Boys Day is a Japanese holiday, now celebrated as “Children’s Day” in Japan (for both boys and girls) but in Hawaii it’s still only Boys Day. Usually this means displaying a big carp kite above your house to represent the healthy males in your family. We got really lucky this year because my Great-Aunt Lillian sent us a Carp Kite that she had bought while on a trip to Japan some 30 or so years ago! She said she bought it for my Mom “in case she had boy” — which of course she never did. (3 girls!) It’s in excellent condition, all wrapped up in the original packaging and never opened.

We received it in the mail a few weeks prior to Boy’s Day and Jeff got started right away setting it up. Eager much? (For some reason, I can’t seem to get him that excited to do the dishes) He only put it partly together then saved the rest for later.

All the instructions were in Japanese and there seems to be some quirky things about it but we made it work. And it looks great! Vincent loved playing with the flags. His absolute favorite thing is watching things fly in the air, so we knew he would love it.

Vincent was flapping his hands trying to get the kite to move. It was so funny.

Love the way this photo turned out. A nice portrait with bold colors!

Everyday after work Dad and Vincent get the mail. On Friday, Vincent got his very own envelope addressed to him, all the way from Hawaii!

It was a Boy’s Day Card from Tehani.

My mom sent Vincent something for Boys Day too, just a couple of gifts and a card. I let Vinny open the gift wrapped in Sanrio paper (This is so old skoool, Ma! How long have you been saving this paper?!?! )

It was a Elmo Lift and Look book. He really loves this book, he can turn the little flaps all by himself. He does it over and over and then scratches at the artwork on the paper.

Grandma also sent this cute mini-carp with candy on the inside. All Vincent wants to do with it when you hand it to him is shove the long stick end down his throat.

Though he did start to grab at the fishes too and did his usual flappy hand dance. Can you see? He subsequently was hitting the pinwheel part of it over his forehead.. Over and over. It looked painful, but guess it just didn’t hurt that bad…?

Having a boy is awesome! Especially having this little boy… he lifts our spirits up everyday! Not only Jeff and I, but our whole family too — from Florida to Pennsylvania, to Hawaii!. :=)

Vincent has learned so much in the last month! It is crazy ridiculous how much has changed. Jeff got a great shot of his two bottom teeth (which he’s had for a couple months now, but we never got a photo).

Just as an example of how much is changing, day to day, i took this above photo one morning. He was pulling his hands up to the edge of the crib. First time he had done that!

Then the very next morning, he pulled himself to standing! Geez, guess it’s not a steep learning curve on that one?!? Impressive young Vincent!

LOL, this photo cracks me up!! He was exicted i was taking photos i guess! Now he is really good at sitting up and playing. Just last month, he preferred just hanging out on his belly, and would flop over easily if we tried to sit him up on his own.

At daycare, Miss Becky got the boys a blue bouncy ball to play with. She said that Vinny especially loves that ball. So Daddy bought him a ball for us to have at home, and he LOVES it when we bounce it over him, or play with it by throwing it around in the air.

I attempted taking a shave ice photo, but he just proceeded to rollover and bite the straw!

But then i out smarted him. I knew he loved “flying things” in the air, so i grabbed another stuffed animal and whirled it in the air so he would laugh at that one, instead of the shave ice next to him. It worked! Except my camera strap got in the way! Hey, i only have two hands!

I took this video of him laughing up a storm with the shave ice pillow. I did the same thing i normally do with the ball which is bounce it off him when he is lying down. Turns out this is absolutely hilarious to him.

Who knows what he is laughing at here!

So hard to take a photo of him now, because he will just crawl away from me! Here is a video (taken a few weeks ago) that shows him doin’ his army crawl.

Handsome.

He loves to scratch things with his index finger and also with his whole hand. He will scratch everything you give him. Also he is into grabbing my lip and chin when i nurse him. Sometimes he hits me repeatedly! He’s already grabbed my glasses off my face.

Patti gave us a tunnel plaything and a exersaucer (which is similar to his jumperoo but has lots more toys on it). Lucky Vinny has more toys… and also more clothes from Evan.

Other things that have happened this month:

- He loves to say “babababa. He can say “mama” but only does it when he’s getting upset or cranky. Hasn’t really said “dada” convincingly yet.

- He’s a meat eater! So far he’s tried turkey, chicken, and pork! Other new foods: green beans (yuck), acorn squash, cauliflower, prunes, broccoli, tomatoes, barley, green peppers, puffs (feeding himself!)

