Saturday, November 3, 2012

My Baby Girl is 3 Months Old

We had a little photo shoot with my sweet baby girl today!  Mallory is 3 months old and such a JOY!  I just can't get enough of her!!!  She's been smiling so much and wants so badly to laugh out loud.  On top of that, she coos and ahhhs, all the time! 
Mallory loves to fall asleep with something soft next to her face, loves her swing, does not like to burp, drinks about 4 to 5 ounces per bottle of formula.  She enjoys her bath time and walking around in mommy or daddy's arms.  I think everything about her is beautiful, but most people point out her long eyelashes, long legs, and full lips.
Weight = 12lbs
Length - 25 inches
We're all so happy baby Mallory is part of our lives!  What a wonderful gift from God!!!!





2012 Color Run

I'm on my way to my reaching my goals....I hope!  I just have to stay motivated.  I'm hoping to accomplish a couple of 10K runs by summer...and then, I'm going to train myself for a half marathon!  Yes...I said it!  Maybe if I SAY IT...I'll actually do it.
Today, I met some girl friends of mine to join me in the McKinney Color Run.  Why is it called the Color Run???  Well, as you run, there are people standing at checkpoints where they blast you with color bombs (colored corn startch).  It was a outdoor course on a grassy terrain (with a lot of holes and hills I might add), along with obstacles.  I actually climbed over two walls, walked across a few balance beams, and crawled over hurdles!  To keep the run "fun" and "light-hearted"...I told Lynn and Courtney to pretend that we were all on The Biggest Loser or Survivor! haha
Next run I'm planning on doing is the December 1st, Rudolph Run.  That race will be a simple 5K and I'll have my Cheatham students and families joining me!!!  I can't wait.  I want to find a red tu-tu and put some jingle bells on it!!!!



Oh...and I just recently bought this t-shirt!  I love it!!!  It pretty much sums up the reason love running!!!


Dino Time

Friday, our school had a DINOSAUR display set up in our gym for SCIENCE Day!  I couldn't resist getting Barrett out of his preschool to come see all the bones and skulls.  It was really a neat sight!!  I appreciate Matt so much, because he's the one that made it happen.  He used his lunch break to drive from Frisco to Allen, pick up Barrett and bring him up to my school!  What a great daddy!!!!!





Pumpkin Patch

We made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch this year.  It was a small little patch, just around the corner from our house.  We were able to run through a hay maze, ride a pony, jump in the bounce houses, and pick out a great pumpkin to carve!!!!  Good times!!!!
Mallory - (almost) 3 months old
Barrett - 4 years old








Happy Halloween 2012

Halloween Fun 2012

Papa Barner's BIRTHDAY!!!!

Happy birthday to a wonderful Papa!!!  We think the world of you Paul!!!!

Friday, October 26, 2012

Barrett

You know his imagination!!!  Well, this evening, Barrett informed me that he was leaving for a trip and his car cases were his suitcases.  Funny boy!  I love him.  He even asked to take a few cookies with him on his leave.
Just to remember...................
This week, was a crazy week.  I had parent conferences lined up each day and one of my fourth grade teachers had to be rushed to the hospital because she was experiencing chest pains.  Well, I kicked it into high gear Monday morning and tried to rush out the door so that I could take care of business at school (calling a substitute, getting plans ready, etc.)
As I'm walking out the door, Matt was trying to shave, Barrett was in the shower, and Mallory was fussy because she decided to deal me a dirty diaper after I had buckled her into her car seat!  Whew!!!!!!!!!!!! And it was only 6:50 a.m.
Matt takes B to preschool in the mornings and I pick him up.  I always have his clothes laid out and he's great about dressing himself from head to toe.  If he needs assistance, I leave Matt in charge when I'm not there (in hopes that he will catch something if it out of place, unbuttoned, or MISSING!!!)
Upon picking B up Monday afternoon, I had his teachers approach me just giggling and laughing.  They said Barrett was on the playground during recess talking to his friend Finley.  All of the sudden, Barrett turned around and pulled down the top part of his shorts showing about half of his booty.  The teachers said you could tell from a distance that Barrett was in a serious conversation and obviously explaining something to his friend.
Mrs. Parks and Ms. Clifton called Barrett over and asked why he as showing his bottom to his friend.  Barrett said, "Well, my mom forgot to put on my underwear this morning".
What?!?!?!?!
Not only did he blame me (which it was my fault in a way for not laying the underwear out by this daily clothes, but ultimately Matt's fault for not checking his child over).  Barrett also went on to say that he didn't realize his underwear were missing at all (until he got to school). 
That just teaches me a lesson...never underestimate my child.  I just assumed that he KNEW to wear underwear and would recognize it when he wasn't wearing them.  He dresses himself every day!!!!
Now it's a running joke in the mornings.  I hug and kiss Barrett on my way out the door each day, and my last words are..."Hey Barrett, don't forget your underwear!!!" 
 
