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One Year Photos!

I was really worried that these wouldn't turn out becaue Barnes didn't sit still!

12 months!

My little boy is one today!!! I really can't believe it. I know that everyone says it but time really does fly! It seems like yesterday that I brought him home from the hospital and was wondering how in the world I was going to do it all!

Barnes is such a wonderful little boy! He is still sleeping well, eating well, and a pretty happy guy.

Barnes is...
*saying dada for daddy and dudu for deuce
*done with bottles - we were done about a week ago - just sippy cups
*walking, aka running! the Sunday before last he stared walking and has been going ever since
*lifting his arms when you say "Touchdown"
*holding up one finger for the number one and points to things
*"drawing" with a crayon
*getting more teeth - in addition to his two teeth he has had for the last few months he is getting two more on top
*starting to stack objects like cans
*getting more hair - a few curls

Barnes' favorite things
*favorite books are "the wheels on the bus" and "Peek a boo baby" - has started to turn the pages and loves to lift the flaps on the peekaboo book
*favorite foods: black beans and bananas
*favorite toy: hum?? he really likes pens and plastic bottles


Barnes your laugh is contagious and your smile lights up our hearts! My heart breaks every time you cry - you did it so rarely for so long that has taken some getting used to. You are all boy! You brightened up today when I took you out on the front porch, don't mind getting messy, jump right up from a fall, can throw a ball and love rough housing with daddy! You love to climb on mommy and throw food off the highchair to the doggies. We look forward to every day and can't believe God gave us the privilege to raise you. We love you!

Barnes has been home with some stomach issues the past few days. He doesn't seem to be bothered by it too much. We ended up getting his photos made today with our wonderful photographer, Stacey Quattlebaum (http://www.naturallywonderful.com/). I will post pics as soon as I get them!

1st Birthday Party

I can't believe we had Barnes' first birthday party this past Sunday. I am so thankful to all our family and close friends for being part of his special day. So normally I wouldn't throw a party on Sunday night but with football season and so many home games in a row it worked out best for us. I am so fortunate that my parents flew in for the weekend to not only celebrate but help as well! With my long commute every day it makes it really difficult to get things done. Normally I would be able to get things done on my lunch break but not working in Union. There isn't really a lot of shopping options. Anyway - with mom and dad's help we got most everything done that I wanted to.

Ryan with Barnes - so glad Ryan's R&R fell over Barnes' birthday. We enjoyed all the time we got to spend with him!

To make it easy and fun for all we went with a Carolina Football theme. Barnes' loves to play with balls of all shapes and sizes including dad's old football. I was trying to make things easy by doing hot dogs - who knew there would be a monsoon and I wouldn't be able to cook on the grill. Will we managed and things turned out great even with water coming in our back door!!

Mommy and Daddy singing happy birthday!

Barnes loved the cake more than the icing I think!

Barnes and Mommy

Sawyer Anderson


I ordered this adorable hat off etsy - I was he would have worn it a little longer!

Looks like we are all having boys! From left to right: Gail Pennington with Micah (about 10 weeks), Caroline Hartley with William (14 months), Megan Anderson with Sawyer (8 months), and Me with Barnes (almost one!)

Door decorations.


Barnes started walking - I mean RUNNING! last week. He took a few steps here and there two weeks ago but really started walking last Sunday and Monday. Now he doesn't slow down and he definitely doesn't want to sit down and let anyone hold him - boooo. I miss my little guy! The only time this guy sits still is when you give him is cup of formula.

Because Barnes' has been sick we haven't started our transition to Soy Milk. We have eliminated all bottles. Only sippy cups. It was actually much easier than I thought! Once we found a cup he liked and he used them during the day it was easy to eliminate the one at night. Not sure if the transition to soy will go as easy.

A few more photos....

Labor Day Weekend-Oops!

LJ left last Thursday to spend Labor Day in Key West for a friends bachelor party. I was so excited that he was able to get away with his friends, but I knew it was going to be tough! Back in August, I had went on a girls weekend for the first time since Barnes was born. So we were taking turns with our friends.

So our "weekend" began simply enough; we went out to dinner with Billy and Amanda on Thursday. Friday we did the usual work and daycare. Over the course of the weekend several things "broke". Friday night Barnes and I met the contractor at the house. In the middle of talking with the contractor Barnes decides to face-plant on the floor and busts his lip open! It was bleeding, he was crying and I felt like a horrible mom! Barnes had no other injuries but several other things in the house didn't make it! The wire to plug the computer in the wall got bent (it still works though!). I broke the wine pull that we got as a wedding gift. And I sucked up a power cord in the vacuum.

Wow! Barnes, LJ and the house survived the entire weekend I was gone. So much for thinking I am super mom. I did put the second coat of paint on the bathroom, have a breakfast and lunch date with my favorite "little man" - SIDE NOTE - Who knew how nice people were to single moms! I don't usually take Barnes to restaurants alone - people were so very helpful. Okay so we also made it Target, Publix, watched some football, went on a walk, church, Sunday school and dinner with friends!

I had really missed our Barnes and mommy time. For the first 6 months of the year, LJ worked EVERY Saturday. And although it was rough on us and our family time, it did give me some quality time with Barnes.

