[the big roll]

Well, it happened. A few weeks ago now, but it happened. What is it you ask? The much anticipated roll-over. Yup! Natalie went from one side to the next all on her own, and we even have video to prove it!

She not only surprised herself, but she surprised us when we put her on her tummy like we always do and she immediately went to work pushing and twisting and shortly thereafter, flipping to the backside. And yes, we were those giddy proud parents, clapping and screaming, all the while Natalie looking up at us like "Guys, why are you yelling at me?"

We know this is the one of many BIG milestones! So..as promised a few weeks back, here's the proof!

[bath time]

It's a bed time ritual here at the Barber home to get a bath. And Natalie knows it. Heck, she loves it! Here's a short clip of some of splashes and bath time fun!

[first pears]

The "solids" phase has officially begun.

We gave Natalie her first taste of real food--well--that's realitive. We gave her her first taste of baby food the other day, "First Pears." By the looks of the empty jar on our countertop, she really enjoyed them! And yes, we even got a short video of it for all the Grammies and Grandpas out there.

[what? it's november?]

does anyone else out there think this year just went WAY too fast? i'm struggling to wrap my mind around the fact that we're just six weeks from Christmas and seven from ringing in 2011!! geesh.

not to mention, it feels much the same way with my baby girl. she's already 5 months old (and counting) and i find myself now, like many moms had told me, wishing she would just slooooooooow down a bit and stay cute and baby-like. it just feels like time is racing past me at an alarmingly speedy rate.

but, with the passing of time brings new milestones and activites. we recently "upgraded" natalie's toy collection with this snazzy new thing--well not new new, but new to her.

initially it took her a moment to buy in--i think she was a tad overstimulated by all the new gadgets--but eventually she went to work, swinging and swatting at every new toy.

we took a little video for you, but unfortunately rather than play, she attempted to chew off half her fist (we think she's teething). regardless, its cute! :0

[dangerous new toy]

Well, we finally did it! We took the plunge and purchased a small video camcorder. Mostly so we could show off our adorably sweet baby, but also so family (you!) could see her more often.

And Alie got a clean bill of health this week at her 4mo appointment. She's now 14bs 3oz and 25inches long! Breaks down to roughly 60 percentile in weight, 75 percentile in height, and apparently she's got a big head, 94 percentile there! (Mom, did I have a big head as a baby?)

Anyways..all that to say, she's going to be tall and skinny (with a big head)...haha.

Oh, and we tested out the camcorder the lother night. So here's a few clips.

Natalie's newest entertainment--standing! She absolutely LOVES it! (as you will see) We hold her only to keep her balance, but she has seemed to figure out how to hold her own weight on those chubby little legs of hers.

And she also loves to "talk." Just last night actually, she found a new sound...which she has not been shy about sharing. :)

love you all!

[baby giggles]

we've been trying to get video of Alie's giggles for a while now, and she gave us a perfect opportunity this evening. it's not very long, but now you can finally hear what's quite simply music to our ears!

[alie talkin']

it's amazing to me how quickly babies can change. within just a few short weeks, i feel like our baby girl is becoming a little person!

we took a brief video of her "talkin" and trying to smile. she didn't give any big grins--i think she's a bit camera shy--but she's just so cute i had to post anyways!

[natalie meets iowa]

For those who didn't know...Peter, Natalie and I traveled east two weeks ago for several reasons--family wedding, friend wedding, and new grandbaby introductions. In the span of 13 days we covered over 3,232 miles and ventured over 4 state lines. And yes, we were crazy enough to do it with a 2mo old! (although we didn't have a choice now did we? :) )

What would normally take us approximately 16 hrs to drive, we did in 36! I believe Peter figured out that our average speed on the way out was somewhere in the neighborhood of 29mph. Now I know we didn't break any speed records with that pace--trust me--would have desperately wanted to do it much faster, but little natalie decided to have this odd fascination with iowa. she choose to have a 3hr breakdown in iowa city where she refused to go back into the car. thankfully, after 8 oz of very yummy milk, she settled down and whisked away into baby dreamland.

our visit went extremely fast, as do most "vacations." my little sis, emily, is now a married women. congrats to her and her husband dan. they are a great couple and will be great teammates in life!

