10 Fingers and 10 Toes

Addison Michell Barker



Born March 23, 2011 at 2:59 PM via C-Section



8lbs 9oz, 21.75 inches long



Updates of our last month together to come...

Colby's shattered dream...

In October Colby figured our a way that we could switch cell phone plans and add on an existing account and cut our bill by more then 50%. You would think this would be a no brainier, but to me this meant changing the number I have had since 10th grade. I was NOT happy.

I told Colby that I would get a new number if I could have a fancy new phone AKA, an IPhone. The new 4G ones had just come out so the older 3G models were a really good price. So everyone was happy, we were saving money, and I had a new phone.

The only problem was that Colby was VERY jealous of my new toy. He kept pouting that he needed one. This past week his Blackberry finally took it's last breath, and a new phone was inevitable. They still had the 3G and they were even cheaper then when we bought mine, so again everyone was happy.

This was on Thursday.

Saturday it all came crashing down....

Colby was really worried about scratching his screen since he didn't have a case and screen protector for it yet and so when we went to go to dinner he didn't put it in his pocket. When he got out of the car, he forgot it was on his lap until he heard it crash against the parking lot. His phone didn't scratch, it full on shattered. His phone looked worse then this:


Pretty sure the bill to replace his screen was more then the cost of the phone in the first place.

Poor poor Colby!

I miss you!

Dear Kindle,

You have been with me since I successfully made it through my first trimester and Colby decided I needed to be spoiled rotten. You made me so happy and we became instant friends. Some days I really can't believe I put you on a plane to London for 4 months. I hope you don't think I abandoned you. I really just wanted you to be able to go and see cool new things.

Make sure Jamie taking good care of you. I hope she has put lots of good books on you and that she is keeping you safe. Make sure she takes pictures of you in front of all the cool sites. You need to get out of her bag every once in a while.

There are so many books I can't wait to read together. I promise to never let you go again. Be safe! See you in May!

XOXO,

Cort

Birthing Class for Husbands

I really hate the unknown, so naturally the thought of labor really scares me. I want to know what to expect and what my options are.

So cue birthing class.

Once a week, for 2.5 hours, for 4 weeks...sounds just like something Colby would want to do!

By the time we were an hour into our first class, Colby was not happy. He was bored as could be and was so sick of listening to our instructor. I, on the other hand was enjoying every minute.

An hour later he was singing a different tune. It was time to practice our relaxation. Since this was our first class, the husbands got to participate as she took us through our exercise. By the end, I had to nudge Colby awake.

As we walked out of class, Colby went on and on about how much he loved our teacher and that he wanted to take her home! What a change!

Last week, we were learning different massaging that the husbands can do to help us get through contractions. The instructor would call out a contraction, the wives would practice their breathing and relaxation while the husbands practiced the massage. It was heaven! I got to lay there and breath and get a massage.

Next thing I know, she calls out for us to switch positions. She tells the husbands to lay on their stomachs and for the wives to practice massage. What kind of sick joke is a room full of pregnant women giving their husbands massages while they are laying on their STOMACHS!!

Needless to say, I think Colby likes birthing class more then me!

All Talk

So Jay has been in London for 2 weeks.

Two whole weeks.

Remember how I promised her a weekly blog post....well in those 2 weeks I have posted nothing.

I am lame. I know it.

On Sunday we all got together for cake and ice-cream for all the January birthdays. Jamie stayed up until 3 in the morning so she could party with us via Skype. She is NOT lame, not lame at all.

During our little video chat, she hit me up about my lack of blogging. I promised her I would post something asap. It is now Wednesday...still nothing. Again, I am lame.

Then my mom did something that shook me to the core. She sent me this email:

"No trip to Mesquite till you post!!!"

See, we are supposed to go down to Mesquite this weekend as a last hoorah before the baby comes. She needs me to help her pick out decorations and bedding for their new house, and I need a good dose of the sun.

We are leaving tomorrow.

I wish I could say that I am finally posting because I am such a good sister, but the truth is, I just really want 70 degree weather.

