The Barnes Family

Last Night… 4 am his lights are on and standing in the crib. A quick diaper change, a reminder that its still night time, a couple rocks in the chair and he is back in the crib. ***I lay back down around 4:15 and can’t seem to shut my mind off. Should I get up? No! Maybe?*** 4:40 am his lights are on again. This time he is crying. Another quick diaper change, (only because he had a very dirty one), yet another reminder that its still dark and dark means sleep! I rock him and lay him down. ***4:50 am! I guess I should get up, I could go work out but what if he gets up again? It’s not fair to Todd. So I lie back down and shut my eyes. I think I drift off, I’m not really sure.*** 5:10 am there are tears and cries for mommy! I go in and don’t get him out of the crib. I tell him to lie back down and go night night. ***5:15 am I have NO IDEA at this point if I went back to sleep.*** 5:40 am his lights are on again and he is crying. Once again I go in and tell him to l...

Right after Wyatt was born we said we wanted more children. We just knew that we wanted to do this all over again and have more kids. We weren’t set on a number, before Wyatt I said four and Todd said one or two. We also knew that we wanted them close together. We didn’t say how close together but when Wyatt was about 8 months old, I was ready! I think that you will face challenges with having them close or having them far apart. There are pros and cons to both and even though we never sat down to look at them and see what was best for us, we just knew we wanted at least two of them close in age. Sure I have two in diapers, two that are totally dependent on me, when I go out I have two that need to be in a stroller or shopping cart, basically all that I need to say is I have two under two! My toddler is in the throws of the terrible twos and my newborn, well she brought with her all the things that newborns do. It’s tough. That being said I wouldn’t change it for anything. No, I wo...

This is a topic that always seems to get me going. Breast is best, I agree with that statement. The bonding that takes place between mother and child during those moments is worth every. single. challenging moment breastfeeding may bring. It is utterly amazing the how connected you can feel to that sweet little person in those special moments that just the two of you share. A bottle can not give you these moments, it just can't. I find it sad when mothers don't even attempt to nurse. My heart breaks for them because they will not have some of those special moments. All of this being said, I also understand that some women can't breastfeed despite all their best efforts. It just isn't in the cards for them. I understand that we also live in a society that says, "Breast is Best." but only when you nurse in private, covered up and hidden away. Don't get me wrong, you could just whip it out in public but your going to be looked at or in my friends case you mig...

I think that 2nd birthday parties are more fun that 1st birthdays! This year we got to see the excitement on his face, hear it in his voice and could just tell that he knew it was his special day. The party was a BIG success, complete with a visit from Buzz! As soon as he saw his cake delievered he said, "happy birthday to me!" He kept saying, "birthday party!" He had a huge smile on his face when everyone started singing to him and followed Buzz everywhere!! The title to this post is a link to pictures from the party! Enjoy!

After having a baby people offer to prepare dinner for you or bring you a favorite take-out meal. We didn't have a lot of people offer this when Wyatt was born, I think people knew that we were the type to just go out no matter what and we didn't stay in the house long. With McKinley it was a different story. We had several friends bring us dinner and it was so nice to not have to worry about cooking. About a month ago a friend of mine added a new addition to her family and today, one month late, I got to meet him! It was so nice to have lunch and some adult conversation with a friend. As soon as I walked into her house, it hit me! I instantly remembered my life looking just like hers a mere 3 months ago (except she looks A LOT better than I did)!! I remember Wyatt running around my house, acting like a little tornado and me not being able to keep up, bouncing McKinley while trying to feed Wyatt and eat lunch myself. I will admit that it was most our mornings that looked l...

Wyatt at 4 months old *12lbs 12oz *25 inches long Four Months Old *13lbs 4oz *25 inches long *Size 2 diapers *Still some 0-3 but mostly 3 month stuff

Sweet baby girl is 4 months!! WOW!! I honestly can't believe it! *Sleep: We have an all nighter!!! Yes, that's right she is sleeping 11-12 hours! Every. Single. Night!!! She will go down between 7-7:30 and sleep until 7/7:30 sometimes 8 the next morning. Her naps are also starting to fall into a routine, sleep from 9-9:30, sleep from 11-12:00 then again at 1:30/2-4 sometimes longer and then she will sometimes take a late afternoon cat nap. She pretty much takes three-four naps a day. Sometimes she gives me a really long, 3 hour afternoon nap and somedays its a bunch of 30 minute naps. *More and more in love with her pacifier! *Nurses first thing in the morning and then its a 6oz bottle every three hours. She will drink about 4oz midmorning and early afternoon and then 6oz at 4 and before bed. *She has become A LOT more vocal! Talking and happy screams all the time! Not as often as Wyatt did, I am thinking she is going to be more reserved. *She is VERY co...

