Almost 2!

I love how expressive Barrett is these days.  Yeah, it also means more tantrums and letting me know when he's frustrated. But it also brings lots of giggles and I love yous.  Yesterday he decided to give me a big hug out of the blue, turned his head toward my ear, and whispered "You best friend Mommy."  I would have sat on the floor hugging him forever if it meant I could freeze that moment in time!  

Every night when I leave his room while he's going to bed, the last words I hear as I walk out of the room are "I love you Mommy."  And every night I want to turn around and pick him back up and squish him with hugs. 

He talks a lot about the babies in mommys tummy. He loves to give the girls hugs and kisses. We keep talking about them and how he's going to be a big brother soon .... And I think he's going to be a great one!  And no doubt he'll love having a couple of permanent playmates.  

We also spend our day listening to Barrett narrate his activities:

"Oh! Oh!  Imma gonna get it!"

"Sit on knees" (at kitchen table)

"Up with Mommy/Daddy"

"Play go-gos"

"Help Mommy make-a dinner"

"NEEEEEWW DIAPER, Milk, Cheerios" (every morning when he wakes up)

"Hey Mommy/Daddy how doin?"

"How's going Mommy/Daddy?"

"Throw a ball!"

"Car is zooming!"

"Mommy/Daddy DRIVING!!!"

"Barrett clean it"

"Butter sandwich!" (Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich) 

But my most absolute favorite part of this stage is how he sings along to almost every song he hears on the radio (in addition to the age appropriate songs he songs around the house).  It makes me laugh every time:

After a quick visit from Gamma and Poppy ...

We spent the weekend in Dallas as a family of three to get one last adventure in before the twins are born AND to celebrate Barrett turning 2.

First stop was the Dallas World Aquarium:

And after a confusing ride from the hotel

on the DART, we took Barrett to his very first Stars game.  He really loved watching hockey WITH Daddy this time (instead of watching Daddy play). 

This was my view during the game:

  

The next morning we played a little piano, ate a late breakfast at a coffee shop, and headed to the Dallas Arboretum to visit the pumpkin patch:

We made it home on Sunday afternoon just in time for a much needed family nap time! 

Just a few more cute pictures from the last couple weeks I don't want to leave out. 

Showing Off His Independence

Usual Backseat Attire

Next Blog:  The Big Birthday Party!

Little Moments

I've been writing a lot about the adventures we've been having and all the things Barrett is learning. But little moments that really steal my heart. 

Like:

When he Kisses the Babies in my Tummy

Goofy Faces ....

.... And Sweet Snuggles

The rare occasion that he's HAPPY after a nap 

My Backseat View

Being Silly with Daddy

Baking With Mommy

Being Such a Good Helper

And Concentrating to Make it Just Right 

And how he cries when I take out the vacuum cleaner because he wants to help me clean the house with the Swiffer.

And how the last words he said to me today as I walked out of his room during nap time were "I love you Mommy."  

I love you too Little Dude. 

The Rest of Summer 2013

Barrett's little personality is turning into a BIG personality!  He's talking all the time ... and it seems like he learns a new word every 5 minutes.  He knows too many words to keep a list anymore.  He loves to sing his songs, dance, run and run, help Mommy clean the house with his Swiffer, and make Mommy and Daddy laugh.

We went to The Woodlands to visit Baby Jordan for the weekend.  Barrett adores his new little cousin!

Sweet Hugs

CHEESE!!!

Double Snuggles for Mommy/Aunt Alli

We've had this Monkey Backpack for a while now, but he is just starting to wear it all the time.

Then we came home, and he found all sorts of new ways to keep himself entertained.

Look Mommy!

He closed the door to his room so I wouldn't hear him playing Angry Birds.  Little Stinker!

And we have been playing hard!

Finally a Cool Day at the Playground!

Nap Hair and a Snack (Ohhhh Fooodles!)

Too Cool for School (or the Grocery Store)

Squishy Faces with Mommy

Watching Daddy Play Hockey

He kept yelling "Go!  Go!  Go Hockey!  Go Daddy!"

