June, July-bye-bye!

The summer has flown...and we have had such a busy summer. Rebecca has completed her swim lessons, and did fantastic, and was going off the diving board at the end of the lessons! What a brave, big girl!

June brought so much fun-so many birthdays to celebrate, and so much preparation for the upcoming arrival of the new baby! Rebecca helped paint the nursery, and loves to be in there helping getting it ready with sharing her toys. There was lots of time for fun and play too!

We started off July with lots of sparkles, as our little girl now has some pretty, sparkley earrings for being completely potty trained! The next day, we kicked off the 4th of July holiday with some friends at the fairgrounds, and she got to play, and waited for the fireworks, which, I really, really thought she would like this year-boy, was I wrong! We had to put her in the truck with her Sesame Street music on so she didnt hear the big booms-lesson learned. Poor thing, she was shaking so hard.

During the long holiday weekend, we took Rebecca up to Babyland General Hospital (Cabbage Patch Kids) to see how babies are born! She was so excited, and had to take one of her best pals, Bella, with her (her CPK) Bella was going to get a new outfit as well! Bella got her own special "Visitor" pass, and was excited to see all her long lost CPK Friends! We also got to witness a birth, and that was pretty exciting as well. Although, I'm not sure that Rebecca understands that the baby is coming out of Mommy's tummy-which is fine-less we have to explain right now. Rebecca made lots of new friends there, and found some dolls that were nearly her size. She was so cute sitting in there with them all! For those of you who have not been, its absolutely adorable, and its worth the 30 min drive up there (ok, from our house)

In recent months, I've discovered that my cousin, Colleen, and I belong to the same gym-we actually figured this out in February, but, with some planning, we were able to get our families together for a reunion that she hosted at her house! It was so wonderful to meet everyone! Its been probably, 20 years or so since everyone has seen each other, and was really a wonderful time!

July also brings us more visitors, my niece, Courtney, came to visit will all of us as well, rotating between us, my Mom and Dad, and my sister! Rebecca is so in love with her cousin, and cried when she left each time she saw her. She will be in really rough shape when she goes back to Niagara Falls! We thoroughly enjoyed your visit, Courtney, and hope you can come back sooner than later!!!!

Towards the latter part of July, my cousin, Lil' BC (Little BabyCakes) Bethany, also came for a visit-boy, oh, boy! Rebecca just loved her too! She is still asking for her today.......

We took a trip to the GA Aquarium, finally. Wow, what an amazing place! While it was a bit crowded, it was so incredible and worth every penny! I'm not sure the Belugas realized it was a family show, so we got to see them in action-literally, and Rebecca was the only one who had sense enough to leave them alone and give them some privacy (I think we were too close up for her liking) She did get brave enough to pet one of the rays (not sure which kind) so that was pretty neat :)

As we get into August, and the last days of my pregnancy, things are starting to slow down. Company is headed or has gone home, and we are waiting for the summer session of school to finish, and then a few weeks off. I am down to my bi weekly appointments, and doing so well with the pregnancy. I'm still making it to the gym (not so much with all the company) at least 4 days a week, and I think its just helping with things over all-especially my weight. Despite my wishes standing on the scales and telling them I DONT WANT TO KNOW MY WEIGHT GAIN, they insist on divulging that to me. I've only gained 2 lbs so far (well, 6, but I lost 4 as of last Tuesday) but I imagine that it will add on as the baby gets bigger and bigger. My docs seem very happy about this, since they only suggested I gain 10. (I gained 18 with Rebecca-but you know I didnt let them tell me until after I delivered how much it was) Even though I feel so big, I'm carrying very high up (I can still get away with some of my lower/mid rise pants if I must) and still only 11 squares of Scott tissue around (yes, out of town relatives/friends I'm still doing that :)) Alot of people say I"m carrying the same way I carried with Rebecca. We ask Rebecca daily if the baby is a boy or a girl. She's finally just saying "NO" now, because she is either tired of us asking her, or she just doesnt know anymore. (Thus far, daily, its been a girl every time) Over all, I feel great, and just starting to feel tired, which is to be expected. Thank GOD I have wonderful little girl who is so easy. I can only pray for the same with the next!

