Complaining….

So it was one of those really frustrating days.  One of those days when I realized that not driving a car and health stuff can just suck.  (Sorry to those who are offended by that word…but it is fitting!).  I went to get an MRI today.  Even though I am the queen of being poked and prodded ….I was not looking forward to my MRI.  (I am not a big fan of small spaces, especially loud small spaces.)  In turn, I thought about it most of the day and just wanted to get it over with.

Here is the frustrating part…I make Jim rush home from work because of course I cannot drive myself.  He had a crazy busy day so he was rushing and I felt really bad for him.  We throw Anderson in the car, fight traffic and I get to the imaging center.  Jim and I decide because he cannot come in during the test and it is lengthy that he will just drive around with Anderson instead of forcing him to sit in a waiting room that has nothing enjoyable for an 11month old.

So the process begins…of course I have paper work.  (I do not want to know how many trees I have killed with medical paperwork.  I wish I had a medical speed pass that just input everything they needed directly into their computer ) Then I wait….and wait.  Finally, I get called back for an x-ray to make sure I do not have any wire pieces left in my body that the MRI machine could pull out.  (Def. a good thing to know.) I pull on my very flattering X-Large pleated scrub pants and lay on the table.  I am a pro at this!  The tech is super nice.  (He and his friend who will do the MRI are both from Hannibal.  (The Missouri connection was a good thing!)  I get my pics done (I am the Heidi Klum of X-Rays.)  Then more waiting….more waiting…more waiting.  The tech then returns with the bad news that the radiologist left before his shift was over and no one is there to read my x-rays…which will allow to get my MRI.  They called him back in, but they need to take the person after me because they do not know how long it will be for him to return.  So…more waiting….a little anxiety….a lot magazine reading.  (If you need to know what is going on with Gwyneth Paltrow give me a ring….or what eye shadows are hot for fall.)  All the while Anderson is being driven around Denver…thank goodness he was napping.  Awhile later the doc returns and reads my x-rays.  I am cleared for the MRI, but I just keep waiting.  Over an hour later I ask what they think the time frame is.  Come to find out the lady they moved ahead of me…who was supposed to have a 30 min scan, actually has four 25min scans.  It is going to be a least another 30min before they begin my test, which will then take 30-40min.  So after waiting and waiting…and a fair bit of worrying I have to reschedule.  (Dinner and bedtime were calling my son home!)

So…I get to do it all over tomorrow.  The best part is that my test is scheduled for 9p.m. (That is going to be great…Anderson usually goes to bed at 7:30) I know it truly not that big of a deal, and out of everything going on in the world this is no big deal.  I just sometimes get tired of it all…the tests, the hospital stays, the medicine, the tiredness, the lack of independence.  I sometimes just want to get in the car and go for a drive, but that is not my reality.  In turn, I just needed to complain.  Now I can get over my pity party and move on!

Our New Journey

Just wanted to share a few pictures from this new journey we are on.  Although the transition is difficult, the Lord truly has met me right where I am.  (He tends to do that!!!) I feel so much peace knowing that the Lord truly has us here.  I am so excited to see how God will choose to use us during our time in Colorado.  Sorry for the PDA picture that is included….but I am so glad that I get to share this adventure with Jim.   We truly are so much better together than apart!  (In turn, I love that pic!!!!) Finally…I included pics of some of Anderson’s firsts…first french fry (Chick-fil-a of course), first time swimming, and little family adventures where we have gotten to enjoy the beauty of where we live!

The First Male Model for the Price Is Right

My son loves the vacuum cleaner.  He chases it around.  He grabs the cord.  He tries to eat the plug.  It makes him squeal.  It makes him scream…with joy!  It makes him laugh!  He also loves to pose with it.  I think he may be the first male Price Is Right model.  He is working on the hand motions to show all the beautiful features of the Dyson.  He even has a special hair do for this new endeavor!

Past Ten Months…

I have been meaning to post this blog for almost a month. So…ten and eleven months will come pretty close together…and with how time has flown they feel way too close together.
Month ten has been amazing! Such a month of growth and change. He has just taken off…literally and figuratively. (Moving from St. Louis to Denver has been a huge but exciting change for Anderson, as well as the whole Barnard clan.) Our new place with carpet has made movement for Anderson so much easier. Anderson is pulling up and standing on everything his crib, every chair, walls, my legs, my hair….you get the picture. He is a crazy crawler and climber. The climber part is great developmentally, but not great on a Mom’s heart! (An entire flight of steps in two minutes flat!)
He babbles like mad man, but he has this shy side which causes him to get really quiet and just take it all in. His laugh is contagious and he has started to realize that he is funny and delights himself and his parents by the way he laughs at himself. (He comes by it naturally…his Mom and Dad laugh at themselves all the time!). I also believe willfulness rears its ugly head after month nine. It seems mobility increases and so does self will. Anderson can arch his back with the best of them and he lets me know what he wants and what he doesn’t. Oh…how fun and challenging. (I am sure just a preview of 18yrs to come!) The funny part is now that he has tubes in his ears he yells a lot more. It truthfully is really funny….he yells to show sadness, happiness, and just because he can. I have to admit it is pretty amazing! He is so delighted by the sound of his own voice. We now are working on an inside voice. Finally, he is eating pretty much all table food. He loves it all! (And loves to poop just as much.) This has lead to a major improvement in he spit up ….I thank God for this each day. It is not completely gone, but 90% better. He soon may be able to ditch the bib! Well…those are the basics. I promise to add pics in the next day or so!

