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Really mommy?

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One of my favorite photos!!

2 Months!

Well...our little man was 2 months old the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The Tuesday that we returned (11/30/10) we headed to the doctor for his 2 month check-up. He came in weighing 11 lbs and 9 oz and 23 inches long. The pediatrician said that he was perfect and right in the middle for growth and length.

I am amazed every day at how much I love this little guy! He is starting to smile and coo at us and really seems to enjoy the sound of mommy and daddy's voices. He is such a happy little guy.

This past Thursday Barnes went to day care for the first time to test the waters. I start work on Monday but I wanted to take him a few days to see how things would go. I didn't leave him all day and was so glad to go and get him. I know Monday is going to be hard and I hate that I have to take him but I feel great with the day care we found. They are great which helps so much when you have to leave your child!

LJ and I enjoy Barnes more and more each day and can't wait to see what he does next.

Thanksgiving at the Byrd's

Thanksgiving Day in their fall outfits

This year for the first time we spent Thanksgiving at my Aunt Lori and Uncle Bobby's house in Alexandria, LA. Of course we had great food (pumpkin cheesecake was my favorite), enjoyed spending time with family, and watched our two favorite teams - Arkansas and South Carolina win!!! Barnes wore his razorback onesie for the first time. LJ and I met Sarah and my parents at my brother-in-law's Ace Hardware for photos with Santa. Parker and Barnes looked so cute in their matching outfits. Sunday we headed back to South Carolina - we stopped in Alabama for barbecue and ran by Bass pro shop. Barnes once again did great in the car and slept most of the way. I don't know how road trips will look next year but we are thankful that for now he does great.

Barnes and Parker with GiGi and Pops the day after Thanksgiving



Saturday getting photos made with santa




Barnes and Mommy

Barnes and Parker Meet

Well, not only did LJ and I get to meet our beautiful niece, Parker, for the first time but Barnes got to meet his cousin. Our trip to Sarah's was to short - Sarah had literally moved into to her house the day we arrived to stay. We swapped stories, advice and really enjoyed spending time together. We took the babies downtown for a walk (with LJ - Sarah's husband had to work). Mom and Dad got to have both of their grandbabies in one place. There were lots of photos and outfit changes including photos with Santa in their matching outfits!! They did great and were soooo cute! I hope Barnes and Parker grow up to be close even though we are far away. I know Sarah and I grew up close to our cousins.

FINALLY!!!

I am finally updating!! It has been too long. I have been side tracked with my road trip to Arkansas and Louisiana and before that I was busy planning my trip!

It has been longer than I thought since I updated! Barnes was two months old last week and had his two month check-up today.

Since I last posted LJ and I got to go to the Ark v. SC game together. We are fortunate enough to have LJ's mom in driving distance and she came down to keep Barnes. It was a long day away - too long! We tailgated and went to the football game and not only did we loose but I was so ready to get home when it was over. Waiting in traffic was torture.

LJ and I at the SC game.

LJ went to the South Carolina v. Florida game while Barnes and I hung out at home. We spent our first night by ourselves - it was pretty uneventful. Saturday we drove to Spartanburg to visit my cousin David and his family so they could meet Barnes. We had a great visit - wish we could see them more frequently but we all seem to stay so busy.

Libby and Barnes

Emily and Barnes

Mom flew in Saturday night while LJ was in Florida. We started getting ready for our trip to Arkansas on Sunday and left early Monday morning. Mom and I left with Barnes early Monday and arrived LATE Monday night. Barnes did great! He slept when we drove and ate when we stopped. Unfortunately we ran into a lot of rain which slowed us down. Once we got to Arkansas we stayed busy. We had visits from my Aunt Liz and many of my mother's friends. We took Barnes to his first dinner out - he went to Outback and one of our favorite Mexican resturants.


In the car on our way...

Barnes with GiGi and Theresa

Barnes with Diane

While we were at home in Arkansas, I got to visit with my best friend Britani and meet her newest addition, Avery. Avery was born just a few weeks before Barnes. It was so much fun to be pregnant together. Britani already has 2 boys and has been my "go to" for all baby boy questions! Barnes and Avery had their first date - we took them to On the Border and then they got to hang out while Britani and I visited.


Barnes and Avery

We had such a great time visiting with Mom and Dad and seeing all of our friends and family in Arkansas. Barnes had a lot of firsts that week.

1. First road trip to Arkansas
2. Frist dinner out to a restaurant
3. First time to church
4. First time to sleep in the same room with mom (he has always been in his own room)


On Tuesday before Thanksgiving Barnes and I headed to Shreveport to pick up daddy at the airport. We hadn't seen him in over a week and we couldn't wait to see him! We got there an hour early!

Photos and stories from Thanksgiving and meeting Parker to come....

What a week!

Well, I should have posted sooner. Somehow we stay pretty busy! On Tuesday, Barnes and I hitched a ride with LJ to Charleson. LJ had some work to do and dropped us off at the Riverfront Park in Mt. Pleasant. We walked out on the pier and just enjoyed the beautiful weather. LJ and I ate at Taco Boy - I love sitting outside to eat when the weather is so nice.



Barnes was a month old last Wednesday! I can't believe it. He is growing so fast and getting so long. I think he is about 10lbs. We don't go back to the doctor until the end of November for his 2 month check-up and shots. He is still in newborn clothes but he has a few 0-3 month outfits that fit. He still seems to be sleeping quite a bit and does great during the night. Even though he gets up every 3 to 4 hours on average he goes right back to sleep. We started swaddling him a few weeks ago using the "miracle swaddle" blanket and it seems to help him sleep and it has helped him adjust to his crib. He is still hates to wait to eat! He gets very impatient. He seems to enjoy getting a bath - we should bathe him everyday because he likes to wet through his clothes. We usually go through 2 sets of PJs every night! I am looking for advice from all the moms who have boys!



