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

4 Weeks Old

Hi everybody! 

I am 4 weeks old today. My mom seems to be ok with this milestone, but lets not talk about my officially turning a month old on Saturday. 

What I've been up to the last two weeks:

• I still love to snuggle with just about anybody. My favorite place is right in my mom's neck, but I also don't mind just laying close to her in bed in the early morning hours when she tells me that I should be sleeping like everybody else. No thanks! I want to snuggle!

• I've decided to start getting a bit crabby at night starting anywhere from 6:30-8:30. You can't pinpoint it and you never know when it'll start. I like to keep people on their toes and not be too predictable, if you know what I mean.

• Some nights, I go to bed pretty easily. Other nights it takes my parents a bit longer (like, 2 hours longer). See bullet point above.

• I had my first chiropractic adjustment a week and a half ago, and Dr. Dixon said I looked "perfect". Yay! I found the adjustment to be very relaxing and slept through the entire thing.

• My new baby cousin Wyatt was born on April 12th and he and I have a lot in common according to my Grandma Sinclair. She says we must be texting b/c he likes to be held at night instead of sleeping in his crib too. Just b/c I'm older doesn't mean I can be blamed for every thing already! 

• My mom took me to Trader Joe's for the first time (it's her favorite place to buy food) and a bunch of women were swooning over me when she mentioned that I was a newborn. I heard them tell her that "it would get easier." I am sure they were referring to her struggling to carry my car seat, a bag of groceries and a gallon of milk and that it had nothing to do with my sleeping schedule.

• I love to make eye contact and stare at people.

• I love lights and fans.

• Woodwinds, the hospital I was born at, has a mommy and me class on Tuesdays. Me and my mom met mom's friend Amanda there yesterday and mom said it was like a support group for new moms. I slept through the entire thing and found the conversation to be somewhat boring, but mom said it was great and she can't wait to go back. I was the youngest in the class and didn't make a peep!

• My dad was home all last week, and I liked hanging out with him b/c he's really tall and strong and I love him lots. We even had lunch out on the patio for the first time this season! We sure miss him during the day, but appreciate him working hard to support our family.

• I hung out in a "peanut shell" while mom and dad cleaned out the garden and worked in the yard last week when it was 70 degrees out. They had to watch youtube videos to figure out how it worked, but once they did, I was very content in it. Until I was hungry, and then I get mad no matter what I'm in.

• I stayed home with dad while mom went to the gym for the first time last weekend. We talked and hung out and played.

• I took a bottle for the first time two days ago and decided it wasn't too bad after all!

• I pooped all over my mom, my car seat, the back seat and the ceiling of mom's car last week while she and daddy were running errands and had to do a quick diaper change in the back of the car. Thankfully she laughed and didn't cry and it came out of all the clothes it got on. She said I'm like a rocket and now they're nervous to change all my diapers. They're so silly!

• I met my cousin Jacob and Aunt Nikki at an indoor play place in Woodbury today and we had a lot of fun.

Of course there is a lot more than this, but I think that about sums it up for now b/c I am hungry!

Libby's Baby Shower

Tom and I made our first road trip home to Charles City last weekend to go to Libby's baby shower. We only had to stop twice on the way there and then made it the entire way home (2.5 hours) without stopping, although we probably should have since Gwen woke up and was hungry the last 20ish minutes *sad face. Next time we'll stop, but I was so tired and we were sooooo close. 

We were only home for five hours, but it was great to see my parents, the girls, and baby Drew and help Libby celebrate the upcoming arrival of baby Nelson (also known as "Shim") who is due May 8th. It was a lovely shower with lots of yummy desserts! Our attendance was up in the air (what isn't at this point in our lives? Ha.) so I think people were a bit surprised to see us walk in the door. Gwen was an angel and everyone got to hold and enjoy her. It's not every day you get to show off your two and a half week old daughter to some of your closest friends! I am so happy it worked for us to attend. 

And I'm soooooo happy for Libby and Rustin and all they have to look forward to these next few weeks (I loved the anticipation!) Not to mention the JOY that comes with bringing a new baby home. Oh my...these have been the best and most difficult days of my life, but I've loved them all!

Libby thinks she's having a girl b/c she has carried the baby very similar to the way I carried Gwen. I am uncertain and have told myself to stop guessing what people are having b/c I've been wrong so many times recently (including with my own child.)

But I'm going to guess boy anyway.


*smile.

