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!

6 months old

Today was Barrett's 1/2 birthday!!!! We can't believe how fast times has flown by. It seems like just yesterday that I was holding him in my arms for the first time, waking up every 2 hours to feed him, changing size NB diapers, and visualizing his very first smile.
Now, he's turned into this amazing little character with an adorable personality. I see so much of his daddy in him, but I also see a lot of myself.
I don't ever want to forget these precious moments. Every day is a blessing to me because I get to spend it with my little boy and wonderful husband.

Here are a few milestones:
*19 lbs and 11 oz
*29 1/4 inches long
*smiles all the time
*pushes up and tries to crawl
*rolls everywhere...since he cannot crawl yet
*sits up for a few seconds and then becomes the "Leaning Tower"
*cutting 2 bottom teeth (almost breaking through the gum line)
*eats rice cereal, applesauce, and 6 to 8 ounces of formula
*loves people, his soccer ball, exersaucer, and wrestling with mommy and daddy

Heart Doctor

Barrett had his 6 month appointment with the heart doctor Friday. We are thrilled to announce that Barrett's heart is healing well and his tiny murmur only opens up 1 milimeters every 3 out of 4 beats. Basically, the doctor continues to say we are "safe" and she released us from coming back again!!!!

When Barrett had his first appointment (back when he was only a month old) the doctor ran some tests, but Barrett was so small, he barely recognized what was going on. Boy has that changed. This time, he was much more active and the nurses had a difficult time taking his EKG and sonogram! Of course the paper on the patient bed was his favorite. I had to pull it off twice and recover the bed because he kept tearing it up!

"Oh no, here comes all the wires that they're about to hook me up to"

"Ahhhh, mommy blowing on the back of my neck tickles!"

"Can't wait to get my hands BACK on that paper!"

"Hey...why do you keep taking my picture of my naked self???"

Barrett's birthverse....

Amanda inspired me to look up Barrett's birthverse. What a wonderful scripture. I know first hand that God is always listening and I'm grateful for the loving God that I know and have! Thanks Amanda

1 John 5:15 NIVAnd if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

First cold...

Barrett has been under the weather the past week. He's had a runny nose and cough that seems to be lingering around (no matter how many times I try to clean and sanitize) the entire house. I think I've gone through a few cans of Lysol and two tubs of Clorox wipes!!!! I chase poor Barrett around with a suction bulb in one hand (which he can't stand the sight of) and saline nose drops in the other. Bless his little heart. I just want him well again. Germs are NOT our friend!!!!

Regardless, he seems to be as happy as usual and smiles nonstop! We can't wait for Thanksgiving with family and friends because shortly after that.....Christmas time will be here and all the wrapping paper and lights will be on display!!!!! So much fun heading our way!

Maybe a shot of Daddy's caffeine will help me with this cold...

Going BOY

I guess being a mother of a little boy, you need to get accustomed to doing "boy stuff". I'm pretty much a country girl myself and grew up living in the country with all the tractors, horses, cows, dogs, gravel roads, hide-outs, mesquite tress, and so forth. Therefore, I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty.
I will admit however, that I'm not a risk-taker. Things that can hurt or injure you in any way...aren't my type of fun.
Matt's the opposite. If it includes fire, blowing something up, jumping off random heights, or just eating something disgusting...he's the one to do it.

That leads me to my latest post.
Matt and I overheard on the news that a building in Dallas was going to be imploded. Dynamite, dust, and loud explosions were a certainty!!!!!! What did Matt decided to do????? You guess it, load up Barrett and I and take us for a "family outing" to watch, 1st hand, a building fall to the ground.
It ended up being very exciting and I'm sure one of the first "boy things" that are bound to start taking place in my life. I might as well buckle down and get ready for a bumpy ride!!!!

Twilight Series...

Yep...we're all reading the Twilight series, ( except for Miss Kelsey). I think I'm in the lead as far as reading. Mom is close behind, and Brandi is gaining ground. It's just so hard to find time to read when you have a family and kids, supper to cook, papers to grade, and a house to keep clean.
November 21st the movie comes out. We're anxiously awaiting a girls night out to go see it.

Halloween

Since the spider suit didn't work out very well, I decided to dress Barrett up as a pirate for Halloween night. It was much more comfortable and he was so much happier. Isn't that what really matters????


We drove to Throckmorton Friday night. Leave it to a small town (population of 900) to for-go Halloween until Nov. 1 (mainly due to the fact that our six man football team was in the playoffs and everyone rather be at the game than trick or treating).

So, Saturday night, we took Barrett along with his two cousins door to door for some trick or treating. People in Throckmorton actually leave their lights on and doors OPEN...even though they may not be there. The kids know to just open the door, grab some candy, and head on to the next house.

Even the Halloween carinval (moved to Saturday night instead of Friday) began earlier because the Texas vs. TX Tech game was on. The majority of people from Throckmorton graduated or attended Tech. Since the people living in Throckmorton run the events at the carnival...they too had to shut it down because everyone wanted to be at home when the game came on t.v.
Overall, it was a fun trip. The whole family was excited to see and play with Barrett!!!! He had a fun time with them too.

Meme and Barrett letting mama and daddy sleep in.

Hanging out with cousins and Aunt Brandi

I absolutely LOVE this picture! He is such a happy little boy!