Christmas, Christening, and Jack turns TWO!!!

For the holidays we headed back east for a trip to Indiana and Ohio to visit our families. It was an eventful trip but we enjoyed seeing everyone and were happy to show off our beautiful little Gracie girl and wild Jack!

this is the sign of a good Christmas...a mess.
2 Barrys, 1 Sandy--studs.

Annual trip to Kraynaks and lunch at North Country Brewery

Jack's new bike from Grammy and Papa's---this obviously stayed in Indiana!

cheese time with Papa!

Grace and my Granny--2 beautiful girls.

Gracie's first baby doll!!

While we were in Ohio, we were lucky enough to have Grace baptized. She did wonderful and was dressed in a beautiful gown that one of her Grandma's great friends found for her! (It was actually made by someone at the church!)

Godfather Nicholas ready to dry her little head!

And here's the newest and prettiest Catholic!!

We got back to California on Christmas night and got ready for Jack's big day! I can't believe my little boy is 2 years old already!

We got him a rocking horse because he is OBSESSED with horses lately---"Hories" as he calls them. Daddy wanted to put it together the night before but I insisted that he have something to actually unwrap. Yet another time I should have listened to my husband--it took like an hour to put together! Oh well, he was on it ALL DAY LONG--money well spent!

While we were waiting on Daddy to put the horse together--Jack had his birthday pancakes! I think I'll make this a tradition for the kids--he really liked it!

Thanks everyone for a great holiday--it was wonderful to see everyone, as short as that may have been. Happy Holidays and an even Happier New Year!! Stay tuned for new exciting adventures for the Barry family in 2010!!

Army/Navy Game

This Saturday was the annual Army/Navy game--a big game with the Barry family. We went to a party for Garrett's squadron and their families at the Chuderewicz's. Jack always has a blast with their kids and Garrett and I have a lot of fun hanging out with everyone too!! This year was another successful win and a great party too, despite the rain! It NEVER rains here--but of course, today it would!

All the Academy grads!

Fun in the Fall...

Back in October we took a trip to Underwood Farms, a local place that has a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, hay rides and all kinds of other fun country stuff! Jack had a blast--his favorite was the petting zoo, he's really into farm animals these days.

Lucky...

I'm just now getting around to uploading this homecoing video. Partly because I have been enjoying having my family back together again and also because I wanted to wait and get all of our photos in from our Operation Love photographer Daniele Rose (www.danielerosephotography.com). Anyway, it is a collection of photos from several different people all combined to show our Homecoming 2009. Putting this video together, I think I cried EVERY time I played it. All of the emotion from that day and the amazing pictures got me every time.

Things have been going great since Garrett has gotten home. We are both adjusting to life with 2 children, which is more of a challenge than we thought! You never realize how independent your toddler is until you have a newborn! Both children are doing great and we are enjoying seeing them interact with one another. With the birth of Grace and Garrett's homecoming I've been feeling extremely lucky lately. Lucky to have a husband who I adore and am so proud of, lucky for the life I have and the fact that I have not one, but two beautiful and healthy children. Needless to say, we have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.

Isn't She Lovely...

Photos of Grace at 1 week old...

Grace Catherine

Grace Catherine Barry was born September 22, 2009 @ 4:52pm. Our little princess was 7lbs. 8oz. and 20in. long. Labor and delivery were nothing short of a BREEZE!! It was fantastic! 2 pushes and she was here, my epidural worked wonders and I couldn't have asked for an easier birth! If they are all this easy, I may consider giving my husband the Barry family football team he so desires! Grace and Mommy are doing wonderful and are actually getting released from the hospital this afternoon--only a short 24 hour stay for us girls!

mommy all hooked up and ready!
meeting our little princess

wide-eyed little girl--she looks just like Jackson did when he was born here!

Grammy filled in for Daddy--she even got to cut the cord!

Jackson meeting his little sister--he LOVES her!

smiling at Mommy!

our pretty pretty princess!

Jackson and Mommy photo shoot

A slideshow of pictures that a friend of mine took. I wanted to get some recent photos of Jackson and also a few before the new baby gets here of just him. I always hear that once you have more than one, they are always in pictures together! These were taken at a beautiful historical place in Camarillo, CA. Thank you Amy for taking time out of your day and tolerating my not so cooperative 20 month old! I can't wait for Garrett to come home and see these!

