Easter/18 months

Let me start off by saying this month has been truly amazing.

I have seen such a transformation in Barrett.  He can say 13 words....I think there's more but I can't think of them right now.

• Dadda
• Momma
• Uck (Truck)
• Car
• Night Night
• Bye
• Sock
• Duck
• Pup-Pup (His puppy)
• Dog
• Ide (Outside)
• Ice
• Bird

He loves to read books and have them read to him.  He goes back and forth between Graham and I with the SAME book.  His favorite book right now is The Hungry Caterpillar.  It is so cute watching him read on his own.  He just babbles while taking his finger and sliding it on the words like Mommy does.
When he's not reading he's playing outside.  He doesn't even have to be playing on anything, as long as he can run around he's perfect!  He likes to help with the landscaping; digging holes, picking up rocks and moving them, and then watering everything.  He is completely obsessed with water.  If he doesn't have control over the water hose, he's thinks he should be IN the water.  I swear he must have been a fish in his past life! :)

I know my son loves me, but I truly believe if he had to choose between me or Abby (our dog) I would be left standing there.  Everytime we go "bye-bye" he has to run over to Abby and give her a hug and kiss and tell her "BYE".  He can't go to bed without doing the samething.  He loves all animals, but he LOVES any dog.  Doesn't matter what size, he does the samething to all of them.  He says "Awww" in his sweet high voice, and gives them all a hug.  When we're just sitting around the house, he takes his "pup-pup" in his mouth and crawls around on the floor carrying it like a dog.  He is constantly trying to eat and drink out of Abby's bowls, then he takes her bones and carries it around trying to get us to play with him.  He may need to spend more time with children!

We made the decision to take away the pacifier this month as well.  We thought it would be horrible.  Even though he only uses it when he's in bed, he still HAS to have it at all times in that bed.  The books say to start off taking it away during nap for a month, then take it away at night.  I figured it would be easier just to completely take it away...cold turkey. I didn't want to confuse him at all.  We only had 2 bad nights, and on day 3 we were good to go!  I was so relieved!!!

He went to three birthday parties at Pump it Up this month as well.  I was worried he would be too little, or he would be terrified of all the slide.  I was completely wrong...he didn't want me to go down the slide with him, he was a big boy and could climb and go down it all by himself!  I think that's his favorite place to be.  Luckily we have two more birthday parties to go in May....I guess I know where his birthday parties will be in the future.

Eating cake

Going up the stairs....didn't need anyone's help

Favorite Part

Easter was wonderful!  We drove up to Arkansas to be with Graham's family.  The drive wasn't the best thing in the world....driving 8 hours with an 18 month old....no pacifer to keep him quiet.....Let's just say I'm not making that drive again ANY time soon!  :)

First hour of the trip

HOUR #3

Once we were there everything was great, we went to the mall where his Oma (Graham's grandmother) got him a build a bear puppy.  We let him play at the children's place in the mall where he learned he liked to kiss the mirror.  Starting a little early for me!

Practice makes perfect, I guess

Barrett and Opa (Grandpa)



We drove to Memphis for Easter, where we were able to see the rest of Grahams family.  It was raining and very muddy outside, so Easter morning we did the Easter Egg Hunt in the house.  He LOVED going around and finding all the eggs!!

Of course had to be with the dogs...

Graham's cousins Jayme and Morgan

Jayme playing with Hank

Easter Bunny came to see Barrett



17 months

We had a great weekend!!!  Graham's parents came into town, since the weather was so beautiful on Friday we decided to go to the zoo.  Barrett was fascinated by some of the animals and then other times he loved the stones on the ground, buttons on the activity walls, and sticks on the ground.  One animal he loved is the penguin.  He kept calling them ducks, and would even try to kiss them when they would swim up to the glass.  That was the highlight of the trip!!  It was so cute. 

Barrett spends his time dancing, playing blocks, reading books, and just running around.  He is saying quit a few words.  He says duck, Mommy, Daddy, pup-pup (his puppy), nite nite, he's said please once.  We're working on more, but he's progressing nicely. 
He loves being outside!  Even if he's just running around, he's happy.  He already knows where his boundries are, and every once in a while he'll try to test us to see if he can get away with going over them.  He loves being with his Daddy too, everytime Graham goes into the garage to work on something, Barrett wants to be out there with him to help.  When it's time for Mommy to cook, he wants to be up there watching me.  So lately I've let him help mix things up, and that just makes his day.  Hopefully I have a little chef on my hands! He is just a happy and sweet little boy!!!