-  He’s a pro at escaping diaper changes! He just can’t sit still. Jeff and i both need to be there when we get ready for bedtime – one person to distract/entertain, the other gets down to business. Even then it’s chaos. We’ve changed the setup of our diaper changing station so that if he rolls over, he will still be on the bed (and not the floor! whoopsie…)

- He only wakes up once to nurse at night now, but typically this is before i go to bed, so he is pretty much sleeping though the night. The past few nights though, he has been taking up to 2 hours to go to bed. We try at his “normal” bedtime at around 7pm, but he doesn’t actually go to bed until 9pm. Isn’t that way too late for a baby?!?

Vincent is so funny, we just love sharing his photos and happenings with all of you. Please comment if you like reading our posts! Until next month….

Normally on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday), i have to teach class at 10:45a. Before the new InShape opened in Salinas, i would typically have to teach a 9:30a class in Monterey, so i had to leave the house at 9am. That didn’t leave me much time to do anything in the morning. But now that i dont need to leave the house until almost 10:30a, i do have time to get errands done. So i decided to take Vinny with me to Target! He had a lot of fun. This was his second time riding in the shopping cart. First time, was at Babies R Us when Jeff and I were shopping for a stroller and carseat, and he was pretty indifferent.

This time he was looking all around at the products in the aisles, and staring at the other shoppers. Every now and then i’d give him something i was buying to hold and scratch at.

On Sunday, i thought, why not take him grocery shopping. So we went to Safeway. But since he had gotten up early that morning, by the time i got to the store (15 min drive) he was fast asleep. So instead of getting him up (he needs his naps!) i just sat in the car and waiting till he got up, which i knew would never be more than 30 minutes.

Here he is, snoring away!

After i taught my Turbo Kick class, we went out the Monterey/Pacific Grove and took a walk along the coast using our new stroller.

It was a beautiful day, and lots of other people using the bike path.

There were lots of seals and baby seals on the beach sleeping. It’s “pupping” season, i guess.

Afterwards we decided to go to Bubba Gumps to have an early dinner. We thought it was funny that Vincent said “Bubba” as soon as we sat down to eat. We tried to look for a shirt for him but there weren’t any really cute ones. I’m glad we got out of the house today, because we are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Sometimes i think i go really long without seeing the ocean and it’s pity because it’s wonderful to see and its so close!

Jeff’s parents came to visit us for a week, from a Wednesday to a Wednesday. Jeff took that week off, and i took off Monday to make a long weekend. It was a great visit. We didn’t have too much planned besides to just hang out and enjoy each other’s company — especially a little mister named Vincent.

Jeff and I just bought a new stroller. It is the City Mini GT. Jeff took it out for a stroll around the block.

Vincent fell asleep on his inaugural ride. Must be good!

On Friday, Jeff and the crew came up to San Juan Bautista to visit me at work and have lunch together. Here we are at the office… Vincent’s checking it out as you can see.

We walked over to the mission to enjoy the scenery and have our lunch (sushi for me, sandwiches for others). Vincent even brought his picnic lunch (Peas and corn) too!

It was an extremely warm day… almost too warm. Vincent looks hot here, doesn’t he? We were not dressed right.

Here is a good pic of Grandma Lisa and Vinny. (Except im in the background messing up the photo)

A good pic of happy Vinny and his Da-da.

Uncle Pat drove down to visit for a few day as well.

On Saturday we took a trip to Dennis the Menace park. Lots of fun there.. it was a gorgeous day.

Vincent absolutely loves the swing. You should see his face light up and his legs kick all over the place when we put him in it.

Everyone looking on at Vinny.

We even met up with Patti who is here visiting for the week as well. Luckily we were meeting up with her because we forgot Vincent’s diaper bag and as soon as we got to the park he pooped! She let us have a diaper and wipes. Patti saved the day!

Super cute pics of the boys.  Evan is 18 months, Vincent is almost 9 months.

Sunday morning Mike and i took Vincent for a morning walk, hoping he might fall asleep again, but didnt’ work. Instead he was talking, talking, talking… who knows what he was saying but it was cute.

Later in the day, after i taught my class, we walked over to our neighborhood park across the street and played on the swings and went down the slide. We some a couple other boys close to Vinny’s age. They were all interested in each other.

This slide was kinda fast and scary.

Swings are way too much fun!

Lovely photo.

Daddy and Vinny having fun at the baseball park.

On Monday we had planned to go to the circus which was in town for the week — but the 4:30pm show we planned on going to was cancelled. So instead we went to REI to get a hiking backpack for Vinny to sit in when we go on hikes. We tried it out at the store, and Vinny started fussing when we put him in it. I think he was scared.

But once we hoisted him up there he loved it! It even came with a cute teddy bear. Thanks to Grandma Lisa and Grandpa Mike for purchasing it for us. We hope it gets lots of use!

After that we went to Sapporo’s at Fisherman’s Wharf for dinner.

It’s like a Beni-hana were they cook the food in front of you.

