It has been WAY TOO LONG!

It has been WAY too long since I have updated the blog - my apologies!

Part of the problem has been the coffee/computer incident... Yes - my computer at school had a run-in with my coffee cup and needless to say, my coffee won. :( All my files/information has been saved, but the actual computer is still at the "doctor's office" and I have no idea if it will be repaired or not. SO...I have been using a loaner (which I am very thankful for), but it is older and runs slower and doesn't have all the nice "stuff" my other one did (EX: I haven't figured out how to download videos off the camera). SO...will update the blog today with pictures, but no videos...which is sad because our little Keatin is SLOWLY (and I mean slowly) starting to crawl. ...and she says "hi" very clearly. :)

On another note...today was the last day of school with kids, and tomorrow is my last day! I am SO excited for this summer, and look forward to spending time being a mom. :)

Two weeks ago, we traveled to the Quad Cities to see Josh's family. We spent the weekend at his Grandma and Grandpa Heeren's farm, and also saw the Barber side of the family. It was fun and Keatin was the hit of the show! She was all smiles and super friendly...we enjoyed our time!

Keatin discovered the back patio door at the Heeren's...and proceeded to spend a lot of time licking it!


Keatin meeting Grandma and Grandpa Smallwood for the first time!

Sunday morning after church...



Here are just a bunch of snapshots...

This is what happens when Daddy is in charge of the bath... :)


Over Memorial Day weekend, we introduced Keatin to the swimming pool...and she loved it! I bet we spent 30-40 minutes in there. We eventually had to take the prune out!

Now that she is on the move, Keatin has discovered the bottom drawer in our kitchen...which houses the plastic baggies. Oh boy - look what she can do! :)


Keatin has also developed a love for kissing on the lips... I love that girl! :)

We also spent a large majority of Memorial Day weekend taking care of a sick baby (which was too bad because my parents came for a quick visit). :( Keatin had a HIGH fever on Saturday (got up over 103 degrees), and we took her to the doctor on Sunday...double ear infection. She is on antibiotics now and seems to be getting better, but we spent a lot of time cuddling and rocking. Here is Becca trying to distract her for awhile on Saturday night, just reading books...

Sunday morning with Daddy...still not feeling the greatest.

OH...AND over Memorial Day weekend, Josh and his "crew" started putting up drywall in the basement! (The crew involved my dad, our friend Ben, and Lyle...) As of Monday night, the whole theatre room has drywall up - ceiling and all... The upstairs of the house is DUSTY, but know it is worth it in the end. I even got to help use the power drill a few times! :) Josh did a great job and is feeling very proud of his work. :)





Just this morning... Had to take a picture of Keatin in this new outfit Aunt Bri bought for her!

9 month appointment

Josh took Keatin to her 9 month appointment yesterday morning...

She weighed in at 20 pounds even (which was my guess before the appointment) and is 27 3/4 inches long. I think Josh said that is 70th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for length. Her head measured a little large, but her "big-headed" parents were not surprised by that at all! :)

Keatin's new favorite pastime is "running" back and forth between Josh and I...we hold onto her hands and she "runs" (a.k.a. - walks very quickly) between the two of us...and giggles, giggles, giggles. (I am beginning to think she is going to skip crawling and go right to walking!) Will try to catch it on video sometime...I need a tripod or something for our camera! :)

So glad to be a mom :)

I had to run an errand yesterday afternoon...and this is what I came home to...Daddy blowing bubbles for Keatin (although I think she was more interested in the freshly cut grass). Isn't she adorable in these pictures? (I think one is going to be the new background for my computer desketop...) Maybe I am a bit biased...but man - I am so glad to be Keatin's mom! I love watching her explore, grow, develop...she is so fun! She gives me lots of hugs now and it just feels SO good the way her face lights up every time she sees me. If nothing else, Mother's Day made me step back and remember to truly appreciate all of life's moments with Keatin...what a blessing to have been given this gift of being a mom!

May????!!!!

It is May already??? WOW! Where has the time gone??? Keatin will be 9 months old this week - AAHHH!

Sorry it has been awhile since I have posted new pics/video clips...I think part of it is that we aren't taking as many as we did in the "early" days. :) However, I predict within the next week, Keatin will be crawling...she is SOOOOOOOO close! I will certainly post multiple pics/videos when it happens! Keatin has both of her bottom teeth now and I think she is working on one on the top.

More bathtime fun at the Barber house... She still has a love for sucking on washclothes, although not as obsessed about it as she used to be. :)

Trying out a biter biscuit... She sucks/chews on them a bit...but let me tell you what, Crimson loves them! :)

I arragned a surprise "date night" last week for Josh and myself...so Becca and Lyle watched Keatin for a few hours while we were out. He she is reading her FAVORITE book, Twinkle Toes, with Lyle... (SO wish I could have seen this live!) :)

Standing all by herself next to our new activity table...

Rolling around with Becca...

A friend bought us these boots for next winter...but they were too cute not to try on. Keatin promptly pulled them off!


On Saturday, we headed up to Cedar Falls to visit Aaron, Trish, and Lane and see the progress on the their home renovation. Here is Keatin in her big girl car seat with her big girl sunglasses!

Not sockingly, she prefers to chew on them... :)

Lane and Keatin...they played really well together and were so fun to watch. :) They even shared pacifiers...yum-yum!

On Sunday, it was gorgeous weather so Trish, Lane, Keatin, myself, and the dogs sat outside and played before we headed back to Ames. Keatin enjoyed it SO much...makes me excited for this summer when we get to play together outside all the time!


Just a little video of the "talking" we hear ALL THE TIME!