Everglades (5.26)

We went to the Everglades with everyone on Saturday. Garrett got to see a huge grasshopper and a softshelled turtle up VERY close. And then it was off to Roberts for a yummy milkshake! Here he is with Mamaw Becky.

New Ride!

Garrett's Grandma got him a cool car for his birthday! Since it wouldn't exactly fit on the plane, we got it here and Garrett got to open it a little early and make good use of it. He loves to go for rides around the block, although he likes to stand up in his car--goofy boy!

Playdate at Jungle Jimbos (5.24)

We had a playdate on Thursday @ Jungle Jimbos. Garrett's playgroup sang Happy Birthday to him and we had cupcakes. He did NOT like the birthday hat (see him screaming?)!! His Grandma got to come with us, so that was FUN!

The cupcakes were too cute and very appropriate, they had little ocean creatures on them. We let Garrett have one AT HOME (too messy!) to practice for his cake on Monday!

Garrett's going to be on TV!

http://www.junglejimbos.com/video%20page.htm

Look in the bottom right hand side when there are four different views on the screen--it's in both commercials. This is a really fun play zone we go to with our play group--he has a blast there! The commercial is going to air locally on Comcast.

Fixing the stairs

Funny, I didn't know they were broken!

If they could talk. . .

I think the conversation would go something like this. . .

Garrett: Come on Xander, let me show you how to climb the stairs!
Xander: But we don't have stairs in my house!
Garrett: Good thing you come over here then, you can climb mine! There are some really cool toys up there!

This one's for you Mom!

Garrett playing with the phone my mom got him for Christmas . . . Mom, I know you are reading, this one's just for you--only 4 more days till you get your hands on this cutie pie :-) As soon as I took this picture, he immediately left the toy and chased after me. Pictures are getting harder and harder to take with this boy!

Who needs a pony . . . .

When you have puppies!

Garrett went to play with Xander on Saturday while his mommy and daddy went out to breakfast and then to the lab. He decided it would be fun to see if Xander's puppy, Yashi, was as good as Aspen for a jungle gym! Thankfully Yashi is just as tolerant as Aspen! Thanks for the pic Jess!

Yummy Cottege Cheese

Garrett is learning to use a spoon. Alas, this is usually the result. He sure has fun though! This particular feeding frenzy involved cottege cheese and a BIG spoon. He is also insisting that he get to break/bite off his own food. He does not want pieces of bread, he wants a slice, he does not want his egg cut up, he wants the whole thing. Little piggy!

Counting the days till his birthday with a combination of joy/excitement/sadness. I just can't believe he is turning one. I had to put away all of his "small" cloth diapers . . . the things he are in now look so big!

Check out YouTube

I put several new videos on YouTube . . . slowly getting caught up! Link is to the right.

Just a dog

This was forwarded to me from someone in my dog club. . . so true. I love my pups. Puppy kisses have pretty much the same effect as a Garrett smile---pure unadulterated joy on my part (and theirs!)

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or woman." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog" just smile... because they "just don't understand." Written by an unknown Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. From the Therapy Dog Inc. News Magazine

Chucky Cheese

Finally got brave enough to venture on a play date with both Xander and Garrett. First trip to Chucky Cheese with both boys. Rocco, Tommy, Riley and Jessica are the other babies--R&R are twins. Cute babies, all!

Garrett had an absolute blast. He insisted on climbing the slide, found it was much more fun to go up than down. He is such a monkey!

Next came the rides . . . Garrett has never been on a ride before! As you can see, he made fast friends with Bob the Builder. There was also a Barney train, but there will be NO BARNEY pics on this blog!! :-D Xander didn't care for the rides too much, but this Bob The Builder ride played music while it was running. So Garrett rode and Xander sat next to it and did his silly little rocking dance . . . funny boys!

Xander tolerated a "tandem" ride long enough for a photo op. Overall, he was not thrilled with the whole thing, but it was also his first time out somewhere with me.

Garrett loved the steering wheel, I can't for him to get a car for his b-day! Anyway, as usual I have some great video to go with this, but I don't have time to process it. The last pic needs a caption that says "HEY, GET OUT OF THE WAY!!" What can I say, he is his father's son! :-D

Banister Peek-a-boo

Pretty much Garrett's favorite place to play. He was hiding behind the banister and playing "peek-a-boo!" Gotta love those silly faces!

Playing outside

We're back to playing outside alot again . . . Garrett doesn't care to crawl in the grass, so he bear-crawls (on all 4s) instead. He is SOOO close to walking, I am still hoping he will before his birthday!

Subtropical Storm Andrea

Seriously, Hurricane Season hasn't even started yet!! This does not bode well for South Florida this hurricane season. See www.wunderground.com/tropical/ or www.nhc.noaa.gov for more.

Cereal Faces

Breakfast time means messy faces

My little helper

Thinking about throwing that ole paci we never use anymore into the wash. . . Mostly he likes to pull the clothes out of the dryer as I put them in.

Best Buds

Boating

On Saturday, 5.5.07, we took Garrett on his first for-real boat ride. We took along his friend Xander and his parents, Chris and Jess. The boys had a ton of fun playing on the boat and in the water--they both napped wonderfully and were willing to try almost anything!

Garrett played pretty much endlessly, and took some of the best naps he has taken in a long time. We pulled his little boat behind us and went snorkling . . . TONS OF FUN! Thanks to Jess for some of these pics . . .

Garrett is definately an ocean boy, couldn't have expected better behavior. But then, no surprise there!

The many faces of Garrett (again!)