Snow Cone Treats

So Strong!

Aaaand ... this is happening!  

Barrett's sisters will be here in 2014

Summer 2013 ... So Far

Barrett is 21 months now, and I'm kind of regretting not keeping up with the blog as much as I should have.  He is learning new things every minute it seems like.  A few days ago he spent the night at Nana and Papa's house, and he came home saying "amazing" and "so cool" just like Papa does.  He's definitely a little mimic.  Yesterday he spoke his first sentence.  I was talking to Gamma on speakerphone, and when she said hi, Barrett looked up at me and said "I hear it!"  And then this morning I felt like I was almost having a whole conversation with him.

He's also started singing every song he hears.  He even tries to sing along to the radio in the car which cracks me up. My favorite sing-a-long time might be when I'm singing him a song before nap/bed time and he tries to sing with me.  His favorite song right now is "Jesus Loves Me," but he does love to do the motions to "Itsy Bitsy Spider," "If You're Happy and You Know It," and "Jimbo the Clown." (From his play class).  He's working on signing his ABC's, but sometimes we lose some of the letters.  He counts everything to 10 ... it doesn't matter how many of the object he actually sees ... he counts to 10.  And he learned his colors by playing with his fish puzzle and Gamma's house.  Basically, our house is full of noise at all times ... running feet, singing, showing off his new words.  I love it!

The summer started off by shopping for a new car:

He Loved Exploring the Inside of Each Car

Gamma Captured a Family Shot 

And then we hit the pool:

Not Wanting to Smile ...

... Because He Was Saving It For Later!

Matt and I went to Vegas for a few days:

Just So We Don't Forget What WE Look Like!

And then we came back home just in time for Baby Jordan's arrival.  Barrett is so sweet and gentle with her!

This Doll Moves!!! Examining His New Cousin

Why Is She Looking at Me?

Kisses for Baby Jordan

Barrett Family Girls

Seesters ... Our Meesters ... and Our Keedsters

Barrett Family 

(The Husbands Were Taking the Pictures)

Poppy and Barrett Cheezin'

Gamma and Poppy With Both Grandkids

Back at home, we had even more summer fun!

Obsessed With His Sunglasses ... Everywhere We Go!

Another Hair Cut 

(He Wouldn't Let Go of Daddy's Hand)

Swimming With Daddy ....

... AND With Nana!

Still Holding On To Those Sunglasses

Figuring out the Trampoline Park:

Barrett Loves His Friends!

He tries to hard to be a big boy like Quinn, and Caroline and Barrett kept hugging each other. (Ok, I may have prompted that one :))

THEN Baby Jordan, Aunt Lindsey and Gamma came to visit!

Barrett pulled Gamma off the couch to show her Jordan sleeping on the floor.  He knelt next to her and said "Shhh Shhh Night Night" and then patted her head to make sure she was ok.  Totally melted my heart!  

Things I Don't Want to Forget:

• That feeling when Barrett spontaneously looks up and says "Love You Mommy/Daddy"
• When he says "Mommy/Daddy Kisses" and then "Hug Too"
• How sweet he is when he sings "Jesus Loves Me"
• The way he puts his hand on top of his head before he bows his head to pray
• How he's finally picked up on saying "Amen" and the end of a prayer
• When I'm putting him to sleep, and while his head is still resting on me, he quietly says "One more song"
• The way he pulls my hand when he wants me to follow him or help him with something
• His giggle when he's tickled
• That he's started to make himself laugh .. He is definitely his own biggest fan
• Whenever he accomplishes something (building a tower, climbing a chair, etc.) he says "Yea Barrett" and/or "Barrett do it!" and claps his hands
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Snuggle Time in the mornings.  (AKA Mommy is not ready to get up yet!)
• The "zoom" noises he makes when he's playing with his cars
• When he points to and tells me about everything in his room when I go to get him from his crib in the morning
• How his little hand holds my hand (or Daddy's, or his grandparents) when we are walking from the car into a store, restaurant, etc. As soon as I put him on the ground he holds out his hand and says, "Mommy hand"