Brain dump

Random thoughts for the week

Patrick has been on day shift since Barrett was 8 weeks old.  He's having to rotate to second shift next week and I am not looking forward to it.  He'll work from 2:00 in the afternoon till 10:00 at night and I hate it.  I've gotten so used to him being here in the afternoons to entertain Barrett when he's in his fussy time.  We'll make it but it won't be fun.

For years my sister and I have wanted to go to the American Girl store for our birthday.  Well this year is our year.  We're going this weekend and I'm so excited.  I dug Molly and Samantha out to get them looking their best for the occasion.  I'm sure people will think we are nuts bringing our 20 year old dolls to brunch, I don't really care though.
Over a year ago we took a little trip to IKEA and I bought a bunch of picture frames for $50 and I was thrilled with my purchase but never did anything with them.  I knew I wanted them for either this long hall or going down our stairs.  We settled on the long hall and Patrick got to work. Now I just need to put some pictures in them.
I usually dress Barrett like a total baby.  My mom bought these cute shorts and collared shirt for him for Easter and he's just now able to wear them. (They're size 6 month but still a little big)  I thought he looked so cute but I still love for him to look like a baby because he's got his whole life to wear collared shirts.  He's not going to wear a bubble for long. (Please ignore how good I look) This is Barrett's newest face.  We call it his "old man face".  It's hilarious.  He does it all the time. It cracks me up!   In other news, Patrick and I (more so me, Patrick can't quit the Dew.) have removed soda and fried foods from our diet.  It was getting out of hand the number of French fries I was eating on a daily basis and it needed to stop.  I'm more of an all or nothing kind of person.  I struggle with moderation so elimination was my best bet.  It's sad, I miss my fries, but it's for the better.

Barrett goes to College

For my birthday I wanted to take Barrett to Tuscaloosa and eat at hole in the wall that I'd heard about but never eaten at.  I wanted to take Barrett before football season started so I didn't have to worry about crowds and such.  We had a really nice day.  We left after lunch and took Uncle John his truck so he'd have both of his vehicles down there.  I was so excited to share my school with my son.  It's one of those things that I couldn't wait to do with my kids.  We went to the quad to take a few pictures before dinner.

Denny Chimes.  

Uncle John trying to show his muscles. Ha.

 I hope one day we have this same picture of him in a cap and gown in front of Denny Chimes.

Love this boy.

He sees his name!

I wanted to get his name and the year he was born.

This squirrel looked at me until I took his picture.  

Barrett sat in a big boy high chair for the first time.

We had dinner at Nicks in the Sticks.  It's this little building that has about 12 tables and makes the best steak you've ever eaten.  And it's cheap.  After dinner we went back to John's apartment and Barrett had dinner.  We headed home around 7:30.  Barrett slept the whole way home, when we got home I moved him from his car seat to the crib and he slept will 7:30 this morning.  That's the first time we've had a successful transfer from the car seat to the crib.

It was such a nice day.  I enjoyed sharing one of my favorite places with Barrett.  I also enjoyed spending the afternoon with John and Hope.  It made me so excited for football season. 

28

Today I turned 28 years old.  Really? 28?  I don't feel old enough to be 28.  I think in my mind I will perpetually be 24.  I don't know why but 24 is the number that always comes to mind when someone asks me my age.  This has been a big year for me.  I've done things that I knew I wanted to do but wasn't sure I was strong enough.  In some ways I feel like life really began this year with the birth of Barrett.  It's so true that a baby changes everything.  I've had a really great weekend.  My boss and I share a birthday week so we had ice cream cake Friday to celebrate.  Then at book club we had more ice cream cake. 

Those girls were so sweet to remember my birthday!  (Which, I've been a book club slacker.  I've not read the last two books and I really wanted too, I just didn't.  It's my goal to catch up before we take a break for the holidays)  Today Patrick, Barrett and I went to Tuscaloosa for the day {separate post coming}. 

If you've been around here a while you know that I try to set goals on my birthday each year (kinda like a New Year resolution but for my birthday year.)

You can read last years goals here.  I kept it simple last year because I really didn't know how life would change. 

This years goals.

• Let go a little.  I've been so worried about meeting other peoples expectations that I spread myself to thin sometimes and it puts a strain on me and my little family.  I don't want them to suffer because I'm afraid to disappoint someone.  It's okay to miss a tea or book club if I need to be with my family and recharge.  It's also okay if Barrett and I don't have an outfit to match every holiday. 
• I also want to do little things for others.  (which kinda contradicts the first statement but hear men out.)  Simple things like sending a birthday card in the mail.
• I want to soak up every little moment with my baby boy.  By my next birthday he'll be 18 months old. (and I'll be 29 ouch)
• Spend weekly quality time with Patrick.  In the new chaos of like he's kinda been pushed to the back burner.  I want to make him feel special too.  Even if it's just letting him run the remote sometimes and not complaining about what he chooses.  (which is really hard for me)
• Get on a good cleaning schedule so I don't feel like my house is always dirty and I'm always cleaning.  

