Family Fun Night

It was the hottest day ever today. I am not exaggerating. It really was the hottest day to date ever for this area at a 109.

You can barely tell, but my car said 111 when I got out to run a few last minute errands to get ready for baby. It took over an hour in the ac for me to cool off. Crazy Hot!

Brady asked the other night if we could all watch a movie at home together as a family. That particular night was already late and we weren't really prepared for that. I told him we would make that happen before the baby comes.

He was satisfied. I decided Friday night before Presley is set to arrive Monday morning would be the perfect night in as a family. So, today we went to redbox and Brady helped pick a movie for the three of us to watch. We rented Dolphin Tale.

We picked up some popcorn and ordered pizza.

The three of us snuggled up on the couch, ate our snacks, and enjoyed the movie.

Brady was super sweet! He did get a little bored a few times during the movie. He broke out in VBS songs a few times. It was sweet, but a little annoying while trying to watch a movie. We just let him sing.

It was the perfect last Friday night as a family of three.

We are all so excited to make room for little sister on our couch!!!

Baby Talk- 38 Weeks

38 Weeks!!!

Less than one week until we meet our baby girl. I am so beyond ready. The heat and the swelling of my hands and feet are really getting to me. This week we are having record breaking high temperatures.

Channel 4 News

 Fortunately, we have a very low key week planned with the exception of an outdoor wedding to attend Saturday night.  Hopefully the week will go quickly and we will welcome our sweet girl on Monday. I can not believe it is so close!!!

I think the way this white shirt drapes makes me look huge. My belly is pretty large, though.

The comments have really picked up over the past couple weeks. People really seem to enjoy telling me how miserable I must feel and how large my baby is going to be. Overall, I have gotten more positive comments than negative this time around, well, until the past few weeks.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 38 weeks

Size of baby: length of a leek

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Total Weight Gain/Loss: up about 21-23 lbs, depends on the scale.

Clothes: If I can get away with wearing a maternity tank, Caleb's t-shirt, or my maternity shorts for the next week, I will be.

Gender: Girl! Presley Lynn Barrett

Movement: still about the same, very uncomfortable, she is still moving a lot and there just isn't enough room.

Sleep: not so great.

What I miss: feeling normal. I want to be able to bend and function normal. I want my body back.

Cravings:  Whatever someone else wants to fix me. :) Still staying thirsty.

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions. They are getting stronger and sometimes are a little painful, but nothing regular. Many, many other unpleasant things...

Best Moment this week: Getting last minute things taken care of before she comes, spending time with Brady, and resting.

What am I looking forward to: meeting our baby girl. It is so close. I can not wait!!!

A birthday party, cheesecake, and fun

I know I said things will start to slow down and they will, but not quite yet.

We had a 5th birthday party to attend for our friend, Addie.

Brady claims that Addie is his girlfriend, so we couldn't miss her party.

It was an Ariel theme.

They had under the sea decor, water balloons, and a treasure hunt.

It was so HOT, high 90's!!!

The kids seemed to have a blast!

We all demolished the kool-aid, sodas, and water, though!

Brady and I swung by my parents house on the way home for a quick visit. (Honestly, it was my bribe to Brady if he left the party without throwing a fit! Gotta do what you gotta do.)

We left there and came home. Brady was out when we got home and slept for  a while! YAY!

Caleb brought home a slice of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory that my sister had picked up for me while she was there. She dropped it off at Caleb's work, because we weren't back yet when she came through. It was a nice treat.

The picture does not do it justice. It was so yummy!

Pay no attention to the fact that I had 2 cupcakes at the party and then cheesecake a little later. I did pass up ice cream at my parents house, that counts for something, right?!

I am skipping a girls night to learn to crochet tonight in an attempt(which didn't seem to work) to keep my feet from swelling any more and to get some rest. I am sure they will have a great time and I look forward to seeing their creations!

Our Week...

A few updates from this week...

Brady and I got to spend a little time with sweet Carleigh at Caleb's parents VBS on Monday. Brady adores his cousin Carleigh. I think it is because she is a girl and he doesn't get to see her often. She is so sweet and smart. I went with her to class. She did so good.

Tuesday my mom came and cleaned my house. It was so nice. Caleb and I were/are very thankful. I also got the car seat all cleaned up and ready for baby. Brady and I headed to back to VBS when my mom left.

Wednesday I had a Dr appointment and Caleb was off. Brady stayed with Caleb's parents. Caleb got both cars cleaned up. I can't believe we are about to have 2 full car seats! The back seat is filling up. 

Thursday we spent some time at the pool with friends. So fun!!! We also enjoyed the last night of VBS for 2012.

I forgot to take any pictures until we were leaving. Noah and my sister had already left so Noah wasn't in the pictures. :(

Friday Brady and I spent time at home playing and resting.

