Growing SO fast

My oh my, my poor neglected blog.  It's hard to believe but even with being home full time there are not enough hours in the day to do everything I would like to do.  BUT I must say I am LOVING being a mom.  Everyone always tells you it is the best job in the world and I always knew that was true but I had no idea the overwhelming emotions that you feel on a daily basis for this tiny person.  And I know people tell you that time flies but I swear it is going faster EVERY single day.  I still can't believe that our little miracle, Miss Peyton Lynn has been in our lives for over 3 months now.  I can't even remember what my life was like before her.  Just wanted to share a quick update of how much she has grown!

She's smiling on a daily basis now and has the most adorable giggle you've ever heard.

I'll try for a more detailed update later but I better run so many things to do while she's napping, something she's still not a huge fan of doing =).

30 Day Husband Challenge Day 1 & 2

So I was finally scrolling through the blogs I follow and I came across this on Diary of a Stay at Home Mom, and it just really hit home.  My hubs is amazing but I know since becoming a mom I have been really nit picky with him and I need to work on that so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to remind him how much he means to me. Check it out on her blog and link up if you're interested!

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge - Day 1 & 2

Day One:

"The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." Prov. 31:11-12

To help you get started, have you ever thanked your husband for "choosing you" above all other women? He found you attractive as a person, and appreciated you. Though many circumstances in your marriage may have changed, let your husband know that you are glad you are together, and that you want to be a blessing to him for the rest of your marriage. Let him know that he can trust you to be in his corner.

One of the best opportunities to express your gratitude is first thing in the morning. How do you greet your husband each morning? Is he confident in your love? Give him a "wake up call" that he'll never forget-a big "I love you" and an "I'm so glad I'm your wife!"

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It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day activities of everyday life and I know how important it is just to give a cheerful good morning.  And yet lately I know I have not been very good at doing so.  

So this morning I made sure to wake up before he left for work, give him a big kiss and tell him to have a great day!  Just set the tone for a good day!

Day Two:

" . . . through love serve one another." Gal. 5:13b

How did you do yesterday with your first day of blessing and encouraging your husband? Was it easy? Was it hard to hold your tongue when you wanted to say something negative? We hope you're off to a good start. (If you blew it, don't give up start again today!) There are so many practical things you can praise, if you look for them.

Today, find some way that your husband is serving you or your family. Does he help around the house? Take care of the car? Fix things that are broken? If your budget allows, give him a new, small tool with a big bow attached. But make sure he doesn't think it's part of a "Honey Do" list!

Maybe your husband's not a handyman, but does he run errands for you? Let you go first? Take care of you when you are sick? Help you make decisions? Praise him for his willingness to serve others. Let him know that you see his unique service as a great strength.

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My hubs can and does do so many things.  He is so incredibly talented, I am really not sure there is anything he can't do.  But I often take that for granted so I have made up my mind to appreciate everything he does!  

Guest Post: Moore from Katie

Getting Your Body Back: Diet and Exercise Tips for Postpartum Women

A mother's body changes outrageously over the course of the 9 months of pregnancy and many women are left with extra pounds in places like the hips, breasts and even arms. Media moms, like actresses and singers, that get their bodies back quickly after pregnancy can be deceiving; most famous moms have nannies, trainers and personal chefs armed with the tools to make them their old selves quickly and should not be our role models.

So what is the average mom with a packed schedule and without an army of help to do? Is there any hope? Fortunately, with a few tips and habit changes, any woman can be successful in losing weight and inches.

The most important thing a new mom can do is to take her time beginning a routine. If the delivery was a vaginal delivery, strenuous exercise should wait 4-6 weeks when until she is cleared by her doctor. Just like your doctor gave you information on pain management medicine, circumcision, and maybe even cord blood banking; the doctors are the experts and they know what is the most effective and efficient way to remain healthy while trying to loose the extra pounds.

I know I was tempted to workout during the first few weeks after giving birth, I just wanted to have my old body back. During that time of waiting, kegel exercises and short walks around the home were the extent of my exercise routine. For more light exercise tips for the first few weeks, many hospitals have websites providing exercise ideas and tips. Remember to start slowly and stop when winded or light-headed.

Before exercise routines can begin again, you can make dietary changes to jump start weight loss. Make sure to follow all caloric recommendations if breastfeeding because it takes more calories per day to make enough milk for the baby. Otherwise, these changes can also be utilized by anyone seeking a healthy lifestyle. Adding fruit and vegetables and cutting out certain fats and sweets helped me to start to yield results. I increased my fiber intake by eating whole wheat bread, oatmeal, and whole-wheat pastas that were more filling. Yogurt and light cheeses such as skim string cheese were my favorite healthy snacks!

