The months keep ticking by and Gavin turns one-and-three-quarters today.

We mention it in every monthly update, but Gavin is even more nuts about books with each passing month. He simply can't get enough reading in a single day and doesn't really have favorites anymore. He loves almost anything we read him. Daddy has been checking out lots of books about cars and trucks from the library and Gavin insists on reading them over and over and over and over and ...

Gavin watches a little bit of television now. He really enjoys Handy Manny on the Disney Channel. It's an animated show about a town handyman and his talking tools. We have a couple dozen episodes recorded now so he can watch whenever Daddy needs 15-20 minutes of free time. Gavin eagerly sits in his Cars chair in front of the television for the entire episode. He won't watch more than one in a row though. There are more interesting things to do than watch television all day, after all, like playing with his cars on the window sill.

Gavin saw a firetruck up close for the first time several weeks ago at our church's block party. We thought he would be bubbling over with excitement, but he was very shy around so many people and didn't enjoy it much so the event wasn't blogged. :)

Most days while he's in his crib for his afternoon nap, Gavin opens the drawers of the dresser that is right next to his crib. He stuffs blankets from his crib into the drawers and sometimes rearranges their contents by moving clothes from one drawer to another.

Daddy has been busy working in the garage on toys and furniture for Gavin. He's made a large bookshelf to store Gavin's books and bins of toys, and a drawing eisel with large sheets of paper to draw on. Gavin only scribbles, but he likes it when Mommy or Daddy draw cars and trucks. Someday Mommy will get around to writing a full blog entry with pictures about Daddy's creations.

Gavin loves being outdoors and who can blame him now that Autumn is settling in and the evenings are nice and cool? He pulls on the handle of the front door or brings us his shoes when he wants to play out back. It's just too beautiful outside to stay indoors these days!

Gavin likes to collect fallen leaves in his bucket while out back.

Baths are out. Showers are in. Gavin refuses to take a bath but loves to sit in the tub with the shower on.

Gavin goes to Tiny Tumblers twice a week now and Rhyme Time at the library at least twice a week as well. Tiny Tumblers is only $10 for a four-week session and the library program is free so these are great social activities for the tight family budget!

We're not using the high chair much anymore. Gavin prefers to sit in a grown-up chair. The complete story behind that marvelous orange sippy cup in the photo will come in a later blog entry.