Party at my Crib

Barrett did not want to sleep last night. He was screaming and crying, but he did not want to go to bed. I decided I would just let him scream in bed for a while because my patience was gone.

After about ten minutes, he was quiet. I was concerned because I knew it was too good to be true that he fell asleep that fast. I decided to sneak in and check on him.

When I walked into his room, I could hear him. Normally, he would be talking to himself, but he was laughing. When I got a little closer, I couldn't help but laugh.

So, he obviously wasn't tired. I turned on the light because I needed to get a better look. (Ok, I wanted to take pictures!)

I guess it's time to either lower his crib or get rid of the mobile. Although, it does seem to entertain him more on his head than it does hanging above him.




I think my son might turn out to be a little party animal. First it's a mobile then lampshades...

He's Just too Quiet

While I was getting ready this morning, Barrett was playing in his Baby Einstein Excersaucer thing. All of the sudden, it got really quiet. I panicked and ran. Here is what I saw...



I guess I didn't need to panic. Although, when he woke up, he did have some serious sleep marks on his cheek that stayed for a long time.

I did notice something else humorous. Doug commented the other day that Barrett always seems to cross his feet when he sleeps whether he is in his bouncy seat, car seat, on the floor, or on his tummy in bed. I hadn't really noticed until Doug pointed it out. Apparently, he really does almost always cross his feet. Look at them in this picture.

Sock Update

I gave the sock back to Barrett after it was washed.

He stuck it in his mouth, looked at me, dropped it, and went to another toy.

In other news, he's figuring out how to crawl. Yesterday, he was on his knees and elbows, and he made it to his goal, the remote control.

I got the video camera out, moved the remote away, and again he "crawled" to it.

I guess his new thing is the remote. What a man!

Skinning Critters & Chewing Socks

Skinning Critters

Tonight after Barrett's bath, Doug was dressing him. Doug gave up on the changing table and tried to dress him in his crib. He got his diaper on and his arms in his jammies, but couldn't get anything snapped. He then came out into the living room carrying Barrett who was wiggling like crazy.

Doug gave me this frustrated look and said, "I've skinned wild critters that were easier to hold still."

Instead of helping, I got the camera as Doug tried to finish by trapping Barrett on the couch.





Chewing Socks

Barrett has lots of toys. He could play all day switching toys every couple of minutes, and he still wouldn't run out of choices. So, which is his favorite lately?

Yes, a sock. Not just any sock. This specific white sock. He doesn't even want the partner to it. I tried to give him the clean one, but he didn't want it. He got really mad and no toy was working, so I gave the dirty sock back. He was instantly happy.

Last night when I went to bed, I had visions of him going to junior high with this baby sock in his pocket. Other kids have stuffed animals, blankies, or pacifiers, but not my boy. He has a dirty, white sock.





I let him have the dirty sock today. It's been almost a week that this white sock has been his favorite at home. (We haven't taken it places with us!)


Tonight, after he went to bed, I did a bad thing. I feel like I must confess. I put the sock in the wash. I'm feeling guilty that I might have ruined his sock, but I also am hoping I did.

Tomorrow morning, I'll give it back. We'll see if he still wants it.

The Bear versus Mommy

Ever since Barrett learned how to roll over, life has become more difficult. Today, my world was more of a wrestling match than motherhood.

Round One:

At 4:00 this morning, Barrett was screaming. When I got him out of bed, he was soaking wet. (That is a whole other blog about his daddy, but I won't gripe about Doug today.) After pulling the sheets off his bed, I made his bottle while Doug took him into our room. I then came in to feed him his bottle and hopefully quickly get him back to sleep. He was starving, but he wanted to roll out of my hands. I tried all kinds of weird positions, and eventually he had the whole bottle. I am pretty sure that round one goes to the Bear.

Round Two:

6:40 a.m. I felt this strange feeling on my face. When I opened my eyes, I had a close up view of Barrett. He then bit down on my nose and laughed. I tried to convince him that he wanted to sleep more, but apparently, I was wrong. I got up, and took him to change his diaper. I felt like I was actually going to hurt him trying to keep him on his back long enough to change his diaper. He is amazingly strong for such a little man. After a lenghty battle, his diaper was on. Round two seems to be a draw.

