The Adventures of the HRGCs: June 2011

So... when was June?

June 29, 2011

I can't believe that the month of June is nearly over! We were very busy and didn't seem to have many moments of "normal." I've missed more regular blogging and some really special milestones. Finlay is six months old and he has two little teeth coming in. Also, he's starting taking piano lessons (just kidding, see video below).

But, from the beginning of the month we've been in Ontario, home with house-guests, or sick. Hopefully July will be more relaxed. I have posted some pictures and a couple of videos below.

Our friends Rachel and James stayed with us. They gave Finlay a little piano to borrow while he is a little guy.

He showed these two musicians a thing or two about song.

We got a play-mat for Finlay. It's a great place to hang out and play... or enjoy a morning coffee.

Went to Hilary and Calvin's place for an excellent picnic in their beautiful garden. Homemade buns, veggie pate, salad - so good!

I made some more S'mores Cupcakes. They turned out pretty and pretty tasty.

Busy month, but happy!

See an excellent video of Finlay laughing with his Nans in Ontario:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW5r_Z8evEY

Watch Finlay rocking out on the piano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9OSaItwAJ4

First Father's Day

June 19, 2011

This year, there are many firsts to document, but most of them are Finlay's firsts. It was Tyler's first Father's Day today and we had lots of firsts and lots of fun. At one point, we were walking in the park with Finlay in his stroller (looking up at his dad with excitement while Tyler made silly faces for him) and I asked "Do you feel old, or strange, or shocked to be pushing a stroller through the park after picnicking with you own family?" Tyler quickly responded, "My young family? I feel happy, not old..." We're where we want to be. Enjoying the moment. But every now and then I stop and look at us from the outside and think "Whoa, when did this happen? I'm married with a baby! Didn't I just graduate highschool?"

So we got up early, as Finlay is smiling and giggling in bed at about 6am these days. We got up and I made our picnic lunch, we had a yummy breakfast, Fin played and then napped, we relaxed with coffee, and then went to the park after noon. The park is only a block away. We sat in the shade of a big yellow cedar and spread out our red blanket and gave Tyler his gift...well, part of it! Due to the postal strike, the handkerchiefs Finlay and I picked out did not arrive in time! But that was fine because, as Tyler put it, the fun of presents gets stretched out a little longer.

Here is Finlay playing at our picnic. He was so excited when we took him out of the stroller and he saw where we were. He loves being outside in the grass!

Tyler got a real "dad" outfit! Here he is trying it on in the park.

Looking fatherly.

For the picnic, I made a Herb & White Wine Potato Salad (one of my signature summer dishes), a spicy gazpacho (a fresh Spanish cold soup), and some Date-filled Tahini Cookies. We also had some Phillip's Ginger Beer that Tyler had been wanting to try. Finlay did not like the gazpacho. He made some faces, spat it out, and even gagged a little. He was happy with milk and a nap on the grass. Tyler and I just enjoyed talking and laughing and laying in the sun. Next, we walked to the petting zoo in the park.

First, we saw some little pigs! They were so cute. Finlay was pretty excited. He watched them intently and kept looking at us as if to say, "Check these guys out!"

They are baby pigs.

Baby watching baby pigs.

There were ponies and donkeys and goats...

Llamas!

Here we saw some very cute goats.

Finlay would sit there just kinda staring at them as they lay on the ground, but as soon as any of them would move he would get very very excited and flap his arms and grunt.

Here we can see one of the goats has Finlay's attention.

Beacon Hill Park is overrun by Peacocks. They make a very loud squawking call that Finlay was very interested in.

This is taken in a little house filled with bunnies and guinea pigs. Finlay is thinking, "Man, those are weird looking cats!"

Mum is looking at the camera while Finlay continues to stare at the weird looking cats (guinea pigs).

There is one section where you can actually go in the pen and pet the goats. Finlay was very interested but did not attempt to pet the goats.

I think Mum was a little more excited about petting the goats than Finlay!

We were walking towards home and we heard some music at the park's bandshell. There was a Father's Day concert of Scottish folk music, so we decided to throw the blanket on the grass and enjoy some music. There was a lot of good music including some great covers of songs including Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" (like the Gruff used to play) and Old Crow's "Rock Me Mamma" (also like the Gruff used to play). We had beautiful weather and an absolutely wonderful day!

