7 months & Halloween

Happy little man!
With Grandpa Ron & Aunt Stacey

Grandpa Ron & the little dragon

November 5, 2007 Anderson is 7 months old!
Anderson playing with his puppy.

Daddy & Anderson trick or treating.

Anderson and Uncle Frank

Playing in the crib. What a happy little guy.

Happy Halloween

Anderson as a little dragon for Halloween!

Recent Pictures of Anderson

I get cuter by the minute!

Sleeping prince

I have awesome hair!

Can this kid get any cuter?

Go CSU Rams! Go Cousin Jake!

Just thought that I'd share some pictures. Not much going on other than school and work!

6 months old

Anderson turned 6 months on October 5th! We can't believe how fast the time goes. It has been a very busy 6 months. Its amazing to watch our little man grow. (First picture, new bathtime fun with the rubber duck! Second, is 6 month picture. Third, fell asleep after bouncing in his jumperoo.)

Anderson went to his 6 month check up and the doctor told us...No more pacifier! I guess it causes ear infections. So he hasn't had it for 3, going on 4 days. He also is now sleeping through the night...another helpful suggestion from the doctor. He's almost 16 pounds now....doubled since birth.

Jim installed a new garage door but like all our projects there is a slight problem...it doesn't go all the way up. The door runs into one of the beams. So he will have to modify some things and we will eventually get to open the door.

I have been busy studying and taking tests. I had another anatomy test last week and have a physiology test on Monday. So nothing new with me.

A couple of weekends ago we went to Kimball for Farmer's Day. We spent a fun, yet fast, weekend with the Barretts and Morgans. Anderson saw his first parade, weiner dog race and beer garden. Above are some pictures of the weekend. (Anderson with Grandma and Papa Barrett, a picture of the whole clan, and Anderson & Grandma at the parade.)

The last picture, I just liked the hair!

Take Care! Love, The Barretts

AJ loves green beanies

Above is a picture of Anderson eating green beans. He really loves them.

I forgot to mention the adventure that our family had a couple of weeks ago. I was studying at the library when I got a call from Jim. I was surprised at this because I was studying for my anatomy test that I had the next day. So I answered the phone and Jim explained that there was an emergency. Not the baby...it was Tess. Well, Miss Tessie got into the D-con. D-con is not good and can be deadly to animals. So I rushed home and we took her to the emergency vet. They induced vomiting,gave her activated charcoal and a vitamin K injection. 2 hours of study time out the door. She's fine now but gave me a little bit of a scare that night.

We also made a trip to Denver that weekend to Jim's friend, Janna's wedding. We got to visit Jim's parents and spend a little time with them. We also got to see Jim's sister, Julie and her family. Anderson got to spend some time with his cousin Rachael. He had a great time. It was a very quick and busy trip.

Last weekend, a few of my classmates and I participated in the Capital Humane Society's Pet Walk. Instead of walking our crazy dogs, Anderson brought his stuffed puppy and he rode in the stroller. It was a very beautiful day. Above are some pictures we took when we got home. Jim and I had t-shirts that matched Anderson's onsie. He even was sitting in the yard all by himself. He's getting so big! In a week he'll be turning 6 months!

Jim has been busy cleaning and organizing the garage so we can put a vehicle in it. I'm of course studying as much as I can. It seems we have at least one test a week now. I find studying to be hard due to my very cute distraction...Anderson.

Take care, The Barretts

Tired

I'm becoming very tired as my 4th week of school is rolling along. I have discovered a new overwhelming sense of being tired. As a brand new mother back in April I would have told anyone that I'd never been as tired as I was after Anderson was born; waking up every 2 hours to feed him, worrying that he was still breathing, and being sore & tired from delivery. I was tired then, physically drained. But today, studying for my third exam in a weeks time, I can honestly say that I've never been this mentally tired. Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy that I am pursuing my dream to become a veterinarian but WOW is it tiring...and the sad thing is, its not going to get any easier or less tiring.

I don't even want to think about how tired I'm going to be when Anderson becomes mobile! UGHHHHHHHH! Help,JIM! Thank God for Jim. He has been such a big help with Anderson and the house. He also puts up with me. I guess I have become somewhat moody lately, I can't imagine why.

So I have posted several group pictures of my class from the first day of orientation. And a couple of AJ.

I hope that everyone is doing well! If you think about it, try to get in a couple of extra of minutes of sleep for me. :)

Anderson is 5 months old

Anderson turned 5 months on Wednesday! He's getting so big. He has now tried green beans and sweet potatoes. He seems to like the potatoes better. We also have switched from rice cereal to oatmeal. He gets really excited and tries to grab the bowl and spoon. Eating has gotten a little messy. The picture of Anderson in the blue and white striped outfit are from his "birthday". The others are just some fun ones we took of our little man.

It was a short week due to Monday's holiday. I got to spend some quality time with Anderson and Jim last weekend and relax a bit. I got an A on my first mini-test in anatomy so I guess I'm learning something. Friday the 14th we have our first big test in anatomy so I will be very busy this week studying and going to the lab at night to look at the dog and cat forelimbs. Our test is over the forelimb so we need to know every bone, muscle, artery, vein, nerve and lymph node. It is pretty overwhelming when I start thinking about it.

Last night Jim, Anderson and my parents went to a "welcome reception" for the program. We got free food catered from the rib ranch and ice cream from the UNL dairy store. They toured my classroom and dissection lab too. It was a nice evening.

Jim spent last week working on our yard; aerating, mowing, planting seed, spraying weeds and watering. We also had tons of holes that he needed to fill. We didn't want the dog running through the yard and getting her leg stuck in a hole. He has found several snakes and even thought he ran one over with the mower. He built a shed with the help of my dad so he can store the lawn and garden things. He's making room so one of us can park in the garage! Anderson's birthay was the highlight of the week. Other than studying, working on the yard, and playing with Anderson not much more exciting news from the Barretts. Take care!