37 weeks!

37 weeks and counting! I go to the doctor tomorrow for my weekly visit and to schedule my final ultrasound. I'm still feeling pretty good, although the heat wave we've been having out here is really starting to wear on me. There is certainly NO room for Jackson on my lap anymore and picking him up is even more challenging! Not too much longer and my mom will be out here to help me in the final week and a half before our little girl is due! Garrett is really busy flying and preparing to leave Afghanistan and start the long trek home. I'll be glad when I know they are on their way home and I'll be that much closer to seeing him! For the most part, we are all doing great and looking forward to the arrival of our little princess. Well, I know Garrett and I are excited--Jack isn't going to know what hit him!

Ginny's Visit!!

My best friend Ginny came to visit us for a whole week! She is one of my best friends from college and probably the only person who can make me laugh as hard as I do when I'm around her. I'm very lucky to have such good friends who come to visit me wherever we are living. While she was here we didn't do much other than hit the beach and a little shopping. Jack loves his Aunt G and I had a fantastic time with my bestest.

G and Jack at the Surf Contest on the base beach
Mugu Beach

Dinner at Paradise Cove in Malibu

my little hambone:)

Just like your Dad...

If I Only Had a Brother...

My good friend Jessica is also pregnant--she's due exactly one month before I am. So, we've been taking turns watching each other's boys so that doctor's appointments are a bit easier. With the guys gone, it is so nice to even just ride in the car by yourself for a change!! Jackson and Benjamin have a great time together and on this particular day were a riot playing in our backyard in nothing but swim diapers! Jack got a little taste of what life would have been like with a brother instead of this little sister he has on the way!

Horton Hears A Who!

The local theater offers free movies during the summer for kids, so today I decided to try it with Jackson. It was a great success! I was expecting to have to leave the movie early but Jack did great and sat through the entire movie!! The pictures aren't that great but I was so impressed with my little boy and had a really good time with him! Now that I know he will sit through a movie, I'm excited for Garrett to be able to take him when he gets home. With his popcorn and candy, he was the perfect date!

Baby Girl!

I went today for my 33 week ultrasound appointment and the ultrasound tech was able to get a couple good shots of our little girl. She mostly kept her hands in front of her face, and even threw up a peace sign for us! Her pictures look a lot like Jack's did when he was in my belly. Everything looks great and pretty much on schedule so it won't be too long until I'm dressing her in head to toe PINK~!!!

Grammy's Glasses

While we were in Indiana, Jack tried on my mom's reading glasses. I'm sure it wasn't very good for his eyes at all but I thought it was one of the funniest things he's ever done. He kept touching the floor because it looked closer than before! I cracked up!

Big Swimmer!

While we were on vacation we took advantage of the pool in our little community. The water was really warm and Jack REALLY enjoyed swimming. So much so that he didn't want much help, other than his arm floaties! I'm anxious to see how swim lessons will go in the upcoming weeks now that my little 19 month old is a big swimmer!!

our big swimming boy in action!

A quick message for Daddy--Jack's new word is "cheese!"

Kiawah Island

For the 3rd leg of our trip, Garrett's parents took us on vacation! We went to the beautiful Kiawah Island, SC. There were several members of Garrett's family that were able to go so it was a really good time. Although Jackson is used to the beach--he was NOT used to the warm ocean water (it's extremely cold in CA), so our little boy was water-logged EVERY day! We had a fantastic time and are very thankful we were able to go on such a fun vacation!

a beach message for Daddy--we miss you so much Daddy!

Hitching a ride from Papa--Jack's Great-Grandpa

Playing Paddle Ball with Uncle Kevin

Venturing out into the waves--we really had to keep an eye on him--he has NO FEAR!

Flying a kite for the first time with Grandpa!

A group photo--Naples, Julians & Barrys

Jack with his Grandma and Grandpa Barry

the coolest shades---ever!

Biking with Mommy on the beach--so much fun...for Jack & Mommy :)

Me and my favorite boy!

Swinging with Mommy--WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS! For one thing, after we did this, it was ALL he wanted to do. So, of course--we indulged. Later that evening we discovered Jack's wrists were black and blue!! Sorry pal--who knew swinging around would cause such horrible marks?!!

my handsome boy--strutting his stuff!

Going to dinner in Charleston