2 months

Today Barrett, you are two months old.

(He wasn't "feeling" the photo shoot at the beginning!)

You've grown and changed so much this month.  It's been fun and challenging!  We had your two month checkup today and you did great.  You got 4 shots and only cried for a minute.  I didn't cry at all, I was proud of myself.

• You weigh 11lbs 11oz.  50th percentile.
• You're 22" long.  10th percentile.  You've only grown an inch since birth. 
• Dr. Farr put you on Zantac because we think the reason you aren't sleeping well at night is due to reflux.  Hopefully it helps.
• He also said I don't need to rock you back to sleep every time you wake up at night.  He said he usually doesn't recommend crying it out this early but since we (I) are already starting bad habits I need to let you cry and learn to soothe yourself.  I was rocked to sleep nearly the whole time I lived at home.  I guess you come by it honest.

• You started smiling at us this month and you do it all the time.  It is the cutest thing I have ever seen.  I completely melt every time you do it.  You smile so big every time I get my big camera out.  It makes my heart happy! 
• You went to church for the first time this month and have been 5 times so far.  You've done pretty well each time.  You start to get more vocal if it goes longer than an hour but it's usually because you're hungry.
• You had your first play date and it was so cute watching you and Cruz lay on the  play mat together!
• You did sleep through the night this past Friday (6 straight hours) I'm pretty sure it was just a fluke because the last two nights you've been up every hour.  I'm really hoping the zantac helps.
• You started sleeping in your crib this month.  It's been an adjustment and I think it has been a factor in your terrible sleeping habits lately but you have to learn sometime.

• You just started wearing size 2 diapers.
• Newborn clothes are finally starting to get tight on you.  The pants are too tight but we're still squeezing you into the sleepers because the next size is way to long and you legs don't stay in the leg holes.  
• You wear some 3 month things.
• You are eating more like every 2.5 hours now instead of the every 3 hours like last month.  I think you've just been growing.  Sometimes you'll still go 3 hours or longer.  
• You nurse anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.  
• You're taking 3.5-4oz in a bottle when you take one.  

"Why you taking so many pictures mom?"

This month has been so fun!  You've started interacting with us more and its so fun to make you smile.  It's also been challenging.  I never realized I could function on so little sleep.  I only thought I needed coffee before you came along.  We've started getting out and about with you more this month and you seem to enjoy it.  I think you get tired of me sometimes.  We go to work 2-3 days a week for a few hours to make signs.  I finally took down the Christmas tree.  It made me sad to think we'll be getting ready to celebrate your 1st birthday when we get it out again.  Time is flying and I'm trying to soak in every minute.

Weekend Review

Friday was our monthly book club.  We decided to do something a little bit different this month.  We read Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks and went to see the movie.  It was a nice change.  I loved the book.  It was one of my favorite Nicholas Sparks books.  Just enough of a love story mixed with suspense to hold you attention.  The movie was good too but it was a lot different from the book which usually makes me angry but I didn't mind this one.  

My parents kept Barrett because Patrick had to work.  They said he cried nearly the whole time I was gone.  Which makes me sad but I came home, fed him and put him to bed and he slept for 6 hours straight.  I was a proud Mama.  (It was short lived he got up nearly every hour Saturday night!)

Saturday I went to my parents again so they could watch Barrett while I ran to the store.  He was more pleasant than Friday night but he started to get fussy so we went home.  It was bath night, which he hates.  I bathed him and he screamed the entire time.  I'm scared the neighbors are going to hear him and call DHR, it's that bad.  After his bath I got him dressed and sat him down. I got my camera out and he just started smiling at me.  This is my favorite picture of him to date.

It's been a rough week for my family.  My little brother's dog had been battling a hip injury for months, she'd had surgery on it and it just wasn't healing.  They took her to another vet for a second opinion and he confirmed that she had bone cancer and it was bad.  They had to have her put down Monday and it was the saddest thing.  She was such a good dog.  We already miss her dearly.  My little brother brought her home when she was a puppy on his bicycle and didn't tell my parents he was getting her.  They were mad at first but John and Daisy were so cute together you couldn't stay mad at him.  She lived with John in Tuscaloosa until this year he moved into an apartment and couldn't keep her there.  She loved John so much.  She missed him while he was at school.  She would light up when he came home to visit.  We know she's better off now.  She was in so much pain, it was heart breaking.

John was 14 when he brought her home.  I love this picture of them!

Tomorrow Barrett is 2 months old and we're going to the doctor for his check up.  It will involve shots and I'm not excited about it.

Wednesday Randoms, Let's catch up!

Our sweet Amy is embarking on quite the adventure!  She's moving to Alaska to be a nurse.  We're going to miss her so much!  She came to lunch to bid the Maxwell family farewell.  Of course I had to get her picture with Barrett.  I've always wanted to visit Alaska, I'm excited to have an excuse to go now!

Patrick went to walmart after work one day and came home with a play mat for Barrett.  Ally thinks it's for her.  When he's laying on it she usually takes one of her toys over to play on it.