i (sarah) also had a birthday in there--aug 7th--the day we drove 4hrs to a dear friends wedding in northeast iowa. (thankfully this time, alie didn't have any indulgences to overstay her welcome in iowa. we made great time and enjoyed a fabulous evening visiting some of my old college friends.

we then returned to wisconsin and spent the remainder of our trip catching up with past church friends and old family friends. i believe peter even snuck in a few rounds of golf with my pops this trip, and as he puts it "may have caught the golf bug." :)

we had a wonderful time home, and natalie of course, got plenty of love and attention. im convinced she also grew like a weed in those two weeks, because she practically looks like a different baby.

here are a few photos from our visit.

totally out--with all the travels, can you blame her?

look at her hold her head up!

natalie after bath time! all clean!

asleep in daddy's arms.

this girly loves looking at lights!

[let's meet baby natalie]

Three weeks have passed since Peter and I welcomed Natalie Grace Barber into the world. She was born on Wednesday morning, June 9 at 8:25am. She came into this world at a hefty 6lb 5oz and was 19inches long. That being said, at her two week check-up, Natalie had already gained nearly a pound, tipping the scales at 7lbs 4oz and is now 20inches long.

Peter and I have been blessed with a beautiful, healthy, and growing baby girl. She's absolutely perfect.

For all those grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles out there, we thought we'd share a few of Natalie's first moments....via VIDEO! :0

Enjoy...

[photo shoot]

the more i've experienced being pregnant, the more it's reminded me of the process of getting married.

first you have the initial excitement over the "news" and you can't wait to call/email/text all your family and friends and tell them about it. then you have the planning period, where all you can do/think about is IT. you register, you read, you prepare, you research and eventually you come the realization that no matter how much you do each of those things, something still won't go as planned. (i have the same feeling having a baby is much like that.)

then there's the waiting period, where you can't help but count the months, then weeks, then days until your life completely changes. of course you have the celebrations mixed in there too, where people love to shower you with gifts and encouragement and oh yes, ADVICE!

but eventually, after all of that...you make it to said "day"--where from that day forward nothing will ever be as it was before--and yet you're ok with that.

our photo shoot last weekend got me thinking about all the similarities because it was like taking wedding photos all over again, but this time with a big ol' belly! we had a wonderful friend, laura mcbride, offer to take some baby bump photos for us. she did an absolutely fabulous job (although she says i can't market her yet. when she gives me the green light, i'll let you all know) :)

check out these cute one's we did... aren't they fantastic!!?

[36 wks]

this was me about a week and a half ago... i believe at 36 wks. she's gotten big hasn't she?! :)

nothing new to report other than... i'm ready! she loves to kick me on the right side of my ribs, and so i'm constantly "fighting" with her and pushing her cute little feet back in. she's also had the hiccups A LOT recently...which is adorable. the sensation is like a little tickle...but she'll keep them up for sometimes 20-30 min at a time. when they're not as adorable: 3:30 am. haha

as we head toward the final few weeks here, we just covet your prayers for me, baby, and a safe delivery. we're as "prepared" as we can be i suppose, but it's still unknown and a little scary. i just keep telling myself... millions of women have done it before me...i can do it! hehe ;)

love you all!

[baby-moon/ early 3yr anniversary]

two weeks ago now, peter and i headed south for a mini-getaway. our reason for celebration: last pre-baby extravaganza and an early 3yr anniversary!! Our destination: the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. We'd never been there before, but by all the recommendations we had gotten/heard about it, we decided to take the plunge.

yes friends, this is where we stayed!

now, since its a tad pricy (as you can probably tell), peter and i only stayed ONE night, but it was a delightful one. we honestly commented to each other several times how we felt like royalty. the amenities were fabulous, the food was exquisite and the hospitality remarkable. we'll definitely be headed back there again...

we even had the wait staff bring us this lovely plate the following morning. of course they brought it AFTER we had already eaten breakfast, so we took a few pictures for memory and packed it up to eat later.

the last stop we made on our way home was to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo...a definite tourist stop. not only is it a zoo...but it's a zoo built into the side of a mountain. talk about a workout at 36 wks pregnant! unfortunately we didn't make it all the way to the top, i was dog tired, but we did visit all sorts of animals. by far the funnest stop was by the giraffe exhibit. they built it in such a way that you literally walk right up the neck/face level of the giraffes and are able to feed them crackers. here's peter and i "attempting" to do that....oh boy...those tongues were huuuuuuuge!

