Category: Photos

Wagons, Ho!
Finn is very interested in practicing his walking, and he even has a little Radio Flyer wagon to balance against while he pushes it. He’s getting so good he almost doesn’t need one of us to steady him! When he got kind of pooped out the other day, I popped him in there with his little bear (who was also sporting a blue stripy shirt much like Finn’s) and gave them a ride.
Of course the little guy works up a sweat (or at least gets his paws pretty dirty), so baths are essential. Now that Finn has migrated to the “big boy bathtub”, we have our very own “Ballintubber Abbey,” complete with stained glass window. (This of course makes a bathtime Finn our Ballintubber Abbot!).
Here are some pics from his recent adventures (HTML), both in and out of the tub.

We’ve had a fun weekend with Mr. Finn, a.k.a. Little Green Riding Hood. He has this little outfit that’s called a “sleep’n’play”, complete with hood. I guess it’s the hood that turns it into “‘n’play” instead of just pj’s. As we were cavorting with him on Saturday (all of us in pj’s) we snapped these pics (HTML).
Finn had his first bath in the real “big boy” bathtub this weekend, too. We thought he might be freaked by the vastness of the tub, but he absolutely loved it. There was lots of splashing, squealing, and even some pseudo-backstroking.
Today I went to the spa today with my friend Mira for a few hours of soaking, scrubbing, saunaing, and relaxing. It was great, and while we were away, Finn and John went to a place called Rancho San Antonio with Mira’s husband Bruce and daughter Anja. It’s popular for parents and kiddies (we call it a stroller derby) because you can stroll in the great outdoors at a working farm and see lots of different farm animals. John says there were lots of “big turkeys” wandering around the farm, and I’m pretty sure he means actual birds, not just middle-management Silicon Valley types. Sounds like the boys had a fun time. I came back from the spa with skin almost as soft as Finny’s!

Q. What’s the best thing about a trillion-dollar national financial meltdown that destroyed Mom’s employer somewhere in the middle of the night? (Okay, what’s the only good thing about it?)
A. Mom gets to come home early from Seattle!
Sorry for the mixed news. Finno and I had our first night flying Mom-free last night (Margot’s first overnight trip away from her boys), and although he was a perfect gent who gave Dad no trouble, we’re happy that Mom was able to book an early flight home.
To celebrate, here’s a wee gallery (HTML) of great shots of the two of them together.

It’s a day in the life of Old Man Finnegan: “Y’know,” says Margot, “some strollin’, some splashin’…” The little guy looks sharp as he trades his birthday suit for some Polo duds from our cousins the Nadiles. Here’s the gallery (HTML).

No hobo-stick required. 😉

(Click for a larger version.)

“You know what I’d make the blog entry? ‘Three words: Cuter Every Day.'” — Margot
Heh–yeah, that pretty much sums it up. In the latest gallery (HTML) you can see the wee man cavorting with M&D, decked out for revolutionary fun in a rad “Power to the Babies” tee from our pal Whitney.

Happy Friday. 🙂

(Click for a larger version.)

Back in the ’80s there was a crazy sci-fi movie called They Live in which aliens have quietly taken over the world & filled it with subliminal, mind-controlling messages. When the heros put on special sunglasses, they can see through the disguise and read what’s really going on (left, below).

I thought it would be fun to get a special modified pair of those glasses that would let us observe the world as it looks through Finn’s eyes (right):

;-P (Click either image for a larger view)
Trying to steer clear of that boca,
J.

We spent this afternoon visiting with a group of friends down in Carmel. It was a gorgeous day for a drive, and we always love spending time with the Whitsons, our hosts for the afternoon. Finn got a little weary (ok, incredibly weary) of the carseat, but after we pitstopped at “Safeway-by-the-sea” for a breather, everything was jake.
And speaking of Jake, we got to see Tilden and Zak, family friends of the Whitsons, and their 3 month-old baby boy, Jake. It was fun for Finn and Jake to meet and subsequently regard each other, while our pals Huez and Alex, expecting their own baby next February, looked on. We were amazed at how different babies really are–Jake is so long and lean, and Finn is our little chunky monkey! Both guys seemed very happy and at ease with all the strange big people looking at them and holding them. Check out the gallery (HTML) here.

During our trip to Galena, my folks sprung for one of the most memorable birthday gifts ever: a hot air balloon ride over the Galena Territory & surrounding farmland. (Nothing says “birthday” like terrorizing livestock from above. :-)) Margot and I were joined by Ted and his girlfriend Stephanie on an absolutely picture-perfect evening–speaking of which, here’s a photo gallery (HTML).
The next night we celebrated my birthday & Finn’s arrival at home with the Nack clan and our friends the Roths. When Aunt Dolores and Uncle Louie met Finn in SF a month after his birth, I managed to forget our camera; now I had a chance to make up for lost time. So, Aunt Dolores, if you’re reading, hello. 🙂 Here’s the gallery (HTML).

