New car seat

We've traded in the easy-to-carry, (comparitively) light infant carseat for a new "convertible" one. He's outgrown the old one, both in height and weight, but since he's under a year he still needs to be rear-facing. The new one is a BEAST! It currently weighs more than Robin does and can support him rear-facing to 35 pounds (he's allowed to flip around after a year AND 20 pounds, but it's safer to keep him rear-facing for longer) and forward-facing up to 65 pounds. So he'll be a really big boy by the time he outgrows THIS one!

Last time in the old carseat

Now in the new carseat

We went to the firestation so they could help us make sure we were installing the new one correctly, and then Robin got to see a firetruck, and they gave him his own firehat as well.

In other news, this last weekend Robin learned to put a ring on his stacking rings!

And today he figured out that after he pulls the magnets off the fridge, he can put them back on again and they stick! He's also got four teeth now, he cut the top two a little more than a week ago. They took a lot longer than I expected them to (since we'd seen them beginning to protrude into his gums quite a while back,) though I've heard from several other people with kids that the top ones take longer.

It's been chilly these last few days, so here he is, all bundled up. Isn't he a cutie??!!!!

Off we're gonna shuffle, Shuffle off to Buffalo!

Yes! Our trip. I'm just now getting photos sorted.

As I mentioned earlier, my mom's aunt went to a consignment store and picked up a pack-n-play for us, since there was nowhere to rent one nearby. So we stopped at their house before heading to Nana's, for some visiting and to pick it up. Robin got to meet some Great-Great-Aunts and an Uncle. Here is Bob, Doris, and Lorraine, with Robin (of course!)

Snuggling with Great Nana

Robin was a bit perplexed by the glass-topped coffee table.

Our biggest outing of the vacation was Robin's first visit to Niagara Falls. We saw lots of water. Lots and lots of water. Robin was rather mesmerized by all of the water.

Robin sees the bird

Hanging out and having fun

We all had breakfast together at the table, even Robin! Cereal-breaded french toast--ah, the decadence of vacation!

My Aunt Jackie flew out and stopped by while we were in Buffalo. She came out because my cousin Gretchen had a piano recital the last day of our vacation, and she wanted to see it.

Robin wants YOU!

Then on the last day, we all trucked down to Westfield (a little less than an hour-and-a-half away) to see the recital, and the family.

Gretchen is now at Interlocken (sp?), which is a school of music in Michigan, for her senior year of high school. It sounds like after studying there, she ought to have a clear shot at the college of her choice. And well she deserves it, she was really good!

Robin is learning to play the piano too!

Robin with his Great Uncle Matt

Robin with his Great Aunt Darlene

Four generations again. He's grown a lot since the last time we did this!

Lastly, and most entertaining, Robin learned to dance while we were gone. It's really cute! Usually I find these kinds of toys cloying, but I was getting a kick out of Robin's entertainment. (Please don't cringe too much, Aunt Catherine, I've heard you hate this chicken.)

Thanks again, Nana, for having us and for the wonderful visit! We all miss you!

Vroom vroom

Last night, Robin began playing with his Fisher Price telephone like a car, driving it all over the house. He continued this again today, and it has proved to be the most fun toy he's ever played with, judging by the fact that he hasn't clamored for our attention nearly as much while playing with the phone as he usually does. He whines every time it turns off of its wheels, but usually gets it back upright again on his own. The video is a little dark, but you get the idea.

He had pancakes with us this morning! Just a little one, and he tore it to shreds, but he seemed to enjoy it.

He has also recently figured out how doors work. He can't reach the handles, of course, but he'll sit next to an open door, swing it mostly closed, then grab the edge of the door and push it open again. And again, and again.

There's definately a lot more going on in that little head these days. He's so neat to watch!

Oh, and it's a good thing that he hasn't decided to try to get out of his crib on his own yet, because when we went to get him up this morning, we discovered that the crib side had been down all night. Yikes! Thank goodness nothing happened!

Happy Labor Day everybody!