Last night, Gavin was walking, cruising, and crawling all over the apartment while playing his version of hide-and-seek-peekaboo. Hide-and-seek with a ten-month-old requires the little seeker to actually see where hider has gone so that he can follow. Daddy crawled around on all fours and hid around the corner. Gavin then chased after him and giggled after finding Daddy in the hallway. Daddy crawled behind the recliner. Gavin followed and laughed when Daddy came into view and yelled, "Peek-a-boo!" Then, Daddy got really creative and went into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him without latching it. Gavin crawled to the door, pushed it open, and rolled on the floor with laughter when Daddy's face emerged from the other side.

Next, it was Mommy's turn to "hide." She hid around the corner, behind the recliner, and on the other side of the bedroom door just like Daddy. Then, Gavin crawled into the bedroom leaving Mommy and Daddy in the hallway. His parents looked at each other in mild confusion as Gavin shut the door behind him. "What is he doing?" they asked. Curious to see if he was getting into mischief all alone in the bedroom, they gently nudged the door open until they saw Gavin's giddy face peek around from inside the bedroom and laughter ensued. Gavin had decided to change roles and become the hider!

Mommy and Daddy laughed for a while after that episode.

In case you're wondering ... No, the photo that began this blog entry doesn't have any connection to the story told thus far. I just really like the photo so I wanted to post it first :). That photo is from Sunday afternoon when Gavin played around in the leaves outside.

I'm so happy that Gavin will be growing up in an area with real seasons. Not to criticize Gavin's birth state where there is little change from season to season except for the number of tourists on the roads, but there's something wonderful about the way the outdoors change throughout the year north of the Sunshine State. I have so many wonderful childhood memories of playing outside in the New Jersey autumn leaves and can't wait to watch Gavin grow up enjoying each new season.

I can walk on my OWN, Daddy!

Charge!