Kori & Jon

Thankful for Shaun's photo skills

2012-01-29T06:59:00.000-08:00

Before I get back to posting currents happenings around the Bailey household, I had to post the pictures our friend and AMAZING photographer Shaun http://shaunmenary.com took of Gray and our family before Christmas. These were taken the week of Thanksgiving (so I could use them for our Christmas card) which means Gray was 7 months. He's changed so much! Shaun did a GREAT job. So great that I'm still having a hard time choosing which pictures I want to blow up and frame in our house! Thanks Shaun for fitting us into your busy schedule and capturing our family so beautifully! Here are some of my favorites:

We used this picture on the back of our Christmas card. I will set this picture out every Christmas. It makes me so happy! L-O-V-E!!!!!!

I saw a picture on pinterest with parents kissing their baby, smooching his cheeks and thought it was too cute. This is our attempt to recreate it. Look at the progression of Gray's facial expressions.

Cracks me up!

It was pretty cold outside. Jon wrapped a blanket around me and Gray while he went to pull up the car when we were finished. Shaun snapped this last shot. Sweet baby.

9 Months

2012-01-24T10:34:00.000-08:00

Everyone says time flies. A friend has always told me that ababy’s first 6 months move at a normal pace, time may even seem to slow down,but when 6 months hits…watch out! It goes by in a blink. I am finding my friendto be spot on.

I can’t believe you’re 9 months. (I’m super late in writingthis so you’re actually almost 10 months) CRAZY! You are into everything,“talking” up a storm and showing that personality more and more every day. Ijust can’t get enough of this face:

You had many firsts this month:

*First time having your friends Madeleine and Luke over.(You weren’t the best host…you slept the whole time)

*First time inside Starbucks with mom and Rachel. (You havebeen through the drive-thru many, many times)

*First Christmas

*First time to Perry’s Steakhouse for dad’s company party

*First New Year’s Eve

*First Baptism celebration with Madeleine and Luke

You still only have your 2 bottom front teeth. I’m sure moreare coming soon. You chew on everything! You sleep from about 7-7:30 to 6:30-7.You take 2 naps, sometimes 3. You are still nursing 5 times a day. You loveyour baby food. You eat fruit in the morning, veggie in the afternoon and somemeat/veggie combo in the evening.

You still spit up a couple times a day, but not nearly asmuch as you used to. It’s been nice to see progress in this area….for you andmama:)

You still wear size 3 diapers and 6-12 month clothes!

You LOVE sitting up and playing with your toys on the floor.Your favorite things to play with are your blocks, activity table, Jerry thegiraffe, Mickey and your computer. You still LOVE your jumperoo and exersaucerand can bounce and play in them forever.

You roll around, but haven’t shown any signs of crawlingyet. Dr. G isn’t concerned, but suggested to be proactive we should have youevaluated so they can show us some activities we can do with you to strengthenyour gross motor skills. Mama has to remember not to worry. You were 2 monthspremature and you’re still catching up!

Your 9-month stats:

Weight: 17 lbs 11 oz (10%)

Height: 27 in (25%)

Head: 17 in (10%)

I can’t believe the next time we see Dr. G is your ONE YEARcheck up!!! I love watching yougrow and learn, but I’m not ready for you to be a big boy yet. I guess that’swhy parents always tell their kids they’ll always be their baby. Okay, now I haveMariah Carey’s song in my head.

Gray, my big 9-month-old. We love you and are so proud of you. You are thegreatest, cutest, happiest, most adorable BABY in the whole world!!!!

CHRISTmas Part 3

2012-01-20T08:31:00.000-08:00

We've finally reached the end of Christmas day.

We left my parents, dropped Bear back home, grabbed our second round of family gifts and made our way to the Bailey's at 4. Gray also made a wardrobe change. And of course, more pictures followed:

Excited to see his Mickey after the car ride!

The grand kids

Gray loving his Aunt Kim

I LOVE this picture...LOVE. Lucky boy with his super cool uncle Josh and Aunt Kim

Sweet Everley having a ball

Cruse giving Jon his best special forces face...too cute!!!!

And CHECK THIS OUT!!!! Mimi and PaPa surprised Gray with his first motorized car! It's kind of a tradition. They get every grandchild a car for their first Christmas, no matter their age. Doesn't he look so stinking cute behind the wheel?!?! If you look closely at the front of the car, you can see they had Lightning McQueen changed to Ligntning McGray!!!!! There's a GB on the front and you can't see it but they put his name on the back and just really made it SO SPECIAL!!!!

Thank you Randy and Nancy for an amazing Christmas evening! Great food, fun, gifts and family time!

CHRISTmas Part 2

2012-01-19T13:53:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful, early Christmas morning, we packed up the car with gifts for my family and headed back to my parents house at 10AM. Gray was in the best mood and was happy to see everyone! He came in bright and jolly in his Christmas jammies and festive hat....Don't worry, there's an outfit that goes with it...yes it's amazing!!!! Stay tuned.

Happy to see Gramps!

Everyone chatted, sipped on coffee and mimosas before it was time to get started. Then it was time for more fun to begin!

Look at Gray's cool new chair from GoGo and Gramps with all his fun stocking sussies:

I LOVE to open stockings!!! This is the stocking I've had forever...I love it and I love the one my mom made for Jon when we got married:)

Gray showing everyone his new Mickey

Making funny faces with mom while we opened presents!

LOVE this picture of Cole. He's getting TOO big!

Little dribble

Helping me open his present from Aunt Lyric

Look at these cutie-pies!!!! They were so stickin cute sitting in there big boy and girl chairs. The paparazzi were out in full force, snapping away. Can you blame us?

Can you stand it? The sweet girl in her precious night gown was about to open her first Cabbage Patch Kid we bought her!

After presents, we ate a delicious brunch! It took so long to open everything with the kiddos, so we were starving. The egg casserole, coffee cake, strawberry bread and more definitely hit the spot! Then we played, put Gray down for a nap and before we knew it, it was time to head to our next stop.

A HUGE thank you to my parents for such a fabulous Christmas!!!!

I didn't get many pictures of the rest of the family, but here's a cool picture of Mickey Jon took: (Sorry family)

Stay tuned for the final installment of Christmas 2011!

CHRISTmas Part 1

2012-01-14T06:51:00.000-08:00

I decided to break my Christmas post into 3 parts. We have so many pictures and too many good ones not to share! First, I'll start with Christmas morning at our house. Jon and I had TOO MUCH fun with Gray on his first Christmas. Having a baby in the house on Christmas morning was so precious and magical. We felt blessed. Our Lord, Jesus Christ brought joy through pain, life after death and His LOVE heals. How grateful we are for His birth, life and death on the cross. How grateful we are for His grace, mercy and unfailing LOVE.

Here are a few things Santa brought Gray!

Helping Gray go through his stocking was probably my favorite moment of the entire day. The first thing I pulled out was a little Mickey Mouse. His reaction was priceless. We caught it on video and I'm so glad we did!!!! He just started watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse a few weeks before Christmas and LOVES it. So I knew I wanted to get him his first Mickey Mouse for Christmas. Little Mickey is by far his FAVORITE Christmas gift. He lights up every time he sees it!

Gray's second favorite thing he got Christmas morning were these soft blocks. They were recommended to me from my friend Michelle...shout out...and she was spot on. He loves playing with these and chews on them constantly.

Bear cleaned up this year too! Here he is enjoying one of his big bones.

Jon sporting his onesie jammies!

Gray busy working on his new laptop.

Gray took time out of his busy work schedule to help me open some of my presents. (Me in my onesie Jon picked out for me!)

Love these pictures of Gray sitting on his new puppy chair!!!!

As you can see, we went a little over board on toys for Gray this year. We just couldn't help ourselves. We were definitely more excited than he was considering he had no idea what was going on, but it was worth it. We loved every minute of our morning together!

These are a few pics Jon took before we headed over to my parents house for Christmas Part 2...stay tuned!

Christmas Eve

2012-01-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve was such a great day. Gray woke me up bright and early, which worked out great because I finished ALL my wrapping before 8AM! Jon, Gray and I ate breakfast, hung out and played. Jon and I watched Love Actually (one of my favorites) while Gray was down for a nap. Then we all put on our new Christmas jammies...then changed... Jon and I both got each other adult onesies and decided not to wear them to my parents:)

And I digress.

Before dinner, we participated in another Christmas Eve Gingerbread House Contest. Last year we competed as couples. This year, we decided to make it Guys VS Girls. It was a little more difficult creating our masterpieces with the babies, but we made it happen. Here are the guys hard at work:

And the ladies:

Our sweet, festive house!

The boys decided to show off and think outside the box. Here's their gingerbread replica of the Ranger's Ballpark:

After our delicious dinner and yummy Christmas dessert drink, we took some family pics before heading home to get rest for the big day!

Bailey Movie Night OUT...literally

2012-01-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

The day after our Kaufman family fun, we enjoyed some Christmas fun with the Bailey's! We started the night with yummy Durkins pizza and salad, drinks and lots of chatting as usual. Gray was extra festive in his elf gear and was happy to pose for the camera in front of Shannon's beautiful tree.

Gray and his Mimi and PaPa!

Sweet Everley in her festive tights and warm coat ready to head outside!

Classic "Randy Eyes" Photo!

Me and my Little Helper

After picture time, we bundled up and got cozy outside for our family viewing of a Christmas classic...Christmas Vacation!!!! How fun is this outdoor screen?!?! Shannon and Jared created the perfect set up. Blankets...check! Outdoor heater...check! Fire pit for marshmellow roasting...check!

I couldn't believe it, but here is a picture of Nancy enjoying her very FIRST smores!!!!

Gray slept the ENTIRE movie! I think he loved being bundled up and snuggled with his mama! I know I LOVED it!!!! Everley was too cute walking around, checking things out and having a ball!

Another wonderful Christmas family night in! I'm truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing FAMILY!!!!

Kaufman Christmas Fun

2012-01-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

The week before Christmas we had several Christmas family fun activities planned with our families. First on the list was a afternoon/evening in with my family. Everyone came to our house and the festivities began. We munched on yummy snacks while playing Christmas trivia games; General Christmas trivia, Christmas movie trivia and Christmas music trivia.

Cole "won" the first round.

My dad won the second round and my mom won the last round (sadly I didn't get her pic)

Then we moved on to a family craft for my parents. We used our hand prints to make a Christmas tree!

(Cole sneaking in our picture...such a boy!)

Then we sat down to eat yummy homemade potato soup and beer bread!

