Santa's comin'!

Christmas is going to be SO fun this year! Barnes really understands Santa and what Christmas is all about. Gammie got him the little people nativity set and he loves to play with baby Jesus and the manger scene. He has even been taking the angel and baby Jesus to bed with him at night.

We went to see Santa at the Holiday Mart this year. Last year Barnes would NOT go near Santa. So I was concerned he might not this year either. Prior to our Santa visit, I showed him lots of pictures of Santa online (thanks Google)! I also talked to him about what Santa would be wearing and he would have lots of white hair. He seemed very excited but I still would not have bet one way or another whether he would actually sit on his lap.

Well, we got to the Holiday Mart and punched the elevator button to go up to where Santa was and when the door opened... Santa was on the elevator! He was just coming back up from his break and Barnes was thrilled to see him. I think it was a great ice breaker for him to see Santa this way. When it was our turn, he hopped right up in Santa's lap and yelled, "Football Helmet!" So funny! Anna Kate did a great job too. She was only three weeks old. Any takers on whether SHE sits on Santa's lap next year???

Things Barnes wants for Christmas:

1. Football helmet
2. Trains and train table
3. Hockey table (air hockey)
4. Hockey stick
5. Hockey puck
6. Mickey movie

Every morning we move the candy cane on the Christmas calendar. He shows me when Santa is comin'. We wrapped daddy a present on Friday and gave it to him early. Barnes was SO proud to help wrap daddy's present and was thrilled to give him the gift as soon as he got home. After we gave daddy his present, instead of asking for a present for himself... he said he wanted to wrap a present for Mommy. Which I think is proof that at any age, giving is so much more fun than receiving gifts. He is such a sweet and precious child. I just love this tender little age. Everything is so special to him.

Merry Christmas. I know I have more gifts than I could have ever asked for. Namely, Barnes, Anna Kate, and Brad.

6 Weeks Old~

Our baby girl is six weeks old today! These last few weeks have just flown by. Anna Kate is such a blessing to our family. She is sleeping through the night and is so easy going. Her disposition reminds me of Barnes when he was her age. Thankfully so far, she isn't having the tummy troubles that he had with reflux and gas.

Barnes loves Anna Kate so much. He wants to help and if she cries hes the first one to jump up and let me know shes crying or put her poppie back in. There has not been one episode of jealousy between them. It has been a rough six weeks for him on another front... he has been sick constantly. The Friday before Anna Kate was born, he went to the doctor and had double ear infections. We have since been to the doctor for two more double ear infections, croup and a serious allergic reaction when he had a rash over his entire body. The little guy has been a trooper. To have gone through all this and not feel good a lot of the time and still love his new baby sister who is taking lots of mommy's time away from him, says so much about him. I'm proud of him, he has transitioned so well to the role of big brother.

A few pics of the last few weeks.

Sweet little baby face
holding his baby sister

Helping make Thanksgiving dessert

yummy food!

we got an emergency haircut last Monday!

He was pulling out his hair again...

probably because he doesn't feel well the doctor said!

Anna Kate in her Christmas jammies

Our cute girl!

A few pictures of our baby girl! She is growing so fast and is such a great baby. We had her two week check up and she weighed 9 lbs 8 ozs and was 23 inches. This puts her in the 97th percentile. Barnes has always been in the 97th percentile since he was born too.

I think she looks so much like her brother, especially when I put her in any of Barnes' sleepers or blankets. We are so blessed by this new little Perry in our lives. Barnes loves her dearly and is always checking on her and helping me when I need it. He hasn't been jealous in the least. He gave her one of his Thomas the Train engines. This is LOVE in his language. Sharing his trains is not easy but he voluntarily gave it to her. So sweet!

sweet baby face
Barnes gave her his train

Georgie Pumpkin is my faithful companion during 3am feedings

With Dr. Aycock that delivered her

Pretty girl!

shhhh!

Thank you, mom!

Gammie has only been gone for a few short hours but I MISS HER ALREADY! I'm so thankful that she came and stayed with us for the last two weeks. She helped us get on our feet with baby Anna Kate like only a Gammie can. She washed our clothes, cooked for us, and cleaned up. She held, changed, burped and loved on Anna Kate. She made lunches, gave baths, entertained, played hockey and read books to Barnes. She took care of me, took care of Brad, did grocery shopping, picked up medicine, and SOOOO much more.

I'm so blessed to have a mother like her. She is so selfless and loving and devoted to us. I hope I can be half as giving and helpful and loving to Barnes and Anna Kate in their lives as she has been to me in mine.

A few quotes about mothers

"All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother" ~Abraham Lincoln

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother" ~Lin Yutang

"I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine- she helps me grow, prosper and reach great heights" ~Terri Guillemets

Thanks Gammie for loving us so much. I never doubt how much you care for us. It shows in everything you do. I love you, mom.

