Gracie wearing my 1st Christmas Dress

This is one of the only, if not the only, dresses of mine that I have for Grace. I wish I had more. I loved seeing Grace in it. To think that I was in this 30 years ago.... And if you look carefully, you can see her 2 little teeth that just poked through last week!

Portrait Shots of Caleb and Grace

I decided to take Caleb and Grace in for the first time to a studio - JC Pennys. We take so many of our own and Caleb never smiles for people he doesn't know, so it never seemed worth it to me. Well, Gracie is so smiley and I really wanted some photos of her in one of her first Christmas dresses. And it is hard to take shots at home with Caleb and Grace together since Caleb isn't quite into sitting for a shot. Anyway, I was happy with the photographer a friend had recommended and he has honestly been the first person that Caleb didn't know that he smiled for. The guy was funny, but not overly goofy - perfect for Caleb. Anyways, I was happy to get some great Christmas portraits of the kids.

Some Christmas Shots

Gracie's 1st Christmas!

Caleb, like always, is such a great helper! He did a great job checking out the trees to find the right one and help drag it home!

























Dan and I hosted our annual Christmas party, and had a great time! I felt even more thankful this year for an evening with friends since Dan and I rarely get time with friends together without Caleb and Grace. We are thankful for the community of friends God has given us!


We had our "Christmas" celebration a couple of weeks early in IV with Jason, Holly, Samuel, Hope and Jeremiah since we aren't going to be together at Christmas. Here was our attempt to get a photo of the cousins! Like always, it is always a blessing to be with them!





I loved putting Gracie in the reindeer outfit Caleb wore during his 1st Christmas too!




We dressed Caleb in his tux for the VADA Christmas party! He was one of the ring bearers in Aunt Michelle's wedding in May. We had to put him in it one last time before he outgrows it! He was the best dressed at the party I must say!



Abby and Caleb :)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Family and Friends!
A 2009 Barnett Family Update

By far the most exciting thing in 2009 was the arrival of Grace Estela! She came February 20th and is now 9 months old. She just cut her first tooth, claps at the sound of music, waves at everything (including herself), and gnaws ineffectually on slices of apple. Although she isn’t crawling, she’s an efficient roller who nimbly navigates her way around the house until she gets hung up under a footstool. She’s an amazing and beautiful baby, who brings us constant joy by her smiles, laughter, and sweet spirit. Through Gracie, God reminds us of the happy and joyful attitude He has towards us.

Caleb, now 2 ½, has also been a ton of fun this year. His sensitive, sweet, inquisitive and detailed personality is a gift. He’s total little boy, frequently running laps through the kitchen and living room with his right arm raised as if holding some curious imaginary torch. Known best for his fascination with eating, Caleb will most often be found at the snack table for the duration of any given play-date. Caleb also loves his classes – First Five and Kindersmusik (Gracie loves them just as much!). Speaking of music, I doubt our little introvert will ever be a performer, but he has some pretty hilarious impromptu singing and dancing sessions. Caleb loves to sing and read books. Building Geo Trax, marble runs and doing art are favorite daddy moments. And he continues to be mommy’s little boy and good buddy – giving her hugs, snuggling and desiring her companionship throughout the day.

Going from a family of three to four has been a blessing. There is nothing quite like the joy and innocence that kids inherently bring to a home. Gracie adores Caleb. And Caleb has taken to G-baby…G-bear…Baby Gracie…“Gra-cie-yah” quite well. He enjoys mimicking her sounds and playing with her toys. There has been nothing quite as cute as seeing the two of them interact, and make each other laugh and smile.

Melissa, by God’s grace, is still able to stay home raising our kids, loves it and does an amazing job. She is savoring this season of life, and all God has in it for her and her family. Since she spends all day momming, Melissa continues to be thankful for the Chicks with Tots group and other friends in town, allowing for some social/play time. Melissa has been tutoring a high schooler named Kai for the past 3 years, and still really enjoys that time too. A highlight for Melissa, and our whole family, was Michelle and Erik’s wedding on May 30th. It couldn’t have been more special with Jason officiating and the four of us being part of the ceremony. That was a day we will never forget, and we are thankful to have Erik officially apart of our family.

Year 3 at the Visual Arts & Design Academy (vadasbhs.org) was good, but challenging in many ways. Navigating an organization through change and budget cuts had its ups and downs – but the staff Dan works with is amazing and the teaching part of his job continues to be fun and fulfilling. Dan does an amazing job balancing work and his family. I know I am partial, but I really think I have the best husband and dad to our kids! He cares for them so well and loves being with them.

After taking 2 years off, we began a home group through our church. We structured it in a way that took care of the babysitting problem, and also allowed for some meaningful time to connect with others on a spiritual level. We alternate guys and ladies meeting from week to week. We really missed the connection to community and have both been blessed by this time together.

