Savannah's B-Day Party and New video

Getting a kiss from the birthday girl :)

Hi everyone! This past Saturday we celebrated our niece's 12th Birthday. We all went to the zoo and then had a little party at Aunt Missi's house afterwards. Vin decided this was the day he would premier his brand new Stranger Anxiety. Nobody could hold him but Daddy or Mommy. And when someone else did hold him he would shortly thereafter go into hysterics. Last week he started the business of crying every time I would leave a room which can be a bit annoying (okay it's a lot annoying). I've been reading up about it and there really isn't much to do about it other than to help them by slowly introducing new people and letting them warm up before tossing them over. As they get older babies learn that Mom and Dad will come back for them and the panic subsides.

I've never been one of those Mom's who wants their baby to reach for them only. To be completely transparent I kind of resent that sort of neediness. I know... I know all you moms out there are cringing at me for saying that. Don't get me wrong I love meeting our son's needs but I don't want to be the only one he looks to 24/7. Not cool. The times I enjoy the most are when I see little buds of independence blossoming on him and now it feels like we are taking a gigantic step backwards. Sigh. I suppose "...this too shall pass"

Changing topics now: today in the grocery store Vin started laughing out loud hysterically at the self-checkout machine. It must have been the computer voice that made him laugh because every time I would hit a button he would just laugh and laugh and laugh. It gave me an idea... when I got home I found a baby game online that says a letter of the alphabet after I hit a key on the keyboard. This got a good laugh out of him. It wasn't close to the caliber of laughter in the store, but it is still enjoyable to watch. Here's a video of it: http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s72/jdangello1998/?action=view&current=Laughing.flv

We Made Our Move!!

We are all nice and settled in our new place now. Moving was a major pain but then when isn't it? In other news Vin turned six months last week. He still doesn't enjoy tummy time so I think crawling is a long long way off. He can hold himself up in a standing position if he really puts his mind to it - same thing with sitting up by himself. We are really enjoying his blossoming personality and interaction skills. Makes us want three more. No, not really but it is a lot of fun having him around.



This is a shot of Vin hanging out with Grandpop Berner at his work. His Grandpop is the Chief of Maintenance for Heinz' corporate jets.





Holding himself up while playing with his favorite toy.



Showing off his new skill - he can stand all by himself (with the couch's help, of course)




I just love how he has to keep his arms out for balance.

Big Steel's Legacy

Being in Pittsburgh is at once historically awe inspiring and presently depressing. From the late 1800s to the 1970s, Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities were the steel capital of the world. At one point, steel mills themselves accounted for 40% of all jobs in western Pennsylvania. Now, there is only ONE steel mill operating w/in city limits. The above pictures, taken at the former sight of one of US Steel's 8 mills, is all that remains in a plant that employed over 10,000 workers.

Downtown's buildings, while beautiful to the eye, now stand barely 70% occupied. This is a tribute to the lack of vision that caused the US to loose its competitive advantage over 'foreign' steel. It was once thought that the industry was never to be supplanted. Companies and Unions behaved accordingly. Companies by failing to invest in then modern technology. Unions by failing to see a picture larger than their own paychecks.

The rusting monuments left behind as companies shuttered mills and laid off workers stand as a lesson to my generation and those that will follow.

Jason

Vin Laughing!

Here is a rare video of Vin laughing. He was so tired after skipping ALL of his day naps while we were at Kennywood. I think he was just plain silly with tiredness by the time we got him into the car to go home. http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s72/jdangello1998/?action=view&current=7b5b5f44.flv

Kennywood Park!

Yesterday we went to Kennywood for Jason's company picnic.

On the Merry go round! This was his expression the entire ride.

Here is a shot of us on the Kennywood Train. I love Vin's face here. It looks like he is bored with the slow moving ride. Well, buddy maybe next year you can ride some real kiddy rides.

Okay, so we've been a little absent lately on the blogging scene. Last Saturday we arrived home from our ten day vacation to NJ. We had such a great time but unfortunately Vin started teething or something of the sort torwards the end of the trip. He has been getting up every two hours at night and hardly napping at all during the day. By the end of the week we were all ready for another vacation. Fortunately, Vin slepted for 9 hours Friday and Saturday night and we're hoping for the same tonight. AND we are moving into our new place 8/5 and so far I have just one box packed. The good news there is that we have until 8/31 to be out of our current place so there is no real hurry...

Here are some pictures from our vacation...

Oh yeah, and Vin started rolling from his belly to his back during the trip

Mom flew in from FL for Jenn's baby shower. We had a lovely Mother/Daughter lunch on Friday






This is in Aunt Deb's pool and was also Vin's first time in a pool. He did not like it at first.


Warming up to the idea a bit. Maybe it took him awhile to get used to the glare coming off of his Dad's chest



Cousin Ed and his boys: Matthew and Peter



Ed and Peter playing silly pool games

BABY SHOWER DAY!!!



Uncle Ed and Peter




Grandmom Mitchell & Vin


The beautiful pregnant Jenn


Mommy and Daddy to be!


Vin supposed to be napping was smiling at anyone who would stop by to give him attention



Uncle John sneaking in a visit with Vin during "nap time"


Lori and Christina


Cousin Ashley babysitting


Grandmom Mitchell, Dia, and Great Nana Melton



Great Aunt Debbie entertaining Vin with bells.



Jenn and her Mom


Great Nana

Grandmom Mitchell

BEACH TIME!!!
We spent Monday - Saturday down in Wildwood, NJ.

Great Grandmom Allchin and Vin watching the waves. This was Vin's actual first time on the beach but he was asleep the entire time.


Trying on Dad's hat



This is when we first arrived on the beach. He just sat and watched the waves in awe and then watched us scramble to set up all of his beach crap.

Vin looking down at the ocean water

Dipping his toes in. We didn't get a good picture here but he screamed. I guess the water was a little cold.





I just love this shirt



Lifeguards on duty



Watching the cars go by with Great Grandmom Allchin


Hanging out with Great Granpop Allchin

Family Picture

4th of July!

This year we enjoyed fireworks at Aunt Missi's house. Vin stayed up late for the show but made us pay for it today.

Watching the show with Dad

And now with Mom

Cousin Savannah and Vin

Lighting sparklers with the nieces

Aunt Missi and Vin saying hello

Mr. Jody and Vin

Cousin Lexine