Ten on Tuesday

1. It is finally warming up here. Yesterday it was almost 60 and is to remain in the 50's for the foreseeable future! I'm ready for Spring!
2. I recently tried the, shamrock shake from McDonald's. It's only brought out in the month of March and a fan favorite...except for me, I wasn't a fan. Maybe the crew member didn't make it right?!
3. What I am a fan of though is the Snickers Frappe from Starbucks! Its a Java Chip with 2 shots of toffee nut, caramel in the cup and caramel drizzle-yum!
4. Saturday, my newbie is going to be 3 months old? How? Where did that time go???
5. I would post a pic; but haven't watermarked any recently. And yes the pic would normally go here!
6. We are now a 2 car family! So happy and thankful! We were able to purchase a 2007 Buick Rendezvous, bucket seats in the middle and a 3rd row seat! Much roomier for our family than our Jeep and I feel so much safer now that the kids aren't literally crammed in.
7. Klayton has now lost a total of 5 teeth...crazy kid. I owe it to the fact that he was an early teether. Hoping his permanent teeth come in stronger.
8. Justus is getting his words-slowly; but surely they are coming! My guys are just late talkers and that is okay!
9. Speaking of Justus, he has become quite the climber. This is a new experience for me and I can safely say it makes me slightly nervous.
10. Tomorrow, I PROMISE to be back with a Wordless Wednesday picture!
Happy Tuesday!

10 on Tuesday

1. I really am back to blogging; but I have slacked in disappointment because my watermark program is giving me issues.
I love to use photos on my blog, so trying to figure out that little bug.
2. The last couple of weeks have been super busy and it has been hard keeping up with everything.
3. Found out that we will be meeting Kolton on 12-12-15, unless he decides to make his appearance sooner. Though, I am not counting on that as my boys don't believe in being early.
4. Slowly getting my Thanksgiving dinner menu planned for my little family.
5. Klayton had his first earache last Friday and I discovered those come fast and suddenly. So grateful for an excellent hospital and walk-in clinic! Awesome doctors and nurses!
6. On Friday evening, Klayton came to me in my room and said, "Mom, thanks for taking care of me today to get me better-you did a good job!" I may or may not have teared up a little bit. Those moments make up for hard days.
7. Since learning that Kolton will be here in basically 5 weeks, I am in major nesting mode. I can't wait to tackle the boys room tomorrow. Yes, I realize it will only stay clean for about 5 minutes.
8. I am so grateful for my husband. He works hard and does his best to provide for our family. I know he would prefer not to work a secular job; but he does to provide for his family.
9. Last week I received a phone call that Klayton won a prize from the fall festival that the local police station hosted. I was SO excited and decided to walk there with the boys after the receptionist stated it was only a couple of blocks away. About 1/2 way on our walk, I realized it was more than 2 blocks and checked my phone GPS. The station was 1.2 miles from our apartment. We decided to keep walking-after all we were just SO excited! When we arrived I learned that BOTH boys had actually won a prize. And the prize Justus won was quite large...lets just say I am sure we looked like quite a sight walking home. Two boys, a pregnant woman pushing an umbrella stroller and me trying to balance a big box on top of the stroller as we walked home. The whole journey from start to finish lasted about 2 hours...we were exhausted.
10. Well, Tuesday is almost over. I hope your day was well and that you all have a great rest of the week.

Ten on Tuesday-Bring You Up to Speed

1. We are now living in Wisconsin and have been here for almost a month! We are loving it.
2. Justus is now 16 months!

3. Klayton is getting ready to celebrate his 5th birthday and is in pre-K!

4. I am 28 weeks pregnant! And I "get" to do my glucose test on Friday.

5. We are excited to meet this little guy in December.

6. Klayton has lost 2 teeth while Justus is getting 2 new teeth.
7. Thursday my hubs will celebrate his 36th birthday. Upward swing to 40-he's getting old.
8. A little laugh for this Tuesday, courtesy of Klayton! My mom had a deer in her garden that she told Klayton about. He told her that he needs to get his gun (don't worry he doesn't have a real one) and come shoot. She asked him, "why? are you going to eat it?" His reply, "I don't like deer meat-I like people meat!"
9. God gave those little children to you, Mama-to you. No one else can mother them like you can. You may have your work cut out for you, but you're the one cut out to accomplish it.
10. Have a Happy Tuesday and I am promising to be back this week!

Justus-11 Months

Justus, you are 11 months!

One month away from being ONE...

YOU:
*Wear 9 month and 12 month clothes.
*Wear size 3 diapers.
*Weigh in at 18.4 lbs. Yes, I did have to include the ounces and not round it down or up!
*Are working on finger foods.
*Still not keen on veggies, you will eat them mixed with fruit.
*Scoot around on your bottom.
*Still no interest in crawling, though you are getting restless.
*Hate tummy time...I think this will be a life long hate.
*Love being outside.
*You have a short quick scream of sorts to get our attention.
*Love to use your hands.
*Clap.
*Wave.
*Found out you get to be a big brother. Wow.
*Love bath time.
*Know how to go backwards in your walker.
*Have 3 bottom teeth and evidence of 2 that could be on their way on top.
*Mama's boy all the way.
*Love apple/blueberry and cherry/blueberry.
*Sleeping through the night except for an occasional rough teething night.
*Have a fascination with peoples faces.
*Love to dance, or shake yourself up and down its so cute.
*Have decided that you are not to fond of naps anymore unless they are in mommy's hands. This has been a rough battle.

