Twas' the Day Before Christmas.

Twas' the day before Christmas and my blog has been quiet as a mouse. With the hustle and bustle of the season I've neglected a few things. Quiet times to sit and type a blog being one. As Christmas closes in tomorrow my anxiety grows. I try to keep this at bay, but it sneaks up on me. I get anxious because I don't want it to end. There is a lull that happens around Christmas time, and in the month of December, that I love. It is busy but quiet. It is happy, joyful, and exciting. We make crafts, cookies, and yummy food, while enjoying one another like no other time of year. Then, we take everything down and jump into the next year with new ideas and new ambitions. One year is over in the blink of an eye and, for me, it is difficult to let go. Growing up I thought I was o.k. with changes,but as I grow older I realize I'm pretty adverse to it. I enjoy the same. I enjoy the end of the year because, although it's a new year, it's the same. Same music, same tree, same giving of gifts, same egg nog lattes that I love, and the same feeling of cheer. Christmas is comfortable, and I'll have a hard time letting it slip away so fast. So, for today and tomorrow I'm sitting back to have a little quiet time. Everything is done, and tomorrow I'll get to witness the joy on my kids faces as they open their gifts. There is nothing like being a mom on Christmas. Especially when the kids are old enough to share in the joys! We have had a wonderful December. I am so thankful to God for not only granting me another December, but for giving me abundant joy in my family. Josh and I are so grateful for each other and for each of our little blessings (David Gabriel, Elizabeth, and Josiah). We are also thankful for extended family and cousins. There is nothing else in life that truly matters but God and Family!

Merry Christmas Eve to all!

A Few Updates!

There are a few little things I wanted to get onto "paper" for memories sake. Elizabeth saying, "thank you," Gabriel learning big words like trapezoid, hexagon, and hypothesis, and the over all growing up of our kiddos! Here are a few pics: I love sneaking in and getting sleepy shots. They are such angels when they sleep =)

Once awake it's back to the "reindeer games."

Santa Crafts:

Cookie the Sweet Frog Hugs:

And growling at the Christmas Tree: Life is busy, busy, busy, but we are trying to enjoy every minute =). These kids are growing quickly and I'm trying hard to soak them all in. They stress me out, but they also give me so much happiness! I've been cherishing one on one time with the kids lately as their naps are off slightly (Liz needs an earlier nap and Gabriel isn't sure about a nap anymore, but when he does it is later afternoon). They are SO different individually than they are together. I see a total switch in behavior once they get together in the same room. They both fight for attention, whine, are WAY more needy, and also fight each other (well, Gabriel generally wins...). So this one on one time is super special for me because I get to see them at their "finest." They are definitely little sweeties when I get them alone. At first I was upset about their nap times being off, but it's turned into a good thing. Having one was so much easier than multiples! I am giving them something special though.... a sibling for life =). God is also giving me a heritage. Family is so important and I am blessed!

20 Weeks!

So much is going on lately, but as I feel Josiah kicking away in my belly I wanted to take a moment and write about him. I have really started feeling him (and seeing him) in the past two days. It's crazy how you can go from every now and again kicks to feeling him all the time. He's getting bigger and stronger too! Probably all the lbs momma is packing on (10-12 already). I have stopped the egg nog lattes before I start looking like santa clause (or Mrs. Clause). So hopefully the weight gain will even out just slightly. I believe I've pin pointed one other reason for my overeating/overindulgence this time.....my kids. When I want to pull my hair out -or cry in a corner bc I'm seriously over emotional this pregnancy- I go eat chocolate, candy, graham crackers, chips, cookies, or cake. SOMETHING to give me a little solace. Do I sound crazy to ya'll too, or is it just myself? I might as well make a joke out of it because that is how I'm getting through. One day -and even at the moment- I will laugh at myself for being so silly. Sometimes I think how blessed I am, how blessed to be able to have children, and then sometimes I want to -and have a few times- cry. Yesterday I cried. I got shuffled ahead of 4-5 people in line at Ulta because my kids were being absolute monsters. Elizabeth was enough with her temper, screaming, throwing herself out of my arms, and pushing to run away from me, but then add in a 3 year old who decided not to listen (probably because my hands were full of make up and a screaming one year old), who was also making loud noises, and who almost knocked over a shelf of robes, and I was sweating profusely, red cheeked, and about to lose my mind. I did in the car. Cried all the way home. My son kept telling me I should not cry because I'm not a baby. So then fast forward to today when I was able to stay outside, play with the kids, and watch Gabriel and Elizabeth interact with cousins, and I was a happy woman. Bi polar is how I feel right now. I guess this is normal? Maybe normal for others, but not really for me. I'm usually at like a hormonal level of neutral. Lately I'm at like super "acidic." So, I'm coping with food mostly. I won't blame Josiah, but I will blame pregnancy. This time around has been a little rough. It is times like these, however, that I feel him kick and it's all worth it. I love those little kicks, and I actually do love being pregnant when I can sit and enjoy it. I need to enjoy it because I would like a little more space between any more! For my sanity's sake =).