We will start music class in a couple of weeks, and then back to school for the regular school year! I'm so happy that Rebecca just loves her teachers, friends and overall the program. She will be in 3 days for the fall session, and still her music. Just 8 short weeks left until V.2 arrives! I have to admit that I'm feeling alot more behind getting ready for htis baby. Gee, could it be because I have a 2 yr old? Good thing we were blessed to receive so much baby stuff with Rebecca!

Enjoy the remainder of the summer. I know we will!
All the best,
The Bailey Family

May 2007

I cant believe I let another month slip by. Having Rebecca, and now this pregnancy, really, really puts into prospective how quickly time does fly by. How bittersweet it is.

May was another terrific month for our family! It has finally warmed up, but the weather is dry, and hot, and we get smoke from the fires in S. Ga from time to time, forcing us to stay inside.

Rebecca had her very first visit to the ocean and the beach for the very first time for Mothers Day weekend, and the following week! We took our first family vacation to Okaloosa Island, in Florida, between Destin and Ft Walton Beach. What a wonderful time! She was a little hesitant of the sand, and not so sure about the ocean (Gulf Side), mostly because I think, she couldn't see the bottom (not to mention it was still very cold), but, she definitely loved the pool, and the dolphins. She loved to watch the wild dolphins, and the walks in the sand, and the sand castles. What a little Sun Goddess we have! (I have NO idea where she got that from) We took her to the Gulfarium, which was terrific, where she got to see Penguins, the Dolphin Show, turtles, sharks, and so much more. It nearly broke our hearts when it was time to leave, and she kept asking for our condo, and the beach. We drove back to Georgia, and made a stop in to see her Papa, and her relatives in Middle Georgia. What a great time to be had there, strawberry picking-but, nothing beats the rides on the tractor with Papa. While its good to get away, its always good to come home as well. She still is asking for the condo every time she gets her swim suit on and her shades :)

We wrapped up the month with a picnic to the Vernoias' where we had lots of food, and Rebecca had lots of fun playing with her cousins. What a wonderful month May is!

As for me, the pregnancy is progressing well, and I'm finally starting to feel the baby move. Rebecca is constantly giving my tummy kisses, and rubbing it, and going around lifting up everyone else's shirts asking "Baby? Tummy?" So cute! Lamar was able to feel the baby move right around 20 weeks as well. She doesn't quite get it, just that there's a baby in my tummy. Later in the pregnancy we will take her to the Cabbage Kid Hospital to see how their babies are born. As of right now, we chose "Dumbo" for Movie Night, and so she thinks babies get dropped off in little white sacks while everyone is asleep. I just cant believe I have only 17 weeks left to go before we meet our newest addition!

Check out the pictures from this past month on http://baileylarphotos.shutterfly.com

Happy June!

April, 2007

What a busy, busy, month its been for us! The month started off with a trip to Tanglewood Farms, a petting farm, that we went to with her friends from her playgroup, Brent and Tommy, and Rebecca got to take her first pony ride! She was a little scared at first, but once she was on, it was "Giddy-up" and "Faster, Horsey!" We had a great time, despite the cold temperatures!

After the cold finally passed, we planted our flowers and the rest of our gardens, and she loves to help plant, and most especially, water the flowers and vegetables each evening after our walk.
There were a few more Easter Egg Hunts, and, of course, the coloring of the eggs, which, ok, how do you get that stuff off her hands without taking her skin off?!?! Easter morning, we made some Cinnamon Rolls for her Daddy, since we were having an Easter "lupper" (lunch/supper) at our house in the afternoon. After we made breakfast, the doorbell rang, and it seemed that the Easter Bunny was just so busy, that he left the basket on the porch and ran away! She didnt seem too upset, once she saw the loot he brought her! She was loving the Peeps! Later that day, we got her dressed up in her pretty dress that Lamar brought back from Mexico, and she looked like a little princess!

A week or so after Easter, Lamar was able to take the day off, and we took a road trip to the Atlanta Zoo! What fun we had!

