The Barnes Family

I feel very blessed that my child was able to sleep from 12 am to 7 am considering the time change that we went through. Sure, he didn't make it all night without needing any help, but no diaper change or feeding needed and he always went right back to sleep, I think thats doing pretty darn good. I have to thank God for that. When I found out that we were going on this trip, I began to pray every night that Wyatt would have a smooth transition to the new time. Looks like my prayers were answered. I think we still have a day or two to go but he is doing great. So today started at 7 am and is about to end when I get done typing this lovely post. Wyatt is already sound asleep in the crib stationed right in front of our dresser, the sound of waves crashing is starting to also put me to sleep. He has been asleep for the past twenty minutes and because I don't want to run the risk of waking him up by turning on the tv, I decided to hold off on watching my one of my Christmas presents...

After finally getting all the bags packed and boxes shipped, we loaded up the car and headed out of our drive way at 6:30am. I actually had to wake little man up! He woke up with a smile though. We made it with only one stop to Atlanta and got to the airport by 9:30. Todd pulled up to the curb, jumped out of the car and started to unload our 2 checked bags, big jogging stroller, our little carry on backpack, our big carry on roll bag, bassinet, and then once I got him strapped in the front carrier, we unloaded his carseat. It was crazy!!!! We made our way through security and had about an hour to spare so we decided to all relax and feed Wyatt. Once settled in our seats, I let Nancy hold him for take off and then I tried to put him to sleep. This is our first fit! he didn't want to go to sleep and he fought me with all his strength, to bad I one!! WE both slept for about an hour until my fingers felt numb and I gave him to Todd. Wyatt made it through the rest of the flight to Salt ...

So I know that Wyatt will not remember his first Christmas, but he will remember to look at the pictures! An when he does he will know that Santa didn't forget to come visit him!! We started a new tradition this year, one that we are hoping to keep. Christmas Eve with Jack and Sarah and the rest of the Barnes family, then mimi, papa, Nana, poppy, and grandpa John come over for Breakfast Christmas morning to see Wyatt open his pictures, then dinner at the Lake. This year it was alittle off but it all turned out great!! I love Christmas time, because I love being with my family!

There is n nothing like telling someone (a complete stranger) that you are about to be done with breastfeeding (I am telling them because I needed to know if I could be on this diet while breastfeeding) and them saying “Why stop, why not go for at least 6 months?” Well because just maybe there is more to the story than me just saying, “Hey, I’m no longer going to breastfeed!” Yes, there is defiantly more to the story and anyone who has read my blog knows the story! Latching problems, breast shields, weight loss, taking over an hour to eat and then still hungry, low milk supply and mastitis twice! I will admit that even through all those challenges I still very much enjoyed the bonding experience and knowing that I was giving Wyatt the absolute best. Wyatt has been sleeping through the night for some time, and since then I have been getting up every four hours to pump to try to keep up my milk supply. It has recently come to my attention that even that is not working. Now when I nurse h...

Wyatt’s first thanksgiving was filled with a trip to Todd’s cousin’s house, a trip to his Nana’s (Todd’s mother) and a trip to the emergency clinic for Coby. While dropping the dogs off at Four Paws Todd became aware that Coby had blood in his urine and the ladies suggested that Todd take him to the emergency clinic down the street. So after we had a great time celebrating Thanksgiving with Todd’s father’s side of the family and after paying $650 we found out that Coby has Kidney Stones! So we gathered up coby, his special dog food and medication and took him back to four paws. We were then able to finally get on the road and head to Kiawah, Island to eat some more yummy turkey with Nancy and Morgan. The trip wasn’t bad other than I had heartburn so bad I went through two rolls of Tums and a zantac and still had it! We loved our time in Charleston, eating really good food, seeing a great movie, shopping, and lets not forget sleeping in!!! Thank you Nancy and Morgan! They put a crib in ...

