Time Marches On and Still No Teeth!

This entry contains not only pictures of Finn at 7 months, but also into 8 months since I've waited so long to post. Every day I have been hoping that I can report that Finn has finally gotten a tooth, but this just isn't the case! The poor kid has been teething for months now and has only swollen gums to show for it. He doesn't get fussy often, but in the last week, he has really been looking for anything to work his gums. I'm sure he'll pop a tooth or two very soon and I'll be shouting it from the rooftops when it happens.  It seems that Finn becomes more animated by the day and his territory is constantly expanding.  He isn't crawling, but moves around all the time by rolling and scooting backwards. This is a little frustrating for him when he wants something out of his reach in front of him, but I'm hoping this frustration will eventually get him to crawl! He's a happy baby that seems content to be doing  just what he's doing. His favorite food continues to be avocado, but he'll eat avocado mixed with just about any other vegetable, so that's how we do things right now. We enjoyed having John and Mary visit for a week during Easter. The weather wasn't the best, but we were able to get out and buy our plants for the season. Colin and John enjoyed planting our little garden. It was a treat for me to have Nana and Papa watch Finn so that I could have some time to myself. Below are some pictures:

One of Finn's favorite things to do is sit on his Daddy's knee and play on the computer.

Papa feeding Finn breakfast.

Nana feeding Finn squash, which he doesn't really enjoy.

He is doing well drinking from a sippy cup, but he still would rather not feed himself his bottle!

Finn often finds himself stuck in a corner these days.

I've even found him inside the foot stool! 

John and Colin planting. This year we should have tomatoes, eggplant, pepper, onion, beans, peas, carrots, lettuce and radishes . We do well considering the small space.

Mary and Finn watching John and Colin plant. Annie is hopeful she will have someone to throw her the ball.

Nana and Finn

Finn rocking on his hands and knees as Annie pushes him. Annie is very good with the baby, Ollie is good with Finn too, but keeps his distance.

When Finn gets fussy his bottom lip sticks out. This happens most frequently before bed at night.

The bottom lip disappears when he snuggles into his blanket, teddy bear and Daddy.

Now he is ready to go to sleep!

Six Months!

Finn had his six month check-up and weighs 17 pounds 14 ounces. His length is 27 (67 cm)inches and he continues to stay around the 50^th percentile. In addition to eating more solid food, Finn has learned to sit up on his own this month. He is getting to be such a big boy!

He likes to move backwards in a circular way and if he gets off the mat to our carpet he gets pretty excited! He continues to sleep through the night and be happy most of the time, even while teething (no teeth yet!). When it comes to appreciating his sense of humor, Colin has found an audience in Finn. The two are very entertaining to watch and nothing is better than hearing Finn's delightful giggles.

Colin has been away, but we were lucky to have my friend Lu from Canada visit us for a few days. She and Finn enjoyed each other's company with Lu even taking Finn to his first story time!

Below are some pictures of Finn at six months (he still looks just like his Daddy):

Finn sitting up by himself

Playing with his toy dog

He loves to read his books (why do I think I'll see this look again when he becomes a teenager?)

Sometimes he just plays himself out!

The end of a long day!

Daddy and Finnian at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore

Finnian showing Auntie Lu Annapolis

5 Months!

This past month has been quiet. We have mostly stayed home, recovering from our trip to Canada. Both Colin and I got colds over the holiday and it was nice to just relax for a while. Colin was away for a few weeks working, but we are used to that. The big milestone for Finn was that we introduced him to food other than rice cereal. Through this journey, we've discovered that he doesn't like anything except rice cereal. However, we continue to try new foods. The low point was green peas, which caused him to cry and the highest point so far is sweet potatoes...which you will be able to see isn't exactly a home run.

Enjoy our month in photos and short video clips:

The first video clip is of Finn in his jumperoo. He loves to 'catch air' and this video doesn't really show how he can really get going.

This sometimes happens after he plays.

We go for lots of walks with the dogs:

It has been so warm that Finn doesn't really need to wear his fleece winter clothes, but he has almost grown out of them so I put it on him one day...he was sweating when we got home.