Babble, Babble, Babble

Barrett has been very vocal these days.  He has been babbling for a while now, but this week he's articulating his babbles a lot more.  I'm talking non-stop!  He talks to his stuffed animals, toys, food, and Abby.  Anything/anyone that will listen to him.  I've been giving him tasks to do, such as, "Go put this in the trash", "pick up your toys and put them in your room".  He loves doing everything.  He gets a sense of accomplishment and his demeanor changes to a very proud little boy!
His toddler room is starting to come together, we're doing a dinosaur theme.  I made a picture for his room this weekend.  It was a lot of fun to build and paint again.  It's been YEARS since I've done anything like this.  Plus it's kind of cool to have something I built hanging in his room.

Finally

I haven't written in a long time, I know.  I've made a commitment to start writing again. 
A synopsis of what's been going on to get you updated....
I was laid off from my job in October.  While looking for another job, I've really enjoyed the time I've gotten to spend with Barrett.  We sold our home in Mansfield, and bought Graham's parents house in Fort Worth.  This home is so amazing and wonderful.  Graham's Grandfather built the home, and Walter (Graham's Dad) grew up here.  It means the world to us that we are able to have it.  It sits on half acre, and has so much soul and history. Below are just a couple of pictures of the house, believe me, it doesn't do it justice.

Barett had his 1st Birthday day in October, which if you know me I had started planning it 6 months prior.  We had it at my Mom's house, and I was touched by the amount of people who came.  He spent the day socializing with everyone, talking, smiling, laughing.  At one point he felt a little bit overwhelmed, so then it was being with Mommy time.  Once we started opening up presents, that's when he decided he was kind of done socializing, and ready to go home.  Once we were home, he loved all of his wonderful gifts, and cake!

Barrett is now 15 months old and is full of personality.  His favorite thing to have is his "puppy", it's a stuffed animal that his Great Aunt Debbie gave him when he was first born.  The child cannot go to sleep without puppy.  Debbie can't remember where she bought it, so I can't buy a back up.  If something happend to puppy, that will be the end all! 

He can say "Mommy", "Daddy", "puppy", and "bye bye" (only when he's saying good bye to animals).  He is 24 pounds, and 32 inches long (50 percentile in weight, and 75% in height).  He's a growing boy with a very healthy appetite.  He's been on normal food for about 3 months and loves everything.  He eats fish, all veggies, fruit, everything.  I'm hoping this doesn't change!  He started eating with a fork and spoon a couple of weeks ago, and he loves it.  He feels like a big boy! 

 He absolutly loves Abby, and chases her around the house all day.  Every morning when he wakes up he looks around to make sure Abby went into his room to say good morning to him.  Once he see's her he gets a huge smile on his face. 

He's very outgoing with other children, doesn't matter the age.  He thinks he's as big as any kid out there.  He also loves the ladies all ready.  Once he see's a little girl that he likes, he walks up to her, and smiles, bats his eyes, and for some reason lifts his shirt.  He is such a huge flirt!!  No selfesteem issues in this house!  I have a picture below of him doing this to a 7 year old girl at the pumpkin patch we went to.

We have been extremly lucky with him so far.  He's an incrediable eater, a fabulous sleeper, he sleeps 12-13 hours at night and still takes 2-3 hour naps.  When he's ready for bed, he takes my finger and takes me to his room. What kid does that??? He is a kind hearted, smart, affectionate, handsome baby boy!  I couldn't have asked for a better child! 

Halloween was so hot, and poor Barrett had a very warm dino costume.  He was the cutest dino I've ever seen!  We went to a church that had several bounce houses and tons of activities for children. The child is fearless, he just got up in one of the bounce houses and didn't want to leave.  I thought he would be a little intimidated by everything, but nope! 

Thanksgiving was really nice as well.  We went out to Rowlett and had dinner out there with the Ragland crew. Graham went hunting that evening, and Barrett stayed at my Mom's house that night so I could get up and shop the next morning.  Graham's parents stayed in Arkansas, but came down for Christmas and stayed with us for 12 days. Which leads me to Christmas..... 

Christmas was absolutly amazing this year.  We were able to see almost the entire family (both sides) this year, which never has happend.  Between Barrett's Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, friends, and his parents....Barrett is a very loved, and spoiled child.  Below are some pictures to get you up to date with everything.  I promise not to be a stranger any longer.



Barrett's Great Grandparents with "puppy"



FLIRT!



Waking up to see what Santa brought him