Round Three:

I was at the mall when Barrett NEEDED a diaper change. The mall I was at has no place that is decent to change a baby's diaper, so I did what any creative mom would do. I changed him in his carrier. The best part ended up being that he was strapped in. It was impossible for him to roll over. That was the fastest I have changed a diaper in a long time. Round three goes to mommy. (Although the little old lady sitting near me looked at me like I was crazy!)

Round Four:

I tagged out to Sydney, the neighbor. She was with us all afternoon, and she did a great job entertaining Barrett until she wanted him to lay down on his boppy with her. She thought she had him penned...

Then Barrett made his trademark maneuver...

After he pulled her hair, she left him alone. Round Four to Barrett.

Round Five:

After Barrett's bath tonight, Doug and I took him into his room. Doug had him on the changing table and was attempting to keep him on his back to put on his diaper. I told Doug forget it and to leave him on his stomach. I then did something that amazed my husband... I put the diaper on while he was on his tummy, then I put him in his pajamas feet and all. I was even able to zip it while he was on his stomach.

Round Five: MOMMY!

Here is a cute pic of Barrett and Sydney when they weren't wrestling!

Quality Time with Daddy?

Last night, I went to the rodeo with my mom, Cindy, and Misti. It was fun to get out with the girls, but it was even better because Doug was going to get quality time with Barrett.

A very wise friend pointed out that it is important for Doug to watch Barrett on his own not because he should experience "my world", but because it is important for him. He needs to know I trust him with Barrett and that he can do it on his own. So, yesterday I told Doug's two biggest helpers, My neighbor, Nella, and Doug's mom, Dorothy, to stay away because I wanted Doug to have a night alone with his son.

The rodeo was wonderful mainly because I was with three people that I love spending time with. When we got home, I noticed the bar-b-que pit was out. That was my first clue that Doug had helpers.

When I crawled in to bed, I asked Doug what he and Barrett did. To my surprise, he said, "Nella, David, Sydney, and my parents came over." So, he didn't have a little help, he had it all. I asked if he ever even held Barrett, and he laughed and said, "not really."

Did his helpers think I was kidding? I guess next time I'll have to take them with me. Eventually, Doug will be on his own with Barrett, and he'll know he can do it.

*(Helpers: I'm not really mad, but it makes for a good blog.)

Tonight Doug was trying to watch basketball, but Barrett wanted all his attention. Here's how he solved his dilemma.

On to a different subject:

I LOVE Target. More specifically, I love the dollar bins. We found these lovely ears there today, and Barrett rediscovered his tongue this afternoon. He's been sticking it out at everyone who smiles at him.

He is just so stinkin' cute!

Facing His Greatest Fear

Barrett is officially terrified of bluebonnets. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that his first experience with them was when I sat him in an ant bed!

I went back to Grandma's to try again. This time I had Doug with me because Barrett always smiles for him. We ate lunch and then took him outside. The moment Doug lowered him into the bluebonnets, he started screaming.




We tried having Doug sit next to him, but that didn't work either. So, after ten minutes of torturing our son, we decided bluebonnet pictures could wait until next year.

We went back in to visit with grandma a little more, and then it was time for Doug to get back to work. As we were leaving, I decided that I would try one more time. Doug wished me luck and left.

I decided to ease our way into it this time. I laid a blanket on the ground near the bluebonnets, and we sat on it to play. After a few minutes, I picked a bluebonnet. (Yes, I know that it is supposedly illegal to pick the state flower, but my grandma owns these. Besides, she mowed a bunch of them off, so if anyone should be in trouble, it's her!) I played with the flower and then Barrett got a little interested in it. I let him touch it a little. I don't know if it is possible, but I think I could tell that he was proud of himself for facing his fear.



I then decided it was time to really conquer his fear.

Unfortunately, he didn't agree. He freaked when I put him on the blanket in the well mushed down, ant free spot in the middle of the bluebonnet patch.

I think my son is as stubborn as I am.

In the end, we compromised. I held him with my legs in front of the patch and took a few photos. They actually came out pretty cute, but I still have visions of my little man sitting in the middle of a bluebonnet patch. I'll get those pictures next year. :)

Mother of the Year?

I wasn't going to blog about what happened with Barrett a couple of days ago. Even though everyone I know has this happen at some point, I still wasn't going to admit it. But, after today, what happened then doesn't seem too bad.