Honestly though Jay, I promise to be better. I will catch up and stay caught up. I won't even count this as a post, well maybe!

***For those of you interested in Jay's journey (you will get jealous) follow her here. She is good at updating :)

growing and Growing and GROWING

Cat, this is for you!

20 weeks*

27 weeks*

*Yes...I have the same face in both pictures...I feel weird just standing there smiling, so this is what happens....

I am so happy to report that we have entered the 3rd trimester.

The closer it gets the more excited I get. I really can't believe that this dream I have been dreaming about for 3 years is actually going to come true in just 13 short weeks!

I have a feeling it is going to be better then I can even imagine.

2010 Re-Cap

A year!

Yes an entire year since I blogged last. I am a slacker!

Here is a little month to month re-cap our our 2010:

January:

• Colby turned 27

February:

• I turned 26
• We lost baby #2

March:

• My dear friend Stephanie gets bad news that her cancer has come back and spread. She moved back to Salt Lake and I spent as much time with her as possible.
  

April:

• I finally got a job! I am now working for PMI doing event planning. It isn't design work, but I really like it.
• Folded 1,000 paper crane for Steph with friends from highschool. Even though it was the third time folding those it is still such an amazing experience. However, I hope to never need to repeat it again!
  

May:

• Colby's little sister got married.
• New calling...Primary 1st Counselor
  

June:

• Nickell family trip to Oceanside, CA. It was freazing, but we still had a great time. My family rocks!
• My dear friend Stephanie lost her battle with Cancer. I was able to see her just 2 days before she passed away. It is an experience that was absolutely heartbreaking but a moment that I will cherish forever. I was able to tell her that I loved her and that I was so proud of her. Her passing left a hole in my heart that I don't think will ever fully heal.
  

July:

• Colby and I found out we were pregnant for the third time. This news was very unlike the last two...we were so scared we couldn't even be excited. September 1st would mark 12 weeks, so we planned on celebrating then.
  
• Nickell family campout - always a good time!

August:

• We saw the baby and heard the heartbeat for the first time. Most amazing sound I have ever heard. After hearing the heartbeat we caved and told our immediate families.
• Had weekly ultrasounds to make sure everything continued to go well.
  
• Bear Lake with the Barkers

September:

• Time to celebrate! Had fun telling family and friends the good news. Kept up the weekly ultrasounds. It was so neat to see how much our baby grew in just a week. I feel very spoiled with all our ultrasounds.
  
• Ovarian Cancer walk with Team Stephanie. It felt good to all be together in memory of Steph. I will keep up this yearly tradition for as long as I can.
• Jamie signs up to go to London for study abroad. She is leaving on January 4, and won't be home until April 28th. I am so sad she will miss the birth, but so excited for her!
  

October:

• It's a girl!!
  
• We get bumped to bi-weekly ultrasounds. Big ultrasound shows that everything is developing perfectly! I finally start feeling the baby kick.
• Finish the remodel on the basement. If you can't find me...check the basement. It is beautiful and I love being down there!
  

November:

• We spend an amazing week in Mexico soaking up the sun with some great friends. One last big vacation before all the responsibility begins! I would give more details, but what happens in Mexico, stays in Mexico!
• Colby feels our little girl kick!
  
• Happy 6th anniversary to us! While driving to dinner Colby has a small panic attack when he realizes how different out lives will be on our 7th anniversary. So funny!
  
• The truth is Colby is absolutely in love with his little girl. He likes to talk to her and give her kisses and even sends her texts! I am so excited to see him as a dad!
• First baby shower. We did my family shower early since Jamie will be in London from January to May and will miss everything. It was so fun to get baby stuff. It makes it feel more and more real.
  

December:

• Well today is December 1st, but we have big plans. Work Christmas party, Kurt Bestor, buying a crib, painting the nursery, and falling more in love with our baby girl!

Well, for those of you who have been wondering what we have been doing, there you go. If I forgot something major, please refresh my memory and I will add it to the list.

