Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the Barelas!
Today we had fun doing the Halloween thing. We aren't big Halloween people but we enjoyed the day dressing up and getting candy. It was M's first experience and he was beyond thrilled that people were handing him candy and that he looked so cool while doing it. M was a pirate and he LOVED his costume. So much that he slept in it last night! We tried everything on last night after we put it all together just to see what he would look like and he didn't want to take it off. So he was a pirate all through the night and all day today. When I was getting him dressed last night I could help but smile and kinda laugh because he just looked so cute but he kept saying " Mom, don't laugh!" He was very serious about keeping up this pirate image he had going on! I had little cat hats for girls which they refused to wear so they just looked festive in their orange shirts and pumpkin socks. I just told people they were dressing up as twins :) Our downtown had Treat Street where all the stores passed out candy and that was fun. And then M also went around our neighborhood with our neighbors while the girls and I stayed home and passed out candy. Brian was at the CRU Halloween party with all of the students. So all in all we had a really good day. Enjoy the pictures.




Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Moo Cards...it's my new thing


A couple of weeks ago Brian gave me a surprise. Yes, another one. He's full of them these days and I love it! This one was just because and he is totally into as much as me. As he put it the surprise is a perfect mix of him and I. What he got me are Moo cards. When you look at the website, which you have to because I made it so easy for you and because you just have to see them for yourself, you will see that moo cards can be a variety of things: calling cards, a way to display art, family pics. For me, Brian designed them to be my mommy calling cards. They have my name, mother of M, T & K. My cell, email and my blog address as well as my Twitter name. Each has a cool design on the back. It's pretty fun and so thoughtful of Brian. I'm often meeting moms at the park, church, playgroups etc. and wanting to exchange numbers but don't have anything to write on or I have a million pieces of scrap papers with random phone numbers. I guess me having the cards does not prevent the dilemma have random scrap papers around unless others get Moo cards as well but maybe I'll start a new trend in town. So if you want my calling card, let me know. I'm happy to share :)

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Without Further Ado...

Here's the girls 1st birthday slideshow. We hope you enjoy reflecting on what God has done in our lives and through our girls.


The Girls Turn 1! from Brian Barela on Vimeo.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Well Done Mr. Barela


On Monday Brian and I celebrated out 7th anniversary. I know 7 years, doesn't seem possible. But here we are, 3 kids, several moves to different towns, change of careers...it has been quite a journey. And it just keeps getting better! We celebrated in style on Monday and the best part it was all a surprise to me! I was told be ready at 5:30, have the kids fed but I didn't need to make dinner for us. At 5:00 the amazing Mr. Barela called me and told me to not worry about picking out an outfit because he would be bringing home something for me to wear (I know!!!) and to pack an overnight bag because we wouldn't be coming home that night...what!?!? I couldn't believe it. Total surprise. And then I started frantically making a list because we have never left the kids overnight, and quickly packed a bag, and finished feeding the kids dinner. Brian came home at 5:15 with a cute, fun dress for me that fit perfect and a pizza for the babysitters (he thought of everything). Giving quick instructions to the babysitter and kisses and hugs to the kids we were out the door at 5:35. I didn't know where we were going until we pulled up to the Hotel Diamond in down town. We've always talked about staying here. I was very excited. We had dinner at our favorite local resturant and then coffee at another local favorite. It was a great night to sit and relax with each other. We talked about what a difference this year was compared to last anniversary. Our sixth anniversary we spent apart; Brian in Sacramento in the NICU with T and me here with K in the hospital and M at home. So very different. Brian got us a nice journal to start writing down what each year was like, big things we remember and how we celebrated another year of marriage. I think it is a great idea and look forward to starting this tradition. We had a yummy breakfast in morning at the hotel and then we were back home by 8:30. Real life quickly started again, but it's funny how I missed the kids in that short period of time.

What I appreciated most about our anniversary wasn't particularly what we did, although it was amazing! It was that Brian took the initiative and planned it all. I didn't have to make any decisions! It was very freeing. So very thankful. Well done Mr. Barela!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Birthday Weekend...and we're done!

The last 3 weekends we've had pretty big parties at our house. This weekend was the final one and I must say it was my favorite. It was the girls first birthday party! My parents were also in town for the weekend so that also made it an awesome weekend. We packed in as much as we could while they were here. Thursday we went out to dinner at one of our local favorites. Friday we went to open gym at gymnastics which was a blast! Who had more fun? Me or M? We both loved it and so did the girls, crawling around everywhere! And of course mom and dad loved watching us all. Friday night we had the annual Barn Blast with CRU. Lot's of fun fun doing line dancing and being in the "farm atmosphere". Saturday we went to the farmer's market downtown and checked out all the side walk sales downtown. Then it was party planning time for the afternoon. I did an initial party, lots of k's and t's everywhere. Party time was Saturday night and it all turned out really well. Even though the girls didn't really nap all day they did great. They went right after their cake and thoroughly enjoyed it! Brian made an amazing slide show to music of their first year. Tear jerker. I am hoping to get it uploaded to the blog soon. Along with lots of pics from our fun weekend. All coming soon! So finally I feel I can sit and relax a bit now that all of our big stuff is done. Whew!!! We made it:)

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Happy Birthday K & T!




Birthday Girls!

