April in Pictures

Are you ready for some April pictures from the crazy Barntsen fam?! Oh GOOD!

These two. Couldn't love them more.

I love this...he's stuck and she's just reading to him.

One of my best friends, Amanda, and I were able to attend Beth Moore in Eden Prairie - what a conference! I took lots of notes both on paper and in my heart and walked away feeling refreshed. I loved worshiping along with Amanda and also loved being able to see her little guy Fletcher at MOA on their way out of town!

Almost every night when I'm nursing Conrad, I'll hear the pitter patter of little feet and sure enough his door will swing open and Gwendolyn will come over and lay on my legs with her head on his lower body. She doesn't say a word (she knows it's quiet time). Once daddy follows up the stairs a few minutes later, she'll whisper good-night and just like that, walk quietly out the door again to go get ready for bed. I love the sight of her little silhouette coming in the door. 

Nap time shenanigans.

You know those really yummy candied pecans you can buy at the fair or at some malls? Well I realized you can make them at home! They are fab on a salad. Or by the handful. :)

Best daddy ever.

I just realized I can never get rid of this chair. It holds too many memories of snuggling these kiddos.

Easter 2014

Daddy's took Gwendolyn on a date (she now asks when they can go on another one...) to dinner and the musical Shrek at the local children's theater. They didn't have the best seats, but they had a wonderful time. Naturally, we had to snap a few pics before they left for Applebee's.  

Aunt Becca FLEW into town for Conrad's big 1st birthday party. I know. What an aunt! First things first upon her arrival at the airport - pedis and shopping!

We were all pretty pumped she was here for four days!

Daddy likes to give Conrad a ride on Sissy's back. I love this picture....it's like Conrad is asking, "dad - you sure you got me?!"

Gwendolyn:

Sometimes I wish there were two of her.

Grandpa and Grandma went to China! They stayed with us on their journey home, and brought Gwendolyn the prettiest of dresses with matching shoes and authentic fan.

(It's super fun to be the lucky duck who gets her for her morning snuggle time.)

She may have her winter coat on, but darn it - we were going to blow bubbles in that sunshine!

We decided to try out the Easter egg hunt at our Rainbow grocery store. The advertisement said it started at 7:30 am, that there'd be over 4,000 eggs hidden, and free donuts. Um, you had me at donuts.

Well...we literally got there at 7:35 and it was OVER. Kids were going through a check out line picking up what looked like prizes. One of the managers caught my eye and I asked if it was over and he felt so badly that we had missed it that he gave Gwendolyn three bags of candy (far more than she ever would have found on her own) AND radioed for the Easter bunny to come up front who then gave Gwendolyn a stuffed rabbit. Can you say favor?! It was hilarious. 

We then got some groceries and headed to McDonald's for breakfast. I love fun Saturdays!

She was trying so hard to carry all of her eggs that were hidden all over the house. It was so cute. She got Peeps and painting stuff in her Easter basket. 

She created this barricade and asked me to keep Conrad away. 

I wish I had matching green rain boots and rain coat.

Coloring with Matthew and Kate after "library school."

After nap snuggles with Grandma.

Nap time with Aunt Becca. Is that not the cutest?!

Becca is great at braiding hair so Gwendolyn had a braid in her hair the entire time she was here. Ha. 

Morning snuggles!

Conrad:

First time in a cart sitting up front like a big boy.

I love how his mouth stays open when he's just thinkin' about things...in this case where his breakfast was.

It's fun to ride on daddy's shoulders! And pull daddy's hair!

Yep, still carrying him around in that carrier. (Last day was May 13th *tear)

He can be such a cheeser sometimes. 

Thankfully his habit of pulling up the top part of his tray and dumping his food on the floor was short-lived. 

His hood stayed up throughout his entire nap. He wasn't happy when mommy left the room to go grab her camera.

Gwendolyn was 10 months old in the picture on the left in January 2012. Conrad is just about 12 months old in the pic on the right. Basically twins, right? 

p.s. this umbrella stroller rocks. Another great research find by my hubby. 