Last week we started putting Barrett in his crib for naps and bedtime.  So far he's done pretty well.  He's not really sleeping any longer at night but it's been good getting into more of a night time routine.

This picture of Porter and Barrett melts my heart.  It is priceless, one of my favorite cousins pictures!

Porter and Barrett were napping and Grandaddy pretended to be asleep too!

I'm trying to get better about blogging.  We've been going through an adjustment phase where Barrett will only nap while being held or sometimes in his car seat after we've ridden somewhere.  I'm getting better about putting him down to cry but it's so hard.  I think it's a growth spurt because he's been eating every two hours during the day and one night.  He's usually been going 3 hours.  So hopefully we'll get this figured out soon!

Barrett's Birth Announcement

 Barrett is 8 weeks old today.  I finally sent out his birth announcements this weekend.  I think most people have recieved them so I wanted to post it here.  I loved how it turned out.  I designed in photoshop and had it printed it at vistaprint.com. 

 

Front

Back

 

I feel like he's already changed so much.  I still can't believe he was born on Christmas day. 

Happy Valentines Day

I've never been a huge fan of Valentines Day.  One thing I did love about the holiday...growing up my dad would come home from work with brown paper lunch sacks for each of us filled with our favorite treats.  It was never anything over the top, just some snacks and candy but it always made my day!  I want to make holidays special for our little family, I got Barrett this cute little onesie for the occasion and a new toy since he's not quite old enough for snacks yet.  

I thought he looked pretty adorable!

Patrick was rocking Barrett this morning and Ally had to get in his lap.  I love all three of them so much.  

I've loved sharing this special day of love with all my loves.   I think the holidays are going to mean even more now that we have Barrett.  Everything just seems so much more special.  I'm looking forward to sharing many, many, holidays with my precious family!

Random picture dump

We've been staying busy lately.  Barrett is growing and changing everyday, we're just trying to enjoy and take in every moment with our baby.  Here are a few pictures from the last week or two.

I think I love his wabanub paci more than he does.  He takes it sometimes and sometimes he doesn't.  I guess its a good thing he's not attached to it.
We had a play date with Cruz, he's about 4 weeks older than Barrett.  It was fun to catch up with his sweet mom and to see what Barrett will be doing in a few weeks.
I'm embarrassed to admit this but baths have been few and far between for this little guy.  He hates them so much I only bathe him a few times a week.  I'm getting better trying manage every other day.  He's been having some issues going to sleep at a decent hour.  This was one morning when we'd been up every hour and he was still so happy. 

I love this sweet grin!

We went to dinner out for the first time.  He did so good, slept the whole time. We also went to Target for the first time.  Once again he slept the whole time.  Now if only we could get him to sleep good at night.

First trip to Church & Grandmamma's House

Sunday we took Barrett to church for the first time.  I was so nervous because he didn't really nurse good before we left.  I was hoping he'd go to sleep in the car and we'd just take him in his carrier and he'd sleep the whole time.  No such luck.  He was wide awake when we got there and I knew he wouldn't stay in the carrier if he wasn't asleep so I just carried him in.  He wanted to fuss when we first got there and I was so scared it wasn't going to go well.  I was able to rock and get him to sleep and he slept pretty much the whole time.  He looked so cute in his little outfit and sweater.  I didn't get a picture of him by himself though.  We were able to meet with Fr. Deering about having him baptized, which we've scheduled for March 10th.  After church we went to Nana and Grandaddy's house for lunch.  He was so hungry when we left church that he took almost 7oz in a bottle for Grandaddy while we were there. 

After church and lunch we ran home to change and then headed to Grandmamma and Grandaddy's house for Allison's birthday dinner.  He did so good there.  He got lots of attention from your cousins there too.  It was our first of many trips there as a family of three, well four Patrick insisted on taking Ally. 

.

One Month

How is my newborn one month old today?  I know everyone says it but time really flies.  I can't believe how fast these last four weeks have flown by.  I feel like we are finally getting into somewhat of a good routine and feeling more comfortable in our roles as Mommy and Daddy!  It's been an adjustment but I can't imagine life any differently now.  I know you've grown I'm just not sure how much.  We don't have a doctors appointment until your 2 month birthday.  We are so thankful for a healthy, growing boy!

You wanted to cover your shirt with your hands.  It was a bit frustrating.

One Month Stats:

• Based on your gaining average I think you now weigh around 9lbs
• I tried to measure you and you were still 21inches.  When they measured you at your 2 week checkup they said you were 20inches but you were 21inches at birth so who really knows.
• You're wearing mostly still newborn clothes.  You have worn a couple of 3 month outfits, they were a little big but I don't want you to grow to fast and miss getting to wear them. 
• You're wearing size 1 diapers.
• You're eating every 3 hours.  You usually have at least one 4-4.5 hour stretch at night. I'm not complaining. 
• You're "schedule" is kinda weird since Daddy's work schedule is weird now.  He works 2:00pm-10:00pm so we stay up late and sleep late most days so we can spend more time with him. 
• You've been to work 3 days and to Nana and Grandaddy's house several times. We're hoping to take you to church for the first time this Sunday.