Halloween Fun!

A few pictures from halloween. We had fun! I was thrilled to feel well enough to trick-or-treat with Barnes. Special thanks to Gammie for staying with Anna Kate. Barnes loved the candy and loved being a monkey. It was SO fun trick-or-treating with three two year old little boys. (Gavin and Matt) Cant wait to dress up both kiddos next year and do it all again.

about to head out trick or treating

proud of our jack-o-lantern

weekend before anna kate arrived

picking out pumpkins

second baby... looks same as the first!

Just wanted to share these pics... they were taken when both kids were two days old. I think they speak for themselves!

Right after I had AKP and they were weighing her and cleaning her up, Brad was over across the room looking at her. I asked him what she looked like and he said, "just like your other one!" These pics illustrate that perfectly!

Blessed Beyond Measure

Our family is unbelievable blessed. Anna Kathryn (Anna Kate) Perry arrived on Monday, October 25! We are so thrilled that she is finally here. She was 9lbs 3ozs and 21 inches. A little smaller than Barnes was on his debut into the world but still a big girl. She is perfect in every way. She has long fingers, a head full of black hair and looks JUST LIKE her daddy and big brother. I don't believe she has a dimple like the two of them though.

We came home from the hospital yesterday and shes been a doll. Eating good, sleeping good and just a very happy little girl. Barnes is smitten with her. He loves to touch her hair and say, "hi sissy" in a sweet little voice. He wants to know if she can play hockey or go to the choo choo with him. He wants her included in all of his activities. He even tried to feed her some of his lunch today (ham sandwich and Cheetos!)

I am so grateful for my many blessings. These two healthy, happy children are at the top of my list.

Daddy already wrapped around her finger
llooks just like Barnes in this pic!

with mommy on day 2

right after we had her and Barnes and family got to come in

REALLY? I CANT EAT?!

Its 12:16 am and Im giving birth tomorrow. But not until 3:30 PM. Which means I CANNOT eat until way after 3:30 PM tomorrow.

Dont worry... I just ate a sandwich and a BIG piece of Jennifer's left over birthday cake. Im going to make it. :)

Oh the fun we have had!

As Ive mentioned in previous posts... THE GUILT. I have lots of it to go around these days. Irrational, unstoppable, unreasonable guilt. Now I'm not saying I believe that Barnes going to be loved any less after his sister arrives or that I'm ruining his life by having another baby. I know its completely irrational and hormonal so I do understand it. But that's as much as I can do about it. Understand it. Stop it? Nope.

My child has benefited greatly from said guilt. I have packed in just about every activity possible into the days and weeks leading up to the arrival our our newest family member. We have had SO much fun. Whether it was just the two of us at the park or playing in the driveway, a football game with daddy on a Friday night, watching our friends play hockey on the weekend, going to the pumpkin patch or just hanging at home in our PJ's watching Thomas the Train.

I am sure of one thing. Ive done the most with the time we had each day to make it special. Barnes is my little partner and sidekick. He hops in the truck and goes wherever mommy goes and we practice our counting and colors and talk about all the things we see on our adventures.

Here are a few pictures of the places we have gone and the fun we've had over the past few weeks/months.

Farm Outings

going down the tube slide

riding ponies with daddy

riding ponies at another farm we went to the next week with our friends

my sweet boys

Matt, Barnes and Gavin

playing with Georgie in the yard

Playing at the park

look at that sky! The weather has been gorgeous!

we had a picnic at the park

started out that morning at the train museum

Lunch at Red Robin with daddy and mommy

practicing his hockey skills

YES, he can skate!!

He looks like a pro! And hits like one too!

We bought skates, a puck, and sticks at Toys r Us after the hockey game

This last pic is where all of the hockey obsession started. Barnes' friend Ben and his brothers play hockey and Barnes has developed quite an interest in playing. He loves BEN and loves playing with him. Ben invited us over earlier this week and the literally played for two hours straight. Hockey, golf, jumping in piles of leaves, football, soccer and just running round falling down. What fun that little boy has had.

I know Barnes will be the best big brother Anna Kate could ever hope for. He is such a strong, sweet boy. He is rough and tumble so she better come out tough but he also has the biggest, sweetest heart and wants to please and love and snuggle. She was kicking in my belly tonight and he told me she was playing hockey. Hope she also is athletic! ;)

I thank God everynight for this life he has given me. What blessings I am given everyday. To have a partner like Brad. He is a wonderful father, husband and provider. Patient when mine has long run out and willing to get down in the floor and wrestle because I sure cant at this time! To have a son like Barnes. Strong, sweet, innocent and caring. He is all the best parts of Brad and me. Im so blessed that God chose me to be his mommy. Im thankful for this baby girl, who has been a pregnancy breeze compared with her brother. She has been easy going, let me eat most everything I want and given me joy in planning her room and wardrobe like only a little girl can. I would be remiss if I didnt also include my closest friends, Gail, Jennifer, Amanda, Lindsay and my dearest mother in this post. Each have supported me, help me decorate, fixed my family dinner, driven 2+ hours to celebrate my shower, organized my closets and washed my clothes, and loved me and listened to me during this time. I am thankful for all those people who bless my life. I continually wonder what in the world Ive ever done to deserve so many warm, giving, loving people in my life.

