april fun

I was sooo happy that Karen came up from nyc this week to visit. It was wonderful to catch up in person!

Finn has been in great spirits this week despite the tooth-that-refuses-to-poke-thru. Poor little guy wakes up holding his gums and crying but after a few seconds of being held (+teething tablets, homeopathic cold medicine that doesn't work but apparently tastes delicious, or motrin) is back to his smiling self. Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while may remember that I've been waiting for him to get this tooth for about oh, 5 months now. So ... still waiting.

Paddington Baby

PLEASE LOOK AFTER THIS BEAR - ER, BOY!

Happy Easter!

getting taller

Although he's not yet crawling, Finn is certainly trying. And he LOVES when we hold him up to stand on the couch or near the coffee table. Standing makes his goal of grabbing every electronic device in the apartment that much easier to achieve! We are at Andrew's parents' house and unfortunately, Finn is coughing again, just a couple of days after his cold was almost gone. One of these days, maybe it will warm up ... would sure help ... !

P.s. thanks to Heather for this picture! i love it.

8 months!

You'll never guess how old I am.

Give it! Give me the camera! Pleeeeeease!

Scrunchy Face.

We have had a busy week here with Mr. Finn. He turned 8 months old on Tuesday, which is sorta hard to believe. In the past few days he has really started to sit up on his own a lot more, which is very useful in the playing process. He has been VERY busy with his toys and in particular, the Very Hungry Caterpillar book. He has also been trying like the dickens to teethe. Yesterday was a sort of rough, motrin-y day ... he woke up in tears (real tears!) and was grabbing at his gums a lot. Of course he's not amused when I try to open his mouth and see if there's anything actually in there, but I managed a look and his bottom gums are still very white. So we wait. We have a nice routine down now where he sleeps til 7 am, eats breakfast at 8, lunch at 12, nap from 12:30-2:30, dinner and bath at 6, bed between 7 and 7:30. I'd elaborate but he's trying to type over me, so ... more soon!!

Palm Sunday with Aunt Heather

Heather visited us this weekend and we did lots of fun stuff, like eat, go to Target, go to Val's jewelry party, and take Finn to church for Palm Sunday. Ha! Ha! I say that as if we don't go to church EVERY Sunday! Which of course we do. Um, anyway, it was really fun to see her, and I was happy that Finn behaved so well in church. It was nice that he had that palm frond to keep him busy for the first 40 minutes.

tell me about these "jellybeans"

On Saturday morning, Marna and Penelope invited us (along with a bunch of other friends) over for an egg hunt and brunch. Finn was the youngest baby there and as such, was entertained by watching all of the other kids find eggs and eat candy ... he is totally amazed by "big kids" lately, and watches them as if conspiring to walk. I'm uber-happy that his Finn sweater still fits.

the bath seat and the belly

Thanks to Lauren for loaning Finn her baby bath seat, which she won't need for a few more months. We started using it recently as Finn was trying to roll over in the bathtub, and after a brief learning curve think it's really great. Finn is able to play with his bath toys as well as admire his bountiful belly ... one of my favorite things to do during the 6 PM hour. Isn't it funny how nobody asks if Finn likes to eat?! (His favorite foods this week: applesauce, carrots, more applesauce).

i love you too!

Thanks to my friend Annie for taking this photo of Finn and I last Friday. And in case you're wondering, no, we don't always wear color-coordinated outfits. Only sometimes.

scrunchy face

Just this week, Finn started making this hilarious face where he scrunches up his eyes and nose and smiles. I'll get it on video. Completely cracks me up every time.

Kim is here visiting and we are so happy!!

... and, roll

As much as I dislike the sound of my own voice, I've watched this video approximately 15 times today. It cracks me up the way he just plops over and then looks so proud of himself.

sous chef

And now I shall perform my signature dough-making trick.

Voila!