 

Yes, I still have my Christmas tree up one month after Christmas.  It will be down before February... hopefully.

 

Barrett,

Your first month has been the fastest month of my life.  You are such a joy to your daddy and me.  We can't imagine life without you.  You are such a good baby and so happy most of the time.  We love you so much. 

Barrett's Nursery

I'm finally getting around to sharing Barrett's nursery.  It's still a work in progress.  Mainly I just need to get a lamp or two. 

When I first found out I was pregnant, I kinda had an idea in my head of what I wanted the nursery to look like.  I wanted the big items to be neutral and the accents to be more gender specific.  I knew I wanted to use my great grandmother's dresser as a changing table and I really wanted an iron crib.  After pricing iron cribs we decided to get hardwood floors put down and go with a much cheaper crib and I love the way it looks.  The neutral theme started with a gorgeous linen crib set I found and fell in love with.  Amy's mom was able to make it for me and she did the curtains too.  I had the hardest time finding a color for the walls.  I wanted a teal/aqua that could go either way.  In my head if the baby was a girl I was going to add coral/ pink accents and for a boy navy/chocolate brown.  I bought 5 different sample colors and painted them all on the wall.   They were all so similar that I just chose one and it was perfect.

The wreath from the hospital door.

View from the door. 

I love the chevron quilt my mom crocheted on the end of the crib.

She also made the quilt on the back of the glider.  This glider may be my favorite seat in the house.  It's  so comfy!

This is my great grandmothers dresser.  The precious flag banner was made by my friend Lorie for the tea and it worked great in here.  

I love this crib.  I think it's classic and works perfect in this space.  I love love love the bedding.  It turned our perfect.  I made the canvas name sign over the crib.  I just love the classic look of the crib and linen with the modern chevron on the sign.

This spot is a work in progress.  The deer hooves were my great grandfathers.  I hung the outfit we brought him home in a beautiful blanket that Patrick's mom gave him.

  

Right now the shelves just hold books and stuffed animals and a few toys in the canvas totes.  I need to get a lamp for this space.

The infamous deer antler chandelier.  Patrick picked this out and at first I wasn't sure how I felt about it.  Now, I love it.  It couldn't be more perfect.  

I love that the nursery is very boyish now!  It turned out perfect for our sweet baby boy.  It's a room that can either grow with him or be used as a nursery again down the road!  It's my favorite room in the house right now.  I need to get a few frames for the wall and I want Patrick to make one of those giant ruler growth charts for the wall when you walk right in the door.

Snow Day

This past Tuesday the weathermen started throwing around the "snow" word for today.  I do the same thing every time they mention snow.  At first I don't believe all the hype, but it never fails by the day of the event I have completely bought into it.  I always get my hopes up and it usually doesn't deliver.  Today was no different. I went to bed last night (well actually around 3:00 this morning, when my baby decided he was ready to sleep) so excited for the snow.  It was supposed to start around here at 8:00am and be over by noon.  I was so happy because Patrick would be home and it should be clear for him to get to work around 2:00.

 

Well 8:00am rolled around and all we were getting was rain.  I was so mad at myself for believing it was going to do anything.  Around 10:00 it started snowing in Tuscaloosa so I thought maybe we'd still get some.  Finally, around noon it started snowing but it wasn't sticking to anything.  Patrick left for work and he called when he got there saying the roads were covered and it was snowing like crazy there.  It starting snowing huge flakes and sticking to everything here.  Our power even blinked a couple times.  I was beginning to think I should have gone to my parents house.  I wanted to take Barrett's picture in the snow but I didn't want to actually put him in the snow.  I thought I would settle for a picture in front of the window with the snow.

Ally loved watching it come down.

This wasn't going to cut it.  You couldn't see the snow outside!

So I went out to take a picture of the house like I always do.

I asked my sweet neighbor if she'd take a picture of us and she happily obliged.  So I ran in and bundled up the baby to see his first snow.

I think he liked it!

 

I was so sad Patrick had to go to work but I'm glad I was able to get a couple pictures of the kiddo. 

Due Date

January 15, 2013.

Today is my due date.

Today my baby is 3 weeks old.

Times flies.  I can't believe how fast the last 9 months have flown by.  I can't believe that my baby is already 3 weeks old.  I want to hold on to this precious baby time.  He's so cuddly and loves to be held.  I also love seeing him smile and do new things.  I've been so bad at taking pictures.  I'm trying not to obsess over capturing every little thing so much that I miss it myself but I'm already kicking myself because he changes so much everyday it seems like.  I finally got around to taking some pictures of him in the stocking they gave us at the hospital today.  I want to use one on his birth announcement but I don't want it to look to much like a Christmas card.
Here are a few shots straight out of the camera.  They need some editing but I don't have the energy tonight.  I can't believe how much he has changed in 3 short weeks.

My sweet Christmas baby. 

 I know he's mine but isn't he beautiful.  Hes so sweet too.  He's sleeping 4 and 5 hour stretches at night. He really only cries when he's hungry and when you change his diaper.  He doesn't really cry when he has a wet or dirty diaper only while you're changing it.

 

We are so blessed.