With all that said, we wish you a year filled with God’s abiding love, blessing, peace and joy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Dan, Melissa, Caleb and Grace


The following family shots were taken in November at a nearby beach by my friend and talented photographer, Raya Carlisle

Grace Estela Barnett is here!!!

Grace decided to come early and was born on Friday, Feb. 20th at 6:04am. She weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and was 19 inches long. We came home from the hospital yesterday and are thankful that things have gone really well. The c-section and recovery thus far has been a better experience than my first with Caleb. Caleb has done so well -with family while we were in the hospital, during hospital visits (besides seeing us, he LOVED the hospital food every afternoon), and now that we are home. It is so sweet how affectionate he is with Gracie. He loves peeking on her, holding her in his lap, touching her "black" hair/hands/feet/etc, and telling her to drink "all of her milk!" And all of a sudden he wants to drink milk every time Gracie does - so he has been consuming A LOT of milk these past few days! He has been so good in terms of my time being split between him and Gracie and does not fuss when I tell him that I cannot pick him up to get out of his crib, in his high chair, etc... And Grace is just beautiful. She has thick, black hair and such a sweet face. We love just staring at her. She is such a blessing. So thank you for your prayers and support. We really feel like our prayer requests have been answered, and in ways that are so much better than I could have even imagined.

And yes, we have TONS of cute shots already. Here are a few, and there will be more to come....

love,
Dan, Mel, Caleb and Gracie

Gracie is almost here - update and prayer requests

We are 10 days away from meeting Grace! I am scheduled for a c-section on Monday, February 23rd at 7:30am. We are very excited to finally see her in person. It is hard to believe that this little body that has been developing inside of me for 38 weeks, and whom I feel constantly, will soon take her first breath of fresh air. We can't wait to hold her in our arms.

I am still feeling a bit nervous about how much life is going to change in a week or so, especially in regards to Caleb. I do still have moments of being sad that this season with only Caleb is coming to an end. But I also feel really thankful for the peace God has given me in this past month as I have really tried to surrender it all to Him. As soon as I was really real before God about how I was feeling and realized that He was the only one that was going to give me peace, I saw Him really work. Beginning practically the day after I had this encounter with God, I began really talking to Caleb about his sister Gracie, telling him things like - "Mommy is going to go to the hospital and the doctors are going to take your baby sister out of mommy. And papa and nana are going to stay with you." We have continued having these types of conversations daily, and mainly because he brings it up! He often will tell me "baby out, papa and nana come." And now that my body is in more discomfort I can no longer do as much for him (pick him up right when he needs me to, etc...) and when I move a certain way that hurts, Caleb will say "baby out, papa and nana come." It is almost like he kind of gets it.... and to a degree I think he does :) So I know that God is preparing all of us for this new transition - even Caleb.

Thank you for your excitement and support through the last few months. And we would also appreciate your prayers as we begin this new season in our life. Please pray that I would continue to rest, trust and rely on God through it all - my c-section/recovery, our separation from Caleb while we are at the hospital, transition with Caleb back at home, lack of sleep/energy, our family time, etc... I really want these coming months, as exhausting as they will be, to be a sweet and precious time for our family.

thank you
melissa, dan and caleb

A Barnett Family Update 2008

Christmas Greetings friends and family! 2008 was an exciting year for us for a lot of reasons, but news that we would be having a baby girl has to be at the top of the list. Apparently Caleb by himself wasn’t enough, and honestly, he’s so amazing and cute, that it only makes sense that there should be more where that came from. Gracie is scheduled to arrive in late February. We are obviously very excited about this addition to our family.

Caleb, as previously mentioned, is about the cutest little guy we could imagine. We are blessed that Melissa has been able to continue to stay home with Caleb, and she is doing a phenomenal job raising our little boy. He’s now about 1 ½ and making small sentences, artwork, music and already being chased by girls – namely his little friend Abby. We are amazed to watch how quickly Caleb learns and absorbs the world that surrounds him. Caleb and Mom spend the morning exhausting the interest of anything found in our house, and typically get out of the house once before and once after his midday nap. Caleb’s current interests are delaying bedtime (with more books, sips of water or whatever works), pouring water from “up-high” in the tub, the moon, Kindermusick class, the harmonica, magnets on every metallic surface in our house, yogurt, helping with laundry, and grazing the food table at mom group pot-lucks.

Melissa is loving staying home. She continues to do a little private tutoring in the evening until Gracie arrives. Time with other mom friends and participating in a couple of mom’s groups have been a highlight, not to mention getting to be present for every nuance of Caleb’s growth and development. Without a doubt Caleb and Melissa are best buddies.