I thank the Lord for all of my many blessings, including those reading this.

Let's try this again... 10.25.10

We thought baby Anna Kate was going to come on 10.22.10 but plans change! Our doctor's office called yesterday and cancelled the C-section. Its now rescheduled for Monday, which is 10.25.10. Famous people like Pablo Picasso, Minnie Pearl, and Katy Perry (Ugh!) were born on this day. Disney World was dedicated on 10.25, Windows XP was released on 10.25, and Anna Kathryn Perry will be born!!

Its going to be a great day!

One other side note, we had an ultrasound today AKP measured EXACTLY the same weight as BBP did at this visit at 38 weeks. 9 pounds 6 ounces. I find this fact really interesting, but I have gained almost the exact amount of weight as with Barnes. (34 pounds for the record with him, 32 with her) NOT that ANYONE WHO READS THIS is keeping up with it.

We are excited to meet our baby girl and Barnes is thrilled to be a big brother. He has been practicing being gentle and we have been talking about how sissy will cry sometimes and be happy sometimes and eat a lot.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers on the big day!

10.22.10 - A special day for the Perrys!

Just a little update... went to the doctor on Monday and Anna Kathryn (Anna Kate, or Sissy as BBP calls her) will be making her arrival on Friday the 22nd! I cannot wait to meet our daughter. What a special day.

I'm trying to spend every last minute with Barnes and pack in as much excitement as possible. In the last week, we've been to the park, to the train museum, to two different farms to see animals and ride ponies and we are trying out a new music class on Friday! But tomorrow we are just staying home and taking it easy. We might stay in our jammies all day and watch cartoons!

Love to all~

Big Boy Room

Room before painting

after painting one wall and the ceiling

nautical theme

Barnes has been sleeping in his new room every night for the last two weeks. I'm finally ready to announce that its official... hes a big boy! He goes to bed great each night (with a couple of exceptions) but the best part is that he hasn't realized he CAN get out of the bed without me. He knows HOW to get out of the bed and once I come into his room he gets out. But he wont get out without me. PERFECTION! How lucky can I be? My biggest fear with the big boy bed was that he would get out constantly in the middle of the night and come into our room. But so far (holding breath) the thought hasn't occurred to him.

I'm so proud of my little biscuit. (insert proud mommy face)

Fall has arrived! And just in time!

Fall his FINALLY arrived in Jackson. This week we have been waking up to crisp mornings and have been able to make careful decisions about incorporating our fall wardrobe into the mix of things! The first photo below shows my fave fall outfit so far that Barnes has. Well, actually I love them all but this one is especially cute with his new wallaby shoes. SIDE NOTE FYI: Once your little boy hits a size 9 in shoes all bets are off for finding cute little boy shoes. You either wear the mini version (Wallabys, New Balance, Converse) of big kid/people shoes or you brave the kid size section at Stride Rite or Target filled with shoes that have wheels, that light up or have so much neon orange/lime green on them that they glow and could double as a night light!

Okay, okay so I know my blog is NOT a kids fashion blog so I will get on with it.

We have had a great week enjoying the weather! It has been fun to play outside again - forgot what that was like. We've been trying out our local parks and we even got a visit from Poppy on Thursday. He took us to a yummy lunch and then took us to the park where he and BBP just had a big time!

In other Perry news, we go to the Dr. next week and will hopefully find out the date of AKP's arrival. Very exciting.... Ive been spending as much time as possible with Barnes and doing things Barnes wants and needs to do. I know our outings will be diminished greatly after baby sissy gets here. So far BBP says, "Sissy comin'!" and that Sissy will cry a lot when she gets here.

I know one thing, Sissy will be one lucky girl to have him as a big brother. Just as we are all lucky to have Barnes Perry in our lives. ;)

dinner out with mommy and daddy -

so stinkin' cute!

playing outside

Georgie Pumpkin Barnes Perry enjoys the weather and playing fetch

Barnes and GP play fetch (for the record, this dog has NEVER played fetch

with a ball outside with Brad or me) We tried for years!

This just started with Barnes. She honestly loves that child.

A boy and his dog

At Picasso pizza with poppy

Poppy making the ship sway

Barnes having fun on the other side!

North Park is an amazing park.

I'm thankful to those who raised the funds to build it.