Finlay's First Trip!

June 17, 2011

I realize that it has been a while since our last post. We spent the first few days of June packing and getting ready to fly East. We were to Ontario, stayed with Finlay's Grandma for a week, after which Tyler flew home, and then stayed with Nans and Gramps for the second week and then Fin and I flew home. Today is our first day back together as a family in Victoria and it was wonderful. Now, to fill you in on all of the fun and adventures of the last couple of weeks!

Finlay was very helpful with the packing! He would practice sitting, in the middle of the bed, while I organized clothes to pack.

He was so proud of his sitting! He was falling over a lot at this point, so the softness of the bed was integral!

We also took out his summery clothes and the clothes in the next size up. He is growing quickly, so we had to retire more clothes and put on some new ones. Check out this cute outfit from our friends Aaron and Lucy.

The travel day began at 4AM. Finlay was very cooperative. He didn't cry until the car ride at the end of the day. He slept in the Calgary airport while Tyler and I took turns pushing him in the stroller on the people-mover. On the plane, he nursed for take-offs and landings, he played with toys, we read him books, he snuggled... It went far better than we could have hoped. Tyler's dad picked us up from the airport and we were treated to pizza and beer back at his place - a perfect end to a long day of travel!

Finlay loved to play on the playmat at Grandma's house. One morning, I passed him a toy, he grabbed it and then dropped it in front of him. I passed him another and he did the same thing. He did this again and again until he had a nice pile. He's probably a genius.

The whole Grant-Roach-Kemp-Harvey-Williams Clan came together for the weekend. It was hot and sunny. There was back-yard-lounging, plenty of food and drink, lots of laughing and adorable kids. Here is a picture of our niece (Finlay's cousin), Avery.

Finlay and I playing outside. He is wearing his sunsuit and a great hat that Michelle got him. He loves his hat; I think he'll be getting a lot of wear out of this get-up this summer!

Finlay getting a snuggle from Aunt Megan. Kori and Megan came down to London from Toronto. They definitely noticed some growth! Little Fin is a lot bigger and doing plenty of new tricks!

Tyler and our new nephew, Lincoln. Lincoln is about 2 months younger than Finlay and he likes to talk (baby talk). He is really sweet.

Finlay and his Grandma. He finally got some "Patty Cakes" and time to play with Grandma.

Finlay playing with Aunt Kalandra. He was smiling and giggling but I couldn't seem to catch one on the camera!

Almost!

Grandma set up a little pool for the kids. We got Finlay suited up to go for a dip, but he would have none of it!

The crying just got louder.

Tyler tried to talk him into it but he was very upset. I thought it was so cute. My hopes for summer days spent at the splash pad may be dashed...

Finlay loved meeting all of his Aunts, Uncles, and cousins - A very fun weekend!

The family went for an evening of drinks and tapas at Grampa Charlie's place. Here is Tyler and Fin playing around.

Kalandra and Fin have a serious conversation.

Finlay showing Aunt Megan what Sophie the giraffe is all about.

Finlay loved the dogs and he even laughed when they barked. He looks upset in the picture but really he was just telling his Aunt Kally all about the puppies.

Finlay was very smiley for his Great Aunt Glenna.

Finlay and Tyler kisses!

Sometimes we say to Fin that he is so cute we could eat him up! Tyler just consumed by baby-cuteness!

Finlay and his Great Grandma Harvey. She was very excited to meet her only Great Grandson! She kept saying "He's all Tyler below the nose, but all Lyndze above the nose!" Everyone wants to assign each feature to someone but Great Grandma just split it down the middle. Doesn't he look happy?

Here is Finlay and his Great Grandpa Harvey. It made me so happy to see my grandparents making my son giggle and, in turn, him making them both so happy.

Great Aunt Laurie stopped by and Fin wore his favourite motorcycle shirt just for her.

Great Aunt Pam just loves babies!

Finlay and I went to Sarnia to visit my Nanny and Papa (Finlay's Great Grandparents on my mother's side). Here is a picture of Fin with Papa with whom he shares a birthday and a name. Papa is a McKinnon and Finlay has that name for his middle name. Also, Papa turned 77 the day Finlay was born!