Spring brings more fun things! We went strawberry picking over this past weekend, and more were eaten that picked by Rebecca, but she loves reaping the benefits of the gallons and gallons we picked. We've made some jam, cakes, pies, and, of course, some that are frozen for later, but, I know that as good as these berries are, it wont be the last trip up to the Dahlonega Vegetable Farms to get more! Yum, Yum!

The last weeks of the month brought warm(er), almost hot weather. We took out the boat for the first trip of the season, and had lunch on it, and rode around the islands. What a great time! Rebecca loved going fast, and helping Lamar drive, and feeling the wind on her face! The water was still a little cold for swimming, but, I'm sure the lake will warm up fast! She didnt want to get off and come home, she wanted to continue to look for fish, and wave at the other boaters and holler "Hi!!"

She is becoming more and more aware that she is becoming a big sister. She knows that theres a baby in Mommy's tummy, and gives my tummy kisses alot. I'm about 16.5 weeks now, and things are progressing well. I am still feeling quite queasy in the late afternoon/evening hours, something I'm not used to, since I wasn't sick with her until the very end, and I hope that goes away soon. I do find that exercising helps to curb the nausea, so I've been working out daily-which I know will help me in the end to recoup from the c-section. All I can say, is: Things definitely happen ALOT faster the 2nd time around, thats for sure, but, she is continuing practicing being a big sister with her dolls by sharing, feeding, walking, swinging and putting them to "nite nite". Its so sweet. Her vocabulary has exploded, and she is just hilarious, and we find that we are laughing at something she does every day. What a little comedian we have!!!

Happy May!!!
The Bailey Family

I've got something to tell you!

It is with the biggest excitement that I get to tell everyone that I'm going to be a BIG SISTER!!! I know that I know, but I dont really understand yet, because I'm am trying to get over some recent nightmares, but isnt this the best news EVER!!! I knew that playing and feeding, and dressing (er, undressing) and walking and talking and diapering all my babies would pay off, because Mommy and Daddy are giving me a baby this fall! I was already a BIG SISTER IN TRAINING and didnt even know it!!! YAAAAAY!

Mommy is calling this baby right now Baby Bailey v.2, since I guess I'm #1 :) But, Mommy and Daddy say, no matter what, I'm always going to be their baby. Since this baby (gender) will also be a surprise, you all have to wait just like you did with me-isnt that the best? What a great surprise!

Here is a picture of my new baby in Mommy's tummy. You can see the little arms and legs in there, and a big head! Mommy gets to get a more detailed picture next week. I wont be accompanying them for this picture-maybe sometime over the summer when the baby gets bigger in Mommy's tummy. We will get lots of pictures of BBv.2 just like we did with me.

The baby is almost 3 months old in Mommy's tummy. She has been feeling better since she went to the doctor, but didnt always feel good in time to make dinner and laid on the couch alot right around that time until bedtime. She's always tired tho, but definately feels better on the days she exercises. She said after her appointment with the doctor, she feels MUCH better-the last 3 weeks, she just hasnt been the same old fun Mommy! Its ok! I can only imagine that its hard work to let a baby live in your tummy!!!

On a different note, the Easter Bunny is coming real soon! I am going on an Easter Egg hunt this weekend, and hope to get lots of eggs! I have a feeling that the Easter Bunny might come for a visit at my house too! How fun!!! He came last year and brought treats! I know like with Santa, I have to be a good girl, but, thats pretty easy for me :)

The weather here has been so nice between 60-mid 70's most days. I am still sleeping alot in the afternoon, but thanks to the time change, I'm able to stay out later after dinner and play with Daddy and go on walks after we eat, and I get to play with my friends :) I love the longer daytime hours!!!

Speaking of friends, some of them have birthdays coming up-I'm so excited-thats alot of CAKE! I looooove CAKE! My friend, Braeden is having his party this week, and next week my friends Brent and Leah!! Such a busy schedule, but how much fun!!!

Well, thats all for now-we hope all of you are doing well-Happy Spring!

Love,

Rebecca

I'm 2!

