brothers

This little dude continues to surprise me:

To be honest I was dreading how Griffin would act towards the new baby. He didn't want Ben or I to even look at another baby or child let alone hold one, so we were scared to death. Well, little Griffin Barker somehow is completely in LOVE with the baby. It still blows my mind. He hasn't said or done anything even remotely mean towards the babe. He talks sweet baby talk to him, wants to help me feed him, change his diaper and hold him. Now, this might not seem like such a big deal, but all of this is coming from the little boy who can't handle ANY change. He cried and threw the hugest tantrum when we got a new fridge and they came to take out the old one, cried for an hour when he realized I got a new washer and dryer and still can't handle our new chair or anything new that we get around the house. SO...its crazy to me that he's ok with another little person coming home with us and taking away my attention from him. Its like he just knows its his little brother and is ok with that. I have a feeling these two will be the very BEST of friends and I hope Griffin continues to surprise me.

meet Grey

39 weeks

waiting to go in for my c-section

4.22.11

Grey Benjamin Barker

7 lbs 3 oz

20.5 inches

first time Griffin met Grey

he loved him at first sight (which was a shocker)

it also helped that Grey brought Griffin some presents :)

first family photo

Grandma Barker and the boys

LOVE this picture

We are so blessed to have this sweet little

baby in our family

We love him beyond words

Sunset

Saturday night we went down and ate dinner at the beach and watched the sunset. I really do love living here. It was the perfect end to our last Saturday together as just the three of us before we welcome this new little baby into our family.

It was perfect.

Del Mar Villas

My cousins were here a few weeks ago staying in the most amazing Villas in Del Mar (no seriously...they are beyond amazing. I tried to move in). So of course G and I went down a few times to see them and to take advantage of the perfect weather and pool. Griffin loved playing with all his "cousins" and asked asked to play with them all week. When I would tell him we were going to see them he always said "I'm SO happy!"...it was so cute. Ben and I got a sitter one night and went out to a wonderful dinner with the adults to celebrate my Aunts birthday. It was just a beautiful week.

April Showers

I don't mean to brag...but I do have some of the BEST friends ever. My Carlsbad friends and my OC friends are some of the very best people I know and I'm grateful to have them in my life. Both groups threw me a little "celebration" to welcome this little babe. It is my second boy, so we kept it small and simple- but both showers were SO much fun and I'm SO grateful to them all. Thanks girls- I LOVE all your guts.

Both groups gave me money towards my double stroller

(I'm SOOO excited to get it!)

Above: some of my CB friends

Britney, me (36 weeks), Heather, Emily, Krista & Shanda

My OC friends....

so happy they all drove down to see me

Barbara, Patience, Brooke, Me, Sara, Melissa & Camille

After dinner we took a million of these pictures...most were hilarious and we were all laughing so hard. I'm sure people outside the restaurant thought we were drunk. This is the most tame so its the only one I'll show :)

It was such a FUN night!

March

We took G to the Zoo for the last time in a while. Our passes are up and since I'll be having a baby soon we probably won't renew right away. It was a sweltering 80+ degree day so we didn't stay too long, but had fun the short time we were there.

Looking at the Polar Bears

We also had a visit from the Leprechaun on the 17th! Griffin was so cute when he saw the green footprints the led downstairs and was really excited to follow them...

It got even better when he realized the Leprechaun left him a pot of gold candy :)

"Ben Barker"

Griffin really loves his dad. He's his favorite person in the world- hands down. He also has been calling him "Ben Barker" the past little while (he heard me call him that once and thought it was funny). Everywhere we go he tells strangers "My daddy's name is Ben Barker"...its kind of hilarious. He wants to do everything his dad does. Shave, shower, wear his shoes, eat a "meat sandwich" with his dad, you name it.

Its also a great trick to get him to do things as long as Ben does it first:).

Alvin & the chipmunks anyone?

We celebrated Ben's 35th Birthday this month. We went to dinner with friends & family and then he went race car driving with his friends. He's a leap year baby so it always gets a little tricky and he's a little sensitive about it, but I think he had a great day. Happy Birthday to the BEST husband and father we could ever ask for!

ps- I'm not sure whats going on in this picture....