[mother's-to-be-day]

it started with a knock on the door, but one that brought a wonderful surprise.

the thursday before mother's day i received these beautiful flowers.

the play of events went something like this...

knock at the door.

i panic... ("who would be knocking on my door at 1:30 in the afternoon? Good thing I locked it.")

i open the door. a friendly looking flower delivery man asks if my name is jane.

sadly i reply "no"...and politely ask him which apt # is he looking for (it can be confusing.)

he checks his clip board and corrects himself by saying jane is his next stop. he then asks "are you sarah?"

YES.... i replied... i sure am!

now...i bet you're all thinking....that's so sweet of peter to get you flowers for mother's day. my thoughts exactly. however, they were not from peter. they were from Nana, peter's grandma. (thanks again Nana!)

they were absolutely beautiful so i just had to take a picture of them to share.

[sneak peak]

We are nearing the end here friends...which means baby room needs to get done--and SOON!!

A few months ago, back in February I think, I posted the "progress" of the baby room. I believe at the time it consisted of a random of mess of things....ah yes...it looked like this.

Thankfully, we've come a long way since then and I'd like (if you'll let me), to give you a sneak peak into baby girl barber's new home! I'm thrilled with how its coming, not to mention all the fun I've had shopping for bargain pieces at our local Goodwill(s)...

Not sure if I mentioned it here, but Peter and I found a $10 dollar dresser off craigslist, which is have turned into THIS master piece... check it out! (Nothing a little white paint and new knobs can't fix!)

And then...this lovely little accent I got 3 silver garden looking containers from the dollar bin at Target and spray painted them "Ruby Red"...got some discount flowers from Michales (still need one more) and a cute rod-iron basket from Hobby Lobby...total cost... $12 buckeros!


Oh, and here's a better shot of the baby bedding actually inside the crib! Doesn't it look AWESOME!!??

I can't wait to unveil the whole room to you....and Peter...who as you remember hasn't seen ANY of this....so shhhhhhhh..... it's a surprise!

[rounding the final corner]

It's pretty hard to believe I'm rounding the corner into week 34--6 short weeks left till baby barber's arrival!!

these past two Saturday's, Peter and I have spent 3hrs each morning downtown learning how to give birth to this precious little one. week 1 we learned about relaxation techniques (not sure there are any during the point of 8-10cm dilatation), and practiced different positions for labor. week 2 we learned the 3 stages of labor along with the incredible way my (a woman's) body is specifically and uniquely designed for this birth process. i never knew that a woman's pelvis is largest from side to side near the top of her hip bones and largest from back to front near her tailbone. all very important features for getting that baby through there!!

this past saturday i was blessed with a spontaneous visit from an old college friend, Brittany, who happens to also be preggers. she is due in early july...just 4 short weeks after me, and happens to be the only person i know having a boy! we were able to meet up for dinner and it was a splendid time of sweet fellowship and sharing our "mommy fears!"

till next time... all our love.

here's some fun info on week 33 and a photo of me taken last week.
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

33 1/2 wks

[UPDATE: announcing baby's name]

OK, we need to make a serious clarification. Remember a couple of weeks ago when we announced our baby girl's name right here on this blog? You remember, don't you? It was quite the post, if I do say so myself (Peter speaking here). Why don't you scroll down right now and read it. Go ahead....I'll wait right here.

Read it? Good. Now scroll down again and look at the date on the post. Go ahead...scroll down. Done? What was the date on the post? That's right: April 1, 2010. That day is also known as April Fool's Day. That's the day where people play all sorts of practical jokes on one another; the one day a year where you can practically lie through your teeth—and get away with it!

So, just to be exceedingly clear: our daughter's name IS NOT GOING TO BE Isadora Montenegro. April Fool's!!! Have a nice day. ;-)

PS. Want to know what her name will really be? Stayed tuned. We'll reveal it as soon as she makes her grand entrance into this world!

