New Blog Website

I made another blog in which to incorporate a bit more of our life in a more share-able manner as opposed to a family-only photo share blog. Check out the first post at:

https://messykitchenmamablog.wordpress.com

You also may have noticed we re-named this blog page. "The life of a [singular] (baby) G" is no longer really applicable as that baby is growing up and another one is entering the picture shortly...So our blog has been renamed GuggenMinnies as a tribute to our two Miniature Guggenmos boys.

How I Accomplish Anything

Surviving the day-to-every-day with a one year old means there is a good chance I will accomplish capital "N" nothing. Which equates to piles of dirty dishes and clothes, dog hair everywhere, and bills unpaid. While some days, these tasks remain unaccomplished, there are a few tricks I employ to achieve a (mostly) clean house, thus maintaining (a semblance of) sanity.

1.) Put The Shadow to Work
Garrick follows me into every room (even the bathroom) so if I am trying to do any various task, I employ his capabilities. "Throw the diaper in the garbage," "Hold the watering can," "Wipe the table," "Put the toys in the basket," "Turn off the light," "Turn the vacuum on," "Open the box," "Close the door," etc.

2.) Snacks
Often when this tactic is used, it feels like taking 1/2 step back to gain 1 step forward, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I absolutely cannot get the computer out to pay bills or order diapers, without Garrick acting like a moth to the flame and trying to press smack every key on the keyboard. Occasionally this means getting out the cheerios or crackers and letting him snack in the living room while I quickly get down to business...& then we vacuum. again.

3.) Allow for Little Messes (sensory exploration)
Lately, Garrick has been very interested in water play. Last week I managed to get completely ready (including makeup and hair curled!) once and make brunch a second time (hash browns, bacon, fried chicken, eggs, even homemade cream sauce!!) while he stood on a step stool at the sink and ran his hands through the water stream.  In the kitchen we added two plastic serving spoons to the mix and in the bathroom, two clean contact cases. Wiping up a little water was worthwhile to have a fabulous hairdo/brunch.

4.) Rocks, Trash, and Other Bits
Garrick does like his toys but prefers for me me to interact with or near him while he plays.  In order for him to be fully engaged independently, the experience must be new. A few medium sized rocks, some clean food containers, plastic cups, toilet paper rolls, etc can make interesting playthings that he will sometimes sort and fiddle with for a period of time long enough for me to get through an entire task, like folding laundry, with little interruption.

Any tips/tricks that you used at this age to occupy a demanding busy body?

June Happenings 2015

Strawberry Picking Adventure

We headed to Sanborn, IA to Getting's Gardens to pick fresh strawberries with my parents. We ended up picking about 24 pounds of berries! Garrick liked to help his Grandma Sailer throw strawberries into the box and try to pick the stems off, resulting in very juicy hands!! They also had a petting zoo at the facility, and after viewing the animals we traveled to visit my Grandmother Joyce. 

Very juicy hands

Sheep!

Grandpa Sailer reading Garrick his favorite book

Snuggling with Grandma Joyce after an outfit change

Visit from Addie

Garrick was excited for his cousin Addie to come over and play all day. The two of them snuggled on the couch, played with so many toys, colored, and read every book. Garrick loved having a big kid to chase him, "share" toys with, and tackle! 

Gender Reveal...Almost!!

On Monday we discovered the gender of Baby G2! Coming to a mailbox near you:

The guesses have been overwhelmingly in favor of "little lady" with the majority of people assuming we will be having a girl! Cast your final votes and soon the answer will be revealed! Isn't this fun?!

FIFTEEN

"15 weeks pregnant. 15 months old" (couple weeks ago)

(as you can tell, it was quite sunny for the pic!!)

So much has happened in our household in the last few months. The *Newest News* is that our little family will be growing this fall as Alex and I plan to welcome our second child in November 2015!

But let's not forget what's important...

We currently have a 1 1/4 year old who rules the roost!!  

About Garrick:

• weighs about 22.5lbs, has 16 teeth, and hair that keeps getting blonder
• Garrick mastered walking shortly after his first birthday, and shortly thereafter, mastered running
• Garrick has the most infectious smile the world has ever seen! He is always saying "hi" and smiling to patrons/cashiers in stores, and pretty much anyone who walks near him
• Garrick has started saying a lot of words. He goes through phases where he says 2-3 words over and over until he learns a new set, and so forth. Right now he is saying "door," "car," "kitty," and has become re-obsessed with "mama" to my delight

Some Garrick firsts:

• Garrick visited the animals at Deana Rose's petting zoo (Kansas City) in April and he loved the baby goats!!! I am so excited to take him back! Maybe his cousin ADDIE will join!!
• An easter tradition-Hunting for Eggs! We were surprised how much he was into it this year. I think it had something to do with Grandma's hiding yogurt raisins inside them!!
• He visited the animals on a larger scale at the zoo the first week of June. He seemed fascinated by the rainforest with all the waterfalls, plants, and MONKEYS! He would say "ooo" and point when something caught his eye. It was a unbearably busy day at the zoo and Garrick enjoyed people watching but was unimpressed by his hindered mobility to mull among them (stroller)
• (although not technically a first as we went once late last summer and Uncle Lou took him swimming indoors with Addie in May,) Garrick and Mom (and Katie) rediscovered the swimming pool. With temps nearing 100 degrees the last two days, we lathered each other up in SPF 50 and headed for the blue waters of Riverside Public Pool. Despite the scorch, the water was FREEZING and Garrick had a hard time getting used to it. He loved looking at all the kids play and did forget the chilly water now and then long enough to have fun splashing around and finding his "sea legs" as he learned how to wade in half a foot of water

Baby Goats at Deana Rose

baby calves at Deana Rose with Grandma Sailer

Easter Egg Hunt

looking at fish at the zoo/aquarium

MOOSE HAT

Happy Birthday Garrick

Time to make a smash cake for the baby! Like my sister-in-law did, I tried to make a healthier version of a smash cake for Garrick. I attempted a banana cake recipe but cannot blame the oven for it's failure.  It turned out super dense and not smash-able at all so in a pinch I embellished a white cake mix. After a thin buttercream crumb coat I finished the cake off with a cool-whip frosting in a final effort to reduce the sugar content.


We celebrated Garrick's First on Feb 22nd with his mom and dad, aunt Katie, and parents both grand and great grand!

 Opening presents! He got his first tractor from Grandma & Grandpa Sailer...

 Some Great puzzles, books, a tambourine, a giant stuffed dog from Great Grandma Floss...

 And his first caterpillar and dump truck from his Papa.

After initial hesitation, he enjoyed his cake and ate it too.

12 MONTHS

Feb 19, 2015

1 year
12 months
52.17 weeks
365.24 days
8765.81 hours
525949 minutes
.......and counting

I did not expect to be so emotional by this monument as our son turned one year old. This year has seemed like a whirlwind as I'm sure most new parents feel. Over the last 12 months Garrick's rapid development has forced us to constantly evolve in meeting his needs and preparing for the next step.  At this twelve month marker he is taking steps of his own and losing his baby-ness as he becomes a toddler. This is most bittersweet. My mother told me "the days are long but the  years are short" and this sentiment will likely stick with me the next 17+ years as our baby continues to grow and change. It was a "battle" teaching Garrick to self-soothe and become a good sleeper, one which we finally accomplished! And yet I often find myself yearning for the days when a tiny Garrick would fall asleep quickly in my arms; now he reaches for the crib to settle himself. I miss the days when he could not escape my kisses!! Now he can get annoyed by my smothering and has even gone so far as to give a little girl a kiss yet deny me. Breaking my heart already!! But with each new stage of his babyhood I have truly thought to myself "this is the best part yet" over and over again. Although I am sad for the newborn baby that is no more, I am so excited for al he is to become!

About our one year old:

• Weight: 21 lbs. Has 12 teeth, two of which are only partially broken through.
• Garrick is sleeping around 11 hours at night and will take 1-2 naps during the day. 
• Garrick is a bit of a wild child. He tries to climb everything including the rock wall surrounding our fireplace, window sills, and high chairs. He will try to fling himself off almost anything. He has become a head-banger! I don't know where he came up with it but he likes to shake his head "no" really fast or bang it up and down like he's listening to heavy metal and then giggle when he falls over. He also will put his arms up and "leap" onto anything like his parents, small children, the dogs, the couch, coffee table, up stairs, a toy. 
• Garrick can say "go," "yeah," "boo," "mama," and his favorite, "dad!" He loves to point at the dogs and tell them to "GO!"
• He can point to what he wants and expects to get it immediately. Especially things out of his reach (like those put there for a reason! i.e.: pens, knives, etc!) 
• Garrick loves the blue blanket from his Grandma. He has become quite attached to it and there's been failed naps without it.
• Garrick is a good eater but is starting to become more particular. Some of his favorite foods are strawberries, bananas, pasta, crackers, red meat, and french fries. 
• He can use his own sippy cup and still drinks a bottle in the morning and before bed which he can hold himself. However his preferred drink of choice is whatever mom's having! 
• Garrick is an expert crawler. He will often "crab crawl" when he needs to get somewhere at top speeds. At twelve months Garrick is also walking!  He is getting better everyday but still seems frustrated by his own limitations. Knowing Garrick he will be running by next month!
• Garrick loves to play peekaboo, be chased, be tickled all over, "rough house", play with the dogs, and be tossed in the air.  He is obsessed with being outside and playing in water.
• Some of Garrick's less-than-desireable behaviors: throwing food on the ground, playing in the dog dish/toilet, screeching, tantrums, and trying to share food and pacifier/toys with dogs. 
• Garrick gives people, dogs, and stuffed animals slobbery kisses that sometimes turn into bites. 
• For fun, Garrick imitates actions/noises like coughing, sneezing, spitting, kissing, and barking.