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. 

10 & 11 MONTHS OLD

Dear Family,

We must apologize for slacking on our blog. My mom and dad said they were "busy" because they were planning their wedding and a trip away from me. Regardless, I must tell you about all the wonderful things that surpassed during my 10th and 11th months on earth!

I celebrated my 10 month by being a little onry.

As per usual, Momma had a pretty tough time getting me to sit still for my monthly picture.

December also brought something pretty amazing-my first christmas! I got to go to Church with my parents, Grandma, and Papa on Christmas Eve and opened a few presents the next morning! My favorite gift was a football and basketball from my daddy. It did not take long for me to learn how to lift the basketball and make it bounce!!

The fun continued in January when I got to celebrate Christmas again with my cousins Addie and Violet! And MORE PRESENTS! The very next day my Mommy and Daddy got married but more importantly, it was the date of my very first "professional" haircut done by my Auntie Angie. I had so much fun with my extended family at my parents wedding. Unfortunately, those pictures are yet to come.

As I celebrated my 11th month, I noticed my mom and dad were packing suitcases and Mom wouldn't stop kissing me. 

While my parents were being honey mooners, I was enjoying spending several fun-filled days with both sets of grandparents :) 

Sorry again for the delayed post; I know you've already forgiven me!

Love,

Garrick

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