Infirmary

Since we moved into our new house, it has felt like an infirmary.  Literally, the first working day after we moved in, Barrett had an ear infection and I had to stay home with him.  His fever went up again, and Billy stayed home with him that Wednesday.  Then, Billy got a nasty case of the sniffles (which he has since determined was the flu), although he refused to stay home to take care of himself.  The one day we were all relatively  healthy, we had a house full of people.  Then, Audrey woke up the next day with a high fever and absolutely no energy.  Later in the week, the doctor confirmed she had influenza A.  She had a fever for at least some part of the day for 6 straight days.  All she wanted to do was sleep or lay on the couch.  If that wasn't a telltale sign, then her complete lack of appetite was.  One day when I was home with her, I offered her a cookie for lunch just so she would eat something, and she only took 3 bites.  Yesterday, finally, she was back to her normal self. This was confirmed by the pancakes she devoured for breakfast, the incessant questions she asked, and the fact that bitty baby needed a new outfit (she literally was too sick to play with her favorite doll prior to that).     I have never been so happy to get asked 30 different questions about my pajamas before 8 am on a Sunday.

Now that we are all healthy, we can finally start enjoying our new home, and I can stop calling it the infirmary.  We did manage to clean through the boxes in the basement and get it organized.  So, next time one of our moms comes to visit with a carload of stuff, we are ready.  It also means we can spend more time playing together as a family.  While Audrey was sick, she had strict instructions not to touch her brother or his toys.  It might have been more difficult for her if she hadn't been so miserable to begin with.  

This week, without his sister to help him get whatever he wanted, Barrett started to really move.  He is booking it across the floor on his hands and knees, and tries to pull up on anything that he can find.  When I stand him up and let him hold onto furniture, he can support his weight on his legs.  It hasn't been that long since he just started to crawl, and he is already moving onto the next phase of mobility.  Slow down buddy...mommy and daddy have some more child-proofing to do before you start walking!

Child of God

On Sunday, we welcomed Barrett into God's covenant by baptising him.  Barrett did well during the church service and we had no fussing and no exploding poo in his white outfit. He had a new outfit, but we got some pictures of him in a bonnet that has been in my family for generations.

 
Despite having only moved the week before, we still gathered with family and friends afterwards at our new house for a meal.  While the guest of honor did well at church, once we got home, he was a sleepy mess.  He wouldn't take a nap, so when he finally fell asleep, he slept until most guests had left. Once he woke up, he opened his gifts and really seemed to enjoy it. All of that is secondary though.  We are just so excited that we can share our faith with our son and we pray that he will grow to know and love Jesus as his savior. 

He's Mobile!

I had been saying for a few weeks that Barrett always had someone's attention, so he lacked the necesary motivation to learn to crawl.  He is always trying to pull up on things already, so I had also been saying that he would walk before he would crawl.  Well, I think the process of moving gave him the alone time he needed to work through the process of crawling.  Monday, he managed to move himself a couple of feet to try to get into some papers I had on the floor.  Yesterday, he crawled halfway across the living room.  I think it is time to start childproofing the new house!

As if that wasn't enough, we think Barrett has said his first word.  He likes the "B" sound, and makes it constantly.  However, Billy noticed yesterday (when he was home with Barrett, because Barrett has an ear infection and cold) that he was repeating the "ba" noise twice when he saw a bottle.  That's right, he's a hungry boy and his first word is "ba-ba." 

With moving and Barrett being sick, I have fallen behind on taking photos.  I will catch up and include some with my next post. 

Turning the Page

As we start a new year, our family is also starting our life in our new home.  We are planning to make the big move this coming weekend.  The past week has been so busy, but super productive.  We have been transforming our new home from a boring, white blank slate to something that we can call home.  The walls have paint, colored paint, and we've done some other personalizing in the kitchen and laundry room too.  By far, I think the biggest transformation is the kitchen.  Take a look for yourself. 

Before

After

We have been taking over a car load with each trip we make to the new house, and are almost done moving everything except the big furniture. Our parents have both come down to help us get everything ready.  I was having a rough time this weekend, because the house was a mess with the painting and because some dryall had to be retaped, muded, sanded, etc. It was hard to imagine that my family could live there.  But yesterday, Bill and Lana came and cleaned, and today the house started to feel like home.  Audrey has also been very helpful.  She got some play cleaning supplies for Christmas and has been helping clean the new house.  She has also helped with some packing, but usually gets distracted by playing with her toys.  Barrett just wants to eat the boxes and bubble wrap.  Audrey is really good at helping entertain Barrett, which really is a bigger help than I think she knows.  I am just glad that we are in the home stretch.  I can't wait to be done moving for the next two decades!