Oh, My Justus,
Last year I was so anxious for your arrival and now I am so sad as we approach your birthday. The time has just flown by. You are not so tiny anymore, you are my chunk! Thank you for being my boy. Thank you for always wanting me. Even on the days that I am like you need to just let Daddy or someone else deal with you so I can get things done, I am secretly deep down smiling that you only have eyes for me. I am going to enjoy these last days of baby life and I am going to look excitedly to more milestones with you. I love you and I am so glad that you are my guy!
Love, Mama

Resurrection Day

It is finished, the battle is over
It is finished, there'll be no more war
It is finished, the end of the conflict
It is finished and Jesus it Lord!"

Thankful for my Lord who paid the penalty for my sin and did the work I could not do!

Egg Hunt

A couple weeks ago we had received an advertisement about the largest egg hunt happening in our area. I just knew Klayton would have a blast! Not knowing what to expect we arrived 20 minutes early and already were standing behind at least 200 people!

Kids were let into the park area and hunted for 5 empty eggs a piece and could redeem them for a bag of candy. At first I thought how odd; but it was the best way and most fair way to do it because there were big and little kids all looking at the same time.

Klayton was able to go through the park three different times and came home with a bucket load of candy! Sugar high anyone?

We ended the day with Justus getting in on some of the action. These are the days that he is mainly just along for the ride...his day will come we promise him!

I think...

I'M BACK!
Who has missed hearing about these cuties?

I really do enjoy blogging...really I do! Life has been crazy busy and I am making an effort to come back and update my life in blog land. I will be back dating some posts in the weeks ahead. I have 3 monthly updates to do on Justus-seriously, he is already suffering from the 2nd child syndrome. Not as many blog updates, pictures...I think we took a picture of absolutely everything with Klayton-first diaper change...okay-not everything; but Justus is probably going to think that someday.
But, I am back and I hope you have stuck around to share in our life!

Justus, Ten Months

Justus, you are 10 MONTHS!

YOU:
*Wear size 3 diapers.
*Weigh in at 19 lbs.
*Wear clothes anywhere from 6-12 months.
*Have a tooth and two more on the way.
*Dropped your morning nap.
*Introduced Puffs.
*Love your ice cream.
*Love your bath time, especially when you get to take it with brother.
*Leave no doubts in anyones mind that you are a Mama's boy.
*Have settled into a nice bedtime routine, baby food, nursed, diaper change, pjs, bedtime prayers and a kiss goodnight puts you to sleep within 5 minutes.
*Sleep through the night for me.
*Still a bum, I say that with love. But you are just content to sit and observe.
*Traveled to Colorado and Pennsylvania for the first time.
*You are not fond of chicken and rice.
*Have a fascination with peoples eyes, noses and mouths.
*Do not like feeling forgotten or left in a room alone.
*You love your brother; but we can already tell that he annoys you at times.
*Hate being on your tummy still.
*Enjoy being read to.
*Like to smile.
*Have excellent gripping and grabbing skills.

Thanks be to God for letting me be your Mama and I am loving all the smiles and snuggles! I can't believe in just 2 months we will be celebrating your first birthday. Time is passing too quickly for this Mama's heart!

First Ice Cream Cone

It is no understatement that the Barnhardt family likes loves their ice cream! Especially the boys and Justus may only be 10 months tomorrow; but he is just the same!

I scream,

You scream,

We all scream for ice cream!"

Now that is a face of pure contentment...yum!

Pajama Party at the Beach

One thing I have always loved being a part of is story hour at the library for Klayton! This one was particularly fun as he got to go in his pajamas! Even Justus went in his pajamas!
There was singing and dancing...

There was a story...I didn't take pictures because I felt funny aiming the camera when I knew I wanted to blog about it and didn't know the other kids to make sure their parents didn't mind their faces being plastered on the internet!

And to the end the evening a craft!

If your local library has a story hour aimed for your young children, I encourage you to take your kids! They will have a blast! Well, they will have a blast if the program is done right! I have taken Klayton to some where we have ended up walking out because it was SO BORING! Klayton loves going to the library and I think story hour has a big part in that love!

Christmas Day With No Tears

If you read my previous post you know that our first Christmas Eve with Justus was filled with lots of tears! Apparently, he just needed to sleep on it and process it all because he woke up Christmas morning in such a happy spirit! Yay!

We just spent the morning as a family! We read the Christmas story, enjoyed a yummy breakfast and opening more presents.

In the afternoon we went to my parents for an italian dinner and more presents!

And the time I was anticipating most, giving my parents their gift! I made it, with my dad's help! Haha! He didn't know when he was the sawing the board that it was for him; but well he figured it out when we brought it in! He said, "looks like you brought me that board again!"