I have never heard a cry like the one I just jumped out of bed for! Come to find out, there's a good reason that cry will make any new mother jump out of bed and fly to her babys room( leaving daddy sound asleep!) our new cute monkey swaddle blanket didn't look so cute wrapped a couple times around Wyatts face!!! My child was screaming bloody murder, kicking and moving all around trying to get out of the darn thing. I quickly unwrapped it, scooped him up into my arms and he stopped! Poor baby:( We love to swaddle him at night because he sleeps so well. However now that he moves all around at night, we may go to a sleep sack! That was to scary for me. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Last night we enjoyed Wife Saver with the Zimmermans and their new baby boy Wilson. Even though it was only three months ago, I can't remember Wyatt being that small. Wilson has the same outfit as Wyatt so we put them together and had a little photo shoot! They are so cute together!

As I sit here pumping in bed at 3:30 in the morning, I wonder how I got my little one to sleep all night long in his crib! I'm watching wiggle and move on the baby monitor and thank God that he can now sleep all night with no help! Me on the other hand, well I'm trying to keep that milk supply up and create a supply for when we go out of town. When will my days of All Night Long come? - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I love classic movies! Some of my favorites include Singin' in the Rain, Casablanca, My Fair Lady, Anchors Aweigh, For Me and My Gal, An Affair to Remember, The Grapes of Wrath and the list goes on. No wonder I'm a major in history! I can now add to my list, Gone with the Wind. I started it on Saturday night and ended it with Todd on Sunday morning. I was surprised that he liked it as much as he did because he is not a big movie fan. Something about this movie just drew me in and I now want to add it to our movie collection, although I'm not sure when I will be able to find three hours to watch it again. I'm sure that I am the last person to finally see this movie but if you haven't watched it yet...rent it! As much as I love classic movies, I also love current hits, for example Twilight! Yes, I said it I like the twilight series. I am to old for it but I must say after seeing the first movie, I went out and read, ok I listened to all four book and feel in love with...

Baby Wilson Zimmerman Amber did great and at 7:53 on Wednesday evening Wilson arrived. He was 6lbs and 14 oz and I believe 20 inches long. I will have to make sure that’s correct. Todd and I were able to get down there at about 8:15 and see him shortly after he arrived. It was such a wonderful experience to see Wilson with Amber right after birth and then to see him in the nursery and talk to Amber and Scott. Scott was so excited and I think both were worn out from the long day! Amber looked great though! Wilson is a gorgous baby boy and I really mean that. He is one good looking little man. We went back down there today and got to hold him and visit some more and I can’t wait for Wyatt to meet him.

Since my family is going to Montana over Thanksgiving they decided to have an early Thanksgiving at the Lake. It was great, three turkeys, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, yummy rolls, and lots of other good stuff! My mom cooked for two days and I have to say she did an AMAZING JOB!! Close family friends, Lynn and Daniel hammonds, their daughter lindi and Aniela, Aniela’s husband Brett, their aunt and uncle Mike and bobby jean, Kathy Keip, Spencer, kacey, Austin, and of course Todd, Wyatt and myself and Mimi and Papa! Todd and I spent the night at the lake so they could get an early start on cooking the turkeys. We ended up with todd smoking one, Papa cooking one in the oven and Brett came over to deep fry one. They were all great!! Later in the day we were joined by Amber and Scott and spent the rest of they day just enjoying each others company. I love family time!!

Tonight my dear friend Amber is at the hospital waiting on baby Wilson to arrive! I haven't known Amber long but in the short time I have known her our friendship (along with both our bellies) has grown ALOT! I can't say enough good things about Amber and her husband Scott. I remember the day Amber told us she was pregnant and the day she told us that Wyatt wouldn't have a girlfriend but would have a best friend. I love that Wilson and Wyatt are going to grow up together and become life long friends! I know that tonight Amber is in a hospital bed hooked up to monitors and just wondering what time Wilson will arrive. It reminds me of August 24th when I was in the same position just as nervous as she is. She is a strong women and I know that she is going to do great! Anyone that is reading this please keep her in your thoughts and prayers! We wish her the best of luck and we can't wait to get the news that Wilson has arrived! Amber, I haven't known you long but I cons...

