Big Boy Barrett

 

As we prepare for the arrival of our baby boy in the next few weeks, change is taking place throughout the Nance household.  There are the obvious things, like my growing belly and increasing fatigue.  But there are less obvious changes as well, like preparing Barrett for his new role as a big brother.  Audrey is pretty well set.  She's already had a little brother come into her life once, so she doesn't seem very concerned or even all that interested in the baby.  She likes to tell Barrett about all of the things he can and cannot do with the baby, but other than that, her primary concern in the whole matter is watching my belly grow.  Barrett, on the other hand, is much more curious and excited about the coming baby.  He asks to "see" the baby all of the time (meaning my belly), and frequently brings toys to me that he wants to give to his baby brother.  He also loves to try to make the baby move so he can feel the kicks. 

To help make sure Barrett is as ready as possible for the impending change a baby brings, we are continually driving home the idea that he is a big boy and not a baby anymore.  Audrey likes to make sure Barrett knows that he's still not as big as her, but we are doing what we can to reinforce his big boy lifestyle.  It must be working, because miraculously, he decided a few weeks ago he no longer wanted to wear pull-ups at night.  After a trial period with dry pull-up for a few mornings in a row, he stopped wearing the pull-ups at night and has only had a handful of accidents. 

One of the biggest changes that came as a result of Barrett being a big boy is that he moved out of the nursery into what we call his "big boy room."  It was the guest bedroom, which we fortunately had painted the same color as his "baby room."  His new room is a little bigger, and much more grown up.  Billy built a window seat with drawers for storage beneath the large arch window in the room.  We also ungraded the closet storage and made a few other cosmetic improvements.  Barrett moved into his big boy room two weeks ago, and absolutely loves it.  I think his favorite part is the Cars table that he got for Christmas that we finally had room to put up for him. We are all really pleased with the way the room came together.  Here are some photos to show off Barrett's new space.

Love is...

I intended to do this post for Valentine's Day, but it is appropriately late. 

TV and movies typically focus on the beginnings of romantic love.  You don't see as much of the maintenance and nurture.  As I think about it though, I guess I understand why.  It isn't as exciting or attractive.  In fact, in many ways it is downright boring.  After 10 years of marriage, I can definitely say that my husband and I don't have a boring relationship, but I would also say that it is far from the attractive ideals of the movies.  It is much more about self-sacrifice and humility than self-indulgence and affirmation.  So, in honor of my husband, here is my explanation of how he has come to define love within our marriage.

Love is...

• just getting an extra blanket when your pregnant wife insists on running the ceiling fan when it is 10 degrees outside.
• busting your butt to get things ready for the nursery because the same pregnant wife can't lift, paint, sand or carry just about anything.
• taking two kids to the Magic House by yourself on a Saturday just so your wife can work in peace. 
• postponing plans to make upgrades to your jet ski to first make sure your"honey-do" list is complete (and not complaining about it at all).
• caring about the paint colors coordinating in the nursery because you know it will make her happy, even if you could really care less.
• telling your wife she looks really cute (and meaning it) when she is wearing sweatpants, a t-shirt, and no makeup.

I could make the list much longer, but you get the idea.  I am so thankful to have a husband that can tolerate my crazy, crabby, pregnant self and love me just the same as he did when I stayed up past 9 and liked getting dressed up just for fun. 

This picture is from when Billy took Audrey to her school's father/daughter dance a couple of weeks ago. 

Say What!?

We are all getting excited about the arrival of baby #3.  Audrey and Barrett's interest in the baby has grown in tandem with the size of my belly.  The past couple of weeks, they've started to talk more about the baby and ask more questions.  I wanted to share some of my favorites here so you all can laugh along with me.

• Barrett frequently asks if he can "see the baby," which entails lifting up my shirt to see my belly.  Fortunately, I have trained him that he can't do that unless we're at home. 
• Audrey inquired yesterday morning, "Mommy, why is it just your belly that is getting bigger and not your whole body?"  Bless you child...that made my day.
• The other day when my belly was exposed, Barrett walked up to me and poked my belly button.  Then he did it again and again as he giggled.  "Mommy," he said, "I am poking the baby's nose."  I explained that was just my belly button, but he continued to say it was his nose.
• Audrey and Barrett were playing the other day when I overheard Audrey tell Barrett, "Now Barrett, you are too small to carry the baby; only I can carry the baby, because I am a big kid."  I quickly jumped in to set the expectation with Audrey that she would not be carrying the baby either.  I think we are going to have to watch that very closely. 
• Last night, I was laying on the floor and Barrett came over and wanted to see the baby.  He was moving around a lot at that moment, so I put Barrett's hand on the spot where I'd felt him move.  The baby didn't disappoint, and seemed to do an entire gymnastics routine for his big brother.  Barrett was thrilled; he laughed so hard I think he was almost crying. 
• Audrey wants the baby to be born on her birthday.  It is a definite possiblity, and I appreciate that she is so willing to share her special day.
• Audrey and Barrett have both told their teachers now that the baby's name is Vladimir.  That is not the baby's name; that is just what we jokingly tell people who try to get us to divulge the real name (which we aren't sharing).  We continually explain this to the children, but I really don't think they understand.  I have a feeling it is going to take some time after he is born for them to adjust to his real name.
• Audrey is very fascinated by the size of the baby.  She is always asking me things like, "Is he as big as my hand," or "Is he as big as my head?"  Tonight, I had to laugh when she asked, "Is he as big as the TVs in the back of the car?" 
• I get a lot of questions from both children about what the baby is eating while he is in my belly.  I have tried to explain the placenta and umbilical cord, but I think that is just too hard for them to grasp at this point.  As such, I have reverted to just listing the items in my last meal to them.

I am sure the interesting observations from Audrey and Barret will continue, so I will try to do a better job of keeping up with this blog and writing about them as they happen.  I am officially 30 weeks, so we're almost there!