This is an awesome online dictionary for American Sign Language!
I just have to say that the sign for Daddy made me laugh when I saw it :)
So here are the first few signs I'm going to start using with Andrew:
Milk
Mommy
Daddy
Diaper
Bed
Music
Please
Up
Signs that will become more useful in a few months:
More
Drink
Book
Eat
Thank you
Airplane
Down
It makes me smile that "love" and "hug" are remarkably similar :)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Growth Spurt
First, here's a link to some new photos I put on Facebook :)
Andrew is getting so big so fast! Right now he's rolling onto his side while playing on the floor, sitting up with light support from my legs (or the Boppy pillow), teething (I can feel the top right canine - it's a little bump under his gums), and loves playing with rattles and whatever cloth he can reach (burp cloth, blanket, bib). He's also learning new facial expressions and sounds and likes to stand up on my lap. He loves it when somebody sings to him, and I think he's in a growth spurt - his neck is definitely longer, his whole body seems bigger, and he's been taking 40 minutes to nurse. And his diaper leaked a few times this week so I made it bigger and it fits around his legs better now... I sigh remembering the days that his little bum and legs were too small for the cloth diapers!
One of his little friends is already signing "milk" and "change"..... I guess I'm behind in learning and teaching my sign language! That's my goal for the next week - decide what words I want him to know first, find the signs for them, and start using them consistently. "Milk" and some sort of music/sing (depending on how easy the sign is) are definitely at the top.
His 4 month appointment is in 2 weeks... looking forward to getting the new stats! I think he's upwards of 17lb! That's my sweet, growing boy :-D
Andrew is getting so big so fast! Right now he's rolling onto his side while playing on the floor, sitting up with light support from my legs (or the Boppy pillow), teething (I can feel the top right canine - it's a little bump under his gums), and loves playing with rattles and whatever cloth he can reach (burp cloth, blanket, bib). He's also learning new facial expressions and sounds and likes to stand up on my lap. He loves it when somebody sings to him, and I think he's in a growth spurt - his neck is definitely longer, his whole body seems bigger, and he's been taking 40 minutes to nurse. And his diaper leaked a few times this week so I made it bigger and it fits around his legs better now... I sigh remembering the days that his little bum and legs were too small for the cloth diapers!
One of his little friends is already signing "milk" and "change"..... I guess I'm behind in learning and teaching my sign language! That's my goal for the next week - decide what words I want him to know first, find the signs for them, and start using them consistently. "Milk" and some sort of music/sing (depending on how easy the sign is) are definitely at the top.
His 4 month appointment is in 2 weeks... looking forward to getting the new stats! I think he's upwards of 17lb! That's my sweet, growing boy :-D
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
3 Months!
Our sweet baby boy is 3 months old today! Oh how time flies when you're having fun :)
I've been posting photos on Facebook... rather than upload them here (which takes 3 times as long) I'll include links to the FB albums for those of you who don't have FB accounts.
Fun Andrew Trivia:
*He likes to "help" when we change his diaper - when he hears the Velcro he lifts his legs and bum up for easier cleaning. He doesn't do this while playing yet - only during diaper changes!
*He slept through the night (9-5) for 2.5 weeks and is now getting up at 1, 3, and 5/6... I want him to go back to sleeping 8 hours!
*He "talks" a LOT! And last Thursday he realized he has control of the volume... it was LOUD all day! He's also found his blood-curdling scream... fortunately he doesn't do it very often.
*He found his hands while Grandma Barnes was here over Christmas and now enjoys looking at them, chewing/sucking on them, and grabbing things - primarily blankets.
*He rolled over (back to front) on New Year's Day! Granted, it was on the futon while I was lying next to him (so he had an incline to roll down) but it was still fun :)
*He loves music - especially somebody singing to him.
*If the TV is on he'll stretch and wiggle trying to see it... so it stays off while he's awake for the most part!
*He loves "This Little Piggy," "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes," and "My Heart Is" (I See the Moon), and recently discovered he likes bouncing on our knees ("William Tell Overture" theme and "This is the way the farmers ride") and learning "up" and "down"... I'm getting an arm workout lifting him up! We did squats yesterday to learn "down" more effectively... bring on the baby workout!
*He just grew out of the 3-6 month clothing and is now in 6-9 months... apparently this isn't odd, especially given the range in normal sizes of babies when they're this young. The larger "6 month" clothing fits, but most of it is closer to the 3 month size so it's being packed away too!
*He has now been alive for 1 year... how happy we were to find out about him last January and what a miracle it's been to watch him grow from that first ultrasound of just a tiny little circle sac into the big boy he is now! What a sweet, precious little person he is and I just can't wait for all of the adventures we're going to have together :)
I've been posting photos on Facebook... rather than upload them here (which takes 3 times as long) I'll include links to the FB albums for those of you who don't have FB accounts.
