At the end of September – we spent the weekend with my sister and her hubby – duckface. Really – he is Xavier – but Samm calls him duckface – which means that Fitzy calls him duckface!

Samm found a pumpkin farm – which was NOT like the pumpkin farm here at home – but it worked!

Can you BELIEVE how awesome Samm looks!

Then we painted my belly – Fitzy kept asking to paint baby Enoch!

OH THAT FACE! I just can’t get over him!

He loves loves LOVES his Aunt Sammy! I wish we lived closer to her!

My dear friend Megan Hampton took some family photos for us in August!

I am very blessed with a fantastic in-law family!

I still cannot believe that we are going to be a family of four! Soon!

I will be getting a GIANT wall print of that bottom shot! I ADORE it!

Megan – I absolutely LOVE these pictures! I cannot thank you enough!!

In August – my brother and his family came home for a visit! My sister and her hubby came with them!

When I took these pictures – Samm was at 167 lbs lost – AND COUNTING!

SERIOUSLY!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE those shots! I am so proud of my sister for taking control of her life and making a change!

Samm wanted a picture with all three of her babies – but they were NOT cooperating!

We needed an updated family picture! With three little ones – this was the best we got!

Jessica & Derek haven’t had any pictures taken together since their wedding! We had to fix that!

Aren’t they sweet!

We had such a great time with everyone! Can’t wait till we can all be together again!

When I was pregnant with Fitzy – I had a contest to guess his birth – date – time – weight – length.

Turns out – my BFF was the closest.

Fitzy was born on April 28, 2011 at 2:17 PM weighing 7 lbs 7.7 oz and 19 1/2 inches long!

Johna guessed April 28, 2011 at 2:04 PM weighing 8 lbs 7 oz and 20 inches long! Crazy right? There were other people that guessed the exact height and ONE that guessed his weight at 7 lbs 7 oz.

I thought it would be fun to have another contest – where the winner just gets bragging rights.

Fitzy was due on 5.8.2011 and he was born on 4.28.2011. ALSO – I am due with Enoch on 11.27.2013 – if that helps! 

AND a copy of my brother’s book – The Tales of Rishon-Rune: The Great Elf Leader and the Other-World Witch!

Check out his website for more!

If you want to guess the stats for baby Enoch – you MUST post a comment to this blog entry. That’s the only way I can keep it all organized and keep track of the guesses. I made quite the spreadsheet last time – cus I’m a huge nerd.

I also haven’t been documenting this pregnancy as much as I did with Fitzy – something about having a toddler running around – or something! But I have been taking at least one picture a week – on IG – and then I post them to facebook – but if you only follow my blog – here you go!

That picture is at 16 weeks – I started at 15 weeks with Fitzy – but seriously – who’s counting?

20 weeks!

22 weeks! Wednesday – July 24th.

25 weeks!

27 weeks!

Also – we’ve added another name for little Enoch (pronounced E-nick)! His full name will be Enoch Samuel Cody Barden. Cody is Jared’s cousin and was the best man in our wedding. Cody means helper or wealthy! We are so anxious to see what this little boy will look like! I hope he has Jared’s green eyes!

GUESS AWAY!

If you follow me on INSTAGRAM – I use #farmlife when we visit my parents!

My mom and I thought these might be monarchs – but we were wrong!

Fitzy took a very slow and very safe tractor ride!

Look at that little smile – I just love him SO much!

My mom told Fitzy to hold on to Pa as tight as he could. He listened!

We love spending time on the farm with my parents – Fitzy will be a great farm helper in a few years!

In June – we took Fitzy to the zoo – in the Bronx!

My sister and her husband live in New Jersey – so it’s two trips in one!

Crazy boy!

My sister has lost over 150 pounds in 14 months! I can’t stop telling everyone I meet about her! She looks (and feels) FANTASTIC!

Fitzy is a pretty cautious little guy – he didn’t want to get too close – didn’t want to pet anything – just enjoyed the day!

It was a LONG but great day!

Fitzy LOVES his Sammy (or as he calls her – Hammy) and Xavier. Both mornings he woke up saying – HAMMMMMY! HAMMMMY! HAMMMMMMMY!

Thanks SO much for having us over for the weekend – we love you guys!

