Bits and Pieces

So, I don't have the time or the energy to write a ton in this blog, but we have lots of cute new Gavin pics and videos to post, so I still wanted to write a new blog. Plus I'm already starting to feel sad about leaving Gavin for 4 days, even though I am pumped for Vegas! So I know I'll be stalking my own blog a lot while I'm gone, and I want new pics to look at :)

Earlier last week, we were blessed with a lot of beautiful days (before March decided to go out like a lion like it always does in Illinois). So Gavin, Ryan and I went on several walks. One day we came back home and played some hoops with Gavin.

Daddy showing Gavin that this outside thing isn't so bad

Gavin is confused...why would we set him for a dunk with no ball?

Daddy alley oops to Gavin, but Gav is too worried about his wardrobe malfunction to attempt the dunk.

I included this pic because its amazing to see how blue those eyes are now!

Wearing a big boy shirt. Apparently it is not cool to have 7 month olds in onesies, but I've never been a fashionista, so what do I know?

Gavin is getting really close to crawling! He can scoot himself backwards all over the place, but no forward motion yet.

Gavin still hates clothes. Could he be spitting up all over his clothes just to have an excuse to be naked? What a smart little guy...

More diapered cuteness

Gavin also enjoys banging the kitchen table like a dictator when he is done with his meal. In this case he was also using the spoon in his other hand to bang the side of his high chair. I think I'll find this cute for about 2 more days...

He really is the happiest of babies... this combines all his loves: Massive drooling, jumping in his jumper, and being tickled by Mommy's foot:

Our little drummer boy:

Spring!

Here in the Gillespie household (or at least Gavin and I), we are very excited that Spring and its friend the Sun have returned!  Gav and I were definitely suffering from cabin fever.  I can only hear the same version of Fisher Price's Twinkle Twinkle Little Star so many times without starting to lose a few brain cells.

So earlier this week, on one of the nicer days here in the northern burbs, I picked Gavin up from Miss Jeanne's and took him on his first walk in a very long time.  The last time Gavin went on a walk, he had to sit in his car seat inside his stroller, and was annoyed that he couldn't see very much, or move around.  Now, Gavin is big enough to sit in his stroller sans car seat, and while he enjoys the view, he's not sure what to do with the increased mobility.

Gavin huddled in the corner of his stroller, not sure about this "going on a walk" thing just yet.

Gav decides this might be ok after all.

Who needs fresh air when you can chew on the dirty blanket that just fell on the ground? (I swear, I only let him chew on the clean parts :)

Showing off those cute two front teeth

Gavin did really well on his walk.  I kept thinking during our walk how different things are now.  Back in the fall when we went on walks, it was like playing a game of Russian Roulette.  Dare I go one more block and risk being too far away from home when Gavin inevitably loses it and screams his head off?  I was terrified of having a screaming baby on my hands.  Now I know that its not the end of the world if Gav does cry, and I've learned a few Gavin calming tricks in my 7 months as a mommy.

This weekend has been interesting, since Ryan threw his back out Friday night when we were working out.  It was shocking to realize that a) we are VERY out of shape and b) we are OLD.  I had a similar realization at school this week when I realized the kids I'm teaching were born in 1996.  I was a freshman in high school in 1996...sigh.

Anyway, Ryan throwing his back out means he can't pick up 20 pound babies, so I've been on Gavin duty this weekend.  That coupled with the Illini being on the bubble for the NCAA tournament has made for a tense environment in our home this weekend.  But before Ryan threw his back out on Friday, he and Gav took some pretty cute pictures together.

Discussing the possible scenarios that put Illinois in the tournament?

Laughing at Mommy's suggestion that Iowa football is way better than Illinois basketball?

And finally, Gavin and I had some fun with the camera during our time together this weekend.

Belated 6 month letter

Once again I find that I'm taking too long to blog, and I realized today that although I wrote Gavin's 6 month letter 3 weeks ago, I never posted it!  When I re-read through the letter, it was amazing to realize how much Gavin has changed just in those 3 weeks.  But I didn't want to change the letter, because I want the letter to represent how he was at 6 months, even if I am bad at getting things done on time!

