Twenty Nine

So...I turned 29 today.

I'm not sure how exactly this happened so quickly but it did and here I am, staring straight at my 30's.  Part of me loves this age and stage of life.  I feel like I've finally reached a point where I'm comfortable in my skin.  I don't worry nearly as much about what other people think of me.  It's a great place to be when you start focusing on the things and people that really matter. 

 

We've had a great weekend celebrating!

Friday night was book club and they got me this yummy cake.  We has so much fun hanging out.  I look forward to this night so much each month.   Saturday, Patrick got up with Barrett and let me sleep late.  It was so nice.  Patrick had to work so Barrett and I hung out all afternoon.  We ran errands and picked up Chinese food for dinner.  Sunday morning, Patrick got up with Barrett again and let me sleep in.  We enjoyed breakfast and snuggles.  We went to Mass and then to my parents house for lunch.  My favorite part of the day was when my mom pulled out my birthday video and we watched a bunch of my birthday parties growing up.  It was so much fun.  We left there and went to Patrick's parents house for dinner.  We ordered chilis and it was delicious. 

I got some pictures with my sweet boy before dinner.  He's so big and I love him so much. 

It was such a fun day. I'm really looking forward to this year.  

Weekend Review

We had a nice weekend.  I love when Patrick doesn't have to work and we can hang out as a family.  He had to work Friday night so Barrett and I hung out at home and watched Toy Story 3.  Well I watched it, Barrett wasn't very interested in watching anything.  He went to sleep without crying which was a big change for every other day last week.  

Saturday we had plans to go down to John and Hope's house and hang out on the Ski lake with them.  It rained all morning but we decided to go ahead and go anyway.  I'm glad we did because it turned out to be a beautiful day.

The lake has this nice beach area where you can swim and hang out.  We didn't really know how Barrett was going to feel about the sand.  We've been telling ourselves that he was going to hate it and be miserable.  We were wrong.  He loved it.  He played in the sand with his dump truck all afternoon.  He would walk out in the water and just smile.  He was so happy.   He watched the boys throw the football. So content pushing his truck around. Seriously, he had the best time.  We went back to the house and the boys grilled hamburgers and corn on the cob.  It was all so good.  We had the best time just hanging out with them.  We hated to leave! Sunday we went to Mass and then to my parents house for lunch.  As usual Nana had something sweet for Barrett.  He loved the ice cream but he wasn't a fan of the cone.   One of his favorite toys. We came home and ate watermelon outside.  He's a fan for sure.   We also met some of our neighbors (we're terrible neighbors and have only met a handful of them in the almost 7 years we've been here.)  They have a son that is 17 months old and he and Barrett played together while we visited.  It was fun.  It was one of those things that really made me feel like a grown up.  (I know I'm a dork.)   Monday I had a full day of work at a school in Irondale, hanging vinyl.  I worked 8 hours up and down on a ladder.  I'm not used to that much physical activity. Barrett stayed with Brittany for the afternoon and he did so good she said.  She said he didn't cry at all and was very sweet.  I was so worried how he would do.  It probably helped that Patrick was the one who dropped him off and that we were just with Brittany and the boys last week so it was all still familiar to him.  Today I had to run back over to the school to fix a couple things and Barrett went with me.  He did so good.  He wasn't shy and played with some of the teachers.  He even stayed with one of them while I walked out of the room and he didn't cry.  Hopefully we're making some progress with the separation anxiety.   We've got a laid back rest of the week and fun weekend ahead.  

Separation Anxiety

We've had a hard week this week.  Barrett has developed separation anxiety and it is hard on my mommy heart.  I think the reason it's so hard for me is because I know when he's crying all he wants is for me to stay with him and hold him, but I also know that giving in to him is only going to make things worse.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the extra snuggle time.  I breaks my heart to put him to bed and him just cry for me.  He usually only cries for a few minutes but it still hurts.  He also hasn't been sleeping good.  He chewed the end off his wubanub paci and I'm trying hard to not give in to buying him another one.  I did give him another paci but he doesn't love it.  I just want to hug and comfort my baby without making him overly attached and making it worse when I do have to leave him.  It's emotionally exhausting.  Patrick kept him a couple mornings this week and he cried when I left, which made me sad.  Then the days I had him he cried when I put him down for a nap and then again when I put him down for bed.  When he's not crying he's terrorizing the dog.  I feel like I've said "no" about a million times this week.  I'm not trying to complain or sound whinny.  It's just that this is one of the hardest weeks I've had lately as a mom.  

We had early intervention on Tuesday.  We were very pleased with his progress.  He sat for an entire book.  He's playing appropriately with toys and not throwing toys as often as before.  We also had our first session with the speech therapist.  She was pleased with how much he's babbling but she gave us a few things to work on.  We'll see them both again in two weeks.

Monday I let him use the spoon with his yogurt.  I think he needs a little more practice. We've had an unusual cold front come through and it felt amazing this week.  So we've played outside and cooked with the doors open.
He looks like a little hoarder sometimes.  He gathers all of his animals and his cup and stacks them up on this push toy like it's a little cart.  It makes me laugh. I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the extra snuggles I've gotten this week.  It's all been so bittersweet.  I want him to want to snuggle but then I also want him to be comfortable enough to not need me. We also went and toured the "school" where he's going to start Mother's Day Out in August.  It's been a busy, fun week.  Looking forward to the weekend!

Saturday Mornings

Saturday mornings have become a favorite this summer.  We sleep a little later usually, eat breakfast and sip coffee.  I love the slow pace and just watching Barrett play.  This past Saturday Patrick was off work but he made plans to go to the hunting club with his brother and nephew to work. 