2010 was a roller-coaster of a year. We have had so many blessings and felt so much happiness, but also experienced extreme heartbreak. I am so excited for the changes that are coming to us in 2011!

***PS: I made Jamie a little promise. I told her that I would promise to update my blog once a week while she was gone so she would know what was going on with us. So it looks like my year hiatus is coming to a halt and won't be repeated anytime soon.

Good Riddance 2009

Dear 2009,

I have to say you have not been my favorite year. You have brought too much sadness and bad news. In case you don't remember I will list out all that you have given us...

In April, you took Colby's job away.
In May and June, you made Lisa really sick and made her go through very difficult surgeries.
In August, you gave Colby's Mom cancer.
In October, you gave us unimaginable heartbreak that is not quite blog-able
In November, you took my job away.

I have to say that I am very excited to celebrate you out of the world tomorrow.

It is only fair to say that amidst all that bad, you have given us some happy moments as well.

Colby has been able to peruse his dream of being his own boss and has been very successful in it.
Colby's mom has finished all her treatment, and preliminary results show that all the cancer is gone.
You took us to Hawaii in October and I didn't break my leg this time.
We have developed stronger friendships that will last a lifetime with those who have helped us through this hard year.
I have had the most wonderful Christmas break with no work getting in the way.

I guess I have learned to look for all the good around us even during all the hardships, and when it comes down to it, that is a lesson I will be forever grateful for.

Thanks 2009 for an unforgettable year.

Cortney

Half a Decade

Happy 5th anniversary to the love of my life!

You are my best friend and I couldn't imagine my life without you.

Here is to many more great years!

Bye Bye Hair

When Colby first found out that his mom would have to go through Chemo for her cancer and lose all her hair he said that when she had to shave it off he was going to shave his too. The big day came on Monday night.


He started out buzzing it as short as could be.

All done....?? Not so fast.

When Colby was done, I sent off a Pic to a couple of people and we got this Pic back from my AWESOME brother in law...He had joined in the fun. Gotta love Brian!

Just as we were crawling into bed, I got this Pic from Bri.

The caption said "I'm all in baby! It'll be smooth as ice!" HA HA HA!!

Well, Colby couldn't be out done, so he crawled out of bed to finish the job. I was way too tired to join in the festivities so I made him promise to take pictures.

I woke up to this cute face with a smooth head!

I have always loved when young guys have a bald head and think he looks great! He has a good shaped head for the Bic-ed look. Now he just needs to get a little sun on it because it is one WHITE head.

Thanks for the support Bri...you're the best!

Paper Cranes

Paper Cranes are a symbol of courage, hope, and peace. There is a Japanese proverb that says if you make 1000 Paper Cranes your wish will come true. This was used a lot with people diagnosed with Leukemia after Hiroshima. When my grandma was first diagnosed with Leukemia, my sisters and I all worked to fold her 1,000 paper cranes hoping they would provide her with hope and strength. When she died, we were able to bury some of the cranes with her. Paper Cranes have since been a very special symbol in our family.

We are currently in the process of folding another 1,000 Paper Cranes to offer hope and courage to Colby's mom who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She was put in the hospital about 2 weeks ago to undergo Chemotherapy and has been doing pretty good so far. On Tuesday she was able to go home from the hospital for the day and we took the opportunity to sneak into her hospital room and hang about 250 of the Cranes. We are almost done with the rest of the 750 which we want to hang in her house for when she comes home.

It is so neat to be able to re-create an experience that touched my life so much the first time. It makes me feel so close to my Grandma. I know she is happy to know that someone else will find comfort and joy in these special Cranes. I hope these Cranes help make Colby's mom feel just a little bit better and help her to feel of our love.

We love you Debbie and are praying for you!

Letter

Dear Blog,

I am so sorry I have neglected you. I haven't done it on purpose, and have even thought of you often. I have just been too busy playing all summer and couldn't find the time to come and visit you. Please forgive me. I will try and update you with things that have been going on even if they are a little out dated.

Just so you know, my Mom is on your side and has gotten after me many times for neglecting you. She even threatened me yesterday. You don't mess with Karen, so I promise to be better!