Coming Home Outfit

I'm so happy to see that someone is getting good use out of our boy coming home outfit since - much to our surprise - we ended up bringing home a sweet baby girl *smile.

I think Gwen's baby cousin Wyatt looks pretty good in it, don't you?

Good Night

Guess who had a really "good" night last night?!

This girl!

It came after a really "bad" night so Tom and I were very thankful and appreciative. 

I didn't have very high hopes after it took a little over two hours to even GET her in her crib asleep, but once she was in her crib the night went like clock work. If nights can go like clock work for an infant. Ha. Having her in crib is a big deal in and of itself! We've tried crib, co-sleeper and mom's arms, and we're back to crib.

Here was her night on Wednesday (yes, I keep track just so I have somewhat of an idea how we're doing. Plus, someday I know I will totally laugh about doing this and I'm all about providing myself with a good laugh down the road):

crib - 10:12 

10:50 - up

L - 10-12 minutes (I must have fallen asleep)

crib - 11:09

up right away/held

crib - 1:15

L - (nothing written down, which means I probably fell asleep again)

crib - 2:34

up right away

R - 3:45-3:55

crib - 3:05

up -3:36

crib - 3:46

up - 5:15

L - 5:15-6:05? (fell asleep)

crib - 6:10

Did you follow that? Because it makes me dizzy. And very tired.

And last night:

crib (didn't happen)

R - 6:46-7:04

crib - 9:08-11:35 (go Gwen!)

R - 11:40-11:50

crib - 11:54

up - 1:34

L - 1:33 - 1:42

crib - 1:47

up - 2:50

R - 3:23-3:34

R - 3:49 - 3:54

crib - 4:00

up - 5:52

R (not sure why I had her nurse on the R three times in a row - oops) - 5:55 - 6:14

crib - 6:17

up - 7:08

...and then it was pretty much in our bed until close to 9:00.

That is almost 2.5 hrs, 1.5 hrs, 1 hr, almost 2 hrs, 45 minutes and another 2-ish hours in bed. But who is counting.

All Tom and I have to say is thank.you.Jesus.

I wonder what tonight will bring? I can't wait to find out!

The joy of the Lord is my strength!

*smile

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** UPDATE **

Gwen slept 3.5 hrs in her crib at one point last night (3/16)

It's a new record!!

Gwen has been busy

Snuggling with her mom...

(I'm tellin' ya, this girl looooves to be held.)

Meeting her Uncle Greg (Tom's bro) who flew in from Mason, OH for work and was able to stay with us last night. Unfortunately, Gwen didn't exactly show off her best side for their first meeting. She was showing signs of being over tired by 6:30, so I put her down at 7:15 (in her crib!) 

I love this picture. I passed her off to Greg (she was sleeping on my chest) and she woke up sad pretty quickly, so Tom rushed over to try and "shoosh" her back to sleep.

And then Greg tried, but Gwen wasn't havin' it.

But Greg understands. 

He has two kids who were once three weeks old *smile.

And we've been soaking up the time as a family of three this week while Tom is home from work. He only took the two days and weekend after she was born off since we had my mom and then his mom here to help, so it's been wonderful having him home. I think I may shed just a few tears come Monday morning...

This is what Tom calls "daddy daughter cuddle time." Squish! 

I just want to relish in this moment of seeing the two loves of my life so sweet and peaceful.

And the biggest news of the week is that 

Gwen has a new BABY COUSIN! 

My sister, Becca, had Wyatt Douglas yesterday morning at 7:27 am. 

He was 8 lbs, 10 oz and 21" long and they are both doing wonderfully.

Thankfully she went 10 days early with him b/c she was getting very uncomfortable. I am so thankful for a "speedy" labor (much easier than her 24 hr labor/delivery with her first boy, Weston) and so happy for her for being able to experience the natural childbirth that she had hoped for.

We are planning a trip to Omaha potentially for Easter to meet him and Gwen can hardly contain her excitement! Or maybe it's her mom who can hardly contain her excitement *smile. I love that they are only three weeks apart - so fun!

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

The View From Here

...earlier today...

I.Love.Her.So.Much.

A Text Message Says It All

Writing Gwen's birth story is still on my (growing longer) list of things to get done. I don't want to forget any detail of it so I do hope to get it written soon. While I was in labor, Tom took over my cell phone to try and keep everyone updated on our progression. I somehow thought he may be able to update the blog or send out mass emails, but there was no time for that. Ha. I love how so many of the things we had planned or talked about (like using a rolling pin on my back to relieve pain??) never happened, but I wouldn't change a thing about the labor and her delivery.

