My Future's So Bright...

I gotta wear shades!!

I found these sunglasses on one of my favorite websites last week - http://www.babysteals.com/ and knew that Barrett just HAD to have them! Surprisingly, he doesn't mind wearing them just yet.

Blog posting has been a bit of a challenge lately, due to our busy schedules and just trying to manage our daily life. I will post something more meaningful when I can, but for now - enjoy this pic of our little dude!

Four Months

Sweet Barrett - WOW! I can hardly believe you are Four Months Old!! Life with you seems to get better every day. We have had a really exciting month. From your first airplane trip and visit to Texas to your first experience with day care, I am just so proud of the big boy you are becoming. You have the most wonderful personality, with sweet smiles and songs to go along. Just being your mommy is a complete joy! One of my favorite moments was in the car last week when you didn't even know I was listening - you were "singing" to your bunny on the way to school. You have a very sweet disposition and you are a very active little boy! I always say that you "want to be big" but please remember to stay our baby for a little while. We are trying to soak in every minute that we can because we know that it won't be like this for long. Here are some of your monthly accomplishments:

• You wear size 3-6 month clothes and a size 2 diaper
• You are eating about 7-8 times a day, every 2.5 to 3 hours and taking a bottle at daycare. I am so proud that you are taking your bottles so well!
• Sleep has been a bit of a challenge this month, due to your little face itching - but that is getting so much better. When you feel good, you sleep all night or almost all night. You go to bed between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. and are up for the day between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. The hours in between are variable, but I'll take it!
• Your favorite toys are your bunny, your ball, your linkys and Sophie Giraffe
• You love to chew on your hands or anyone else's hands that are in close proximity
• Singing songs in the morning is also one of your favorite activities - We always sing "Rise and Shine," "Good Morning to You," and "This is the Day" to get our day started and you just love it! 
•  Story time at night is also one of your favorite activities. So far, your favorite books are Llama Llama Red Pajama, Goodnight Moon, amd Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
• You just LOVE your Daddy!!
• Everyone comments on what a sweet and handsome boy that you are. We sure think so too! Your sweet smiles and laughter just melt our hearts.
• You are still a very strong boy and can roll over from tummy to back sometimes. It will not be long before you are rolling over both ways and we are running to catch you!

Here are your monthly growth stats:

Weight: 14 lb. 15 oz. (50th percentile)

Height: 25 in. (75th percentile)

We just love you so much little man!

Week Two

Whew!! I just completed my second week back to work. So far, it is still going well. I enjoy the interaction with my co-workers and volunteers and I think the social aspect is good for little Barrett too. There are moments when I wonder if I am doing the right thing and the best thing for our family, but for now, I feel like this is God's provision for our lives. As with everything in my life, I can see His hand guiding every step - from me having such a wonderful and understanding place to work to our day care, God has really orchestrated some wonderful things.

While things are fun right now, they are also pretty exhausting for all of us. Case in point:

My sweet boys were just wiped out after a full day at work and school!

I feel like I am learning so much in this season of life. Every day truly is a blessing! I have to be much more intentional now with my time because every minute counts! There is no such thing as procrastination anymore, it is simply a question of whether it will get accomplished or not.

All in all, it has been a wonderful two weeks. We are all loving our new routine!

However, let's keep it real - the house is a disaster, I haven't cooked in over a week, and the dogs are lucky just to get fed everyday...

Back to Work

So, this week was the return of the Big W. Work that is, for me. I really wasn't sure how to approach this new change in our lives, but have been blessed with a wonderful job and fantastic boss and co-workers, so we at least needed to try it out.

March 1st was my first day back and it turned out to be an adventure all its own. I had to take B to the doctor that morning for some skin issues and had to keep him out of day care, so he got to go to work with Mom on her first day!!

The first full day of day care was really March 2nd and he handled it like a champ!! His day care is only five minutes from my office, which is super convenient. I get to drop him off, go back a few hours later to feed him during my lunch break, and return a few hours later to drive home. Our first week has been a tremendous success. The ladies at the day care just love Barrett and he has been totally exhausted at the end of the day.