I treated Barrett to donuts. 

We watched Mickey Mouse and cuddled for a long time.  Longer than usual.  As I was holding Barrett, it occurred to me that it won't be long until Barrett will be going to the hunting club with the rest of the boys.  (We've still got a few years but as fast as these past 18 months have gone by I know it will be here before I know it.)





I know i'll miss these sweet, slow mornings at home with my boy. 


He was a fan of the donuts.  He wanted to taste each one.



It was a sweet morning with my boy.  I don't ever want to take this time for granted.  I know he won't be little for long. 

Fourth of July Weekend

We had a wonderful, laid back weekend.  Patrick had to work all weekend and that always stinks but Barrett and I tried to make the best of it.  

We went back and forth about what we were actually going to do for the 4th.  My parents were at the lake but I didn't really want to spend the night up there.  It's just so much work with Barrett now that he's walking and I didn't want to take him away from Patrick for the whole weekend.  (We decided we would go up for the day on Saturday since my sister and Clay were going to be up there then.)  Then we thought about going down to John and Hope's neighborhood since John had to work.  They have a little beach on one of the lakes where we could hang out but since I was going to go up to the lake on Saturday I wanted to hang out at home for most of the day Friday.  Barrett went down for a nap around 10:00 Friday morning I did some housework and made a list of things I needed to get when Barrett woke up.  While he was napping my friend Lauren texted me inviting us to her inlaws to hang out at their pool.  Her nephews were going to be there so Barrett would fit right in.  It was close enough to our house that it was no big deal if Barrett had a meltdown and we had to come right home.  So after I ran errands we put on our red, white and blue and headed over for the afternoon.   Barrett was so good.  He enjoyed the pool while I was holding him and then he floated on a raft for a while.  Everyone commented on how quiet and laid back he was.  When he wanted out he just played on the deck for a while.  Then he found the cookies I'd brought and he ate one (or four but who's counting).  They grilled a big spread and everything was wonderful.  Barrett made his self at home and played with some toys.  The boys shot fireworks and Barrett never even flinched.
I love this picture of him just chilling watching everyone in the pool.  It was a fun, last minute adventure for us and I was thankful they let us crash the party.   Barrett stayed up way past his bedtime but he did great! Saturday he was up bright and early.  We ate breakfast and instead of putting him down for a nap, I loaded up the car and we headed to the lake.  I thought he would sleep all the way up there.  I was wrong. He was awake the entire time.  So after a long night the night before and no nap I was worried how our day at the lake was going to go.   He wanted our cans.   

Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Clay took him for a ride in the canoe.  He loved it. 

Nana took him swimming, which he also loved. 

He got cranky in the water so his Granddaddy took him to the swing and got him to sleep.  He took a long nap.  So sweet.

Dad made a pitcher of margaritas and Barrett wanted some.  I gave him my empty glass to play with.  He was so happy.

My dad with my babies.  (Ignore my dad's hair, he had a mishap with some hair color this week.)

I loved this sweet shirt I made for Barrett.

My sweet babies in their red, white and blue.  Ally's been avoiding Barrett lately but I was happy she cooperated for the picture.  He loves her so much!

We came home and Barrett took a bath and went straight to bed.  Ally crashed too.  She was pooped. Today, we went to Mass and then grabbed some lunch on the way home.  We took long naps and then I cooked dinner.  After dinner we played outside.  I let Barrett push his toy up and down the street.  He was having so much fun.  He pitched a fit when it was time to come in and take a bath.   We had such a fun weekend.  I hated that Patrick had to work and it sucks that he was on second shift.  If he had been on day shift he could have at least enjoyed the afternoon with us each day.  But I'm so thankful for his job so I try not to complain to much.  We missed hanging out with our regular fourth of July crew but we still had a blast.

Weekend Review

I know it's Tuesday but better late than never.  

While we were at the splash pad last week I noticed Barrett was walking funny and kept falling down.  Well turns out his little swim suit was to tight, so he got some new swim trunks and I went ahead and got him a puddle jumper to wear when we go swimming.

I thought he looked really cute. He's been loving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  I cut it in triangles for the first time.  It was one of those surreal things that I can't believe I'm doing for my son. He was so proud, he climbed up there all on his own. Saturday morning we had a fun play date with Jackson and Cruz.  We went swimming at Jackson's house.  It was so fun seeing these cuties together.  Barrett is so laid back, he just floated around the pool in a float watching the other boys.   After swimming we went home and took naps then Barrett and I got dinner at Chick-fil-A before we went grocery shopping.  I've always loved CFA but they won me over again Saturday night.  It was just me and Barrett, I ordered our food and walked to find a table and get him situated in the highchair since I knew I wouldn't be able to carry him and the food.  Before I could turn around to go get the tray the sweet young guy was at the table with our food. (I apologize if you follow me on instagram or facebook because you've heard this story already)  It was such a small gesture but it meant so much to me as a mama.  We had a fun dinner together. This little girl has not been herself lately.  Nothing big, she just whined sometimes when we picked her up and she was avoiding Barrett like the plague.  She also wouldn't jump on and off the furniture.  Monday I took her to the vet and she just tweaked her back a little.  They gave her some meds and she's already feeling better.  We've got to watch her like a hawk around Barrett to make sure he doesn't hurt her. He will sit and play like this for the longest time.  (ignore the ugly linoleum) This morning we went to the splash pad for a little while with Keegan.  It was fun.  It takes him a little while to warm up to the place but then he enjoys it.  He only plays at a couple of the little features.  He hasn't gotten brave enough to venture into the middle yet.   We're excited about a short week.