Who knew that breastfeeding would be such a challenge! For some it comes easily and naturally, for others it is more of a challenge. I’m in the other category. After two and a half months Wyatt and I are still in struggle but working hard and making it work for the both of us. A day for us consists of nursing in the morning, bottle of breast milk, bottle of formula, nursing and then a bottle before bed combined with nursing. Then while he is sleeping I set my alarm and get up to pump every 4 hours. I know that breastfeeding is not just giving him breast milk in a bottle but for us this works. Every day it does get a little easier, but waking up during the night while my little one is sound asleep is getting harder and harder. What’s funny is the places that I find my self pumping so that I can maintain the supply even when away from Wyatt or when nursing isn’t an option for us. While at my brother’s graduation in Orlando, it was at the Hardrock café bathroom, and then in Universal stud...

What don’t you need to take a two month old to Orlando Florida for five days?? I managed to narrow it down to a small duffle bag, a laundry basket, a stroller/bassinet, a pump, and a diaper bag. Then I had to throw in my duffle bag, camera and my breast friend. Can’t go anywhere without that thing! On Wednesday afternoon we loaded into my fathers car and leaving Todd, we headed to Florida! In addition to Wyatt’s stuff we had Wyatt’s Mimi, papa and his uncle Spencer. We finally made it down there and on Thursday evening Todd joined us with Austin, Lindsey and Austin’s friend Nick. It was great having a hotel with connecting rooms and a little living room in the middle. I never thought about having a fridge before but it was very nice to have with all the milk that we had to keep cool and the dishwasher was also a nice addition for all the bottles that we had to keep washing. It was also great to have all the help that we did. In the morning when Wyatt would wake up Papa and Mimi would o...

Two months has come so fast I'm now realizing what everyone means when they say they grow up so fast! One day he is kickin my ribs and the next he is smiling at me! That's one thing I love now, that he can smile and talk to me! Well not really talk obviously but coo and make little sounds that let you know he's there. He seems to be more talkative in the morning or right after a good nap! He gets bigger everyday and I wish time would just stop! Wyatt can also sleep from about 9 until 3 and then from 3:45 until about 7:45. When he wakes in the morning it's not really a cry but just him talking and smiling when he sees that your there to get him out! He is such a good baby and a blessing from God. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

It would be easy, oh so easy for me to open that blue lid that sits on my counter top, mix the powder with some hot water and give Wyatt a bottle. I've now moved the container off the counter top and into a cupboard! It wold be easy but I can't bring myself to do it! Since becoming pregnant it was never a question of breast or formula... it was always going to be breast. It was always going to be up to me to provide all the nutrients to Wyatt. My mother didn't do it an neither did Todd's but I couldn't imagine it any other way! I bought the books, the pump, the boppy, I was all ready! When I found out I needed to have a c-section the one thing that I was most upset about was the fact that I couldn't nurse him within minutes of birth. I would have to wait about two hours! I was very worried about how this would affect nursing. I wasn't even thinking about the fact that I was going to cut open! In the hospital I learned that nursing is not as easy as I once th...

I have been wanting to write this for awhile but with a new baby at home that takes an hour to eat, I don't get a lot done! This is for Todd, my wonderful husband!!! Like most couples, we talked about children before we got married. We needed to make sure that we were both on the same page about how many we wanted and at what point in life we wanted them. I have always wanted a big family, 3 or more! Todd on the other hand has always said 1 or 2. When we first found out that we were expecting Todd seemed alittle hesitate. That is all I wanted to talk about and I think it drove him CRAZY! However, he put up with me! At our first doctors appointment (9weeks) we got to hear the heartbeat! I think then it became real to Todd, this was really going to happen. Throughout the whole pregnancy he was great. He was very involved and excited. I had no doubt that Todd would be a great father! He has really surprised me though.... Todd was the best labor partner I could have ever asked for. He ...

So I wrote this on September 17th.... just now getting posted... oh well! When I was pregnant I got to hear lots of labor and delivery stories, mommy advice and pregnancy advice. I didn't mind it! I atucally really liked it, and now that I am a new mommy I understant it. I love sharing my stories and little pieces of advice that I have learned. That being said I thought that I would share a couple of things.... I was told.... “You will miss being pregnant.”- This is completely true! Today I was riding down the road listening to some sad country song and I thought, I miss feeling him kick and move around. I miss the waiting game that we played at the end, I miss the planning and not knowing. I miss the connection that we shared. “Breastfeeding is hard and painful.”- This is partly true. It is harder than I ever thought it would be but not as painful as people made it out to be. Its time consuming, requires patience and practice. “Time will fly by.”- This is very true. I still look...

