All G wants for Christmas...

http://m.essentialbaby.com.au/seasonal/a-10montholds-letter-to-santa-20131215-2zfef.html

9 MONTHS OLD

11/19/2014

Dear Family,

I am 9 months old today!

sit still for what

Stats: I weigh 19 pounds 10 ounces, have sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. I am wearing size 3 diapers and clothes anywhere from 6-9 months to 9-12 months. I have 4 teeth. The doctor says I am short for my age, but if you've seen my parents you will probably think it's pretty normal.

Some things I have learned how to do: Crawl and crawl fast, go up and down stairs in my living room, stand up along furniture/walls and cruise, eat all types of food, walk with walker, babble, and wave! I recognize my name and sometimes when my mom says "come here" I listen. Sometimes when my adults say "no no," I laugh!!

Some things I find intriguing: The vacuum cleaner, dogs, kids and other babies, outside, cashiers, anything in the bathroom, garbage cans, anything with a screen, dog food!!

Some things I could do without: the car seat, getting diaper changed or clothes put on, having to wear socks or shoes, getting nails clipped/nose wiped/lotion put on

Some things I love: When my dad or papa puts me on top of their head or on their shoulders!! I love to be tickled on my sides, neck, armpits, or knees. I sometimes like to be carried around by mom or grandma when I get lonely, but other times will play with my toys for a long time. I do like to explore my house and my grandparents house and sometimes mom will let me play in the kitchen cupboards, with her bracelets, or hair brushes!!

Love, 

Garrick

Fall 2014

We generally have a very happy and energetic boy on our hands!

 He loves to smile at anyone including his stuffed animals, dogs, and people

 He has also learned how to give kisses! The sloppy, open-mouthed kind! And he especially likes to try to kiss the dogs or mom and dad's noses

Garrick dressed as a tiger for his first halloween. We visited Grandma Guggenmos and Great Grandma Floss.

Our baby is crawling all over the house and getting into everything! He pulls himself up and walks along everything too.

Garrick also knows no fear. Here is Alex helping him down the stairs which he accomplished without error on his first try

We had our first snowfall on November 10th.

As to be expected, Garrick is not a fan of the cold weather! He's already looking forward to spring when he can play outside again and go for walks.

8 MONTHS OLD

Oct 19,  2014

Dear Family,

Today I turned 8 months old!

Sit Still, For What?

I am a very happy boy now that I can crawl all over and stand up along furniture and walls. There is so much more to explore than I could ever have imagined. I stay very busy keeping Mom on her toes while I chase the dogs and make new discoveries all day long.

What's over there?

I sure am loving life these days and am very excited to see all of you very soon!

Love, Garrick

7 MONTHS OLD

September 19, 2014

It has been another big month at our house!!

Mommy's Sweetheart!! 

• Garrick is now able to crawl! He woke up with conviction one day and started army crawling towards a pen of all things. He has been unstoppable since. And, yes, he is mostly motivated to move towards things that are at least semi dangerous for babies. Pens, plastic sacks, hair spray, inside a cabinet, lamp cords, outlets, dog toys, up stairs, it's all so interesting. (disclaimer: all things posing even a minor threat to baby have been baby-proofed or moved out of reach months ago. however, with supervision, he is allowed some sensory exploration of various household objects. He seems enthralled by anything he hasn't seen before.)  He also crawls fast when Remmie or Roscoe is around, and he will reach for their faces or tails. Remmie loves this game!! Roscoe, on the other hand, will retreat under the coffee table, and Garrick follows. Garrick is trying hard to crawl "properly" on hands and knees, but more usually, he is doing a sort of army-crawl-pull maneuver. 

• Garrick can now pull himself into a seated position. He utilizes this skill during the day to play with his toys and to observe various parts of the living room. However, he first began practicing this at night time and I would find him crying in his crib in a seated position. 
• Garrick reaches for people when he wants to be picked up. He also reaches for his mom or grandma when he is being held by others. He is quite the ladies man! He is starting to practice waving "bye-bye" and shaking his head no. He has managed to mimic his adults a few times when prompted. He also turns into a giggle monster when you tickle him, especially on the back of the neck, armpits, and knees. 
• Garrick FLIRTS. He has developed a big personality and he seems to know it. He will act shy when Mom or Dad comes into his room when he wakes up from a  nap and bury his head in the covers and then sit up and smile. He will also try to hide his face when women approach him in the grocery store and then give a huge toothy grin. If the cashier isn't paying attention to him, Garrick will stare them down until they look at him and smile! Needless to say, this doesn't happen often. It is hard to take this kid anywhere-strangers come up to him wherever we are and some even tickle his toes (which is kind of weird to me) but Garrick seems to love it!
• Garrick can make a "razzing" sound and there was one week where he did it constantly, even between cries. He has kind of slowed down on the razzing since then, he's probably on to bigger and better things. Occasionally when Garrick eats purees or oatmeal he says "mmmmm" between spoonfuls. He can say "ma-ma-ma," "da-da-da," "ga-ga-ga" and a noise that sounds like "hey!" When he gets stressed he tends to say "ma-maaaa"
• Garrick got his first "hair cut" this month. Most of his newborn hair fell out, but there were some  long dark stragglers that had to go. After the haircut he is looking much more blonde.