Today was our ultrasound appointment – to find out if we are having a baby boy or a baby girl!

Today marks the 20 week point in our pregnancy! I feel like this pregnancy is FLYING by!

When Dave Fitzgerald sent us the text –

You will get pregnant again. And even though you will default in your minds that you will probably miscarry – oh no. You will have a healthy child – possibly twins! It will be huge and massive BUT you must keep it to yourselves and announce at the END of the first trimester.

This is a promise from God and you will rename the son Enoch. God is NOT done with you. He’s just starting. You need to tuck this word on your hearts and cover it. The Enoch tattoo was intended as a remembrance BUT in God’s time was a prophetic act as to your next son’s name being branded. 

It will be a massive testimony and will restore relationships, friendships, and family ties in ways you never thought possible. It’s going to be mammoth. It will be full circle. Both of your families will be remarkably astounded at what God will do through you in this next pregnancy. BUT you MUST NOT announce it until the end of the 1st trimester. Not even to close friends or family. YOU MUST WAIT!

I honestly feel stronger about this than the word I gave you for Fitzy! You can’t even tell me when you first find out – I will already know. You can’t tell ANYONE! BELIEVE IT! RECEIVE IT! ACT! God is good and will be massively glorified through it. Save these messages for confirmation and documentation. Not for me – but so that we can honor Christ Jesus & God’s ridiculous faithfulness. He is good. He is really REALLY good!

ANYWAY – when he sent us the text – we both just assumed that our next child would be a son!

We are so excited to announce that we are having a BOY – our second son.

We would like to introduce you to Enoch Samuel Cody Barden!

Enoch – for obvious reasons. We tried to pick other names – and we did – but kept coming back to the fact that we HAD to name him Enoch. Enoch is the name we gave the first baby we lost (in October of 2009) and it means dedicated. In the Bible – Jared has a son and names him Enoch. But Enoch didn’t die. He walked with God and THEN God took him to heaven. He is only one of two people to just walk into heaven. AMAZING! Samuel means God hears or name of God AND we needed to honor my sister – Samantha. Cody is Jared’s cousin – and the best man in our wedding! Cody means helpful!

Our sweet little gift from God. Our miracle. Fitzy’s little brother.

I am so excited (and scared and nervous and thankful) to have another baby boy to hold in my arms. I cannot wait for Fitzy to meet his baby and for our hearts to heal. I can’t wait to be a momma to my boys.

Thank you for your prayers! WE LOVE YOU!

I belong to a local MOPS group – two of them actually – and the Covington group held a fundraiser a few months ago!

There are three photographers in our group – so – what better idea than to hold some mini-sessions!

Mini-sessions through barden photography have been a GIANT flop – but paired with MOPS – they were a GIANT success!

Our craft queen built a lemonade stand – the cutest EVER!

SERIOUSLY!

This is my friend’s little guy – he was sick for mini-sessions – so we had a quick session in my driveway!

We were able to raise an AWESOME amount for our MOPS group!

HONESTLY!

Fitzy and *A* – they are good little buds!

OH MY WORD!

Ericka babysat while I went to a session and the lemonade stand was still here – so I took a few photos of her little *J* to say thanks!

If you are a momma of a little guy or girl – you should check out your local MOPS group!

As I sit here and type this blog – a can feel the tiny little movements of a baby inside. Just the little flutters that make you realize there is indeed something in there.

We find out whether this addition is a boy or a girl on July 10th. Either way – this will most likely be our last addition. I love being pregnant and would be thrilled to have at least 4 children. But I have to remember that we have 5 – and for all eternity – we will celebrate with them! I love being a momma – more than anything I’ve ever done. Jared keeps reminding me that kids are WAY out of his comfort zone – although – he is a FANTASTIC daddy to Fitzy. While our hearts are so happy with this little miracle and Fitzgerald – we still hurt from time to time. I don’t have a great history of staying pregnant. And while I don’t want to live my life in fear – I DO want to enjoy what I have been given. It’s a hard decision to make – thankfully – we have time.

But especially with the 99% chance that this will be our last baby – I want to enjoy every precious minute I can.

I took a maternity leave with Fitzy . Kinda. Sorta. Not really.