After the dishes were cleared and our hand prints were dry, we finished up our masterpiece by making finger print ornaments! Everyone was designated a color and then signed their name by their hand print. I think it turned out SO cute and most importantly, my parents LOVED it!!!!

We rounded out the evening with yummy hot chocolate and kids in their jammies. It was such a great day. I loved hosting my family at my house and spending time with some of my favorite people, who also happen to be my family. I'm a lucky girl!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-27T05:49:00.000-08:00

We hope you had a very merry CHRISTmas! We had a magical day with Gray and have hundreds of pictures to prove it! Stay tuned

Smith's Stocking

2011-12-22T17:46:00.000-08:00

To honor our son Smith RandleBailey and help keep his memory alive during the holiday season, we started a little something called Smith's Stocking. The idea came about last year. We didn't want Smith's stocking to hang empty above the fireplace. We wanted to fill it with something. So we decided to ask friends and family to make a donation to March of Dimes in his memory.

March of Dimes is a non-profit organization whose mission isto help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threatenthe health of babies. We are specifically encouraged by their PrematurityResearch, which includes working to identify the cause of premature births,discover new treatments to prevent or halt preterm labor and improve the careof premature babies.

Thank you to everyone who participated last year. It was so special to know Smith's short life was impacting the lives of others. I know most of you have a special charity you give to this time of year. Jon and I support several organizations in addition to March of Dimes. We just hope that in the season of giving, the season of our savior's birth, you will take a moment to GIVE. Somewhere. And if you take a moment and think of our angel baby while you do, you will make our hearts very happy.

Smith Randle Bailey

April 29, 2010 - May 10, 2010

SANTA!!!

2011-12-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

8 months of joy

2011-12-22T06:59:00.000-08:00

You have changed so much this month. I feel like you’reslowly starting to transition into a little boy. Now don’t get me wrong, youare still very much a baby and I want to cling to that as long as possible, butyou’re definitely getting bigger. You’re sitting up strong, your personality isreally coming out and you are so much more expressive. I LOVE this age!

I love to watch you play. You either play with seriousintent or destructive excitement. One of your favorite things to do is jump andplay in your Jumperoo. The best is watching your little legs. It looks likeyou’re doing jumping-jacks from the waist down….so cute!

You love your Sophie giraffe (who we renamed Jerry) and alittle stuffed duck of Smith’s that makes a sweet jingle. You light up, smileand squeal when you see them. Youstill like your piano and are looking forward to some new bigger boy toys thisChristmas.

You also love:

-Playing with your feet

-Staring at your hand

-Bath time

-Sitting like a big boy in the shopping cart at the grocerystore

You are ticklish under your arms, belly and thighs. We LOVEto make you laugh. Daddy makes you laugh all the time. The most random thingyou laugh at is when dad swings his baseball bat. Jon was practicing his swingfor his softball game one night and you just started cracking up. Now, it neverfails. One swing of the bat gets you giggling.

After mom and dad, Bear is definitely your favorite. You getso excited when Bear gets close to you. You love watching him run around and alwayswant to know where he is when you’re eating in your highchair. When we get homefrom being out, I will sit you up right outside Bear’s crate before opening it.You start kicking your legs, smiling and cooing. When I let him out you reachand reach for him. I’m not surethe feeling is mutual. I would say Bear likes you, but love would probably betaking it too farJ

Some things you don’t like:

-Getting your nose sucked

-Waiting for pretty much anything

-Having your face wiped after you eat

-The sun shining in your face

You’re still in size 3 diapers. Everything you wear now pretty much has to be 6-12 months. You’re getting so long and have a serious tummy working! I can’t wait to get your official stats next month.

You are still nursing every feeding and love your baby food. You have fruit in the morning, a veggie around lunchtime and some sort of “meat” combo in the evening.

You’re still a good sleeper overall. You’ve had a few rough patches, but are getting back on track. Dr. G said you probably have a little separation anxiety at night. Before if you woke up in the night a little upset, I could just put your pacifier back in and rub your back and you would go back to sleep. Recently, when you would wake up and realize I’m not there, you would freak out. And going in to try to sooth you made it worse! Thankfully after only one major cry-it-out routines, you are back to your sleepy ways….sleeping around 11 hours at night with 2-3 naps during the day. Praise God!

Many FIRSTS happened in your 8^th month:

*You’re sitting up GREAT now, totally unassisted. So youwere definitely ready to eat in your highchair!!! You love looking around andhitting the tray.

*You took your first plane ride and were the perfect littletraveler. I hated the reason we were flying, but I couldn’t have been moreproud of you. Even the flight attendants and other passengers were commentingon how good you were and they never heard a peep from you!

*You got your FIRST TOOTH and the second is on its way. Thefront bottom two teeth.

*You celebrated your first Thanksgiving

*You met SANTA!

*You went to your big cousin’s, Cade & Cruse’s, birthdayparty

We love you so much baby boy!!!

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

2011-12-17T05:35:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving week, Gray and I met Jon after work to pick out our Christmas tree!!!! We picked it out early this year so it could be delivered the morning after Thanksgiving. We decided to have our tree delivered this year for several reasons. 1. So Jon wouldn't throw his back out bringing it in the house by himself and 2. So our marriage would remain intact. Something about picking a tree out and the stress of fitting it in or on top of the car and getting it in the house can really dampen your Christmas spirit. A small delivery fee seemed like a no brainer.

Here we are with our jolly little helper picking out the perfect tree!

Gray was pretty excited about this one...SOLD

Daddy mimicking Gray and what we lovingly call his "Randy Eyes". Jon's dad Randy has big, beautiful, very expressive blue eyes...and they only get bigger the more excited he gets!

I grew up with a real, flocked tree. We both like green and white, so we settled on a lightly flocked noble fir. We love it and love the way it makes the house smell!

And

Love

Delivery

Jon always does a great job putting the lights on

This year he had a very special helper

I just realized I don't have a picture of the tree in all its festive Christmas glory...to be continued.

almost caught up

2011-12-07T07:26:00.001-08:00

I'm almost there people. The Christmas posts are just around the corner! But first, a few more favorite photos.

This adorable kid turned the big 0-4!!! I can't believe Cole is 4 years old. What a special kiddo and precious nephew! We had fun celebrating Cole at his super cool birthday party (I forgot my camera) and on his actually birthday with presents and cake!

We got him this guitar...it was a big hit!

More random, dare I say adorable pictures of our little mister.

My 3 favorite boys!

Not the best quality/color shot, but I love this one of Gray and Bear

Now I think I'm caught up for the most part. We literally have hundreds and hundreds of pictures of Gray. I guess most parents probably do, but these have been some of the highlights from over the last month or so. I hope you've enjoyed them....yes I'm talking to those of you who have been giving me a hard time for not updating this little blog enough. You know who you are!

Next up, Gray's almost 8 months and Christmas posts galore!!!!

Umm Umm Good

2011-12-05T06:49:00.001-08:00

This little man is loving him some baby food. He's not really into rice cereal any more, but he loves his fruits, veggies and most recently..."meats".

A few weeks ago we finally got his highchair out. Here's our big boy in his new seat!

These are the most recent eating pics. As you can see, he's now way more interactive with his food!!! Oh and I know you can't tell from the black and white, but these were bright orange carrots. It was a mess, but well worth it.

more pictures

2011-11-30T11:32:00.001-08:00

The day of his 6 month check-up

Gray's fancy towel and blanket from Paris (Thanks again Martin Fam!)

The eyes crack me up

Bear Bear

Ready for some pictures? Good...there's more

2011-11-30T11:05:00.001-08:00

Camouflage

Little Mozart

Father & Son

Mini photo session outside at my parents house on a beautiful Sunday in October

Gray's first time in his Exer-Saucer

Snuggle time

Catching up: Part 2

2011-11-30T08:02:00.001-08:00

These pictures are going way back to September starting with this little Miss's 1st Birthday!!!! My precious niece Everley celebrated turning one in style. She was adorable in her perfectly pink outfit and her garden tea party theme was beautifully put together by her proud mama.

Eating her yummy pink cake

Me and the Birthday girl

Sweet Cousins

A few weeks later, Jon, Gray and I had the honor of attending Cole's first ever soccer game! Cole was obviously a STAR! He loves sports more than any kid I know and is more athletic than any kid I know. He plays it all: Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, etc. I know this was the first of MANY games for this little All-Star!

Gray giving his big cousin a pep-talk at halftime

Playing Catch Up: Part 1

2011-11-30T07:26:00.001-08:00

Before I start with what I assume will be MANY Christmas posts, I thought I should catch up on some events/cute pics of the little man from the last few months.

So first...our annual trip to the State Fair of Texas. This was obviously Gray's first time and if you rate his enjoyment by his relaxation/sleep level...he LOVED it! He was awake for the walk in, a quick Fletcher's corny dog and walk into the car show. Then he ate and slept the entire rest of the way!!!

While Gray slept, Jon and I indulged! My favorites are the freshly squeezed lemonade, fried chocolate covered strawberries and new this year...the Fried Autumn Pumpkin Pie!!!!

By FAR my favorite thing we did at the fair was get a cartoon drawing of our family done. I LOVE it SO MUCH and plan to hang it in Gray's play date one day!!!!!

Finally, here is Gray, wide awake just in time for the wait at valet for our car in the parking lot! He had a great time.

Gobble Gobble

2011-11-26T09:01:00.001-08:00

I hope you all had a happy, happy Thanksgiving. We had a relaxing and special holiday with our little turkey on his very first Thanksgiving! The morning started off early morning, homemade strawberry bread, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and a mini photo shoot.

Thanksgiving is the only holiday we don't see both our families the same day. We flip-flop between my family here and Jon's family in Marshall, TX every other year. This year was our year to spend with my family. It was nice to be close to home, relax and eat all my favorite dishes at my parents house. We started the afternoon with more photos (did I mention it was Gray's first Thanksgiving?).

I Love that I got my parents to put those turkey's on their heads...great pic!

Then it was food preparation and food consumption time. My dad made the MOST DELICIOUS turkey I've ever had!!!!! Seriously...it was amazing! Jon shot this cool pic of the poor guy before he headed to the oven.

Gray got to sit at the big table with us and dined on a special Thanksgiving treat. Sweet potatoes and cinnamon!!! He likes regular sweet potatoes, but the cinnamon really grabbed his attention!

YUM!!!!

The evening ended with pictures of these little turkeys...hilarious!