[my feet are gone!]

I can officially no longer see my feet! The proud accomplishment of any pregnant woman out there! And that's me!! I'm not sure when exactly it happened, but I noticed it the other day in the shower and just had to share.

that being said... she keeps growing and growing and growing. This week will be 31 weeks! Can you believe it? I can't. Not only am I starting to have those terrible nightmares of not knowing how to take care of a baby or forgetting her in a grocery store, but I'm also starting to get excited about being her momma! 9 weeks seems so far away, yet way too close. anyone hear me on that?

here's a photo of me from last week (30wks). praise God for my/her continued health and good pregnancy! we're coming into the home stretch and can't wait to meet our lil' one!
peter and i had some fun visiting a baby consignment sale this past weekend here in denver. we actually walked away with a few really neat baby items, all for el' cheapo! (or at least waaaaay discounted prices.) peter's most excited about his baby bjorn (pictured below), which he has persistently told me he plans to use "everyday!" For my sake, I hope he does! :)

[announcing: our baby's name!]

Well folks, the time has finally arrived. After much soul-searching, many long and tedious conversations, and countless sleepless nights, Sarah and I have finally decided on a name for our new little one.

It is quite exhausting having to come up with a name! Think about it, this is the name that this child will carry in perpetuity. For ever after, this is the identity she will have. Her friends will call her by this name, her future husband will profess his undying love to her while he breathlessly whispers her name, her children will tell their friends what her name is, and perhaps even her grandchildren will choose to name when of their kids after her. All of this will come about because of the name that we have to pick for her!!!! Like I said—it's exhausting work.

So now that you've put up with my rant, I'll bet your wondering what the name is, huh? Now wouldn't it just be cruel of me to make you have to read this entire post without giving up her name? But fear not faithful blog followers, that will not happen! For here is the name of our soon to arrive baby girl...

(drum roll please)





(keep scrolling...it's coming)











And her name is....Isadora Montenegro Barber

Isn't that awesome? We really like it...it's a great mix of traditional American with traditional Brazilian. Oh yeah, and it makes for a great nickname: Izzie.

So what do you think? Feel free to post your comments in the feedback section!

[making progress]

perhaps i've already told many of you, but we finally had delivered on Saturday the ONE piece of baby furniture that REALLY seals the deal (as if it wasn't already--but you know)...OUR CRIB!!

it's been weeks in the waiting. we ordered it several weeks ago but it was on back order, so we had to wait until now to actually get it. we had this tremendous company in denver (guys and dolls) come deliver and install it for us. what would have probably taken us hours to do they did in roughly 20 min. it was awesome.

i've posted a picture below of the lovely crib, although there's no bedding in it yet. we still need to get a mattress. but it will give you an idea where we're at.

this week marks 29 weeks....boy...one more till the 30's. :)

i think i'll take a belly photo next week... till then... love ya!

[luck of the irish]

so i (sarah) have a fun story to share!

the past several weeks i've been seeing a chiropractor for my pregnancy pain. it's been a tremendous relief/help to my lower back and rib pain. this past week it was patient appreciation week at the office. being the "new kid"...i took advantage of all the games and "extras" offered that week. i got a free 10 min back/neck message by a professional who had the strongest woman hands i've ever felt--and even entered a "prayer" into this common candy game below (guess how many m&m's are in the jar...closest wins a prize.)


after deliberating for several minutes in my head how many m&m's were in this jar (above), i ventured up a "prayer"--ah--i mean guess--and called it good.

well, to my complete and utter surprise, when i walked into the doctors office this Monday for my visit, the receptionist kindly told me i had won the m&m game! I then proceeded to shout (sarah fashion)..."SHUT UP...YOU'RE KIDDING ME!...(and then a giggle)!!" She replied that no--in fact--she wasn't kidding--i had guessed 382 and there were actually 381 m&m's in the jar. did you catch that friends...i was ONLY OFF BY ONE STINKIN' M&M!!!! that's talent folks! hehe

needless to say, it totally made my day...i left with this lovely jar of green m&m's and a gift certificate! i'd say it was the luck of the irish!