He was off and crawling on April 14th!

And then I found him standing up in his crib for the first time on April 18th - what a week for this baby!

Thankfully they had recently been washed in preparation for his first birthday party....

(can we talk about those legs?!)

I'll give you ONE guess who made (most of) this mess...

Snack time in the church nursery.

Snuggles after Easter lunch at our friend's Dana and Rosa. 

Working on the step and pulling himself up on the ottoman...

Is there anything cuter?!

IT'S HIS BIRTHDAY!

He loved our family "happy birthday" song. 

Squeezing just ooooooone more day out of our favorite pants.

He mastered the step!!

Our one year old getting ready to go to his party at Miss Kathy's house.

Love this view.

What a fabulous, joy-filled, busy, exciting month. We're SO blessed beyond words by these two kiddos and our friends and family. Can't wait to share pictures from his 1st birthday celebration!

Stitch Fix #4

Who loves a fun Stitch Fix post?! MEEEEEE!!

My box arrived on Tuesday, and I was giddy with excitement. I was in the middle of a newborn shoot when my doorbell rang, and opening the box was my reward to myself after I had the house cleaned up.

Stitch Fix-ing gets addictive. It's true. Even when you don't LOVE everything that comes through your door (like my last one) it's like you just can't wait to see what the possibilities could be in the next fix. It's an exciting way to shop, that's for sure.

I've decided a few things about myself after having gone through four fixes now.
a.) I'm picky particular.
b.) I'm hard to fit.
c.) I'm cheap-ish.
d.) I'm really practical.
e.) I'm still a sucker for surprises.

Reasons I really liked this fix:
a.) All tops, which is what I was hoping for.
b.) My stylist did a much better job of providing me options that could truly be worn by a busy mom.
c.) Fabrics were more practical than previous fixes.
d.) I could see myself in all five pieces.
e.) They aren't like anything I have in my closet, yet I feel comfortable in them.

I apologize in advance that these are phone pics taken at 10:00 pm in our messy bedroom. I hope you can look past the capris and red eye. And no cute assistant on these either. Sorry to disappoint.

Fix #1: 

Aiden Embroidered Hem Woven Top, $48

At first glance, I didn't think I'd care for this, but I ended up liking it the first time I tried it on and loving it the second time when I paired it with white jeans and fun colored shoes like they suggested. (What?! You can't wear everything with black capris?!)

It fits perfectly and has a beautiful lining that just falls and feels great unlike some other linen tops I have.

Fix #2:

Tulane 3/4-sleeve Sweater Tunic, $48

This top had a lot going for it....I love 3/4-sleeves, tunics, and the color was fabulous. Unfortunately, whatever this fabric is just isn't forgiving enough for me (also kind of clingy) and I couldn't get visions of potential side bulge out of my head. Knowing I'd be self-conscious in it no matter what I wore with it, I knew it had to go back. Such a shame b/c the color was very Sarah.

(The flash makes my white tank top visible, but I don't think it normally would show.)

Fix #3:

Anwen V-neck Dolman Sleeve Sweater, $48

When I first pulled this out of the box I was like, "no waaaaay." But it just goes to show that you never know! It's a deep purple color (not as bright as pictured) and it stretches me a bit, but at the same time is a safe choice due to it's solid color and the way it hides imperfections. Tom thought it was a bit weird, and while it's going back...I did have to think twice about that decision. 

I really hope I don't regret it.

Fix #4:

Aspen Boat Neck Tee, $48

I love boat necked tops. And I love gold buttons/details. I'm not typically a huge fan of stripes, but I was able to look past that. I think it's easy and comfortable and can go with my mustard ankle pants (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this), white pants, or jeans. 

This tee has a new home. 

Fix #5:

Tina Stiped Open Cardigan, $48

I am super bummed this one was a bit too snug across the shoulders. I really don't like things tight so despite my best attempts at stretching it out a tad, it just wasn't meant to be. 

I loved the light weight fabric and drape of it. If only it was easy to get a size bigger!