Here is a picture of me at 20 weeks:

and my lovely family taken at last weekends mini session shoots:

I am a lucky woman. I realize it when the kids are napping (hahahaha).

Baby B3 is a BOY!

I said it from the beginning (baby 3 announcement blog), but it was confirmed this past Wednesday that our baby 3 is a boy! His name is Josiah Samuel and he is already such a blessing to our family. Gabriel can not wait to meet his brother -who he named Spider Man-, and asks mommy all the time when he is going to come out. Gabriel also pointed at Josiah's first photo that is on the fridge and said, "baby in mommy's tummy! That's awesome!" Elizabeth has no idea what to think, but she was pretty enthralled by the ultrasound!Here are a few photos from last Wednesday:

And introducing our little boy:

In the one photo his hand is up. It is just turned to the side, so turn sideways =). At 18+ weeks I have already gained 10 lbs :/. I can probably blame this on the egg nog I drink a cup of once a day. I thought that wasn't SO bad until I looked at the carton and realized the serving size is 1/2 cup!!!! At a whopping 160 calories and 21g of sugar PER SERVING, I have been getting 320 calories and 42g of sugar in one latte. Ugh! So, I need to quit this habit before my rear end looks like aunt fanny on Robots (haha). Baby boy loves it, but I don't need him to be 10 lbs of newborn! I like small babies when going all natural (although they say head circumference only differs by only about 2 inches tops, I don't want to find out). He is moving quite a bit and feels pretty strong. Daddy feels him every now and again and likes to rub my tummy when he walks by me. He is in love with Josiah already, and we pray for him every night. We can't wait to meet him!

Piggies!

Someone had piggies today! I thought they were so cute =)

Today she also decided to say, "Bear" and "Bye Bye!" I love her little voice! She is so super cute when she waves both hands and says, "bye bye!" She was melting momma's heart today.

In baby B3 news, Josh felt him/her kick last night! It is the coolest feeling in the world. I love it!!!!

In Gabriel news. He is a charmer! His new come back for getting attention from strangers who talk to him is, "I'm shy," as he grins and flashes those dimples. He totally is NOT shy anymore. It is really cute to watch him say it though ;).

Week 16!

Here is a pic of me at week 16 =)

I have not been "watching" this pregnancy as closely as 1 & 2. Probably because all of my attention is on 1 & 2! My Gabriel and Elizabeth are a full time job aside from my real full time job, the house (especially laundry), and trying to keep a small social life. There is a mile stone I can't wait for though. The ultrasound of course! Tomorrow I have an OB appointment and will schedule said appointment. Stay tuned!

Baby B3

Baby Barnett 3 or Baby B3 has officially made himself/herself known. I feel movement at 15 weeks =). I've gained 9 lbs already, so he/she must just be happy as can be in there. I'm also sticking out as if I'm 18 weeks or so. I guess this is what happens when you have two very close together?! I've also started food aversions and nausea. Weird for 15 weeks, but true. I had this with Elizabeth too. If I were to gauge boy or girl based on similarities in pregnancies I would say girl. For some reason I feel like it's a boy though. Definitely not as strongly as I felt Gabriel and Elizabeth were boy and girl. I guess with number 3 God is surprising me all the way around. No dreams yet this time! At this point I think I'll simply be relieved that there is only one and not two in there. Ultrasound should be in a few weeks but not scheduled yet. The midwife said my uterus felt normal size at the last appointment, so I think I'm just bigger this time. I guess I should get over it...Josh said, "well, your going to stick out eventually so it doesn't matter when it begins." Yes,Josh, but I just would feel more comfortable if it happened in a few weeks (haha)! Anyway, more on Baby B3 to come!