I had a feeling last night that Finn was tiring of his usual toys, so I gave him some bowls and spatulas to play with while I made pizza ... it kept him busy and he kept me entertained as well. As you may be able to tell, he's really into his tongue right now. I've given up guessing if it's a teething thing or not.

Finn went to sleep around 7:30 and for the second morning in a row since we've been back in New Haven, slept til almost 7. I cautiously optimistic that we may be onto something!

playtime

Finn grabbing Quinn's ear

Finn showing off his rolling-over skills

Finn and Emelia

Yesterday a few of our friends came over for some play time and it was pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen. Finn was the only boy among three beautiful little girls (unfortunately, I don't have any photos of Jillian yet, but am sure that next time she'll be up for it!) It was fun watching them interact and chat and grab each others ears and cheeks ... as the case may be. Andrew said that Finn has to take advantage of his time at the center of female attention as things may change by the time he's 18. In any case, we're looking forward to seeing them all again very soon!

another milestone!

Good news, for those of you who have been wondering when this might happen: Finn rolled over! This afternoon, twice, right in a row. He's already acting all nonchalant about it, as if he's been doing this for weeks or even months and it's totally no big deal and he's embarrassed that I'm so excited. I'll try and get some video tomorrow because he's in no mood to be filmed this evening.

I'm just glad that we can check that box and start to work on sitting upright without the bumbo...

a few of my favorite things

let's see ... there's my monkey and my photo book (note photo) and my dino
and my cradle and my comfy outfit with feet ...

... and my mesh feeder.

We went to Trader Joe's yesterday and I decided to spend a small fortune on dried fruit thinking that since Finn loves the mango so much, that perhaps he would also enjoy some dried bing cherries or apricots. Not so much. I put a fruity-combo in his mesh feeder and he just threw it on the ground. So I put in some apricot and mango ... still no luck. This morning I gave up and put only the mango back in, and he devoured it. Perhaps we will try peaches or prunes tomorrow - I'll keep you posted.

ps. Finn wore his little Irish onesie and sweater to TJ's yesterday and he was very popular.

kiss me, i'm irish

As if it's not obvious!

photo album

Finn already likes books a lot - not that he has a choice, considering how much we read around here - but his new favorite book, moving into first place past "Curious George and the Bunny" happens to be a photo album full of pictures of ... Finn! He seriously hasn't put it down since I stuck some photos in it this morning.

out for a walk

We took a walk on Saturday and it was a little chillier than was predicted (of course!) It was nice to get outside though, and imagine how next year Finn will be running ahead of us poking at things with sticks.

MANGO

This is for-sure Finn's favorite new food -- pieces of dried mango inside a mesh feeder.

The video is a little bit long but the soft-crunching noises he makes are pretty amusing...

new stats

Finn had another checkup yesterday, during which we had to get caught up on a few shots. I realized that it's good to take him to the pediatrician when he's a little on the tired and cranky side, as it's a lot easier to see him get shots when he's already crying. Still not fun, but it's getting easier...

After all of the unsolicited comments from just about everyone about how big Finn is (doesn't bother me, just made me wonder if I was feeding him too much oatmeal and dried mango?), I was pleasantly surprised to see that he only weighs 18 pounds, 2 oz, putting him solidly in the 50th percentile. His length at 27" is also 50th. His HEAD on the other hand is closer to the 80th percentile! So he's a very healthy - and solid - little guy.

my name is finn

...this is my tongue!

(he has recently discovered that sticking out his tongue is the best thing EVER. between this and his baby-pterodactyl noises we have a great deal of fun every day.)

7 months!

Finn turned 7 months old on the 7th! We celebrated by feeding him delicious carrots and sweet potatotes in his brand new high chair, which he loves as if it was a proper baby throne. (and perhaps it is...?) I'm breaking my no-food-on-face-photos rule to post this one because his expression is so funny -- skeptical? Not sure. Anyway, he's eating like a champ and hasn't refused anything, yet. We'll see how creative he allows me to be when farmers market season arrives in a few weeks!

first day back (and photos)

Here's the link to Finn's 6-month (almost 7, actually) photos. Thanks, Brie! I love them!