Hopefully I can work on these things and simplify and enjoy life.  Even if it is chaos most of the time.

7 months

This month crept up on me.  Every month I've been making notes on my phone for these monthly posts, this month I never even started one. Oops!

We had to convince you to smile for your pictures today.

• You weigh around 17lbs
• I measured you at 26".  So you've grown since your 6 month checkup
• We're still breastfeeding.  I keep going back and forth on when to stop but it's all for selfish reasons so I'm going to keep going as long as I can.  I'm just ready to not have to share my body anymore.  I do love breastfeeding though. ( I do not love however getting up at 4:30 to pump so you can have a bottle at work, especially now that you're sleeping through the night)
• You nurse 3-4 times a day for 20-25 minutes, you still get one bottle most days and it's around 6 ounces.
• You're eating solids once a day and you're loving it.  This month we've added bananas, avocado and applesauce.  (You've also had broccoli casserole and cauliflower with ranch, compliments of your Grandaddy)  You eat about 2 ounces of food and 2 ounces of cereal every night.

• Sleep is 100 times better! Yay!
• We had to let you cry it out again to retrain yourself to sleep and it's worked fantastically!  The first time you cried for over 2 hours.  It was horrible.  The next night was over an hour, now maybe a minute and then you're out.  
• We also {finally} broke you of the swaddle.  It makes me a nervous wreck.  You roll all over your crib.  We're still putting you in a sleepsack but not swaddled.
• You're sleeping 11 hours at night. You usually go down around 7:30 and you sleep till 6:30-7:00 if I'm lucky.
• Naps haven't been great.  Sometimes you nap great at work, but most days you don't.  You need 2 1.5-2 hour naps but we rarely get that unless we're at home all day.

• You're still wearing mostly 6 month clothes, although you're still wearing some 3 month things and some 9 month.
• Size 2 diaper still you go through 5 or 6 a day.
• Your hair is lightening up a lot.  It's thinning out more too.  Also, for the first time since you were a tiny newborn it's laying down when we brush it after your bath.
• I'm thinking your eyes are going to change too.  I want them to be blue like your daddy but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

• This month you went to your great grandmothers house in Brookside for the first time.  (She passed away 9 years ago but your great uncle still lives there)
• You celebrated your first July 4th.
• You went to the lake for the second time.
• You went swimming for the first time.
• You've been doing good at church.  We've only had to go to the cry room a couple of times.  

• You've really started to play with toys now.  You've had a bunch of toys in your pack & play for a while but this month you started getting them yourself to play.
• You've also started grabbing Ally if she gets to close to you.  She's so good though and only squeals if you're hurting her.
• Still not sitting on your own.  You're getting better though.
• You still love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, you've also started watching Baby Einstein some too.
• You love your tongue.  You stick it out constantly, You're amazed by it. 
• I keep thinking you're getting teeth but none have showed up yet.  

You, little prince, are on the downhill to your first birthday.  The days are long but the years are short.  This month has been more relaxing than months past.  Now that you're sleeping and eating on a pretty good schedule we have more freedom to do things.  I can predict what time you'll wake up in the mornings and when you'll need to be in the bed.  I love being your mom.  I really do.  I love watching you discover new things.  You are really starting to watch us and notice what we're doing and it fascinates you.  I hope that we are always good examples for you.  

Happy 7 months baby, we love you!

"A Future King has been born"

So for the last week or so I've been a bit obsessed with the royal baby watch.  I was so excited when I found out Kate was pregnant that we were going to have babies in the same year, alas Barrett decided he didn't want to share his birth year with the prince.  Anyway, I've been glued to the TV {Internet} since I heard she'd gone into labor.  I'll never forget where I was while I watched the live footage of the royal birth announcement being placed on the golden easel just inside the palace gates. (I was nursing my own prince.)  Although in this day and age Twitter broke the news to me.  I've been so jealous of Kate's maternity style.  She always looks so effortlessly perfect.  I'd been stalking twitter today to catch the first glimpse of the new family.  I think my obsession has stemmed from the fact that just 7 months ago I was sitting in a hospital room patiently awaiting the birth of my first child.  No he wasn't a future king, but he was {and still is} our little prince.  I remember the emotion and excitement I felt.  I mean there were a few little differences.  As far as I know the paparazzi weren't camped out for weeks.  I didn't get to deliver in the posh Lindo Wing.  And I sure as hell didn't wear heels home. I'm taking notes for next time. ;)  

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I thought they were absolutely precious on the steps of the hospital.  They looked like any other new parents.  Full of excitement.  I loved that she said becoming a mother was such an emotional experience.  That was something I was not prepared for, I thought I was but I wasn't.  I want to tell her that it's still an emotional experience.  Every time I look at Barrett I'm overcome with emotion.  It's an amazing feeling.