After I was given the green light for exercise, I started slowly and tried for at least 30 minutes to one hour of exercise 3 to 4 times a week for weight loss. In addition, short walks throughout the day with my baby in a stroller allowed me to get some fresh air in addition to exercise. My advice: work up to the longer workout and don't beat yourself up if you can't do as much. Short bursts of 10 minutes can be just as beneficial. Try doing a toning video for 10 minutes while the baby naps. Clean the house for 10 minutes after the baby is down for the night. A 10-minute rotation of jumping jacks, pushups, squats, and running in place in the morning can jumpstart cardio.

Kickboxing videos, hip-hop classes at a local gym with childcare and treadmill runs are good cardio choices for longer workouts when ready. Mostly working on cardio, with toning and light stretching rounding out the workout, can put any mom down the path to the best body possible!

Katie Moore wrote this article. Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche.  If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26.

Peyton Lynn Barrett's Birth Story

I started having contractions early Thursday morning, June 7th 2012, but using my timer I realized they were pretty far apart, 15 to 20 minutes. So I just went about my day as normal. Got some laundry done around the house, went and had a great lunch with my family, came home and put together the new patio furniture that hubs and I had bought eachother for our birthdays. As the evening wore on I noticed they were getting stronger and closer together, about 10 minutes at this point. So I decided I should make some cookies for the nurses at the hospital. I made a huge batch of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and then decided I should at least make an attempt at sleep. Unfortunately that didn't work too well with contractions continually getting closer and closer together. At 4am I decided I needed to get up and get ready to go.  

Right before leaving for the hospital.  

I got in the shower and woke hubs up to get the car ready. We called both of our parents to let them know we were on our way to the hospital and then off we went. We arrived at the hospital around 6am. I was checked and we were admitted since I was already dialated to a 6. They put us in a room but then seeing how many people we had to watch the birth (my parents, hub's parents, my sister and my brother) our nurse moved us into the suite. I told the nurse that it was my goal not to have any pain medication so she said she wouldn't push anything and to let her know if there was anything I needed from her. The doctor came in an hour after we were admitted and checked me again. I was now dialted to a 7, so he broke my water and discovered a little merconium, which he assured me was not going to be a problem. He told us we would have a baby by noon. Contractions started getting stronger and closer together and I was sure I was progressing normally. However, after 7 LONG hours I begin to doubt myself and started telling hubs that I wasn't sure I could do this. Everyone kept assuring me that I was doing great but it sure didn't feel like it to me. The nurse suggested that she check me again so we could see how much I had progressed. Reluctantly I agreed, I did not want to lay flat on my back, much to my dismay I had NOT progressed at all. After 7 hours of contractions one on top of the other I had not progressed even 1cm. I wanted to cry. The nurse called the doctor and he came in and discussed with me how this was not normal and he would really like to start a pitocin drip to get things moving. I was beside myself because I had not wanted to have any pitocin. But after some conversations with hubs and my mom I agreed. The nurse also asked about an epidural to allow myself to relax a little to save energy for pushing. I was extremely upset by this conversation because I felt like I was failing. However, hubs and my mom calmed me down and told me I would not be failing, I was simply doing what I needed to do in order to have a healthy baby. The nurse called the anestiologist and I voiced my concerns about not being able to feel my legs and he told me he could give me a walking epidural, where I would still be able to feel my legs it would just take the edge off allowing me to relax a little, since I had begun tensing through contractions. The anestiologist put in the catheder for the walking epidural and they started the pitocin. I felt better and was able to lay back and "relax" a little. However, the babies heart rate started dropping and they had to shut off the pitocin after only a few minutes. But apparently that was enough because within the hour I had a strong urge to push and sure enough I was finally at a 10. I begin pushing and had a renewed energy level because I was going to meet my baby soon. However, after 2 1/2 hours of pushing baby was still not here. Brian and my sister who had been at my side through the entire pushing process, kept saying they could see the head but then it would go back. Needless to say I was exhuasted and beginning to doubt that the baby was ever coming out. They were amazing, and giving me so much support. The doctor came in and I thought for sure he was going to tell me he was going to have to do a C-section. But after watching me push he said we could get baby out vaginally he was just going to have to help me. He was going to put suction on baby's head and when I pushed he would hold baby in position until the next contraction. So after 3 hours of pushing and a little assistance I was finally able to reach down and pull my baby onto my chest. I can still remember the tears that were flowing down my face when the doctor announced that we had a baby girl. I remember looking into hubs eyes and seeing pure and utter joy. Giving birth truly is a miracle. And even though I wasn't able to do it without any interventions as I had planned I know now that I did not fail because I have a beautiful healthy baby girl!  