I took Finn to the doctor today to make sure that he didn't have an ear infection and thankfully, he doesn't. There's actually nothing wrong with him but a cold, which unfortunately features a cough that wakes him several times a night. We arrived back in New Haven last night and he was a little disoriented -- he seemed to be thinking something along the lines of "OH MY GOSH, my room still EXISTS and further, WHY have I been sleeping in a pack and play for the past MONTH instead of HERE?" So being home is great and a little bit of an adjustment, but a happy one.

six-month photos

We had some photos of Finn taken on Saturday and this is a sneak peek. I'll post the link to some other photos when they are ready...

Could you melt?

our travel story (briefly)

First off, I apologize that there's no picture of Finn to accompany this post. Finn and I flew into Binghamton on Friday and planned to stay with Grandma Barber til today, when we were going to drive to New Haven. Andrew and his dad left Miami yesterday morning and mostly because of the weather, have decided to come here (to Waverly) instead of New Haven. So our new plan is to hang out here for a couple more days until this snowstorm passes through the northeast. Hopefully by then we'll also be cured of the plague. Poor Finn seems better one day and then for example, this morning, wakes up very congested and coughing a lot. So sad :(

Tomorrow I'll be back online with the fun stuff - pictures! I left my camera cable in the car, which god willing will arrive here by 9 pm tonight.

Happy 1st day of March!

delayed post from the weekend

It was so much fun seeing Chip, Jessica and Sadie last weekend. She is a TERRIFIC two-year old!!! And her parents make awesome breakfast burritos (plus they're just pretty fun to hang out with in general).

still smiling!

It's hard to believe that our month in Miami is drawing to a close! We have had a lot of fun, despite the fact that last week Finn came down with a cold, and now Andrew and I are totally and completely suffering as well (and not in silence, I might add). So the flight home on Friday should be fun, haha. Andrew's dad is flying down here the day Finn and I fly north, and he's driving home with Andrew over the weekend barring any hideous snowstorms. It's amazing how quickly one can forget that snowstorms exist, and I'm sure the converse is true as well. I'm afraid that we'll find out next week.

Anyway, here we are -- the bottom photo was taken this morning. The difference between Finn and his mother is that he is still smiling and upbeat when sick, whereas I walk around moaning and blowing my nose and sneezing -- yes, it's really pleasant. As you can see he has been adapting quite well to the addition of solid foods to his diet ;)

just another sunny day

I know, I know. Another stroller photo ... it's just that Finn loves his stroller so much that he always looks this cute and happy when he's in it. Or at least he does 95% of the time. This weekend, our friends Chip, Jessica and Sadie are visiting from Atlanta and this morning we went to the Eden Roc for breakfast before Jessica and I attempted to go to the SoBe food and wine festival. By the time arrived, tickets were still pretty expensive and I was worried that by the time we went in and tasted all of the delicious food and wine, Finn would be unhappy long before I got back home to him, so instead we went and had a couple of glasses of wine at the Ritz-Carlton. It was lovely and so nice out.

We sort of hurried home as to fend off any potential baby meltdowns, so needless to day I was not prepared to see this.

Finn napping! During the day! (He has an excellent role model).

The moral of the story is that he will nap for Andrew and therefore, I should not rush home when having quality time with my girlfriends on 75 degree Saturday afternoons.

ps. thank you to Diane B. aka Grandmacuda for the cute big boy outfit!

fun photos

Thanks, Sue for the kodak gallery link to the photos of the cousins!! They are so cute.

cousins! aunts! uncles!

the grandkids: Massi, Audrey, Finn, Olivia & Claire

Claire shows her affection.

