Early Intervention Update

Last Wednesday we had our second instruction time with our service coordinator.  It went really well.  She was very pleased with his progress.  He is signing "more" like a champ and he's started shaking his head for "yes".  He also says one word, "Hey!".  It's the cutest thing ever when he walks into the room and says "Hey!"  He will say "Yeah" sometimes.  We think he's trying to talk a lot more in the last few weeks.  He will say a phrase and then if you ask he will repeat it.  We have no idea what he's saying but he's definitely trying to tell us something.  After talking with me and watching him she thinks he needs to be evaluated by the speech therapist.  She set up the appointment for us and we will have that evaluation next week.  Our "homework" this week included some exercises to increase oral muscle development.  We also are working on getting Barrett to stop throwing everything.  He currently will not put anything down, everything is thrown.  So that's fun.  I feel like he's understanding and comprehending more and more of what we say.  I can tell a big difference in those two areas.  Hopefully we'll continue to see progress. 

He found this apple in his bag and decided he was up for a snack.

Memorial Day Weekend

Friday night Barrett and I loaded up and headed to the lake.  Patrick had to stay home and work. But we were excited for a fun weekend with family and friends.

Yes, this is what we packed for one adult and one toddler.  We had a fun evening.  I was so excited when I heard there was going to be a meteor shower Friday night.  We were up there once before during one and it was awesome.  We stayed up late but it got cloudy.  I did see a few but I was hoping it was going to be a lot more! This cutie was up bright and early Saturday morning.  After only about 5 hours of sleep the last thing I wanted to do was get up early but that sweet, sleepy  face made it worth it.  We ate a yummy breakfast outside.   After Barrett's nap we got him ready for the afternoon.  Of course, I thought he looked adorable. He had to try on everyone's glasses.

We decided to take Barrett on a little ride.  John was setting up the GoPro camera while Hope was taking our picture.  So the above picture was taken while the lower picture was happening.

Despite the look on his face here he was having fun.  He didn't enjoy the life jacket.

This was while we were riding.  The whole video is so sweet.

Hope snapped this one when we came in to drop Barrett off. 

Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Clay came to spend the day with us.  

I think they were happy to see each other.

He enjoyed the water!

Jeremy and Jessica played with him and he was soaking up all the attention.

This is one of my favorite pictures.

Speaking of attention... There wasn't a moment all weekend that someone wasn't playing with him.  He was loving it.  Coley and Mark spoiled him.  I can't count how many times I've said this since he was born but I will never grow tired of seeing people that I've loved all these years love my child.  There is something so special about that.  

Ally made the trip but she was not happy about the lack of attention she received thanks to her baby brother.  I think this face says it all. Trying on more accessories. Sitting in yet another lap.  I'm not kidding y'all, we're going to have to detox him this week after all the attention. He's just fabulous. He was so excited when Jeremy started playing the guitar.  He was dancing and smiled so big. Sitting on Mark's shoulders. So sweet. Before we knew it, it was time to pack up to head home.  As much as we hated to leave we were ready to see Patrick. We missed him so much.

It was a wonderful weekend with my family.  There are things you don't realize till you're a parent.  Like how much work it is to spend a weekend at the lake.  I was exhausted by the time we got up there and unpacked on Friday.  I hated that Patrick wasn't with us.  I hate asking for help but I needed it this weekend and everyone was so helpful.  I wouldn't have been able to do it without them.  It was exhausting watching Barrett every minute of the day.  He fell off the deck (it was only about a one foot drop onto grass) and then rolled down the hill.  He was fine and probably would have been laughing if I hadn't scared him with my screaming.  Then he fell out the front door twice, WHILE I WAS RIGHT THERE WATCHING!  I was just out of arms reach both times. I was so upset.  It scared the crap out of me.  He was fine.  I think both times my screaming scared him more than he was hurt. 

I'm so thankful for family that not only doesn't mind helping with him but they like to help.  Someone always volunteered to watch him while I rode the tube or floated in the water.  If he woke up from his nap while I was out of ear shot of the monitor someone would get him up and bring him out.  Everyone shared some of a meal with him.  The made it possible to bring him to the lake without Patrick's help and for that I'm so blessed. 

I love you little boy.  I hope one day you have the same childhood memories of this special place.  It's a surreal feeling being there with you.  I have so many memories being in that water with my granddaddy and cousins and brothers and sister and I hope you are just as lucky!

First Haircut

It was past time for Barrett's first hair cut.  I'd been putting it off because I knew it would instantly make him look older.  It was all in his eyes and getting out of control so I finally made an appointment with the lady that has done our family's hair for years.  She's been such a sweet friend over the years that I knew I could trust her to do just what I wanted. 

