Milkshake

Well, it COULD be a milkshake?!?

Gabe has discovered ice cream and milkshakes. Daddy shares his chocolate shakes sometimes and other times Mommy shares her mint chocolate chip ice cream. It's a special treat that Gabe doesn't get all of the time. He picked out mini ice cream cones at the grocery store and on a hot day, while cooling off in our inflatable pool in the backyard, I heaped up a scoop for him and his friend, Leya, who was visiting. Leya knew just what to do with hers and was able to lick it and keep it from dripping/melting.

Gabe, on the other hand, had a different plan.....a straw! Didn't work so hot, as you can imagine! But he had fun with it.

Gabe Louganis

Some friends of ours invited us over to swim this weekend in their neighborhood pool, so we packed a lunch and off we went. Gabe couldn't have been happier about the invitation!

He has really come a long way with his confidence and ability in the water, since July when we were in FL. He is actually alot more comfortable jumping in off the side to open arms and is willing to get his face and hair wet now. He is learning to kick/swim to the side or the steps to keep him safe if he were to fall in without one of us right there and ready for him. He LOVES it. I hate that this summer is coming to a rapid close for us because I think with a little more practice, he'd have it down pat!

Gavin, on the other hand, is still a fish and if given the opportunity, would totally be out in the deep end doing his thing! Gotta get this kid in swim lessons before too long. He's got NO FEAR!

A Boy Named Sue...

Just last week, Gavin was mistaken for a little girl, TWICE! I can't bear to get him his first haircut yet because I just love those curly locks. Gabe's hair was wavy when he was this age, but when we got him his first haircut, the waves didn't return.....so I'd hate for that to happen with Gavin!

However, when it's wet, Gavin's hair hangs down past his shoulders and it's really long all over and getting unruly.... Daddy thinks it's TOTALLY time to meet the barber!

Here he is sporting the 80's-inspired coiffed disco bangs.....dontchya just love it?? I betchya the little girls his age would kill for this hair!!!!

That's "Curly Sue", to you!

Read the Shirt

 
Yep. you read right....For anyone who can't zoom in, it appropriately says,

Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monkey Get in Trouble too!

I cracked up when I saw it and HAD to have it in Gavin's size! He does everything Gabe does, either good or bad and it is so funny to watch them interact. Gabe is really pretty good with Gav (considering they are 1 and 2yrs of age) and doesn't mean to be rough and tumble. Gavin eats it up and gives big brother hell every chance he gets.

Rob and I giggle at the fact that if Gavin tries hard enough; and he is pretty determined about most things he wants, he can take a toy away from Gabe or make Gabe cry in a minute. When one of them ends up in tears for whatever reason, and Mommy/Daddy have to intervene, they now hug and kiss to make up and Gavin actually leans in with his mouth open. Gabe says "Sorry brother Gavin" and off they go again with smiles on their faces. Too precious. Please, tell me it stays like that......

I wanna be just like you, Daddy

 

I think there is actually a song from the movie the Jungle Book about that topic....I found the lyrics on-line...

"Oh, oo-bee doo
I wanna be like you-hoo hoo
I wanna walk like you
Talk like you, too
You'll see it's true
An ape like me
Can learn to be human too."

Our little "mancub" wants to grow up and be just like his Daddy. I don't think that would be a bad thing at all. I happen to be a big fan of his Daddy and think he's an all-around great guy! Just look at those two!

Love the Puppy

 

When Gabe was about this age (13 mos) I seem to recall he was quite interested in Wilbur. He loved to try to mess with Wilbur's ears and make him twitch them. Gabe thought that was hysterical, and still does sometimes.

Gavin is more fascinated with the dogs mouth and tongue. He is always following Wilbur around or crawling up to him when he's lying down peacefully. Gavin just wants to pet his snout and try to grab at his tongue when it's hanging out as he pants. It is so funny to watch and Gavin is so determined. If Wilbur turns his head or scoots away, Gavin simply crawls closer and reaches for his face again.

Fortunately for all of us, Wilbur is still so patient with the kids (even baby #2) and really is gentle with them. Gabe likes to give him "cookies" (that's what we call the dog treats) and Gavin of course feeds him at his feet, nightly. We're so lucky to have such a sweet pet.

Euphoric About "You-Forik" (utensils...get it?)

 

Gavin has a true talent for getting what he wants. Especially when it comes to mealtimes. He even knows how to sign "all done" but before that, he's typically weaseling his skinny little self out of the belts in the high chair and standing up in an attempt to get himself down.

While he still really only says DaDa, consistently, he can certainly communicate what he wants with grunts, yells, or little inuendo type behaviors (ie: launching the cup off the tray onto the floor if he decides he doesn't care for what's in it, or sliding his handful of food discreetly down between his legs and dropping it, then shoving the morsels to the floor with his feet to feed Wilbur....you get the point).

I am now giving him "baby" utensils to work on feeding himself and he loves it. Notice in the photo the sheer bliss on his face as a result of this newfound independence .....Also, note that he's nude from the waist up because I knew where most of the applesauce was going to land. He had a big time playing and practicing.

2 Peas in a Pod

Time sure is flying by. These kiddos are growing up way too fast! We sure are proud of them!

Gavin is walking!

Today Gavin took his first unassisted steps. Big day people...big day. Soon he will be running and all hell is going to break loose. He's already the 'shark baby', and all he can do is crawl. Hoo boy, this is about to get interesting.

And here he is in action...

Future Evel Kineval in the Making

As you've seen and heard, Gavin likes to try to do anything Gabe does....so what's next but walking and riding a trike?! He is really good at getting on and off of this little mini tricycle of Gabe's without falling. He's really a coordinated baby. He watches Gabe and other kids and tries just about anything at least once. He really likes to play hard and he looks up to his big brother. I'm sure he'll be walking any day soon. Stay tuned.....

Ride a Little Horsey

One of the gifts Gavin received for his first birthday was a Radio Flyer Rocking Horse and he really likes it. He has mastered climbing on and off of it by himself and likes to try to make it bounce up and down. He and Gabe fight over it all of the time (even though Gabe has one of his own that he got last year)! They are playing together more and more every day.