Dear Garrison,

This is a letter that I wrote to Garrison on his birthday.  I thought of posting the video from right after my c section, but didn't know if anyone would truly enjoy that ;)

My sweet Garrison,

It is hard to believe that a year ago today we were just getting to know each other.  I will never forget seeing you being held over the curtain, your hands and legs going everywhere! You were perfect.  It wasn't much longer and I was able to hold you.  Me and your dad were just in awe of you.  I could not believe I had such a perfect little person for a son.  Ever since that day I have been constantly trying to file away every little moment that we have spent together.

The few weeks after you were born are hard to remember!  No one around our house was sleeping very much and I was still trying to recover from your birth.  It was a hard time for me.  I wanted to be your sole comforter, provider, everything, but my body was making me feel crazy!  You also were having major tummy aches.  There were many days and nights that we spent rocking.  I can remember rocking you, playing with your beautiful hair, staring at your sweet little nose, and praying that my emotions would get back to normal soon.  Oh the tears that fell during those times that your sweet little head absorbed.  But finally the dark cloud lifted, we started to bond, and you started growing so fast!  In no time at all you were smiling, laughing, rolling everywhere, and now, walking and RUNNING!

For your first year you have been mine (I am so blessed to have a husband (your Daddy) who works hard so I can stay home with you).  The majority of our days and sometimes nights have been spent together.  But I am afraid that you are quickly turning into a Daddy's boy.  It is ok- I knew it would happen, but why so soon?!?!?

You and your Daddy share a bond that Mommy's just can't understand.  You are so much like Ryan- you can never just give up on something!  I have watched you try to climb onto the couch, only to fall a million times.  You would cry a little bit, get frustrated, then try again until you got up there! I am sure your determination will help you to accomplish so many great things. Your fearless spirit and love of life reminds me daily of why I love your Dad.  You have also started recognizing more of your family.  You and your Aunt Celeste share a special bond.  She is always able to comfort you.  Aunt Allison is always good for a funny dance- and she can usually have you cracking up in minutes.  And even though you don't get to see her all the time, you always immediately go to her!  You love your Gigi.  She is always quick to brag on you (I secretly think that you love it).  She also loves to play and be silly and feeds you lots of yummy treats :) And then there is your Popey and Meme.  You love to hug your Meme, and you always try to get her glasses and you think Popey is just hilarious!  And in a couple of short months you will be a big brother to Allie Parker.  You will do great!  You are already very protective of me- so I am sure you will be perfect at fulfilling big brother "duties"  So, while it is a little sad that I am losing my spot, I love watching you bond and become closer to our wonderful family.

Well I guess this is enough.  Thank you for such a wonderful year. We had a rough start, but I think we did ok!  Thank you for your sweet smile.  Thank you for your laugh that makes my heart so happy.   Thank you for letting me teach you and thank you for teaching me so much. Thank you for loving me so unconditionally.  You are such a perfect gift to your Momma!  I hope you have a wonderful first birthday! You may be growing up- but you will always be my Gar Bear :) 

  

It's a GIRL!

Last Wednesday we went to the doctor to find out the sex of the baby.  I had been feeling like it was going to be a girl- but tried not to get too set on that so I wouldn't be disappointed if it didn't turn out that way!  Well after a 45 minute ultrasound, (so different than Garrisons ultrasound- he has always been more than proud to show the world that he is a boy :) they told us that "bug" is a girl!  The ultrasound tech kept saying "I don't see anything boyish".  So after rolling from side to side and the tech pushing on my stomach (which made me want to hit her) she announced that it was a girl!

It was very exciting to say the least!  I wish you could of seen Ryan's face when she told us.  He just put his hands on his head and had this huge smile.  Don't get me wrong- he is super excited about a girl- we are both just a little scared.

The baby looked great though.  She was already 6 1/2 in long from her head to her bottom- which they said was super big for 18 weeks (Gar at that time was only 4 in).  She has really long legs and she played the whole time we saw her.  Her heartbeat sounded nice and strong.  It was weird seeing a baby on the screen that didn't look like Garrison.  It was funny to me that even though you can't really tell anything about facial features etc.  she looked so different than Gar.  Anyways, the whole experience was amazing- seeing and hearing your baby never gets old!  We already have her name picked out- Allie Parker.  Allie for my sister Allison and Parker is my mom's maiden name.  We are still trying to decide if we want to add another name- Ryan thinks its too much, I am not so sure!  If we were to add a "middle" name her name would be Allie Parker Elise Little. Either way our c-section is scheduled for March 19, so unless she comes earlier that will be her day!

So much to blog about, so little time...

So last week was super busy! We found out we are for sure having a GIRL!!! Ah- its still crazy to me.  We also celebrated Garrison's first birthday, had his party, and Garrison had his first Halloween that wasn't spent in the hospital!  Ryan has a late night tonight so hopefully after Gar goes down I can post some of the pictures.

Baby vs. A Box

While I was in the kitchen cleaning today Garrison decided that it would be fun to climb on top of a box.  Well, Garrison isn't known for being a light weight, so you can guess what happened.  I thought it was funny, Garrison did not.

Apple Butter= Sweet Deliciousness

So it is official- I am a grandma!  Last night I made and canned home made apple butter- and LOVED every minute of it!  We literally wanted to eat the air in our house!  If you haven't ever canned anything you need not be intimidated by it.  

I had never done it either and everything actually turned out! 

To make the apple butter I just peeled and cored 13 apples, chopped em up and threw them in my slow cooker.  

Then you add the good stuff :

1 1/2 C white sugar

1 C light brown sugar

2 T cinnamon

1/2t ground cloves

1/2 t ground nutmeg

1/2 t kosher salt

Stir apples until they are all coated.  Then you just cook on high for 1 hour.  Then reduce the heat to low. I cooked the apples for 6 hours because it was already 10 o clock p.m. by this time, but the recipe calls for you to cook for 8 to 10 hours.  Make sure you stir the apples every now and then.  

After they are done cooking you just scoop bit by bit into your blender and whirl them up! If you didn't want to can the "butter" you could freeze it.  If you want the directions to canning let me know- I am too lazy/tired to write it all now!  But I assure you it is real easy!  It was exciting to hear the lids "pop" and seal as they cooled.  Ok, now its official I am old, I just sad it was exciting to hear the lids pop...

Why Garrison LOVES his Grandparents!

Friday night Popey and Meme (my mom and dad) came over to keep me company while Ryan was at the game.  Well Popey brought Garrison a sweet treat- an "early Halloween treat" is how he justified it.  I say "justified" because I am very picky about what Garrison eats and really the only sweets he has ever eaten have been given to him by his Grandparents!!! I'm talking to you Momma and Miss Polly ;)  

But on Friday I gave in.   As you can see from the pictures Garrison LOVED the lollipop.  It was really cute to see him eat it!  Funny, he knew exactly what to do... does someone need to tell me something ?!?!?!?