Goofy Gal!

Clara, Clara, Clara! Sometimes all we can do to shake our heads, smile and laugh at the things she does.

The other day she was left scavenging in our bedroom and came out with Aaron's gym shorts and tennis shoes looking like this...

And, like most of us, she loves her ice cream! And, she just couldn't get enough the other night.

We also took some time out of fun to do a little "photo shoot" of the big sister and little brother. Can you feel the love? We're enjoying it while Colton is little enough to be bossed around by Clara. Once he can hold his own we'll probably be taking pics of many other different emotions!

Colton is 2 Months Old

Our little man is 2 months old! We had his check-up on Monday and here are is 2 month stats.

Growing like a weed!

Our little guy has been lighting up our life with his grins and giggles for several weeks now. We've been too buy enjoying them to take pictures. But I finally caught some on camera. It's funny, but Colton's happiest time is during diaper changes. The little guy must like having his butt wiped! But then again, who doesn't like a clean bottom? :)

You gonna change my diaper, mom?

Yeah! I love a clean bottom!

Heeee! That tickles!

Photo Fun!

Same old, same old lately for the Barrett's. With the exception of a fun visit from Grandma Sharon and Aunt Lindsay this past weekend, we haven't been doing much else exciting except relaxing and playing. Here are a handful of pictures from the past week or so of our little kiddos just being themselves and loving life.

Big sis chatting the her baby brother

"I just can't seem to escape the paparazzi!"

Wow! They're nearly twice my size, Mom! Creating a masterpiece Crazy hair and crazy fun!

A lovely afternoon on the tree swing

Silly Dad! Jewelry is for girls!

Fun before bed

Until next time, xoxoxox

Clara's New 'Do

Miss Clara got her first haircut today! That fine, whispy hair always in her face was driving us crazy! Alright, it probably bothered me more than her, but she was always brushing it out of her face and it obviously bugged her,too! I took her to the salon I go to and she got the star treatment. Christen did a fabulous job of making Clara feel comfortable, trimmed up some bangs, cut off the dead ends and framed her face nicely. She looks so cute!

Bye, bye baby hair!

Sitting pretty while the back gets trimmed

Look! I can make it look pretty, too!

So far, so good!

Laughing and loving the results!

Never Say Never!

With each day I'm a mom I learn that things you say and think long before you are a mom somehow always come back to, shall we say, laugh at you!

I had such a moment today with my sweet little Clara. This morning she and I had one of our special "Girls Only, No Boys Allowed" trips. Our mission: a car wash, buy a new pillow for her big girl bed, find new sandals, and a quick trip to Kroger. How was I to know that one of those objectives would conquer a years long rule of mine.

Over the years as I've worked with countless children and observed their fashions, I have always said, "My kids will never have light-up shoes!". Eventually I re-evaluated that statement and revised it to "My kids will not have light-up shoes for as long as I can possibly avoid it." That day has arrived! I never would have guessed I'd cave after a mere 2 years of motherhood!

There we were in the shoe department at Kohl's. We weren't even there more than 30 seconds. As my eyes are perusing the options on the top shelf I hear Clara say, in a quite excited voice, "I want these Mommy!" Keeping in mind she can't even see the shoes over a foot above her head, she hands me a shoe box. Pink and pretty and covered with Disney Princesses. She has unknowingly picked a pair of Princess light-up sandals. The look on her face is pure joy. How can I say no to that? They have them in her size (which has gone from a 6 to a 7 in a matter of days - hence our need for new sandals), they are reasonably priced, I have a 15% off coupon and I know she'll wear the heck out of them. I quickly swallow the lump in my throat and ignore the laughing "pre-mom" voice in my head saying "not only are they light-up, but they are character shoes, too!". (I have also long preferred "neutral shoes" without t.v. or movie characters all over them.)

Such is life! My little girl is so happy! She had to wear them then and there. She hopped all around the store just so she could see them light up, showed them proudly to the associate at the register, and couldn't get in the house quick enough to show daddy. Daddy, as soon as he saw them, looked at me with eyes that said "really?", but he too saw the joy on Clara's face and we just shrugged and said "oh well".

Colton's Baptism

We hope everyone had a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend. We spent ours up in Detroit and had Colton Baptized on Sunday. It was a whirlwind weekend but we had a great time.

We left early Friday morning and Clara blessed us with her first occasion of throwing up, times three, in the car on the drive up. We nearly turned around and went back home, but after debating ended up continuing on and she was fine. Who knows? Car sick for the first time, excited because she didn't know where we were going just that it was "something special", a little stomach bug? Whatever it was, she was a trooper and we all survived!

Colton was Baptized on Sunday by Deacon Eric Sorenson at St. Clement Church. It was a nice little ceremony. Colton's Godmother is my cousin Michelle and his Godfather is our good friend Dave Roos. Dave couldn't be there because of some family obligations, so my dad stood in as his proxy. Colton wore the baptismal gown that my grandmother wore 82 years ago! All of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family members who have been baptized have all worn it. It has some stains and is wearing thin, but what a great family heirloom and tradition!

My animal-loving-sister is fostering a week old kitten. Clara was so thrilled to snuggle with this little kitty and she even got to help feed it.

Clara was so excited to see and play with her cousins at Colton's Baptism party. Papa fired up the sprinklers in the backyard and some of the cousins had fun playing in the "rain!" It's so fun for me to watch all the cousins play. The 15 cousins on my mom's side of the family were quite close growing up. I have so many fond memories of holidays and parties with all of them. It's so great to see our kids having the chance to make the same memories.

My sister has quite a knack for snapping the camera a exactly the right moment. Here are a couple of great ones that scream "Daddy Loves Me".



Be sure to check out the slideshow at the bottom of the blog for some more good pics from this weekend.

Now that we're back in Kentucky we're spending a lot of time indoors because it's too darn hot outside. I did go out to water the flowers and garden and I'm geekily pleased to report we have cucumbers and tomatoes! Our little vegetable garden has taken off and I'm so pleased!

Happy July! Until next time, xoxoxox

Baby Birds

For the last several weeks a mama Morning Dove (thank you Keri!) has been taking care of two little eggs in a nest in a hanging pot on our porch. Now, it hasn't been easy, but, I've managed to keep the plant alive and allow the bird to "maintain residence" there! The other day we took a peek and sure enough, the eggs have hatched and there are two tiny Morning Doves! They are so cute. I managed to snap a quick pick while the mama was gone. I was careful not to get too close so as not to disturb things and scare the mama away. I just held the camera up to the pot and crossed my fingers that I had good aim!

Things here on our home front have been. Mother Nature gave us a reprieve from the icky, sticky, hot weather we've had recently and blessed us with several perfectly beautiful days. I spent them weeding the vegetable garden. And taking the kids to the playground. On a side note, it's amazing how easy it is to weed a garden when you let the weeds get out of control - they are so easy to grab and pull out! Mr. Colton kept me company while I dug in the dirt.

Colton napping while I do all the work weeding! Can you believe the nerve!

Well, we are heading up to Detroit tonight. Our plan is to leave after Colton nurses at 2:00/3:00 this morning. Aaron is sound asleep in bed now and I'm dilly-dallying on the computer! Sure, there's some more to do on the list, but this is more fun!

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July! xoxoxox