summer vacation

We just got home from our first family vacation yesterday and boy did we have a great time! We went to Seneca Lake in New York (it's one of the Finger Lakes for those of you that don't know). Nonna, Aunt Christie (and Nutella), Uncle Chris, Aunt Jennifer and of course Mommy, Daddy and Sally all came! Unfortunately it rained quite a bit while we were there-but we had a few nice days! Good thing Christie's friend gave Quinn some clothes-Mommy didn't pack enough "cool weather" clothes! When will I learn?!? When headed to upstate New York always be prepared!

We had a great time seeing everyone at Christie's shower and spending time with both the Lisi and Putnam families!

John ran his car at Watkins Glen while we were there. We all went to watch him twice, which was very exciting! Safety first with little man's soundproof headphones :-)

We went to a few vineyards while we were up there, which was very nice. Quinn had a good time too. When we went to Dr. Konstantin Frank's winery (John's favorite), Quinn decided it would be fun to "talk," which means his throat grumble, which is pretty hilarious. The man doing the tasting asked if we had consulted a priest for him ;-) Ha!

While we were there Quinn tried prunes and LOVED them. What a mess! He also learned how to, well started to at least, drink from a sippy cup.

Quinn and I flew up to Syracuse. He's becoming quite the frequent flyer! He did great going up and coming home. 3 people actually commented on the way up what a good baby he was! Go Quinn! He enjoyed looking out the window on the way home and fell asleep as we were landing. He was tuckered out I guess!
There are tons more pictures on our shutterfly site, check them out! http://putnamfamilync.shutterfly.com/#
Can't wait to see everyone again soon!

caged beast

For those of you that don't know, I started a new job on Monday. I am a Virtual Assistant for a company called Simply Virtual. I will be able to work from home-woo hoo!! However, starting a work-from-home job the week after your son learns to crawl has been a challenge I have quickly discovered!! He has REALLY gotten good at this crawling thing VERY quickly and is fast!
So, since this weekend we've been on a search for a Super Gate. What's a Super Gate you ask? Basically an octagon cage for the little guy :-) I finally found one on craigslist (I LOVE craigslist!) and met the woman this morning to get it! Now I can put Quinn in there with his toys while I am on a call and know that he is safe. Check it out! I feel like he's in Baby Jail!!!

i like to move it, move it

Well, it's official-we have a crawler!! Quinn started sitting up just shy of 6 months, then he began to perfect the "tripod" stance, which is getting on his knees & hand & rocking back & forth. Then, he started scooting and we knew crawling was going to be soon to follow-but not this soon!

He was officially off and running last Friday. Believe it or not, he went after Sally's kong! Not sure what it was about that toy, but he wanted it! Sally has now moved her toys and bone out of the living room ;-)

He will be 8 months old next week and already on the move! He's in a hurry to get somewhere I suppose! Check him out in action below . Sorry about the quality-it was shot on my cell phone!

Today he discovered that he could crawl under his precious Jumperoo. Perhaps it's a fort in the making??



Now that he has learned how to crawl he is off!! He has gotten so fast in just a few days! John and I watch him in amazement! Bring on this new adventure :-)

michael phelps-watch out!

Yesterday we went to our first swim lesson at the Little Otter Swim School. Quinn had a wonderful time and did so well!! Grandma and Great Aunt Cathey were down for a visit and got to see him in action which was so nice! Aunt Cathey took lots of pictures and videos! I've posted the photos to the shutterfly account and will get the videos up shortly, http://putnamfamilync.shutterfly.com/
Quinn was so busy looking around & checking everything out! He loved the water!

We will be going once a week to lessons. I was talking to a fellow Mommy in the class and her son, Alex (6 months), went completely underwater in one activity. I told her that was great & she said it only took 3 classes! Oh boy!
I put his face in the water once and his teacher did once as well (see the video below) and he did great! Just kept right on going-he's a natural :)

discovery place - so much to see!

I recently signed up for a playgroup here in Charlotte and they have a ton of great activities for Quinn - and for Mommy! Yesterday we went to Discovery Place, http://www.discoveryplace.org/ a children's museum here in town. They remodeled it earlier this year and WOW what a difference! I had done an event there in 2008 and thought it looked a bit like a museum time had forgotten - not anymore! I can't wait for the little guy to get a bit older because there is just so much to see and do there! Quinn really liked checking out the bears (there was a polar bear, black bear and grizzly bear)! He just kind of stared at them like, "What in the world are you?? You don't look like Sally."

He also loved the aquarium and watching all the fish, eels and other things swim around!
We were there for about 3 hours. He was tuckered out indeed! Can't wait to go back soon!!