I was rushing to get dressed, and I had Barrett on my bed. He was happily on his back laughing at the fan. I ran into the bathroom to put deodorant on, and as I applying my Secret, I heard a funny thud. I quickly looked on the bed, and Barrett was no where to be found.

I then saw him on the floor looking stunned. After I made sure he was breathing, I panicked that he broke. I didn't want to immediately pick him up because moving him could have injured him more. I then realized something kind of scary, you can't ask him if anything hurts. He wasn't crying, but what if his neck snapped and he was paralyzed? He wouldn't feel that, right? I tickled his feet, and he laughed and flipped over. He was fine, thank God!

I immediately called Cindy and told her that if she was bringing my "Mother of the Year" trophy over, she might want to reconsider.

I had no idea that not only should I not get the trophy, I now shouldn't even be nominated.

A lot of moms, probably all if they will admit it, have had their child roll from the bed, changing table, couch, etc., but I doubt many have done what I did today.

It was a beautiful day, and Doug's grandma has amazing bluebonnet patches in her front yard. My neighbor and I loaded up the kids and went to take bluebonnet pictures. For those of you who don't live in Texas, it is something Texans do every Spring.

When we got to Grandma's, I realized I left the shirt Barrett was going to wear at the house, so he would have to wear jeans and the white undershirt he had on. I should have just quit then.

I had the perfect spot picked out, and stomped down the flowers so he had a place to sit. It was really sunny, so I was having trouble getting him to look at me to take the pictures. I decided to turn him a little, and that's when I realized what I had done.

There is good news and bad news with this...

The good news is that Barrett is definitely not allergic to ants.

I assume you can figure out the bad news.

After getting all the ants off of him, I noticed that while he was now free of the bugs, they were now on me. He doesn't seem to react to the bites, and I wish I could say the same for me. I was still determined to get my pictures, but for some reason, he freaked out when I put him near the bluebonnets. I decided I better stop and just try again another day.

I finished taking pictures of Sydney, my neighbor's daughter, and went to visit with Grandma.




When we got home, I went to load the pictures onto the computer. I am REALLY glad I didn't torture Barrett by forcing more pictures after the ant attack because I somehow deleted all the bluebonnet pictures. I did get some of the other pictures of Sydney, but no bluebonnets.

(I had to include this picture. It just cracks me up!)

We decided to try again Thursday. Wish me luck, I apparently need it.

I guess I'll get the Mother of the Year trophy next year!

Chick Magnet

Sometimes a picture says it all...

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Yesterday, Barrett took his first trip to the zoo!

We picked up my mom and grandma at 9:00 and headed to the zoo. When we were almost there, Barrett started to get really mad. I told mom, who was in the back seat, to make him a bottle because he probably was getting hungry. She said, "Ok, where's his bag?" I almost started making an old person joke because it was sitting right next to her, when she said, "Is it in the very back of the car?"

Oops.

The diaper bag was sitting safe at home.

Since we were 40 minutes from home already and meeting my sister and her family, I exited and found a Walmart. Unfortunately, the Walmart I found was not in the best of areas. I reluctantly left my son, mom , and grandmother in the parking lot in my running car. As I ran into Walmart, I had visions of Joe Thug jumping in my car with them.

As I grabbed a basket, I asked the typical old man greeter where baby stuff was. He pointed to the back, and I started jogging. I felt like I was on a game show trying to get everything as fast as I could.

When I got where he pointed, I was in the middle of shoes. I asked another employee, and she said it was in the front corner. Apparently greeter man never walks past the entrance. Although in his defense, baby stuff is in the back of every other Walmart I've been in.

I finally get to the baby stuff. I grab diapers, formula, and a baby spoon and head to the bottles. Then, I hit a snag.

Walmart doesn't carry Barrett's bottles. I start examining nipples on all the bottles looking for anything that is remotely similar to what he is used to. There isn't any. I settle on some, and toss them in the basket. The last thing I need is baby food. (Barrett has to have food in the morning or he gets really grumpy!) I can't find it.

I ask someone, and she says it is right by bottles. I was sure that baby food was not there, but I was sure that I brought the diaper bag too, so I went back to check. I was right, no food.

I walked through the baby stuff two more times, still no baby food has appeared. I decided to ask an employee with a walkie talkie because she should know more, right? She told me that it was with the baby stuff.

