Gavin's Christmas present a little early to see what he'd do and he loved it! He was so amazed at his new perspective that he started laughing hysterically (which he's never done before). We ran to get the video camera because we were so excited and caught the tail end of it.

More videos

Oh, and we forgot to mention that our 3-month-old prodigy is also READING now. Okay maybe just looking at the pretty colors in the book, but he's trying to help turn the pages now, so that's progress.

This 2nd video is of our neice, Eilise, and nephew, Charlie, enjoying a day at OMSI (a kid-centered interactive science museum) while visiting us over Thanksgiving. They could have spent the whole day there!

Gavin Drunk and Happy

Gavin finds his bottle intoxicating...

Conversations with Gavin

Gavin's latest [over]achievement is talking, and boy is he a chatterbox! Here's what he had to say after getting his diaper changed yesterday.