What We Do With Our Free Time

Nana Jane and I went to your house today to watch you. We were going to take a few pics in your John Deere boots. Well, we couldn't find anything to go with the camo pants so we just chunked that idea and went with what we do best...sports. You have several cute sport themed clothes but sadly you only own that Caney Valley hat. As bad as I hate to admit it you rock that Trojan hat.

Trojan or Panther?

I was going to do a photo shoot with you so I asked your Mom and Dad to send a cap that would look like

a fishing cap. This is what I got.

This my friend is a Caney Valley Trojan cap not a fishing cap! Here at Hon and Gpa's house we don't do Trojans, we are Barnsdall Panthers.  Your Mama is a Panther, your Uncle Adam is a Panther, your Aunt Bri is a Panther,and although your Aunt Sara ended up a Hornet she was born a Panther.  We love your Daddy even if he grew up a Trojan and now coaches there. But there is a deep dislike of anything Caney Valley, whether it is football

or baseball or frankly anything in the red and black. 

So we are thinking the cap incident was no accident. Luckily we have the Panther fight soundtrack and have listened to it for the last few days. We are hoping your first words will be On With Barnsdall, On With Barnsdall!!!

Trojan or Panther? I know it is a dilemma.



3 Months Old

Today you are 3 months old and man are you cute!! You are wearing size 2 diapers and mostly 6 month clothes.  You weigh 15 lbs. You can roll over from your stomach to your back but get tired of it quickly. You are grabbing for things and like to look at the baby in the mirror.

You are stay with Hon during the day while your Mom and Dad work. We are having great time watering the plants, watching the dog and playing.

Nana Jane comes out to see you. She is spoiling you because she likes to hold you while you sleep. We aren't sure how you will ever learn to walk because noone here puts you down.

The Babysitter

When I found out I was going to be a Grandma I saw myself in Target buying the biggest rocking horse they had, or maybe at Dillards picking out the cutest little man clothes in stock or maybe just putting money in your college account every month. But as you will learn life changes.
 I had been a teacher for 31 years and for the most part loved every minute of it. I thought I would do it for a few more years so I could do all those special things for you that money can buy. As the summer was winding down I was told I was going to have to make a job assignment change since I really didn't want to do that I retired. You know what that meant? No big toys or lots of clothes or extra money in the bank.
It also means I get to babysit you.  As I have been able to wrap my head around not being able to buy for you on a whim I have to come to realize there are more important things to give you. Things like kisses and hugs and baths at 4 in the afternoon. Things like snuggling and rocking you to sleep. Things like your Great Gma coming out to hold you for an hour or two every time you are here. Things like your Gpa coming home early from work so he can play with you. These are all things that never would have happened  if I hadn't retired. So even though you might have to ride Uncle Adam's old rocking horse, and you won't have as many new clothes or extra money in the bank you will know you are loved. Once again I have learned that even though I can't understand what in the world is happening in my life God knows and it is for the best. Get ready little man you have lots of fun days coming at the babysitters.

Keepsake From Your Great Great G'ma

When your Mom was eleven weeks from being born my Grandma Shreffler died. This G'ma was the one I had lived next door to most of my life. When I was little she babysat me while my Mom worked. Some nights I stayed all night with her and I ate breakfast and lunch with her most days. She was always there whenever I needed her.
  One Sunday afternoon  I was on my way to a baby shower and stopped by her house, she was on her bed resting. I hollered bye, she answered and I went out the door.  They came to the shower to tell me she had died of a heart attack. I was so sad not only for myself but for my baby who would never know my special G'ma Shreffler. G'ma had crochet every one of her grandkids a sweater outfit for their first baby. I was crushed because I hadn't had my first baby yet but when they went through Gma's things there was mine. She had thought ahead and made sets for the grandkids that hadn't had their first babies. So your Mom got a sweater set and booties made just for her by her Great G'ma. I found those booties today in the closet and as luck would have it you were here visiting. I put those booties on you and hoped that somehow you felt the love that went into making them.

Although I can't crochet anything for you I pray that I will be able to make you feel the same unconditional love of your G'ma that I knew growing up.

2 Months Old

Wow, two months have already gone by. You are really smiling alot these days. Sometimes you actually laugh out loud.

You weigh 13.2 lbs. You are 23.5 inches long. You are taking formula at every feeding. You still take a paci but aren't as excited about it as you were. You prefer sucking on your hand.

You wear size 2 diapers and size 3 month clothes. All the newborn clothes have been put away because you have outgrown them. You have even rolled from your stomach to your back a few times although it takes a lot of effort complete with the sound effects of grunting and growling. 

You sleep anywhere from 3 to 5 hours a night if you are swaddled. You are now sleeping in the crib in your own room. You like the bouncer, the swing, and the mat that you lay on and talk to the baby in the mirror. Sooooooooo cute!!! You have stayed all night with Hon and Gpa two times already and was a dream both times. We can't believe what a good baby you are.. Keep it up Big E!!

Hon's Helper

Who knew watering flowers at 6:45 in the morning could be so much fun.