Garrett Milestone!

Lately it seems like all I've been writing about has been snow related...and I am home again due to continued blowing snow, drifting, and ice.
Well...instead of complaining about how much I wish I was in a warmer climate right now, I'm able to share an exciting Garrett Milestone Moment! Today (actually just a few minutes ago) Garrett rolled over on his own!! We've been anticipating this day for a while now. He has been teasing us by getting so close, getting to the point where he was almost completely on his side...but would then roll back to start. This morning he decided it was time to keep on rolling!

Jumping for Joy!

Ever since the first day we put Garrett in his jumper he has loved it. He quickly learned that the more he moves the toys around, the more noises come from the contraption. Most recently he has discovered that it's a great way to get some jumping exercise in!
Here is a short clip of Garrett jumping & stretching his vocal cords!



(Go back to the Oct 26 entry to see how much he's grown - his feet didn't touch the floor back then!)

Lovely Iowa Snow & Ice

(FYI - I started this post a few weeks ago & updated and finished it up 1/25/10)

Of course, when I write the title to this entry using the word "Lovely", I'm being sarcastic and can think of many other words I probably shouldn't use on a blog I know my 2 moms read regularly!
For those of you who haven't heard, on 12/30 I slipped on the ice & broke my wrist in 3 places. On New Years Eve I underwent a procedure where an ortho doc manipulated the bones in my wrist back into place & placed a temp cast on my arm from knuckles to elbow in hopes that the bones will fuse back together without having to have it done surgically. Since then I have had a cast put on that I will have to endure until at least 2/12. What a wonderful birthday gift it would be if I'm able to have it removed on that day!

As for Garrett, I'm not able to do much to help him out. Fortunately I have been blessed with an understanding husband who has been doing an excellent job of taking care of us both. The hardest part has been that I am not able to cuddle and play with Garrett as I used to...but hopefully the cast weeks will go by fast.

Here are some pics of the storm from 1/8/10
Our back door - on the second level of the house
Behind the garage
A skid loader clearing our driveway
Our neighbor's driveway

We are currently in the middle of another blizzard - which means another snow day at home. The days off are nice...but I'm ready to be beyond the snow & ice.

Snow Day

"It's the Storm of the Century!"
At least that's what we've been hearing for the past few days on local and national news broadcasts...and if it's not the worst wind/snow storm we've been through, it's pretty close! But with the cold, blustery winds and drifts of snow comes a snow day when Steve and I both get to stay home with our little guy!

Here's a picture of our back deck - Steve couldn't get the regular door open because of the drifting, so he had to go out the sliding door. He said that the snow is packed under our deck (which is a second-story deck), and all of the lower windows are covered in the back of the house. Fortunately, because of the blowing wind, our driveway is fairly clear...for now!

Garrett and I stayed inside while daddy was outside with the dogs. So I took advantage of a good mood & cute outfit to take some pictures...

Right now daddy & Garrett are watching a re-run of last night's National Finals Rodeo on TV. It's hard to believe that exactly one year ago we were in Las Vegas seeing it all live! Can't wait to go back!

Some Favorite Pictures

This morning I put Garrett down for a nap with a beautiful throw that my mom's friend Debbie knitted for him. When I peeked in to check on him I had to laugh when I saw his little toes sticking out of the throw. Couldn't resist snapping a picture to share!

Last Sunday was one of the last really nice fall days that we have experienced here in Iowa. We took advantage of the day by making a road trip to a local state park that is filled with beautiful scenery and sounds from the Des Moines River that runs through it. We hiked on one of the trails with Garrett in the stroller - at least as far as we could go before we hit too many bumpy tree roots and thick piles of leaves. Garrett and I posed for a picture before we loaded up to head back to town.

Garrett enjoys playing on the floor, kicking his legs and pumping his arms while he plays with mommy or daddy - whichever one of us is on the floor with him making funny faces and noises to get him to grin. He is starting to pay more attention to his toys that make sounds, like the little pig in this picture. So much fun! He'll be rolling over before we know it!

Garrett @ 3 Months

Can you believe it? Garrett is 3 months old today! It is unreal how quickly the past 3 months has passed me by. It's also amazing to consider how much our little buckaroo has changed in such a short time. It has been fun to observe Garrett's discoveries, such as his hands and, most recently, his tongue (he likes to stick it in/out as he contently sits in his bouncer chair and gazes around the room). It is also hard to get over how quickly he has grown - particularly in the tummy, and thigh regions. And can you get over those cheeks??
I have truly been blessed and cannot recall a time in my life when I have been happier or more thankful for what God has given me: a husband who loves me unconditionally, and a son who fills me with awe every time I look at him. God is good!


This week we had family pictures taken. Garrett did SO good! I was concerned that he would be fussy or refuse to cooperate...but he was such a good little boy! Here is a sneak peak at one of my favorites (thanks, Aunt Ginger, for the cute cowboy boot socks!)
Also - Happy 4 months to baby Colt! Can't wait to meet you!

Recently we've caught some of Garrett's chatty times while he's been lying on his changing table of all places. We'll often catch him smiling at the pictures in the frame we have propped on the table. I'm guessing he likes seeing the happy faces staring back at him...though I doubt that he realizes most of those faces in the picture collage are of him!
This video was taken a few days ago right after bath time. He still loves his baths. He enjoys splashing his feet, is starting to grasp at bath toys, and he likes me to "shower" him with one of his cups that has holes in the bottom.


We took this next video clip today right after the OSU Cowboys defeated the Iowa State Cyclones. Go Pokes!! The t-shirt came from Coach Weis & his wife Donna, who live in Stillwater. Coach Weis was the head track & cross country coach at Oklahoma State when Steve was an assistant coach there. It's hard to believe it's been nearly 10 years since we were in Oklahoma!
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