Say "Trick or Treat" OR just demand "Candy"

We took our little monkey and our cow out for trick or treating and got a few laughs in. It was a good night! Slightly chilly, but this was good for the pregnant chick who carried the cow a good bit of the night. Here is a picture of my trick or treaters:

So where did the laughs come in? When Gabriel would walk in front of ALL the big kids to get his share of candy first, when Liz would reach her little hand into the candy purse and pull out a piece to chew the wrapper (wishful thinking for some candy), and finally when Gabriel walked up to a door and the lady asked, "do you remember what you are supposed to say?" and Gabriel demanded, "CANDY!"The boy knows what he wants, no tricks...just treats! Oh, and of course Gabriel pulling Elizabeth by the tail. "Catch a cow by the tail," isn't that what they say?!

A few more of my cuties:

Firsts!

A few firsts of note in the Barnett home. Gabriel is using the potty -at home only so far- and Elizabeth took first steps!!!! Life is crazy as I run between the potty to see if Gabriel is "done," and to Elizabeth whose cruising from furniture piece to furniture piece. It's also been a little tough cleaning up his "messes" in the bathroom as curious Elizabeth comes in poking around. Gabriel just doesn't quite have the hang of not moving after going potty. He gets so overjoyed to tell us that he's gone potty that he pops off the toilet and runs in to see us! I'm trying to make him understand that I have to come clean him up first. It's cute that he's so excited, and I'm thrilled he has a new found love for going to the potty (and eating LOADS of sugar each time he goes I might add), but it's somewhat annoying as well. Let's just say it's a good thing someone decided to put the tub beside the toilet ;).

Elizabeth isn't "walking" yet, but she is taking first steps. She isn't confident enough yet to actually walk, although she did get up to about 4 steps. It warms my heart to watch her growing up. She is such a gorgeous little thing. I love her smiles, her babbles, and her bubbly personality. She is a clingy and whiney little thing too, but that is quickly overlooked when I see her eyes light up or a smile on her face. She is starting to hold her own with Gabriel. She will yell at him, squeal when he takes something from her or pushes her, and fling her arms about to tell him to back off! I say to myself, "I can't wait for her to slug him one," but it will only be funny the first time. The next time will be accompanied by, "SHE HIT ME," more fighting, and then I'll quickly regret my statement to self. Siblings........Can't live with em'.....Can't live without em'!

In baby 3 news! No flutters yet but I've marked my calendar for the weekend of November 2nd to look out for them. At around 15-16 weeks I felt Gabriel and Elizabeth. I expect the same with this little one. I can't wait! I was thinking today that it is slightly awkward for the first trimester, and a little beyond,that you can't even tell there is a baby inside. Then -all of a sudden- the baby comes onto the scene kicking away and making momma smile =)! Change of subject matter here, but I don't crave much of anything this go round. I've noticed, however, if I skip a meal I regret it. Nauseous, tired, bloating,etc.. Don't skip a meal or eat too late! One semi craving I have had is Rocky Road Ice Cream (my favorite) with a root beer. Root beer float! I have never been a big root beer fan, but I'm liking it with baby #3. I say "semi crave" because it's not like a "get in the car now we're going to the store" craving. It's more of a "there is a root beer on the counter from the circus party, and ice cream in the freezer, so I think I'll have one" craving. I think I'll actually have one now as a reward for writing this blog. It's sitting on the counter staring at me after all ;).

One more story before root beer float time. I had to note that Elizabeth prefers dog food over my food! Miss Liz goes after the dog food as SOON as we put it down. She is like a turbo jet on a mission when the dog bowls go down. So, mommy thought she would be smart and "trick" Misa by putting HER food in a bowl (like a dog bowl), and putting it on the floor. She went right over to it, gobbled down a bite, and then SPIT it out! She didn't want HER food whether it was in a bowl or a dish, in her chair or on the floor. She no like mommy's cooking, no where and no how! I knew for certain when she started feeding the remaining food left in the bowl to Stitch... Ahh, what to do with that stubborn little Misa?!

A Day at the Circus!

We had such a great time at Gabriel and Elizabeth's birthday party! It was a circus theme complete with candy apples, popcorn, lollipops, candy, and cupcakes. The kids had fun with "Hoop the Horse," "Ducky Fishing," Face Painting, and "Can Knock Down." It was a blast watching the kids run around with painted faces. We can not wait until next year. As a matter of fact, the day after the big party Gabriel asked, "can we have another party tomorrow?" He was ready to go again! You can see why through the pictures: