Mom and Dad

My parents have a blog!! Take a moment and check it out!

http://kenandpattie.blogspot.com/

Also, Edward is trying to walk! (video to follow)

Clapping

Happy Holidays!

From the Barnes Family

10 Months!!

Edward is a thriving TEN month old!!

He can take two steps by himself; however, he still prefers to crawl.

He takes only one nap a day, and that is if I am lucky and spend an hour trying to get him to fall asleep.

He is nearly 29 inches tall and 22 almost 23 pounds. He is a big boy and laughs all day.

He loves to be chased and to hide under his blankie. Peek a boo is his very favorite game.

YES, he is such a joy... and I can't say it enough, I LOVE THIS BOY!

Bath time

You can never have enough Edward, right?

Usually, Stephen gives Edward his weekly bath, but Edward was feeling a bit sick last week (double ear infection) so I gave him a comforting warm bath and decided to snap a few pictures. OH BOY is he CUTE!!!

Also, if you haven't checked out the post below, DO IT and write a comment. I extended the deadline because, apparently, all my blogging friends are shy or busy. SO write something short and you could be a winner!!!!

Enjoy!

GIVEAWAY!!

A unique opportunity for one of my lucky readers from http://www.csnbaby.com

You have three chances to enter.

1.) Post a comment to this blog about csnbaby.com, http://www.toysandgamesonline.com, http://www.cookware.com, or http://www.diningroomfurniture.com
2.) Add a link to a post in your blog to one of the four websites above mentioned
3.) Do both 1 and 2 to double your chances to win!

The winner will be chosen Tuesday, December 15th, 2009. The winner will receive a gift valued at $35.00 from one of the above named websites!!

Also, check out Crib-bedding

Happy Posting!!!
*If the website link doesn't work, feel free to copy and paste it in to your web browser.

Is it the end of the year already?

It is honestly hard for me to believe this year is almost over. Edward is growing like a weed. I took him to the doctor the other day, he had an ear infection, and found out he is 28 almost 29 inches tall and 22 pounds!! He is wearing all 12 month clothes and will soon be in to 18 month clothes. Such a cute big boy. He has 2 teeth and 2 more just about to poke through.
I can already tell he is getting a little bit of an attitude. He has to get his way. If I take something away from him... AH... he screams. He is smarter than I think. He loves to bite me with his two teeth and might be walking in the next five years. He has been crawling for the last 4 months!!! He is not ready to take any steps.

I am still TOTALLY enjoying the musical and to prove it here are a few more pictures!!!

White Christmas back stage

What is a post with out Edward? Love this picture!!

White Christmas!!
The best thing about being in the ensemble... playing different characters!

Wow, what an incredible opening! I have made a lot of friends and had a wonderful time singing again. I took a few pictures to document my experience. Enjoy.

Sexy Woman on the Train (My solo in the show)

Dancer in Act II

Posing with Betty Hanes (Emily Melville)

Bing Crosby, I mean Tad Harris as Bob Wallace

Larry Aguilar as Phil Davis. Me dressed as Tess, Bobs Assistant.

My friends in the Ensemble Leah, Stevie, and me.

Me and my little friend Stevie

Blair,

I have nooks like this ALL over the house. One outside, two by the front door and One upstairs. What do I do??

9 Months

I continue wondering where the time goes. I do not think it is going to slow down any time soon. Edward is 9 months old. I can't believe he is so big! He is about 28 inches tall and 23 pounds. This is just a guess, since we don't have to go to the doctor until he is a year old.
Edward is standing alone and becoming more and more curious about walking. He crawls FAST everywhere. He is getting four teeth right now, so he has been upset the last two weeks. I can finally see one of his bottom teeth. YEAH!

Edward is such a wonderful joy to be around. He laughs 87% of the time. After about a month of sleep training, Edward sleeps around 10 hours at night. He loves his Dad. He cries when Stephen leaves and crawls up to him when he comes home from work.
We are truly blessed to have Edward in our lives. I am so grateful each day I get to spend with him.

Irving Berlins White Christmas comes to Albuquerque

The last month has become extremely busy for me. On a beautiful Friday afternoon I decided I would audition for the "Albuquerque Little Theater". The audition was set for two days later. Was I prepared, NO! I could have been preparing for weeks; however, this was a last moment decision. Sunday came and I took the only song I had memorized "White Knight" from The Music Man and auditioned.
The director immediately asked me if I could dance. Now this is a tricky question. I can dance. I can't learn choreography in 5 minutes. So I explained this to him. He invited me to call backs. I danced. It was terrible.
Monday I came back to read for the part of Betty Hanes. I had no idea this was the female lead!! After an hour of watching the other women sing and read for Betty, I knew I didn't stand a chance. Then the director pulled me aside and asked if I would like to be the understudy. SURE!
Honestly, I would have been any part in the musical. I love theater and I was looking for a small way to get back in.
October and November have meant memorization for me. Memorizing a part that I may not get to perform. I am very grateful for the opportunity. I love the music and I love to sing.
If you are wondering, yes, I do have my own REAL part in the musical. I have about 5 lines and my own little song. Sure, the song is about two seconds long, but I get to sing on stage.

The show starts Friday November 27th and runs each weekend, Friday, Saturday and 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. The show runs through Christmas Eve, a 1 PM performance.
If you are just driving through or live in Albuquerque I would love for you to stop by and see the show. http://www.albuquerquelittletheatre.org/ Go to this site to purchase your tickets. $22 per person and WELL worth it. The two people who are playing the leads in the show are AMAZING!!

