The naked southpaw.

Mommy is out with her friends this afternoon so Dad has decided to take over the blog.  Gavin and I decided to watch some baseball and hockey today and have a "man's day" at home.  It's been a lot of fun and we also decided it was time for Gavin to start working on his pitching skills. (and yes Mom... when you're gone Dad get's too lazy to dress your son. He's content showing off his studly physique anyway.)

The day started with Gavin studying some TV
to figure out his form.

Gavin decides that his favorite pitch is going

 to be the spit ball.

He looks a little ashamed when he gets caught

"loading up the ball" by the ump.

A quick video of Gavin's new pitching skills.

The "Naked Southpaw" is pretty pleased with

 himself after striking out the side.

Hi Daddy!

Ryan is in North Carolina for work again, so this blog is mainly for him so that he can see some pictures and video of his favorite boy!  Before Ryan left though, he and Gavin gave me a wonderful first Mother's Day!  They let me sleep in after a night of partying at Shari's bachelorette party.  Then they gave me some beautiful flowers, a new iron (I swear, I really wanted a new one, that wasn't one of those roll your eyes gifts), and some scented candles.  And best of all, Ry cleaned the fridge and freezer, and dry-vacc-ed (that's definitely not a word) up all the dead bugs in the basement! 
Ry left for NC on Monday, and Gav and I drove him to the airport.  Gavin did a great job hanging out in the car, and we had a good time Monday night.  However, Gavin has proved on Ryan's other business trips that he likes to wake up early when Ryan is out of town, and this was no exception.  Gav was up at 5:11, but luckily he has these CDs that Ryan's mom gave us that Gavin just loves. So I put on his Music Machine CD and that bought me enough time to drag myself out of bed and take a shower.  Gavin was being pretty cute during breakfast this morning, so I took a few pics and a video.  Enjoy!

Gavin posing with one of my Mother's Day presents.

Gavin enjoying one of the greatest baby inventions...puffs.  Its essentially fruit flavored air that keeps Gav busy long enough for me to eat breakfast in the morning.

Nothing pleases Gavin more than finally freeing a sock from his foot!

More attempts at crawling.  I'm pretty sure that just like rolling over, Gavin already knows how to do it, and is just faking his inability at this point.  Gavin is an excellent faker these days.  He also fake coughs and fake laughs to get attention and amuse his peers.  I can foresee the parent teacher conferences now...

Finally, here's video of Gavin this morning.  He was saying "dadada" all morning until I started taping...

More fun in the outdoors!

In addition to going to the Zoo this weekend, we also decided to tackle our front yard.  There was much weeding, planting, trimming and mulching (is that a word?) to be done.  Luckily for us, Gavin decided to take a nap while we worked, and when he woke up, he was happy to help us out.  Or at least, he was happy to sit outside and watch us work!   We've got some great pics below, and two cute videos in the post after this!

Gavin inspecting the flowers Mommy picked out.

Gavin was thrilled by the bubbles

Every once in a while, Gav managed to pop one!

Another first for Gavin, his first time on the swings!  He was not very excited for the first few pushes...

...but he warmed up to it pretty quickly!

"Mom, get out of the way!"

Daddy and Gavin and their matching hats

Gavin also took his first ride on the rocking horses. 

Outside videos

We've spent a lot of time playing outside lately. Here are two very cute videos of Gavin enjoying the great outdoors.
Gavin's first experience with bubbles:

Gavin's first ride on the swings:

Zoo!

Today Gavin took his first trip to the Zoo!  Ryan will confirm that I LOVE zoo's, so it was money well spent on Brookfield Zoo's part when they sent us a flyer about their Zoo membership.  I immediately signed us up for a year's worth of family fun at the Zoo, and Ryan immediately started making fun of me and my "Zoo dollars."

But I think after today's visit, Ryan is on board with the Zoo pass.  We left early so that Gavin could nap on the way out there and so that we could beat the crowds (yes, we have already turned into "those" parents.  We haven't reached the level where we back our car into parking spots...yet.)  So after parking in section Gorilla 14, we loaded Gavin into the stroller and made our way into the Zoo.

After finding the "you are here" on the map (those of you that know that story about me can pause here to laugh at my stupidity), we decided to head towards the Africa exhibit. 

Gavin's first exciting encounter with zoo animals was the camels. 

 Actually, he was more excited about the giant bumblebee that was flying around the camel exhibit, but I didn't get a picture of that because I was frozen with fear.

Our next stop in "Africa" was one of my favorite animals, giraffes!  A fellow zoo goer was nice enough to take this family pic of us with the giraffes.