Moments after she was born.

Peyton and Mommy

Peyton and Daddy

Peyton Lynn Barrett was born June 8th at 7:45pm, 8lbs 1 oz 20.1".

Baby Barrett 41 Weeks

Wow!  I never dreamed that Baby B's due date would come and go and we'd have no baby yet.  Baby B was due on the 26th of May and it is no the 4th of June and still no baby.  We went for a doctor's appointment today and he said Baby is still high and I am not dialated yet.  So as long as the NST's which we started last week continue to come back with good results then we won't be scheduling induction until the very end of the week, like Friday or Saturday (which will be 42 weeks).  I love that our doctor is not pushing for induction before my body and baby are ready but at the same time I am going stir crazy waiting!  But I just keep reminding myself that Baby will come when Baby is ready.
Size of the baby: Baby Barrett is now the size of a Pumpkin (19 to 22inches) and 6 to 9lbs.

Total Weight Gain/loss: I have gained 24lbs.  My belly is continuing to grow everyday.  I swear when I wake up the morning it has grown overnight. Now I just want to wake up and see that it has dropped =)

Maternity Clothes:  I can still wear a VERY few of my longer shirts, but ALL of my pants are now maternity or stretchy yoga pants.   I am quickly running out of options.  On Monday because I was sure Baby B would be here anytime I put all my maternity clothes aside from a few dresses into a plastic bin to put away for the next baby.  But then what do you know it rains today and I had to go break open the tub, that's what I get for trying to think I knew when baby was coming =).

Gender: SURPRISE!! We are not going to find out till Baby Barrett arrives anytime now =)!  Every time I am out and about I run into someone who has an opinion about what we are having.  I am literally going to be shocked either way, I really have NO idea!

Movement: Definitely have been feeling movement.  Baby B is moving all day long.  I now have to do a daily kick count and feel baby move at least 10 times in 2 hours.  Let's just say I usually feel Baby move 10 times in a matter of minutes, I think we're going to have our hands full!

Sleep: Not getting much anymore.  Sleep has become a very precious commodity.  Naps are pretty much my savior!

What I miss: Not having smells literally have me running for the bathroom.  Not getting heartburn.  Being able to see my feet when I walk.

Cravings: Ummm... Hawaiian Shaved Ice.  That has seriously become my new favorite obsession and luckily the Pure Water Store in Woodland sells it.  Oh and ice chips and popsicles!

Symptoms: More and more Braxton Hicks contractions.  It's such a strange feeling to have your whole stomach tighten and contort into weird positions.  I secretly keep hoping they will get more and more intense and bring on labor =).  This weekend they were consistently 10 minutes apart and I went to bed each night thinking that this was it but now they have spread out again so who knows what's going to happen =)

Best moment this week: I would have to say this whole last weekend was wonderful!  Hubs and I spent time with my family and then my brother and sister came back home with us and spent the night and most of the next day just being lazy together.  It was wonderful!

Baby Barrett 40 Weeks

TODAY is the day and I think it's going to pass us without Baby B joining us.  I know that 50% of 1st babies are late but I was really hoping that Baby B was going to be in the other 50% but I guess Baby is not quite ready to join us yet.  So until Baby's ready we will be anxiously awaiting the arrival.
Did I mention our Doctor leaves on Monday for a whole month?!?  So if Baby B doesn't come tonight or tomorrow our doctor won't be delivering.  Dang it!  I really LOVE our Doctor too.  I mean how many doctors do you know that call their patients on their due date to see how they are doing and if anything is progressing!  Amazing right!


Size of the baby: Baby Barrett is now the size of a Pumpkin (19 to 22inches) and 6 to 9lbs.

Total Weight Gain/loss: I have gained 22lbs (as of my last doctors appointment on Wednesday).  My belly is  growing everyday.  I swear when I wake up the morning it has grown overnight.  

Maternity Clothes:  I can still wear a VERY few of my longer shirts, but ALL of my pants are now maternity or stretchy yoga pants.   I am quickly running out of options.  Thank goodness the last couple weekends have been nice enough to wear dresses and skirts.

Gender: SURPRISE!! We are not going to find out till Baby Barrett arrives anytime now =)!  Every time I am out and about I run into someone who has an opinion about what we are having.  