Hope all is well,

XOXO

Cee

Miracles Really Do Happen!!

They won!! I really wouldn't believe it if I hadn't been able to see it with my own two eyes! They were all so excited...like kids on Christmas morning. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen! For some reason they wanted to look like tough guys for the picture.

CONGRATS MASTER BATTERS!!

High Low Friday

High: A surprise present of yard decor for my backyard. I love little gifts when I don't expect them.

Low: A dear friend shared her bad health diagnosis. :( I am still hoping to wake up and have it be a dream.

Overall not the best week. Here's to a better weekend filled with sunshine and friends and no tears!

I Hope Our Human Kids are This Cute!!

A while back we were having a rockin' game night at our house. It got a little late, and Max got a little tired so he found himself the most comfy spot he could and took a little nap. Who knew Brian's bum was so comfy??

I love Love LOVE this puppy!!

The Fabulous Colby David Barker

Colby has been up to so many great things lately and I have been a slacker about blogging about all of them. Here is a little update so I don't get horrible wife of the year award.

Colby graduated in May with his Bachelors in Japanese from the University of Utah. I am so proud of him. He spent so much time studding and hardly ever complained. I am so excited to have him to myself now that he doesn't have to study this summer.

For his graduation treat I got him his favorite doughnuts with "U's" on them.

With the help of my tall friends, I had this sign hanging from the house so everyone would know how proud I was of him.

Colby and his elementary school friend Derek being crazy...they are making U of U signs.

My cousin graduated the same ceremony so it was nice to hang with Karrie during the ceremony.

I am super happy he is all done!

Each Wednesday night we head outside for a little Softball action. Colby is on a team with my cousins, brother in law, and a couple of his good friends. I love going to the games to catch up with the wives and watch their amazing plays. Their team is super good ;) ;) but haven't been able to squeak in a win just yet. I am sure we will get at least one by August...I am feeling that tonight just might be our night.

No, I do not approve of their team name....

Since Colby has already mastered Wakeboarding and can do all sorts of flips, he moved on to the next boating challenge...surfing. I guess the goal is to be able to let go of the rope and just surf behind the wake. By the end of the day he was doing it. I love how happy he gets out boating.

You should click on this...his face is super funny!

He also had a great job interview last week that we should hear back about this week. I feel really good about it so keep your fingers crossed....

High Low Friday

It has been a while since my last High Low Friday and since I have a bunch of stuff to post about but I don't have my camera cord to get the pictures on my computer I thought I better at least post something so you all know I am still alive.

High: Buying plane tickets to Hawaii for the Biannual Swenson Family Hawaii Trip. We didn't think we were going to be able to make it happen this year, but thanks to Frequent Flyer Miles we will be basking in the sun for a week at the end of September.

Low: Very very bad health scare with Lisa, but after much fasting and prayer all seems to be doing better.

No one leaves me comments anymore, so someone please tell me what your High/Low for the week was.

Here's to Happiness

Rockstar Diaries has been posting Happiness Lists all week. They have brought me so much joy that I decided to do my own list.

Here are 10 things that make me super happy....

1. Newly painted toes
2. Kissing my husband’s neck right after he gets out of the shower
3. A freshly weeded garden
4. Reading with a cat cuddled on my lap
5. The smell of fresh cut grass and lilacs in the spring
6. Little notes left by my husband when I get home and he isn’t there
7. Giving someone a surprise treat or present and watching their face light up
8. Opening my windows to let the breeze come in
9. Being with my Mom and sisters
10. New eye makeup

Naomi, thanks for putting a smile on my face with each Happiness List!

Pole Dancing...In May

My Mom and I really want to have a May Pole for May Day today. We decided to use my tether ball pole with some gift ribbon tied to it (we are in a recession...need to use what we have on hand). We are going to pin our hair up, and adorn it with flowers. It is going to be fabulous!!

Dear Dr. Reading,

You are a Rock Star!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am sorry I doubted you!

Hugs and Kisses,

C