the eleventh month already?!

As part of Finn's eleventh month photo shoot, I thought I'd showcase a few of his new skills.

Like climbing

And waving

And recognizing the forbidden and going for it (hence a 3 ft tree on a stool on the stair landing this year)

Happy eleven months!

Elf on the Go!

Holiday photos with the little guy are an impromptu event. He's happy? He's clean? The lighting is nice? It's go time! Throw him in a Christmas outfit and start snapping pictures. We captured some great photos for our holiday card. Here are a few others that didn't make it to press, but are still pretty adorable/goofy/festive/heart melting.

thankful

I have so much to be thankful for this year. And while I try to take a moment everyday to reflect on how grateful I am to have Finnegan, on Thanksgiving, I'm especially grateful for the family, friends, and even strangers on the street, who have welcomed Finn into our community. 

For the holiday, Finn's great aunt, great uncle, and second cousin visited. Then, Clark, Finn, and I travelled to Cincinnati to celebrate with Finnegan's great grandfather, another great uncle, and wonderful family friend. I hope your day was filled with as much love (and pie). 

Finn and his Great Uncle David

Playing with his Great Aunt Kris

I'm disappointed I didn't get a photo of Finnegan with my fabulous cousin, Mira, but he just WOULDN'T SIT STILL (see previous post).

Packed up and ready to travel!

Discussing their excitement for turkey

Happy Thanksgiving!

Such great friends!

Finnegan ADORES his Aunt Dianya

What a feast.

And he earns a 10

Finnegan is ten months old now. I know I've said this before, but geez, he's fast. And curious. And fearless. And funny. This month's photo shoot pretty much sums things up around here these days.

Oh, I love photo shoot time. 

Hey, there's a sticker on my shirt! 

Hold on, I have to get a better look at this.

It IS a sticker!

It even tastes like a sticker!

Oh, and look at that! A block! 

belated

I'm a little late on posts here. Ten days ago was Clark's birthday. Having already attended two other birthday parties in his lifetime (3 if you count his own), Finn is pretty much an expert when it comes to celebrations. However, this was the first time he celebrated his dad, so he made the event even extra special.

Making frosting for the birthday cake

Giving gifts

Matching water bottles!

Best wishes to my two favorite people

Baby spells

Halloween was a hit! Mostly...
Finn practiced his spooky face all week leading up to the big day. He went to a halloween party, grabbed for the pumpkin decorations all over our house, and laughed his little head off when mommy tried on his lobster hat.
On the 31st itself, Finn put on his costume, looked adorable for pictures, and giggled with his friend, Katherine. But when witching hour hit at 7pm, our little lobster let it be known the FEST IS OVER.
Through the eyes of our little guy, I'm realizing how much fun this holiday is. I can't wait for next year.

Spooky Zombie Baby

Happy Halloween from Chez Barwick

Prepping the lobster

Two bottom teeth, laughing eyes, and a button nose- look like anyone familiar?

What is it about babies and pumpkins?

No, but seriously, what is it about babies and pumpkins?!?!?! By themselves, both are great. More than great. But get the two together, and they are far greater than the sum of their parts.

What is better than babies and pumpkins? Add an Uncle Stephen and Aunt Jenny!

nine months in, nine months out

Finnegan turned nine months old this week. This seems such a significant milestone. Maybe because I've now known him longer face to face than when he was growing inside me. Or maybe because his opinions, personality, and humor are more evident than ever before. When Finn was born, we went to music and yoga class at a great little baby community center. We would run in to moms and babies of all ages, but the nine month olds stood out. They still looked like babies, but to this new mom of a 2 month old, those nine month old babies were practically adults. It wouldn't have surprised me a bit if their play group consisted of games of bridge and tennis.
Finnegan hasn't quite mastered his backhand yet, but he's speedy, and he has drive.

I hope you got what you needed with that photo shoot, Mommy, I'm done with it.

Oh wait, I forgot...

I want to tackle you now.

Finn's Fang

After a few days of earnest effort, a tooth has arrived! Zoom in for a look at the new little pearly white. Since this photo was taken just three days ago, a companion has emerged. And I thought the gummy little smile couldn't get any cuter. It has.

The Great Eight

Finnegan turned eight months old this week. Gone are the days of napping at restaurants and staring at ceiling fans. This little eight month old is ACTIVE! He finds Clark hilarious. Anything he can get in his hands is fair game for a snack. He voices his opinion- both approvals and disapprovals.  And he is as quick to smile as he is to swipe things off the table. We love him!

short getaway

We made a quick trip to Cincinnati to have dinner with my granddad. This is Finn's second trip to Ohio, and both times he's been in the best spirits.

the simple pleasures

I'd say one of the most overwhelming parts of pregnancy was visiting certain big box baby supply stores (I won't mention names, but you know what I'm talking about). Clark and I didn't know what half the things in the store were, and the things we did know about (pacifiers, for example) offered 30 different kinds for 6 different age groups. We're more educated now, but if only I had known at the time that a big brown box is enough for hours of baby entertainment...

Day one of box play

Day two. The novelty has not worn off.

Seven!

A little late in posting this, but at seven (and a half) months, this little guy is keeping us busy!