Pic of the Day

When it comes to thumbsucking, I prefer the open-handed technique over the closed-fist approach. I find that this allows more circulation to the appendages and gives you a constant temperature to work with. Just my opinion.

Ever wonder how I got my name?

You probably thought mom and dad came up with it all on their own since they are so cool. Not true. Garrett Matthew Meeks has much relevance with both of their families. Garrett is my GA grandmother's maiden name and what my late great-grandfather was called by his friends. Mom and pops thought this would be a good way to keep the name in the family and honor "Pop" Garrett at the same time. Plus, BabyNames.com gives the meaning of Garrett as "Spear Ruler"....nice, huh? Matthew came about because it is my MI grandfather's middle name and his father's as well. The Meeks part is pretty self-explanatory...

So this week, some Garretts from Georgia made the trip up to meet me for the first time. My great-grandmother, Mamay Garrett, and her son and other daughter (GA grandmother's twin), Ben and Nette...which would be great-uncle and great-aunt, respectively. I'm going to need a flow chart to keep all these people straight. I am Mamay's first great-grandchild, so she was pretty excited to say the least.


As you can tell, I was pretty excited myself. Dad told me about all the goodies she makes in the kitchen; chicken & dumplings, sausage balls and pinwheels, pound cake, etc...so I thought I would do some kissing up. It couldn't hurt, right?

Here are some pictures from dinner at MI grandparents' house.

Mom and dad busted out the UGA attire for the occasion.

Yes, I'm looking at the Bud Light. I know I've got to wait a few more months...

Ben and I admire the ceiling fan. It doesn't take much.

I'm pretty sure they enjoyed their trip as Mamay offered dad a chicken & dumplings pie in exchange for taking me with her. He thought about it for a minute or two, but then declined.

We made it

Yes, everyone survived Saturday night's babysitting experience. Mom and dad got a quality 1.5 hours out of the house and my MI grandparents got 1.5 quality hours with me. Walt and Mary were able to feed and change me without any problems (that we know of). He didn't even need his tool belt.

On Sunday, my GA grandparents got in on the action by setting up a web cam so that we could talk and see each other over the internet. Technology is amazing. I guess this means we'll be spending more time in the office. Maybe I'll have to start my own weekly web chat like that kid on the E*trade commercials. Eight times the national average my dirty diaper...

Of course Gaspar was jealous of all the camera time I was getting and decided to do something about it. Punk.

TGIF!

Finally, the weekend is here. I don't know why it really matters to me since every day is the same. There's just a different buzz about everyone getting to sleep in the next two days...but we'll see how that goes. My schedule is anything but consistent. I usually don't go to bed until after 11 PM (and much effort from mommy). I then wake up around 3 or 4 AM and dad gets up to change and feed me. We usually find some quality programming on the History Channel at those times. Did you know that Trajan was a Roman Emperor (from Spain) who reigned from 98 until his death in 117 and is best known for his extensive public building program, which reshaped the city Rome and left multiple enduring landmarks such as Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Market and Trajan's Tower? True story.

So hopefully everyone catches up on a little sleep this weekend.

Last night was pretty exciting. One of mom's friends that she used to play soccer with was in from out of town so she came over to see her (me).

Her name is Carrie and she used to help coach the Michigan women's soccer team, so she brought me a gift that I will certainly be using soon.

Mom's friend Nikki and her son Easton also came over to join the party. Easton hung out in my crib as he remembered the good ol' days and Nikki held me while trying to forget some of the good ol' days....

Big night coming up for mom and dad as they get their first night out without me on Saturday. Wish grandma and grandpa Michigan good luck...Hopefully I'll be around to tell you how it goes.

Picture Gallery

Since hanging out and looking so darn cute is what I'm best at, I thought I would put up some pics of me doing so...

Ola chica

What's going on over there?

This is what happens after I get a bath.

I like the space heater.

One of my many PJ's

Well put....

Mom does my hair.

You didn't think I typed this, did you....?

What I do after some good chest milk.

Art, anyone?

This week mom decided to take me on a little adventure to my Michigan grandparents' art gallery. I don't know much about art, but a trip outside the house is worth the effort. So momma got me and the dog all suited up and ready to go. Of course I get buckled in to a thousand different things before we can drive anywhere, but even Gaspar has a harness that he has to wear in the car that buckles in...hilarious.

Here's me with my MI grandma...she just gave Gaspar 8 dog treats...

Me and the best mom ever.

The next day my mom's uncle came in to town. I have no idea about how relatives work past grandparents, so you do the geneology.

