More Faces of Barrett

Today we went to lunch with my mom and grandma. My grandma was staying with my parents for the week, so we met them at El Fenix by Mommer's house when mom brought her back to town. Little B slept all through lunch, so we went to Mommer Patsy's house to play. The first time she saw Barrett he was so little that all he did was sleep. And next time she saw him he cried and screamed the whole time. Third time's a charm! He was in such a good mood ~ he played, cooed, laughed, and even did tummy time. I loved spending the afternoon with my mom, her mom, and my baby.

And I think Barrett had a good afternoon playing with his Gamma ....

On another note, I'm working on getting this kid to like hats!

Recently...

The past few weeks have been filled with smiles, the beginning stages of laughing, cooing, discovering hands and feet, and the cutest faces I've ever seen. And of course I've been documenting it all ... on my iPhone. So the images may not be great, but even though we just bought a really nice camera to take pictures of our sweet boy, my phone is the handiest thing I have. It's great for capturing images when Barrett is in his element.

The pictures below are some of my favorite moments from the past couple of weeks. He's growing so fast!

The two pictures on the left are from our morning playtimes. Barrett is in the best mood in the morning. It's our best playtime. The picture on the right is from a walk we took. Not sure how much he was loving the hat.

This is one of my favorites. Barrett was having a fussy day, but I did get some play time out of him. I also captured a video of it.

If you listen really close, you can hear him laugh. So sweet.

Mommy and Barrett. Starting the brainwashing early!

I love that I get to look at this sweet face everyday.

And this is how we end our days. Matt worked so hard to teach Barrett when bedtime is, and little man did not go down without a fight! But now that he's figured it out, I'm the one who puts him to bed. It really is the sweetest part of my day. Matt gives Barrett a bath, I feed him, read a book, swaddle him, then give him a bottle (we've done it his whole life ~ why change it if it's working?) And he passes out. Because of his reflux, we still have to keep him upright for a little while after he finishes eating, but I have no doubt that he would go right to sleep if I laid him in his crib as soon as he finished his bottle.

He's also a pretty good sleeper. Even if he wakes up more than usual to eat, he always goes right back to sleep. And then we start all over with new adventures in the morning.

Happy New Year!

I'm not one to usually get very excited about New Years. However, this year is different. I usually get a little sad after the holidays because there isn't anything to look forward to anymore. But THIS year, I have everything to look forward to. I know that many of Barrett's firsts are going to come over the next several months.

Even tonight ~ Barrett had his first laugh! Well, his first laugh while he was awake. This kid cracks himself up in his sleep! You have to wonder what he could possibly be dreaming about. His little laughter is the sweetest sound I've ever heard.

This is how we started the day: Cheering on the Fightin' Texas Aggies. Whoop!

Then it was time to change sports ... the Stars played their annual New Year's Eve game tonight.

Poor little guy was exhausted! All that laughing probably tired him out :)

(Although it gave Mommy and Daddy a second wind!)

Barrett's First Christmas!

I LOOOOVE Christmas Day. And my family celebrates BIG! Well ... we have lots of fun anyway.

This Christmas was special though ~ Barrett's first Christmas ever. He even made it through his first Christmas Eve church service, well kind of. Matt and I had to make a couple of trips to the lobby with him, but he did pretty well! (Evenings are a little rough for us because he is so overstimulated!) We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with the Barrett family in College Station, and ended the Christmas fun with the Wilsons last night.

One thing that made me pause and think while we were opening present was just how much our little boy is loved. He is so lucky to be surrounded by so many aunts, uncles, grandparents, and extended family that love him so much. Both sides of his family adore him, and they ALL love to spoil him. Below are some of my favorites from our first Christmas as a family.

As I was putting him to sleep once we got home from our Christmas adventures, and he was sleeping on my shoulder facing me, I was captured by the peacefulness of his little face. I never want to forget what it feels like to hold my little one in my arms as he's sleeping and snuggling with me. I love him SO MUCH! He is a precious gift that God has chosen me to take care of ~ and I can't imagine my life without him.

2 Months and Christmas

We made it to two months! He's starting taking naps in his crib ... which has completely changed my life!

We met his new friend yesterday, Caroline Besancon, and she is so tiny compared to Barrett! Somebody made the comment about how easy it is to forget how tiny they are when they are born, and I replied "Wow! That was only two months ago!" He has already grown up so much!! A few weeks ago I couldn't wait for time to speed up. And now I really need for it to slow down!

We also had his 2 month check up yesterday. He is a healthy, happy baby boy. We had to wait for a really long time because of a mix up, and he just laid on the table and kicked and cooed until we saw the doctor. He likes the noise the paper on the examination table makes.

The doctor was impressed with how well Barrett can hold his head up when on his tummy. Apparently he can hold his head as steady as a 3-5 month old. (Proud moment for Mommy!) He's 23 inches long (75th %). 11 pounds 9 ounces (60th %).

The worst part of the doctor's visit: The shots! But my little man handled them like a champ! Matt couldn't come with me, so my sweet mother-in-law volunteered to be there for some emotional support. (And I only cried a LITTLE!)

The best part of the doctor's visit: When Barrett smiled at the doctor after examining inside the diaper. Nana and I (as well as the doctor) laughed at his reaction.

At two months I don't want to forget: how exciting it is when Barrett smiles at us, how the buries his head in my shoulder or chest when he gets really tired (like some of my family members do when they don't want to get out of bed), and how when I look in Barrett's eyes I feel like I am looking into myself. I love my little man. So much!

We are filled with the Christmas spirit this season! Barrett loves getting dressed in his Christmas outfits. Ok ~ I love dressing him up in his Christmas outfits. I'm not real sure how he feels about it. But I'm having fun!

Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year. We are so thankful for our precious little boy, and even more thankful for the work that God has done in us this past year. During the past calendar year, we have walked through disappointment, hope, and pure joy. And during each step of our journey, God had been with us every step of the way. We've learned how to depend on Him, and how to truly rejoice in Him, and how to trust in His plan for our family.

Below are some pictures from a very special Thanksgiving ~ Barrett's first!

Let the Christmas season begin!

One Month!

We made it to his 1 month birthday! I don't have his one month picture because I still have to download it off my camera. (Ok ~ he's actually 5 weeks, but I've been a little busy!)

This week has been a big week for us! We've been really busy ~ Bible studies, hockey games, and I even snuck away to go to the movies! In preparation for Thanksgiving, I keep seeing and hearing friends talk about (or post!) what they are thankful for this month. Obviously, we are thankful for our little boy that God blessed us with. I am also thankful for my husband who is naturally a hands on dad. He's encouraged me to leave the house by myself to do things that allow me to take care of me and gives me a "mommy break." These are the kinds of pictures I get on my phone while I'm gone. They make me smile and make me want to rush home to my boys:

Barrett's also hit some milestones this week! He's started sucking his hand when he gets hungry. And he started smiling at us! Well sometimes. Sometimes he smiles at the fan. But it's still cute - I'll take it. And sometimes he sticks with his grumpy old man face :o) Sweet baby is so serious ... all the time! I was actually able to capture a smile this morning!

Part of me is really ready for him to be able to respond and interact with us all the time. And the other part of me knows that in order to do that he has to grow up. (That same part of me is sad that he is outgrowing some of his newborn clothes!)