Ian in the Big Boy Seat

Ian tried the big kid chair last week...

And he had fun with all the toys...next we need to try some baby food...not sure how that will go over! We gave up on baby cereal after a few weeks because he cried so much! We try peas this week:)

Hanging Out September 2009

Ian getting stronger every day ~ he is hanging out in the Bumbo seat for quite a while at a time these days...

Usually with something in his mouth...
Meanwhile, Teddy has been allowing Jocelyn to get closer and closer...

Big sister loves to give him a snuggy...I am not quite sure she is loving this but she is actually very cute with the little man...

But they are having a good time here!!

And here!!

Tubby time times two

As our little Ian recently became too big to give a bath in the basin that sits in the kitchen sink (he is tipping the scales at a stout 20 lbs. + at just over 5 months), Jocelyn was forced to give up her monopoly over the bathtub at night. As this is prized real estate in the Gesner household, replete with toys and surfaces for coloring, we had fears of a turf war, but she has been very accommodating so far.

Perhaps she has no issues because he is pretty easy to keep content. As long as there is something colorful that he can reach for and try to wedge in his mouth, he is pretty happy, and does not seem to mind at all the unfortunate placement of the front post on his seat.

For her part, Jocelyn loves her bath time, even when it is time for the bunch of blond curls that is growing like wildfire these days to be washed and rinsed. She is definitely going to be a girly girl, and seems to think of it as her spa time each night.

Backyard Summertime Fun

Jocelyn and Ian have been enjoying some good old-fashioned summertime fun with Momma and Grammy in the backyard. Here are a few recent shots:

Jocelyn likes the sunglasses Momma picked up in a gift shop in Bermuda. I personally can't decide whether they would be more suitable for Lindsay Lohan or someone with cataracts, but Jocelyn seems to like them.

Jocelyn also likes the blow-up pool we bought for the backyard. Since we usually fill it using the garden hose, the water is usually freezing when it first goes in, leading to the blue lips you see here. A dip is not only refreshing, but builds character!

The little man also enjoys a dip now and again and doesn't seem to mind the frigid temps. He pretty much enjoys doing whatever Jocelyn happens to be doing - he spends most of his waking hours studying her every move. I think she is going to have a shadow as soon as he can move around on his own.

Ian also enjoys his swing time, just like his sister did. He is just about able to sit up on his own, and shows signs of being ready to crawl soon...we think he is going to be a busy one!

Happy 40th Birthday Poppa!

We were able to celebrate Poppa's birthday in Bermuda for a few nights, thanks to Grammy, Pepere and Nana babysitting you munchkins. This is a view from our hotel room!

We had to do it! It was very fun and I lectured your Poppa about safety the entire way around the island!

Sorry Poppa but this one is classic:)

This was a shot from the road as we were driving by. I made your Poppa stop. Bermuda was amazing and we had an amazing time! Happy Birthday Poppa!

Where Did the Time Go?

I have been busy investigating whether building a new house is a feasible option over the past 5 weeks before my maternity leave is over and have been very lax in updating the blog with the latest pictures. Here are a few great shots from the past 5 weeks or so. Enjoy!

Jocelyn's adorable gift from Grammy!

She is all excited about the flowers on the sandals so is pointing them out for me:)

Ian on his 4 month birthday hanging out with Pepere...
And learning to eat!!

Making pancakes with Grammy one morning...

And the little man trying out the bumbo seat for the first time so he can be part of the action!

Although not walking in it yet, obviously, Ian has begun using the walker that Jocelyn loved so much when she got her cast off.

He seems to enjoy it too!

Although when big sister decides she like to push him around...

It may be a bit much for the little guy just yet!! We have since attached the brakes to the bottom to prevent Jocelyn from playing bumper cars with him!!

Jocelyn's new thing is to wrap her stuffed "Baby Doggie" in her pink blanket (like Momma wraps baby Ian in his blanket). Grammy is wrapping her in it instead.

And stealing a snuggie...

And a tickle!

Meanwhile, Poppa is entertaining the little man...

Who seems to be enamored with his Poppa these days...

Who is also stealing a snuggie!

Ian decided he wanted roll over while Momma and Poppa were away for Poppa's 40th birthday so this is not a shot of the first time but one of the first times instead...oh well!!

Why Your Poppa Is Amazing and Changing the World for the Better...

Jocelyn and Ian~

Below is an email from our 85 year old neighbor in Manchester whose house was also recently bought back from the town due to the hazardous waste issue we had dealt with. Your Poppa spent considerable time including Mrs Mains in the dealings with the town and attempting to keep her informed of any decisions that may have impacted her house as well. I thought it might brighten your day to take a read ~ it certainly makes me immensely proud of him (not that I wasn't before:)) that he has changed the world in such a positive way. No more children (especially you two) will be living and playing on hazardous waste and no more families who have spent their life paying down mortgages on their family home will be unable to sell their home to future buyers and unable to secure their future and the future of their families due to your Poppa's hard work.

Your Poppa turns forty next week and two years ago when we bought our house in Wellesley, he said wanted to be sitting by our pool behind our newly built house for his 40th birthday. We certainly haven't accomplished that yet (we are going to Bermuda instead ~ thanks to Grammy, Pepere and Nana for babysitting!) but Poppa has made our dream (and Mrs Mains) a real possiblity in the near future with his hard work over the past two years. Have a read and I dare you not to smile!!

Hello David:
I just thought you might like to know how all has come out for the Mains family. I am about to close on a beautiful house in Rockport. In today's world it was a bargain, and much better then we have here. I believe the town came thru generously in our case. It helped that I had cash to pay for the house as the owner was anxious to leave. With some renovations there will be seperate space for my daughter and granddaughter.
I know the whole thing has been awful for you both, but believe me you saved my life. I could never have sold this house to anybody. All I can say is one huge thank You. If in future you will be in Rockport for any reason I would like it if you let me know, after all I would not be there if it were not for you.
I hope little girl Gesner is doing well. They grow so fast. How did I get three great grands, all dear girls; the years flew by thats how.
One more THANKS,

Chukki Mains