Seriously, Mom....

I just wanted to share this photo of Gus with his serious face. One minute he looks like a baby, the next like a little man. More and more these days I see a little boy following me or his dad around, and I think, gosh it is happening so fast, all of this growing up.

Gus visited Santa on Saturday. He was a very good boy. He sat on Santa's lap for a few minutes, seriously eyeing the whole thing, and then the lower lip started to quiver a little when he saw Matt and I standing back a bit and realized he was on the lap of a large bearded old man.

side note- I noticed the 'comments' section was removed. I think I hit a button somewhere, and I am trying to get it back up.

Shay

Our Tree

Here is a pic of our Christmas tree. We are pretty proud of it this year. Matt braved the snowy conditions and found a perfect Ingleman Spruce. Gus has been very well behaved around it, too.

Say Moo part two

Here is Gus proudly demonstrating to us what a Cow says.

It's naptime...

Hey all. I just wanted to write a quick posting since Gus is happily napping and its my day off. We have had quite the experience with a pesky ear infection, and other happenings, so I am sorry if I haven't posted as many fun pics lately.

Gus and I did some online Christmas shopping this morning. How handy is that. No packing up the stroller and braving the lines and parking lots. Then again, we don't have any of that here in Oroville, so I can't really pretend it's an option. But we do have icy parking lots-- and crossing one of those with a 26 pound squirmer in your arms can be quite the challnge.

Christmas is going to be a lot of fun this year, I think. We got out some of our decorations and Gus is so curious about them all. He doesn't know what Santa is yet, but we will go and sit on Santa's lap this weekend. He loves the lights and songs, that's for sure.

Like I said, its naptime, so I need to get a few things done around here. I'll post new pictures soon.

Shay

Over the River and Through the Woods

We are almost ready to head over the river and through the woods-- literally, to Grandma and Grandpa's (x2) houses. Plus one Great-Granny.

Gus is so lucky to have four grandparents and one great-grandma who love him so much. Am I sappy tonight? Um, maybe its the bottle of 2002 Whitestone Merlot we just opened. So, so good. From a winemaker that Matt went to gradeschool with- a small little winery from Wilbur, WA. They are located in the pending "ancient lakes" AVA. (Near Lake Roosevelt).

Matt and I both had stressful days at work. These kind of days make the holidays so much sweeter. You remember what is truly important.

Anyways. Here is Gus reading at his fun little table and chair at Grandma Connie and Grandpa Dick's house. This is the same chair and table that his Mom and Aunt Molly used to play at.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

Shay

Vote, Baby, Vote!

Gus would like to remind everyone to get your ballots in the mail today for the very critical mid-term elections.

He helped his dad vote last night, during the 3rd quarter of the Seahawks game. He tried to influence Matt on some key issues, but we reminded him that he has about 16.5 years to go before he can fill out a ballot. The last time I voted, two years ago, Gus was "pinto bean" inside my tummy. I was about 2 months pregnant. That seems like ages ago.

Voting at home is so nice, isn't it? For Matt, its really handy, given that he works in the woods and getting anywhere in town during business hours is nearly impossible.

I had to take Gus to Omak yesterday to see the Dr. Turns out he has a bad ear infection in his right ear. His only symptoms where just the prolonged cold he has had and a little crankiness lately. No night waking, no fever, etc. Those ear infections are pesky. It's only his second ever, so I am not too worried. The Dr. put him on amoxicillin so he should be feeling better soon.

Hope you all have a nice election day,

Shay

Snow on the Pumpkins

Halloween was quite the experience for Gus. We had about 200 trick or treaters, and everytime they would come and then go, Gus cried a little. Why would these kids show up, ask for candy, and then leave? He wanted to play with them, I think.

And this was the last year, sadly, that Gus truly had no idea what candy is or tastes like. He is destined to love snickers and m and ms just like his momma and daddy.

As you can see by the pic, we went with a cowboy inspired train engineer look this year.

The snow started falling yesterday- the first snowfall of the year is so special. Whats not special is the leaves we have to rake that now resemble soggy wheaties.

Shay

Then

Then:
Gus in leaves, 2005.

Now

Now:
Playing in the leaves, 2006.

What does a Cow Say?

Gus has been talking a lot these days. His new animal sound is "mooo" the cow sound. This little clip (sorry, its a bit dark) will showcase his new talent. The funniest thing is that we quiz him quite a bit and the only animal he gets wrong every time is the cat. Gus, what does a Cat say? "Woof woof!" he proudly answers.

Welcome to the world Ian Scott

Gus has a new cousin: Dan, my cousin, and his wife Misty welcomed a beautiful baby boy to the world on Friday. His name is Ian Scott O'Brien. He was 10 pounds at birth! What a big boy. We are so happy to welcome him to the family.

What is it about this family and big baby boys? We are really on a run here. It must be in the good O'Brien genes.

Thinking lots of warm happy newborn wishes to Dan and Misty....

Shay

Happy Birthday, Keenan O'Brien

Gus wants to wish his second cousin, Keenan Gideon, a happy 1st birthday. My cousin Darby and his wife, Autemn, have a beautiful family and Keenan is their littlest.

My perception of birthdays has now changed quite a bit since becoming a parent. I think birthdays are really special. I always did, you know, its the day you were born and it acts as your own personal holiday. But now I think they are so much more than that. For the parent, its "Meet-Your-Baby day." Or it could be "Double the size of your heart day." For the child, it is something like "Finally I get to suck on boob-day." Or perhaps "Meet-the-parents day."

And then when you look back at your childs first year, you think about how much they have accomplished, grown, and how much more they have to look forward to.

Well that was enough sappiness for the day, huh. I gotta get to work.

Gus got me up early at 4:30; he has two new molars cutting through on top, and he is cranky these days. (now, so am I).

Walk Like a Gus (re-try)

Okay,

Grandpa Tim informed me that this will work, you may need to download a new version of the Adobe Flash player.

I am Walking, Everyone!

It's official. Gus started walking last night. 15.5 months and counting... But I really wasn't worried. Just waiting anxiously for the moment. He is just an easy going, laid-back kinda guy, and has never been eager to get moving. Happy where put, so to speak.

Matt and I caught the excitement on our digital camera which also takes movies, so I am hoping to successfully upload a link for you all to view.

This picture is of Gus up in the Okanagan (Canada) wine country, at Iniskillin Winery. No, that is not wine around his lips. Its cherry juice.

Shay

Bare Buns on the Shores of Lake Roosevelt

Taken Labor Day Weekend, 2006.

Gus on the Ferry

These two pictures are of Gus when we were in Seattle in July. He loved the ferry ride. Grandpa Tim in the background, and with Dad of course.

Favorite Photo

Welcome to the Gus Blog

I thought creating a blog for Gus would be a really fun way to share pics and any exciting happenings with all of our friends and family.