 Just to remember..................
Lately, Barrett wants me to lay beside him in his bed as he tries to fall asleep.  This is our time to visit with one another.  Barrett has also been asking me to sing to him lately.  Why?  I have no idea.  I can't carry a tune whatsoever...but I guess your own children really don't care.  Mommy's voice is always special...no matter what.
Anyway (back to the story), we were talking about fire escape routes.  I was telling Barrett what he needed to do in case there was a fire upstairs and mommy and daddy couldn't get to him.  We talked about getting near his window and yelling to the firefighters.  We talked about not being scared and staying calm.  We even talked about the whole STOP - DROP - and ROLL procedures.
As we're talking, sweet Barrett says, "Mom, what about Mallory?  What will happen if there is a fire in Mallory's room?"
"Well, if you could get to Mallory's room without getting burned by the fire, I would want you to try to get her, " I say.
"How am I going to get her out of her bed?" asked Barrett.
"Well, you would have to use your stool, reach over into the crib, and pick her up," I say.
Barrett was okay with that.  He even smiled at the fact that he would be the hero for saving his baby sister.
Then, after thinking for a minute, he asked, "What if I can't get to her mom?  What would happen to her then?"
I think about how to word it, and reply with, "Well, the firefighters and firetruck would drive into our backyard and rescue Mallory from her window by climbing up the ladder."
You could tell at this point, that Barrett's head was spinning.  He was thinking all sorts of different scenarios.
Finally, he said, "Well, I don't know about that mom.  They would break my swing set / playground".
"Well Barrett...that's not the right way to think.  It's just a playground.  Which do you think is more important...your little sister Mallory or your playground?????"
"Both Mom!!!!" Barrett tells me.
Oh my! 
Shortly after this comment, we had a discussion about people vs. material things.  Never in my life did I think I was going to be having this conversation so soon.  I had to explain that people couldn't be replaced, and that material things (like toys, bicycles, and our playgrounds) could be.  Believe me, this conversation got deeper than expected.
Finally, Barrett admitted that, "Yeah, it would be okay if they breaked by playground to save my baby sister".
Whew!  Good thing he loves her! haha

Oh How She Loves Him!!!!

Isn't she lovely?  I couldn't agree more!!!  Everyone that meets Mallory, compliments her beautiful lips and long eyelashes.  I must agree, she IS an adorable little girl.  I just can't get enough of her.  She's beginning to sleep longer lengths through the night (10 pm to 6 am...and sometimes 7 am).  I'm so proud of her...and thankful that she's allowing mommy and daddy to get some rest! 
Matt and I can't get over how much Barrett's baby pictures and Mallory's pictures favor one another.  It's true, she looks a lot like her brother at times, but I've noticed a few differences myself.


One thing is for certain, she LOVES her big brother.  I love watching her gaze into his direction, smile at him, and sometimes laugh.  Her laugh is a "silent laugh" right now.  It's one of those that she opens her mouth and squints her eyes....but unfortunately, no sound really comes out just yet.  I'm sure eventually it will!!!  I just know that Mallory and Barrett are going to have a great relationship.  They already do!  Barrett loves her...and OH HOW SHE LOVES HIM back!!!!  Barrett plays with her, takes care of her, and always wants to be with her.  He even talks about missing her when he's at school.  I love that about him.  B never complains, always has a smile on his face, and is very tender hearted.  He is kind and compassionate.  I hope he never changes.  Thank you God for such an amazing little boy!!!
 
MB coos quite a bit, and occasionally makes sounds like she wants to carry on a conversation.  Especially when reading a book to her with pictures.  Our babysitter Michele put photos of Barrett, Matt and I into a little book, and she when she shows it to Mallory, that Mallory will kick with excitement, coo, and even smile at the pictures!!!!  Now THAT melts my heart!!!!