So, thankful for the Christmas season; but ultimately we are thankful for the Reason for the Season-Jesus! Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Tears of Christmas Eve

We came home from a Christmas Eve Party at some friends where we had stuffed ourselves full of yummy Mexican food! Made our birthday cake, enjoyed a yummy snack of muffins and cappuccino! Followed with the Christmas story and opening of our Christmas stockings! I was so excited to enjoy this first Christmas with Justus and as you will soon learn...he didn't share the sentiment.
The boys haven't learned to yet enjoy the Christmas story...

I think we all know what Klayton has his mind on they have their minds on!

FINALLY, to the gifts and we are SO excited to watch Justus open his first present!

And, he didn't get the memo to be excited. I was bummed at first; but then I realized I will one day look back with a smile and laugh as I remind him of his first Christmas.

Klayton, on the other hand dove right into the spirit of opening gifts!

Best $5 ever spent and quite possibly one of the best gifts! A Ninja set for my little Ninja!

And Justus still has not found the excitement...

Even with tears that big brother didn't even notice, we all enjoyed our first Christmas Eve as a family of 4!

And, on a side note its good that we had a helper with opening of the presents!

What would I do without my tearful baby and little helper?
Merry Christmas!

Dress Up Tuesday!

Just because my Littlest Man has never been put in a dress coat until now and because he is the cutest...

Happy Tuesday!

Justus-7 Months

Justus, you are 7 months!

YOU:

*Weigh in at 18 lbs, which puts you in the 50th percentile.
*Stand, or should I say lay at 27 inches in length-also the 50th percentile.
*Your head is 46 centimeters...its a little big!
*Wear 3-6 month clothes.
*In size 2 diapers.
*Eat one jar of baby food before bed. People think its strange that I don't give you baby food at any other time in the day; but you were waking up a gazillion times in the night to be fed and this helps you only to wake up once or twice! I can handle that better.
*Green baby foods are not your favorite.
*Have been introduced to some fruits and so far banana has not been a favorite.
*Dropped one of your feeds in the evening.
*Have continued to become more contented as a baby.
*Still my chatterbox.
*Love to reach and grab for things.
*If watching the iPad you like to try and grab the characters or people that appear on the screen.
*Already a typical boy if there is a sport on television you will keep your eyes glued to the screen.
*Sit for longer periods of time.
*Still hate tummy time.
*Like to hold Mama's finger when sleeping.
*Like to touch peoples faces, especially to grab their lips.
*Hate getting your nose cleaned out.
*Love to smile.
*Brother is still the only one to consistently get you to laugh.
*Everything goes in your mouth!
*I say this daily; but seriously you have got to be working on a tooth.
*You itch your head and it is so cute.
*Are still rocking the side burns!
*Love to be snuggled.
*Are very much a Mama's boy!

My Guy,
I have noticed that you just keeping getting happier and all around more good natured and relaxed! I just love you and the way you snuggle in. Sometimes after I feed you I prop you on my shoulder and you immediately drop your head to sleep! It is so adorable. You always look so peaceful and kissable that I have to take a moment to kiss those cheeks! You definitely are working the baby rolls and I don't think its possible to be any more cuter and then I wake up the next day and discover you are even more cuter than the day before! As I type this I can see that I won't have to boost your ego any more today! I just love you more than words will ever tell!

Love, Mama

Justus-1/2 Year Old

Justus you are 6 months old!

YOU:
*Weigh in at 18 lbs!
*Wear size 2 diapers.
*Wear 3-6 month and 6 month clothes.
*Like to snuggle.
*Drool like crazy, there has to be a tooth coming...there has to be, right?
*Discovered your tongue.
*Love to play with your toes.
*Tried cereal for the first time and it didn't work very well. But, will be trying again.
*Started pushing the upper half of your body up with your hands.
*Chatterbox.
*Like to grab things. And this includes pulling Mother's hair!
*While relaxing you now cross your legs at the ankles-its so cute!
*Brother is the one who makes you laugh the most.
*Love being outside.
*Like to look AT everything.
*Don't like to be alone.
*Still nursing like a champ and I think the pounds prove that you like your food!
*Everything goes in your mouth.
*If we sit you up you can remain seated for several seconds.
*Have become a happy baby!
*Still hating tummy time.
*Waiting for you to lose the night time feeding...

My Little Politician,
Yes, I have officially given you a nickname that is sticking! I took you with us to vote for the senate and governor where everyone would ooh and aw over you! Then ask your name, "Justus; but not spelled like the store or the Justice of the Peace...someday he is going to be on the ballot-Justus for all!" Then from that day on, I started calling you 'My Little Politician' or my 'Chunky Politician'. Now that I think about it, I think you became a happier baby when I gave you a nickname that was all your own? Okay, I know that is not the case; but you have been SO happy and we are all loving it! I love how your smile makes your gorgeous big blue eyes sparkle! You are just SO cute and SO loved! Thank you for letting me bestow all those kisses upon your forehead and for crying every time I leave to go do my laundry-its nice to know that you notice when I am gone and that you need me! Love you more than yesterday!
Love You,
Mama