My first training session

Here at the Meeks household there is one main rule. You must play soccer. Mom and dad have both played since they were young, and continue to do so today. So it's pretty much assumed that I will be following in their footsteps...literally.

Yeah, I just turned three weeks old yesterday, but I thought I would get an early start on things so mom and dad helped me through a training session. I started off with some easy weights and leg presses.

Look at that technique...

After a short cool down, we moved on to some ball skills. Mommy seems to be the offensive guru in the house, while daddy is the defensive enforcer, so I should end up being a very well balanced player. Either way, you need to be good with the ball at your feet.

Here I am working with the outside of my foot. Eat it Ronaldo.

Trapping...

Here's some left footed action. It's hard to say which hand/foot I am, but it doesn't hurt to work on both. Mom and dad gave me some positive feedback and then I hit the showers (sponge bath on the kitchen counter...).

Nike, adidas, I'll be waiting on your call.

Hey, baby...

Mommy and daddy have always said that I shouldn't have any problems with the ladies, and now I know what they mean. Today one of mom's friend brought her 4 month old lass over to see me. If I had a cradle, you could say she was robbing it. Her name was Ava. She was asleep when she got here, but soon woke up once she felt my vibe. We didn't say much...there was just this connection. I think I got so nervous that I peed and pooped my diaper, but the cool thing was, that she got so nervous she pooped her diaper too. Cool, huh? Time flew and I went to sleep, so I really don't know how we left it. I'm sure mom's got her number.

She may be checking this site so I'll put some pictures up of how cute I can be.

What's for dinner?

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Mommy and daddy have been busy taking care of me and other things around the house, so they haven't had time to prop me up against the computer. I've made a few more trips outside of the house, either by car or stroller. Mom has taken me for a couple of walks, or rolls in my case, and I like the outdoors. Car trips are fun too. It's pretty much a given that once I'm in the car seat and begin to move, I pass out.

This week also proved to be an exciting one when it came to food. Although I'm stuck on chest milk for a while, I get to experience a variety of goodies vicariously through mom. Whatever she eats, I end up getting one way or another. She and dad branched out on what they ate this week and these are some of the things I had for the first time:

1. Pizza - quite possibly the greatest thing ever...why don't people eat this every day?
2. Club sandwich - dad says clubs are always a party
3. Apple pie - apparently it's so good they made a movie about it
4. Vanilla ice cream (on top of pie) - one thing I do not scream for
5. Mac & cheese - it goes with everything
6. Spaghetti & meatballs - can you eat just the meatball part?
7. Hot dog - I was a little confused on this one. I thought dogs were pets, not dinner. Gaspar didn't budge when he heard that's what we were eating, so I figured it was OK.
8. Leftover pizza - as good as the first time.
9. Green beans - ummm, the jury is still out on this one.

Obviously they ate some healthy things too, but they're boring. I don't really know what the difference is though, it all comes out of my butt looking the same....like Grey Poupon country mustard. Sorry.

MTV Cribs...Meeks edition

With all my grandparents available, mommy and daddy thought it would be an opportune time to put together all the furniture in my room. I've been sleeping in their room so far, and probably will for a few more weeks. I have separation issues....

BEFORE

AFTER

Not bad, huh? They didn't even break anything either. I also have a changing table and glider chair that are not pictured. Hooked up. I felt bad though, because everyone was working so hard and all I could do was....

Hey, we all have our roles.

Happy red, white and blue day!

I don't know what all the fuss is about, but I do know that the only colors that I saw today were red, white and blue. Apparently it was someones birthday, but if it's not mine, then I don't care. Today was also the day that my Georgia grandparents were coming to town, and the first time they would meet me. I've already had a good time with my Michigan grandparents, so I was guessing that this would be a party as well. And so it began....

We went over to my Michigan grandparents' house for a bbq (no vowels?). Everyone wanted to hold me (not a surprise) and I thought they were going to start playing paper, rock, scissors for who was going to get me next. It was camera city, too. It's a good thing my eye sight is not fully formed or my rods and cones would have been fried by the flashes. And then there was great-grandma Michigan, Nana.

I met her just briefly on day 4, but got more acquainted tonight. As you can see in the picture, dad is ready to jump in if needed. Nana had no problem, though, and my head was supported at all times. After a few more ooohhhs and aahhhhs, it was back home for a night of two hours naps. Sorry mom and dad.

Hanging with mom and dad

Here are some special moments with me and the two people who love me most....oh, and the dog was there too.