At this point, Gavin was still more interested in people watching than checking out the animals.  But we decided to go around to a different part of the giraffe exhibit to get a closer look, and this is what Gavin looked like once he finally caught sight of the giraffes:

Yes!! Another giraffe fan in the family :)  Here is another cute pic of Gavin admiring the giraffes

You may be wondering why this next picture is included in the blog.  It's because I thought these were bears.  Yes, I know they are bison.  In my defense, I thought they were bears from far away, and they were located in an exhibit called Great BEAR Wilderness for heaven's sake.  Either way, Ryan felt it was important for us to document another instance of the Erin Zoo Syndrome, in which my IQ drops by at least 20 points the minute I walk through the Zoo gates.  So here are bears, I mean, bison:

After some delicious lunch at the Bison Grill (no, I did not have a bison burger), we visited the Reptile House.  Gavin was running a little low on energy here.  He got a little tired of us excitedly saying "Look Gavin, a insert animal name here!"  Apparently sitting right next to a snake is not smile worthy in Gavin's book.

Our next stop was Tropic World, which was one of my favorites back in the day.  I wasn't sure if Gavin would like this exhibit or be as excited about it as the snakes...

He loves it!  Gavin was thrilled the minute we walked past the waterfall at the entrance to Tropic World.  The sights, the sounds, the smells, who wouldn't love this magical place :)

Gavin caught sight of this monkey that kept swinging back and forth, and he was mesmerized by him

Last stop in Tropic World is the gorillas, and since my camera was running dangerously low on battery at this point, this is where our pictures come to an end.  Gavin was really interested in the gorillas as well, probably because they were all involved in his favorite activities; napping and eating!

So my camera ran out of juice, but I couldn't resist this last photo op, so luckily my phone takes pretty decent pics.  Check out my two favorite dragonflies:

Gavin's belated 8 month letter

Once again, I have to start a blog with excuses for why we're late! 

This time our excuses are:
1. I'm working at 3 track meets this week.  This means I roll in at about 7:15, suck up some Gavin love for about a half hour, and then collapse.  This also means that nothing is getting done around the house, because lets face it, taking care of a kid by yourself (poor Ry) is hard work!
2.  We had a quite busy, but fun, weekend.  We went to a party at my friend Alicia's house with about 8 other couples and 4 other babies.  It was much like a 3-ring circus, but it was a total blast.  The kids all entertained each other, and once the kids were asleep in their respective cribs and pack n plays, it was great to have some time to actually interact with other adults! 

But enough excuses.  Gavin turned 8 months old about a week and a half ago.  I did manage to write the letter on time, but we still haven't gotten around to his 8 month pics.  And for those keeping score, yes, we did completely miss the 7 month pics.  I feel like a horrible parent, but I know that its going to be near impossible to manage to take montly pics of Gillespie kid #2, so I console myself with the knowledge that I'll only get worse at this :)

Gavin has had a pretty good week.  He had a blast at Alicia's party seeing his friend Caleb and his new friends (isn't it funny how babies just suddenly have more friends because babies are born?! ) Eli and Reaghan.  Nothing makes Gavin happier than tons of people to watch and interact with.  He also really liked it when Jason kept calling him Carlos (like the baby from The Hangover).

Gavin also came to visit Mommy while I was working the track meet earlier this week.  Gavin loved that as well, again because there are tons of people to check out.  My students liked getting to meet him in person, and Gavin didn't even flinch at the starter gun (unlike my 8th graders who scream bloody murder every time it goes off).

We don't really have any new pics to post.  We've taken a lot of high def video this week of some Gav's routines...bathtime, bedtime, unsuccessfully trying to crawl.  But we do have some Easter pics from the grandparents.  And of course his 8 month letter.

Gavin hanging out with Grandpa

Gav really enjoyed trying to break the glass on this coffetable while practicing his standing skills

Looking cute but no crawling yet!

I'm 99% sure that Andy is trying to do a duck call to go along with the stuffed duck he is holding.  Which totally explains the look Gavin is giving to Uncle Andy.

A rare family pic with Uncle Andy and Aunt Shari.

Oops, I lied!  One new pic.  Ry was out of town and I thought he had to see how cute Gav was in this big boy outfit.  Gavin agreed.

And here is our 8 month letter:

Dear Gavin,

Today you are 8 months old! You’re probably tired of reading this in every letter we write to you, but you have changed so much since we wrote you last! You are continuing to grow into a big boy; you weigh 2o lbs 15.5 oz, and you are 29.5 inches long! You’re now in the 60th percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height. You’re wearing 12 months clothing, and have started wearing shoes and accessories like hats and sunglasses. We even bought your first swimsuit in anticipation of lots of pool and beach visits this summer!

Since your six month letter you’ve also really expanded your palatte Gavin! At 6 months, you were barely eating oatmeal and rice cereal. Now you’re willing to try anything! You eat lots of different fruits and vegetables, plenty of meats, bread, cheerios, puff crackers (which you love to feed yourself), waffles, pasta, the list goes on and on! And you’re very good about trying new things. When we offer you a new food, you usually make a funny face while you’re trying it, but you almost always keep chewing and will go back for second and third bites. You are also just learning to use a sippy cup, after Mommy and Daddy tried several different brands. Who knew choosing a sippy cup would be such a big decision?