And in other parenting news, I (Dan) am also loving being a dad. It’s like everyone says – incredible at the most profoundly deep level. The highlight of my day is the playtime after work. There’s just nothing quite like hearing “upwiddadada” (as in ‘up with the dada’) – which translates to carry me…
Year 2 at the Visual Arts & Design Academy (vadasbhs.org) has proven to be more of a challenge in my second year, for the simple reason that, the further into something you get, the more complex it is. I still love it a lot and we have accomplished a great deal in just a year. During these times, what a blessing to have a job, and on top of that, one that is meaningful and fulfilling. While I love the program visioning and leadership aspects, working with my students has been the most refreshing part lately.

With sincere gratitude and a discipline of thankfulness we take this time to bear witness to the blessings God has given, even in the midst of our difficulties which pale in comparison. We hope your year past and year ahead are full of blessing too.

Much Love, Dan, Melissa and Little Caleb, and Forthcoming Gracie

Grace - now 29 weeks along....

We got to see Grace this past Thursday - she is now about 29 weeks. She is so big that we could no longer get a shot of her entire body. And to our surprise, they let us see her in 3D form! It was so exciting to see her face. We think she looks similar to Caleb (We added a shot of him at 26 weeks - photo #3). The technician noted that Grace already has a ton of hair at this point - so it will be interesting to see how much she has when she is born! I am feeling her move around a lot - and her movements are strong! They often surprise me. My friend hugged me the other day and felt Grace on her tummy too! I love when she moves. There has only been a few times when I am trying to fall asleep that I wish she'd be asleep too :) I guess she is starting to give me a preview of what is to come! We love her so much already and we are excited to meet her, and to introduce Caleb to the "sister in mommy's tummy."

Updates on our little girl

Here is our little girl, Grace Estela Barnett. We love the name and meaning of Grace, and Dan and I are excited to pass down the middle name of my mom and mine, Estela. A few weeks ago we had another ultrasound - she is 21 weeks in this latest shot. She is moving all around now. It is fun to feel her strong movements - often one right after the other on different parts of my belly or two different parts at the same time. Her movements remind me that she is such a miracle - a gift of God. I am humbled by His design - I feel honored to have her grow within me.

These are a few shots of me lately - at 17, 19, 24 and now 25 weeks. Caleb will come and kiss her when I prompt him - "Give you sister a kiss!" It is sweet.

It's a Girl!

On Monday we went in for an ultrasound and saw our little one moving all around. The first photo is at 8 weeks and the next one is this past week, 17 weeks. In 2 months our baby had changed so much. It was truly amazing. Dan and I were in awe at this miracle. The technician got some key shots and is pretty confident that this little one is a girl! By the way, I don't think Caleb is as nervous as he looks in this photo:) And I don't think I can handle the pink on this page for too long, but we had to do it for now!

Story TIme with Mommy, 16 months

Caleb and I have been reading together every morning (and many other parts of the day) for a long time, and I finally got a little clip on video. I go through all of his books, and he always tells me which ones he wants me to read and which ones he is just not in the mood for. It has been fun to hear him say new words (and lots of animal sounds) almost everyday and to see his attention span grow. I can now read some pages before he wants me to turn the page :) He was being a little camera shy here, but you can see just how cute he is...

Caleb at the Zoo, 15 months

Caleb gets VERY excited about animals and the fact that there is always the "other" to look at of something! He is at a great age for the zoo. We have a yearly membership to the Santa Barbara Zoo which we have already used a lot since we bought it in May.

Caleb on the playground - 13 months

This is some footage of Caleb when he was 13 months- already 2 months ago! I love how excited he is about life. He has been enjoying parks & playgrounds for awhile and when we go as a family I can actually get some video!

Caleb Walking -day 4

A little more footage of Caleb showing off his new moves to Uncle Joey and Auntie Lu on Saturday :)

Caleb Walking!

Caleb started walking last Tuesday in the play area in the mall. My friend Colleen was visiting me and she first noticed Caleb and then quickly got my attention. He was just cruising. Like I thought, as soon as he was ready he would just take off. He has been walking holding my hands long before he was crawling. I guess he was just finally ready to let go! So now he is walking everywhere and even standing up from the ground without holding on to anything. I am still savoring watching his little body crawl around since I know he won't be doing that for much longer :)

11 month shots...

We took these shots in a friends' backyard last month as we waited for Whitney, the photographer, to take some family shots.

Caleb - 10 months

These were taken by a photographer in my mom's group 2 months back. My sister, Michelle, was up during her Spring Break so we got to take a picture together :)

Asleep in the Ergo

Caleb still loves the Ergo, and we do too! I wear him everyday.

Palm Sunday

Caleb's first parade - daddy and Caleb held up the rear of the parade at church. It was so cute to see Caleb waving his palm branch as he walked around.

We LOVE this!

Caleb has been doing this for quite awhile now. He makes such a funny noise. We have no idea where he learned this one!