And while I loved taking your pictures – I did miss that little baby.

So this time – I will be taking 6 months off. Seriously. From November to April – I will not be scheduling any sessions or weddings. When I do return – it will be on a 1 wedding a month limit – with a handful of sessions (most likely current clients) each month. I am still trying to decide what to do about new referrals outside of seniors – since they are mostly always new clients. And this might be the norm from here on out – until my kiddos are all in school.

I’ve known one thing my whole life – I want to be a momma. And God knew. And He heard. And He gave. And He gives. Again.

SO – if you know that you want a session next year once May rolls around – it’s not too early to let me know. I already have one wedding in September and an inquiry for May. And if I’ve taken pictures for you before and you need some done while I am off – email me – and I will recommend some great photographers to you!

Thank you all for your love – your support – your prayers. It means so much.

We decided to wait until Memorial Day weekend to have Fitzy’s party – cus ya know – it would be nice out.

Right.

It was freezing. Like – see your breath freezing!

Thankfully my family is awesome and we made it work – wrapped in blankets and sweatshirts!

Samm and I spent most of the day Friday making cupcakes and cake pops. It was really pretty easy – and tons of fun!

The roosters are my favorite!

My dear friend Aszur – from Aszur Photography – took all the party photos for us!

This was the second to last present for Fitzy to open. The last present was ours. A BIG BROTHER shirt – to announce our surprise. I’ve been planning this moment in my head for a month! In my mind it was sunny and we were outside on the lawn – not bundled up in the pavilion.

I made a mental check – my mom was right there – RIGHT THERE – holding Fitzy. I saw Brenda and Brian. I went to get my dad and my Aunt Lori – who was on her way to the warm house. She trudged back to the pavilion and dad came in. It was time.

I turned my back to get the little shirt.

And in that moment – my mom left. She leaned to my sister and said – this is his last present. I HAVE to go to the bathroom. Can you watch him? I was so focused on that little shirt and the excitement of what was about to come – I didn’t even see her leave!

I handed the shirt to Fitzy and said – ask Aunt Sammy to read it for you. Samm looked at the shirt and then at me – then at the shirt and then at me. She said – ARE YOU SERIOUS? I said – we are 13 weeks. And the screaming started! Later – my mom tells me she heard the screaming and just thought Fitzy must have gotten an awesome present! WHAT!

Brenda came running over to hug me and ask the important questions. Is everything okay? You’ve had an ultrasound? Yes. And we heard a heartbeat. Samm hit me. I think we shocked EVERYONE! You can watch their reactions here!

I read the text that we got from Dave Fitzgerald – and I’ve already included in my blog twice – but here it is again.

You will get pregnant again. And even though you will default in your minds that you will probably miscarry – oh no. You will have a healthy child – possibly twins! It will be huge and massive BUT you must keep it to yourselves and announce at the END of the first trimester. This is a promise from God. God is NOT done with you. He’s just starting. You need to tuck this word on your hearts and cover it. It will be a massive testimony and will restore relationships, friendships, and family ties in ways you never thought possible. It’s going to be mammoth. It will be full circle. Both of your families will be remarkably astounded at what God will do through you in this next pregnancy. BUT you MUST NOT announce it until the end of the 1st trimester. Not even to close friends or family. YOU MUST WAIT!

I honestly feel stronger about this than the word I gave you for Fitzy! You can’t even tell me when you first find out – I will already know. You can’t tell ANYONE! BELIEVE IT! RECEIVE IT! ACT! God is good and will be massively glorified through it. Save these messages for confirmation and documentation. Not for me – but so that we can honor Christ Jesus & God’s ridiculous faithfulness. He is good. He is really REALLY good!

THEN – my mom came back out. Thankfully Aszur captured her reaction!

Samm is saying – DO YOU GET IT! Mom was pretty shocked. Very shocked actually. I’m pretty sure she still doesn’t believe me.

It was perfect. Really. Not at all how it happened in my head – but perfect nonetheless.

I am SO happy that secret is out! I am so happy that the people we love were there to share it with us!

Thank you to EVERYONE that came to Fitzy’s party! Thank you for the gifts and the love and the prayers and the hugs.

I am so blessed to be a part of this CRAZY family!