Yesterday we were offically home a week! It feels like much longer to be honest with you. Last Friday we came home and got settled in. Since I wasn't prepared for a c-section we had to make some small adjustments around the house. Not being able to go up and down the stairs as much as possible was not going to be easy considering Wyatt's room and my room are both located on the second floor. Thank goodness for the pack and play in the kitchen and wonderful family! I also learned that getting in and out of bed wasn't going to be as easy as it was in the hospital seeing as my bed doesn't come up at the push of a button. Oh that reminds me, no more nursery to call to come take Wyatt away when I am done feeding him! The first night we had, well I had a little breakdown... see no one told me that after having a baby, espically for a c-section, I would want some granny panties to hold everything in and yet not touch my incision. My mom was nice enough to go out and buy me som...

This day was the best day of my life.... this day was also a blurr.... this day is one that I will remember for the rest of my life! 7:45 am- woke up and feeling okay! Todd went home to take a shower before things got going. We met our nurse and waited for the doctor. No more drinks, no more food... ice chips only! Pitocin was started! 10: am- Doctor George Williams came to visit us and check me to see if I had progressed any! The answer was a no! 11:30 am- By this time I really was feeling the pain of having the max dose of Pitocin. Lindsey our nurse told me to hang in there and when the doctor came back around lunch time maybe he would tell me its okay to get an epidural. okay... I can do it... lunch time is now in my book so he should be here soon! That is not what that means. Since I couldn't really get up and walk around when I did feel pain I just shifted from side to side the best that I could. I had visitors come keep me company and every now and then I would take a little ...

Monday night at 5:30 we headed in to University Hospital to have our baby boy! That is still so odd to me, checking in to have a child! The place was packed because we ended up waiting until 9 to get a room and get things started. I changed into my delivery gown and got ready for several things that I knew would not be pleasant.... Cervidil, starting an IV, and drawing blood. After all of those things I got settled, took a sleeping pill and was moved into a different room. The night was long and not fun! I finally feel asleep and then woke up to very sharp pains. The nurse asked if I was having pain and I told her "yes" and she said I was having contractions! Poor Todd had to get up and help me every time I had to go to the bathroom, which was ALOT and the pain continued until finally she took the cervidil out. I then got some nice rest until 7:45!

Sunday, August 23. 2009 on the way to our last movie without having to find a babysitter I broke down and just cried. Poor Todd didn't know what to say other than "Did I do something to make you mad?'. I felt so bad, I couldn't help it, I was nervous, feeling like we weren't doing the right thing by being induced and just well scared. After 9 months of carrying this sweet little baby, he was about to be here. It was all going to be over in a couple of days... well pregnancy over and motherhood beginning. After talking to Todd about my fears and being nervous I prayed about being induced. I really didn't know if we were doing the right thing. Don't babies come when they are ready? After praying about it and crying on Todd's shoulder, then crying while holding our other two babies, I went to bed hoping that the answer would come before we went to the doctor in the morning. Before leaving I got on facebook and noticed I had an email from a friend of ...

I know this is late and I guess I don't really have a reason for that, other than I have just been doing other things. This past Monday we played the waiting game again at Dr. Williams office. It wasn't as bad but it wasn't great either. The thing I hate the most is not having to wait, but not knowing how long the wait will be. If it were just myself waiting and I had cleared out my day to go to the doctor...which is what you have to do to see Williams... I wouldn't mind but Todd however does mind. He actually has a job and can't just take off all day to go to the doctor. So he likes to have some idea of what time we will be seen so he doesn't waste his work day waiting around. Our appointment was at 3:30 and when I get there he asks me to find out the waiting time... "How is George running today", well I hate bothering the ladies at the front desk, so he normally will just call or come about 30 minutes late. When I arrived at sat down I noticed that t...

