In Memory of Great Grandpa "Papa"

Things have been so busy (and I hate using that excuse), and I never got a chance to write a post when my grandfather passed away on April 9th, only 9 days after we spent Easter with him.
So it was perfect timing this Memorial Day, to say a few words about our Papa.

I've been unbelievably blessed to have had such a wonderful grandfather and known him for 33 years. He was an American hero who served our country in WWII and remained very active in the Legion. We spent time listening to his war stories and were able to capture his memories, stories and mementos in a scrapbook that we will all share for generations to come. Papa was our family patriarch, whom we all respected and looked up to. He was a faithful  Catholic and being able to be with him while he received his last rites and  communion was one of the most incredible memories I'll ever have. I can't even explain how I felt during that moment of true faith. To see someone totally trust in God at one of the most vulnerable moments in life, was very calming. I can only hope to have that deep faith at that point in my life. Papa was also the beloved husband of 67 years to my grandmother, Mimi. He cherished her. More than anything in this world. And the love between them was unmistakable when seeing them hold hands during the last days of his life. 

Missing him doesn't say enough. So grateful he was able to meet and cherish Eva; I used to be so afraid that he'd be gone before I was able to have a child, so knowing he was able to see her many times before he passed, means so much. I look forward to sharing his stories with her.
I'll always love and cherish our memories and never forget my Papa.

Practice!

Eva has taken numerous shopping trips with us, and even more with just mom. Pretty sure she loves shopping, especially Target, but yet, who doesn't?!
She loves to ride in the cart and look around and check things out and she's a great shopping partner. She smiles and giggles, claps her hands when you grab something and put it in the cart, and just when you've spent enough money, she lets you know it's time to go home :)

The other night we were playing before bedtime and this is what she did!

I can't help but laugh and think she's practicing pushing a cart, "Shop til you Drop Mama!".

Not quite her first steps yet, but we're getting close! And before you know it, she'll be asking Daddy for some money and hitting the malls with her girlfriends...

Eight Months....Nine Months...going so fast!

Everyone always told me "it goes so fast" when talking about their babies growing up. I always listened and nodded my head but really had no clue how true it really was...until now.

It seems like the first six months went by quickly, but not anything crazy, and perhaps we were still getting used to our routines so we didn't notice? However, once Eva hit six months old, time started to fly by.

Eva has gone through so many developmental milestones in the last two months and day by day we continue to see more changes and new things that she is doing. We can't keep up! (thus the late blog update)

She went from sitting on her knees....to pulling herself up...

And from doing the army crawl, to crawling on her hands on knees in no-time!

At her 9 month appointment, she weighed 21lbs 4oz (86th percentile) and was 29.5in tall (96th percentile!) Thankfully no shots this time but she did have a finger prick to check her hemoglobin and also to check for lead. A great appointment and so lucky to have a healthy girl!

She also had three more teeth pop through, all on the top and pretty much at the same time. Not a fun week. We continue to give her more and more finger foods and so far she likes all that we've given her, even sauerkraut! (she's her mother's daughter for sure!)

Her curiousity is in full throttle, especially now that she's moving around. We've baby proofed the house but it's funny how she can find all the little things we missed or any little piece of whatever on the ground to put in her mouth. Needless to say, we are a busy household and loving every minute of it. As we speak I can hear a cupboard door opening and closing...I wonder what she's into...

March of Dimes Walk

Last weekend Eva and I participated in the March of Dimes Walk with our mom group!
 

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and we walked around Lake Como with hundreds of other families and their babies, and all for a great cause that we really care about.

There were two babies in our Facebook mom group who were premature, Bode was born 11 weeks early and Ava was born 6 weeks early. We've said many prayers, cheered them on during all their milestones and watched them thrive and grow into happy, healthy soon-to-be One Year olds!
Bode was the first baby from our group of 250 to be born...and Eva was the last :)  We're also lucky enough to have Ava here in Minnesota, so we get to see her on all of our mom group meet-ups!

 (Ava is the second one from the left)

We even had all the babies in matching purple tye dye onesies. Eva is now nicknamed the Princess since she was the only one who refused to sit in the grass...something we're going to have to work on!

Our group of MN moms raised over $500 for the March of Dimes and we look forward to doing it again next year!

Ten Words

I recently was introduced to a new blog that I'm now in love with and added it to my daily list of blogs I read (it's getting big!). He's a local pastor who writes about every day instances that everyone goes through and how a lot of them can relate to our faith.
I really like and respect his blog for not being overbearing and pushing religion, but finding faith within yourself.

He also has posts that seem to relate to me and since this week is Infertility Awareness Week, I had to share a post he wrote last month that can help anyone out there dealing with or supporting someone going through infertility. These Ten Words hit home and although we have our beautiful baby, I know how hard those ten words can be..

http://www.stevewiens.com/2013/03/26/ten-words-that-describe-infertility/

Welcome Baby Sasha!

I am so excited and happy to announce the arrival of Baby Alexandra Hope "Sasha" to the world! Sasha was born on Tuesday, April 16th and was a healthy 8lbs 3oz!

You may be asking, "Who is this Baby Sasha?"

Sasha is a little miracle baby. Yes, ALL babies truly are miracles, but this one is a bit more special for me and Eva. I met her mother on a milk donation site and you may remember reading our story: Got Milk

Annie is a breast cancer and double mastectomy survivor who never thought she'd be adding a miracle to her family. After being able to breastfeed her three other children, not being able to provide to her new baby was something she struggled with until she found the organization Human Milk 4 Human Babies. We were connected on their Facebook site and able to meet back in February in person; something I will never forget! Although donated breastmilk will never replace being able to breastfeed your own child, I can only hope it will allow Annie connect with her beautiful miracle and help Sasha grow big and strong.

The experience was unforgettful for me and I can't wait to meet this little miracle and kiss those munchkin cheeks! Eva and I will always have a small connection with Sasha and I look forward to watching her grow!

Congrats to the new family!

Easter 2013

The Easter Bunny came to the Barrett house this year!

Okay, so maybe Miss Eva isn't the Easter Bunny, but she sure can crinkle her nose like one!

Our first Easter as a family...it was so much fun! After going to church and strutting her new dress, we hosted an early dinner at our house with Oma and Papa Miller, Grandpa Barrett and Great Grandma and Grandpa Miller.

 
J and I talked about the traditions our families did each Easter; hiding baskets, Easter egg hunts, flying kites, but since Eva is still a bit too little, we thought we'd start our own tradition in the coming years. However, Eva still got a basket with all kinds of goodies including a Grover remote (so she would stop stealing daddy's), puff snacks and fruit, a bunny sippy cup and new frilly socks. I must say, it sure was fun shopping for her basket, and can only imagine how much more fun it will get as she gets older. 

We thoroughly enjoyed watching Eva play with her new goodies and the joy she brought in their faces. He Is Risen Indeed!