And I loved that the new Daddy drove them home...to the palace.  I mean they really are just like us! Ha!

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How about this guy that basically crashed the royal baby announcement.

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Such a sweet couple.  I hope they get to experience all the joys of parenthood. 

I can't help but think back to Barrett's birthday.  It was such a special time for me and my family.  I can't imagine giving birth to the future king  {I guess I can't really imagine being married to a future king either}.  It's really something to see the world gather to celebrate something so special.  I feel like so much of the news lately is negative and hard to watch.  I enjoyed seeing something happy for once.

Weekend Review

We had a very nice relaxing weekend.  We didn't really have any plans and just went with the flow and it was just what I needed to gear up for the last few weekends of summer.  It won't be long till football season kicks off and we'll be going all fall.

Barrett is proud to be an American every day!  He's also really into his feet these days. (This was right before I turned my back for 0.5 seconds and he toppled over an hit his face on the wipes box. #momfail

Friday night Lorie, Kristen and I went to an early dinner so I could get back home to feed Barrett and get him in bed.  We are babysitting Bella while her family is on vacation and Kristen brought Marni so we had a little poodle play date.  I had not seen Marni in a few months, she has grown so much and she and Ally look so much alike.

Bella was relaxing Saturday morning.

I thought this was a cute shot of the dogs napping together.

My big handsome {almost} 7 month old. Seriously, time slow down.
We enjoyed the day while Patrick was at work and then Saturday evening John and Hope came by to visit after their engagement pictures!  We enjoyed visiting with them.

Church wore this guy out.  My mom was holding him and he was looking at my dad while dad was talking to him and his eyes just closed and he was asleep!

Sunday afternoon Patrick took Barrett to his parent's house to visit while I took a nap.  It was a wonderful afternoon! I love this outfit I borrowed for Barrett. I thought he looked like a little royal baby!   Which by the way I am obsessed with!   Hope y'all had a great weekend.  Looking forward to the weekend and my birthday Saturday! 

Family Photos

A few weeks ago we had some family photos made.  I was so excited to finally have some decent photos of all 3 of us.  I have been so sad that we didn't have any newborn photos done other than the ones in the hospital.  I wish I had more pictures of me with my tiny newborn baby.  I booked a mini session with Lacey Barnwell from LB Studios.  I love her work and was so excited to work with her.  I think she did a great job capturing our little family.

Here are a few photos from the session.



I love Barrett's eyebrow in this one.

I love them all so much!  

Hopefully it won't be another 6 months before I get a decent family photo!

Wordless Wednesday

Dog weekend at the Lake

We had a nice weekend at the lake with my little brother, his soon to be wife and 5 dogs.  I love taking our two labs to the lake because they love it. It's so hard when we have a full house of people to add 2 hundred pound dogs, so we planned a low key weekend just the 5 of us and our dogs.  We were loaded down in my pilot.  We had to put the dogs in the very back, we put Barrett in and the piled stuff around him.  It was a lot of work but so worth it.

 

This was Barrett's second trip to the lake but first time to swim and he looked adorable!

In our hats ready for the water.

 

He was not to excited about the water.  I think he might have enjoyed more if I'd spent more than $3 on him a float.  It was crappy and I was afraid he was going to fall out it.

Here we are dodging the dogs chasing tennis balls.  They played fetch forever.  They had a ball.

My sweet (old) girl.  This is her spot on the deck.  It's completely in the way but she likes to keep an eye on everything.

This girl didn't really know what to think with her big brother and sister there.  She did manage to roll around in the dirt and get extra dirty!

I think this boy had the most fun out of all of us.

My boys.

He fell asleep waiting on dinner.

I love this picture of Patrick and Barrett snuggling one morning.  So sweet!

 

I thought it would be fun to get a family picture of the three of us and the three dogs.  Yes, i'm crazy.  This was the best one!

Packed up and headed home.    It was a nice relaxing weekend.  We enjoyed getting spend time with John and Hope.  John has grown up so much in the last few years and I love hearing him talk about life.  He's embarking on the start to the rest of his life. Graduating college, starting his career and getting married.   I remember the excitement I felt when I was in that stage of life and I love seeing it again through his eyes. I'm so proud of him.