So glad LJ made it back safe and sound. I definitley don't take for granted all that he does. I know there are dads out there that aren't involved but LJ is definitley hands on! He gives Barnes a bath every night, helps with dinner or does it all on his own and the same goes for breakfast. We also rotate getting up with him in the morning - neither of us like to get up!


Barnes checking out the street from the Gourmet Shop


Showing off his Blue Eyes and you might be able to see the busted lip


Check out those eye lashes


Rocking his Gamecock gear a day late! We shopped at Carolina Pottery and went to dinner.

August Adventures

Quick Recap the past month:

*the end of July we went to the Farmers Market in Columbia. The first time Barnes slept through the whole thing! So, this time we got a few shots of him. I think the only thing we bought was jalepeno peppers for my famous Texas Rockets!




We also went to visit David, Libby, and Walker. LJ hadn't gotten to see the Adamson's in a while and I know that they wanted to see Barnes. I wish I had taken more photos!


Oh Barnes - I just love this little guy! He makes my heart melt.

$8.00 sippee cups! and Mom thoughts

Really Barnes? You need an $8 dollar sippee cup? So, getting Barnes to drink out of a sippee cup hasn't been as easy as I thought it would be. We have found one but that is the ONLY one that he will drink out of.

For those of you who don't know I read about EVERYTHING when it comes to my baby. When to do what and how to do it?? I have read several books that I consult and usually make a phone call to the pediatrician, talk to the daycare ladies, and consult another mom. I know! It is CRAZY!!! I admit - I get obsessed! But I am terrified of "bad habits" - I am determined that I will not be the cause. Therefore, as stated specifically in the book What to Expect the First Year, I introduced a regular cup first. I thought it made since so that is what I did. I didn't talk with daycare who of course doesn't allow regular cups. So Barnes easily drank out of a regular cup before he finally mastered the sipppee cup.

So, I also do not let Barnes drink juice. People think I am crazy! Okay so some of these people do not have kids and aren't what I would call the most healthy. My thought process I feel is not flawed. I once heard a mother say that her daughter would only drink juice and not milk out of a sippee cup. So, I talked with several moms and the pediatrician who have said he doesn't need juice. He gets plenty of fruit and drinks water. So, I have decided not to introduce juice until we have successfully transitioned to drinking milk (or soy milk) out of sippee cup.

Somehow there are certain things that I retain and never forget. I once heard a mom say that she swears by The Baby Whisper...so I looked into it. I have used the book alot while consulting other books and the pediatrician. I feel like it is such a great balance between other books that I have heard about. Now, I know that there are so many parents who swear by Baby Wise but from some of the reviews I read it seemed a little harsh. I never let Barnes cry it out - never had to! I still just lay him down and he goes to sleep on his own.

11 months....

Yesterday Barnes was 11 months! I can't believe how big he has gotten and how independent he wants to be.

So....
*still only 2 teeth
*eats EVERYTHING...avocados, artichokes, asparagus, apples, bananas, blacked eyed peas, broccoli, bread, cauliflower, chicken, spinach, potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, and the list goes on
*drinks to 2 bottles one at night and one in the morning and drinks from a sippee cup during the day
*feeds himself food, bottle, sippee cup, and even a REGULAR CUP he can drink out of himself
*not walking but crawling like a maniac, pulling up and cruising around
*starting to really mimic our facial expressions and will do an action on command
*easily entertained with spoons, balls, paper plates, and boxes
*loves to cruise around with a musical toy that he can push and hold on to
*"plays" with Bailey
*still in mostly 12 month clothes

Barnes - we can't believe how blessed we are to have a happy healthy baby that makes us laugh and smile everyday!

10 months!!!

Whoa! Barnes is getting so big so fast. I promise to take a few photos in the morning, but I don't want to forget to type up a few things while I have moment.

In the last month...
*he is holding his bottle completely on his own
*he doesn't want to sit still for even a moment! you might be able to get a quick hug or a few pages in a book but that is about it
*he is still sleeping great: about 10 hours at night and 2 - 2hr naps during the day
*eating EVERYTHING!! he no longer wants much to do with baby food - he loves BREAD and just about anything we will give him. (spaghetti, broccoli, zucchini, baked potatoes, etc.) he has tried fish for the first time and eats lots of chicken
*he is cruising along the furniture while holding on
*he will crawl to the bathroom when you start running the water and call his name

Meeting Micah

Last Wednesday LJ, Barnes and I went to meet Gail and Matt's new addition, Micah. Some how we only got one photo of Micah.

Birthday Party

So after leaving Asheville on Sunday we headed to Rock Hill for Lillyann's 2nd birthday. Barnes loved seeing LJ's grandpa and other family.

Finally got one photo of my mom and Barnes before she left on Tuesday for Atlanta!



Love this picture of Barnes trying to "catch" the water in the bathtub!!

Asheville - Brewery Tours

My mom flew in town to spend a long weekend with us. LJ was still in Atlanta when mom arrived so it was nice to have her here. We all headed up to N.C. Saturday morning to visit my Aunt Judy and Uncle John in Flat Rock for lunch. Mom and Barnes stayed in Flat Rock after lunch and LJ and I headed to Asheville to spend the day with my cousin Stephen and his wife Wendy. They got a babysitter for the day and we all headed into Asheville to check out the brewery's and enjoy a night for ourselves!