I am so thankful for the many ways God has blessed us this year. I am thankful for the LIFE and HEALTH of my little butterball!!!!! I'm thankful for my amazing husband and our commitment to continually work on our marriage (even when we get super annoyed at each other). I'm thankful for my morning coffee, footie pajamas, my wonderful family and supportive friends. And most of all, I'm thankful that I serve a good and glorious God!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

7 months

2011-11-20T08:22:00.001-08:00

It's true what they say. They grow so fast. Gray is 7 months old and time is flying by. I love this little man more and more every day and can't wait to see what month 8 has in store for his precious, joyful life!

Gray, you had a lot of firsts this month:

-You slept on your tummy for the first time
-You had cereal for the first time
-You started to sit up on your own with a little help from your Boppy
-You had baby food for the first time: *Peas *Green Beans *Winter Squash *Carrots *Sweet Potatoes *Pears *Bananas (You like them all but I think the squash and bananas are your favorites so far)
- You had your first RSV shots. Since you were born before 32 weeks, you qualify for special protection against RSV. One shot in each leg was no fun, but you were a trooper. You actually get your second round this week...sorry:(

This month you celebrated some special events:

- You made your first trip to the Texas State Fair! You didn't see much because you slept the whole time, but I think you still enjoyed yourself.
- You visited your first Pumpkin Patch at the Dallas Arboretum and loved looking at all the pumpkins
-You watched the Rangers (some good games and some bad...don't bring it up to daddy)
-You dressed up as a lion for your first Halloween!!!!
-You helped celebrate Cole's 4th birthday at his party at Frisco Safety Town and his house on his real birthday where you really wanted a bite of mama's cake!

People always comment on how happy and chill you are, but the number one comment we hear is that you're so BRIGHT-EYED! I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Gray, we love you bubba. You are a bright and shinny star. You restore my soul. You smile with your whole face and it melts my heart every time. I don't know if I could ever fully express how much I love you, but I will spend my life trying!!!!

The baby food isle

2011-11-08T14:24:00.000-08:00

The other day I was browsing the baby food isle at Babies R’Us when a woman I’ve never met approached me and asked, “Are you Smith andGray’s mom?”

“Are you Smith and Gray’s mom?”

It caught me off guard, but I quickly said yes. Sheproceeded to tell me that she has prayed for my boys and me. It was a quickexchange and she ended it by saying she just wanted to say hello and tell methat both of my boys are beautiful.

Wow.

I hope she is reading this so she knows how much her sweetwords have meant to me.

After leaving the store, I have continued to play heropening line over and over in my head.

“Are you Smith and Gray’s mom?”

I don’t think I have ever been asked that question and itfelt so good to answer yes.

Most of the time questions about my motherhood or childrenleads to an awkward pause on my part, an internal battle of how to answer andregret for the questioner. I pause for a moment, hoping I can just say, “Yes,this is my first child” or “I have one son,” but I just can’t. I know a perfectstranger doesn’t need to know the intimate details of my life, but I physicallycan’t deny the life, no matter how short, of my first-born.

I can’t thank this gracious woman enough for 1. Having theheart to approach me. 2. Praying for me and my family and 3. Talking sonaturally about my children…in heaven and on earth.

I have not felt so at home, so comfortable in my own skin ina LONG time!

I hope you’re enjoying the season of thanksgiving. Thisweek, I am thankful for the love of my Father and His amazing GRACE and my new forever friend from the baby food isle.

Sincerely,

Smith and Gray’s mom

Halloween Weekend

2011-11-04T08:12:00.000-07:00

above & below: First I found this beanie, then I got the idea to put Gray in a glass punch bowl filled with candy corn. Friday afternoon, Jon and I took these pictures at his office. It was so fun! I can only dress Gray up and stick him in punch bowls for so long right?

Saturday night, Josh and Kim had their annual Halloween party. It was SO MUCH FUN! Everyone was super creative and pulled all the stops. I'm only showing us and Josh and Kim to protect everyone's privacy. (Some friends are teachers!)

Jon and I went as Steve Jobs and an iphone! I thought Jon looked SO good and he did an awesome job designing and making my iphone. I love that Gray is the screen saver!!!! I won "Best of the Best Female Costume"...WOhoo!!! Jon was 2nd place for the guys. Second to his crazy twin brother....

Can you believe this??? Josh clearly won "Best of the Best Male Costume"!!!! He dressed up as Dirk, stilts and all! Too funny!!! We couldn't believe it when we saw him.

When Halloween finally arrived, I couldn't wait to put Gray in his Lion costume. I couldn't stand how cute he looked!!!!

Gray with his Mimi, Papa and cousins:

I LOVE this picture of all the kiddos!

After visiting the Ross/Bailey clan, we headed over to my sister's house to see more cousins and Gramps and Gogo!

LOVE Gray's face in this picture! I know he's thinking, "Get me out of here"

Starting to melt down...

Gray and Gogo:

Gray was relieved to be out of his lion costume and in his much comfier skeleton jammies

It was a successful 1st Halloween for this sweet little love!

my punkin with the pumpkins

2011-10-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

Friday afternoon, Jon and I took Gray to the Dallas Arboretum to see their amazing pumpkin display. And it was amazing! It was a beautiful day and the perfect backdrop for some fall photos. There was a photo opt around every corner and with that said, here are a few of my favorite pictures of my punkin with all the beautiful pumpkins!

Umm Umm Good!

2011-10-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, October 19, Gray had cereal for the first time! His first new "taste", first new texture, and first experience with a spoon...so exciting for this mama! And the best part was he LOVED it all!!!

Our doctor wanted us to hold on the cereal until Gray was 6 months. At his 6 month check up, we got the green light to start cereal for about a week and then introduce fruits and veggies. I had so much fun shopping the baby food aisle and picking up some fun bowls and bibs. Once I had all the supplies clean and ready to go, I couldn't wait to see how Gray would react.

Did I already mention he LOVED it?! Every time I took the spoon away to get more, he would lean way over and dive for the bowl or fuss a little until I stuck the spoon back in his mouth. So funny and so fun to watch!!!

He's always been a great breast feeder and after seeing this boy down his cereal...he ate the whole bowl by the way...I have no doubts. This little guy LOVES his FOOD! Little piggy!!! (We'll see how the veggies go next week:)

Go Daddy Go!

2011-10-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

This week we finally went to see one of Jon's softball games. It was early enough and cool enough! Actually a little cooler than I thought. This crazy Texas weather is killing me. Hot or cold...let's make up our mind and stick with it!

And I digress.

The Son's O' Thunder pulled out a win and Jon played great! I think he played extra good knowing his son was in the stands cheering him on.

We also cheered for uncle Josh of course.

(Love this pic)

Great game Dad! Can't wait till I'm out there playing ball with the boys too.

Gray's 6 months old!!!

2011-10-18T08:52:00.000-07:00

FYI: I don’t expect anyone to read all of this, except maybe mymom. I just wanted to jot down the specifics of Gray’s life at 6 months so Iwill never forget this stage. I do encourage you to scroll through the picturesthough…you wouldn’t want to miss seeing this cute boy!

Gray,

How can you already be 6 MONTHS OLD?!? It’s hard to believethat 6 months ago you were born so early, so tiny. I will never forget thefirst time I heard you cry. That perfect cry calmed me. It made me cry and Icouldn’t stop smiling. Six months later, I can’t say that your cry alwaysbrings a smile to my face, but just about everything else does. And sometimes Istill cry at the overwhelming joy you bring to my heart. You are such ablessing. Your life continues to help restore my soul. I am awe struck by thepower of the love I have for you and find the gift of motherhood to be the mostextraordinary journey and the most beautiful testament to God’s love for me.

I could go on and on about how precious and perfect you areand how much I love you, but I’ll refrain and get to the fun stuff. Here’s whatyou’re up to at the halfway point to one year!

At 6 months, you are:

LAUGHING!

You laughed for the first time a few weeks ago. You have thesweetest, most contagious little laugh and I can’t get enough! It cracks me upbecause you kind of throw your head back when you get going. Sometimes itsounds a little forced, but when that full on giggle comes out you can reallyham it up. I also love it when you’re torn between laughing and crying. Ifyou’re getting sleepy or hungry and daddy tries to make you laugh, you go inand out of a little chuckle and a little whine…so funny.

BLOWING RASPBERRIES!

If you weren’t getting soaked enough with your constantspitting up, now you’re getting soaked with spit and drool. (By the way am Ithe only person who didn’t know it was called blowing raspberries? I guess it’sa nicer phrase than spitting.) You love to kick and play on your back while youspit/blow raspberries. You think you’re pretty cute doing it too…and you are ofcourse!!!

ROLLING FROM YOUR BACK TO YOUR TUMMY!

A few weeks ago while playing on the floor, you kept turningonto your side and then all the sudden you just flipped right over. Watchingyou fling those hips over and roll is just about the cutest thing ever. Onceyou get on your tummy, you stretch up pretty far, play for a minute, spit upand fuss because you want to change positions. You can roll from your tummy toyour back, but don’t seem to realize you can sometimes. When you roll over, youlike to look at yourself in your little owl mirror and look around. You’regoing to be a little roly-poly rolling all over this house very soon.

PROP SITTING!

You can’t be left sitting unattended and it doesn’t lastvery long, but you are starting to get the hang of this whole sitting thing.You lean over quite a bit and brace yourself with your hands on your legs. Youreally like sitting up and I think with a little more time and practice, you’llbe sitting up straight with no problem in no time.

SLEEPING GREAT!

You have been a pretty great sleeper from the start. Youhave been sleeping through the night since 4 months with only a few exceptionsand the trend continues. We start our bedtime routine between 7:30 and 8:30every night. We get our jammies on, get wrapped up in our miracle blanket (onlyyour body, you have both arms out now), put your pacie in and rock in yourglider while mama feeds you. When I put you down, I turn on your ipod toJewel’s lullaby music and always start with Twinkle Twinkle. You typically wakeup between 6:00 and 7:00 every morning.

You take 4 naps a day. We read a book while mama rocks you.You usually sleep an hour to an hour and a half in your bed and if you wake upearly, you can sleep forever in your mama’s arms!

EATING GREAT!

You are still a great eater. You are exclusively breastfedand never miss a meal! You eat every 3-4 hours, on average 6 times a day. Ourdoctor didn’t want you to start cereal at 4 months, but gave us the go ahead atyour 6-month appointment. We are starting this week! I can’t imagine putting aspoon in your mouth!

STILL SPITTING UP ALL THE TIME

Mama sure is hoping this spitting up thing is almost over.It still doesn’t seem to bother you, but between the times you eat and the timeyou go down for your nap, you spit up constantly. It helps if you stay sittingup for a while after eating before playing on the floor, but you usually spitup while you’re on your tummy and when you get picked up after laying down. Youand mama usually get soaked and have to change several times a day. Here’s tohoping eating cereal and more solids will help keep us dry!

You LIKE:

Going for walks around the neighborhood
Sitting in your Bumbo
Talking in your car seat
Chillin in your Mamaroo
Playing in your bouncy seat
Kicking and spitting on the floor while mama plays with you
Looking in the mirror
Watching mom and dad talk to/sing to you in the mirror
Watching Bear!!!
Watching the Rangers
Bath time

You DON”T LIKE:

The bright sun in your eyes
Lots of people in your face at once
When you roll on your tummy and can’t get back on your back
When you have to get your diaper changed when you wake up in the morning before you can eat
Taking a break from eating to get burped

Your FAVORITE toys:

Your Baby Einstein toy piano. You love the music and colorful lights. Mama used to push the keys for you, but now you play all by yourself!
The bright lion toy your cousin Everley gave you.
The fun, colorful rubber wire ball toy from Pottery Barn Kids. It’s easy for you to hold onto and get in your mouth.

Your FAVORITE books:

Guess How Much I Love You
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Green Eggs and Ham
On The Night You Were Born
The Jesus Story Bible
Baby’s First Colors…Your eyes get so big when I turn to the yellow and orange pages
First 100 Words board book
Numbers Colors Shapes board book

Your FAVORITE songs:

ABC’s
Patty Cake
I’m a little tea pot
Oh MacDonald
Wheels on the Bus
You are my sunshine
Jesus love me

This didn’t really fit in any of the categories, but youhave the BEST, most adorable sad face I’ve ever seen. I hate to see you upset,but sometimes I can’t help but smile and even chuckle at that pitiful face. Youstart with sticking out that cute bottom lip and then your whole face justmelts. You cry crocodile tears, which momma hates. The good thing is you areeasily consoled and turn that frown upside down pretty quick!

The week you turned 6 months old, in addition to yourregular check-up, you had your first appointment with a developmental servicesgroup. This group came to see you a few times while you were in the NICU and wescheduled your first appointment when you were discharged. The appointments aremainly to make sure you’re on the right track and to catch anything you mightbe struggling with early so we can proactively stay on top of your progress anddevelopment.

We had a great visit. Our specialist said you looked strongand healthy! She observed you and did some activities with you on the floor tocheck skills, reflexes, etc. It was so nice to hear a professionals thought onhow you are doing. We left with an overview sheet of what they witnessed at thevisit and several extremely helpful handouts that review cognitive skills, thedevelopment of babies first year and ways to support early learning.

They measure your development based on your adjusted age,which is 4 months old. They said you showed nice growth and development! Yourgross motor skills and receptive language were between 4-5 months and your finemotor and expressive language were 4 months. So as far as they’re concernedyou’re right on track and even a little ahead in a few areas for your adjustedage (where they expect you to be developmentally). We go back in March. (11months/9 months adjusted)

We are so proud of you!!!

FINALLY, Here are your stats from you regular 6-monthcheck-up:

Weight: 14 lbs 13 oz – 10%

Height: 25.5 inches – 25-30%

Head: 16.3 – 10%

Physical Exam: Good weight-gain A+

Developmental: Awesome progression A+

I LOVE you SO much Bubba!!!!! You are such an easy-going,happy baby and every night I put you to sleep, I can’t wait to see you in themorning!!!

(Upset that Bear is trying to steal his show)

5 months

2011-10-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Gray,

I love you so much! Time is flying by and Iam constantly amazed by how much you change day after day. Sometimes when I goget you in the morning I feel like I can tell you grew over night! You’regetting so big. People always say, “He doesn’t look like a preemie!” It’s hardto imagine how tiny you were only 5 short months ago. We joke that my milk mustbe equivalent to whole milk or maybe heavy cream! You’re such a little cuddlebug. You love snuggling with me if you’ve woken up a little early from yournap, but aren’t quite ready to really wake up. You smile so much now and daddyand I can’t get enough! When you smile, your whole face lights up. Itcompletely melts my heart. I’m so grateful and thankful for your precious life baby boy. You continue to be ananswer to prayer!!!

At 5 months you are:

-Cooing up a storm

-So alert

-Sleeping in your own bed at night

-Still sleeping through the night (after a few nights adjusting to your bed)

-Smiling all the time

-Watching Bear where ever he goes

-Now in size 2 diapers

-Wearing 3-6 months clothes

-Playing with the toys hanging from your bouncy seat

-Sleeping with one arm out of your Miracle Blanket while wetransition you out of it completely

-Enjoying tummy-time more, but still prefer to play on yourback

-Still rolling over from tummy to back

You Love:

-Being held upright so you can look around

-Your bouncy seat

-Eating!

-Playing and kicking on your play mat

-Going for walks around the neighborhood!!!

-Shopping with mom at the grocery store in your MobyWrap…you always fall asleep mid-way through

-Looking in the mirror

-Bath time

You’re still not a fan of:

-Your car seat

-When the car stops...heaven forbid!

-Getting your diaper changed when you’re ready to eat

-Putting lotion on after your bath

This month you…

-Went swimming for the first time and LOVED it!!!

-Had your first two “play-dates” with your new friends Asherand Tucker

-Went with momma to get her haircut downtown

-Made several shopping trips to Northpark

-Met Christine, Faith, Isabelle and Mrs. Fego

-Met your great-aunt Shari and cousin (not sure of the exacttitle) Kimberly who made a special trip from Atlanta to meet you

-Celebrated Gramp’s birthday!

-Celebrated Aunt Shan and Papa’s birthdays!

-Met Jeff, Becky, Brady and Charlotte

-Slept in your crib at night…did I already mention that?Much harder for mommy than you

That's a wrap

Little Fishy

2011-09-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

August 14th marked Gray's first SWIM! Jon had been dying to get Gray in the pool so when we got the green light at his 4 month check up, I knew he would have our little man in the pool that Sunday. The pool was like bath water...perfect for his first dip. After his initial uncertainty, he just relaxed and took it all in. I think he's definitely going to be a water baby. Jon kept saying, "I knew he was going to love to swim, just like his dad!"

The first of MANY

Mr. Gray: 4 months

2011-09-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Gray,

Momma’s sorry for slacking on documenting your 4^thmonth of life. Your 4 month check up wasn't until August 23rd so I was waiting to post your 4 month update until I had your new stats from the doctor, but that day came and went and still no update. Forgive me. I promise to do better so I don’t forget the many details ofwhat you’re into, up to and how quickly you’re growing. One thing I haven’tforgotten is how much I LOVE you and how much I LOVE being your mom!!! Youbring me so much joy and I am loving every minute of this crazy, wonderful rideof motherhood.

At 4 months you:

-Are SLEEPING THROUGH the NIGHT!

- Made it on the big baby charts!!! You no longer have to have your stats adjusted to your preemie age...wohooo!!!

-Met Jennifer from Baby Begin to learn stretches and new positioningto help with your neck and head. (We just wanted to get on top of a little flatspot and tilt we noticed developing with your sweet little head and neck…nowyour head is perfectly round and you’re holding your head up straight!!!)

-ROLLED OVER from your belly to your back! First to theright and then to the left a few days later

-Really discovered Bear!

-Got your first cold…poor baby. You had lots of snot workingand a little cough, but you smiled right through it

Your 4-month social calendar:

-You had fun hanging out with the Daggett’s, Williford’s,Uncle Jared and Aunt Shan, Uncle Josh and Aunt Kim

-You spent the afternoon with Seth, Michelle and Katelyn. Wemet at Chick-Fil-e for lunch (too bad you couldn’t enjoy some chicken…it’s onlya matter of time) and then hung at home. Katelyn napped and Seth and Michelleloved on you while we chatted.

-We celebrated Gogo’s Birthday

-You helped celebrate mom and dad’s 4^th weddinganniversary

-You had your first “play” date with your new friend Asher

4 Month Report Card:

Weight: 12 lbs 15 oz - 10-15%
Height: 23.5 - 10%
Head: 15.5 - 3-5%

Physical Exam: Awesome weight gain A+

Development: Great cooing, smiling A+

Go Cowboys

2011-09-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

I admittedly fell asleep before the end of the Cowboy game last night, but was happy to wake up and get the scoop of the big win from Jon this morning. A few weeks ago, Josh and Kim had us and the Silvers' over for the first Cowboy game of the season. We had yummy food and always delightful fellowship. Gray was ready to cheer on his team!!!

GO COWBOYS

Sweet Baby

2011-09-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

LOVE

iphone pics: group 3

2011-09-07T07:05:00.000-07:00

Our first trip to Target! Gray made the perfect shopping partner and slept the whole time:)

iphone pics: group 2

2011-08-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

Please excuse the messy arrangement. The following is round 2 of some of my favorite iphone pics of Gray. Enjoy!

iphone pics: group 1

2011-08-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

I recently downloaded almost 500 iphone pictures to my computer. They go back to Gray's hospital days. It's so crazy to see how much he's grown. Here are a few of my favorites:

This was the first time Gray had clothes on. When I came in to see him I was so excited. They had that onesie for him and told me I could start bringing in my own clothes for him. He looks SO tiny!!!

I think this was one of Jon's first times to hold Gray.

My first morning home from the hospital Jon went and got me my first Starbucks in 3 1/2 months! Oh how I missed my iced, triple grande, non-fat, vanilla latte!!!

Mimi's first time to hold Gray

Gramps' first time to hold Gray

Our little miracle on his way HOME!

first photo shoot

2011-07-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

Gray had his first professional photo shoot the week after we brought him home from the hospital. So even though he was a little over a month old, these are his "newborn" pictures. I thought I would post my favorites before I post his 3 month pictures we had taken last week:) Thanks Sara (from SDS Photography) for coming to our home and capturing our little miracle so beautifully. Enjoy!

I framed this picture for my dad for father's day. He's a Longhorn and I couldn't believe Gray was giving the camera a perfect Hook'em Horns!!

Gray's 3 months old!

