42/44 Weeks

Hello to all of my friends! I turned 10 months old on Monday. I'm healthy, happy and loved. Really, what more could you ask for?

• I have a new hobby: dancing. I dance morning, noon and night. I think I'll take after my mama and even try tap, ballet and jazz someday. For now I just like to shake my hips. I must be good b/c mommy and daddy dance the same way as me all the time. Apparently they want to be just like me. I don't blame them - I'm fun and don't take life too seriously.

• The Wheels on The Bus still calms me down almost every.single.time. If you have trouble falling asleep, you should definitely ask someone to sing it to you. Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes comes in at a close second. If you catch me at a good time, I may even show you where my head is. So smart, I tell ya!

• I now walk along side things and move from - for example - my play table to the ottoman. I have stood with no assistance for a few seconds before falling, but mostly I still like to hold on to things. My legs are getting stronger every day! Mommy thinks it's cute when I pull myself up on her legs and tug, tug, tug until she picks me up.

• I have officially started wearing 12 month clothes. My waist is small and my legs are long, so I have trouble finding pants that fit well. Every girl's dream dilemma, huh? I am still in size 3 diapers.

• Daddy has been vigilantly researching new car seats for me. He's tall so it's been tough to find one that is most importantly safe but still fits in mommy's car and gives him adequate leg room. After weeks of reading reviews and reports, they've narrowed it down and hope to make a decision this weekend.

I love my daddy - he's always looking out for me and wants only the best for his baby girl.
(p.s Daddy...if you're reading this, they say doll houses are good for developing imaginations.)


• After getting some advice from the Sinclair side of the family recently, it was decided that it's time I sleep through the night without "needing" to nurse. It's been a little over two weeks of training and I'm doing awesome. When needed, Daddy comes in to comfort and soothe me. I tend to get even more mad when I see that it's not my mama, but the majority of the time his tricks work. Mom has given in on two different occasions, but really honestly truly I was hungry. Seriously. Mama is leaving me for a whole night soon so it'll just be me and daddy.

• I have TWO NEW TEETH! Mom noticed one on Friday, January 13th and the second new one popped through a couple days later. One day they're just kind of white under the skin and the next day there they are! SIX TEETH! My smile is getting cuter and cuter, if that's even possible.

• Mommy and daddy have determined that I'm old enough to start being disciplined.
Apparently I'm supposed to keep my winter hat on my head b/c it's cold outside.
And apparently it's not OK to throw my food on the floor.

Boo-hoo-hoo.

Only two more months until my big FIRST BIRTHDAY! I think life is really great, and there is a lot to appreciate if you just stop and look around. Try it! Let me know what you see...

Love,
Gwendolyn

10 Months Old

My sweet Gwendolyn,

You've been the most wonderful, lovely and amazing part of the last 10 months. To say you've been the highlight would be an understatement. I don't know what we ever did without you! You fit in so well with our family, it's as if you've been here the entire time. As I reflect on the months I've been your mommy, my heart is overwhelmed with cherished memories we've already made and - Lord-willing - great anticipation for hundreds more.

Your personality is coming out more and more - I can't wait to get to know you even better as you learn to communicate and talk. You truly talk with your eyes and smile. You are laid back, observant, and rarely miss a detail. 

Crumb on the floor? You'll find it.

Noise in the other room? You'll go check it out.

Laughter coming from downstairs? You'll hear it and wake up.

My favorite part of the day is being greeted by you after coming home from work, and it melts my heart to have you pull yourself up and tug on my pants. I love how you raise your arms when I say "up?" and how you squeal with delight when I sign "milk?" Your kisses are messy, but I'll take them. You've become quite vocal, and use your voice to tell us all sorts of stories. I only wish I could follow along!

I can tell you're constantly processing things. I've been so amazed at the new things you've picked up - like waving (it's still sporadic, but we'll count it), patting your "head", shaking your head "no", and responding to directions ("No, leave your hat ON, Gwendolyn."). We need to keep working on that last one...

 You love playing with your toys, particularly anything that makes music, is stack-able and easy to throw. Sometimes for something different you'll play with measuring cups, spatulas and plastic bowls. You're not picky.

You're on the go, girl! You've got a lot of energy, but you also love your sleep and take two great naps during the day. Speaking of sleep - you're really getting this sleeping through the night thing down! I'm so proud of you. Let's hope tonight is night six of sleeping straight through! 

You are the sunshine in my day, and I have learned so much having you as my daughter. We love you beyond words, and can't wait to see what God does with your life. I pray His word deeply penetrates your heart, and transforms you. You are beautiful inside and out! And I think you're absolutely precious.

I'm so thankful you're mine.

All my love to my sweet 10 month old baby girl,

Mama

She's got rhythm!

Days can be sunny,
With never a sigh; 
Don't need what money can buy.
Birds in the tree sing 
Their day full of song,
Why shouldn't we sing along?
I'm chipper all the day,
Happy with my lot.
How do I get that way?
Look at what I've got :

I got rhythm
I got music
I got my mom.
Who could ask for anything more?

I got daisies
In green pastures,
I got my dad.
Who could ask for anything more?

Ol' Man Trouble,
I don't mind him.
You won't find him
'Round my door.
I got starlight,
I got sweet dreams,
I got my God.
Who could ask for anything more?

Who could ask for anything mooooooooore?

(Sing it out now! Woo!)

Sinclair Family Christmas

It's tough to find adequate space to fit the ever expanding (or so it seems) Sinclair family of  17. Requirements: adequate sleeping space and bathrooms, open area for loads of trucks, trains and "track", another open area for the adults to sit and talk or play games, kitchen for preparing meals, and large enough table(s) so people can sit and eat. 

I believe it's safe to assume that we'll be adding "super fun water slide" to the list going forward.

We all met in Okoboji, IA and rented two three-bedroom condos at Bridges Bay for Christmas this year and had a wonderful time. It was about the same driving distance for everyone, which only seemed fair. We all had our own hotel sized room and then a main living room area and kitchen in each condo. Becca did most of the planning and negotiating - bless her heart. The water park area was pretty awesome for kids (we only wished it had a deeper area for the adults to swim) and those who were brave enough had a blast on the water slides. I haven't laughed so hard in a loooong time. Nothing like going down a big water slide with your older siblings to make you feel young again....

One of the BEST parts of the weekend was seeing my bf Liz and her three kids who only live an hour away.  

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(Interpretation: I love them so much and miss them like crazy and love any chance I get to see them even if it's only for a few hours.)

Gwendolyn is not picky with her choice of toys. When you're hangin' with 6 boys, you just can't be.

Last Christmas: 

This Christmas:

Daddy said he won't allow her to wear a bikini, but Liz brought us some of Anna's old swimsuits and I'm sorry but a baby girl in a bikini is just so darn cute. He gave in. Just this once. (Yeah right.) Wyatt was "the man" in his board shorts and shirt.

Let's go SWIMMIN'!

Noah is such a great big cousin.

I love this picture....notice how all of the boys are waiting so patiently for Gwendolyn to open her gift. (Noah eventually graciously helped her to um...speed things along.) They go in order of youngest to oldest. At least the first round and then it gets tough to sit and wait *smile.

This is Weston saying, "Thank you for my Thomas stuff, Winny!"

They played with this track for hours.

"It's my piggy bank."

The first week in January birthday people!

When a 9 month old starts getting into everything while you're trying to pack and load up the car, just put them in a box. She was thrilled. Wyatt, however, didn't enjoy having all of her toys thrown at him. Jacob was supervising.

Kids were all asleep....

Looking for a way to have instant fun? Set your camera to timer and have it take 10 back to back pictures. Make rest of family do 10 silly poses even though they don't want to.

Laugh at the results.

We came home with some super good loot too: a really awesome back massager, Target gift card, Iowa State memorabilia, and some 4th of July serving ware that went straight to the donate pile. You just never know what you'll get in the White Elephant gift exchange *smile. 

What a great weekend!

Barntsen Christmas

The Barntsen family Christmas was wonderful, per usual, this year even with the added "twist" of having a 9 month old. Gwendolyn is at that super fun and still pretty easy stage - she loves watching the excitement and her big cousins, takes three naps a day, eats well and is almost always content to just hang as long as she's fed, well rested and has a toy to chew on. She even joined us for our fancy Christmas dinner and didn't cause too much disruption.

Next year with an almost 2 year old will probably be a different story.

We're so blessed!


Ohhhh, ya know...just another typical afternoon at the Barntsen family Christmas!

Grant and Brooke's new karaoke machine was a big hit *smile.

Never Give Up

Oh, to have the determination, perseverance and positive attitude of Gwendolyn...

40 Weeks

Happy New Year!

I hope you're having a great 2012, just like I am. This is my favorite year ever.

Not to mention I am 9 months old now! Mommy just can't believe I have been outside her tummy for as long as I was inside.

• My first Christmas was wonderful. I got to put wrapping paper and ribbon in my mouth, play with my cousins and Mimi and Papa, and snuggle with mommy and daddy in bed every night b/c I chose not to sleep well. At all. I think they loved it.

I got blocks, a Mozart music cube, stackable rings, a new bendy ball, and adorable new clothes for this summer and next fall/winter. I was a good girl this year, but I also think I am just very blessed.

• I crawl, crawl, crawl and go, go go. Catch me if you can!

• Miss Kathy got me my very own cell phone so now I don't have to chew on mommy's anymore. My number is 123-456-7890. Call me anytime and we can learn our numbers together.

"Two! Two puppy biscuits!" That's my favorite number so far.

• If you're lucky, I'll wave hello or good-bye to you.

• If you're veeeery lucky, I'll give you a big, wet KISS.

• Ask me and I'll show you just how BIG I am now!

• I consistently wake up once every night for a snack. And I eat solids and big people food so well that people have noticed I've gained a little weight. I must carry it all in my cheeks. Mommy says her arms get tired after holding me now, and they never used to before. Even so, she and daddy still fight over who gets to hold me. They don't, however, fight over whose turn it is to change my dirty diaper.

• My 9 month check-up went well. No shots other than my second flu booster. It's about time I got a break! Despite - ahem - filling out a bit, I am still a peanut. 

Here are my recent stats as of 12/30/11:

Height: 28.5" - 75-90%

Weight: 17 lbs, 9 oz - 25%

Head: 17 7/8" - 75-90%

See....I've sure been busy learning new tricks!

Thanks for stopping by. It's getting late so I better head to bed.
Love,
Gwendolyn

2011 in Pictures

Happy New Year!

2011 was quite the year for us. I'll give you a two-word hint: Gwendolyn Rebecca.

What used to be filled with fun travels to new and far places, nights spent making use of our DVR, and Sunday afternoons naps is now consumed with a car loaded with toys and a pack-n-play, pink and purple themed laundry, and moments of peace spent frantically trying to play a game we like to call "catch-up while you can." It didn't take a trip across the ocean for Tom and me to find the greatest place on earth: being her parents.

Having said that, most of my "collection" (nice way of putting a name to my obsession, wouldn't ya say?) of pictures do revolve around our sweet Gwendolyn. I picked only a few of my favorites from each month to try and summarize 2011 in pictures. Perhaps they are special moments or just some of my favorite images caught on film. Either way, I enjoyed the trip down memory lane, and I hope you will too...

January:

We rang in the New 2011 Year totally classy - in our pj's, of course! That was heavenly considering I was pushing 30 weeks pregnant. Funny thing is, I wore my pj's last night too. Huh.

Big year in the life of many of my friends - babies and engagements galore!

My beautiful baby shower held in Woodbury. 

February:

Valentines Day 2011 was spent eating fabulous food in the comfort of our own home.  I love a good candle lit dinner of steak, twice baked potato and salad. Mmmm.

We finished the nursery...finally. Many hours were dedicated to making this room as perfect as could be for our little one, and we were both so excited about the outcome!

What's it gonna be...a BOY or a GIRL?!

Coming home outfits were bought for both with eager anticipation.

37 week pregnancy pictures taken by John Deutsch...

Baby shower in Des Moines - also completely fabulous. I was one blessed mama to be!

Like I said, babies galore! It was so awesome to go through the experience with my sister and best friends. Now we'll all just have to strategically plan for the next ones!

JK

But that'd be fun.

March:

The month was spent resting, finishing up projects, cleaning out every drawer and closet, exercising and preparing for labor/deliver, and going to movies and out for dinner (while we still could). Then the day finally arrived...

Laboring at home...

Laboring at the hospital...

SHE HAS ARRIVED!

March 23rd, 2011, 7:17 pm

Gwendolyn Rebecca

8 lbs, 1 oz and 20" long

And yes, I do believe it's true...

"Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born."

(That book gets me every single time.)

April:

My sister's son, Wyatt, was born three weeks after Gwendolyn and we celebrated Easter in Omaha.

Little Miss at three weeks old.

"Hey guys."

May:

She often ended up in bed with us for her last morning feeding and then she and I would sleep for a bit longer. (Thank the good Lord.) This particular morning was my first Mother's Day. While I miss her being so small she can fit in a newborn sized green fleece swaddle, I don't miss waking up three to five times a night. One to two is so much better. Ha.

Someone started smiling...

Melted.my.heart.

The weather was beautiful and me and my sorority sisters took many a walk with our new babes.

June:

My brother's son, Nathan, was born. Our 7th nephew!

He certainly didn't get his head of beautiful hair from his big girl cousin.

I can't even begin to count how many naps we held her for. And I wouldn't have traded them for anything - no pile of laundry or homemade meal or clean bathroom was worth missing that.

Whether I liked it or not, my maternity leave soon came to an end and I returned to work part-time. This was her first day of daycare and I literally sprinted home to get my hands on her. She was so thrilled to see me, can't you tell? *smile.

I don't think a baby in a robe could NOT be adorable.

July:

Me and several classmates attempted to plan our 10-year high school reunion. We ended up with a simple picnic over the 4th of July due to "low response". All in all, I think it went well and I'm glad we planned something.

With babies...

Without babies.

Celebrating Independence Day with my family in America's Hometown.

Gotta love senior pictures.

Someone should have taught me how to tame all that hair.

First time at a beach swimmin.

Common sight around this place...

I watched Gwendolyn's friend, Ceci, a few times on random Tuesdays and Fridays for a couple months. They had fun playing together while it lasted and then I finally had to admit that while I want to be Super Woman, I am not and taking care of two babies was just a bit too much for me. We miss our Ceci time.

Cousins Grant and Brooke moved across town! Well it seems like that at least...35 minutes beats a half day travel time flying to Cincinnati!

August:

Our family vacation up north was filled with fishing, eating, games, building of sand castles and lots and lots of nursing.

Grandma and her newest babes.

The SUPER "SINCLAIR" SEVEN!

I met my bf Liz in Okoboji so we could each meet the newest additions to our families. Now she is a super woman.

Gwendolyn tried egg yolk mixed with breast milk as her first "solid" food.

Not a fan.

September:

Amanda married Chris near Des Moines.

I turned 29.

Daddy surprised us and took a Friday off work so we could go to our first apple orchard.

A certain someone turned SIX MONTHS OLD.

October:

We celebrated our 4 year anniversary with a hike in the beautiful Minnesota outdoors. Followed by a fabulous 6-course dinner along the river.

I photographed my first wedding in Omaha, NE. Sarah Belle Photos had quite the year!

We picked out the most non-traditional costume we could find at the second hand store in town. I added a pink bow. That you could barely even see. But it gave me an excuse to feel a little crafty.

November:

Auntie Trisha and Uncle John got engaged! She called to tell us all the details.

We found out Uncle Greg and Aunt Natalie are having a BOY in early April!

Thanksgiving 2011 - the day she started crawling.

And soon thereafter, started pulling herself up on just about everything.

December:

Gwendolyn was dedicated to the Lord at our church.

She met Santa for the first time and told him she wanted blocks and clothes for Christmas.

And sure enough, that's what she got! She was a very good girl.

Wow. Look at all of those memories. And this is just child #1! I can't even imagine what a year in pictures will look like when we have four and five kiddos running about this house.

Tom just fainted.

Oh, he'll be fine. I'll go get him some water.

Bottom line: God is good. He provides over and above what we need or deserve. He is gracious and kind to us, no matter what comes our way.

I pray many blessings on your 2012!

Happy New Year!