I cant believe what an awesome, crazy week we've had! It all started when I had some very special visitors on Saturday, Feb 10th! My Papa, Mema, Uncle Jason, Aunt Erin and Elise came to visit! We had an early birthday gathering, because they were not able to come to my party, but I got to have them all to myself! I got so many nice gifts to boot! I got a Curious Monkey!!! He came as a fireman, but now, he is naked most of the time. He gets hot in the house, under that fire coat!

On my actual birthday (the 15th) Daddy took the day off, and I got to go to the doctor. I was so good, and was SO happy when I didnt have to get shots! I'm 26 pounds, and 34 inches tall. I'm so big! I also go to do this vision test, and I passed with flying colors! After that, Mommy and Daddy took me to a special place for lunch, called Zoobies. Its kind of like a small version of Chuckie Cheese, but for kids my age and size, and I had the whole place to myself, so I had an awesome time playing!! After my nap, so many more surprises to come! I got a TMX Elmo!!! He is SOOO funny!!! What a great surprise that was, but the best was my new car! I got a new princess car, complete with a cellphone! Then, for dinner, we went for my favorite, tacos and rice! What an awesome day!

The next day, I had a small birthday party with my playgroup friends, and, there was LOTS of Curious George stuff-He is my absolute favorite these days, but thats not to exclude Dora, Barney and Elmo! Mommy had gotten red, yellow, and blue balloons, and held them down with bananas. She also made banana cupcakes with George on them-yes, lots of banana stuff, but, thats what monkeys eat, right!? So much fun playing, and getting MORE presents. My friends really must like me. I'm such a lucky girl!

On Saturday, my Nana, Grandpa, Aunt Amber, Uncle Dean, Kristina, and my cousins, Benny, Lucas, and Alexis came over to have another birthday party! Mommy said she was all "banana'd" out, so we had a chocolate Monkey cake-it was so cute! I got a Dr kit, so, you all can just call me "Dr Becca", and you also should know all my dolls are healthy! You can reach me via my new princess phone from The Vernoia's :) If you wanted to see more pictures from my birthday week, just ask my Mommy to send them to you. She posted them out on Shutterfly.

Thanks for reading! More soon!

Love,

Rebecca

I have so much fun with Mommy!

This week, on Tuesday, my mommy took me on a playdate to meet my friend, Sophie, and her mom, Shelly! We went to this super cool bounce house place called Catch-Air! We had so much fun jumping, bouncing, sliding...I sure wore Mommy out! I guess I got worn out too from all that playing, because I fell asleep almost the minute Mommy started driving home! I missed lunch with Miss Shelly and Sophie, but I know that they understand how much work is involved in all that playing!

Of course, I have my school days on Monday and Wednesdays. I'm so excited next week is Valentines!!! I get to make out all my Valentines, maybe tonite, with Daddy to help. I'll have to ask nice :)

Today, (Thursday) I went with Mommy to the gym, and played with the kids there. Then, after she got done exercising, we went to my gymnastics class, but I was kind of crabby, but ended up having fun in the end. I'm just too independent, and really wanted to do things on my own. But, after that, Mommy took me to McDonalds as a treat for lunch, and we had a special Girls Day! I got to play in the playland there, and then when I was done, I got another treat--a McFlurry-with ice cream AND cookies. (I guess because when I get special treats at night, I dont like to go to sleep) I had so much fun with my Mommy! Tomorrow, I get to go to playgroup and see my friends and give Valentines and probably kisses! I love to give kisses!

This weekend, I get to spend some special time with Daddy while Mommy takes a class to learn how to take better pictures with her new camera. I'm so excited! I think Daddy said Uncle Jason, Aunt Erin, and Papa might come for a visit, since they cant come for my birthday. Its been so long since they've all been here, so I'm really looking forward to some awesome playtime with everyone! YAY!! Bye, bye for now, because its naptime!

Happy New Year--From Rebecca

WOW!
Has it really been so long since my Mommy blogged? Well, I guess if she remembered how to log back in to this blog, she might have kept up with what I'm doing, so she could let you know!

Seems like so much has happened! Since the last notes were from September, I guess I'll tell you whats been going on since October.