Sitting in the chair like a big boy.  He wasn't sure about the cape.

Barrett is going to grow up thinking he's a celebrity with the number of pictures I take of him.

She did just as I asked.  Basically just cut it out of his eyes and trimmed up the back a little.  

I know he's mine but I think he looks so sweet.

And the after.  Just tidied up a bit.  He did so good.  I've heard horror stories of first hair cuts so I was expecting a lot worse.  

He does look older but not to bad.

I think he looks so cute.

Weekend Review

Last Tuesday we met Jackson and Jessica at the splash pad for some water fun.  Barrett wasn't sure about the whole thing. He started getting brave toward the end but never went to the water on his own.  It probably didn't help that there were a lot of bigger kids there running wild.  I think he was a little intimidated.


But he looked really cute.


Hanging with Daddy before bed one night.


We had Taco night Friday night and Barrett enjoyed it.


Saturday I met up with one of my oldest friends Kellie (on the end opposite me) and we went to our friend Rachel's baby shower.  We were all in the youth group together at church.  We had some of the most fun together.  Rachel lives out of town so it was good to get to see her and celebrate this exciting time.


While I was at the baby shower Barrett stayed with Patrick's parents.  They were letting him run around in the driveway while Patrick did some work and he fell and earned his first skinned knees.  They said he didn't even cry. Saturday night we say out on the deck and enjoyed the beautiful weather. 


Sunday we went to Mass then picked up lunch on the way home.  We all took naps then I headed to put up a nursery decal for my friend Marion.  Her sweet boy will be her Friday and I can't wait to hold him!  That was pretty much it.  I did some cleaning which wasn't much fun!  We've got a fun week ahead, looking forward to a weekend at the lake!

Weekend Review

We had a fun weekend leading up to Mother's day.  Friday night, Patrick had to work so I dropped Barrett off with my parents while I ran a few errands.  We came home and I made a test batch of guacamole.  I'd never made it before but said I would bring it to a cook out Saturday.  It was delicious!

Saturday morning, we got up early and went to Pepper Place with Marion.  There weren't as many vendors as there normally are, I think it might have been to earl in the season.  Barrett loved people watching. We came home from Pepper Place and I put Barrett down for a nap.  I was hoping he would take a long nap while I made more guacamole and got ready for the cook out at Matt's house.  He slept long enough for me to get most everything done.   We got to Matt's house around 2:15 and enjoyed visiting with our tailgate crew. It turned out to be a beautiful day.  We sat outside under the shade tree.  Barrett renewed his love for the blue bottles {sigh}.  We just watched the kids and dog play in the yard. Matt's dog Moxie was so good with Barrett.  She let him sit on her back until he started bouncing, she wasn't a fan of that.  I guess she figured after all the crackers she took out of his hand it was the least she could do. It was a fun night.  I love this time of year.  I love being outside and just sitting around and enjoying the company! Can't wait to do it again!

Mother's Day

Where do I begin.  I'm so honored and blessed to be a mom.  At least once everyday, something Barrett does will catch my eye and I'll think, "How'd I get so lucky."  I am challenged everyday to be the best mom I know how.  I'm learning and some days are hard. Like really hard.  Most days I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing.  Then there's a day where it clicks and Barrett understands what we're trying to teach him and it's all worth it.  The sweet slobbery kisses. His sweet voice saying. "Hey!" when you walk into the room.  When he pitches a fit and then gets up and just wants you to hold him and hug him.  It's all worth it.  There are days where I count the hours until bed time.  There are days where I can't wait to go to the gym just for an hour of peace. There are many, many days where I have to move the dinner dishes to make breakfast.  I have a messy house and sticky floors more days than not and I wouldn't change it.  I know that all to soon he'll be grown and I'll miss it, sticky floors and all.

We woke up and the boys gave me sweet gifts.  We ate breakfast and then we got ready for church.  Going to church as a family is my favorite thing.  Mass was extra long (we were there for 2 hours) but Barrett did really good.  He had snacks and enough people to entertain him.  After Mass we went to my parents house where my dad cooked lunch for everyone.  My grandmother and Aunt also joined us. 

I asked Patrick to snap some pictures of us before lunch while Barrett was still in his church clothes.  So many times as mothers we are the ones behind the camera so I made a point to get in the pictures this time.  I just love this little boy.  His little smile just melts me.

We enjoyed all being together for the afternoon.  I sat on the deck with my brothers and mother and we laughed and laughed about growing up.  We left there to head home for naps before we went to my in-laws house. 