We may have spent the better part of the day in pajamas. :o It made for a much needed and restful day.

Next week things slow down a bit. We have very little planned, which is probably good at this point. We are all playing the waiting game with Presley, at least we have a date scheduled. Brady keeps telling people my baby will be here any second. So sweet!

Baby Talk- 37 Weeks

37 Weeks

I am now full term. I can not believe I am 37 weeks. Only 2 weeks until we meet baby girl. Ahhhh! I am so ready. Caleb is so excited. He is so funny at my appointments. He just can't wait to meet her.

Brady seems to sense that it is nearing time for the baby to get here. He has been super clingy and attached to me(and Caleb, but especially to me). I think he is starting to cope with not being the only one. He still acts so excited about the baby, but I think he is realizing some things may change. He has increased his questions about the baby also. We are trying our best to love him and give him the attention he needs over the next few weeks. I haven't been worried or concerned, but I am beginning to get a little concerned. I still think he will be fine and he will love the baby, but I want to make sure he doesn't feel neglected, forgotten, or replaced. I am trying to have big things planned for him the week she comes. Hopefully that will help. It is such a BIG change for a little guy.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 37 weeks

Size of baby: a stalk of swiss chard

Total Weight Gain/Loss: up about 19 lbs per Dr.  I gained had gained a little more(3-4 lbs) at my last appointment, but I think some of it was fluid. I was swelling like crazy all of a sudden. However, this week I was down 3 lbs and had very, very little swelling. See water weight.

Clothes: Maternity clothes, some regular maxi dresses, a couple regular shirts that are super long, Caleb's t-shirts mostly.

Gender: Girl! Presley Lynn Barrett

Movement: still about the same, very uncomfortable

Sleep: I have been so exhausted from VBS and busy summer activities it has improved some. It isn't comfortable and I still wake up A LOT, but I have been so exhausted that I at least sleep a little better.

What I miss: feeling normal

Cravings: Nothing really, staying thirsty. I have really enjoyed chocolate milk through the entire pregnancy.

Symptoms: The newest is swelling. My feet, hands,  and ankles have been huge!!! People are commenting on them. It is bad. My blood pressure is still normal, so that is good. The Dr wasn't concerned last week. She just said I was at the end and that was to be expected. It is not fun. I am trying to stay off of them as much as possible, rest, and drinking a lot of fluid and it has helped so much.

 Best Moment this week: VBS,  hearing her sweet heartbeat, and Brady being so sweet, cuddly, and loving.

Also, an also pregnant friend of mine went to see What to Expect When You're Expecting on Friday after VBS. We laughed and laughed, because it is all so true. I don't expect the movie to win any awards or be the best movie ever, but it was a great mommy outing. It is just so true that it is funny. I think we have laughed more talking about how true it is than we did during the movie. Ha Ha!

What am I looking forward to: meeting our baby girl. It is so close. I can not wait!!!

More VBS 2012

We wrapped up VBS Friday with somewhere around 312 in attendance.

I did a terrible job taking pictures.

Wednesday we had 319 in attendance and 306 on Thursday.

I was one worn out Momma, with one worn out 3 year old. We are finally catching up on rest today.

36 weeks preggers, 12-15 Kindergartners, 5 days of VBS, my own 3 year old, and the heat will wear a lady out.

I have had swollen feet and hands and been super tired every day this week, but we had a good week.

I would do it all over again, but maybe not this week. Ha Ha!

Here are some pics of the rest of the week... 

 My sister took these of Brady in his class. She taught his class all week.

These pics are of my class when we went to the older kids class on parting the red sea. They loved it. One of my helpers that day took these pics. They were so cute and interested in the story!

The couple that sat up this room/lesson, did a fantastic job! I was beyond impressed.

Addie, Grady, Noah, and Brady. Sweet Friends!

A few from my class...

We have a wonderful church and every one was so helpful and nice to me this past week. I am so thankful for all those who worked so hard to make the week successful. Really, every one worked so hard!

I was blown away by the amount of people who stopped me and asked to help me. I know I am very pregnant and could go any day, but it really was amazing how many people offered assistance. It was such a team effort.  I witnessed so many acts and attitudes of service. It is amazing how smooth things go when people focus or serving over personal desires and issues. I am proud to be apart of such a wonderful community.

This week Caleb's parents are having VBS with their congregation. It is at night. Caleb has to work, but Brady and I are going to try and make a few nights. So we aren't quite finished with VBS yet.

VBS 2012, Day one... and two

Day One:
The morning started off with Brady still asleep at 7 am. Brady is an early riser, like the sun is up, he is up early riser. So, this was very out of character.

I had originally planned to get there earlier, but changed my mind in order to let Brady sleep. I figured he must need it, because he never sleeps past 7. I had to wake him at 7:45 am, because we had to leave at 8.

