More Places to Sit

One of Garrett's newest "favorites" is climbing onto the fireplace hearth to sit and eat a snack or read a book. In the beginning we attempted to discourage him from doing this. We tried placing items in front of the hearth to keep him off (which became an eyesore), then we placed over-stuffed pillows on top of the hearth to make it too high to climb onto (which he quickly learned to pull off). So we finally gave in and turned this new fascination into a teachable moment. Garrett now knows that he is to sit on his bottom and carefully turn himself around to get off the hearth. He's done a good job of being careful...but has forgotten a few times, which has resulted in a crash and a bump or bruise. He's a tough little guy, as most of them time when he takes a tumble, he'll just pick himself up and try again! Needless to say, I don't anticipate lighting any fires this winter!
Another favorite spot for Garrett is in his cabinet. We decided to let Garrett have his own cabinet in the kitchen that he can get into - while all other cabinet doors are child-locked. I keep my Tupperware lids and some bowls that cannot be damaged in the cabinet, which Garrett loves to pull out and (sometimes) put back. He also likes to clear out everything & climb in. He's such a little nut!

Using a Spoon!

We've been in the habit of giving Garrett a kid-friendly spoon or fork at every meal to get him used to holding it and to try out those fine motor skills. At most meals, he will use the utensil to scoot his food around his plate. However, last night he actually attempted to use his spoon to eat his favorite Gerber strawberry yogurt!
He tended to alternate between the spoon and his fingers to scoop out the treat...
As you can see, it was a messy process...
...but he was very proud of his accomplishment!

Just like Daddy's!

Garrett has a Goatee!

He was actually trying to eat the bubbles. He kept saying "MMM!" and taking a bite, but would then spit them out. Pretty cute little guy!

Basketball with Dad

It seems that Garrett is always on the go...as seen in this photo below. We took him outside to run off some energy last week, and Daddy decided it was time for his first father-son basketball game.

Garrett loved watching Daddy put the ball in the hoop. But as soon as Garrett got the ball...
...he took off with it!Little Dribbler?

I couldn't get Garrett to stand still next to my mums I recently potted. This is as close as I could get. We are going to the pumpkin patch soon so I can pick up some pumpkins to add to my front porch display.

September Candids

Garrett found Daddy's boots...

As seen in previous posts, Garrett loves to fit into tight spaces - this time it was a shoe box.
Getting ready for night-night time with his favorite pillow & book.
Hard to believe that Garrett is tall enough to see Belle eye-to-eye out the back door window!

Our September 11, 2010

There is a new aquatic center just up the street from our house...and along with the water park the city has also put in a new family park and walking trail. Much of the park is still under construction, but the playground area is complete. We have been driving by it for weeks, and finally decided to check it out not long ago. We are definitely glad we did because we had a blast! There is a small playground unit for Garrett-size kids, and a larger one for bigger kids. We were the only family there for most of our outing, so we got to enjoy both...

Good Morning

This morning, as Garrett is enjoying his cereal, I thought I'd share a couple of recent cute pics...

Garrett likes to crawl into any tight space - including under our kitchen island chairs.
On a recent shopping trip we found some Wrangler George Strait style jeans for Garrett - just like Daddy's! He has a little growing to do before he can wear them, but they do look cute!
Garrett got lots of MegaBloks for his birthday. He enjoys playing with...and in them!

As I mentioned above, Garrett is enjoying his cereal. I had to take a pic because he's eating KIX for the first time - which was my favorite cereal when I was little!

At the college bookstore where I work, we are doing a trial-run of staying open into the evening, which means I get to spend the morning with Garrett before going in on the day I close. So now that the cereal is about gone, I'm off to play in the blocks!

First Zoo Outing

On Saturday we took a family outing to Des Moines. We met Brandi, one of Steve's former athletes, at Toys R Us where we picked out some birthday gifts, and then had lunch together. After lunch, we said good-bye to Brandi and then headed on to the Zoo! This was Garrett's first trip to a zoo, and though our timing wasn't the best (his afternoon nap only lasted the 20 minutes it took to get to the zoo from Chili's) he really did seem to enjoy the day!

This picture was taken just seconds after the emu in the background buzzed by us!
Garrett really enjoyed the various birds we saw throughout the park.
Inside the petting zoo...
Steve and Garrett were impressed by the bull. He was HUGE!
I really liked the giraffes. They are such beautiful creatures. This guy had just started to have a snack when we arrived.Garrett liked to watch the otters zipping by him in the water.
Daddy snapped a picture of us up on a viewing tower.
Garrett enjoyed the beautiful day - it was only about 75 degrees. Perfect zoo weather!
A waterfall inside the Discovery Center.
A tired, happy boy at the end of the zoo experience.
One picture that I wish we could have gotten was his reaction to a tiger that walked right up to the glass enclosure. Garrett grabbed onto me a little tighter, but was intrigued. There were too many people around to get a good picture, but I think if he could talk, Garrett would say that tiger was one of his favorite animals to see!