  

  Pre-Hair Cut



Look what I can do! (and post-hair cut comparison)

• Garrick seems to try out new skills within the confines of his crib.  Two days in a row we found him sitting up in his crib so we lowered the mattress. On the third day he was found standing! He now tries to pull himself to a standing position by holding onto furniture. 
• Some favorite games of Garrick's include chasing Remmie in his walker, bouncing like a mad-man in Grandma and Papa's bouncer, and playing paddy cake. He also likes to play "got your nose" when being held. Except in Garrick's version, he just grabs a part of your face and tries to rip it off (lol). Daddy's whistle and Mom's singing voice continue to be some of his favorite sounds, and occasionally his babbles will take on a sing-song-like chatter. 
• Still only two teeth have surfaced. We haven't found a food that Garrick seems to dislike. Along with trying new solids, he also took a bite out of his crib railing this month! Bottle Update: Garrick made his mother very happy this month by taking a few bottles in the night. As for pacifiers, he uses them as a chew toy only. 
• It is already evident that Garrick Bernard Guggenmos is a risk-taker/ thrill seeker/ fearless explorer. Despite the fact that Mommy's makeup brushes are his #1 favorite thing to play with when given the chance, Garrick is ALL BOY. Since learning to crawl, he will try to catapult himself off Mom&Dad's bed or the couch, and tries to wriggle loose when being held.  He LOVES to be tossed in the air, held upside-down, or bounced on top of Papa's head!  He zones in on something he is not supposed to have or get into and determinedly goes right for it. We probably have a future Trouble Maker on our hands!

Call me Mister Danger! 

6 MONTHS OLD

Dear Family,

Last night Alex and I had our parents over for supper to celebrate Garrick's half-birthday. We reminisced about the meal we shared at the same table exactly six months earlier and it all seems unreal.  Garrick spent his birthday party eating a peach and sleeping through most of it as he was overtired from having too much fun at Grandma and Papa Guggenmos's that day. So, unfortunately, we obtained no pictures from the event! Garrick hopes that he will be in better spirits on his ACTUAL birthday, although he has been made aware he may have to share the limelight with a special new baby around that time.

Our Six Month Old pooped out on the party and fell asleep in his six month sticker, so we had to take pictures this morning!

This face says "mom, I think I may throw up." And he did. Next time his cousin, Violet, visits, I hope she will share her secrets of always being *camera-ready* with our little one. He always forgets to smile!
This was a big month in our house and we think we may have a crawler on our hands soon! Garrick is now able to roll from his back to front and front to back. He can sit up by himself and likes this position to play with toys, especially the piano at Grandma and Papa's house! Our little boy does seem to get frustrated when toys or food are out of his reach or Mom/Dad is out of the room for too long. He also gets bored of his toys easily and prefers to play with everyday objects like water bottles, pieces of paper, or cups. When on his tummy he can spin 360 degrees or backwards, but forward seems a little too challenging! Although if there is a dog in reach, this is an especially good incentive.

Garrick's babbles are starting to sound more word-like all the time. We even heard him say "da-da" while Alex was holding him one night! Garrick cut two teeth this month and has no desires to slow down when it comes to solid foods! He has tried purees to include squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, and green beans. He has also eaten watermelon and muskmelon, corn on the cob, and steak! He really seems to like the mesh self-feeders filled with bananas or peaches.

Good-bye, sticker

Laughing at sticker

Eating Sticker

That's all for now. I'm told it's time to feed a hungry baby.
Love, Rachel

5 MONTHS OLD

July 19, 2014

I am 5 months old, can you believe it! This month I finally mastered rolling over onto my tummy from my back. I surprised everyone by rolling over a few times before, but it was just an accident! With some help, I can sit up too but there is still a good chance that I will fall quickly if I'm not careful. I love to hold on to and snuggle with soft toys, to shake rattles, and to grab onto people's faces or dogs. I do get a little upset when my toys are out of my reach, they fall, or mom takes them away. I will try to grab for anything and everything near me - so watch out!! My least favorite things right now include pacifiers and bottles-just yuck! I love to hear mommy sing or listen to music of any kind. I am really trying out my voice and am often heard squealing! I will definitely giggle when daddy tickles the back of my neck or people act like they're going to eat my toes!

This picture is pretty much the default of what I do in my spare time. My fists or fingers are nearly always in my mouth these days! I have started to enjoy reading books also. Some of the pictures are pretty neat! I try to hit at the bright shapes and colors. My favorite book to read with my mom is one about Diggers!

Recently, I had the opportunity to try squash and baby rice crackers; they are Delicious! 

I do have one question, though. Why does my doggie friend keep getting smaller?!

Love, 

Garrick

Summertime Firsts

Garrick's First Baseball game

Go Aden!

Aden in the Batter's box

 Our First Family Vacation/Garrick's first time on a Pontoon/first time at the Lake!