I love our doctor! I do but when your appointment is at 3:40 and you don't leave his office until 6.... come on! I really don't mind waiting in the waiting room. With my clothes on, a magazine to read or my phone to play with. What I don't like is waiting in the room with no clothes on and only a little sheet, not even that, a little piece of paper covering me up for a good 40 minutes. Then a quick check and another wait, I guess I should be thankful it was with clothes on, for 30 minutes until we go back to talk to him. Huge fan of the doctor and the waiting room however not a huge fan on the little piece of paper and waiting in the room. All of that being said, the visit reminded me exactly of the one we had a 36 weeks except for this time I knew what was going to happen and it didn't seem to take as long. The news however was the same, cervix soft but closed. Sorry if that's to much information I guess I'm just used to sharing all of this with so many people ...

On Tuesday we went to our 36 week doctor checkup. The only thing fun about this appointment was the fact that we were having another ultrasound done to see how big Wyatt is. Todd was 9 plus at birth and I was 7 something. Everyone thought that this would be a big baby and at first I didn't think so but I have to say if he is already 7 lbs I'm thinking that he is going to be big!! After learning that babies typically grow 1/2 a pound a week from now until birth I was very nervous about having a 9 plus baby! We talked to the doctor about his thoughts and talked about a possible induction...something that when I first got pregnant I didn't want. Williams said that at our next appointment we would see how things were progressing and make a game plan from there. I am still not sure if I like the idea of scheduling a day for Wyatt to be born. I would love to have that surprise of "It's Time!" but then again what if he goes past his due date and ends up being very bi...

Current nightly routine: -Let dogs out to go to the bathroom -Wipe the dogs off -Put them in the bed and go get myself ready for bed -Try to shift Coby from my pillow and get myself settled between two body pillows and two dogs that like to be right on top of me. -By 1:00am Shift Kenzie and the body pillow and try to slide out of bed to use the bathroom -3 am Kenzie or Coby making noise to get out of bed. Shift the pillows, lift Coby off the bed, walk downstairs and let them out. Wait for them to finish, lock them in the laundry room and make my way back upstairs. -6 am back up again to go to the bathroom. Happy there are no dogs to adjust and fight with! This routine has pretty much been the same the whole summer. Now that I am 36 weeks pregnant it is hard to maneuver and when you add two dogs it becomes almost i...

Yesterday was a very different kind of day for us. Friday I started not feeling well, my stomach was upset and stayed that way and then Sunday night it was accompied by cramping and some lower back pain. I didn't think to much of it until it started to be very uncomfortable, so I called the doctor and talked to the nurse. After she talked to the doctor she informed me that Williams wanted us to go to Labor and Delivery to be monitored. WHAT? I thought she would just say, get some rest and we will see you at your appointment tomorrow, but no he wanted us to go to the hospital. Not knowing what to expect I threw some makeup in a little bag, just in case someone had to run back home to get our bags... the bags that have been completely packed for about a week now... well as completley as they can be (lacking makeup, a hair brush, snacks and an outfit) locked the dogs up and then headed to the hospital. I had already called Todd and told him not to come because I didn't want him to...

When we first found out that we were pregnant we had to start the doctor hunt because I knew that I didn't want to deliver at Doctors. So we end our journey doctor hunting for Pediatrician. We got three great recommendations but decided that we would only meet two. Yesterday we met with Doctor Jerry Miller and today we meet with Doctor Sandra Herzwurm. I was a little thrown off by the office staff at Miller's office when I called to schedule this appointment but tried to go with an open mind. They just wanted us to circle his name at the hospital and read about him on their website. Miller was a very nice doctor whom took the time to sit down and talk to us about our concerns and even joke a little with Todd. My main question for both doctors was about immunizations and how we wish to precede with them. He said that he would do what we wanted however he didn't agree with our reasoning. I was fine with this knowing that we would more than likely not find a doctor that share...

Today Richard Worth came over to paint the finishing touches in Wyatt's nursery. The mural is beautiful and we think it really does complete the nursery. Enjoy the pictures!