Last Thursday my Aunt Martha and Uncle Mel stopped by to meet Barnes on their way home to Arkansas. I can't believe I don't have any photos of them with Barnes. I am really trying to remember to take more photos! We had such a nice time catching up and visiting. We don't get to see each other very often.

Thursday evening our friend, Jeanette, flew in to visit! Jeanette stayed with us and helped with Barnes and ran errands for us. Jeanette and I put together a few appetizers and punch and were able to get several of our college friends together on Friday! Laura drove down from Greenville, Megan came over, and Amy brought the girls. I don't think Laura had seen Amy in about 6 years! It was so much fun for all of us together and catch up. We missed having Karla there but she was able to drive up on Sunday for brunch - unfortunately she missed visiting with Amy.







Friday night the girls went to dinner. LJ and Barnes hung out at the house and I was able to catch up with the girls. I think this was the first time I went out to do more than just run an errand. And Saturday I went to tailgate before the game with everyone. We left Barnes with a friend at home. It was the first time we actually got out together to do something. I think we ran out to get take out when my parents were here but we were only gone for like 30 min. It was fun to see everyone and have some adult time.




Sunday the girls went to brunch - so glad Karla got to come up and meet Barnes. It was so much fun! I am so glad I got to spend so much time with the girls - it was great to catch up. We always pick up where we left off. Thanks LJ for hanging with
Barnes so I could spend time with the girls! What a great husband! We are both still getting out and doing things which I think has been great for both of us!

Photo Shoot

Last Wednesday Barnes had his first photo shoot. We just got the photos back today and they turned out soooo cute! I don't know how I am going to choose which ones to get blown up! You can check out all the photos at http://www.naturallywonderful.com/ and going to galleries/ordering. Here are a few to enjoy...

Firsts

Barnes had his first photo-shoot on Wednesday and we can't wait to see how the photos turned out. He did so great! He slept through the first half hour - which is what we wanted. I wanted some of those sleeping baby photos when they are mostly naked. I took some photos this week. I couldn't resist putting him in his camo onesie and tiger print socks. One is never to early to "hunt tigers" - got to make sure he doesn't turn out to be a Clemson fan!

Well this weekend Barnes had several firsts. It was the first time we hosted anything since Barnes arrived. We had people over to watch the USC v. Vandy football game and Barnes got to meet a new friend, William (our friends Jimmy and Caroline's little boy).




Sunday Barnes went on his first "road trip" to Rock Hill to see some of LJ's extended family. Barnes got to meet his great-grandfather (LJ's maternal grandfather), and LJ's aunts and uncles. It was a big day - unfortunately for the family he slept through most of it. They did get to see him wake up and hold him right before we left.



We are looking forward to the USC v. Tenn football game and Halloween. Jeanette is coming to visit and I am planning on going to tailgate for the first time since Barnes arrived.

My little man

Yesterday, my friend Megan came to visit and brought us lunch. We love to have visitors!



Here is Barnes in one of his outfits from Ryan and Erin.


Here is Barnes on the couch after his bath.

First Week without my mom

Well we made it! We have had a pretty good week considering my mom and dad left on Monday. LJ and I have survived!




Monday my friend Laura came down from Greenville and brought us lunch. Laura got to meet Barnes and we got to spend time visiting. It was great to have a visitor after my parents left. Having visitors and getting out of the house helped us get through the week.





Wednesday LJ's mom came to visit and gave me sometime to rest. Wednesday night LJ and I walked up the street and sat outside for pizza. Barnes really seems to enjoy going for walks and it was really nice for LJ and I to get out together.

Saturday we took Barnes to Amanda and Billy's for Billy's 30th Birthday and to watch the USC v Kentucky game. Not only did Barnes mess up his gameday outfit before we even got it to the party but we lost as well. Barnes has already experienced a big Gamecock high and a big Gamecock low.



Barnes also spent Saturday hanging with daddy on the couch...

Mom left today...

Well I knew today was coming but it definitely was a sad day at the Dragner house. My mom and dad flew home today. My mom has been here helping since the 30th and dad flew in last Thursday. We are all going to miss the help and support! I had no idea how emotional our first week at home would be. I normally don't stress about much but bringing home Barnes and adjusting to a "new reality" has been stressful and an adventure. I don't know how we would have done it without all of the help from my mom. She cleaned, took the night shift, and let me cry on her shoulder and when Dad arrived he jumped right in to help too. Thanks again GiGi and Pops!



Last Friday my Aunt Judy and Uncle John were able to come down and meet Barnes and visit with Mom and Dad. I know my dad enjoyed seeing his sister and we were so glad that they could meet Barnes.



We had a great weekend! We cheered on the Gamecocks in their win over Alabama! We took a walk on Friday around the block and yesterday we all took a walk and went to Publix for subs.

1 week old yesterday

Barnes was one week old yesterday. I can't believe it! We tried to take a few photos. The one I posted looks like he has red hair - he doesn't - it is light brown.

Quick update: we are done with all of the jaundice equipment and don't have to go back to the doctor till has two week appointment next Wednesday. He isn't wanting to sleep in his crib much but we keep trying. This morning we are playing a lullaby CD that he seems to like. I just keep praying that I will find out what works for him. My mother is still here (till Monday) and we are all so thankful for all of her help. My dad flys in today to meet Barnes.