More appropriate gear for our winter walks

Finn's first taste of sweet potato:

Finn happily waiting for his dinner

Finnian's First Taste of Food

Even though Finn is only 4.5 months old, the doctor suggested he get started on rice cereal. Bon Appetit!

Christmas in Canada

This year we decided to go to Canada to visit my family for the holidays. Colin really wanted to experience the Great White North so we were both really excited to hit the road. The trip from Bowie, Maryland to Saltcoats, Saskatchewan was almost 2000 miles. It was a lot of driving especially with a 4 month old baby in the back. He traveled well, but by the end of a long day he sure was happy to be out of his car seat! It took 3 days to get to my parents and another 3 days to return home.

Much of our trip was spent in the car as we actually celebrated Christmas at my sister's house in Medicine Hat, Alberta (another 8 hour drive). From there, we traveled to Saskatoon where we briefly were able to visit with my brother Doug and his family and catch up with my friend Katherine. It was fun to introduce Finnian to the family and for the first time he got to interact with children. The weather was beautiful and the only downside of the trip was that Colin did not get to experience very much cold or very much snow. Next time we visit, I'll make sure it's in January/February and he should get a good dose of our prairie winter then!

Below are some pictures of our exciting Christmas holiday. I am surprised that we didn't have more photos as we did have three cameras between the two of us!

Finn enjoying a tobbagan ride around Saltcoats. We had to secure him to the sled with our suitcase strap!

My cousin's daughter Katie holding Finn. She is a 'natural' with little ones!

Finnian meeting his Great Grandma Morgan for the first time. Unfortunately it wasn't under better circumstances. Grandma had fallen and broke her hip just before we reached my parents' house. In this picture she is in the hospital in pain and very unhappy; however, Finn was able to bring her a few minutes of happiness.

Before we got to my sister's we stopped in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan where I was born. So, that's me in front of a giant moose.

Finn under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve

Colin and Finn before bed on Christmas Eve

Finn and Grandma on Christmas morning

Opening our stockings on Christmas morning. Santa gave us mittens, but no snow to play in!

My grand-niece Daizee-Joy looking after Finn on Christmas day. Auntie Shelley gave him his Santa outfit.

Finn meeting his Auntie Karen and his Godmother for the first time!

This is what Finn looked like at the end of 4 months. He grew into his 'big boy' clothes, started to roll over. What a fun age!

Our visit to South Carolina

Last week Finn and I decided to take a road trip to visit our relatives in Clemson, SC. It was the first time Finn had been in the car for any length of time, so I really didn't know what to expect. We also had to take the dogs, so our Toyota Prius was very full! It was a good thing that Colin was away as there really was no space for him in the car. We had a wonderful time visiting Colin's parents John and Mary, and Finn was introduced for the first time to his Auntie Patricia and Uncle Mike. I am happy to report that Finn and the dogs all behaved beautifully both there and back...now we are ready for our next big road trip to Canada for Christmas (the dogs will not be spending the holidays with us, but will stay here in Bowie, which will free up some much needed space). Thanks John and Mary for your hospitality!

Finn wearing the snowsuit Nana got for him to wear in Canada. Unfortunately it was too big for the car seat and had to be returned.

Papa spending time with Finn after taking the dogs for their morning walk.

Finn showing Uncle Mike and Auntie Tricia his toys. I think Finn's play time wore out Uncle Mike (or maybe it was just an after dinner nap!)

Auntie Tricia discussing the Clemson Tiger win over breakfast with Finn.

Nana holding an exhausted Finn after a long day of visiting!

Finn wearing a sweater from Ann Chase. The buttons are tigers, a perfect outfit to wear on the day Clemson won the ACC championship, now onto the Orange Bowl!

Two Months and Counting

Finnian continues to grow like a weed. We were fortunate to have my parents visit us for a few weeks. He changed so much from the time they arrived to the day they departed. I swear he went from newborn size to 3-6 months, almost skipping an entire size in-between. He smiles all the time and certainly laughs more than he cries.

Finnian and I enjoying the White House gardens.

Finnian and Annie spending some quality time together.

Grandpa and Grandma visiting with Finn.

Grandpa teaching Finn the words to Pat McGinty's Goat.

Grandma working her magic at bedtime.

Finn with the help of his chair likes to sit up on his own.