A Quick Note…to my favorite little guy (Small, but mighty)
Little man….thank you for such a fun month! I delight in you so much. The last month has been amazing getting to see you grow and change. Watching how beautifully you are designed and made in God’s image….only makes me long to share the Lord with you more and more and to be the spiritual example that God calls me to be. (I know in this I will fail way to often. This will give me the chance to show you the grace that God gives his children.)
Watching your curiosity explode…it such a neat time. It also make me realize how parenting requires a perfect balance of protection and allowing you try things out to see what you can do. This theme will repeat itself so many time in the future…which is both scary and exciting! At times just like now you will fall and cry, but your Dad and I will be there to guide and help you stand up and try again.
Know you are loved, prayed for boldly and you have parents that realize how much God has blessed them with you!!!!

9 months

Little man,
You are 9 months today. It was a big day. You pulled up in your crib for the first time today. I came in during your nap and you were standing up with a big smile. Napping just wasn’t the priority. You also crawled like crazy today….you crossed the room to try to chew on the computer cord….I stopped you. (Just wanted to clarify). The best part of the day…you said mama. Your first word….mama! It was wonderful. Your dad didn’t believe me at first….and then you kept saying it (he was just sad you didn’t say dad first). It is the best word I have ever heard. Thanks for the best nine months ever….and one of the busiest but best days of my life.

Over Eight Months

So being in the hospital made me miss my eighth month blog.  So…I need to catch up.  Here it goes:

Anderson is getting huge.  He is over 14lbs.  He is sitting up and starting to crawl.  He is so determined, even though that determination usually leads to him moving backwards instead of forward.  (You know what they say two steps forward one step back…..or for Anderson one scoot forward two scoots back!)  He also loves to eat.  (Pretty much anything you put in front of him! He had yogurt for the first time and he lost his mind in excitement!))  Reflux is still an issue…(I smelled really great tonight, nothing like the scent of partially digested formula, chicken and peas)  But, it doesn’t seems to upset him, which is a really good thing. He cut his first tooth this week.  I cannot believe he already has his first tooth.  It is pretty adorable.  Also, his personality is just coming alive.  He smiles and laughs all the time.  It is a really fun!  His giggles melt me!  (Little man…you make my day!)  So here are a few pics!  (He is so cute!!!!!  I know I am his Mom so I am biased, but I am ok with that!)

My First Mother’s Day

A letter to my little man:

Anderson,

On my first mother’s day with you here…I just want say how happy I am.  I am so glad to be your Mom…and am so thankful that God has entrusted you to me (and of course your Dad).  Being your Mom is so much fun, and a title that I am so privileged to have.  (I know I say it all the time, but it cannot be said enough!)

You gave me the best gift today…you were just you!  You smiled, laughed, and let me cuddle you!  It was wonderful.  I am even ok with the spit up and nap avoidance which happened as well.  Thank you for this special day!  I smiled and laughed so much when two years ago I was crying thinking I would never have you in my arms.    Thank you for delighting in everything, and those looks of adoration which I do not deserve, but enjoy so much!  I love you little man!  Thanks for letting me be MOM!!!!!!  (It is pretty awesome!)

Seven Months…

Anderson is doing so well….and getting so big! I am going to do a full 7month update…..but I thoughts a few pictures needed to be posted for now.

He has mastered bottle holding!

LOVES bath time!!!!!

Loves to eat!!!

Books are his favorite....for reading or chewing!

He Is a Morning Baby! Wakes with a smile!

Loves his Cousin Elle and Bible time!

LOVES his Daddy!

6 Months Today

Oh…how 6 months fly by!  I cannot believe my little man is six months today.  It has been the best six months of my life.  It has been filled with fear, tears, laughter, smiles, thankfulness, awe and utter joy!  Watching him the NICU was so hard, but such an amazing experience of complete reliance on God.  Watching him grow and change each day is an amazing and fun experience and still a complete exercise in trusting God completely.  The only way to raise him in the way we have been called is to trust God completely and seek His will for our lives and Anderson.

Little man…I hope you know how much you are loved and wanted!  I hope you know how thankful your Dad an I are for you!  Know you are prayed for daily.  Know how much you amaze us and how much we believe in you.  We know that God has an awesome, and unique plan for your life!

We prayed for you and hoped for you!  You are such an answer to prayer.  From the moment we knew about you …you have been a treasure.  Each kick I felt, and every ultrasound only made me love you more.  The moment I saw you…I was not sure my heart could contain such love, but six months later that love has only grown.  I love being your Mom.  Watching you roll over, stroke my face, laugh, and even yell are such cherished moments.  Today…you are six months old and will have your first solid foods…it is crazy how fast time goes!  I love you Anderson Warner Barnard!!!! I love our family!

Making Friends on Valentine’s Day Weekend

Anderson is so blessed to have so many babies around his age.  He has two cousins which are just a few weeks older and so many family friends that are just weeks or in Jack’s case days apart.  Last week, Jack Patterson and Anderson spent the evening hanging out, which has become a regular Sunday evening event.  It is so much fun!  (Jim and I and Mark and Kristy, Jack’s mom and dad, were celebrating Valentine’s Day.)  Just thought I would share a picture of the boys.  (Anderson had his pictures done that day, so he was a little over the whole picture thing!)

The hearts are the invite for the guys to Valentine’s Day Dinner.  Kristy and I made a “surprise” meal for our husbands celebrating how much we appreciate them.  We had the boys invite them…by holding these invites.  Of course Jim did not read his…instead he was offended that Anderson was holding a girly heart and threw it across the room…just to be ridiculous. Luckily, my Mom the babysitter for the evening, was able to guide him to read the invite so he did not miss his meal of Doritos, bratwurst and Cincinnati Chili.