I snapped this picture of my first "baby".  This poodle taught me a lot about caring for another.  She taught me what it's like to have something depend on you for everything.  She still loves her mommy event though I don't get to spend as much time with her.  We were supposed to be at my in-laws house at 5:00 but we all fell asleep.  Patrick woke up at 5:15.  While we were getting ready it started pouring rain.  It was so gross and wet and humid.  We finally got there and enjoyed dinner.  It was a beautiful day spent with everyone I love. 

Early Intervention Update

Monday we had our first meeting with our coordinator.  It was her first time to meet Barrett and I think he liked her.  She was very encouraging and basically said we just have to model, model, model to him.  Talk all the time to him. She wants us to start signing with him (which we probably should have been doing from the get go but we didn't, you live and learn.)  She gave us some "homework" and so far it's been going great.  I'm just so thankful for this opportunity to have someone help us help him.  She liked that he makes a lot of noise and she really thinks with a little pressure he'll be saying some things soon.  Right now, he doesn't have to talk.  I've been anticipating his needs for 16 months now and he's never had to ask for anything.  I know what he wants before he has a chance to tell me.  I've got to take a step back and let him come to me when he wants/needs something.  I'll be honest, that is really tough.  It so much "easier" to just give him what he needs when he needs it.  Being a parent is hard.

We went for Barrett's hearing evaluation on Wednesday.  While we were sitting in the waiting room there were several other families waiting for PT/OT and we realized how blessed we were.  We were quickly called back and the two girls that did the evaluation were so sweet.  Everything went really well  and it was a fairly simple process.  He tested in the normal range.  We are so thankful that he is fine.  They said we were on the right page with early intervention.   So now we just talk and model as much as we can to him.  We need to arrange his environment so it encourages him to ask for help.  She recommended we put his toys in clear plastic bags so that he can see them but not get them.  This encourages him to come to us and ask for help.  So far he doesn't seem interested in asking for help, he just moves along to find something else to play with. So we've got our work cut out for us.   We will see her again in two weeks.  Hopefully she'll notice some progress. 

Date Night with Lady A

We had a fun busy weekend.  Patrick told my Friday morning that he was going to be off Saturday and Sunday and I was so excited!  While I was at work I sent him a message saying we should have a family day Saturday and then have a date night Saturday night. Thankfully, Patrick accepted my offer!  Not long after that I realized that Lady Antebellum was going to be in town and the weather was going to be perfect for an outdoor concert.  We decided that's what we'd do!  We used to go to concerts a lot before we were married and Patrick worked crazy shifts so I was excited to relive our glory days.  Patrick's parents came to watch Barrett for us.  I didn't want to be obnoxious but I was so excited to get out and enjoy the fresh air with Patrick.  I think dates are important to a marriage.  We're so fortunate that we have both sets of grandparents so close and always willing to baby sit.  

We made our way to the venue  We got in, got a drink and found our seats just in time for Love & Theft.  I knew a couple of their songs.  Next up was Scotty McCreery.  I'm embarrassed to admit this but I had huge tears in my eyes when he sang the finale song from American Idol "Love you this Big".  You see, being a parent changes you.  I'm no longer able to just see things at face value.  While he was talking about his dreams of performing and how he's living his dream.  I couldn't help but think of his Mama.  I can't imagine what it's like to see your son's dreams coming true.  

It was a beautiful night.  So thankful this guy still wants to date me.
25oz lime-a-rita was a bad idea.  It made my stomach hurt. There was a cute *young* couple on a date sitting next to us.  They were probably 21 or 22.  The guy offered to take our picture when he saw us struggling.  He was probably thinking, "aww poor old people that don't get out much".  I was thankful anyway. I thought the show was so much fun.   Fun car selfie, we were sitting in traffic.  I think I said make a funny face.  I was the only one that made a funny face.  We both couldn't wait to get home to Barrett, even though he was sound asleep and had been for hours.
Sunday Barrett and I got up and went to Mass then to my parents house for lunch.  My little brother's birthday was Sunday but mom made him a cake for Saturday night.  Barrett enjoyed a left over piece after lunch.
I'm backing up a bit to mention that this sweet poodle celebrated her 6th birthday Thursday.
We had our first session with Early Intervention today.  We have a lot of work to do but hopefully with our service coordinator's help we'll get Barrett caught up to where he needs to be.  We have his hearing test on Wednesday, hopefully it comes back normal.  This is Patrick's last week on 2nd shift, thank goodness!  We're ready to have Daddy home in the evenings!