Developments are coming fast and furious for our little squirrel-man. He’s now reaching very deliberately for things (to pop into his mouth, naturally)–things that somehow often happen to include pieces of M&D’s faces. We think he’s trying to disprove the saying that “You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose…”
He’s also developed a real taste for his Domendites, popping his little hind paws right into his maw. During bathtime Dad tried to get in on that action. 🙂 I’ve been running around with the camera, capturing what I can; here’s a little gallery (HTML) of the latest.

Among the highlights of our trip was introducing Finn to his Uncle (!) Ted in person. Big T. in turn intro’d Finn to “Aunt Rose” and to the whole concept of “doggie.” In this little gallery (HTML) you can see all three interacting. I love Finn’s reactions and especially the last shot, where the small guy is looking up with some wonder at his ginormous uncle. I kind of think the three of them should go into business as CDS Partners — Colossus, Dachshund, and Squirrel, LLP. 😉

On Tuesday we took the Finn-man on a whirlwind tour of our Chicago-based relatives (the four other “Carlin girls” and their families). We got to see a ton of happy, familiar faces, and despite having traveled for 12 hours the previous day and not having gotten to bed until after midnight, Finn was his usual charming self.
First up was Hackney’s restaurant (kind of a family institution), where we met up with Aunt Jane & Uncle John, Aunt Anne & Uncle Bill, Aunt Judy and Uncle Bruce, as well as my cousins Andrew, Amy, and Liz with their kids, and Andrew’s wife Katie. It was such a treat to see everyone, especially as Amy lives in North Carolina and just happened to be visiting. The small fry amused themselves eating fries, drinking kiddie cocktails, and bombing around the little clubhouse out back (much as their parents’/my generation did before them). Aunt Anne made Finn a wonderful Red Kitty, just like the one that was inseparable from his dad; Aunt Judy knitted beautiful hooded sweater (complete with puppy buttons!); and Aunt Jane gave Finn a sharp-lookin’ toddler outfit that he can grow into. Here’s a photo gallery (also available in smaller HTML form).
After we pitstopped at the hotel for a pretty harrowing, unsuccessful attempt at napping, we headed over to see the Nadile clan–my Aunt Mary Kay, Uncle Tedy, their kids Christine, Kelly, and Patrick, Christine’s four kids & husband Chris. We were treated to an impromptu performance from young Christopher’s band, and Finn scored a nifty, fuzzy little pirate ship (perfect for chomping). Here are the photos (HTML).

Tummy time is a lot more fun when *everyone* is on their respective tummy! Chitchatting is easier and more engaging, and Finn’s drool hits the blankie instead of mom’s shirt or Finn’s onesie. Here’s a little gallery (HTML) of photos from this weekend. Finn was perfecting his rolling and yodeling techniques simultaneously. When he tired of that, we opted for a little standing and sitting up on mom’s knees.

We’ve been enjoying the nice weather in the backyard with a little help from blankets made by Grandma Nack & Aunt Laura–the latter of which, shown here, features the Fighting Irish on one side and the Colorado Buffs on the other. Today Finn shows off his voracious chomping tendencies; hangs out with Dad; and goes “flying” on Mom’s knees in this gallery of more backyard fun (HTML).

One perk of having tagged Finnegan as our “Squirrel” is the availability of tons of great squirrel-themed gear. This week the small guy donned a great new onesie featuring a little tree-dwelling dude playing the skins. Check it out! (I take it as a good omen that he managed to get through the day without a single change of clothes. Many days he’s despoiled his duds even before his morning nap.)
We’ve also scored some super-jazzy Rock Squirrel memo pads, soon to be pressed into service as the Captain’s Log in which we record Finn’s eating/sleeping schedule.

A: Being cute! Here are a few photos from this week.
I’ve been trying to come up with a specific topic for this week’s entry, but nothing has come to me. So the update for this week is that Finn continues to enjoy more tummy time of his own choosing, has a nice soft head of hair coming in, and loves to stand (assisted, of course) looking very proud of himself when doing so. He’s also continuing to experiment with sounds. This week he’s been working on his “mmmmm’s” and “bbbbbb’s” while rolling around chewing on things.
His daily schedule has really firmed up now, too, with a couple of 90-minute to two-hour naps (one in the morning, one after lunch), at least one stroller ride per day, and a bedtime around 7 or 7:30 P.M. He’s becoming much more aware of everything around him, and is fascinated by all sights and sounds–so much so that he tends to forget he’s nursing, so I have to turn the radio off so he’ll stay focused! [I can’t imagine where he gets it. 😉 –J.]