June: The month of Colin

Not only is Colin's birthday in June, but he also got to celebrate his first Father's Day. Unfortunately, the days fell within a week of each other this year, so we just had one little party. That doesn't mean that he wasn't showered with love and attention the entire month, but he did get only the one celebration.

We were fortunate to meet up with our brother-in-law Erick and nephew Will when they came to DC to see Will's favorite football (US soccer) team Brazil play the USA. It was fun catching up with them and introducing the latest edition of the family to them. It was too bad that Colin's sister Susie and niece Raney were unable to make it, but stay tuned for the next blog entry as the entire family got together at the end of the month for a family reunion!

 Finn and his Uncle Erick

 Finn and his cousin Will

 Finn trying on his new sunglasses as we prepare for our trip to the beach at the end of the month

 Celebrating Colin's 49th birthday and first Father's Day

 Let the party begin!

Posing for the camera:)

 During the party a package arrived at our door. It was shoes that I ordered for myself and that was the only box Colin got to actually open on his birthday. Poor guy...

Mother's Day and the rest of May

My oh my how time flies! I can't believe that I am this far behind in my posts. So much has happened these past few months that it is difficult to document it all, but I still want to post pictures for the family so that they can see how much Finn has changed. Looking at these pictures and comparing him to now, he is a totally different kid...I guess you could even call him a toddler now!

The highlights of May include Mother's Day, a truly special day for me. Colin was generous enough to take on all responsibilities of Finn for the day. He got up with him, changed, fed, clothed and carried Finn around all day long. It was a much needed break considering I was at the end of my first trimester and quite tired. We went to Watkins Park and enjoyed a beautiful day walking and playing with Finn. 

A goal of Colin's has always been to participate in the Rolling Thunder Rally on Memorial Day weekend. Since we've moved to the area, Colin has unfortunately had to work every Memorial Day weekend until this year. He met up with his old "motorcycle gang" from Belgium and they did a few rides together over the weekend. Unfortunately, I was unable to hop on the back of the bike to join Colin this year, so he decided to watch the Rally with Finn and me on the sidelines instead of riding his bike in the actual parade. 

 Finn enjoying a mango

Finn's first time on a swing!

 Colin and Finn on the Carousel. Colin enjoyed himself more than Finn, I think!

 Finn and I on the train. Can you see us?

 Colin and Finn at the Rolling Thunder Rally in DC on Memorial Day Weekend. 

We forgot our stroller one day at the mall and paid $5 for Finn to sit in this cart. He had so much fun!

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!