Beautiful Lake Emma near Park Rapids, Minnesota 

Alex catching some winners! 

Garrick does not want a turtle for a pet

Familial bliss

4 MONTHS OLD

June 19th, 2014

I am finally past the newborn stage and I am getting a hang of this baby thing! I now weigh 17.2 pounds and people love to pinch my cheeks and comment on my chunky thighs!! I am starting to become very interested in toys and for the most part can grab them and bring them to my mouth, how fun! My favorite thing to do during the day is spend time in my bouncer from my Papa. I really like music and smiling at others.

Love,
Garrick

Can I eat it, I think I'll eat it

Shots today, poor chunky legs!

Growing and Changing

We cannot believe how much our little guy has changed in the last 143 days!

12 hours after being born-feeling a little rough!!

1 week old

1 month old

2 months old

3 months old

4 months old

A Mother's Day Reflection

This May I celebrated my First Mother's Day. I received well-wishes from family and friends, and was spoiled terribly by my fiance. But the greatest gift of all was being able to spend another quiet moment rocking my son to sleep, knowing that he is healthy and happy.

For me, motherhood was not something I thought would happen to me when it did. I would be lying if I said I was thrilled from the start. Becoming pregnant was unexpected for us and turned my world upside-down. I had finally landed my first "real" job after graduating college, and with 10 months experience under my belt, I was starting to feel like I could be successful at the job while living in Kansas City. Once pregnant, I quit my job at the Children's Division to focus on the pregnancy and get settled in Sioux City. Any ambitions or goals I had for social work in Missouri now had to change.  I never previously considered Sioux City as option #1 for my "forever" home, but Divine Intervention quickly steered me down that road. Although I often miss Kansas City and always think about/worry about/pray for the children I worked with, I now know that the career path I was in would never have made me happy. Almost immediately after moving home to Iowa, the proverbial weight was lifted off my shoulders and I no longer felt the stress, anxiety, and heartache that was induced by job duties at the Children's Division. Furthermore, now that I am living happily in Sioux City surrounded by family, friends, and my loving husband-to-be, I am uncertain why I'd ever tried to leave.

Although I experienced a relatively easy pregnancy, I had my share of struggles. As any pregnant woman knows, you are suddenly the center of attention wherever you go, and people find it acceptable to ask you an innumerable amount of personal questions. "When's the baby due?"  "Do you know if it's a boy/girl?" "Have you picked out names?" Then they get worse. "How far dialated are you?" "Are you having any contractions?" For me, I struggled with my growing size from Day 1. I had always been relatively small figured but extremely self-conscious. It was hard to see myself get wide...and wider, and buy clothes that were big...and bigger. "Are you sure you're going to make it that long before he pops out?" "You look like you're going to explode!" And of course, "Are you guys going to get married now?" Despite the fact that I was 24 when I got pregnant and in a loving and committed relationship, the stigma of being an unwed mother was ever-present.

Once my baby boy was born, new challenges were presented. I struggled immensely with breast feeding and considered quitting on several occasions. Sacrifices had to be made concerning my own comfort, or lack there of. I had to fail at some things before learning the right way to care for my baby, had to learn how to function with half as much sleep as I would like, and had to accept that any self-centered goals I had were now put on hold. I look at my body three months after birth and still don't recognize it as my own, sparking my self-conscious  mind to throw a temper tantrum because my clothes still don't fit, and perhaps never will.

Despite any struggle that I or any new mother has faced, it goes without saying that it's worth all of it. Even though the life I now lead was not in my plans a year ago, today I cannot imagine life without my son. I have the opportunity now to see this miraculous baby grow, change, and learn everyday. As I watch him achieve the tiniest milestones, my heart swells with pride, and I feel a joy the likes of which I've never known. I revere this little boy as a tremendous blessing and thank God every day for changing my life for the better by choosing me as Garrick's mother. I thank family and friends who have helped and supported me along the way, and who continue to lend advice and a smile whenever I need it.

Garrick Bernard, you are my everything and I am so proud to be your Mommy.

THREE MONTHS OLD

May 19, 2014

Today I turned three months old. I weigh over 15 pounds and eating is still one of my favorite things to do. In the last month I have discovered that my arms and legs come equipped with hands and feet! Best of all, they fit perfectly into my mouth! I like to suck on my fists and hope to someday figure out how to single out my fingers or thumb. I am learning how to reach for toys and sometimes manage to bat at them or grab on! I like to make lots of noises and am trying very hard to get adults like my mom and dad to understand my stories but they usually just smile or laugh. I am practicing sitting up in my Bumbo chair and like to stretch my legs and stand on them too. Every day I try to get my exercise on my tummy but can easily get distracted by those yummy hands again or the taste of the blanket. My favorite things are smiling and trying to laugh or giggle. I think it is funny when Daddy mimicks me talking or Mom makes kissy faces/noises at me! I'm not sure how life could get any better.

Love,

Garrick

P.S.

Have you met my friend, Remmie? He is very nice and likes to give me kisses!