Fun Andrew Trivia:
*He likes to "help" when we change his diaper - when he hears the Velcro he lifts his legs and bum up for easier cleaning. He doesn't do this while playing yet - only during diaper changes!
*He slept through the night (9-5) for 2.5 weeks and is now getting up at 1, 3, and 5/6... I want him to go back to sleeping 8 hours!
*He "talks" a LOT! And last Thursday he realized he has control of the volume... it was LOUD all day! He's also found his blood-curdling scream... fortunately he doesn't do it very often.
*He found his hands while Grandma Barnes was here over Christmas and now enjoys looking at them, chewing/sucking on them, and grabbing things - primarily blankets.
*He rolled over (back to front) on New Year's Day! Granted, it was on the futon while I was lying next to him (so he had an incline to roll down) but it was still fun :)
*He loves music - especially somebody singing to him.
*If the TV is on he'll stretch and wiggle trying to see it... so it stays off while he's awake for the most part!
*He loves "This Little Piggy," "Head Shoulders Knees and Toes," and "My Heart Is" (I See the Moon), and recently discovered he likes bouncing on our knees ("William Tell Overture" theme and "This is the way the farmers ride") and learning "up" and "down"... I'm getting an arm workout lifting him up! We did squats yesterday to learn "down" more effectively... bring on the baby workout!
*He just grew out of the 3-6 month clothing and is now in 6-9 months... apparently this isn't odd, especially given the range in normal sizes of babies when they're this young. The larger "6 month" clothing fits, but most of it is closer to the 3 month size so it's being packed away too!
*He has now been alive for 1 year... how happy we were to find out about him last January and what a miracle it's been to watch him grow from that first ultrasound of just a tiny little circle sac into the big boy he is now! What a sweet, precious little person he is and I just can't wait for all of the adventures we're going to have together :)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=523553&id=799610143&l=e7c9b69f97
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=528800&id=799610143&l=d5ff8c314a
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=546784&id=799610143&l=3ab371f7ce
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=555307&id=799610143&l=3352cb3e94
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=569591&id=799610143&l=f08e1a132a
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=569593&id=799610143&l=81787c81c3
I have Christmas photos but they're not uploaded yet... I would say "coming soon" except last time I said that it was 3 months ago!
Happy 3 month birthday, baby. I love you!
I have Christmas photos but they're not uploaded yet... I would say "coming soon" except last time I said that it was 3 months ago!
Happy 3 month birthday, baby. I love you!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Andrew Kevin Barnes
Ok, I know... my last post was in August. Sorry. I would say it's been crazy around here, but it hasn't... just me adjusting to a continually changing schedule :) Speaking of which, Andrew is trying to wake up from a nap so instead of posting his birth story I'll just post photos for now. Birth story coming soon...
James held Andrew while they finished my surgery (yes, I had a c-section, no it wasn't planned, no it wasn't the scary emergency kind)
James & Titi, our midwife, who scrubbed into surgery after 20 hours with us...
James feeding Andrew so I could sleep for a little while.
First family photo outside of the OR!
One of my favorite photos of Andrew!
Beautiful eyes :)
First sponge bath @ home.
Love this photo... chillin' with Daddy in Aunt Grace's shirt :)
I love my boys!!!
James held Andrew while they finished my surgery (yes, I had a c-section, no it wasn't planned, no it wasn't the scary emergency kind)
James & Titi, our midwife, who scrubbed into surgery after 20 hours with us...
James feeding Andrew so I could sleep for a little while.
First family photo outside of the OR!
One of my favorite photos of Andrew!
Beautiful eyes :)
First sponge bath @ home.
Love this photo... chillin' with Daddy in Aunt Grace's shirt :)
I love my boys!!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Menu Monday... on Tuesday
I've been told by several people (midwives, birthing class teacher/coach, etc.) that I need to be eating a lot of protein right now. More protein and less sugar. Oh boy! So, in an effort to get my husband eating better, me eating more in line with what the experts suggest, setting myself up for being able to lose "an undisclosed amount of" baby and whacked-out-thyroid weight once this sweet boy is born, and being more diligent to stay on track with my grocery budget, I have recommitted myself to planning our meals weekly and shopping for only what I actually need. Mission: clean out the freezer/pantry, save money and calories while feeding the baby what he actually needs.
A few of my blogging friends post their weekly dinner plans with some of the recipes and I always find it interesting and educational... so here's my version :)
PS - Lunches consist of leftovers and salad (goal being a combination of some raw and some cooked veggies every day).