At 8:10 we were out the door. Ha Ha!

Brady was not in the best of moods and did not want his picture made this morning. This is all I got.

2012

Oh well. Here he is last year the first day of VBS.

2011

Brady studied about the 10 Commandments and Wondering in the Wilderness.

My sister is teaching his class and I think he had a pretty good time. We had a total of 278 in attendance on Monday.

He LOVED the puppet show and of course the cookies!!

I survived my first day of class, despite the fact that I dropped an entire jug of Kool-aid and it went every where in the stair well. I have great helpers and the kids were good also. I had 14 kids and 2 helpers.  I was tired, but the day was much better than expected.

This was my impromptu burning bush, because there just happened to be a plant in my classroom.

I went to post this last night and realized I had left my camera at the church, so I have added Day 2 also.


Day Two

Brady woke up like normal and was ready to go as soon as possible.

Still not wanting his picture made, but looking so big!! Sorry for the poor quality.

His class studied about Baby Moses.

We were early so Brady made friends with Thomas. He is in my Kindergarten class. They were so focused and sweet.

We had a total of 280 in attendance today.

Again, he loved the puppets. I saw him really getting into some of the songs also. The cookies and Kool-aid are a huge hit each day.

My class was WILD today. They are still pretty good, just so wild and loud. I had 13 today. We had to calm them down often. I am super tired today again. The kids all seem to be having a great time and are learning so much. That makes it all worth it. I may say something different come Friday, Ha Ha!!!


I have a Dr appointment tomorrow soon after VBS and I am excited to hear what the Dr says.

Baby Talk- 36 Weeks

36 Weeks

Even though it is hot, I am enjoying being able to have a tan while pregnant. It makes me feel a little better about myself. I don't feel so pale and washed out, like I did with Brady. :)

This picture was taken at the end of the day. I was tired. She is really sticking out.

I am now 9 months pregnant and 3 weeks away from my scheduled c-section. Next week I will be considered full term. Crazy!

It has gone crazy fast this time around overall.

I am still miserable(and getting more miserable by the day) and ready to meet her. It seems so close, but so far away.

This week is a big week. Vacation Bible School is this week with our church and I am teaching Kindergarten. I am crazy, yes. Fortunately, I have some great helpers. :)

I turn over to the new week each Saturday, but I don't usually get my weekly post up that early. I am doing it tonight, because of VBS this week.

I got a 31 catalog order together and got this bag for Presley. It arrived this week. I love it!  I love seeing her sweet name on things, gets me so excited to meet her in person.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Size of baby: size of a crenshaw melon, about 6 lbs and 18 1/2 inches long

According to the picture above, I think she is bigger for sure...

Total Weight Gain/Loss: up about 18lbs per Dr. 2 weeks ago. I return to the Dr on Wednesday.

Clothes: Maternity clothes, some regular maxi dresses, a couple regular shirts that are super long, Caleb's t-shirts

Gender: Girl! Presley Lynn Barrett

Movement: still about the same, very uncomfortable

Sleep: Ha! Funny.

What I miss: feeling normal

Cravings: Nothing really, staying thirsty. I have really enjoyed chocolate milk through the entire pregnancy.

Symptoms: too many to list, but mostly uncomfortable and sleepy, she has moved a lot lower the past couple days and that is causing some issues.

Best Moment this week: my appointment and being closer to my scheduled date.

What am I looking forward to: meeting our baby girl. It is so close.

Clean your room...

I asked Brady today to clean his room.

He replied with "okay, then can I play the Wii?".

I told him if he cleaned his room, yes he could play the Wii.

Cut to a few hours later and his room was still not clean. (Not that I expected it to be really, after all, he had spent a total of approximately 5 minutes in his room over a 2 hour period.)

I asked him again to clean his room.

Same conversation about the Wii followed.

I went into another room and returned to find Brady sitting on the couch.

He looked up at me with a sweet grin that usually means I have, am thinking about, or going to do something you aren't going to like, but I am so stinking cute maybe you won't care. You know the look. It is a dangerous and incredibly frustrating look, sprinkled with a bit of cuteness.

The words that followed that all to familiar look were something along the lines of "I don't want to clean my room so I locked the door."

Not comprehending the statement, I immediately went to his room.

I went to turn the knob, but to my surprise it would not turn.

Comprehension sinking in, I asked the question, "Did you lock your door and then close it?"

"Yes, I did, because I don't want to clean my room." in a normal, matter of fact voice.

The words that followed I can not repeat, because I am not quite sure what they were. Not that they were bad words, I was so mad, I am just not sure what they were. I know there was a lot of big trouble, never ever do that, and what were you thinking. I believe a few dramatic now you are never going to be able to get in your room agains were involved.