Before I post his letter though, we do have some new pics to post.  We have been horribly lazy about putting together his 6 month video.  But in all honesty, I knew this point was going to come.  Every month the Gavin vs. Rufus saga has gotten bigger and bigger, and now its such a production to put it all together.  We enjoy doing it, but we forget how much effort it takes to get these things done.  Maybe we'll start making it a semi-monthly thing :)

This picture is hilarious, so I had to include it, even though Gavin looks a little crazy!

Even though we haven't updated the Gavin v Rufus saga yet, we still wanted to take our 6 month pictures.  You might be able to spot Gavin's newest proof that he's a big boy...2 front teeth!

Evidence that the rough housing is all for show.  Gavin and Rufus are really the bestest of friends....or are they?

Gavin putting the beat down on one of his other furry friends.  Rufus earns a reprieve for today.

Gavin watching Daddy make funny faces above him.

Gavin loves to critique my pedicures.  He is quite fond of this color.  I'll have to ask him what colors are in for spring.

Gavin has also recently discovered his love of basketball, or more accurately, his love of the noises his basketball hoop makes.

Daddy is a little worried that Gavin enjoys eating the basektballs more than he enjoys dunking them.

And here is Gavin's very late 6 month letter:

Dear Gavin,

Happy half a year Gav! Today you are 6 months old, and so different from the baby we met in August. It’s hard to believe “Gavin baby” and the big boy we know and love today are the same person! When you were born you were 8 lbs 6 oz, and now you’re 19 pounds 10 oz! At birth you were 20.5 inches “tall”, now you measure in at 28.5 inches! On August 17th you had dark hair and blurry eyes, and now you’re a blonde-haired blue-eyed little boy who looks an awful lot like Daddy!

If this last month had a theme Gavin, it would be movement. You’ve learned and mastered a lot of new moves in the last month. Sitting is no problem for you now, and on that rare occasion when you do tumble over, it’s not a big deal anymore. You also love to roll over – but only one way! You can easily roll from your back to your tummy, but then you’re stumped as to how to get on your back again! Mommy and Daddy are trying to help you with this since your favorite time to roll over and get stuck is at about 2:30 am!

Your jumper has become your favorite toy this last month. Now when we walk into the toy room, if you even catch a glimpse of your jumper, you start to smile and giggle. And once you’re in the jumper you love to bounce and swing around.

Also, much to Daddy’s delight, you’ve started to “talk” in the last month or so. You say dadadada all the time, and sometimes throw a bababa or gagaga in there for fun. No mamama’s yet, but I’m sure you’re just saving the best for last, right Gavin? You also might be starting to understand our sign language. You can definitely make the sign for milk, but you use it in every situation except when you’re hungry!

We’ve tried to introduce you to “solid” foods like rice and oat cereal, but you haven’t been too interested. But in your defense, it doesn’t really look that appetizing, and you’ve been sick a lot this last month, so I don’t blame you for not wanting to eat something that looks like wall paper paste! But in the last day or two, it seems that you might be warming up to the oatmeal cereal! Maybe you’re on your way to becoming an eater!

You’ve also gotten so much better at going on outings since you were first born! Mommy no longer sprints though Target praying that you won’t pitch a fit, because you’re pretty happy to just see the sights. We even took you to the Chicago Auto Show, and you did such a great job! You happily hung out in your stroller (without your car seat, what a big boy!) and watched all the people and checked out a bunch of cars. And Mommy appreciated you yelping at everyone that got in my way when I was pushing your stroller; you’re such a good helper!

Gavin, it’s been an amazing journey so far. It is so wonderful to watch you grow into a little boy. Your world keeps getting bigger and bigger, and Daddy and I love being there when you discover new things and learn new “tricks.” We want you to grow up to be a strong, independent young man, but we still try to get a hug or a cuddle out of you when we can. Most importantly though, we just want to love and cherish you every day! Happy 6 months Gavin!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy