SEVEN MONTHS

Dear Barrett,

You are SEVEN MONTHS! I am not sure where the time has gone, but in order to not get even further behind, I am going to record this month RIGHT NOW! No more worrying about fancy pictures or the "right" words to say, but just making sure this Mama doesn't forget just how precious you are in this VERY MOMENT!

Age: 7 months (February 22, 2012)

Weight: 24 pounds (100%)

Length: 28.5 pounds (99%)

WOW!

You are the sweetest, laid back "little" guy. You babble saying "Ba-ba", "Bubba", Dadadada, Ya-Ya-Ya-Ya, and sometimes I think you're saying "Mama". You've even made the "N" sound when I've said "Say Nana!" We think you're pretty smart!

You reach to grab for anything and everything, but especially our i.phones, Penny the dog and MY HAIR and jewelry. You are chewing on a lot of toys and your paci and seem to be wanting to cut a tooth or two.

You are eating very well...that is obvious...HA! You LOVE all fruits and veggies, yogurt, your milk and sometimes water in a sippy cup. Your favorite food so far is a yogurt/avocado/pineapple/banana pudding. Your least favorite I would say is carrots. You eat about three or four, 6 ounce bottles a day, 2-3 jars of baby food and one 8 ounce bottle at bedtime. The doctor was shocked that was all you are eating for your size.

You wear a Size 3 diaper during the day and a Size 4 at night. I LOVE the Huggies overnight diapers. You are wearing some 6-12 month clothes and a lot of 12-18month outfits.

Your naps are interesting. At school you nap about 2-3 forty-five minute naps and at Grandma's, Nana's or our house you will sleep 2 hours or so! You are so social at school that sleeping is LAST on your priority list! At night, you sleep in your crib, with a white noise machine and I'm ashamed to admit, for the first time last night you slept without your SwaddleMe blanket.

You roll over sometimes, but mostly like to sit or lay on your back and play with your feet. You sit up really well on your own and LOVE your exersaucer and play mat! You enjoy your Praise.Baby and Baby.Einstein videos and being sung to or read to. You also love to watch Penny the dog or your sisters entertain you! Last night you hid your face in my shirt several times to play "Peek-a-boo" with me. Daddy is my witness.

You LOVE your family and the fact that Grandma, Granddad, Nana and Pop ALL have a hand in your childcare is pretty fun for you! We are so very blessed!

You go to anyone still and just almost always have the sweetest smile on your face. I'm waiting for the separation anxiety to set in soon. You notice when I leave the room and start to whimper a little when that happens. You also lift your arms now to be picked up.

I am so blessed to be your Mommy. I honestly never pictured myself with a son, and now I cannot imagine my life without you. You have taught me to let the little things go, hold you more, and cling to more precious moments with your sister as well.

SO SO proud to be your Mommy William "Barrett" Duff!

Love - Mommy

Love is...

Jesus - that died on the cross and saved me from my ugly sin....

My husband - who was made just for me, whom I love more now than when I married him...

Loving parents, sister and extended family and in-laws - that I thank God for every day...

My "BONUS" daughter (we choose those words instead of stepdaughter) Shelby -

that I adore and who has taught me more than she knows...

My co-workers that are more than just that...they are my friends

Friends - that are like family

A SON - that God blessed our home with and that he is so healthy and happy...

My sweet Barrett...

Anna Claire - sweet princess of the house, who keeps me in stitches and makes me want to be a better person on a daily basis...

what fills our home... and our hearts...

Fallen Blogger Once again...trying to find a balance...

I doubt anyone even checks to see if I'm blogging any more. I'm sure one would assume I've decided not to blog for various reasons, but the fact of the matter is I didn't have the energy or time when the baby was first born and now it has been SO LONG that I feel overwhelmed when I think of it...it's snowballed on me! I've even thought of closing it completely and giving up, or starting over, but I decided this weekend that I really do have SO many great pictures and posts to document our family's adventures over these past SEVEN MONTHS. So, I am going to take baby steps to getting caught up. Be prepared - it may take me a LONG TIME, but I need to document all of our happenings somehow! I even got a great new camera for Christmas that has been put to good use and need to share those pictures with you as well.

You know the fact of the matter is, I am having a hard time finding BALANCE in my life. How do I work full time outside of our home, keep an orderly house, bond with my baby, pay attention to my six year old, teach them both important life lessons, be a good step-mom, organize our life, spend QUALITY time with my husband, check on my friends, cook, eat healthy, save money, do laundry, be creative, crafty, spend time with Jesus, volunteer more, make sure I am taking care of JILL, etc....the list goes ON AND ON AND ON...and in the end...what REALLY matters to me, my family and GOD? I am figuring out, little by little, that I need to try to keep everything in perspective and not drown in the "little things". I am praying much more, letting some things go that I never thought I would, and really just trying to BREATHE.

Here's to more updates! Starting with baby Barrett's BIRTH day! :)