I then look for another employee. It was then that I realized how great those ugly blue vests are. It makes finding someone much easier.

Then I found LaShanda (that's what her name tag said). She was about to pop pregnant, so I figured she might know. She said baby food was with the snack foods by cards. After being pointed in the right direction, I ran.

Thank God she was right. I throw the sweet potatoes and bottled water in the cart, and run to the check out.
Fifty four dollars later, I am headed to the car hoping they haven't been car jacked.

When I get to the car, mom has all Barrett out of his seat. She comments that this part of town is quite scary. I hurry to make a bottle. As I shake it, water flies everywhere. The new bottle has to be tightened on the bottom too. Once I figured that out, the bottle was made, and we were on our way to the zoo.

We got to the zoo and managed to unload Grandma, Grandma's wheelchair, Barrett, Barrett's stroller, and the make shift plastic Walmart "diaper bag".

We were ready to see all the animals. Here is a picture of the crew minus me, my sister, and brother in law.

We pretty much saw the entire zoo. Tyler led us because he had the map. When a 7 year old is on charge, you do a lot of back tracking, so we all got our exercise. Barrett liked the giraffes and elephants, but I think that was because they are the only ones he could really see. He also thought the turtle that was out was funny. He kept laughing when it moved.



Tyler was so busy figuring out where we were going next, I'm not sure he even looked at the animals. Although, he did stop along the way to be a typical kid needing to go to the bathroom, get a snack, and be silly.

And then there was Austin. He loves animals. He was so excited about every one.

After leaving the petting zoo, we saw the lions. Austin said he wanted to go in and pet them too. He was just so happy the whole time running to see the next animal, and I can't wait until Barrett is old enough to love the zoo too!

Barrett had a wonderful time, but it was his cousins that he liked seeing the most.

Puppy Love

Oz's mommy is in Vegas, so he is spending the weekend with us. To say Barrett and Oz were thrilled to see each other is an understatement. When Oz first got into the house, he went straight for Barrett's plastic keys that they fought over last time. I tried to pick them up and put them away, but then Barrett was grunting and wanting them too. So, needless to say, the keys are still an issue. (You can see them under Barrett in the picture. Notice that Oz's paw is on them too!)

We put Barrett in his bouncy seat so he could watch Oz play. It didn't take Oz long to figure out Barrett can't get around like he can. Oz would grab the keys and run, and Barrett would complain because there was nothing he could do. We would take the keys, give them to Barrett, and try and distract Oz with another toy, but Oz would jump on Barrett and take the keys again. Barrett tried to roll over to avoid Oz, but Oz would still get the keys.



Eventually, we gave up on taking them, and Oz happily ran off and chewed on them uninterrupted.



In the attempts to distract Oz from the keys, we had pulled out all the toys Misti sent with him. Among the toys are these little plastic balls with bells inside that Oz claimed from Misti's cats. It turns out that Barrett likes them too.



At least we didn't have to continue the Battle of the Plastic Keys. Even though they have sharing issues, they are so happy to be back together for a weekend of fun.

( I won't comment on how I feel about the furry little non sleeper who woke me up at 3:30 this morning. I'll just say he cured me of wanting another puppy!)

A Little Like Mommy?

Yesterday morning, I left Barrett on his playmat to play while I took a quick shower. When I got out of the shower, I heard him complaining. I wouldn't call it screaming, but it was definitely more than talking to himself. I ran into the living room to see what was going on, and I was startled that Barrett was not on his mat. It was then that I noticed that he had squirmed his way under the coffee table. He wasn't upset about being under the table, he was upset because the ball he wanted was still out of reach. I pulled him from under the table and took him and the ball to my bathroom while I finished getting ready.

Later in the day, he was playing on the floor with the doggie that Papa gave him for Valentine's Day. I turned on Baby Einstein to keep him extra entertained while I was cleaning in the kitchen. Barrett is usually pretty talkative while he plays (if you can call what he does talking), so I became concerned when he got really quiet.

When I went into the living room, I couldn't stop laughing. I joke that he's just like Doug because he's always moving, but finally he had a mommy moment. I ran to get the camera and luckily I was quick enough. Here is how my son was "playing" with his new doggie toy...

He was so proud of himself!

I guess I need to watch him more carefully now because he is becoming more and more mobile. I'm pretty sure life is about to take a drastic turn...