Perfect place for a baby to be entertained.

We even ended the night seeing a sea otter in the bay.

On Tuesday, i had to go to work, but the crew hung out at home playing with Vinny. I think Mike did some yardwork outside, and took Vinny for his first stroll in the hiking backpack (just around the block). They also set up Fort Vinny with the baby gate i had purchased a couple weeks ago but hadn’t actually put up yet.

Thanks for visiting us Grandma and Grandpa! We had a blast!

Vincent has officially mastered the art of sitting up — FINALLY! He can now go from a lying down position to sitting up — proven this morning when i went to get him in his crib and he was in the sitting position, staring at me! Normally he would be on his tummy looking around. He is wearing his sleep sack and socks on his hands to protect him from scratching himself, so it looks a little funny in this picture.

Even after i got him ready for the day, i put him back in his crib and he just kept sitting up, looking around, so proud! Yay! Time to lower the crib….

My daycare provider said she gave Vincent a few puffs the other day, so i decided to try giving him some.

These are kind of like Cheerios, except for safer for babies learning to chew because they dissolve in your mouth, just in case.

He loved picking at them. He still has a bit of trouble actually getting them in his mouth, but he is getting there.

I love spring! The hills are green, weather starts warming up, and there are more hours of sunlight. I think Jeff’s favorite part about Spring are those deathly delicious and fun to eat Cadbury eggs they so effectively sell as an impulse buy at the supermarket checkout stand.

With that being said, Jeff and I are not religious at all. We don’t go to church and all the knowledge I have about Jesus and the Holy Bible is from attending a private Christian school from K-3rd grade. My family is Buddhist but I don’t know hardly anything about that religion either. So when it comes to religious holidays (or really any holiday) it all comes down to the FOOD! Haha! I bought a ham from Costco to make for dinner. It was scrumptiously tasty and salty (yes!). So easy and so good! Ate it with some green beans and leftover rice.

Normally for Easter I boil some eggs then dye them. I think normally by myself! But this year Jeff did a few and i did a few. Vinny just hung out in his high chair chewing on his toy.

After we finished the eggs, we showed them to Vincent while he was in his bouncer. He was very interested in them and wanted to put them in his mouth…

So i gave him some plastic eggs we had….and he was allowed to put those in his mouth.

And as if we need any more type of eggs… the “easter bunny” brought Vincent these plastic toy eggs that “squeak”. It’s kind of interesting. They don’t really squeak like how you think they would…its very subtle which i guess is a good thing! Hard to explain. But they are cute.

Vincent got a few more goodies from Grandma Jerrie, Grandpa Don and Auntie Sue. This is a cute ice cream toy! Yum! It plays songs and tells you ice cream flavors. Just one more voice to get stuck in our heads lol!

Chocolates bunnies, chocolate carrots, and marshmallow peeps… all for Vincent of course!

I bought Vinny a cute obligatory “my first Easter” outfit compete with blue bunny ears, but of course by the time I washed it and he had to wear it it was too tight! But I made him wear it to daycare on Friday.

His daycare had a party at my sitter’s mom’s house (who also happens to run a daycare too). Here are a few pics from the day.

Becky and her 3 kids, Vinny and Logan, plus one other kid in the stroller, that can’t be seen in the picture…

Vinny came home with an extra pair of green bunny ears, some plastic Easter eggs filled with chocolate (yes!), an Easter book and a toy car. He also had a bunny made from paper plates. He started chewing on it while I was taking pictures and got crayon all over his mouth!

We video chatted with the Grandparents on both sides. Grandma Jerrie hand-stitched “Vincent” onto the carrot of this stuffed bunny.

We had lots of fun taking photos outside in the yard. It was a wonderfully sunny and warm day.

Artsy shot done by Jeff! I love it!

Under our lovely orange tree.

He loved grabbing at all the leaves and plants! Funny boy.

And we can’t forget about Butters! He is such a good sport for Mama’s photo shoots.

Vincent is another month older! My how the months just fly by ya! Every month Jeff and I write in his baby book – things like new foods, discoveries, eating habits, and special memories. After his 12-month bithday (1 year!) the book stops having monthly entries! GASP! Now what am i going to do…will i stop taking photos every month?!? I guess it will just be a yearly thing or on special occasions. Guess we’ll have to see.

His photo shoot for this month was done late in the day, so he was little cranky. Didn’t get the greatest shots but that’s ok! You’ll still love him anyway, right?

Just yesterday, Vinny started saying the “ma – ma” sounds. Previously he had been jabbering away but with other consonant-vowel combinations. It was more “ah-wah-wah, ya-ya-” kind of thing. Anyway, exciting news from my perspective! Dad’s a little bummed it wasn’t the “da-da” sound. We’ll see if he actually connects the sound with the person. You bet i’m saying “mama” in front of him, every chance i get!