2011-07-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe how much Gray has changed this month. He’s getting so big and is developing more and more every day. Here are a few pictures from our mini photo shoot at home and his 3-month letter:

Dear Gray,

Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly love you more…you smiled! My heart melted and I have been in your face constantly, making a fool of myself trying to get a hint of that precious grin ever since. Your whole face lights up and my heart sings. You are so stinking adorable I can’t stand it. Your cheeks are to die for and I kiss them non-stop. Sometimes when I’m holding you or watching you sleep or just staring at you, I’m overwhelmed with awe, wonder and delight that you are mine. It’s always amazing to stop and realize that we created you, I carried you inside me and God orchestrated it all. My heart is bursting with love and thanksgiving 24/7…even after you pee on me or cry for the entire car ride!

At 3 months, you are:

-Lifting your head up

-SMILING

-Cooing (just a little here and there)

-Grabbing mommy and daddy’s shirts when we hold you

-Looking around at everything!

-Following mommy with your eyes

-Burping and tooting like a 5-year-old

-Sleeping in your crib for naps

-Eating like a champ (with the double chin to prove it!)
-Now in size 1 diapers
-Now wearing size 0-3 months clothes (I moved all your premie and newborn clothes out of your drawers...it made me proud and sad

You Love:

-Looking outside

-Being outside

-Music of any kind

-Finishing up your nap in mamma’s arms

-Your pacie

-Bright colors

-Being snug in your Miracle Blanket

You Hate:

-When the car stops!

-Getting out of your bath

-Getting your nose sucked

-Getting your diaper and/or clothes changed when you’re super hungry

You are still a "happy" spitter!!!

During your 3^rd month you:

-Celebrated daddy’s birthday

-Celebrated daddy’s first Father’s day

-Met your great-grandparents for the first time

-Went to church for the first time

-Went to your first bowling alley

-Attended your first major league baseball game…Go Rangers!

-Met lots of new friends: Johnny, Lynn, Ryan, Lindsay, Brandon, Christine, Faith, Isabelle, everyone at daddy’s work and I’m sure a few friends I’m forgetting

-Slept through your first restaurant experience at Cyclone Anaya’s with Kay, Brandon and Lindsay

-Celebrated mommy’s birthday

-Made your first trip to the mall

-Celebrated the Fourth of July

-Braved the craziness that is In-and-Out Burger

I love you so much bubba! You are such a JOY!!!

Love,

Momma

land of the free and home of the brave

2011-07-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!

Swimming, sun, hot dogs, family and fun. It was a relaxing, family filled day and a great way to celebrate our freedom and our love for this country!

Golden Birthday

2011-07-09T17:52:00.000-07:00

The 28th was my Golden Birthday...28 on the 28th!

My day started the best way possible. I woke up to the cries of my baby boy, which is hands down the only gift I needed. These beautiful flowers were nice to wake up to too!

Before we headed out to lunch and a trip to the mall, Jon took some pics of me and my bubba. He just happened to be sporting his "I Love Mommy" onesie in my honor.

After lunch and the mall, my mom met us back at our house so she could watch Gray while Jon and I went on a birthday date to iPic Theater and dinner. We saw Bridesmaids and I highly recommend it. It was seriously funny! I got a glass of bubbly and we toasted to my 28th year. Then we ate a quick dinner at my favorite...Uncle Julios. As soon as we sat down, I was missing my baby something fierce, so we downed some fajitas and headed home.

When we got home, my whole fam came by and mom surprised me with this yummy cookie cake and ice cream. I opened some presents, made a wish and ate a healthy helping of cookies and ice cream!

The main thing I wanted to do on my birthday was love on this boy...and I DID!

Jaime's 30

2011-07-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

On June 21, Jon, Gray and I had the honor of celebrating our friend Jaime's 30th birthday! Zach (Jaime's husband) and Jaime's mom planned a little surprise get together at the new bowling alley, Splitsville in Fairview. It's a super cool spot...not your average bowling alley. The coolest part was the 2 lanes they reserved and the marque that said happy birthday. (Zach thought it would be funny to have it say 21st birthday:)

Me and the birthday girl...and the birthday girl's precious baby girl!

Gray was so good all night. He just chilled out and soaked everything in. The place was pretty loud, lots of people and loud music, but he didn't mind it a bit. He loves the party scene...haha!

Happy Birthday Jaime!

Thanks for letting us celebrate with you on your big day.

We love you!!!!

gray + mimi k

2011-07-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

I love this picture of Gray and my mom...aka Mimi K.

This baby boy is lucky to have such a fun and loving Mimi!

MAVS WIN

2011-07-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to get caught up on about 1,000 posts, so I realize some of them are old news... like this post for example: The Dallas Mavericks are the 2011 NBA Champions!!!!

Josh and Kim had us over to watch the big game. It was fun to be with friends for the Mavs sweet victory. To be honest, I didn't see much of the game. The girls we chatting while the guys took over the living room, but no biggie. I love that Gray got to "watch" the game with the boys! When we won, Jon said Gray must have brought the Mavs good luck.

CONGRATS MAVS!!! Love, Jon, Kori and you're teeny-tiny-est fan

Birthday/Father's Day Weekend

2011-06-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

It was a busy weekend for the Bailey family! Friday night Jon's grandparents came into town because his granddad was preaching at our church on Sunday for Father's Day. It also just so happened to be his grandmommy's 80th birthday, so we kicked off the weekend with cake and presents in her honor. I can't tell you how precious Jon's grandmommy is. She is so sweet, a little firecracker and such a hoot. She loves the Lord and loves her family more than anything in the world. I'm always so thankful to spend time with her. This was also their grandparents first time to meet Gray and they LOVED him! How could they not!

Saturday was Jon's 29th Birthday!!! I can't believe he's going to be 30 next year...crazy! We spent the morning at home, ran to Northpark late in the afternoon and grabbed dinner to go on the way home. The lack of freedom to run as many errands as we wanted, shop as long as we wanted and do dinner and a movie was challenging, but we made it work and of course we wouldn't have it any other way. Gray was a trooper and we loved being out as a family celebrating the best husband and daddy in the world!.

On Father's Day, we started the morning with coffee, cinnamon rolls and presents. Then it was off to the early service at church to hear Jon's granddad preach. It was a special day because Jon took Gray on stage and we took pictures of 4 generations of Bailey men!!! I loved it! It definitely made Jon's Father's Day extra special!

After church we went to my parents to celebrate my dad, Jon's birthday again and my sister's 31st Birthday!!!! Yes, we are slammed with all kinds of festivities in June. We cooked out hamburgers, hung out by the pool, opened presents and ate yummy red velvet cake.

(I LOVE this picture of Gray and Campbell side by side...hilarious!)

By the time we got home Gray had maxed out. He had a big weekend and the lack of solid naps and all the commotion finally caught up to him. Jon went to the Bailey's without me to celebrate Randy. I hated to miss out, but my baby needed some serious R&R. Overall it was a great, hectic, fun weekend!!! Happy Birthday Lyric, Jon and Josh and Happy Father's day to the amazing father's in my life. I love you all!!!!

2 Months Old

2011-06-16T17:59:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Gray is already 2 months old! I'm sure I'm going to say that every month, but it feels like time is flying by. Because he was 2 months premature, his adjusted age makes him a newborn. He's not doing everything a full-term 2 month old typically can do...YET...but he will catch up soon! I love the idea of writing him a letter every month to tell him how much I adore him and so I can remember everything he was up to during that month...so here goes. (If you don't want to read this insanely long letter, scroll down for his 2 month stats!)

Dear Gray,

We are so happy to have you home! It was a long road getting you here, but it was worth every second. You are the sweetest baby boy and bring us so much joy. I love that our house is filled with baby things. Every corner you turn there's another reminder that you're here. A pacie on the kitchen table, your swing in the living room, a tiny sock on the floor that Bear got a hold of...even a spit-up soaked burp cloth all make me smile. Your life and presence fills my heart with such a rich love, warmth and indescribable gratitude.

You have definitely mastered your four key jobs as a newborn: Sleeping, eating, pooping and tee-teeing. As soon as we brought you home, you have excelled at all of the above. You breast and bottle feed like a champ. I like to call you my little piggy! We had to give you a bottle of breast milk every other feeding when we got home so we could mix in some yummy vitamins and extra calories to make sure you were packing on the pounds. Since you've proven you have no problems in the weight gaining department, you can have every feeding at the breast...with the occasional bottle to ensure you will take one when we need you to. Your only feeding issue is you are quite the spitter-upper! They call you a happy spitter because it doesn't seem to bother you. You will burp, spit up and be ready with your mouth wide open again to continue eating. It doesn't make mommy too happy, but we're getting used to having plenty of bibs, blankets and burp cloths readily available! At your 2 month appointment we got some medicine to help with your reflux. Because you're a preemie, the doctor thinks it will probably go away by 4 months...I think we might need some more bibs:) You still eat every 2 1/2 - 3 hours, but are getting closer to making it to 3 consistently. Your night feedings fluctuate a bit, but for a few nights in a row now, you've made it 5 hours, which means I've only had to do one “middle of the night” feeding!!!! Go baby go!

I'm so thankful you're a good sleeper. You take good naps and sleep great at night. This week I started putting you in your bed for nap times. I try to put you down while you’re groggy, but still awake so you get used to going to sleep by yourself. You usually cry for about 10 minutes before falling to sleep and sometimes not at all. You love your new Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Lullaby Soother. You like looking at the fish swimming, but I think your favorite part is the music. It always calms you right to sleep. One of your must-haves for sleep time, especially at night is your Miracle Blanket. The name doesn’t lie...it’s truly a miracle! It keeps you nice and snug for bedtime, which helps you and mommy and daddy! I’m practicing putting you to sleep in your crib for nap time to ease my way into putting you in your crib at night. Right now you’re sleeping in your nap nanny on our bed. The Nap Nanny is another one of our favorite products. It’s big, safe and keeps you propped up, which helps with your reflux. Come nap time or bedtime you will also usually be seen with your pacie. They started giving you a Soothie in the NICU and you took to it right away. I’m not sure who loves their Soothie more, you or Bear!

I don’t think I need to go into detail in the pooping and tee-teeing department. It pretty much speaks for itself. Let’s just say you get an A+. Well, maybe a B in tee-teeing because you’ve been known to let it go when we’re wiping your bottom, which usually leads to a clothes change. About a week or two ago, you did make a big transition from preemie diapers to newborn diapers. What a big boy!

You’ve really started looking around and making eye contact more and more. You love to look out the window at the backyard and at the green leaves on the tree and bushes out the big kitchen windows. You will really study the mobile on your swing and stare at people’s faces. You make some funny facial expressions, but our favorite is probably “crazy eyes”. You open them so wide, it’s like you’re screaming “Oh my goodness” or “WOW”. It cracks us up!