Halloween was a bunch of fun! I dressed up as Hollie Hobbie, and was as cute as you can imagine! Mommy put little french braids in my hair! We had an awesome playgroup to boot to celebrate, complete with fairies, cowboys, superheros, fireman, princesses! SO much fun! Carving the pumpkin was kind of weird, and messy, so Mommy let me paint a few too! That was fun. At first, I thought-well, this must be the trick! All the guts coming out of those pumpkins! Daddy was pretty good at it though :) I wasnt really too sure about the trick or treating-until I got to taste a treat, then I was REALLY into it! Yummy! I enjoyed handing out treats to the neighborhood kids, and seeing everyone in their costumes. What fun!

In November, I got to take a road trip to Alabama, to meet my cousin, Saje, from Japan. He's just a few months younger than me. We played, and we had a great time! I hate that he lives so far away, but, hopefully I can see him again soon! Over Thanksgiving, I sat on the potty alot more, and I did pretty good, if I dont say so myself!

December brought lots of fun-parties everytime I turned around! I got to meet some guy named Santa Claus, but, I didnt really care for him to much. We had parties at school, and I got so many nice presents from all my teachers! The weekend before Christmas, we went to Papa's house to celebrate, so that Great Grandpa Flowers could come too-I got SO much loot! WOW! I got to see my "Mema" (paternal grandmother), my Great Aunt Lane, and my cousins Laura and her little girl, Alison, as well as my very cool Uncle Jason, Aunt Erin, and Elise! They got me an art easel-you should see what a Picasso I've become! I'm awesome! Papa got me a piano, and Mommy and Daddy keep saying its going back to his house. I dont know why!? I'm awesome at this! It has 2 switches-On, and Loud! It works great! I love it!

While school was out, I really went pee pee and poopie on the potty alot-I got even more prizes! What a great month this is! I got some cool new big girl pants too, so I feel extra-special! On Christmas Eve, we went to Nana and Grandpas house. My Aunt Amber and her gang went too, and got even MORE presents there-I cant believe how much I'm loved! I am such a lucky girl! The next day, was Christmas Day, Baby Jesus' Birthday! When I woke up, Santa had left some presents for me under our Christmas tree! He's not such a bad guy after all, and, being good really pays off!!! I got some awesome gifts-some new coloring stuff, some stuff for my kitchen, some new babies to take care of, a computer (of course!) so Daddy can show me everything he knows so I can teach Mommy to not fuss at the big computer! SO much stuff, I cant even remember it all!!! Thanks, everyone!!!

By January, I have to tell you, I am officially a big girl! I am fully potty trained now, and in a big girl bed! That wasnt Mommy's plan, but, they got me a travel Aero Bed for trips, and they set it up in my room, and Daddy and Mommy seemed frustrated that I just liked to jump on it all the time. They kept telling me it wasnt a trampoline! Whats that? I cant wait to find out! Anyways, one day, Mommy and I went to a bed store, and got a frame for the mattresses that went into the trundle, and set me up my NEW BIG GIRL BED! I think it was suppposed to be a slow transition, but I like it so much, I never went back to my crib ever again. Daddy finally just took it down. Cribs are for babies. Remember, I'm a BIG GIRL NOW! Having come from a family of sleepers, (and you all know how good I am at that!) I dont ever try to get out of my room. I just play in there, or sometimes read for a long time. Mommy and Daddy are just fine with that! I have pretty new blankets that I helped pick out too. I'm so lucky!

Just before we went back to school, I got to take my first trip to Chuck E Cheese, where I met my friends from my Motherlore, Aaron, Jordan, Alexandria, and Nicola and we got to play and have lunch! WOW! Thats all I can say! I got to take a ride with Barney, and there was a GIANT MOUSE walking around-(that would be Chuck E) he was so COOL!

The picture here, is a dress I got from my Great Grandmother Gorski. This was my first day back to school after winter break. Am I the cutest or what?! Oh, and this is my best friend, Teddy, and my baby, Tinkles. Yes-she really eats out of a bottle and pees! She helped me to go on the potty, so we know each other pretty well.

Anyways, as you know, I will be 2 in just a couple of weeks. Hopefully Mommy will be better about keeping up with my blog, so I can let you all know how I am doing! I hope all of you are well, and wish you the very best for this upcoming year!