Sunny Sunday

Barrett in his Sunday best! We were headed off "Baby Bible class"

Go figure, Texas weather is crazy. Yesterday it was so windy I thought our house was sure to blow away. Today, completely the opposite. The sun was out and there was barley a slight hint of wind. I don't know what the temperature ended up being, but it was warm enough to get Barrett outdoors and enjoy the sunshine.

Barrett's first ride in a little, red wagon.

I don't think this passenger wanted to keep his hands and feet INSIDE

Matter of fact, he wanted to give it an old taste test too(imagine that)

Relaxing in his swing...

Check out those hairs blowing in the breeze! Too cute!

Barrett's FIRST Christmas

Wow...what a wonderful Christmas we had this year....although I think I received my favorite gift back on May 15th!!!!

Barrett really doesn't know what's going on this year, but he sure was excited to see all the boxes, wrapping paper, shiny ornaments, and twinkling lights that accompanied each place we traveled over the holiday.

Of course we ended up with a ton of new toys! I've already started trading out the "old ones" with "new ones". Is it just me......or do the toys keep getting bigger and bigger?

Luckily, this year we didn't have to read a lot of directions to put things together, but I did get a headache untwisting all the thousands of twisty ties that bind the toys into the box. Oh my!!!! Is all that really needed?
Here are a few pictures. There are more coming...but the Boberazzii is still working on downloading them for me.

Our first collectable Christmas ornament. Oh fun, it's a jack-n-the-box!!! (Luckily, he did NOT get spooked)

Believe it or not...it didn't scare him a bit! He liked it! Nothing like the wind-up frog!!!

Christmas craft

Remember that I teach 4th grade, and I'm not much of a crafty person. It's a good thing that Martha Stewart doesn't know where I live! I believe my sister got most of the skills when it comes to doing home projects, gardening, or crafts.

I wanted to do something special for Barrett's grandparents (as a gift from him) for Christmas. I wanted it to be personalized and something they could keep forever.

Debbie Hazelwood was at my rescue (a friend of mine that teaches with me at school). She gave me the most wonderful idea of putting Barrett's hand print on a Christmas ball.

Not only was the final product the most adorable thing I had ever seen....but MAKING the ornaments were a memory I'll never forget. It was work keeping Barrett from smearing the paint all over the chair, table and himself!!!!
I would have taking actual pictures of us creating the keepsake, but it took Matt and I (all 4 hands) to hold Barrett in place!!!!

Getting ready....waiting patiently with the "drum" Daddy made for me out of tin can. Never underestimate what you can rig up with a little duck tape! ha ha

After the handprints dried, I took decorative ribbon and laced it through the top hole of the ornament. They ended up looking really cute and the grandparents LOVED them! (Thanks Debbie for the idea)

He was so tired after all of that, he passed out in his daddy's arms

Oops....

Okay, so I was out Christmas shopping and ran across one of those little wind-up toys that flip backwards over and over. I was for sure that Barrett would find it funny and love it. Ooooops...I was wrong.
(Watch for the bottom lip...)

He's much better now. No actual harm done. I felt bad for making him cry, but once he had the frog in hand...he was happy. He realized if he holds it tight enough, the frog can't flip at all and there is no way it will startle him again! ha ha

Special Ornament

I've been searching for a special ornament that signifies Barrett's first Christmas. I didn't have to look very far because one practically landed in my hands this week at school. A student of mine was extra sneaky in downloading a picture from my school website. He and his mother created the sweetest ornament specially made for Barrett. It was the perfect gift and I will treasure it forever!

Look how wonderful it turned out!!!! It says his full name across the top, and at the bottom says, "1st Christmas - 2008"

Here comes Santa Claus

Okay...so we're slackers. We FINALLY made it to the mall tonight to share with Santa our wishes. Don't get me wrong, we attempted to see Santa last Saturday, but upon arrival at the mall.............and walking close to a quarter mile or so just to get into the mall (due to the parking lot being full), then experiencing crowds of people packed together so tightly that you couldn't even drive a stroller through them................we gave up and called it quits. Santa was going to have to wait!

So tonight was the night. We didn't even have to wait in line! It all worked out fabulous. Barrett was happy to see Santa and Santa himself was actually "holding up" well! Matt and I couldn't help but laugh at how many times that poor old guy had to smile for the camera. I'll bet he is sick of taking pictures.

Looks like Santa has the magic touch!!!

Smile for the camera!!!

You're not as bad as everyone thinks you are... What's the big deal?

Surprise SURPRISE!!!!

Thursday I had planned to go to a Science collaboration meeting with the upper intermediate and middle schools. My principal told me that there had been some concern that the elementary level was not preparing students entering 5th grade with the mastery of Science content that was expected.

Basically...she nominated ME as the spokesperson. Needless to say, I was stressed out by the time Thursday arrived. I felt for certain that my principal was "throwing me to the wolves". I had anxiety about the whole ordeal. Thoughts of 5th grade teachers upset with me, was all I could think about.

So Thursday arrived. 11:00 rolled around and I headed off to my meeting.