Mick and Sue came from Tampa this weekend to visit all of us, which was great for many reasons but mostly because Finn finally got to meet them and his cousins Audrey (almost 10), Olivia (5) and Claire (20 months). Olivia was totally obsessed with Baby Finn, and Claire followed suit, attempting to smother him with kisses. All of these girls!! I think he was a little over-excited last night because he finally fell asleep at 8 and then woke up at 2, 5 and 7 am!

hands on

Grandma, here's a birthday kiss from me!!

Finn has absolutely entered the stage where he grabs all remotely-interesting objects within range and inserts them directly into his mouth. Here are a few photos of us at the pool yesterday. Nana took him in for a swim, which he somewhat surprisingly was not that excited about (it was bright out - and pretty hot - we'll try again tomorrow). Afterward I was taking his photo and of course he tried to grab the camera. I think it's fairly common for babies to have an affinity for electronic objects, but it's a full time job keeping remote controls, cameras, blackberries out of this baby's way!

Quick story. Last night Finn went to bed around 7:30 and woke up at 11 pm very upset, so I nursed him for a while ... who knows if it was due to teething or a belly ache or a bad dream. Anyway, he dozed off and Andrew picked him up to put him back in his bed and Finn said "MAMA!" and reached out for me. He has already said DADDY, and we're not even sure if he knows what these words mean, but it was still very awesome.

the biggest bathtub Finn has EVER SEEN

So now that it's finally warming up and we're getting outside for walks later in the day, Andrew was able to come with us to the beach this week ... to put it mildly, Finn was amused. He was totally transfixed by the water, and if the shark warnings subside I'll be cool with Andrew taking him in for a swim this weekend. Maybe. That's a big maybe.

let's make a deal

"How about if I start taking a morning nap, but ONLY if I get to flop on your lap,
which means that you can never ever leave? Ok, then! It's a plan!"

Grandma reads to Finn and Massi

MASSI

The other day Katy and Massi came over for breakfast and story time. It's very sweet how Massi (who will be 2 in April) interacts with Finn. It will be so much fun next year when Finn is a little bit older. Massi's baby brother arrives in June! He doesn't really understand that yet, nor do we get the impression that he wants to.

seis meses, as we say here in south fla.

"Can you believe that I am six months old today??
I KNOW! It has gone by so quickly!!"

A Visit to Naples

Finn sharing a laugh with his Great-Great Uncle Leo...

... and a sweet moment with Great-Great Aunt Pat

On Friday we drove across Alligator Alley with Grandma and Grandpa Barber to visit Pat and Leo in Naples. It was lovely for Finn to meet even more of his Florida relatives (as well as take in all of that wonderful scenery along I-75!) Today the weather is more Miami-like so we're planning on a nice, long walk. Across the street from our building a huge boat show is being assembled so maybe we'll go pick out which 100' yacht to buy in our next life!

a nice long walk on the boardwalk

This photo belies the fact that Finn is not sleeping today whatsoever. It's 7:50 PM and he's still awake after taking zero naps today. He really must be teething this time. Really!

miami is a-ok

Let's see, so far, what have we done? Taken lots of walks and looked at the birds and the ocean, and seen Katy and Dario and Massimo (Finn's cousin) a few times. It's fun! I had to post this photo because I really enjoyed his chunky legs in these shorts. Speaking of which, it's currently rather chilly here ... seriously. I'm not just saying that. It's too cold for shorts and all of the locals are complaining; last night was in the high-30s but the building we're staying in didn't turn on the heat since the cold snap is only supposed to last a couple of days. BURR. Thankfully today was the coldest day of the week and by Sunday it should be back to normal. Here's hopin'!

helping Dad work

Sunday afternoon on the balcony.

first flight

We made it to Miami on friday and apologies for the short and sporadic posts but we are having some technology and napping issues - otherwise the trip has been great so fsr... here is a shot of Finn at the Philly airport, underwhelmed. we did see cousin Emily there, which was a fantastic coincidence!

(btw he was great on both planes.)