love & hate relationship

It started off so well, we both had bets on whether or not Finn would cry and as you can see we were both kind of right as I said "no, he's good with new faces" and Josh thought "he'll cry right away". So we put him on the lap of Mrs. Clause and it took a minute but he smiled! Then he looked over his shoulder and saw Santa and it was tears from there on! Best of both worlds I guess you could say. One year down visiting Santas Village and only many more to follow! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The simple things in life

And to think, no batteries necessary.

    

      
      

Who to root for...

Recently, Finn was in a tricky situation when his dad's team (the 49ers) played grandpas team (the Cowboys). So...he rooted for both and we'll just have to wait and see who he actually decides to root for in the years to come. :) But in the meantime, I'm pretty sure this will be the only time he sports a Dallas Cowboys outfit. (sorry dad)

Thanksgiving

Our first Thanksgiving was filled with family, friends and food food food! Finn was kept busy with entertaining great aunts and uncles, showing off his flirtatious smile and laugh. Have I mentioned he puts EVERYTHING and ANYTHING he can get his hands on in his mouth! Luckily, we kept him busy gnawing on raw carrots and even some turkey slices. We have yet to see that first tooth but with all the drool we see I know it's coming any day!

Did we get any actually inside his mouth?

It was Josh's birthday on Tuesday and what better day to ensure we have a healthy growing boy, so we gave Finn green beans for the first time! I'm not sure they will be his favorite food but he did seem to like them somewhat. Honestly it was so weird to see him eating "real food" for the first time. We can't believe he's almost 6 months old!! Where did the time go? I have yet to figure out if green beans stain clothing or not but with how he often likes to chit chat while eating I sure hope not! Up next...peas, so stay tuned. 

Finn has the best new grin! It's almost as if he's mimicking what always seems to be the over-exaggerated smiles we give him. But either way I wouldn't trade these grins for the world, he's becoming more and more real with his emotions every day. He even tends to flirt with these smiles for others. He's grown so much and we can't believe we're already approaching the holiday season. His 6th month appointment isn't for a couple of weeks but we'll be sure and keep everyone updated on our growing boy!

So we recently discovered that although Finn can't quite bounce in the doorway with his "johnny jumper" he loves to swing.  So we'll take what we can get, and have even traveled to the park to swing a couple of times in order to take advantage of this beautiful weather! It seems I either have the chance to update with a lot of recent news or no time at all but everyday is different with Finn and we're just taking it as it comes! He has finally found his toes as he lies on his back and seems to have also found his voice as he "squeals" in delight, often for minutes at a time. He's still trying to beat his cold but smiling right through it. Such a tough little guy. As the holidays approach we are desperately missing friends and family but hopefully this helps keep us connected. 

Since Halloween this year had some "freakishly" warm weather it was hard to keep Finn in his costume. But he'll probably hate us for what we chose in years to come anyway, so while we could, we enjoyed his "Hot diggitty Dog" outfit. As usual, he loves to put everything in his mouth, therefore pumpkins were not excluded!  Josh carved Finn his very own personalized pumpkin and he seemed pretty interested in the glowing letters when we turned the lights out.  So, one Halloween down and many more to follow...can't wait! We're already thinking about next years costumes and Finn and Dad plan on attempting to be "Two Wild and Crazy Guys." Until then, ENJOY!

Halloween 2008

Turtle River State Park

Ahhh the memories. We decided to finally make the trip out to Turtle River where we got married and take in the fall colors. It was so neat to be able to revisit such a memorable spot. The weather was beautiful and it seems that a little fresh air is always calming for Finn. I can't believe how the time is flying by and before we know it, it will be Christmas and then spring and then his first birthday...one day at a time :) So here are a couple of our favorite pics from our "fall day."

Tuesdays with grandma

I didn't want grandma to get jealous now that there is a picture with me and grandpa so I thought it was time to tell the world about my "Tuesdays with grandma." A love that started the day I was born has only grown stronger over the past two months. I have been lucky enough to spend one full day a week with grandma. She's a little goofy with all her pictures and it seems she always wants me to "enjoy the fresh air" naked, but I wouldn't trade these days in for anything! I love the time I get to spend with her and look forward to every tuesday I spend with grandma!

