Christmas

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Barrett was beginning to understand Santa and presents.  Our little boy did not disappoint Christmas morning!  He loved opening and playing with all his presents from Santa.  Later that morning, Grandpa and JoJo came over.  We had a wonderful lunch prepared by Travis followed by a little park time since it was such a gorgeous day!  The Powell family had a wonderful Christmas, and can't wait to celebrate next year as a family of four!

Making cookies for Santa

Christmas Eve dinner

Santa came!  Only took us three and a half hours!

Opening presents

Christmas morning breakfast

A little coloring.  His favorite activity!

What's in the stocking??

How many race cars can I hold at once?

Christmas pop!

Fun at the park

Tubes

Poor Barrett had a total of eight ear infections in one year!  Upon recommendation from our pediatrician, we visited the ENT.  He confirmed that Barrett would benefit from getting tubes in his ears.  We scheduled the surgery for a couple days before Christmas.

When we arrived bright and early to the surgery center, Barrett knew something wasn't right.  He immediately got very clingy and uneasy.  After check-in, we headed back for pre-op.  Barrett knew immediately when they started the weigh in process that we were there for him to see the doctors.  The tears and screams started as we had to restrain him just to get a few simple procedures done.  Thankfully this surgery did not require an IV or any type of blood to be taken.  As we got him settled down (thanks iPad!) Grandpa and JoJo arrived which made our little boy very happy.  The doctor and anesthesiologist came into the room an explained the procedure for taking Barrett.  They coined it a "grab and run!"  And that they did!  We could hear a few whimpers from Barrett as they headed down the hall, and this hormonal, pregnant momma couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

I didn't quite believe the doctors when they said it would take fifteen minutes, but after ten minutes Barrett was in the recovery room.  It took him a few minutes to come out of the anesthesia, and then he was super groggy.  A few minutes after that we were heading home!

Barrett was not a happy camper on our way home, and instead of wanting his mommy he wanted Grandpa.  Travis thinks he said "Grandpa" no less than 100 times, only to say "ice cream" as we passed Monster Yogurt!

I thought when we got home we would have a pajama day and watch movies on the couch.  Barrett had other ideas and wanted to go outside to play just thirty minutes after we were home.  By 10 am we had our spunky, energetic little boy back.  This mommy is happy to report that Barrett has had ZERO ear infections since the tubes.  We made the right decision!

Ice cream treat the night before.

Waiting for the doctor

Happy camper playing outside!

Christmas in Arlington

We went to Arlington the day Mommy got out of school to begin the holiday celebration with the whole Andersen Family.  Barrett had so much fun playing with his cousins and opening presents.  I don't think Mommy and Daddy ever opened a single present as Barrett was really having fun with this Christmas tradition!

Early morning coloring time

The boys couldn't wait to get their hands on these presents!

Reid did a wonderful job playing Santa

Observing the tricks to opening presents

Barrett loved opening our presents.  A little too big for you buddy!

Had to dig deep to get this one open!

Hunter didn't let go of this one all day

Poppy and Jo Anne

Grammie

Can't wait to meet baby Eli

Barrett's present to Reid

Attempt at a picture of Grandpa and JoJo with all the boys.
Going to get even harder with another one in the mix next year!

T-ball lesson from Daddy

I got this!

Mommy and Daddy headed back home while Barrett stayed behind and spent the night with Grandpa and JoJo.  The next day was Mommy's annual day out with her dear friend Melanie.  We have been shopping, lunching, and getting massages every Christmas for several years now!  Although I missed my little boy, I needed a little relaxation and recharge to get through the last month of pregnancy.  I think it's safe to say that Barrett had so much fun getting a some special attention from his grandparents who always spoil him!