Open wide!

Here are the photos of the licorice! I know some of you thought I was joking, and I wasn't (please look at previous post for the full explanation). I feel better about it with the comment left by my great friend Lesley...and I quote, "I think the licorice shows your creativity and fine talent as a mother!" Thanks for the support!!!

It is amazing how smart kids are...Garrett likes to use the licorice as a whip now to hit himself, his dad, or his mom! He occasionally will still put it in his mouth, but not as often as he used to because he knows that we are coming with the spoonful of food as soon as his lips touch the licorice. (You can't get a more classic face than this...he knows the baby food is coming!) It still is cute and funny that it worked to help him be a better eater! Oh the things you'll try to get your kids to do something...

Yummy in my Tummy!

If you have talked to me lately you probably know what I would say if you asked me how Garrett is doing...."He's doing great, BUT doesn't like to eat!" To be honest, he has always struggled with eating. I am not sure why, but it has always been difficult for him. As a result, it has made it extremely difficult for me. No one believes me that he struggles when they look at his fat rolls on his legs. Amazingly enough, I "think" we are getting over the throw-up stage which was one of the hardest things! That is a definite relief. Now that he is over 8 months old you would think that he would love baby food....well that is not the case. He is doing better, but still has his days that he refuses it! He doesn't do well when I feed it to him. He definitely seems to enjoy it a lot more if his daddy is feeding him!

IF you have talked to me recently about my ways in trying to get him to eat, you'll know that I am a bad mom. I have tried to "bribe" him with licorice! I know it sounds horrible, but it has worked pretty well. I give Garrett a piece of licorice to hold in one hand. As he is trying to get the wobbly thing into his mouth by aiming with his mouth wide open, I hurry and stuff the baby food in! I have gotten over 10 more bites of baby food in him that way! We take a break after a couple of bites and I let him "gnaw" on the licorice (kind of like a teething toy) and then it is back to business as I try and get the rest in while he is distracted with the licorice! No worries, he hasn't bitten any licorice off or choked or anything. It was just one of those desperate attempts to get him to open his mouth...and it worked. I don't use it every time, just when he wants to purse his lips after only two bites!

WELL, something big has happened this week! I ACTUALLY GOT GARRETT TO EAT BABY FOOD! This time it was without licorice too! I can hardly believe it! He has done so well the last three days. He is just scarfing it all down. I want you to guess what it is he loves so much, so take a look at the poll on the side to make your vote. Check back soon to find out what his favorite is! I am crossing my fingers that we make it another few days with good eating! Look at the cute picture of his messy face for a clue! I will post more cute pictures of his eating adventures soon...including the one with the magic wand (licorice)!!! :)

Lions and Tigers and Bears....OH MY!!!

WE had a fun weekend! We have been wanting to take Garrett to the zoo all summer! We finally had a chance to go as a family last Saturday. We have been a couple of times since we have been married, but enjoyed it a lot this time with Garrett. It was a perfect day for the zoo...not too hot, not too cold and not too crowded! He seemed fascinated with the animals (as much as an 8 month old can be fascinated!!!) We went to the bird show and he definitely followed some of those birds across the theater. He also enjoyed the bears, zebras, giraffes, and elephants! Unfortunately, he fell asleep before he could meet the monkeys! I was sad that we couldn't take a picture of him by them with Garrett's silly monkey shirt that he had on. Oh well, a nap is more important than a picture and we will definitely have to go again soon!

We also decided it would be fun to go the state fair on Monday night for FHE. There is nothing like the sights, sounds, and smells of a fair. We got a foot long "sausage on a stick," some sweet potato fries and a funnel cake for dessert! They were delicious. Of course it was Garrett's nap time, but he didn't want anything but to watch everything around him. He was interested in the cows, sheep, and pigs that we saw. One of the sheep put it's head through the bars and got pretty close to Garrett. That was a little scary By the end of the night, we think Garrett was a little "over stimulated" as he was squealing and shaking his arms and legs vigorously! Needless to say, he slept great that night! Enjoy the pictures!

New Tricks!

I can't believe my baby is seven months old! (well, almost 8 months now because this is a little late!) He sure is adorable and seems to get cuter every day! He has learned some new tricks this last month. It is silly how excited new parents get over little things! It is also funny when people ask how old Garrett is and after my response they ask..."is he crawling yet???" My reply is...."UM...NO!!! And we're OKAY with it!" That means that he still stays where I put him and I don't have to worry too much about him getting hurt or being in danger! I know my time is short before he will be on the move and won't stop, but for now...we enjoy his occasional roll over. He used to hate to roll over, but if you look at these pictures you'll find that he is now giving tips to his best friend, Mr. Monkey!!!









Here is a video of the little fella rollin'!



Last, but not least....this little boy is getting more teeth! The two on the bottom have now been joined by two on the TOP!!! One is a little slower than the other, but we think he is the cutest bunny ever! It sure is hard to get that kid to open his mouth when you want him to!