It's Been Awhile!

If you are reading this, you can thank my Aunt Marilyn for kicking my butt back into Blogging!  It's been so long and I have so many blogs to post.  Where did I leave off?

I returned back to school on April 2nd.  I considered calling my principal on April 1st and telling him I wasn't coming back for the year as an April Fool's Joke but decided he might not think that was very funny (even though he's the coolest principal in the world).

My first day back felt like the first day of school all over again!  I was nervous and was worried the kids weren't going to like me :(  I made the decision to choose a young long term sub for my position, fresh out of college.  She was amazing and the kids LOVED her!  They called me Ms. Pries for the entire first week back.  I'm sure Ms. Pries got called Mrs. Barker for quite awhile while she was there.  Anyway, the kids were so welcoming which made me feel great!  They gave me hugs, told me they missed me, a couple of them even brought me gifts!  They made a difficult first week back well worth it and not so difficult. 

My friends and family also made me feel happy to be back.  My wonderful husband sent me flowers, as did my sisters.  My girlfriend Dianna who teaches Kindergarten brought me in some flowers and a mother of a student I had last year also sent in flowers as well as a picture frame to put a picture of Tyson in.  I feel so lucky that so many people cared about me, my classroom looked and smelled like a floral shop. 

I planned my return perfectly because after working 5 days, I was on SPRING BREAK for 9 days and back holding my baby every day :)  I look forward to ending the year with such a wonderful class.  I love my students.

Ps. I only called home twice on my first day.  Pretty good I think. 

2 Month Check Up

It's hard to believe Tyson is already two months (and 1 day old) today.   I know it sounds cliche but where does the time go?  I have enjoyed every second of Tyson and I'm pretty sure Adam would say the same thing.  I am lucky to look at every opportunity spent with my son as a blessing, even when he's crying and not easily falling asleep (which is very rare).

My girlfriend Janelle who has a baby a month older than Tyson invited me to a class held at Good Samaritan Hospital called Mommy and Baby Support Group.  I wasn't sure if it was the right class for me, I really didn't feel like I needed "support" but decided to go anyway. After I attended the first class, I fell in love.  It is a wonderful place for mommys and babies to meet and just talk.  There is a wonderful teacher in there to offer advice, support, or whatever need be.  I go every Tuesday and really look forward to talking with moms and watching our babies grow.  Last week we celebrated with green food for St. Patrick's Day and learned how to give CPR to a baby.

Yesterday when we introduced ourselves, we were encouraged to fill in the blank, "I wish someone would have told me ...."  I struggled with this question because I feel like everybody told me everything.... too much even.  I was saddened to hear many of the "blanks" mothers were filling in.  Many moms talked about their postpartum depression and depression of dealing with having a cesarean section.  I, myself, had a c section and had a pretty difficult recovery physically but no way did I feel depressed by it.  I thank God that I had a healthy recovery and that I am able to enjoy every second with Tyson.

At Tyson's two month appointment, we learned he is:
13 lbs 9 ounces
23 1/2 inches
perfectly healthy
a pretty tough guy when he got his three shots, only crying a little

Here is his 2 month picture:

Where does the time go?

On Monday, February 20th, we celebrated Tyson's one month birthday!  I can't believe it's already been a month!  Throughout my pregnancy, people kept telling me to enjoy every moment because it goes by so fast, and they were right... and I have been!  Tyson celebrated his 1 month birthday by eating, sleeping, and going potty in his diaper.  He also paused to pose for a few pictures.

Each month I plan to take a picture of Tyson with his cow pillow so we can watch him grow.  One day, he won't be able to fit on it  :) Here month 1:

As you can see, Tyson has more hair than the average 1 month old.  We're trying to find a safe product to put in that mane of his to control it a little better!

Valentine's Day

Tyson and I had an action packed Valentine's Day!

We started out the day by going to our first Valentine's party at Mommy and Me class at Good Samaritan Hospital.  At the party, my friend Shelly took pictures of all the babies.  She did a wonderful job, and I even snuck a mommy and son picture.  I love it because I don't have any!

We all brought in treats and some of us (not me) made valentine's.  I sat and talked with my good friend Janelle and watched Shelly's daughter while Shelly was taking pictures.  I also talked to other mothers about being a mommy :)  I love going and getting out the house with my little guy!

