Garrett James Barlow

Photo courtesy of Siri Sudweeks Photography

Happy Birthday to my sweet Garrett Love! I can't believe it's already been five years ago today, that Jeff and I had our first child. Garrett was born on Thanksgving Day at 12:18 AM. He weighed 7 lbs 15.9 oz, was 21.5 inches long, and (shockingly) had tons of dark black hair. I can't remember ever seeing anything so beautiful. Nor can I ever remember feeling anything so wonderful, complete, and exciting, all at the same time!

Jeff and I had decided that we would name our first son "Garrett James" long before our little guy even came along. When I found out Jeff's middle name was Garrett (Jeffrey Garrett), I was sold! I had always loved that name so it was a no-brainer for both of us. "Garrett" is also Jeff's Grandpa Barlow's middle name (Edmund Garrett Barlow). The name "James" comes from both Jeff's dad's name (Edmund James Barlow), as well as my Grandpa Copeland's name (James N. Copeland). What a legacy our son has! But I have no doubt that my little Garrett will live up strongly to those great men he was named after.

Until I was actually pregnant, I would have bet my life that I would have a boy first (for some reason, whenever I'm pregnant, I just know that I'm having a girl!). So when at 13 and 1/2 weeks I found out that, indeed, I was having a boy, I wasn't shocked (not really, anyway) at all. What a dream come true! I was so excited! And, of course, so was Jeff!

Needless to say, for the past 5 years I've had the honor of having Garrett in my life. He is quickly becoming, one of my best friends. I truly enjoy hanging out with him. His smile is infectious and his laugh, one-of-a-kind. One of my favorite times of the day is when he climbs into bed with me in the morning. Jeff will have already left for work so I allow Garrett to fill in the empty space gladly. Of course like everything else he does, we have to go through the exact same greeting each morning, "Hi." "Hi, did you sleep good?" His day isn't complete unless that moment takes place. I've come to realize that mine isn't either.

We also have this thing about quoting movies. Mind you, this kid's memory is amazing and therefore he can remember lines much more easily than I can! Our favorite quotables come from Max and Ruby, Shrek (of course), and Cars. It's amazing how many lines he can remember, especially after seeing the movie or episode only once or twice. His ability to say them at the exact same time and in the exact same manner as the movie is incredible! Most of the time I just end up laughing at him because he is so dead-on.

I know I've said this before, but I'm so eager to see how my little guy grows up. I mean REALLY grows up. It's amazing how much he's changed and grown just in the last year. I can't imagine what he'll become in 10, 15, 20 years! Of course I have my list of goals and dreams that I would love for him to accomplish (be baptized, obtain priesthood, serve mission, graduate from college, be married in the temple, become a father) but it's HIS goals and dreams that make him so unique and wonderous. Currently, on this very day, these feats include: becoming a "cooker" (aka: chef), a builder, and a football player. Mind you, all will occur when he "gets bigger." Regardless of what he actually does become, I have no doubt that he will be successful in his own rite, happy, and a wonderful example to his siblings.

With this milestone of a birthday upon us, I couldn't help but go through all his pictures and reflect back (happily) through the years. These are the ones that stood out in my mind, and perhaps always will. Enjoy!