6 Weeks Old

Hi, everybody!

I am six weeks old today, which everyone seems to be having a hard time believing. I hear, "Six weeks old already?!" all the time when people are talking about me (which is often.) This also means that mommy returns to work in six weeks. We don't talk about that though.

What I've been up to the last two weeks:
• I visited another state! (That's three states in six weeks, if you're keeping track.) Nebraska was exciting - I got to meet my Aunt Becca (who I am named after) my Uncle Robert, cousins Weston and Wyatt, Uncle Brent, Aunt Sara and cousins Noah and Hayden and my mom's best friend, Celeste, and her husband Adrian on the way there. And of course, it was great to see my Grandpa and Grandma again. I even traveled pretty well - we only had to stop twice each way.

• I went to church for the first time while in Omaha. My Aunt Becca's church had a special Easter service, but unfortunately me and my parents wouldn't really know because I got hungry and a tad fussy and we had to go in late. Once we were in, I was asleep and didn't make a peep the rest of the time though. That makes up for missing the first 40 minutes, right?!

• And then I went to MY church for the first time in Woodbury this past Sunday! Everyone was very excited to meet me. They even had a beautiful rose for me and I was introduced to the entire congregation. Mom and dad had been keeping me home from church at the recommendation of my pediatrician to make sure flu season was past.

• My parents can't make up their minds..I slept in my car seat one night (big no no but hey, whatever works) and then they had me sleeping in my papasan chair, which I actually really liked. However, after my one month check up and talking with my doctor, they decided it was time to push through and get me back in my crib. They elevated one end of my mattress so I'm at a bit of an incline since I don't really care for being on my back. I had two kind of rough nights and then two really good nights - one time even sleeping for 3.5 hours straight! I got lots of kisses for that!

• I smiled! My daddy had said he thought I smiled before, but my mommy didn't believe him until I smiled at her last week. She got tears in her eyes and started talking in a really high pitched/excited voice after that. I've done it several times since when I'm in a really good mood, usually after I wake up from my nap.

• Speaking of tears, I have real ones now. They haven't actually fallen down, but they well up in my eyes. Mom says that makes her sad.

• I have started trying to coo a little bit. It's really cute.

• I'm wearing size 1 diapers now.

• I tend to have fussy times in the evenings. Studies say this is normal and peaks at six weeks (which is what I am today, remember?!) I agree with those studies because I haven't been as fussy the last couple nights before bed time. I think mom and dad are finally figuring me out.

• I overheard my parents talking about trying to establish good sleeping habits for me. This involves a new pattern of eat, play, sleep. I was able to fall sleep after awake time twice yesterday - one time even completely on my own in my papasan chair after being awake in it for probably 10 minutes. This is a big deal! And they put me in my crib somewhat awake last night instead of rocking me until I was totally out. I guess they don't want me to be two years old and still getting up with me in the middle of the night.

** UPDATE FROM LAST NIGHT **

After attempting to put Gwen in her crib somewhat awake from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am in her fleece sleep sack instead of being swaddled (we're trying to find the perfect combination), we finally went back to her Halo sleep sack that swaddles her and she slept for a little over 4 hours until 6:00 am. (She would only last twenty or so minutes not swaddled.) That's the best yet. I'm pretty sure she was exhausted *smile.

• I actually enjoy tummy time. One time I almost fell asleep while laying on mommy's knees.

• I caught my first cold. Colds aren't fun! Thankfully the doctor said at my one month check up that it's only upper respiratory though. Mom and dad have been doing saline drops in my nose to help me out. Sometimes when I sneeze a lot of snot comes out of my nose and then mom has to wipe it off which always makes me very mad! But I guess it's a good thing to get rid of all that stuff. So they say.

• Yes, I said one month check up. It went really well and my pediatrician said I was meeting and exceeding all expectations from a development and growth standpoint. He said I am very strong and that we don't have much of a window before I roll over. He seemed pretty impressed with me.
Here are my stats:
Weight: 10 lbs, 1 oz - 75%
(that's 2 full pounds!)
Height: 22 3/4" - 95-97%
Head - 15 1/4" - 75-90%

The sun is shining today so hopefully me and mommy can go for a walk. Thanks for checking in!