[the final leg of the journey...]

well, i can thankfully say i'm reaching the end of this very wonderful, but sometimes painful journey. ;)

i have embarked upon the final trimester of my pregnancy (can i get a whoooo--hooooo!!) peter and i had a funny moment the other night as we looked at our calendars for the next few months, trying to plan out some ministry events, when the thought hit us both "wait a minute, mid-may, we can't make plans then, we could be having a baby!" WOWZERS!!!

it's so fun to start dreaming about what our little one is going to look like, act like, be like. i'm convinced she's going to be a night owl like her daddy...she tends to keep me up at night already with her kicks! haha.

oh, and i know in the last post i told you i've started on the baby's room. well...its true. here's where we're at right now.


now don't laugh, i know i've got a lot of work to do! the last few days have been spent organizing (although it hardly looks it), and i'm proud to say i've made a lot of progress! all that's to say, stay tuned. i'll keep y'all posted on the transformation. tomorrow peter and i might visit a thrift store to see if we can't find a few treasures to add to the room. **oh. be sure to keep this a secret. peter won't know the final look of the room until you do! it's going to be a surprise!


well, here's a photo of me a 27 weeks. am i getting any bigger folks..or just gaining more weight!?

27 wks -- fun baby facts

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

[headed toward week 26!]

well...i probably enticed you to come visit here because you THOUGHT we'd give away her name....but alas....it will be a tightly hidden secret until her birthday! hooooowever, the exciting news is that we DO have her name!! and we loooove it! can't wait to share it with you!

in other news...let the count down begin! it is officially less than 100 days until my due date. exciting huh?! this coming week is going to be week 26...last week of the 2nd trimester! boy, two down and one to go!!

yesterday, sunday, peter and i spent all afternoon at our good friends, randy & ginger's, where ginger (mommy of three adorable kiddos) gave me a gazillion maternity clothes! they are soooooooo cute and i can't wait to wear them all. we honestly brought home two HUGE bins full of clothes...hehe.

the other fun thing peter and i did recently was visit a brazilian steak house with our friends the haanen's. definitely the place to go when your preggers...it's all you can eat and delicious beef! here's a pic of us before we left. :)


things have continued to go well with how i'm feeling. I've been able to stick to the gym about 3-4 times a week and am thankful for that. i think i'd go stir crazy if i was on bed rest! haha OHHHHH.... and this past week we purchased our crib, which should arrive in 4-6 weeks!! can't wait to show y'all how the baby room is coming together!! :)

here's some fun developments about our baby this week (26)

Major excitement: Your baby opens her eyes! On the flip side, you might wish yours would stay closed so you could get some sleep.

If a full night's rest has become elusive, welcome to the (sleepless) world of pregnancy insomnia. Between heartburn and leg cramps, bathroom runs and that big beach ball beneath your nightie, it's no wonder your body's having trouble calming down and drifting off. But there are lots of tactics to try that should help keep you in bed (and asleep!) instead of pacing the floor; these include daytime exercise, a daily dose of fresh air, and limiting fluids before you hit the hay. What's up with your baby? She now weighs a full two pounds and measures nine-plus inches. And this week, her eyes, which until now were developing under fused eyelids, start to open. Of course, there's not much to see in there, but if your baby spots a bright light (or hears a loud noise) near your belly, you may notice an increase in fetal activity. (Hey, I'm in here, Mommy!)

week 25!

[baby barber--it's a girl!]

it's official folks...we are having a little baby girl come early june (maybe even may!)

i know i know...we thought boy all along, but we're thrilled to be having a baby girl. ;)

this wednesday marks week 22...which is pretty incredible. it seems like just yesterday i was reading that at-home pregnancy test thinking those two pink lines were somehow not right! haha.

so far, this pregnancy has been a joy (besides the throwing up part), and its crazy to think in just 4 short months we'll have a lil' one of our own.

the big changes this week have been the growth of my belly. yeah, i've noticed it a lot more now...bumping into counter tops. oh, and the backpain too....not liking that one too much. i'm having a real hard time sleeping at night.

here's some fun baby info:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

here's a fun photo of me at 20 wks!

here's me and baby at 22 wks