Overall you enjoy bath time, but if it’s too cold...forget it! You DO NOT like to be cold. You do like to have your hair shampooed. If you’ve been crying before, you will stop when I start to shampoo your tiny head...so sweet. When I move you from your little tub to wrap you up on your towel you SCREAM! I try to wrap you up and snuggle you in tight as fast as I can to get you warm. Only to be repeated when we have to take the towel off to put our clothes and diaper on. One of my favorite things is your hair after your bath. I love how soft and fluffy it gets when it dries. It looks like little baby bird fuzz. I also love to brush your hair like a big boy. I could just eat you up.

Tummy time is hit or miss. Sometimes you don’t mind it and other times it really seems to tick you off. You are getting really strong though. You lift your head up, sometimes a little of your chest too and move your head from side to side. A lot of times when you lift your head, you’ll lift a leg too...it’s so cute!

Because we’ve been trying to protect you from germs and any sicknesses, we haven’t been out much. I do know that you don’t particularly like getting in your carseat, but once you’re in and we get moving, you love the ride. The few times you’ve been outside at night or in the shade, you’ve loved it. I think you like the warm air.

Speaking of sicknesses, you already had your first baby cold. I HATE that you’ve had a stuffy nose and some congestion. The doctor said you were fine, but I wasn’t. You sounded terrible at night and it was so sad to hear you sneezing and struggling. Poor baby. But thankfuly, you’re doing much better. I still have to suction your nose with saline before bed and at night. You’re not a fan, but who can blame you. Our doctor said you might have had a tiny cold before, but now it’s probably related to your reflux. Hopefully your new medicine will help clear everything up.

You like it when we sing to you. These are the songs we sing to you the most:

-Jesus Loves Me

-Twinkle Twinkle

-ABC’s

-You are my Sunshine

I love you so much baby boy. You are the most precious gift from God and I am so honored and thankful he has trusted us with your life. You have brought so much life and joy to our lives and we will cherish you every minute of every day. I could stare at you for hours and kiss those amazing cheeks of yours for days. You are strong and healthy and beautiful. I stand in amazement of our Creator for creating such a little miracle. You are pure, sweet and true. Thankful can’t begin to describe it. I can’t believe you’re mine. I love you baby.

Gray’s 2 Month Report Card:

Weight: 8 pounds - 50%

Height: 20.5 inches - 75%

Head: 13.8 inches - 25-50%

He got his 2 month shots at our appointment. It was sad, but he was brave!

My big 2 month old:

Spilsh Splash I was taking a "bath"...

2011-06-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

Gray's first mini-bath (last month...still trying to catch up). The NICU told us we should keep him wrapped up, only unwrapping a section of him at a time to wash so he would stay warm. He did great! He loved having his hair shampooed...getting unwrapped completely to dry off though...not so much. Overall, I think he's going to LOVE bath time in the future. (And don't let those cheeks fool you. He's only a 5 pounder:)

Gray's 1 month check-up

2011-06-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

Gray got an A+ at his one month check-up (almost a month ago). It was our first time visiting his pediatrician's office and he did great! His appointment was 2 days after we were discharged from the hospital and I was happy to receive more reassurance that he was a healthy little baby.

Like most babies I assume, he wasn't a fan of being stripped down to his birthday suit in the cold doctor's office, but he was a trooper.

His first weigh in said he was 4 pounds 10 ounces, but that would have meant he lost 6 ounces in 2 days. After our Dr. saw him and we told him he had been eating like a champ, he had his nurse weigh him one more time. This time he weighed 5 pounds 4 ounces...much better!

(Sorry for the crazy double chin shot...I've got to work on my mother and son poses. Haha!)

When I brought Gray back to the table to get dressed, he decided to pee all over me and the table. I guess that's boys for ya!

Peeing all over the place aside, it was a good appointment. I love his doctor and know my little guy will be given the best care as he continues to grow!

Here are Mr. Gray's 1 month stats:

Weight: 5 pounds 4 ounces - 75%
Height: 18.5 inches - 25%
Head: 12.5 inches - 25%

(The percentages are adjusted according to his prematurity)

P.S. We went in for a quick weight check 1 week later and he gained 10 ounces!!!!! So on May 20, he weighed 5 pounds 14 ounces. This boy might be small, but he can eat!!! I have lovingly given him the nickname little piggy:)

Oh and he peed everywhere again...this time all over me, himself and the floor:)

Goodbye Hospital

2011-06-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

May 11, 2011 was the day we finally busted out of the hospital for good. Between my 8 weeks on bed rest and Gray's 4 week NICU stay, we had been at the hospital for 84 DAYS and it was time to say a very joyful goodbye!

Here's a pic of Gray's stats board in his pod...our home away from home. The day we brought him home, he official made it to 5 pounds!!! I love that the precious NICU staff took his footprints a few times over the course of his stay.

Here we are getting Gray dressed to bring him home. I had to scrounge around our house for something to fit my tiny little guy. He's still wearing preemie onesies (at 7 weeks) so needless to say all my options 3 weeks ago were huge! I ended up picking a sweet little sailboat onesie his Uncle Josh and Aunt Kim bought him. There were no pants that would even come close to fitting, so his tiny white socks and blankets would have to do.

Proud parents and one of our favorite nurses, Amy. We requested her to be our nurse for Gray's discharge. She was so sweet, easy going, helpful and most importantly loved our little guy. Not being able to take care of my baby for 4 weeks was so hard. I hated the thought of different people taking care of him all the time and worrying if they were sweet to him and comforted him when he cried, but I always felt better when I would come in the mornings and see that Amy was his nurse that day. She took great care of both of us!

I couldn't believe the day was finally here. I was going home with my baby boy. Words can't begin to express the love, honor and pure joy I felt knowing soon we would be home with Gray and could finally start our lives together as a family. My baby boy was coming home.

Tiny 5 pounder and his big boy beanie!

Gray's first time out of his pod! Walking out of those NICU doors was the most incredible answer to prayer. We were beyond thankful, relieved and excited!!!

Secured in the car and ready to go HOME!

Gray and his tiger...oblivious to the big day's events. Just doing what he does best...sleeping!

Officially home. Oh sweet, sweet day!

The Mother of all Mother's Days!

2011-05-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day 2011 was a day I will never forget! We had a busy day planned. Bright and early we got up and starting getting ready for a sweet day of celebrating my cherished new role as mom and all the other wonderful mom's in our lives. Before we set out for the hospital for our 9AM touch time with Gray, Jon set up a beautiful Mother's Day display on our coffee table. This sweet balloon (which believe it or not is STILL inflated as we speak) was tied to my favorite...hydrangeas! He had a card and gift sitting out and the Bible turned to a special passage in Psalms. As we ate the yummy pancakes he made, he read the touching passage from Psalms. Then it was time for me to open my card. It was so funny because the card was a fake out. He only wrote Happy Mother's Day, we love you and after I said thank you, he pulled out a long, typed letter he had written to me. He knows how much I love heartfelt words. If guys could just always remember that, they could save themselves a lot of money. After our special morning together, it was time to love on my baby boy! Nothing Jon could have done would have topped the gift I was going to receive at the hospital!!!

Here I am with my little munchkin! Mother & Son!!!!

Right as we got there our nurse told us how great Gray was doing. That's when she rocked our world. She said she wouldn't be surprised if he went home that week!!! We couldn't believe it! We kept saying, "Seriously?!?" Gray wasn't even 36 weeks yet. We thought for sure he would be there another few weeks, but when the doctor came to see him, he confirmed that if everything kept going well, he would get to go home that Wednesday! It was shocking. We went from thinking he would still be in the hospital for at least 2 more weeks, to a good chance he would get to come home in 3 days! What an amazing Mother's Day morning!!!! I was just 3 short days away from taking my baby boy HOME!!! Praise God!!!!!!! Thankful, grateful, honored, blessed, overjoyed!

Our next stop on our busy day was to my parents house. Jon and I were on cloud 9 and couldn't believe we would soon be a family. Together. The entire drive to Prosper we talked about all the things we had to get done in 3 short days!

We had a delicious brunch at my parents and spent a few hours hanging out and celebrating my mom! They couldn't believe the news that Gray was coming home! It was the amazing gift that kept giving.

After wrapping it up at my parents, we headed back to the hospital for our 3PM touch time. We were super excited because this was the first time we got to give Gray a bath! We did the usual...took his temperature, changed his diaper and started to get him undressed when Jon realized they had taken out his feeding tub!!!!! YAY!!! It was the first time we had seen our sweet baby's face free of tubs and tape. he had some red marks from the removal of the tap, but he was beautiful. To see that precious face pure and free melted my heart. I could feel he was getting closer to being all mine. Healthy, strong and whole.

Then it was bath time! He had to be wrapped up while in the water to keep him as warm as possible. Jon took some video to capture the sweet moment. He seemed to like it...especially when I shampooed his hair. I told him I love for people to wash my hair too!

It was so different saying goodbye to him that day. We said goodbye knowing in a few short days we would never have to be apart from him again. We would never have to leave him again. Soon, he would be ALL ours. We couldn't stop smiling.

The last stop of the day/night was at Shannon and Jared's. There we ate Mexican food, talked, celebrated Nancy, ate yummy dessert and homemade ice cream outside and watched Nancy open her Mother's Day and Birthday presents. The Bailey clan was just as thrilled as the Kaufman side to hear the exciting news that Gray's homecoming was just days away!

So there you have it. I couldn't have asked for a greater gift this Mother's Day. My baby was healthy and would soon be in my arms for good and no one could take him away.

Gray Comes Home....post coming soon!

Gray is HOME!!!!

2011-05-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

I hope this sweet picture of my little guy ties you over until I have time to give you the whole scoop about the best Mother's Day gift ever and my sweet baby's early departure from the NICU.

He's finally home and it feels SO GOOD!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Smith

2011-05-04T14:48:00.000-07:00

April 29 would have been Smith Randle Bailey’s 1^st birthday. Our sweet baby boy came and left too soon and we will forever be changed. He was born April 29, 2010 at 3:14 AM. He weighed only 1 pound 8 ounces and was 12 ½ inches long. Although his birth and short life was filled with confusion, tears, fear, pain and grief, it was also sweet, beautiful and deeply profound.

Up until 3 weeks ago, I thought Jon and I would spend Smith’s birthday together laying low at our house. We probably wouldn’t get out of our pj’s. We would eat in and would only leave to visit the cemetery.

But this special, sacred day surprised me.

It was unexpected.