I have learned A LOT the second time around. I wouldn't say that I was a nervous first time parent, only because I had been a nanny for two children before having my own but I don't think I was as confident about things as I am this go round. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not a perfect mom or a mother who knows just what to do in all situations, but I feel like I am more relaxed. People always say there is a big difference and I wouldn't say it's huge but it's defiantly noticeable. I am loving this baby stage! I think the first go round I thought that I couldn't do anything unless my child was sleeping, WRONG! I now know that it's during the toddler stage that you can't do anything unless they are sleeping. During the infant stage showering in peace and unloading the dishwasher can, 9 times out of 10 be done while your child is awake! They are content in a bouncy seat, swing, floor mat, nap nanny or pack n play. They can't roll, crawl o...

I love reading this blog!!! She posted something so sweet I just had to share! (Click on the title) I am still not sure how to add it in my text. If you know how, just let me know!

I'm still exactly 165. Not bad considering I had a very bad cheat day Saturday with a steak and cake for my brothers birthday! Not to mention I have only been able to make it to 2 spin classes so far! August 10 165 GOAL for next week-163 - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I read this very interesting article on breastfeeding. Wanted to share! Just click the title.

Yesterday was a day of firsts! First time to try to potty training and first trip to the ER. Here is how we ended up there..... He woke up feeling good and we had a nice start to potty training! He didn't eat a lot of breakfast but some days he does and others he doesn't so I didn't think much about it. When lunch time rolled around he still didn't eat. He then became very cranky and uninterested in the potty thing so I let my dad take him up for his nap. He normally goes down pretty easy but today he didn't. He said that his tummy hurt and couldn't get comfortable. He finally fell asleep but didn't stay asleep long. He moved all around and cried out a couple times then finally woke up. He was NOT himself. He cried and wanted to be held. Then all of a sudden he would be fine. Then minutes later he would say his tummy hurt, then drop to his knees and cry and move around trying to get comfortable. It was so sad. My parents wanted him to spend the night si...

Yes, we are starting potty training! Last night I got our house prepared.... -waterproof blanket to cover couches -LOTS of underwear -prizes for when he goes -m&ms -potty chart -LOTS of stickers -potty game with fun activities -juice boxes -potty movie with potty song -two potties We were ready! He woke up and instead of putting a diaper on, we started with big boy buzz underwear. I showed him the chart, the prizes, the game, the potty and we watched the movie. He sat on the potty a couple times then I noticed he was wet! ACCIDENT #1. New pair of underwear! Sat on potty, played, sat on potty, played, sat on potty, ACCIDENT #2! New pair of underwear! Must not have been finished... needed a new pair of underwear. I then noticed that to get him to sit on the potty and stay long enough for something to happen I had to bribe him with m&ms. Please keep in mind that I also pushed grape juice boxes on him like they were going out of style! So he would sit on the pot...

So I've decided to use my scale and check every Wednesday! His scale said I weighed a little less but I'm going with mine, meaning I've stayed the same. However, his scale said I dropped 2! Last Wednesday 165 lbs And I'm Spin crazy!! I LOVE it!! Love it so much..... I bought spin shoes!!! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wyatts mood has been a challenge pretty much the last three months, since the baby came. He wakes up at 5:45/6 and is tired, clingy, whiny, just unhappy. Some days are better than others but they have tested our patients! Last week while at my parents he woke up as early as 4:45!! Well Sunday at church we talked about prayer. One of the things he talked about was praying specifically. Having faith in God. Sunday night Todd left to go out of town and I was on my own for the morning and I knew I needed Wyatt to sleep in past 6! So I began to pray! I asked God for a specific thing, a specific time! When M woke up at 6:15 to eat, Wyatt was still fast asleep. When I was able to jump in the shower and get ready in peace at 6:40, Wyatt was still asleep! At 7 he was awake but happy in his crib, this is a change. He normally starts screaming!! I was so nice to get ready in peace! At 7:15 I got him up and he was in such a great mood all morning!! This morning I woke at 6:45 to both of them aslee...