May 16, 2011

29 Weeks

I've seen this done on MANY blogs and have wanted to do it, but haven't gotten around to it! I'm planning on doing it weekly until Baby Barrett arrives!

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along:
29 Weeks
Size of baby: 2.5 pounds (size of a butternut squash)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 13 lbs
Maternity Clothes: I'm still loving several dresses and shirts that are not maternity and LOVE pairing them with leggings. I do LOVE my maternity pants for work, capris and some cute tops I've borrowed from friends! I've been SO lucky to not have to buy too many pieces thanks to some generous girls!
Gender: It's a BOY! William "Barrett" Duff
Movement: He is very active, especially at night! He seems to be intentional about his big kicks...like "Get your arm off my space Mommy!" It's very funny!
Sleep: I'm not sleeping great. I finally fall into a deep sleep and then...it's time to get up for work.
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach and back...
Cravings: I've lost my appetite lately at night, but I do crave fruit, beef and although I won't give in often...fried okra
Symptoms: I'm having heartburn some, braxton hicks contractions have begun, and my lower back hurts late a night. I'm fortunate...I have honestly felt great!
Best Moment this week: So excited for my first baby shower this week! Feeling him move more and more.
Worst Moment this week: I have to re-do my glucose test...not fun :0(

Can't wait to meet you sweet Barrett!





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Celebrating SIX Years

I'm proud to report that the birthday girl had a great SIXTH birthday!

Her day started with a breakfast to go...per her request...donuts...roaring water...and bacon...don't judge...you're only SIX once...right?!?



Here's the SIX year old in her "birthday outfit"...again...her choice!



She received a lunch...again...her choice...from Nana. Chick-fil-a...SUCH A TREAT!



Passing out birthday treats to her class...


Her kindergarten class...enjoying the K.rispy K.reme donuts!




The birthday girl...enjoying a treat...



We enjoyed a new GREAT chinese buffet for her birthday dinner!




Reading her "6" card...This was the first year I didn't have to read her cards to her! SO WEIRD!



The "Grow your own butterflies" kit she's been wanting, from Mommy, Brad and Shelby. She also received a fun outfit from C.razy 8, new PJ's, and a light up Z.ooble!




Her dessert plate of choice...I thought it was pretty!



This gift was a HUGE surprise from Nana and Pop! She doesn't quite realize what it is yet...



Her first American Girl Doll! Kit! She was BEYOND thrilled!





THANK YOU NANA AND POP!!! I LOVE HER!!!



My sweet birthday girl!




And after two seconds on the way home...she CRASHED! :0)





THE BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!


This was her ADORABLE invitation that also had matching treat tags, thank you notes and return address labels! Such a GREAT find on ebay!


This year I opted for BIRTHDAY COOKIES instead of a cake! It was a great choice with all of the hungry, wet swimmers!



Cookie wrapped for treat bags...



Such thoughtful gifts...



Treat/Snack bags for after the swimming!



They've heard the rules...they're ready to go!



Swimming!!!!








Opening her presents from her sweet friends and family...



May 10, 2011

SIX...

SIX years...

2,190 days...

52,560 hours...

3, 153, 600 minutes...

189, 216, 000 seconds...




...Is how long I have known you...enjoyed you...held you...kissed your nose...tickled your tummy...laughed at your funny way of saying things...layed beside you at bed time...rubbed your back...looked at your button nose...doctored your "boo boos"...enjoyed our conversations...listened to your beautiful singing...read you stories...played in your make-believe world...wished better for you...admired your strength...desired your trust...prayed for your future...worried about your feelings...adored your zest for life...felt proud and humbled by your childlike faith and love for Jesus...


...and above all LOVED you with all my heart...


I cannot believe you are SIX today! You are the most amazing, beautiful little girl that God entrusted to ME! You have such a bright future in front of you and I promise, as your Mommy, that I will always ALWAYS love you, support you and cheer you on!



Happy birthday my sweet...sweet...
Anna Claire!


May 11, 2005




One


Two


Three


Four



Five



Six



And you're still my baby...



Not only my daughter...but my friend!
I'm SO excited to see what your future holds!


Every year with you gets better and better...

Thank you for making me a better person, preparing me to be a better Mommy to you AND Barrett...and for making me stronger when I thought I couldn't get up.


You have blessed my life beyond words...

I love you...


~Mommy~


A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be your friend. ~Author Unknown




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May 2, 2011

There is NO DENYING she is MY child...

I have several pictures to post soon about Easter, etc. But I had to update with a few funny things about Anna Claire recently before this pregnant girl brain of mine forgets them...


Anna Claire is TOTALLY my child. For any of you that have known me since childhood or have heard my Mother tell stories about me, etc. you surely know where Anna Claire gets her "spunky-ness"! HA!


Anna Claire just finished her second season of soccer. It was quite interesting to watch her play...


She doesn't like to run (neither do I)...but if she stuck those long legs out and actually tried, she could run really fast! She spent the first 6 games trotting behind her teammates, occasionally giving it a good try, but didn't act too interested in the ball or actually PLAYING soccer. She really liked the run through tunnel at the end with all the "high fives" and the snack. Practices were equally as comical... she would try for a bit and then get distracted by: playing with a friend's hair, picking flowers, putting dirt and grass on her ball, etc. She liked playing on the playground afterward. So...