Movement: Definitely have been feeling movement.  Baby B is moving all day long now.  It is such an amazing feeling to feel baby flipping and kicking all day long.  At our ultrasound they confirmed that Baby B is head down and ready to go =).  I think Baby B is definitely beginning to get a little cramped in there because some of the little kicks and jabs are starting to hurt.  

Sleep: Not getting much anymore.  Sleep has become a very precious commodity.  

What I miss: Not having smells literally have me running for the bathroom.  Not getting heartburn.  Being able to see my feet when I walk.

Cravings: Ummm... Hawaiian Shaved Ice.  That has seriously become my new favorite obsession and luckily the Pure Water Store in Woodland sells it.  Oh and ice chips and popsicles!

Symptoms: Since last Friday night I have developed this terrible itching all over my body.  It isn't so bad during the day but at night it is almost unbearable.  Luckily I have found that oatmeal baths and Sarna lotion can keep it under control enough for me to fall asleep.  More and more Braxton Hicks contractions.  It's such a strange feeling to have your whole stomach tighten and contort into weird positions.  I secretly keep hoping they will get more and more intense and bring on labor =).

Best moment this week: I think I would have to say last night and today were the best moments this week.  Hubs and I headed down to EG and had a wonderful dinner with my family, spent the night and went on a nice long walk this morning.  It was a wonderful day!  My mom didn't want us to leave just in case Baby B decided to come.

New Design

Oh my goodness, so in all the craziness of finishing teaching, getting ready for maternity leave and getting ready for Baby I haven't even had time to talk about my fabulous new blog design. 

 Don't you just love it?!?  My blog has been in need of an update but I could never find the time.  And then to the rescue comes the amazing Kelly from Kelly's Avenue Designs.  

She was so easy to work with and got me my new blog in just a matter of days.  

If your blog is in need of a new design don't hesitate to contact her, she's wonderful!  Check her out: http://www.kellysavenuedesigns.com/2012/05/happy-birthday-kellys-avenue-designs.html

Baby Barrett 39 Weeks

WOW!  I cannot believe that it has been 9 months now.  I mean I felt like the pregnancy was going fast but my due date is now TODAY!  Time flies!  Although I do have the say the last week has kinda of drug on because everynight I climb into bed secretly hoping that tonight will be the night Baby B decides it wants to be born.  


Size of the baby: Baby Barrett is now the size of a watermelon approx.. 19 - 22  inches long & approx 6 1/2lbs. 

Total Weight Gain/loss: I have gained 22lbs (as of my last doctors appointment on Wednesday).  My belly is  growing everyday.  I swear when I wake up the morning it has grown overnight.  The last couple times I have been measuring two weeks big so it appears will be having a fairly good size little peanut =)
According to the doctor he is hoping I am in the 50% who deliver before their due date otherwise I may be delivering a 10lb. baby!  YIKES!  But with my due date only 2 short days away looks like Baby B is either going to be right on time or late.  Guess Baby is mighty comfy in there.  

Maternity Clothes:  I can still wear a VERY few of my longer shirts, but ALL of my pants are now maternity or stretchy yoga pants.   I am quickly running out of options.  Thank goodness the last couple weekends have been nice enough to wear dresses and skirts.

Gender: SURPRISE!! We are not going to find out till Baby Barrett arrives in May!  Every time I am out and about I run into someone who has an opinion about what we are having.  

Movement: Definitely have been feeling movement.  Baby B is moving all day long now.  It is such an amazing feeling to feel baby flipping and kicking all day long.  At our ultrasound they confirmed that Baby B is head down and ready to go =).  I think Baby B is definitely beginning to get a little cramped in there because some of the little kicks and jabs are starting to hurt.  The funniest things are the hiccups I have been feeling which seem to be a lot more common lately.

Sleep: Not getting much anymore.  Sleep has become a very precious commodity.  

What I miss: Not having smells literally have me running for the bathroom.  Not getting heartburn.  Being able to see my feet when I walk.

Cravings: Ummm... Hawaiian Shaved Ice.  That has seriously become my new favorite obsession and luckily the Pure Water Store in Woodland sells it.  I swear the guy in there is going to know me by name pretty soon.  Hubs and I went yesterday and it just hit the spot.  

Symptoms: Since last Friday night I have developed this terrible itching all over my body.  It isn't so bad during the day but at night it is almost unbearable.  Luckily I have found that oatmeal baths and Sarna lotion can keep it under control enough for me to fall asleep.  We are waiting on blood work from the Doctor to rule out any possible complications, but I am hoping it's just due to the rise in hormones being produced in my body.  Also, more and more Braxton Hicks contractions.  It's such a strange feeling to have your whole stomach tighten and contort into weird positions.  I secretly keep hoping they will get more and more intense and bring on labor =).

