just lovin

i am loving...

our new beautiful bed and comforter!

my new organized closet

(thanks to my dear friend donna... who even color-coded everything!)

and these amazing blue eyes

(even with the sweet potatoes all over his face!)

Books Books & More Books...

Barrett LOVES this little Vtech Rhyme & Discover Book

It talks to him, sings, lights up, and teaches him little songs like...

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Hey Diddle Diddle

&

BINGO

When he is calm and able to pay better attention we pull out our

BIG BOY BOOKS (these are the books with paper pages that

are easily ripped... he can only have these when mommy is sitting right there!)

GG bought him the book Full Moon Rising.

It is a wonderful book about God's Glory... and its all about

the moon stealing glory from the Son!

This book has an important message about humility and the dangers of pride.

I pray that Barrett one day understands this...

but for now it is a fun book to read together!

And another FUN book that we love...

Barrett's picture book!

It is a blank book that you can add photos to...

We are working on learning who Aunt Betsy is now :)

(he wanted to eat his book, not look at it in this picture.. ha)

Watching Barrett's love for reading so cute!

More of our favorites to come...

Love for Reading

I have loved reading to Barrett since he was born...My mom (an amazing elementary school teacher) read to my sister and I so much as we were growing up.I want to pass that love for reading on to my little boy...

So the beginning of our reading journey started with Barrett just laying in my arms,

not really caring what I was reading, then he began to hit the little books, and babble

while we read, and then he would chew on the books, and drool on them, and now he sits up and I try to read them with much inflection in my voice and even act out some of the words, he flaps his little arms, interacts with me, claps his little hands, and gets totally excited!

I want to remember some of our favorite books we read together in this first year!

This is one of MY personal favorites!

Its based on Psalm 139... How your little one is "fearfully and wonderfully made!"

Its based on the theme...

YOU ARE THE ONE AND ONLY EVER YOU!

My favorite part:

"Not once had there been such eyes,

such a nose,

such silly, wiggly wonderful toes.

In fact, I think I'll count to three

so you can wiggle your toes for me."

(I always tickle B's toes and he wiggles them around and laughs!

yeah, its pretty cute!)

This is one of Barrett's favorite books!

We sing the Barnyard dance song...

"Stomp your feet

Clap your hands

Everybody ready for the barnyard dance!!"

Wanting to pass a love fore reading and learning to my little cutie pie!!

More of our favorite books to come....

"The more that you read the more things you will know. The more that you learn to more places you'll go!"

Dr. Seuss

inchworm, toys, and talking

Oh my little Barr Baby!!! What a fun day we had today!!

Today was just supposed to be a "regular day" with nothing too exciting... but when I laid my boy down for bed and he rested his little head of my shoulder, I wanted to hold him for just a little bit longer... today was actually a "special day!" My boy was happy, playful, and becoming more and more adventurous! I love watching him learn to conquer his inchworm crawl... becoming more and more proficient with each day (especially when he is going after my coffee mug!). I love seeing him interacting with his toys and baby einstein movies! And I love hearing him babble up a storm and say his favorite word about a million times a day.... "dada!!" Oh we played our hearts out today! We laughed... yeah, me and my 9 month old... we laughed it up baby!! :) His sweet personality is rockin... and I love the time that I get to spend with him! Everyday is a SPECIAL day!

Ray was off more than usual this past week so we were able to spend some quality time with family and friends! I love my days with my little man, but my times with my big man are just as amazing!! Ray brings me so much joy! I love the little ways he is always thinking of me and what I prefer... I love watching our favorite shows together... planning our future (or at least a tentative plan, right Lord?!?), how he remembers every patient I have ever told him about, seeing him dive into the Word whenever either of us have questions, and of coarse, the way he makes me roll off the couch laughing ALL THE TIME!! We were just made for each other... and I love that!!! I love how I see the beautiful hand of God woven through our relationship! I can't believe we are coming up on our 2 year anniversary!!

Nanny (Ray's grandma) is taking care of Barrett while we both work tomorrow because GiGi is out of town!! I am so thankful for all the people that have cared for our little boy since he was born!! To see how our family, friends, and church have come along side us has been overwhelming... I am grateful... and I know that Nanny will give Barrett just as many kisses as I would!! I always LOVE hearing about his day when I get off!

And whether my work day is done or just a day at home being a wife and mom is done, I feel carried on His everlasting wings... knowing that this is the season that He has called me to and IT IS AN HONOR to be what HE has called me to be... knowing that His grace is sufficient for me!

"This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness."
— Elisabeth Elliot

comfy bed!!

So...

Just wanted to say...

had an AMAZING sleep last night :)

Our nice new comfy bed did not disappoint!

I lay down and sleep;

I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.

—Psalm 3:4-5

good night, sleep tight

My days are so full... by the time I put Barrett to bed at 8, I am ready to hit the hay myself :) Though the days have been quite packed, they are stuffed full of new milestones, lots of laughs, and making fun memories! So here's a quick update on some of the fun around the Hunt household lately :)

My sweet boy was dedicated to the Lord at church a few Sundays ago...

So fun to watch his personality start to shape into an individual

He rode around in the bike basket for a long time and loved it!

Grammy, Gdaddy, Aunt Betsy, & Patrick came to visit for Barrett's dedication...

It meant so much to have my whole family together!

Barrett is learning to skateboard :)

We also celebrated Uncle Caleb's 9th birthday!

Caleb is such a sweetie... growing into a thoughtful, caring, and very athletic little man!

i l o v e m y f a m i l y

play dates with kaden rock!!

even when they steal each others toys :)

uh just gotta say it...

2 of the cutest boys in to world!!

They play so well together

Little B's first wagon ride with Lukie!!

Luke was so cute to hold B and make sure he didn't tip over!

Barrett is also enjoying a little "Into to Water" class at the YMCA! He loves to splash the little girls, lick the water, kick his feet, and chase the little toy octopus! It is fun seeing him learn to love the water! (pics to follow of swim class!)

One big news flash is... Barrett is finally crawling (started about 8 months and 3 weeks).... well, I guess you can call it that! We fondly call it "the inchworm". He goes from belly to all fours until he finally reaches his destination. It is so cute to see the look of determination on his face! Sometimes I forget he's mobile... like the day that he ended up in a different room while I was in the shower! Yikes! So... we are in the process of baby proofing the house!

Little tidbits are... he loves to drink out of a straw, he claps ALL the time (from the minute he wakes up, until we lay him down for bed), has to turn off the light switch before we leave the room, got his first tooth on the bottom (not a very fun few weeks!), he is taking 2 1/2 hour naps (sweet!), got hsi first pair of sunglasses, loves to "inchworm" over to outlets on the wall and hit them, and he loves to scrunch up his face when he laughs (hilarious!). Anyway, I try to keep up with his baby book, but the blog helps to remind me of the things that he is doing!

Barrett pretty much fills up the majority of our day... but one thing that Ray and I both enjoy is laying down at night in the quiet and getting a good night sleep :) Lately we have both been waking up alot and in the morning we awaken with the worst neck and back pain. Ray's poor mattress has been through many years of faithful service, but time was up! We pulled together our coins (hehe) and purchased a big (yes, king) comfy (pillowtop) mattress! Tonight will be our first night sleeping in it! I feel like its Christmas! We are both so excited to go to bed tonight! :)

So... needless to say, I am signing off for now because my big, beautiful, comfy bed is calling my name!! warm sheets just came out of the dryer... its gonna be a good night!! :)

sLeEp TigHt, Don'T LeT ThE BeDbuGs bItE!!