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! :)

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!

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...

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

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!!