Big Smiles from the Barner Bunch

Between Barrett's big smile to Mallory's tooth-less grin...life can't get any sweeter!!!  So sweet! 

I'm in LOVE!!!!

(Barrett 4 years old - Mallory 7 weeks old)

Homework

Hooray!  We finally have some homework!  You know I'm loving that!!!  On top of homework from preschool, we've been working on our sight words.  This week, Barrett can read:   and / she / do / fish / room / get / yes / exit / one / red /girl.  I'll try to get it on video soon!!  I'm so proud of him.
Mallory is growing.  I can tell she is gaining weight. When I pick her up and carry her around, it's a definate difference in a few weeks ago!!!  Although I don't have an official reading of her weight, I'm almost postive that she is close to 11 or 12 pounds!!!!  Check out her little cheeks in these pictures.  They're really "filling out".
Lately, she is staying awake for a little longer during the day, however, we're still working on getting her to sleep through the entire night.  For me, "through the night" means from 10 or 11pm until at least 5am.  Hopefully before I start back to work, we can get her on a more consistant schedule. 
On top of gaining weight, we know she is getting taller!!!  Matt measured her this morning at 24 inches!!!!  She's going to be TALL like the rest of her family!!!  I'm hoping for a volleyball player, basketball player, or maybe even Olympic swimmer!!!!

This and That of September and Mallory at 6 weeks

Here is Mallory showing off her "wild side"!  Too bad we don't have audio of this moment!  Trust me, she has a voice! ha  I'm thinking her future includes auditions for American Idol, X Factor, or The Voice!!!!  haha

Her outfit was too adorable NOT to take a picture, but she was not in the mood to model!  I finally was able to get her settled down...briefly! 

Friday, we were invited to a luncheon in the neighborhood, hosted by my sweet friend Donna.  We had a great time visiting and watching all the kids play.  Barrett was at school, so it was just Mallory and I.  A special little mommy / daughter day!!!!! 

 

 

 And here we have Barrett in his "I LOVE MY PAPA" t-shirt!  It's perfect!  I found it at Old Navy.  Most of the t-shirts say "Grandpa", so I was excited to find one that said "Papa" instead.  Why is it perfect???  Well, Barrett calls both of our daddies, "Papa".  We have Papa Jimmy (my dad) and Papa Barner (Matt's dad). 

 

Oh...and what a SPECIAL treat this past weekend.  My mom and sister drove to McKinney spend time with Mallory and Barrett.  They wanted to give Matt and I an opportunity to have a "date night" and get some well needed rest.  Even though, we stayed somewhat close to home, Matt and I packed our bags for an over night get-away!  We had dinner, drinks, and over 12 hours of sleep!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Brandi and Meme! 

Along with their visit, they brought us treats!  Books for Mr. B and cute little outfits for Miss Mallory!!!!!  Once again, THANK YOU THANK YOU!

 

Sibling LOVE!  I know I say it all the time, but Barrett is a GREAT big brother!  I'm so blessed.

Mallory watches Barrett and smiles at him when he is near!!!  He hugs on her, kisses her, and speaks  kind little words to her when she is upset.  I can't wait to watch their relationship as friends continue to grow, as they mature and get older!  It's already a special bond between the two of them.  I'm sure it will only get better! 

Snapshots

I love the little snapshots that I get with my phone camera! 

 

Look at this little creative mind!  He cracks me up!  You can only imagine the story that goes with the picture. Trust me, Barrett had a good explination.

 

Love this little girl!  She has the softest skin and when she is laying on her back, her little legs are kicking non-stop!  It's hysterical.  My nickname for her is "Thumper" (like the little rabbit in the movie Bambi).  That's what her leg looks like when she kicking it.