I have really enjoyed being back to work as well. My biggest surprise has been my own efficiency. I am amazed at how much I can actually accomplish during the day (and the evening too.) It seems like now every minute has a purpose! My job is very rewarding and my co-workers are some of the best people around. I also have a new appreciation for working parents everywhere!! (And stay-at-home parents too!!)

We are so very blessed that the Big W has turned out so well for us! We thank you all for your prayers and thoughts abour returning to work - and we'll keep you posted!

Barrett's First Trip

A little over two weeks ago, Barrett had one of his biggest firsts - A trip to Texas!! We are so blessed that we have such a wonderful family and friends who love him so much. Because of Ryan's work schedule, he had to stay behind this time, but Barrett and I did not want to miss out on a trip before I returned to work. So, on February 17, we loaded up and made the big trip. I will say, for at least a month prior to the trip, I was SO NERVOUS! Flying alone with a baby is not for the faint of heart. However, Barrett was an absolute champ and we made it to Texas without incident.

We started out our trip meeting this guy in the airport! These two seem to just love each other - as evidenced by many photos from the weekend. I just know this is a special relationship in the making. There are all kinds of fun memories to be made!

Barrett got to meet all of his aunts, uncles, and cousins - even little Preslee! They just loved each other right from the start. It will be so much fun to see them at Christmas time next year.

With cousin Hilary and Preslee

With Grandma and Aunt Cindy

We got to see nearly everyone from our wonderful family and a few VERY special friends too!

PeeWee and Duke just had to get in on the action

Barrett even had his first visit to Aunt Nancy's class to meet some VERY special friends!

They were all so excited  to meet the little guy they had heard so much about.



Loving on his Grammy



Can you tell he's a proud Grandpa?

Grandma just loves this baby!!

All of this visiting has worn me out!!

Cindy and Lexie

Uncle Robert

Aunt Kathy

Cousins Carly and Carson

Sweet hugs from Aunt Ade

Love from Aunt Ade and Brent

Bath Time!!

We also got to spend some wonderful time with one of my oldest best friends, Courtney and her baby girl Harper. It was SO much fun to catch up and talk about life as a new mom!! We are so blessed to have such a special friendship.

Ryan's Aunt Donna came to visit!

Visiting with his Nanna Debbie

Aunt Val 

Saying "hi" to Dad! 

Sadly, after a few days, it was time to leave some of our favorite people and return home. I think our return trip was one of our most interesting adventures. Nancy and Grandma took us to the airport. After saying our goodbyes and shedding a few tears, we learned that our flight was delayed, causing us to miss our connection back to Tri-Cities. We decided to book a later flight out of Dallas and try to get home on the 10:00 p.m. flight leaving Atlanta. I was one unhappy mama to learn that they refused to book me on a flight the following day, but it was my only option. We made a stop at Braum's - YUM! - where we could all get something to eat. Thankfully my parents have a car that is big enough for stretching out, so little Barrett could have some play time while we waited. We went back over to the airport and said our goodbyes and shed tears a SECOND time. I went through security and found my gate, only to find that this flight was...DELAYED!! I called Nancy and told her to pull over because it looked like we were going back to Mabank.  There was NO gate agent available, so I found an exit to get back to the ticket counter. The line was 25 people deep and going nowhere fast. At this point, I had a sleeping baby in my arms and was standing in line for almost 30 minutes when I realized that I too was in the wrong line. I decided to ask a mom with a stroller in the next line what she was waiting on. Fortunately, she gave me a phone number and they had us booked on a flight for the next day in about five minutes!

All in all, it wasn't too bad because we got to spend one more night with my parents, but I would have much preferred not to waste five hours in a car and the airport. We finally made it home to Tennessee and were SO grateful that we had the opportunity (and the guts) to take our first trip to Texas. We just can't wait until the next time when Ryan can go with us too!