Best moment this week: Well I've been on maternity leave this week so it's been really nice to get some things done around the house and be able to sleep in.  Also hubs has been coming home from work a little early to spend time with me and it's been really nice to get to enjoy some time just the two of us, since we won't have that for quite some time again.  Also last night hubs and I went to see The Avengers, since it will probably be quite a while before we can go to a movie again.  

Baby Barrett 38 Weeks

Size of the baby: Baby Barrett is now the size of a watermelon approx.. 19 - 22  inches long & approx 6 1/2lbs. 

Total Weight Gain/loss: I have gained 24lbs (as of my last doctors appointment).  My belly is  growing everyday.  I swear when I wake up the morning it has grown overnight.  The last couple times I have been measuring two weeks big so it appears will be having a fairly good size little peanut =)
According to the doctor he is hoping I am in the 50% who deliver before their due date otherwise I may be delivering a 10lb. baby!  YIKES!

Maternity Clothes:  I can still wear a VERY few of my longer shirts, but ALL of my pants are now maternity or stretchy yoga pants.   I am quickly running out of options.  Thank goodness the last couple weekends have been nice enough to wear dresses.

Gender: SURPRISE!! We are not going to find out till Baby Barrett arrives in May!  Every time I am out and about I run into someone who has an opinion about what we are having.  

Movement: Definitely have been feeling movement.  Baby B is moving all day long now.  It is such an amazing feeling to feel baby flipping and kicking all day long.  At our ultrasound they confirmed that Baby B is head down and ready to go =).  I think Baby B is definitely beginning to get a little cramped in there because some of the little kicks and jabs are starting to hurt.  The funniest things are the hiccups I have been feeling which seem to be a lot more common lately.

Sleep: Not getting much anymore.  Sleep has become a very precious commodity.  

What I miss: Not having smells literally have me running for the bathroom.  Not getting heartburn.  Being able to see my feet when I walk.

Cravings: Ummm... Nothing really in particular lately. I am still working on trying to get in 100 grams of protein a day and let me tell you, that is is not an easy thing to do.  

Symptoms: Just more and more Braxton Hicks contractions.  It's such a strange feeling to have your whole stomach tighten and contort into weird positions.

Best moment this week: Going down to USC and watching my baby brother graduate from college.  We weren't sure if we were going to be able to go just because of the proximity to the due date but the Doctor gave us the all clear and I am beyond thrilled that we made the trip.

Baby Barrett 37 Weeks

Size of the baby: Baby Barrett is now the size of a watermelon approx.. 19 - 22  inches long & approx 6 1/2lbs. 

Total Weight Gain/loss: I have gained 22lbs (as of my last doctors appointment).  My belly is  growing everyday.  I swear when I wake up the morning it has grown overnight.  The last couple times I have been measuring two weeks big so it appears will be having a fairly good size little peanut =)
According to the doctor he is hoping I am in the 50% who deliver before their due date otherwise I may be delivering a 10lb. baby!  YIKES!

Maternity Clothes:  I can still wear a VERY few of my longer shirts, but ALL of my pants are now maternity or stretchy yoga pants.   I am quickly running out of options.  Thank goodness the last couple weekends have been nice enough to wear dresses.

Gender: SURPRISE!! We are not going to find out till Baby Barrett arrives in May!  Every time I am out and about I run into someone who has an opinion about what we are having.  

Movement: Definitely have been feeling movement.  Baby B is moving all day long now.  It is such an amazing feeling to feel baby flipping and kicking all day long.  At our ultrasound they confirmed that Baby B is head down and ready to go =).  I think Baby B is definitely beginning to get a little cramped in there because some of the little kicks and jabs are starting to hurt.  The funniest things are the hiccups I have been feeling which seem to be a lot more common lately.

Sleep: Not getting much anymore.  Sleep has become a very precious commodity.  

What I miss: Not having smells literally have me running for the bathroom.  Not getting heartburn.  Being able to see my feet when I walk.

Cravings: Ummm... Nothing really in particular lately. I am still working on trying to get in 100 grams of protein a day and let me tell you, that is is not an easy thing to do.  

Symptoms: Just more and more Braxton Hicks contractions.  It's such a strange feeling to have your whole stomach tighten and contort into weird positions.

Best moment this week: Well it hasn't happened yet but we have two baby showers this weekend one today and one tomorrow and it will be so fun to celebrate baby b =).