Big Brother Love and September Afternoons

Thank goodness for cool afternoons!!!  I hope it is here to stay!!!
Since I've been staying home with Mallory during my maternity leave, I've been able to pick up Barrett from school earlier than a usual "work day".  We like to swing by Sonic for our favorite drinks (Barrett - HiC Fruit Punch / Me - diet Dr.Pepper with vanilla).  Then, we head home to enjoy the afternoon (usually playing outside with the neighbors as I rock Mallory on our front porch).
The kids were very creative in hooking 4-wheeler up to the wagon!  We just have to be careful about sharp turns and who is driving!!!!!

 

One of Mallory's favorite times to stay awake is in the late afternoons...close to bed time.  We all sit around and compete for her attention (which she loves).  Barrett is so great with her.  He will get down on the floor and talk to Mallory, rub her back, try to comfort her when she cries, and even likes to show her his toys.  Just last night, he was talking to her about how she needs to learn how to crawl!

SMILE

I'd like to believe this was Mallory's "first smile".  She did it 3 times in a row!!!  I was walking around the living room with her in my arms (held out so that she could see things) and I stopped to talk to her in my mommy voice, when her tiny face lit up with a big smile.  IT.WAS.PRECIOUS!  I kept talking to her and she continued to smile...each one seeming to be very "real" and as if she could see me well.

 

 

Mallory has recently switched formulas to Nutramigen (at 4 weeks), and seems to be doing well.  We put her on it for her fussiness and tummy issues.  This formula seems to be digested  easier, and Mallory much happier!  Currently, she is eating about 4 ounces every 3 to 4 hours. 

Just last night (at 5 weeks old) we put her in her "big girl bed" / crib.  I think I was a little nervous about how quickly I could make a bottle and run upstairs before she cried too much.  I was afraid she was going to wake up her brother, Barrett.

I did it though!!!  We have video monitor in our bedroom, so I was able to see/hear her early this morning when she began to stir around. 
Matt helped out too.  He came to check on us and helped with putting Mallory back to bed.  We're still working on transitioning her from the rocking chair (which I know she would love to just rock all night long) to the bed where she sleeps.  Just like Barrett, she tends to wake up once we lay her down.  Luckily, she only did this on 2 attempts last night.  Matt ended up having the "magic touch".

The best part about it is that Barrett slept through the entire thing.  Whew!!!!

Barrett came home yesterday with a brilliant idea to have a picnic.  The weather was perfect for it.  We laid out a big blanket in our back yard, and ate sandwiches from Firehouse Subs (his favorite).  Even though Mallory was asleep inside, we enjoyed our "family time".

Barrett's conversations with us continue to brighten our day.  He's so funny and has the best personality.  I'm trying to teach him so jokes to tell his friends, but he enjoys making up his own jokes.  Hmmmmm

Just yesterday, he was talking to Matt and I about school.  This is how the conversation went:

Barrett:  "Hey Mommy and Daddy.  I have to tell you something that is very important"

Me:  "What is it Barrett?"

Barrett:  "You know at school?  You know how we have to lay down on those cots?"

Me:  "Yes."

Barrett:  "Mommy, Daddy, my head is too long!  It doesn't fit on the cots."

Oh my!  This broke my heart, but made me laugh all at the same time.  What he was trying to say was that he was too tall for his mat (pallet).  Poor guy.  Apparently his head or his feet hang off the mat. 

So, with that being said, I made sure that he had something more comfortable to sleep on today at preschool!!!  I sent a pillow that was attached to a little sleeping bag.  I hope it helps.  Poor guy!!!!  He better just get use to being the TALL guy! haha

I wanted to put Barrett into t-ball this Fall, but it didn't work out.  I waited too late to sign him up, but I'm determined to get him into soccer or t-ball in the Spring.

Little did I know..............Barrett is great at volleyball!  Wow!  Matt had him outside practicing some serves and hits.  He bopped everyone of them!!!!

Family

We headed out to West Texas this weekend to see our family.  It was Mallory's first long trip in the car and she did great!  Of course her big brother was in the back seat ready to help out and monitor.  We enjoyed seeing everyone and visiting.