Our girls are one year old today! And to be honest it's kinda been a roller coaster of a day for Brian and I emotionally. It hasn't been a happy celebration day (that comes Saturday at their party) but more of a day of looking back and remembering where we were last year at this time, and where we have come from. There is so much to be thankful for but at the same time it is hard to think of where are little girls were at this time last year. Oh, what a year it has been! Here are some remembered moments...
  • bringing them home and putting them together for the first time
  • lots and lots of diapers
  • bottles and bottles everywhere before they were nursing
  • little little sleep
  • pumping around the clock, so it seemed
  • laundry, and more laundry
  • learning to nurse the both of them at the same time
  • teeny tiny bodies to wash poop blow outs off of
  • cries of hold me, I'm hungry, I'm tired, I'm dirty etc.
  • lots of spit up
  • little sleep
  • special moments in the middle of the night feedings
  • seeing them both snuggle together, inseparable 24/7 for the first 3 months
  • their smell
  • those 5 am feedings Bri and I would do together in our bed and then they would sleep on our chests
  • the proud big brother who was instantly protective
  • watching Wheel of Fortune at their 7pm feeding as a family
  • our first family car ride
Well on to the pictures of the girls first birthday. It was nothing special really, just our normal routine. Church for mom's bible study, naps, dinner and then family walk. But they looked super cute because I got them new outfits for their special day. Happy Birthday T & K we love you!
Hello Sunshine!
Good morning birthday girl!

Mommy and her big one year olds!

Miss T

Miss K

Monday, October 13, 2008

what's going on...

There's been a lot of sickness going on around here in the past 2-3 weeks and I'm definitely over it! This past weekend it was my turn.... cold and an eye infection that looks super gross. I affectionately call it my "pirate eye sty". Because that's what it is. A sty that is really infected and I think just look weird with a half shut eye, like a pirate. It made me look real nice for the party we had for 50+ people that I've never met on Saturday at our house! What are you going to do? The dessert party was for the freshman's parents who were in town. We wanted to expose them to CRU and show them we are normal people just in case they were wondering who their kids have been hanging out with. We went all out with lots of desserts, cute decorations, rented tables and linens, white lights (it was in our backyard) and heaters (a good last minute decision for the major drop in temp). Anyways, the party went great and we our so thankful for the encouraging responses we had from many parents. Also, we are thankful it is over! Now I can focus on my parents coming this week, and the girls birthday party on Saturday! Get ready for birthday morning pictures tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Mission:One year pictures...FAILED!

Well I attempted to have the girls pictures taken today for their first birthday. The photographer is great, we've had her before. She suggested going to the park. I love this idea because the girls love being outside, so I thought even with the rough days we've been having (non-stop crying) we would be ok. It was for 10:30. Perfect. I can give them baths in the morning so they look all fresh and clean and their hair isn't crazy. They can get a decent nap in and be good to go!
Well everyone got up like normal. Everyone got baths and then the crying began...again. Day #6. I put them to bed thinking they can just sleep it off and still we will be ok. That idea didn't work out so well either. Both girls cried their entire nap time. So they were already worked when I strapped them in the carseats. But we are still going to do this! We get to the park, can't find the photograher.....10 mintues later we find her. I get the the girls out of their stroller and they immediately starting crying. We trying giving them snacks, pulling them in a cute little pink wagon, showing them leaves, the water....nothing helps. They are screaming, arching their backs, flailing around. It was not pretty. I gave it a good try for 20 minutes, worked up a great sweat trying to keep them and myself calm and clearly saw it wasn't working. I called it quits. The photographer was very gracious and we rescheduled for next week. Oh well we gave it a great try. This is life and we're rolling with it. Stayed tuned for try #2.

Monday, October 6, 2008

early family mornings


We've been having some extra early mornings lately. The girls are on day number 5 of cold + teething really bad + yucky stomach virus = cry, cry, cry. The days start early and get long but thankfully have been ending early. I think because they are crying so much they tire out easily. One positive I guess :) Just looking on the bright side. I'm thankful it's now and not next week on their birthday, October 14!

Anyways I think this pic was taken somewhere around the 6 AM hour and we had already been awake for sometime. Notice how alert Daddy is :)

Friday, October 3, 2008

Lovin' the day...




Let me just describe to you what is going on in our house right now and why I am so happy and thankful! First, it's raining! You know you live in Cali when it rains and all the kids come out to play. And that's just what happened today. M & I went out to jump in the puddles and 4 others neighborhood kids were also out. M got some new rain boots from Grandma and Pa for his birthday. He's been wearing them pretty much all the time, everywhere. Nice fashion statement. Today is the first day he wore them in the rain. We had a great time playing, splashing, getting wet.

Now we're inside. All kids are sleeping. I'm in my favorite cozy Moosejaw sweats, that I've been waiting to wear and my favorite long sleeve O.U. tshirt. It's still raining and cooler outside. Candles are lit that have a yummy fall scent. I made some tea because I wanted to be warm and feel the moment even more, I'm not really a tea drinker. And I have some homemade pumpkin bread to munch on. OHHHHHHH! Don't you just love it? What a great way to start the weekend! Now I'm going to watch a movie we started last night but fell asleep and didn't finish. Hope your Friday has been a good one too.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Who is this kid?!?


Tonight at dinner was another classic comment from M that I just have to share. Brian and I were joking around talking about who was better, stonger etc. him as a Bruin (UCLA) or me as a Bobcat (Ohio University). Brian asked M what he was a Bruin or Bobcat and he responded "I'm king of all!" Seriously?

I don't think we need to work on self confidence.