Graduation x 2

Barrett's pal, Uncle Tyler, graduated from the U a few weeks back.  

Congrats, Ty!  We are so proud of you!  

Brady's Graduation

Hooray!  Brady graduated!  

Wayne (Brady's dad), Brady, Jan (Brady's mom)

This day seemed like it would never come, but we (probably me more than Brady!) are SO happy that it did.  I sometimes joked with Brady that he was only going to school because I wanted him to, but I'm glad he persevered and finished.  I think he's glad he did too.   

I must admit, though, that this was probably the most stressful day of parenthood yet.  Poor Barrett was either super excited about daddy graduating or super stressed out himself because he peed through two outfits AND blew out another two!  (I usually only pack one extra outfit in the diaper bag so we actually had to go buy clothes between the commencement and convocation ceremonies!)  That, in addition to him refusing to eat or sleep because of all the excitement, made for a very long day and one stressed out mommy!  We survived, but just barely.  

Four Months

Another month has flown right by!  Barrett is at such a fun stage.  I miss the cuddly newborn, but I love watching him learn new things so quickly!

stats:

• weight:  15 lbs. 10 oz.  (61st percentile)
• height:  27.25 in (98th percentile!  I posted on FB it was 97% but upon further inspection of the report they gave me, it's even more!)
• head circumference:  17.7 in (97th percentile)

For everyone who keeps telling us that Barrett is "so big and so alert", well, there you have it.  The proof is in the pudding.  He is big.  Thank you daddy genes.    

at 4 months, Barrett:

• is a happy baby! (except when he has to get shots, is hungry, or overly tired)
• smiles a lot
• drools even more
• blows spit bubbles
• is super ticklish, especially by his collar bones
• makes all sorts of cute baby noises including cooing, giggling, gurgling, and the like
• has a super cute "low" voice when he talks...grandma Jan says it reminds her of when Brady was a baby
• loves to chew on his hands
• has a pretty good grip and of course whatever he's holding onto makes its way to his mouth
• is figuring out how to reach for things
• still LOVES bath time...in fact, dad can't wait to take him swimming in a few weeks
• usually HATES getting dressed after bath time
• doesn't seem shy one bit...in fact, he's been called a flirt a time or two

We love you little man!

Three Months

I've said it once and I'm sure I'll be saying it a million more times, but time, PLEASE slow down!!  Barrett turned three months old last Thursday.  I seriously can't believe how big he is getting!

Brady blessed Barrett on Sunday, March 6th.  I was so worried about Barrett crying during the blessing or having a major blow-out, but he was a champ.  He slept right through it.  We are so thankful that Barrett was able to have so many grandpas and uncles be a part of his blessing.  

Later that week was Barrett's two month appointment.  He weighed 12 lbs. 12 ounces and I don't remember how long he was.  I don't think that measurement is very accurate anyways because he was super wiggly when the nurse was trying to measure his length.  His two month appointment also meant a round of shots.  Poor kiddo...he just wasn't sure what hit him!  I was nearly as traumatized as he was!   

Barrett is such a good little boy.  He pretty much only cries when he's hungry or tired.  I don't blame him.  I cry then too!  

Over the past few weeks, Barrett has been figuring out how to get his thumb in his mouth.  He started out totally gagging on it, but he's starting to suck on it for a few seconds here and there.  He has also been such a smiley baby!  I love it when he wakes up in the morning because when I tell him "good morning" he gets this big smile across his face.  Pretty sure those smiles make everything right in the world.  Barrett is also super ticklish!  (For those of you who know Brady, no wonder Barrett is ticklish!)  I think he'll start laughing really soon.  But for now, when I tickle him by his collarbones he shrugs his shoulders into his ears, gets a huge grin on his face and says "aackk!" or some other gurgle-y noise.  So cute.  I'm totally in love with this little man!  

Lovin' Our Little Man!

Barrett will be 6 weeks old on Friday.  Time is flying by and we are trying to make the most of every moment while he's still so little!  In some ways, I can't believe it's been 6 weeks already and in other ways, Barrett has been a part of our family forever and it's almost hard to remember what life was like before he came.  Here are some more pictures from our photo shoot with Jen.

Oh, I love this little guy so much!  It's fun to see hints of his little personality showing through.  Barrett LOVES his bath!  He just sits there, totally relaxed and content.  I'd say that next to eating, it's his favorite time of the day.  He is still a great eater, though we've entered the "spitting up" stage and that's not so great.  


He's a pretty consistent sleeper and he's even let me have a few extra hours of sleep here and there.  He's starting to have more awake time, which is really fun because he's beginning to make eye contact and every now and then we get a real smile, not just a "I'm passing gas" sorta smile.  The poor little guy has a bad case of what I'm thinking is baby eczema on his face, so we're trying to help him with that.  


I'd say that Brady and I are adjusting to this new life pretty well, though I know we'll have more adjusting to do when I go back to work part time.  (Which, I'm not completely looking forward too (read:  dreading, not because I don't love my job 'cause I do, but because I hate thinking about leaving this little guy!) and I'm still looking for childcare for one day...any suggestions/recommendations?)  We are starting to have somewhat of a routine and that's been good for all of us.  


Brady is a cute dad.  I think he's taken more pictures and videos of Barrett than I have and I'm home with him all day!  Bath time is usually their bonding time.  Brady can't wait until Barrett is big enough to be pulled in our bike trailer, especially with all this nice weather we've been having, but in the meantime, he's settled for going on walks.    


I love being a mom.  I love that Barrett knows I'm his mom and that I can usually calm him when no one else can.  And when he smiles at me or even just looks into my eyes, it makes the sleep deprivation and stress of a new lifestyle TOTALLY worth it.    

8 Years Ago Today...

...I married my best friend.

Thanks for a fabulous eight years, Brady.  Here's to a whole lot more. 

Love you!

Two Weeks

I can't believe he's two weeks old already!  Barrett is the sweetest little man!  I know you are all dying for more pictures.  It's just that sleep has won over blogging.  :)  Do know that we are hanging in there...though sleep deprived.    Here's a pic from our photo shoot with the talented Jen Gibson.  I cannot wait to see the rest of them!