The View From Here

I never want to forget these precious moments and what they looked like...I love her bald head, pretty eyelashes, button nose, deep philtrum, and pouty lips. Not to mention the way she completely molds to my body and how both of us just love to be together. All the time. 

Gwen has a cold, so we've been giving her lots of extra love the last couple of days. And getting extra sleep. Sleep is great for all of us *smile. 

Pi Phi Taco Dinner

As you know, we love getting together with my Pi Phi sorority sisters and their hubbies. Our philanthropy while in college was a taco dinner, so in honor of college memories and Cinco de Mayo, we've kept up the tradition the last couple years.

However, we've added three new "members" in the last six months and another one is on the way in September! Congrats to Chrissy and Kevin! Finally a little boy to add to the crew.

New member, Kaleigh (10 weeks)...

New member, Gwendolyn (5.5 weeks)...

New member, Ceci (almost six months)...

A yummy taco dinner wouldn't be complete without "fried ice cream", of course!

You know you're pushing 30 when you get together with friends on Sunday afternoons and are home by 2:30 pm *smile. No money was raised at this event, but fun was had by all!

The View From Here

I love a happy and full baby!

Happy Monday!

Gwen's YouTube Debut!

Gwen has started exhibiting signs of being a bit of a diva and doing this adorable pouting lip thing. She is totally fine one minute and then mad/screaming the next. We're in our second week of it, so it's not quite as cute as it was at first, but she still melts our hearts.

I have no idea where she would get her stubborn "I want what I want when I want it" personality from...

*smile.

Royal Wedding

Gwen and I were so excited to watch some of the Royal Wedding coverage this morning. We caught our zzz's until about 6:00 AM, made our coffee, and caught the new husband and wife walking down the aisle, getting in the coach and of course the BIG kiss on the balcony.

----------------

Gwen waited very patiently for that long awaited and talked about kiss...

...but unfortunately missed the actual kiss because dad had to leave to catch his bus and was our assistant. Thankfully I caught it on camera for her *smile. Phew!

I do have to say that Kate looked absolutely stunning! So classic. I can't imagine having billions of people watching my wedding and commenting on every detail of it. What a different life they live. What we did see looked beautiful though! 

If Prince William and Princess Catherine are reading the blog, the Barntsen's wish you all the best! Congratulations!

Easter 2011

Gwen did very well on our road trip to Omaha this past weekend. We stopped twice both ways, which wasn't too bad for a four and a half week old. It was super fun to meet our newest nephew, Wyatt, and spend some quality time with my family. My sister is a trooper for having six additional adults and three kids for the holiday weekend! Tom and I were amazed at how green and pretty it is there. People were mowing?! We just had snow last week and they have buds and beautiful flowers on their trees - so jealous! What a difference going a few hours south can make things. Our time will come...hopefully. I mean, it can't be winter forever...

Baby Wyatt with his auntie

So this is what life with twins would be like...

Can we talk about her tights? Oh.m.gee.

Grandma and five of her grandkids

Easter egg hunting

All of the kids

Becca and I were both sitting on the couch nursing our babes and I just had to smile. I never would have thought we'd have children born so close to each other - it's so fun to be moms together! What blessings those sweet babies are.

Newborn cousins - 21 days apart

This picture of Weston playing in the garbage is a great view into his very busy personality.

Our first Easter as a family of three. 

(And Gwen in her first dress.)

We went to church for the first time since she was born - walked in thirty minutes late b/c she decided to wake up and be hungry right when the service was starting though. I have learned to drop all expectations and   just go with the flow of things *smile. 

It's truly amazing to think that as much as I love Gwen, God loves her even more. So much that he sent His only son to die on a cross for her sins so that someday she can live in eternity with Him. How grateful I am for that! And the same power that rose Jesus from the grave on the third day, lives within each one of us so we can have victory over sin and live with peace and hope. These events aren't just speculated - they are real and witnessed and recorded. What a mighty God we serve!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...1Peter 1:3

Hope you had a wonderful Easter as well...

Aquamarine Beauty

You may have read my hubby's unexpected love letter to me last week...