Upon my arrival, I discovered there was no meeting at all. I had been chosen Teacher of the Year.
I have to admit I was a little emotional. I looked up and saw Matt waiting for me at the door. Having him there meant the world to me!

We came back to the school and all the kids were lined up in the hallway. They had signs and flowers and were cheering my name!!!! Even little Barrett came up to congratulate me! I felt like a SUPER STAR!!!

I feel very honored to receive this award...although I know all of my fellow colleagues deserve it just as much as I do. Those of you that teach know that you have your "up and down" years and sometimes feel like what you do goes un-noticed. That's no longer something I believe.

On top of that...I had been praying for sign about my future. I think I just got my answer.

Termites??????

It's NOT termites...it's my 6 month old son! I found him eating our coffee table this afternoon. I wonder what could be next???

Christmas decorations!

Barrett discovered very quickly that not only are the Christmas tree ornaments nice and shiny...but you can also pull them off and eat them. He hasn't started crawling yet, but he will roll himself underneath the tree and reach up at the branches. Oh goodness!!!

All Smiles

These are just some cute pictures of Barrett's adorable smile. I just can't get enough of it. I guess you could say I was obsessed with him! Aren't all moms that way??? He's drooling a lot again and blowing bubbles, so I'm thinking the top two teeth might make their arrival soon.




This is a big smile for Ms. Sherry (our babysitter). She was testing out her new camera.

Unsure...

Barrett was a little unsure about all the singing and dancing musical toys. It was funny watching him stare and grab at them. I think he was mesmorized by the way their mouths moved.
(Sorry for the dim lighting. All the house lights were off and I was just assembling the tree in the background).

Tree Time

I can't believe Christmas time is approaching so quickly. I was excited about getting all my Christmas stuff out for Barrett. I knew he would love the lights on the tree and all the snowmen I've collected (especially the ones that sing and dance). I do have to admit that I was a "slacker"! It took me an entire week to get my tree up and decorated. I'm kind of anal -haha (as most of you are fully aware of)!!! We had a few glitches with the lighting of the tree, but finally got it fixed after extreme maintenance.

This was after we had realized that the entire middle section of lights did not work. I was in the same frame of mind as poor Barrett.

Stealing Kisses

After church today, we had Thanksgiving with Papa Barner and Gramsey. It was a fabulous day!!! Barrett's attention was set on two main attractions... "Etta" and Tracker. I think he even stole a few kisses from them.
We have the most amazing family!!!!
Papa and Barrett

Ahhhhhhh Barrett loves the doggies

Cousin Jack holding baby Barrett

Uncle Bobert and Barrett

Family Out West...

I've always known I had an amazing set of parents and a wonderful sister. That's a given. But then you grow up, marry, and have children. All of the sudden your family doubles in size and before you know it family becomes one of the most treasured things in life. I know it is in mine.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Barrett was able to spend some time with our incredible family. I think this time around, he is sure to remember some faces that will be dearly missed now that we're back in Wylie.
I do have to admit that I have some wonderful nieces and a great nephew. They all kept Barrett entertained and he already misses their smiling faces. He woke up this morning (after returning home) and kept looking around our house wondering where they all went.

Meme, Barrett, and Aunt Brandi

Papa and Meme Barrett's grandchildren (Barrett, Karlee, and Kelsey)

Barrett and his Papa Barrett

Meme lov'en on Barrett

Barrett and his great grandpa (great Grandad Shepard)

Barrett and his great grandmother (great Meme Shepard)


Barrett lov'en on his KK

KK, Barrett, and cousin Lauren

Uncle Corey and Barrett have become good buddies. Corey put Barrett to sleep every night I was home... and wouldn't even let me come to visit my own sister...unless Barrett was "in tow" with me!
I'm looking forward to this summer when Uncle Corey can take Barrett hunting, fishing, and swimming at the lake!!!!

Busy Body

Barrett has become a little busy body. We've started him on some yummy foods. He ate an entire can of green beans one night and I was so scared of the "outcome" the next day!!!! He loves his fruit(peaches, applesauce, prunes, and pears).
On top of that, he started saying, "da-da and de-de". Matt can't help but love that!
We've also realized that he loves to roll.........everywhere. I keep wishing he would crawl, but I seriously think he has settle to just roll (scoot) to his destination.
Regardless, I know he legs work! He constantly kicks and moves his arms all about. It reminds me of a frog on his back. It's almost impossible to change him. If he isn't kicking, he is rolling off the changing table!!!!! One thing is for sure...Barrett will be a good swimmer and maybe even a track star!

He was kind of mesmerized by the camera...so his kicking really isn't in "full effect". It's actually much more severe!

My two bottom teeth

Barrett's two bottom teeth just popped through. Right at 6 months, he cut his first two teeth. All I have to say is...I'm super glad that I'm bottle feeding! ha
We had our 6 month check up today and had a wonderful report. The hemangioma birth mark should cease it's growth between now and 9 months. Eventually, it will start to fade away! What will we do without it?
Here are a few precious pictures of him this week.
We're anxious to start feeding him some veggies and fruit. We might try something new tonight!