Weekend Fun
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!
Visit from the McGirr’s
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963520400″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7109633635″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Jeff and I just bought a new stroller. It is the City Mini GT. Jeff took it out for a stroll around the block.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7126862429″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Vincent fell asleep on his inaugural ride. Must be good!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963561928″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7109638323″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7126874393″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
It was an extremely warm day… almost too warm. Vincent looks hot here, doesn’t he? We were not dressed right.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7114818359″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Here is a good pic of Grandma Lisa and Vinny. (Except im in the background messing up the photo)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7114818501″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
A good pic of happy Vinny and his Da-da.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7114816813″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Uncle Pat drove down to visit for a few day as well.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963584748″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
On Saturday we took a trip to Dennis the Menace park. Lots of fun there.. it was a gorgeous day.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7109580941″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7109579339″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Everyone looking on at Vinny.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963527342″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963609482″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963605640″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Super cute pics of the boys. Evan is 18 months, Vincent is almost 9 months.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7126879493″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7114813629″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7114814259″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
This slide was kinda fast and scary.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6968733590″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963614412″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Swings are way too much fun!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7114812929″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Lovely photo.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963621030″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Daddy and Vinny having fun at the baseball park.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963529090″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963529990″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7109605377″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
After that we went to Sapporo’s at Fisherman’s Wharf for dinner.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6963536124″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
It’s like a Beni-hana were they cook the food in front of you.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7109607035″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Perfect place for a baby to be entertained.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7109611529″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
We even ended the night seeing a sea otter in the bay.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6980811254″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7126898773″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
Thanks for visiting us Grandma and Grandpa! We had a blast!
Learning to Sit Up
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6980768172″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/6980770690″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
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….
Eating Puffs!
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.
Happy Easter Vincent!
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 8 months old… and a few weeks!
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:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sourskittled/7055058813″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”large” group=”” align=”none”]
St Patrick’s Day at the McGirr’s
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!)
Nice Visit from Grandpa Mike
Jeff’s father (who lives in Florida) had a business conference in San Jose so he decided to visit us for the weekend since he was so close. Mike hadn’t seen Vincent since he was born. Mike came to our house on Thursday night and left on Sunday morning.
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
First Try on the Swings
It was a gorgeous weekend, so Jeff and I decided it would be fun to take Vincent to the park. There is one a couple blocks away from our house.
We put Vincent’s Adidas cap on, strapped Vinny in his stroller and walked over there.
When we got there, we placed him delicately in the swing, and he just sat there every so still. I looked at his face and it looked like he was falling asleep! I guess that makes sense, his little swing at home we put him in and he sometimes falls asleep in it. So we just took him out and went on a walk instead. No fun! The walk was nice, and Vincent didn’t even end up falling asleep. Go figure.
We decided to try the next day. We really wanted to get him to enjoy that swing!
This time we were more successful! He was awake! And he met a friend…
A girl of course. She was 10 months old and Vincent couldn’t stop staring at her. What a little playa.
Pretty soon though, he forgot about her and started getting into the swinging motion, He was laughing and having fun!
We figured out that it was easier to put him in “backwards” with the higher part of the seat facing his front. This way, he could lean forward and swing and not flop around in the seat that was too big for him.
He would kick and laugh, and drool all over the swing.
What a great day! We are planning on going to the park to ride the swing on a regular basis now!
Vincent is 7 months old
Wowwie! This month has flown by. Vincent is getting more active and more fun each and every day. It was a nice morning today so I decided to go outside for this months portraits. Daddy was gone taking grandma back to the airport. Vinny loved looking at the trees and the blue sky.
He still can’t quite sit up on his own yet. Proof above — i tried sitting him up and then taking a quick photo, but by the time i got my hands on the shutter button, he began to fall over!
His hair is finally starting to grow! Just a tiny bit, but we can tell the difference. His head is also getting a little bit less flat — or maybe we are just getting used to it? Grandma still thinks he has an enormous head, but i told her all babies have big heads! (For the record, he is always in the 50th percentile for head circumference)
Vincent’s toy stash has seriously gotten out of hand. Grandma keeps buying him toys everywhere she goes!
Vincent’s has now mastered the rollover! He has been rolling over since last month but only recently he has really started doing it a lot… as in always! He can steam roll his way around the room if he wants to. But only in one direction. He can roll the other way too I think but he doesn’t do it very often. He has also started preferring to sleep on his belly!
He loves reaching for EVERYTHING. He has to keep his hands busy. See, even when i am taking his picture he wants to grab the camera! Another adorable thing he does lately is to make a puttering sound with his mouth that sounds like a motor or farts. He also says “Ahhh-boo” a lot. It’s funny to hear.
My mom came up 2 weeks ago to watch Vincent while my sitter took a week vacation. Vincent did pretty good the first few days, drinking and sleeping longer than his usual (at home) 30 min naps. Then towards the end if the week he ate less and less and slept less too! He ended up catching a cold– we think from Sofia, even though I was just sick last week too. We had to buy a humidifier to help ease his congestion. He was coughing a lot. But in general, he was a pretty well-behaved sick baby.
Grandma bought him bubbles at the store the other day. He loved watching them fall around him. Of course he wanted to grab at them but they quickly disappeared!
He has been eating like a good boy. So far he has tried apples, bananas, avocado, yams, zucchini, pears, sweet potatoes and corn. That is in addition to his rice cereal and oatmeal cereal. He likes all of it! He hasn’t once (yet) spit anything out. In fact the most he has reacted to anything negatively was that first video of the applesauce. we think it’s because it was homemade and also had no cereal mixed in it. We now almost always mix cereal with his good which makes the flavor a little less potent. Grandma Jerrie was a big help in preparing the foods and freezing big batches for us to use later on.
I bought him a sippy cup to start drinking water. He likes the cup… but he only chews on the little spout instead of drinking from it! Oh well, it is just to get him used to the idea. He will get there.
And last but not least, his growth pic!