I tried to break in, but my 9 month pregnant angry self has zero patience. It left me frustrated.

Fortunately, Caleb was on his way home and he quickly worked the lock.

Here we are at the end of the day and the room has yet to be cleaned, no one has played Wii, and I am certain Brady has officially declared mommy crazy!

I know one thing, I am not cleaning that room.

Caleb always says I am not sure which one of us(me or Brady) is more stubborn.

Moral of the story: Remove all locks from interior doors, except from Mommy and Daddy's room, before having children.

Unfortunately, I have to give the little guy credit for not throwing a fit or acting out. He saw a solution to his problem and found a creative way to fix it. As much as I hate to admit it, it was pretty genius for a 3 year old.

Baby Talk- 35 Weeks

35 Weeks

Looking Large

Just 4 weeks until the c-section. I am so ready. I have reached THAT point. Some days are harder than others, but I am pretty miserable.

I know pregnancy is a blessing! I truly believe it is! I know so many women that would love to experience it, all of it. I feel incredibly blessed to have experienced it twice without major problems! Caleb, Brady, and I prayed for this baby and pregnancy from before it happened. It is exactly what we asked for and I do not take it for granted at all. Believe me!

But it is time. I compare it to when parents are ready for their child to move out. They love their child. They have done everything in there power to raise and teach that child to be an independent, capable adult. However, sooner or later there comes a time when the parent says go forth and live on your own my dear child. Of course, the parent is still a parent and loves the child like crazy, but the roles change.

This is where I am with this pregnancy. I have carried you, nourished you, kept you safe so you could grow into a fully-formed, functioning infant. Now, I am ready for my role to change. I am ready to care for you outside my body.

Of course, I want her to be as healthy as possible and it is still a few weeks too early.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 35 weeks

Size of baby: size of a honey due melon, around 5 1/4 lbs.

~she has measured bigger at all ultrasounds, so I think she is probably a little bigger than this.~

Total Weight Gain/Loss: up about 18lbs per Dr last week. I haven't weighed this week.

Clothes: Maternity mostly and Caleb's t-shirts around the house.
~Every time I put on one of Caleb's shirts, he responds with, "why does my shirt look so big on you?"
This leads me to believe (A) he thinks I am larger than I am (B) he thinks he is smaller than he is (C) a little of both.  I am leaning towards he thinks he is smaller than he is. :) 

Gender: Girl! Presley Lynn Barrett

Movement: All the time. It is not comfortable at all.

Sleep: I am so sleepy, but sleep is just not happening much.

What I miss: I am ready to have my body back. It kind of feels like it has been hijacked.  

Cravings: Mostly just thirst. I have a very low appetite, mostly due to comfort. Potty breaks and heartburn/reflux also contribute to a low appetite.

Symptoms: I am so uncomfortable! Waddle, Waddle, Waddle...

Best Moment this week: We are less than 4 weeks away from a family of four.

What am I looking forward to:  weekly appointments

T-Ball Tournaments

Monday night we had game one of our T-ball tournament. Brady's little team was the #3 team out of 6. Two of the teams dropped out of the tournament.

(Caleb had to work late both nights so he missed both games. :(  I kept him updated with texts and calls.)

We played the #2 team. This team has been our toughest, because they have one kid that gets all our kids out at first base. We just knew we would play them first in the tournament, and we did. Ha!

Our little team did so good. They lost 9-6, but they didn't go down with out a fight. The last time we played them we lost 15-0 and didn't even get through our entire lineup. All the parents and coaches were so proud of the kiddos.

Tuesday night we played game 2 against the loser of the other game. The team we played we have beaten twice. However, we were totally off our game. Games two nights in a row is tough for the little guys.  They were tired and just not feeling it, I guess.

Brady on the pitchers mound. It is the only position he pays any attention to in the field. Ha Ha!

We were down 10-2 and got one more chance to bat. The first 2 batters got out. Then we miracously scored 5 runs before getting the 3rd out. They turned it on.

We lost 10-7 putting us in 4th place in the tournament. They got a team trophy and were so proud. They were the only team to get a trophy this night, because the other teams will continue playing.

They were so cute getting the trophy. They were so excited!

Brady told us when we got home that his team won the tournament because they got the trophy. Ha Ha!

He also told us that his team showed those blue guys what they could do with a bat. I believe I heard his coach say that to the team before batting. So funny!

This ends the season for Brady's first t-ball team. The coach wants to play in a couple other tournaments the end of this month and next month. I am not sure how much we will be able to participate due to Presley. They will also have a team party sometime in July.

Overall, I am so proud of our little team. They have come A LONG way since that first practice. They have all learned so much and improved greatly. Brady loved it. It has been a really good experience for all of us. Hopefully next year Caleb will be able to make it to more games.