He is very much into “planking” and trying to propel his body forward. He can kind-of get around. Mostly rolling, but some lunging forward! He planks, then brings a knee down, then forges his body towards whatever object he has his eyes on. Its pretty entertaining. Hey you can check the video:

As far as sitting, he is pretty bad at it. LOL! Well i just thought he’d  be able to sit up on his own by now, but he still needs help and supervision! If he is in his bumbo, high chair, or jumperoo, he can sit up just fine. Or if you put him inbetween your legs, he can sit up. But he just isn’t that strong to sit by himself. He also much prefers to stand. If you hold him and try to “sit” him down on his booty, he will keep his legs straight so that he just stays in a standing position. Funny guy.

New foods he’s tried this month: barley, lentils, turkey, cauliflower. Oh and green beans, but he did not like those at all! I think the texture was gross – you can’t puree green beans smoothly it is very gritty/chunky. Overall though he is a great eater. He is still drinking water from his sippy cup, though mostly gets the water all over his body instead of in his mouth!

On the weekends, it is so hard to get Vincent to take his naps. At daycare, i guess he just magically falls asleep by himself for the morning and afternoon nap. But for us, i just have to nurse him to sleep.  For some miraculous reason though, this afternoon, he fell asleep while he was bouncing on Dad’s legs. It was just so cute. He’s still sleeping now, 2 hours later (which has allowed me to make this blog post during daylight hours!) Maybe i should go wake him up now…. past couple nights he has been going to sleep at 9pm when his normal bedtime is 6:30pm!

Here is his growth pic for 8 months:

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Daddy bought Vincent a cute “Kiss Me I’m Irish” long sleeve onesie outfit complete with matching clover bib!

We had a fun time taking photos — he was so super smiley! It’s like he knew the camera came out, he was totally hamming it up. He would make a great kid model!

This picture is just too hilarious. “After me lucky charms!”

Butters got in on the action too!

LOL, after i put the bib on Butters, he went straight to the liter box with it on! Eww! Had to take it off and throw it in the wash!

Grandma Jerrie also bought him a green T-shirt and Auntie Susan made him a green onesie. So he had three outfits! (They all said “Kiss Me…” on it.)

I put the corned beef in the slow cooker in the morning, chatted with my mom for a bit online, played with Vinny, fed him breakfast, put him down for a nap, then left to go teach Turbo Kick in Monterey. Probably my last class there since I’ll be starting to teach at InShape Salinas at the end if the month. I just got offered to teach two classes there — one on Saturday (R.I.P.P.E.D.) and one on Sunday (TurboKick), both in the morning. You know what that means, more Daddy daycare time! Well once Vince gets a little older i am going to take him into the daycare so he can get some more child and adult interaction. It will be good for him.

Our corned beef made the house smell so yummy, we just couldn’t wait to eat it! We had dinner at 4:30pm! Too bad Vincent couldn’t try the beef too. It’s a little salty for him. Mmm mmm. Nice and tasty. Soon enough we’ll be giving Vinny some meat to eat. We love St. Patrick’s Day in the McGirr household!

Here is a video of Vincent rolling on his belly in our sunroom. It’s not too exciting, but he is scooting onto his hands and knees and getting considerably stronger each and every day. He’ll be crawling in no time. (Though he still can’t sit up on his own!)

Grandpa Mike got to feed Vincent some dinner the evening he came down. I’m not sure what it was… i think some pears? He was into grabbing the spoon… as well as the bowl! What stellar behavior for our guest Vincent…

On Saturday morning, Grandpa and Mom (me!) were up pretty early! We hung out, ate some breakfast, and rolled around on the ground.

Grandpa was trying to teach Vincent how to lift up and crawl.

Later in the day, after Jeff got up, we all packed in the car and drove to Del Monte Shopping Center to look at the Apple store. I went to Lucys to try and find more workout clothes. Are at pizza my heart for lunch (mmmm) then headed to Dennis the Menace park.

We first walked over the wooden suspension bridge.

Then we took a portrait of just the guys.

I told Jeff to bring vinny down the rolly slide. He seemed to like it.

Then I took him down the squiggly slide and his face sure lit up!

Next were the swings! This one fit a it better than the one at our neighborhood park. He enjoyed it so much!

Lastly we hung out on the grass and soaked up the sun and gorgeous weather.

One last picture by the Dennis the Menace statue!

When we got home we chatted with Grandma Lisa.

Can you see, Toby and Butters are even in on the action.

We even figured out how to video chat from the iPad2!

Grandpa Mike will be visiting us again in April and will be coming down with Grandma Lisa as well. By then, Grandpa Mike thinks Vinny will have teeth! =D