Overall, this was my favorite fix so far. Things weren't too out there, yet the two tops I decided to keep (#1 and #4) aren't things I would necessarily try on if I saw them at a store so it's good to be stretched a bit. 

But just a bit. :)

If you're new to this whole thing, Stitch Fix is a fun little shopping experience. You fill out an online profile letting them know what you like and what you'd like to improve in your wardrobe. You pay a $20 styling fee that is then applied to whatever pieces you decide to keep at the end. A stylist then selects five pieces (I'd love to be a fly on the wall during this part) that he/she thinks you may love, packages everything up in a box sent directly to your door step, and then you try on in the comfort of your own home. You have three days to decide and then just have to put the unwanted items (if there are any) in the bag provided and drop off at the mailbox - no return shipping. It's very easy! And I always love a good surprise.

They also have a fab referral program so I get a profile credit to use on my next fix whenever someone uses my referral link. Can't beat that!

Per usual, it's always fun to hear what others think!

Conrad: 52 weeks

I am ONE now, ya know. I've been so busy enjoying my new toys and skills that I almost forgot to do my last and final post! I have quite a busy schedule...eating, reading books, running errands with mommy, taking Sissy's toys, sleeping, eating, etc. etc. 

Since my parents made me take these pictures every two weeks for a full YEAR, I decided to make my final photo session the hardest. Ever. I basically refused to sit still and look at the camera. Thankfully Daddy was nearby otherwise I surely would have fallen off several times. Based off the blurry image of his face in picture #2, I'm not sure he was getting my humor. I, on the other hand, thought it was all hilarious. I think it's good to challenge them every once in a while...

• Can you believe it?! I'm ONE! I had a super fun party with both sets of grandparents, some cousins, and my aunts and uncles. They even let me have some cake! And very soon after cake, a nice warm bath. Everyone was so generous....I got new clothes, blocks, shoes, books, and a water table that is already proving to be quite entertaining. I couldn't believe everyone was here to celebrate MY birthday. I'm a well loved baby.

• My party at Miss Kathy's house was so fun! Miss Kathy made me a very cute cake with blocks on it, and I got a tunnel, basketball hoop, and summer clothes. Pretty lucky guy, huh?!

• April was a big month. You may remember that I started crawling, pulling myself up, AND mastering the step all in a matter of days. I haven't started walking along things quite yet, but I'm getting stronger and braver by the day.

• I have so many teeth, mommy's lost track now. A lot of people comment on how many teeth I have, so I'm thinking it's pretty impressive. They also comment on how big my head is, which I don't find quite as complimentary, buuuut I say it's just because I'm very smart and wise.

• I've started doing some new tricks. I'm a bit hit or miss, but when I do them it's pretty darn cute. Mommy says I have the most adorable wave, I clap, I crawl to you when you ask me to (yes, it's a trick), and I'm working on high fives. Not that we compare, but Sissy was praising Jesus when she was my age so I'm feeling just a bit of pressure. Every child is different. All in good time. All in good time.

• Mommy has a thing with straggly hair so she gave me my first little haircut. It was mostly a trim around the ears with just a touch - not too much - off the back. I'm pretty confident I'm going to have some great hair you guys. It seems to be coming in nice and thick. And very blond!

• It finally happened just last night....the big carseat switcharoo. No more infant carrier. Those are so for infants. So there are some changes to our routine around here, but I'm sure we'll all adjust just fine eventually. 

• My 12 month check-up went well and aside from not eating my vegetables, my doctor didn't have one concern about me. She suggested putting them in smoothies...which...explains that thick green drink they tried giving me. Good news though - I liked it! We all win.

Here are my stats as of 4/29/14:

Weight: 27 lbs, 8 oz - >98% 

Height: 31 7/8" - >98%

Head: 20 1/4" - >98%

As you can see, I'm a big boy. A big huggable, lovable, squishy boy who brings my parents and my big sissy endless joy. Thanks for hanging in there with me this first year and being such a great friend. It's been a wild and exciting ride, and I'm confident the party is just getting started. Check back often to stay in the loop.

Love always,

Conrad Cross