I never would have thought that on Smith’s 1^st birthday I would be holding and kissing his baby brother.

The day was bitter sweet. It was filled with the hope of life and pain of death. We held Gray extra tight and longed for the day when he can come home even more desperately. To bring our baby home from the hospital will be a first. Later we grieved at Smith’s grave, remembering the 12 days we spent with him and the impact he made and continues to make in our hearts and lives.

Smith’s birthday found my heart bursting with love and drowning in sorrow.

I have two beautiful boys. One I can touch, kiss, smell and snuggle, the other I can only cherish, remember, close my eyes and dream about. One on earth. One in heaven.

I have two beautiful boys.

Both were fearfully and wonderfully made. Both were precious gifts from God. Both have challenged me more than I could have imagined. They have challenged my faith, my marriage, my relationships, my body, my soul. They have challenged everything I’ve known, believed, thought and felt. They have changed me.

They have changed me. And as I remembered Smith and honored the day of his birth, I was torn between gratitude and grief. Torn between giving thanks for his life and being fiercely angry about his early birth and death. Torn between shouting that God is good and why God…why?

Then I saw it. Standing at my baby’s grave, I saw the verse we had chosen for his headstone. Cut into the granite it reads:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

Jesus had great plans for Smith’s short life. Where there is grief, there is glory.

In one year, I have welcomed two baby boys into this world. There must be something about the month of April. Smith was due in August and Gray in June, but they both made their entrance in April…brothers!

Happy 1^st Birthday Smith! You are deeply treasured and loved. We miss you.

Happy Easter!

2011-05-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

I hope you enjoyed a beautiful day of celebration on Easter Sunday. He is risen…He is risen indeed!

Jon and I had a wonderful Easter morning. We started bright and early to give us enough time with Gray before we headed to church. It was such a sweet visit. After taking his temperature and changing his diaper, we changed his clothes into a little preemie Easter onesie and hat (which were still huge). It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but it’s white with little blue bunnies.

Stretching before we got him dressed

I mean seriously...Don't you just want to eat him up?

I am so in LOVE with this little guy!

Gray and his amazing Daddy!

What do you think about my Easter outfit? The hat's a little big, but it helps keep my head warm.

Side note: The day before Easter, Gray's belly button scab fell off! I love seeing his little tummy with that perfect button.

Baby Gray Update

2011-04-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, Gray is here! He was born April 12 after hanging in there for 8 weeks while I was on bed rest at the hospital. He was one day shy of 32 weeks. Because he was so premature, he will be in the NICU for several more weeks.

I’ll go into details of his arrival soon, but for now, I just want to give everyone who has been waiting ever so patiently an update on how he’s doing.

First let me say, he’s doing great!

He has never required oxygen, which means he’s been breathing on his own since birth. His heart looks great, along with all other major organs. He had a brain scan when he was one week old (all preemies have one) and there was no bleeding on his brain…Praise God!

The doctors all say he looks perfect. His only trouble has been gaining weight. He was born at 4 lbs 4 oz and got down to around 3 lbs 10 oz. When they feed Gray my breast milk, they add calories to give him an extra boost. The problem was he wasn’t tolerating the increase in calories very well and kept spitting up. Everything with his stomach and digestion look normal, they just said his little premature body isn’t really supposed to be handling milk this early, so it could take him some time to get adjusted. Thankfully, after some tweaking with the calorie amount and feeding time (he’s fed through a tub in his nose), he is starting to gain his weight back. Today he was 4 lbs 0.7 oz!

The big prayer right now is that he will continue to grow and gain weight every day!!!!

Right now Gray is still in an incubator, but as they have turned down the heat inside, he is regulating his body temperature well and will most likely be moved to a bassinet in the next few days!

No one can tell us exactly when we can expect to bring him home. They usually say with babies as young as Gray that they can go home at their original due date (June 8: 40 weeks), but one of the doctors said if he continues to do well, we might get to take him home around 37-38 weeks, which would be sometime mid-May. So we’re looking at potentially 3 ½ - 4 ½ more weeks.

I pray he will continue to have great days filled with new achievements, growth and development so we can bring him HOME!!!! I hope these next weeks fly by so our new life as a family can truly begin…hospital free!!!

I’ll leave you with a few pictures of our precious Mr. Gray:

Belly Pics & Update

2011-04-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

23 Weeks 25 Weeks

28 Weeks 30 Weeks

As you can see, the first 2 pics are from home and the last 2 are from the hospital. Jon took my 30 week picture while we were out on my 30 minutes wheelchair ride...WoHoo!!! (I have been out the last two Saturdays to get some much needed fresh air.

Gray & my belly continue to GROW!

Update:
We had another great sonogram yesterday! No change in cervical length & Gray weighed 3 pounds 10 ounces!!!!!
Still having contractions off and on, but other than that we're moving right along. The stitch is doing its job and the bed rest seems to be accompanying it well. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers:)

30 Weeks!!!

2011-03-31T11:11:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm always apologizing for my delay in posting updates, but typing while lying down and maneuvering arm placement around my belly is more difficult (and uncomfortable) than you think.

Moving on...

30 WEEKS!!!

We hit the big 30 week mark yesterday and it felt good! I'm still anxiously...I mean patiently waiting for 32, but we are well on our way.

My sonogram on Monday was great! No change in cervical length, Gray looked perfect and the cord was no longer lingering in the funnel. Praise God! We were hoping they would measure his weight, but we have to wait one more week.

I seem to be having more contractions, nothing serious, but I'd like to add it to my prayer request list this week:

1. More time

2. Our health

3. Minimal-no contractions

4. Cord stays up out of the way

Again, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 26 Update

2011-03-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we received another great sono & report from our MFM specialist.

My cervical length is still the same!!!! Wohoo!!!

And….

Gray has hair!!!

I’m so thankful things have remained consistent over the past 3 ½ weeks. Every Monday they tell me things are the same, I feel like I’ve accomplished something great. I am re-motivated and determined to stick it out and lie in bed as long as I can. I am hopeful for another uneventful, glorious week with my son nice and snug in my belly.

My OB did tell me that as long as Gray stays put I’ll be here until 34 weeks. Exactly 5 weeks from tomorrow! 5 more weeks is a long time, but I hope I make it!!! I hope I make it for Gray and I would LOVE to have a little time at home before our little Mr. arrives…probably wishful thinking and if I know anything, I know this life is NOT in my control, but I can hope right?

Gray is quite the over-achiever. Every time the nurses take me off the monitor they make a comment about his strong heartbeat and how active he is. They say, “Wow, your baby has great acceleration!” My nurse today actually said his monitor strip looked like that of a 34-36 weeker! I’m so proud.

Yesterday marked the first day I realized he had the hiccups. I was on the monitor so it was really neat to hear and feel them at the same time! And again about the hair…It was so fun to have his little hair pointed out on the sonogram. Smith had dark hair so I’ll be excited to see if Gray follows in his big brothers footsteps.

So to sum up…

-Hospital forced bed rest seems to be doing the trick.

-I won’t be going anywhere for a while.

-Gray is an exceptionally talented baby.

-And they said he looks wonderful and healthy, which never gets old!

Thank you for your faithful prayers for Gray’s continued growth and development, minimal contractions for me, and more time. I do have one more request to add if you don’t mind. The only slightly negative info we got from the sono was that part of my cord had moved down to the funneled area of my cervix. It isn’t causing any problems now, and can still float back up, but if I were to go into labor suddenly it could make things a little tricky. So nothing alarming, but it would be great if that little piece of cord would find its way back up to Gray and the rest of the well-behaved cord.

I hope y’all are having a wonderful week! Thanks again for the encouragement and support!!!

Praise God for 29 weeks tomorrow!!!!!

Hospital Lockdown: Day 20

2011-03-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I was admitted to the hospital Friday, February 25. Here’s the short version: I called my doctor with a minor concern and being extra cautious with me as she is due to my history, she had me come in for a quick check up. She did a FFN test, which can predict preterm labor just to be safe, and sent us on our way to wait for the results. I got a call a few hours later saying the test was positive and I needed to check into the hospital for the weekend. Monday our specialist came by to check my cervical length and it had shortened considerably. I was told I would not be going home.

Flash forward to today. I have been here for 20 days…praise God! I am in bed 98% of the time. The other 2% I am enjoying my bathroom privileges. I can get up to use the restroom and take a shower (sitting on my little plastic shower chair) and I’ll take it! When I was here for 11 days before Smith was born I couldn’t get up at all. Navigating the use of a male urinal and horrible rose- colored plastic bedpan is NOT something I want to experience again.

Each morning and evening my nurses check my vital signs, bring me my medicine and put me on the monitor. They monitor Gray’s heart rate and my uterus for contractions. Other than that, they usually just peek their heads in a few times throughout the day to check on me.

Jon stays with me every night. He's been amazing! He usually picks up food after work and heads my way. He has a super cool, double-decker blow up mattress that sits beside my bed so we’re at the same level. (All of the nurses are so impressed with our fancy air mattress and Jon’s dedication of course.)

We see our specialist every Monday and received another good report this week. Nothing changed. My cervical length was the same as the previous 2 weeks and Gray looked great. He estimated Gray weighed 2 pounds 11 ounces…60^th percentile! I just need to keep my calorie intake up to keep bumping up that number. The chunkier the better!

I am 28 weeks and 1 day today! We made it to our 28-week goal…WOhOO…and now we’re on our way to 29. Every day Gray stays safe inside me is huge! We are so thankful and grateful for every morning we get to change our week/day count on the white board in our room. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers...Please keep them coming!!!!

I know some of you have been thoroughly annoyed at my lack of updates on my blog. I really am going to try to do better. I even already know what my next few posts are going to be about. In no particular order:

What I miss most from home
How I really feel about being here
My take on some of the most ridiculous commercials I see during the day. (Most of which are food related)
Some belly pics
A photo tour of my new digs

We’ll see how long that takes me…

Thanks again for your texts, emails, prayers and support! I will continue to update you when I have any new information, but as we keep saying, "No news is good news"!

Bear Bear

2011-02-21T06:21:00.000-08:00

Poor Bear hasn't had the opportunity to show off his adorableness due to my pathetic posting rate, so I thought I would dedicate this post to him.

Every time Bear comes in from outside he has leaves stuck all over his pretty..I mean handsome, white fur. Every time! They're usually always on his paws, with a couple hanging somewhere off his beard. This leaf, perfectly sitting on top of his nose cracked us up. The best part is he had no idea what we were looking at!

