Garrison is 6 months old!

Just a bunch of randoms as Garrison is turning 6 months old! So far the only thing we can't feed him are peaches. Odd allergy huh? The Dr said we can try peaches again in a couple months. We gave him peaches for the first time this past weekend and immediatly afterwards he was so fussy. He just cried and cried and nothing would calm him down. His eyes were a little puffy and after he woke from his nap he had small hives on his face. Poor little guy!! Here is a picture of Garrison snuggling with adam. Notice how red his little cheeks are, he just didnt feel well the rest of the afternoon. No more peaches!!






He sits up really well, he is a little wobbly on his own, but for the most part really impresses us. Its amazing how fast they learn and how time just flies by. I know it sounds so cliche but it really is amazingly true!






I went through his dresser and closet this past weekend and boxed up all the clothes he has outgrown. Some of the outfits he wore the most made me want to cry! They were so tiny! So far I haven't thrown anything away, but I know that I will have to eventually or move into a much larger house! Especially after Christmas, we have no clue where we are going to put all his new gifts! Garrison still hates being on his stomach! Put him up on his feet though and he tries to walk. He already understands the concept of putting one foot in front of the other. We are still having to give him nutramigen as his tummy can't tolerate anything else. Any fruit or vegetable we give him he gobbles up! This past weekend adam was feeding him and turned his head away for a second and Garrison grabbed the spoon and put it in his mouth backwards. Pretty smart kid!! He loves Mum-Mums. The first time we gave him one and it was gone he threw a big fit! I think he just wanted to show us his temper :) I think in a couple months we won't think this is so cute anymore. Last night I gave him a sippy cup with water. He grabbled the handles and pulled the cup to his mouth. I had to help tip it over, but he understood exactly waht the cup was for. A little later he got excited and was flapping the cup around and poked himself in the eye with the cup. It just broke his heart, he made the saddest face and screamed for a couple of minutes. It really is amazing how much he has learned in 6 short months of life. He continues to amaze us daily and fills our home with so much laughter and joy. What a great blessing 2008 brought to the Bal family!

Last Friday we had a Christmas dinner with all the mommies and kiddos. We attempted to get a picture of them together, outside of their high chairs, and that was a disaster. When one kid would sit down, we would have to chase another one down. Needless to say, our only good picture was either them in a highchair or us holding them. :) Maybe in 5 years we will get a good one! Koren is 18 months, Madison is 22 months, and Camdyn is 19 months. We will surely have lots of fun times while our babies are growing up!

Well baby visit

Garrison had his dr appt today. He is 5 1/2 months weighs 16.3 lbs and is 26 1/2 in long. Growing like a weed!! He got his polio vaccine and didn't cry for too long. I just had to distract him after it was done. Usually his shots make him sleep all day long! He is still having problems with his left tear duct, it is blocked. If he hasn't "out grown" it by next month the Dr. will send us to a pediatric eye dr and they may have to probe it. It doesn't bother Garrison but i have to clean his eye all the time and sometimes when he wakes up his eye is matted together. Poor baby. :( The Dr. said he thinks his cheeks doubled in size :) What do you think?? This was Sunday night after his bath





This is his newest toy that he normally likes to play in. This past saturday he did not want me to clean house, he wanted me to hold him....such a little actor already....

Another semester of graduate school complete

One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest- Maya Angelo

This past week, I finished my Marketing Management class. Since I had Garrison, I decided to take this semester easy, only attempt 3 hours. To make the adjustment of being a mom, a student, a wife, and an employee. Needless to say I have been exhausted and stressed. Almost every graduate class I have had thus far there is some sort of group project included in our learning. This class proved no different. This was actually a very fun and helpful class but the experience was ruined by my group members, well a couple of them. I think I ended up doing about 50% of the project myself, bc other members of my group felt C quality work was all they were willing to put forth the effort in. Graduate school is a choice. I made the choice to further my education and I actually enjoy the learning process. I don't understand those who join graduate classes only to feel it a burden in their life. My professor agrees with me as it appeared several groups had this problem. I guess I am just excited that this class is over with, that I can focus on the upcoming holidays, but I eagerly await my grade. I will continue workin on my masters degree, adn I'm sure I will have several more experiences like this, but the end result will be worth it....well I hope :)
Hope everyone is getting ready for Christmas, and more importantly remembering what Christmas is all about. XOXO. Les.

Pokeno Girls Christmas 2008

So I have a wonderful group of girlfriends that get together once a month and play a game called Pokeno. It is amazingly fun! All of our husbands or boyfriends of course make fun of us, but we love it!! We got together last Friday and had our Christmas party. Jamie was a great host, we had mexican food and frozen margaritas..yum! Here are some pics from Friday night.

Update on my lil Garrison

Garrison was 5 months old at Thanksgiving. I can't believe how fast time goes. I enjoy every second with my new little family. Garrison can sit unsupported now but after too long he topples over. He talks up a storm too. I am just waiting and of course coaxing him to call me mama!! Several people have heard him say mama and dada although it's still babble, I don't think he really knows what he is saying yet.