Well right before he told me to check my blog (he said someone commented on a post and I believed him - you can imagine my surprise to see that he had "hacked" my account and posted something so beautiful), he presented me with this ring in honor of Gwen's birth...

I thought it'd be hard to top the rose gold engagement ring he picked out for me, but this comes pretty close. That boy has great taste in jewelry!

I'll treasure it forever! Love him so much.

Life is Good

Here are some recent pictures for your viewing pleasure *smile.

So snuggly after her bath.

First bottle with dad!

Looking at all the sights.

"Look everybody! I can still fit in my coming home newborn outfit!"

Tummy time isn't all that bad.

Gotta love a naked baby.

An open love letter to my amazing wife

Dear Sarah,


The birth of our daughter was—by far—the most miraculous and incredible experience of my life. At the time, the nine months you carried her seemed to go by at a snail’s pace: first anticipating and announcing we were pregnant to our family and friends, hours spent deciding how to decorate “Dixie’s” (and later, “Shamrock’s”) room, shopping, and seeing it to completion, hearing of other friends and family who were expecting, and celebrating our baby’s impending arrival with lavish baby showers.

Now almost a month has passed since our baby was born, and time seems to be in fast forward. But I will never forget the day we found out we were pregnant, after my hunch that we really did have the "luck of the Irish" on our trip overseas, finding a name for her in Ireland, nor the morning you woke me up at 6 a.m. to tell me you thought you might be in labor, when winter decided it wasn’t quite finished with blasting us with ice and snow. I will never forget emailing co-workers, family and friends, telling them "today may be the day," subsequently laboring at home for five hours (while both of us tried to work, no less), and how quickly the entire 11 hours of labor and delivery seemed to fly by.

Most of all, I will never forget March 23, 2011, when we both discovered we had a baby girl and not a boy, as many had suspected (including us). The day I caressed her skin for the first time, heard her newborn cry and held God’s tiny miracle in my arms. The day we became parents and named our daughter “Gwendolyn” together. I wish I could experience it all again.

I can’t tell you how proud I am to call you my best friend, my wife, and now, the mother of our daughter. Throughout our pregnancy, Gwen’s birth, and as we’ve transitioned into parenthood, you’ve continually amazed me. No words or thing could ever express how thankful I am God brought us together or the joy I have had in becoming a father. I want to tell the whole world what a blessing you are to me, and since I can’t really do that, I’m doing the next best thing—sharing this with you and all of your faithful readers.

Here are just a few of the things I've grown to appreciate about you even more during our journey together:

I am thankful for...

1. Your appreciation for God’s gift to us and the realization how fortunate we are to have been able to get pregnant in the first place.

2. Your positive attitude.

3. Your motivation to stay active throughout pregnancy and frequent visits to the gym—including the day before Gwen decided to meet us.

4. Your desire to document and enjoy every moment with our daughter—during pregnancy and as she grows. I know we’ll cherish these memories always.

5. Your strength and courage to give birth naturally—something many women choose not to experience, others are unable to do, and which you fully embraced.

6. Your gentle spirit and politeness to everyone around you, even in the most intense moments of labor (except your telling me not to touch you and to stop text messaging people). "Do all women scream this loud?" (you weren't that loud) "Sorry this is so boring for you guys." (it wasn't boring in the least) etc.

7. Your resolve to have a birth exactly how you envisioned it—including wearing a salmon-with-white-polka-dot nightie. Not once did you show any sign of giving up - and I had complete confidence your redheaded stubbornness would hold true.

8. Your reliance on God to sustain you.

9. Your love for me and our daughter (and Leo Peo...).

10. Your natural instincts as a mother. How you have gracefully transitioned into motherhood and encourage me despite my lack of child rearing experience.

11. Your hospitality and ability to keep a clean home, despite caring for a newborn and having just given birth.

Even more remarkable, God's presence has truly been with our family every step of the way, and for that I am forever grateful. From Gwen's head-down position to getting a full night's sleep, to our favorite midwives being on call and your being able to do a water birth because there were no complications, to breastfeeding without issues and the blessings bestowed upon us by our family, church family and friends, we have so much for which to be thankful.

I love you so much and look forward to God’s plan for us.

Love,
Tommy