Thanks Grandpa

Last night at dinner Finn received his very first, very own pumpkin, just his size.  It is a very special pumpkin because we know it was grown with a lot of love out at grandpas lake garden.  We can't wait to watch it ripen in color and experience our first carving. I'm sure we'll need a bib on hand when that night arrives.  So THANKS grandpa, we love our pumpkin! 

Already a healthy eater

Summer Memories

With the cooler weather quickly approaching, I thought I would reminisce with some warmer weather pics. This summer we were lucky enough to spend a little bit of time out at the Cichy/Bry lake cabin. Finn got to get his toes wet in the sand for the first time and even experience some sand in his shorts. :) I'm not to sure he was all that excited about wearing shades for the first time but he sure looked like a pretty cool dude.  It's funny how I look back at these pictures and he already seems so much bigger and "chunkier" these days. They don't lie when they say time flys! So we're trying to enjoy every moment of it! In the meantime, I look forward to experiencing snow with him for the first time as well as fire lit nights and maybe even some sledding.

Growing Boy

Four months have flown by already, can you believe it?? We can't! Not only has Finn started on rice cereal but he has survived two colds and his second set of immunizations! He weighed in at a whopping 16.8 oz. (90th percentile) and was 25 3/4 in. (75th percentile) in length!  He is chatting with us more than ever and has taken interest in sucking on his fingers. Oh wait-that's no surprise! Up next...Halloween! check back for pics from the first big event!

My First Blog

Hi!  My name is Finn.  Today, I am 15 weeks old and I've had a great time in this world so far.  I got pretty lucky with my parents.  They seem cool.  Although, sometimes I really don't understand what Dad is doing.  He bounces around a lot and flails his arms all over the place. He might be part ape.  My mom is very pretty.  I think I have her good looks.  I'm really enjoying this baby thing.  All I have to do is stick out my lower lip or whine a little bit and I can get whatever I want. Although, sometimes Mom and Dad don't understand what I want so I really have to belt out a scream so they get the point.  Then, to keep them happy, I smile and giggle now and then.  It's so funny to watch what Mom and Dad will do to get me to smile.  I am "talking" a lot more, or what I consider talking.  I don't think you'll find any of my words in the dictionary.  Though, I did say something the other day that sounded like Google.  Well, I'm coming up on 4 months, sleeping much better, and enjoying the changing of the seasons.  I'll be in touch soon, but right now I am trying to let Mom and Dad know that my diaper needs changing.  Wish me luck!   --Finn

A Day In The Park

At three months old and now "officially" attending daycare, our lives are busier than ever. We are still trying to take each day as it comes and enjoy all that we can for every day is different and Finn is growing more than ever. He is finally sleeping through the night, eight hours straight, if you can believe it...we still can't.  We are sad that summer is coming to an end but excited for dad's football season and the cooler weather of fall.  We had planted a red maple tree in the front yard to signify Finn's birth this year, so we can't wait for our "growing tree" to gradually change color along with the season.

 

What we know

Here's what we know....We know Finn prefers his own fist to a pacifier. We know he prefers sleeping on his tummy rather than his back. We know he could amuse himself for hours just by looking in a mirror. Well maybe not hours, but mirrors are definitely his favorite! We know he can pump and kick his legs like a true born athlete. We know mornings are when we get the most "happy time" filled with smiles and games of "peek-a-boo." We know fresh air and car rides truly do have the most calming effect. We know he sneezes twice in a row every morning just like mom. We know his favorite song is "You are my sunshine." We also know he is the love of our lives and we can't wait to find out more!!  

Milestone after Milestone

From the first smile to lifting his head for the first time, every day it seems we learn something new about Finn.  Although our goals remain the same, all we wish for is a strong healthy son.  He has already taught me patience, that you can never give too much encouragement and to take the time to slow down and enjoy the day. I can't believe how big he has gotten already as I look back at pictures from almost 11 weeks ago!  We are still learning how to get him to enjoy baths and sleeping on his back but already know he loves peek-a-boo and dads goofy dancing. I just hope he got his moms rhythm instead of his dads dance moves. His next doctors appointment isn't for another month so only time will tell how much weight he will have gained and which milestones are next.