So photogenic, don't you think?

Maybe it's just me, but Garrett has these amazing eyes. They seem to look into your soul and melt you until all that's left is a puddle of mush. It's these looks that make me want to quit working and stay home with him. And those rosy cheeks are just begging me to kiss them all day! What am I going to do when he gets older and other girls want to kiss those cheeks too? And I thought having a boy would be easier somehow...

At the hospital with Daddy

This is the day of Doug's kidney transplant (4-16-07). He wanted to see Garrett one more time before the surgery, so my mom and I got up really early to get to the hospital by 6am. Doug was SOOOO happy to see him and it's evident on his face how much he loves his little boy!

I got Garrett all dressed up in camouflage for the big day (Daddy's favorite!)

Our most recent family photo.

Rolie Polie!

Garrett has learned a couple new things in the last week. On Tuesday April 17th, Garrett learned how to roll onto his side from his back, and on Saturday April 21st, he learned how to roll from his stomach to his back! Both Daddy and I were watching for this second roll, and I was so excited! He's already trying to get himself onto his stomach from his side, but his arm gets in the way, so I think it might be a while before he gets this one. Garrett has also learned how to blow raspberries. He sticks his tongue out and starts blowing spit all over. By the time he's done, his whole chin is covered in drool. He's such a happy boy most of the time. He always smiles when Doug and I walk into the room, and he's laughing so much more now! It'll only get better from here!

Doug's surgery update...

I know that this blog is for Garrett, but as you all know, today was the day that Doug got a new kidney from his mother. Surgery went well. Mom's surgery started around 8am this morning and Doug's started after 9am. The Doctor's said that everything went well and there were no complications during surgery. They are both resting comfortably now, and both experiencing abdominal soreness. Tomorrow, Doug is expected to be walking around, and Mom will probably we wheeled over to visit him. Please keep them both in your prayers for fast recoveries and no kidney rejection. If you want to get more updates, go to:
caringbridge.org/visit/dougdegraaf
This is a website that Doug's sister set up for family and friends to get information and updates about the surgery and recoveries. Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers at this time.

Krysia

Tummy Time

Garrett had tummy time on my Boppy pillow. He usually likes to prop himself way up so that he can see up high. But this time I think he was getting a little sleepy because he just laid there looking at me with this face. So adorable!

Naked Boy Time!

After baths, I wrap him up in this towel robe and he looks so cuddly!






Hey, Grandpa G! I think he's getting ready for a Harley!

Thursday night, I decided that Garrett needed a quick bath. He doesn't love his baths, but he likes them. His favorite part is getting undressed. When I pull on his sleeves so that his arms slide out, he laughs, smiles, and giggles every time! He's so cute naked!

Oh, the fun we have on Mommy's day off!

This last Wednesday, I was so excited to have the whole day to spend with my little boy! In between naps, we played and laughed, read books, watched TV, and even learned about mirrors! Garrett was on the floor and I was sitting behind him on the love seat. He saw me in the mirror on his Kick 'n Crawl Aquarium and watched me make faces at him!

Am I A Good Mother?...

Tonight I can't seem to stop asking myself that question. I love him so much it literally hurts. I would do anything for him. (I now understand why Doug's mom was so persistent in giving him her kidney). Yet it seems that since I've gone back to work and I'm not his primary caregiver, his life is out of whack and no matter what I do, I can't get it straightened out again. I made the decision before I went back to work to stop breastfeeding and switch to formula. Since then we've been dealing with excessive spitting up, gas, adding cereal, switching formulas, etc. And now we've added constipation in the mix. His naps are becoming nonexistent in the afternoons and its getting harder and harder to get him to bed on time at night. I don't blame any of the other caregivers that help Doug and I out during the week. Believe me, Doug and I are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people willing to take care of him once a week. And I know I shouldn't blame myself, but as his mother, I feel like I'm to blame somehow. Tonight I considered starting breastfeeding again (don't ask me how, since my milk has already dried up). I thought that maybe that would ease the problems somehow. Or maybe I should just stay home from work. But Doug and Garrett need insurance. I feel so guilty that I can't make everything perfect for him, even though deep down I know I can't possibly make everything perfect. So how do I fix this? What do I do? My dad says, "Don't worry about it". No offense Dad, but never tell a mother not to worry, even if you mean well. I worry a lot about how much sleep he's getting. A book that my pediatrician recommended, "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Weisbluth, says that clinical studies had shown that children with poor sleep habits and are chronically overtired grow up to be anxious, depressed adults. Children that get more sleep on a daily basis also are better in school and learning than children that are chronically overtired. After reading that how my child learns to sleep now will affect his life as an adult, I'm very protective of his sleep, and I want him to get an adequate amount of sleep every day. If I have to work at 12pm, I can get him to take a good 2-3 hour nap in the morning with no problem. But lately he's been fighting his afternoon naps. He'll go down for about an hour then wake up... no matter how many times you may do this during the day. And now we're having a hard time getting him to go to bed and stay asleep for the night. He normally sleeps about 12 hours at night, and sleeps through the night every night. I know that most moms reading this are saying "At 3 months, you're lucky". But at 3 months, just sleeping 12 hours at night and 2-3 hours in the morning probably isn't enough. If anyone has a suggestion, a story, or even a joke to make me laugh about how overprotective I'm being, I'd appreciate it. I just want my son to be happy and healthy and well rested.

He's just growing too fast!!!

Yesterday in the mail I received another issue of Growing Child, a monthly newsletter. I got months 4 and 5, and after reading it, I realized that Garrett is already doing the things they described for that age. I look back at what he was like as a newborn, and he's already learned so much! He plays with his hands quite frequently, he loves standing up, he smiles when he sees me or Doug, and can turn his head in the direction of our voice if we call his name. I tickle him when I change his diaper, and he laughs and giggles and squeals with joy. He's so much more interactive now, and it makes me think, "Where has the last 3 months gone?". It seems like just last month I gave birth to him, and now he's already this little man, growing and learning. I love him at this age because he's still my little boy, but I can see the great person he's already growing into.