Gavin, you’ve also gotten a few more teeth to help with eating all that food! You now have 4 teeth that have broken through, the two front and two bottom middle teeth. And we think you have two more teeth coming in on the top. You’ve been such a great teether. You never really complain, you just chew and drool on anything you can find!

The way you play has changed too, Gavin. You play with Mommy and Daddy now, and we love being able to interact with you while you’re at play. Daddy taught you how to play catch, and you’re a pro at throwing the ball back to me or Daddy. It’s just as fun to watch you throw the ball back as it is to watch you clap for yourself when you do throw the ball!

You also love to invent games with Mommy and Daddy. One of your recent favorites is to have Mommy or Daddy hold you while you’re standing up. Then we count down “3, 2, 1” and on 1 we let go and you fall forwards or backwards and wait for us to catch you. You love to be a daredevil and throw safety out the window, and you giggle the whole time we play this game. It’s so fun to watch you take risks and try new things.

You’re also sooo close to crawling Gavin! You can get up on your knees and rock back and forth, but you haven’t quite achieved forward motion yet. You either flop back on your belly, or you end up scooting backwards! But even when you can’t crawl to reach a toy you want, you still find ways to get them. Just a few days ago, you wanted to get your rubber ducky but it was just out of reach. The kitchen chair, however, was within your grasp, and the duck was underneath of the chair. So you grabbed the leg of the chair and pulled that towards you, which dragged the duck along with it! Daddy and I were really impressed with your problem solving skills!

Gavin, you’re also taking baths in the regular tub now instead of your baby tub. You love splashing and thrashing about in there, and despite the added space, you still find ways to soak Mommy and Daddy. Now that you’re getting close to being on the move, you’re also starting to take baths more frequently, and it’s becoming part of your bedtime routine.

You also love to socialize with other babies and adults, Gav. In the past few months, you’ve been to lots of parties and social situations, and you always have a blast. You love to check out all the new people and figure them out. You also enjoy playing with other babies, especially your buddies Olivia and Caleb.

Gavin, you’re growing up so fast, and Daddy and I love having you in our lives. You’re not the snuggliest baby, so we cherish those few times when you let us hold and rock you for a few seconds, or lay your head on our chest for just a brief minute. We’re trying to remember that even as life flies by at a rushed pace, we want to stop and cherish all the little things you do as well. I know we’re both looking forward to the summer, when you’ll be home with us and we can go on lots of fun adventures together. Happy 8 months Gavin!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Outside!

Ryan is in North Carolina for work most of this week, and Gavin and I are missing him a lot!  You never realize how much someone does until they aren't there to do all those things!  (Side note:  I am so glad it is not normally my chore to take the garbage out.  Although empyting the diaper pail is a great diet plan.  I may never be hungry again.)

Gavin seems to think that when Daddy is away, its time to break all the rules!  Gav started doing his test squeaks around 4:30 this morning, and at 5:00, it was full on war.  He did not appreciate me playing his projector for him while I showered, so the rest of the morning, he tried to ruin my outfits with spit up.  Somehow I managed to escape all his attacks unscathed!  I can not say the same for our carpet.

After the battle we had this morning, I fully expected a cranky guy when I picked Gav up after school today, and thats what I got.  So given the amazing weather we've been having lately (and my willingness to try anything to make Gav happy), I decided to take Gavin outside to play.

Gavin's experience with Outside has thus far been limited to stroller walks and being carried from the car to the inside of Target, so I wanted to expand his horizons.  I decided to "play" with Gavin in the backyard, which consisted of Gavin playing with his usual toys on a blanket in the middle of the grass.  Gav did however rock his new shades.  Gavin LOVES his sunglasses, and I mean, who wouldn't love shades with monkeys on the lenses?!

However, we may have to work on Gavin's love of Outside.  He was terrified of the grass!  He would reach out to test a few blades, but the minute his hand touched the grass, he pulled back like it was on fire!  But to Gavin's credit, despite his crippling fear of grass, he kept trying it again every few minutes to make sure the green monster was as horrifying as it was before.

Here are a few pics from our Outside adventure today:

Despite the gators saying "chomp" on Gavin's onesie, he looks like a businessman here with his shades and his cell phone.

"Mom, I make this look good!"

Gavin contemplating the terrifying green expanse

Going in for a test grab....

...and recoiling in horror!

Mommy and Gavin looking cool.

Lastly a quick thanks to both sets of granparents for sending us pics that I not so subtly hinted at wanting in the last blog post!  I would post them now, but the 4:30 am wake up has taken its toll.  More blogs to follow soon, including Gavin's 8 months entry!