I said (about 6-7weeks in), "You're done with this after this season, right Anna Claire?"


She says, "No Mommy! I love it!"


(I'm thinking REALLY?!?)


So I tell her if she REALLY wants to play again, she needs to show us (me, Brad, Coach Douglas, her teammates, etc.) that she really wants to play. She can do that by running hard, making contact with the ball, paying attention in practices and the games, etc. And guess what??? She did it! The last 4-5 games and practices she really did try harder. Don't get me wrong, she doesn't like to be hot (neither do I), she isn't aggressive at sports (neither was I), she likes to wave at whoever is watching her in the stands (so did I), but she honestly wants to try and be a part of a team. So, new baby and all...looks like we'll be a soccer family again in the fall! :)


She was thrilled her sweet cousins, Jack and Julia, came to cheer her on!


She LOVED her trophy!


And this...this is the REAL reason she LOVED this season...as she says, "my BFF Kylie". She just adores this precious girl and you know what, so do I! Her Dad (my long time childhood friend) was the coach and he did a fantastic job with those girls. So if Anna Claire wants to play for a friend...that's okay with me! She's getting a little exercise while doing it! ;)


Funny story #1:


When Anna Claire gets a warning from her teacher at school, she has to "walk the circle" for a little bit at recess. This happens often for talking too much or bossing others (again MY child). I unfortunately can see her out my window of my classroom. My friends say to ignore it, but it just drives me crazy!


So I say, "Anna Claire I am SO tired of looking out my window and seeing you walk on that circle!"


Anna Claire's response, "Then shut the blinds Mommy!"



Funny story #2:


A.C. : Mommy, I know that when Jesus died, he took away all of the sins of the world, but where does the sin go now? We still sin every day...it has to go somewhere!


Me: Yes, but when we confess our sins and ask Jesus to forgive us, he does, because we are saved by the cross! Eventhough that was a LONG LONG time ago...


A.C.: I know where the sin goes! Mesquitos bite us and suck out our blood and that is why they are awful creatures because they have all of our sin in their bodies!


She just amazes me with her thought process! :)


I can't believe my little girl is almost six years old. I am feeling especially sad about it as Barrett's delivery approaches. She just seems SO grown up! I will post more soon about Easter, her birthday and a belly update of sweet Barrett!!

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April 11, 2011

Texas Spring...Don't blink or you'll miss it!

It's been a while...I know...we have just been SO busy...like everyone else, but I'm starting to feel REALLY pregnant (even though my doctor, my family and myself are shocked with my LACK of weight gain-don't worry I'm not speaking too soon...I'm positive I'll pack it on in the end...) and worried because I still have about 15+ weeks to go! Whew! I know the summer is going to be brutal...believe me EVERYONE feels the need to point out that I'm going to be HOT this summer....really?!? HA! Sorry....it's just funny to me because first of all anyone that knows me well knows I'm EXTREMELY hot natured and hot when it's above 80 degrees, s econd I have other children to take care of in the summer so there will be no"kicking back and JUST relaxing in the air-conditioning", and finally...WE LIVE IN TEXAS! Isn't everyone hot when it's 150+++degrees?


The other thing I've been VERY bad about (besides blogging) is taking pictures of my sweet family, which leads to a lack of blogging...but my WONDERFUL parents encouraged me to seize this beautiful AMAZING bluebonnet opportunity while we are actually having a SPRING, so I did and I am oh SO happy I did! Our girls are too precious! If you haven't taken bluebonnet pics don't wait! If you blink Spring and the Texas wildflowers WILL be gone! This field is behind Main St. in Grapevine and is HUGE!

Sweet...sweet Anna Claire and her dolly...melts my heart...


Our sweet girls! Next year there will be a baby boy with this crew!

Oh how they LOVE their Nana! I don't blame them!
Beautiful Shelby...I just adore her!



Spunky Anna Claire....



This one makes me giggle because I told them to pretend to be picking the flowers all while AC is lecturing me about how you don't pick the STATE FLOWER or the police will come! HA! Love that she got a little "black and white" in her!


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March 7, 2011

Well...IT'S A....

BOY!!!

We got to see our SON at our sonogram with several family members there to join in the excitement!!! We went to S.tork V.ision in Keller and could not have been happier! They took their time and we really were able to enjoy the experience of "meeting"...

William "Barrett" Duff...


For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

For you formed my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb...


Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it...


...I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made...


It was very clear, several times, that Barrett REALLY wanted us to know that he is a BOY! Just take a look...you can tell too! HA!


(Grandad, Grandma, Pop, Nana, Shelby, Mommy, Anna Claire, Daddy, Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Matt and Cousin Cole!)

Barrett, we ALL love you already and CAN'T wait to meet you! I love feeling your little flutters every day and Daddy was even able to feel you yesterday! You have blessed our lives with so much happiness already and we cannot wait to see your sweet face!

Love you! - Mommy


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