Now you know... I have been busy. Oh and we are moving to a home in Albuquerque November 27th (Black Friday). Noon we load up the uhaul and drive across town to a HOME!! No more apartment. NO MORE loud neighbors above us. No more parking nine miles away and dragging groceries and Edward to the apartment. No more worrying about my car getting stolen. No more gate. No more APARTMENT! I can't explain how excited I am.

Enjoy your Monday!! I hope to see you sometime during the 12-16 performances of White Christmas.

where, oh where, have I been?

Busy... more details to come...

Halloween, a first

Happy Halloween!!!



Edward was a bit tired and I am a little sick, so we only went to ten houses. Edward looked super cute as a baby giraffe (we bought for $8 bucks a the k-mart half off sale) and I went as a vampire along side my prisoner, Stephen. Although our trip was short we had a great time.

Grandma comes to town

Susan stopped by for a wonderful visit last weekend. We hiked up the mountain by our home to show her the beautiful snow. Edward had a great time playing with her and I know she will be missed.

Edward did not enjoy the snow, but I took him out there to play anyway.

It's...

Snowing in my backyard... what about yours??

8 Months

I can't believe Edward is already 8 months old. He is a little more than 20 pounds (according to my scale) and is around 27 inches. I am not doctor so none of my calculations are right on. He is a mover and a shaker. He crawls all over the apartment and laughs up a storm.

To whom it may concern:

Chase Bank Loan Modification Department:
I am terribly upset to find that you have not chosen to modify my home loan. It has been my understanding that my exact circumstance would fit into the mold of a home modification loan. My husband took a job in the great state of New Mexico, forcing me to leave behind my beautiful home in Arizona. As you are WELL aware, home prices in Arizona have dropped significantly over the last few years. Foreclosures are up 5% from the last month alone! My home is valued $100,000 dollars LOWER than the price I paid back in 2006. YES, I said 2006! The year home values soared. The same year I saved for a LARGE down payment that I will never see again. Yep, I am talking about the $50,000 dollars you took from me.
This significant drop has left me unable to sell my home. Now, I have been more than faithful to the repayment of my mortgage. Lets face it, I HAVE NEVER MISSED A PAYMENT. Even if this means I go without. As a result I have paid for a small apartment in New Mexico and my house payment at the SAME time. The cost, a mere $2400 a MONTH!
I am only asking for a small 1% drop to my mortgage rate. This would allow, the renter I have secured for the next year, to cover my mortgage with very little out of pocket from myself.
To say that I am not worthy to help because I do not live at the residence is completely unfair. Isn't this the reason President Obama designed the "Help for Homeowners" plan. I didn't read anywhere that it was only for home owners who were in foreclosure or only for homeowners that live in the homes. What would be the point? You say you didn't need the bail out money, that you made wise investments... THEN WHY DID YOU TAKE IT?? GREED!!!!!!!
GREED

GREED

GREED
It was not to help a home owner like myself, who would sell if that meant I could repay the loan I borrowed. BUT I CAN'T. So, for this purpose I am asking you to reconsider your greedy rule. Why not actually help home owners and modify their loans so that they can repay the debt that promised to pay. Why do I have to ruin my credit and be in foreclosure for you to even LOOK at my loan?

OH, BECAUSE OF GREED!!!!!

Enjoy your million dollar day, as I struggle to continue to survive while providing the tax money you so easily use for your Bentley, Porsche, and mansion.

Signed,

VERY UPSET
Julie Barnes, homeowner.

Wild Animal... I mean Baby

Sleepless in Colorado

To celebrate Sharla's
30th Birthday; Stephen, Edward, and I drove up to Pueblo Colorado. It was a nice four and a half hour drive up I-25 with Edward who is learning that his car seat is not so bad after all.

When we arrived we took a trip over to Goodnight park and pet the geese, or attempted to pet the geese. Sharla is deathly afraid of the geese so she screamed every time one go to close. I; however, tried to pet them and ended up chasing them away. Edward had fun throwing pieces of bread at the birds in hopes of getting them to come just a little closer.

Monday, Kendra, Michael, Wade, and Sharla joined us for a jaunt across the highest suspension bridge in the world (or so they say). After watching Kendra and Michael swing over the top of the Royal Gorge we headed to the bottom to ride the train. It was a relaxing trip as Edward slept most of the train ride.

We celebrated Sharla's birthday with some cupcakes and then headed to bed. BRRR! Colorado is freezing at night! I shivered and held Edward tight in hopes of creating a little more body heat. We drove home early Tuesday morning and I felt completely wiped out. I slept two hours then went back to bed at 8 pm. I feel a little caught up now, but as usual, I can always use more sleep.

Happy Birthday, Sharla!!!

Is it nap time yet?

Just wondering.

Family Fun

My parents, sister, and brother came for a visit over Labor Day. We had a ton of fun, even though Edward was sick. I can't say that I would wish a sick baby on anyone; however, we made it through. Edward is learning new sleep patterns and that means I am actually getting less sleep than usual. I didn't think that was possible. We started two weeks ago. We stopped feeding Edward at night and started rocking him back to sleep. I am happy to report that he has successfully slept 10 hours straight three times in a row!! It was a rocky road and I think we still have about a week of him waking up but the end looks near!
In other news... Edward has been pulling himself up. YES! If he can reach it, he can stand up. I am sure walking is soon to follow. Two more months? Or maybe he will walk this month... who knows, but I can say I am not 100% ready for my 7 month old to be walking.