Last week:
Monday - Roast Chicken, baked potatoes, salad
Tuesday - Crock-pot BBQ chicken, broccoli, homemade whole wheat rolls
Wednesday - Chicken Tacos
Thursday - eat out
Friday - Steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli
Saturday - Taco Salad
This week:
Monday - Chicken Spaghetti
Tuesday - Pesto Chicken, organic whole-grain Texmati rice, green beans
Wednesday - leftovers (James has Open House at school)
Thursday - Sally's Meat Loaf, broccoli
Friday - leftovers or eat out
Saturday lunch with my Dad - homemade whole-wheat pizza
I've also decided to start making all of our bread (cheaper and no high fructose corn syrup!) and to not have dessert stored in the house. Any baking I do will be taste-tested here and then shared with James' school faculty or friends/neighbors :) James and I both really like yogurt parfaits with frozen blueberries and granola, so that will be our go-to for dessert.
Today I made chicken stock with the carcasses of several chickens I've been saving in the freezer for the past couple of months - it was surprisingly easy and made the rice for tonight's dinner so yummy!
Crock Pot BBQ Chicken - dump a package of boneless/skinless chicken thighs into the crock pot. Cover with favorite BBQ sauce and a few Tbsp water. Add A1, Worchestershire, etc, if you're feeling creative. Cook for several hours, stirring about once per hour, until chicken is done. If anyone does this and figures out how long it actually takes, let me know :)
Sally's Meatloaf - just an ordinary meatloaf recipe... kicked up with horseradish. It's yummy... try it!
Pesto Chicken - I recreated this recipe after having it for dinner at my friend Jamie's house. Bake chicken breasts (boneless/skinless) with 1 Tbsp pesto on top of each (covered with foil, usually takes about 40 min at 350 degrees if they aren't crowded in the dish). Top with one slice mozzarella cheese and return to oven, uncovered, for 3-5 min to melt cheese.
Bon apetit!
A few of my blogging friends post their weekly dinner plans with some of the recipes and I always find it interesting and educational... so here's my version :)
PS - Lunches consist of leftovers and salad (goal being a combination of some raw and some cooked veggies every day).
Last week:
Monday - Roast Chicken, baked potatoes, salad
Tuesday - Crock-pot BBQ chicken, broccoli, homemade whole wheat rolls
Wednesday - Chicken Tacos
Thursday - eat out
Friday - Steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli
Saturday - Taco Salad
This week:
Monday - Chicken Spaghetti
Tuesday - Pesto Chicken, organic whole-grain Texmati rice, green beans
Wednesday - leftovers (James has Open House at school)
Thursday - Sally's Meat Loaf, broccoli
Friday - leftovers or eat out
Saturday lunch with my Dad - homemade whole-wheat pizza
I've also decided to start making all of our bread (cheaper and no high fructose corn syrup!) and to not have dessert stored in the house. Any baking I do will be taste-tested here and then shared with James' school faculty or friends/neighbors :) James and I both really like yogurt parfaits with frozen blueberries and granola, so that will be our go-to for dessert.
Today I made chicken stock with the carcasses of several chickens I've been saving in the freezer for the past couple of months - it was surprisingly easy and made the rice for tonight's dinner so yummy!
Crock Pot BBQ Chicken - dump a package of boneless/skinless chicken thighs into the crock pot. Cover with favorite BBQ sauce and a few Tbsp water. Add A1, Worchestershire, etc, if you're feeling creative. Cook for several hours, stirring about once per hour, until chicken is done. If anyone does this and figures out how long it actually takes, let me know :)
Sally's Meatloaf - just an ordinary meatloaf recipe... kicked up with horseradish. It's yummy... try it!
Pesto Chicken - I recreated this recipe after having it for dinner at my friend Jamie's house. Bake chicken breasts (boneless/skinless) with 1 Tbsp pesto on top of each (covered with foil, usually takes about 40 min at 350 degrees if they aren't crowded in the dish). Top with one slice mozzarella cheese and return to oven, uncovered, for 3-5 min to melt cheese.
Bon apetit!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Baby Shower!
My awesome Mom threw a double baby shower for me and my sister-in-law, Jenn, this past weekend. It was so good to see some family & high school friends, meet some of her church friends, and spend time with her, Grace, Jenn, and George! It was a fantastic weekend and a really fun party :) Here are some of the photos:
Aunt Grace, Aunt Jenn, me, & Mom
Fresh summer fruit and Turkey Hill iced tea - YUM!
Mom found fabric several years ago that says "Aunt Grace" all over it... she bought a fat quarter and has been saving it all this time! She is so thoughtful!
Melissa Ciacci made us portable-high-chairs. She took the pattern from one that her grandmother made her when she delivered Olivia! It fits on the back of a regular chair and ties around the waist of the baby to secure him in the chair. Great for friends' houses or restaurants without high chairs, and for using in the high chair instead of the clips :)
Poppy sent us beautiful silk scarves. I only have two photos of us with them - one I look weird in and the other Jenn looks weird in. So I posted the one I look weird in. Good thing the scarves are beautiful to make up for my weird face!