After the hospital, Tyson and I met my sister Melanie, her daughter Kailey, and my mom at Hop Jack's for lunch.  It was fun to see all of Kailey's valentine's from her pre-school.

Then, Tyson, my mother, and I went to my classroom's Valentine Party!  This was my first day back to school since I went on maternity leave on January 13th.  I was so excited to see my students and introduce them to Tyson, but I was a little nervous also.  I was worried about germs and Tyson crying :)  It turned out wonderfully. Tyson did great and it was SO good to see my class.  I miss them all so much!  They showered me with hugs and valentines!

When we were leaving, they presented me with a "How to" guide on "How to Be the Best Parents Ever."  Each student in class wrote a five paragraph essay on how to be the best parents.  Adam and I had a great time reading them.  It was so thoughtful of my long term substitute to organize this for me.  Some of the suggestions were: play football with Tyson, bring Tyson to Disneyland, let him play video games, etc. It will definitely be a gift I will always cherish!

I was so lucky to have two Valentine's this year - my amazing husband Adam and my perfect son Tyson!

Story Time at the Bonney Lake Library

On Friday, my mother and I brought my two nieces and Tyson to story time at the Bonney Lake Library.  Story time for newborn-24 months is offered twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays.  It was my first time going, and my mom's first time going with her two granddaughters.  She has taken Kailey before but never Kailey AND Ava.  My mom is amazing and did a wonderful job balancing both girls.  Ava was a social butterfly and was out in the middle with the rest of the kids playing with toys and dancing away - it was really cute.  Kailey decided to hang back with nana and Tyson :)

The class was a lot of fun and the teacher was AMAZING!  We sang songs, played with a parachute, listened to stories, clapped, shaked noise makers, etc.  Tyson was ready to participate quite yet as he ate, slept, and layed on his blankie the entire time but I'm excited to get the opportunity to expose him to fun classes like this.

My mom and I plan on taking the kids every Wednesday and Friday.  Hopefully Ava's mom, Nicci, will be able to attend in the future.

Mommy and Me Class!

On Tuesday, I went with my girlfriend and college roommate Janelle to a mommy and me class at Good Samaritan Hospital which is where I delivered.  Janelle has a son that is just a month older than Tyson and has been attending for the last few weeks.  The class is offered on Tuesdays and is a great reason to get out of the house and enjoy some time with Tysee!

The class was a lot of fun.  We sat around in a circle with about 20 other moms and just talked about our babies.  There is a teacher that mediates for us and offers great advice.  I was really worried about bringing Tyson into a "classroom" for the first time but he did great!  Kids were crying, mom's were feeding, diapers were being changed and Tyson and I fit right into the mix!

Tyson slept for the first twenty minutes, ate for the next twenty, and stared at the other kids for the last twenty.  It was fun to see the other babies and talk with moms.

I'm really looking forward to our Valentine Party next week!  I need to figure out what to bring to it though... I'm just starting to be able to manage bringing Tyson places!  There is going to be a photographer there so I"m really looking forward to finally getting a picture taken with my boy. 

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Back to Work Adam Goes...

Yesterday was the first day back to work for Adam and I was extremely nervous.  Adam and I make a really good team in all areas in life, including taking care of Tyson.  He's been very helpful in changing diapers, swaddling him, etc.  He always got up with me in the middle of the night to bring Tyson to me because my incision was still a little sore.

Now that he's back to work, I want him to get as much sleep at night as possible so I have taken on the late shift alone (knowing Adam will help me).  I was/am pleasantly surprised on how well it has gone so far... I can handle it all by myself after all!

Yesterday, my girlfriend Rachel came over to meet Tyson for the first time.  It was so wonderful to see her and catch up a bit. She has two boys at home herself so she was able to give me some great advice.  Later, Tyson and I took an hour nap together.  I love when he sleeps on my chest. 

When Adam got home from work, we took Tyse to his two week appointment.  He is already weighing 10 lbs 2 ounces! He looks great all around!  We determined he won't be a blood donor anytime soon because he screamed when he had to get his foot pricked to give a blood sample.

I look forward to the bonding time with Tyson while I'm on break!