First week of vet school over

Hello everyone! I have survived my first week of vet school. I even had my first "mini" test yesterday in anatomy. I now know that the acromion, supraspinous fossa and the glenoid cavity are located on the scapula. And lots of other parts of bones on the dog and cat's forelimbs. We started dissecting our cat on Monday...there was no easing into the program. My semester consists of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and a veterinary foundations course....which pretty much means I'm in class from 8am to 430pm everyday. Wednesday afternoon I have off, however I spent last wednesday afternoon in the library studying for my Friday test.

Above is a pictue of Anderson and I at the Husker stadium where we saw the Cornhusker marching band exhibition performance. It was Anderson's first time at the stadium. The other pictures are just cute pictures of "the boy".

Jim has been getting busy at work. He spends Tuesdays with Anderson and last week they built a new file cabinet...very exciting! Jim has also been working on a storage shed for the back yard.

I will try to post a blog at least once a week but with school and trying to take care of my family I will do the best I can. I hope everyone is well!

School Starts

School starts tomorrow and I am very anxious. Last week was orientation and I met my fellow students. There is one other monther and a father so I am not the only parent. I however have the youngest child. I have spent the last few days soaking up quality time with both Anderson and Jim. Above is a picture of the two of them after we came home in the rain.

The white coat ceremony went pretty smooth. Anderson managed to sit through about an hour or the hour and fifteen minute ceremony. He was able to see Mommy get her lab coat an begin her journey into vet school. Included is a picture of Jim and Anderson at the ceremony.

I have two of my syllabii and I already know I have an anatomy test on Friday. We start dissection tomorrow. Hitting the ground running...I have a feeling I will be very busy.

That's all for now.

Computer is dead

Update on our computer...it's totally fried and there is no bringing life back to it. We can fix it but the amount to fix the old computer could buy us at least two new computers. So needless to say we are just going to buy a new one. Jim is pricing brands and stores, soon we will have a new computer and we can finally post photos of little Anderson.

Still trying to get settled in the house an gearing up for school. My stress and anxiety level have risen and the thought of being away from Anderson are very overwhelming. Friday we go to Iowa State for orientation and the white coat ceremony. Next week Monday through Wednesday I have orientation here at UNL.

Not much news...we did buy a portable dishwasher...YEAH! No more handwashing dishes 2 and 3 times a day.

Take care!

Hot Hot Hot

Greetings from Lincoln...Sorry that there has not be an updated blog in over a month. Our computer broke and in the midst of the move we had to wait to have it looked at when we arived in Lincoln. Well its still at the computer shop still unsure of the problem. So no pictures at this time.

We arrived in Lincoln and are still settling...there are lots of boxes to unpack and everything that's already unpacked needs to be organized. Saturday night the fan in the furnace that runs our air conditioner broke. So its very hot in our house. Last night when we went to bed it was 93 degrees...outside it was 80. And Jim discovered that the windows are secured shut. We are having a whole new furnace installed...hopefully this afternoon.

Anderson turned 4 months yesterday! He is getting so big and trying to sit up. He now rolls over from stomach to back. We started giving him cereal and juice, which he seems to really enjoy. He discovered his hands and always has them in his mouth. Our daycare problems have been solved. My grandmother will be retiring and watching him at our house so that hecan sleep in and won't have to be taken out when it gets cold out. Jim will have Tuesdays off and it will be Daddy's day. Jim is already discussing fun places to take Anderson and I have to admit I'ma bit jealous.

School starts soon and the realization that my days will no longer be spent with my little man is making me rather sad. Jim, Anderson and I are going to Ames on the 17th for part of my orientation and a white coat ceremony. Then I have orientation here for three days and begin school on the 27th. I'm excited, scared, overwhelmed, anxious, sad and happy all at onetime.

We hope that everyone is doing well and will get pictures loaded as soon as we find out what's going on with our computer. I'm writing theblog with my new school lap top. Take care!

Selling Our House

Well...After three open houses we had an offer on our house. The paperwork is signed and if everything goes according to plan we will close on July 24th and leave Gering. We will then close on our new house on the 25th!

Jim will be getting ready to head to Lincoln to begin his new job at Bryan Lifepointe as an outpatient physical therapist. He will be living with my parents and brother. Anderson and I will be joining him for a few days and then returning to Gering to continue to pack and stay with our critters.

June 26th was my birthday and Anderson gave me the cutest picture of him and his mommy. We went out to dinner with Bob and Jean. Also we had the offer on our house on my birthday too! It was a good present.

A New Beginning

Jim and I have become a family with the addition of our bundle of joy... Anderson James on April 5th, 2007 at 4:03 am. The real adventure began with my rocky pregnancy...the bedrest and that jet ride to Denver. Thankfully AJ waited and only came two weeks early instead of 12 weeks early.

We will be moving to Lincoln in July so I can start vet school this fall. Jim begins a new job and Anderson will be going to daycare...its going to be hard on Mommy because I've been blessed to be a stay at home mom since he was born. We all have new places to go and it will take some getting used to.

We are sad to leave Jim's family, our first house or Money pit as Jim refers to it and a community we have grown to love. But we are looking forward to spending time with my family in Lincoln, working on our new "money pit" and starting work & school.

We have a prospective buyer for our house...so keep your fingers crossed that we can sell it. Jim has worked so incredibly hard to make our money pit a nice remodeled home. Although it will be sad to leave our first home together it will be exciting taking on all our new experiences.