Mom's friend Ruth got back from a trip to Montana the day before the shower. Among several other gifts, she brought these shirts - they say "My First Montana T-Shirt." I promise to post photos of Baby Barnes wearing it when he comes!
Rebecca's mom, Laurie Hasselhan, is so thoughtful - she sent over a toy wagon with lots of baby toiletries and cow-boy themed items! I will definitely have to post photos of Baby Barnes wearing the boots, onsies, & pants, and playing with the wagon and toy horse! There's also a book about a new baby sheep on a farm and the proud daddy sheep gets to show off his new son - Mrs. Hasselhan knows me so well!
Wanda Stober picked out the cutest little space outfit. It has little spaceships and aliens all over it, and the feet are alien heads with little antennas!
Penny Mears gave us a little laundry basket full of baby items - one of them is a board book about Courderoy. I've never read the Courderoy books before, but this one is so sweet I might have to go buy the others!
Grace made a Curious George baby quilt for Jenn and George's baby out of a cloth book pattern. She sewed in the names of the animals when she quilted it! She's so crafty :) :) :)
This is the baby quilt Aunt Grace made - the dinosaur is fantastic! She's so crafty and makes such beautiful things!
Jenn did a bunch of sewing for my son - this is the sweet blanket she made :) Aunt Jenn is so sweet!
Mom made such beautiful baby quilts for us. Gramma Frank loves these babies so much already! Thanks, Mom, for a fun party and a great weekend! I love you!
Aunt Grace, Aunt Jenn, me, & Mom
Fresh summer fruit and Turkey Hill iced tea - YUM!
Mom found fabric several years ago that says "Aunt Grace" all over it... she bought a fat quarter and has been saving it all this time! She is so thoughtful!
Melissa Ciacci made us portable-high-chairs. She took the pattern from one that her grandmother made her when she delivered Olivia! It fits on the back of a regular chair and ties around the waist of the baby to secure him in the chair. Great for friends' houses or restaurants without high chairs, and for using in the high chair instead of the clips :) 
Poppy sent us beautiful silk scarves. I only have two photos of us with them - one I look weird in and the other Jenn looks weird in. So I posted the one I look weird in. Good thing the scarves are beautiful to make up for my weird face!
Mom's friend Ruth got back from a trip to Montana the day before the shower. Among several other gifts, she brought these shirts - they say "My First Montana T-Shirt." I promise to post photos of Baby Barnes wearing it when he comes!
Rebecca's mom, Laurie Hasselhan, is so thoughtful - she sent over a toy wagon with lots of baby toiletries and cow-boy themed items! I will definitely have to post photos of Baby Barnes wearing the boots, onsies, & pants, and playing with the wagon and toy horse! There's also a book about a new baby sheep on a farm and the proud daddy sheep gets to show off his new son - Mrs. Hasselhan knows me so well!
Wanda Stober picked out the cutest little space outfit. It has little spaceships and aliens all over it, and the feet are alien heads with little antennas!
Penny Mears gave us a little laundry basket full of baby items - one of them is a board book about Courderoy. I've never read the Courderoy books before, but this one is so sweet I might have to go buy the others!
Grace made a Curious George baby quilt for Jenn and George's baby out of a cloth book pattern. She sewed in the names of the animals when she quilted it! She's so crafty :) :) :)
This is the baby quilt Aunt Grace made - the dinosaur is fantastic! She's so crafty and makes such beautiful things!
Jenn did a bunch of sewing for my son - this is the sweet blanket she made :) Aunt Jenn is so sweet!
Mom made such beautiful baby quilts for us. Gramma Frank loves these babies so much already! Thanks, Mom, for a fun party and a great weekend! I love you!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Reality Check
I got a reality check earlier this week when I went to visit Aunt Cathi, Uncle Nathan, and Crystal (more about this visit coming soon, with photos :). Crystal has an adorable new puppy. Well, he's not really a puppy because he's 3 years old, but he's the size of a puppy.
Bentley is a 2.5 lb teacup poodle. I have decided that 2.5 lb is actually remarkably big. I now think that an 8 lb baby must be much bigger than a 2.5 lb dog and I'm starting to get nervous. I can imagine giving birth to something the size of Bentley, but unfortunately that would be a very unhealthy baby. How do I sign up for a 3-week-early-but-still-healthy-6-pound-baby?
Bentley is a 2.5 lb teacup poodle. I have decided that 2.5 lb is actually remarkably big. I now think that an 8 lb baby must be much bigger than a 2.5 lb dog and I'm starting to get nervous. I can imagine giving birth to something the size of Bentley, but unfortunately that would be a very unhealthy baby. How do I sign up for a 3-week-early-but-still-healthy-6-pound-baby?
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