Tom could only send a text message to 10 people at a time and of course he was a tad preoccupied with also encouraging and supporting me (minor detail), so I know some people were left off text messages or received messages twice. He did the best he could though, and I enjoyed looking through all of the responses, once Gwen had safely arrived and we were settled.

Here are just a few of my favorite text messages from the day I went into labor. (Now I can finally empty my text inbox! *smile.)

After telling Trisha the morning that I was in labor...

omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg sla;jf lkjskfjlsfwoeiuanlxnl kjalk;jsfkljalskjfdskjflk I cant breathe i cant breathe (Trisha: 6:50 am)

(I told her I needed her to stay calm....*smile)

haha right. breathe. okay. this is NBD my niece/nephew is about to be born. calm is my middle name no bigs!! (Trisha: 6:54 am)

how long and how painful. details. (Natalie: 10:07 am)

you gotta call me between pain. i am dying. (Natalie: 10:27 am)

status update? :) (Trisha: 12:41 pm)

Tom sent the following email to a few friends and family right before we left for the hospital at 1:18 pm: 

Hello friends!

This is Tom writing for Sarah. Last night Sarah had mild cramps throughout the night. This morning she began having regular contractions around 8 am. They started about five minutes apart for 20-30 seconds and have progressed to three or so minutes apart lasting "a long time" (according to her). We have packed the car and are preparing to leave for the hospital shortly. 

We'll try to keep everyone updated via Sarah's blog or email. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers as we prepare to welcome baby B into the world!

Love,

Tom & Sarah

OOOOMMMMMGGGGGGGGGGG have fun!!!!!! :) (ps I don't have toms number. pls don't leave me out from txt updates!!!) (Amanda: 1:20 pm)

Tom texted: "This is Tom. Dilated to a 4." (3:49 pm)

Sweet! Has she progressed or is that what she was when she got there? how is she feeling? Omg I can't contain my excitement. (Nikki: 3:53 pm)

That's great! How is she doing? We will pray for peace, strength, patience, grace, endurance. God will get you through. He is strong and faithful. Love ya'll. (Molly: 4:11 pm)

This is the most painful yet wonderful thing you will do in your life. You can do it Sarah. Love you. Go Tom too:) (Tara: 4:19 pm)

Tom texted: "8 centimeters and water broke!" (5:17 pm)

Whooo hah! Go sarah go! You are a rock star and near the finish line! (Nikki: 5:38 pm)

We're in the waiting room. You guys can do it! (Trisha: 5:57 pm)

Super! We will be praying for you! can't wait to hear about the progression! (Liz: 6:11 pm)

Thinking of u (Robert: 6:22 pm)

Go Sarah! (Scott: 6:47 pm)

Tom texted: "Sarah is in the pushing phase! The baby will be here soon!" (6:49 pm)

Stop texting!!!! Go be with your wife!! Holy crap Tom, you're going to be a dad!!!!!!!! (Shawn: 6:53 pm)

Typical Sarah....her baby is born during survivor!! Haha jk (Liz: 7:03 pm)

Yippee! She can do it with the help of God! (Sophie: 7:22 pm)

OMG! On the edge of our seats!!! (Margie: 8:02 pm)

You can't make me wait like this :) (Natalie: 8:32 pm)

How is everyone doing??...I know I'm being annoying :)...just patiently waiting. (Liz: 8:42 pm)

Gender please :) We are going to bed and need to know this. :) (Natalie: 9:05 pm)

Grandpa is so excited! He hopes she likes trains! (My mom: 9:37 pm)

Sarah texted: "Surprise! It's a girl! We are shocked and in awe. Gwendolyn Rebecca was born at 7:17. eight lbs, one ounce, twenty inches. Beautiful water birth!" (9:53 pm)

What we've been up to....

I love Gwen's yawn.

And she loooves to have her hands up by her face.

Trying out her swing.

Snuggles with daddy.

Wide awake. Right before bed. This will be interesting.

Tom's mom has been here this week helping us out. Gwen loves her Mimi.

We went on our first walk and it was soooooo nice. She slept the entire time and the sunshine and fresh air was much needed.

She'll sleep on Mimi's chest for 2 hours. 

Wish she'd do that in her crib or co-sleeper at night! *smile.

Sleeping beauty...

Her awake times are few and far between, but I love seeing her big dark eyes look around. She is mommy's little snuggle bug.