Bear wanted to say a happy late valentine's day to everyone.

I have TONS of pictures of Bear playing in the snow! It actually made me laugh. If I take this many pictures of my dog, what am I going to do when Gray gets here?!?! Anyway, Bear LOVED the snow! He wanted to go out constantly and didn't seem to mind the chunks of ice all over him when he'd come inside to thaw out.

I mean is he not the most adorable dog you've ever seen?!?!?!

23 & 6

2011-02-15T14:12:00.000-08:00

Today I am 23 weeks and 6 days.

This is the same day, almost 10 months ago that my sweet Smith was born.

Doctors orders aside, Jon and I have decided I should take is EXTRA easy over the next 2 weeks. We know that making it to 26 weeks is our first big hurdle. I'm not sure what taking it EXTRA easy really means because I feel like I do very little now, but I'm trying to rest more in bed and not get up and down so much. I'll probably go on fewer errands/outings and just try to sit tight without having a break down or major cabin fever (& I've had plenty of both)

Today feels special. Today feels hard. It's a day for me to cherish both my boys: The son I lost and the son I feel inside me. Today has also been a day for reflecting. I've been reflecting a lot on our time in the hospital, especially Smith's birth. It's all a dream and a nightmare, vivid and a blur, so very real and yet completely unreal. I like to take myself back to his birth because it helps me remember him. It helps me remember that I carried him inside me, fought as hard as I could to keep him safe and eventually gave him life, even if only for a short time.

I woke up in the night/morning on April 29th and knew the pain I was feeling was not a false alarm. We had experienced false alarm during my 11 days on bed rest at the hospital, but this was different. I knew it was time. Everything happened so fast. There was no time to give me medication. There was no time to prepare for what was to come. All I remember is being wheeled down the hall to labor and delivery repeating "The Lord is my Shepard" over and over again, "The Lord is my Shepard."

They moved me onto the table. I felt like nurses were everywhere. Jon held my hand. My doctor did a quick sonogram and before I knew it she was telling me to push. After only a few pushes he was here. I remember feeling him almost shoot out and I'm thankful. I'm thankful to have experienced that part of motherhood. So many days before he was born and after he was born I felt numb, which is why I'm glad I felt the raw process of Smith's birth, even though he was only 1 pound and 8 ounces.

The NICU team was already in place. They took him to the side of the room. I didn't know what was happening. They wrapped him up and showed me his face before taking him away. I remember how tiny it was. Jon went with Smith, while I begged for some medicine before finally falling asleep for the rest of the night.

Today, Gray is 23 weeks and 6 days old. He is tucked away, safe inside me, but I feel like I can see him so clearly.

And I can.

I can see his brother.

Happy New Year (1 month late)

2011-01-30T13:26:00.000-08:00

First, I want to point out that I did in fact post a synopsis of our Christmas day in case you missed it & assumed I would never get caught up. You will find it below our baby boy announcement.

Why is it that when I have absolutely nothing to do, I get NOTHING done? Unless you count catching up on my soap All My Children and the list of Oprah episodes on our DVR or the new shows I've started watching: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Brothers & Sisters. To be honest I'm a bit embarrassed by my lack of motivation, but I hope to turn things around for the second half of my pregnancy. Reading, photo-book making and blogging more frequently are high on my list! Oh and I guess I should add cooking more, but lets not get too carried away:)

So for now, until we meet again, Happy New Year!!!

(It's still considered timely if we're still in January right?)

IT'S A........Drumroll............

2011-01-17T09:24:00.000-08:00

BABY BOY!!!

Gray Smith Bailey

Jon and I are thrilled and honored to have another son. We've known since before Christmas and I promise to share details and pictures soon. (If I can ever get my Christmas posts finished up)

Thank you to all of you who are praying for this pregnancy. Now you truly know who you're praying for & please...keep it up:)

Happy Birthday Jesus: Christmas 2010

2011-01-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas began bright and early! I love waking up on Christmas morning. It's still a little dark outside so the Christmas tree is glowing. Jon and I turn on all the Christmas lights, make coffee (in our Santa cups), light our candles and turn on Kenny G who serenades us through the excitement.

Stockings are first. This year Bear got to kick us off & he loved it! All of his stocking sussies kept him occupied the entire morning, which was the plan:)

Halfway through opening gifts, we took a coffee/cinnamon roll break...Yum!

After Jon and I finished our exchange, we got ready, loaded up and traveled roughly 15 minutes to my parents. I LOVE that Prosper is as far as we have to travel during the holidays. I definitely feel blessed to live so close to family. Christmas is precious for 2 reasons: 1. We have the sweet privilege and honor of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and 2. It's a special time to enjoy & make memories with family. So...Christmas morning around 10AM we kicked off our Kaufman Christmas!

Stockings first!

Lyric sporting the jewels I got her

Gray and Campbell's new onseies!

My mom's favorite color is yellow, so I knew we had to get her this perfect yellow Jcrew coat...she loved it!

(I LOVE this picture!)

A BIG thank you to my parents for a wonderful Christmas morning/afternoon! We opened presents, ate a delicious brunch and played games until it was time for Jon and I to move onto our next destination. Thank you mom and dad for being the GREATEST parents in the world!

To the Bailey's!!!

We arrived at the Bailey's around 4pm. It's SO nice that we can celebrate with both side of our families in one day!!! It makes me so thankful to live a max of 15-20 minutes away from our immediate family! Presents, delicious food, stockings and helicopter flying more than entertained our group! Thank you Randy and Nancy for making our Christmas warm and special!

Everley's Christmas outfit was too adorable for words!

Cade and Uncle Jer-Jer

I asked for children's books for Christmas from Randy and Nancy...I LOVE getting kids books...Yay!

The little onesie says, "I'm an Ice Guy!"

I hope each of you enjoyed spending time with family this Christmas. I hope something you did made you feel like a kid again, reliving the magic of the season. Most of all, I hope you took time to remember what we are truly celebrating each December 25th. I know next year I'm going to try to focus more on Jesus and take more time to marvel at the beautiful birth of our Lord, Savior and King! Because HE is the reason we celebrate!!!

Merry, Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas Eve

2010-12-29T11:09:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Eve!

Yes, I am still trying to finish up my Christmas posts....Don't judge.

Christmas eve started out with Jon and I lounging around with house, drinking coffee and listening to Christmas music. We watched Home Alone (one of our favorites) and finished wrapping presents before it was time to go over to my parents house. But before we left, we exchanged the only gift we open on Christmas Eve...Christmas Jammies!

After we changed into our Christmas jammies, which are really just new pj's...there's usually nothing too Christmasy about them, we headed to my parents for some Christmas cheer/competition! This year, I had the idea for us to partake in a friendly Gingerbread House making contest. Each couple was set up with the proper supplies: graham crackers, icing, peppermints, gumdrops, liquorish, m&ms, coconut, red hots, etc. and cute bases in festive wrapping paper to build on.

Then it was time to get to work. We set a time limit and when Jon asked for a pen and paper to sketch our house while everyone else started building right away, I knew we were never going to finish in time. We went roughly an hour overtime and didn't even get to finish decorating before dinner, but our house did dominate! We made an actual mini replica of OUR house! The competition disqualified us for going overtime (they were just jealous) and it was actually quite tiring, but we had so much fun!!!

Our house finally built before we started decorating

Lyric and RT's house. SO CUTE! It even makes an M for Muir and I love the peppermint chimney...leave it to my creative sister!

My parents struggled and had a few creative differences, but I still think it's cute. They were cracking up the whole time:)

Our final product. I wish we didn't spend so much time building it so we could have had more time to decorate, but it looks darn good to me! It's crazy how much it really does look like our house!!!

Some sisterly prego pics!

Me: 16 weeks

Lyric: 27 weeks

After making gingerbread houses, eating and taking some fun family pictures in our Christmas jammies, we ended the night making smores outside with the fireplace on the patio. It was freezing and we didn't last long, but it's always fun to bundle up, taking turns getting a spot by the fire to toast your marshmallow and make the perfect Christmas smore!

2nd Annual Progressive Dinner

2010-12-27T07:38:00.000-08:00

On December 22, our family participated in our 2nd Annual Progressive dinner. We came up with the idea last year so we could see each others houses decorated for Christmas and have a comfortable setting for the kids to play while we enjoyed some family time and celebrating!

We start at Josh and Kim's for appetizers. This was their first Christmas in their BEAUTIFUL new house! Kim's Christmas decor was fabulous, as were her yummy dips! Here I am with Josh, Kim and Mr. Cooper with his festive Christmas tie.

Next, we headed to Shannon and Jared's for the main course. Their house was so warm and festive...Kim and I can definitely learn a thing or two about collecting Christmas decor from Shannon! She does such a beautiful job. And I LOVE the boys trees in their room and the big trees and nutcrackers in the playroom...so fun! Shannon made her delicious tortilla soup and beer bread! It was a big hit! Isn't her set table perfect?

Nancy gets the night off to enjoy herself. It's our turn to cook and entertain her:)

The final stop is our house for dessert! I forgot to take a picture, but I made Red Velvet Cake, with coffee and white trash and chocolate peanut butter crackers to nibble on. Yummy!

Before everyone left, we took some group shots of the boys and girls!

Check out Miss Everley's bow!!!!!!!!!!

I love this new tradition and look forward to many, many more to come!

Merry Christmas Charlie Brown

2010-12-24T08:04:00.000-08:00

Last week we continued the Christmas festivities with a Bailey family dinner (minus the Ross clan...we missed you) and a trip to ICE! at the Gaylord. This year's ICE! was A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was SUPER cute and although I had to stretch my neck to see everything from my wheelchair, Jon kept hitting peoples legs in front of us with the wheelchair as we traveled through the display and it was FREEZING, we had a GREAT time!!!!

I LOVE that the last room you pass through is a beautiful nativity scene. Everything is pure, clear ice with a light shining on baby Jesus in the manger. It reminds everyone passing through that there are all kinds of fun Christmas events and traditions, songs and decorations, but we celebrate Christmas for one reason...the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!! What a blessing!!!

The Grinch!

2010-12-24T07:48:00.001-08:00

December 12, my parents treated our family to a night out! First we went to see the Broadway production of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and then we stuffed ourselves with shrimp, steak and yummy sides at Del Frisco's in Dallas. The show was fabulous and dinner was delicious!!! I hate that we didn't get a big family picture, but here are just a few from our festive holiday evening out!

Don't worry that while the boys enjoyed a lovely bottle of wine, I got a wild hair and ordered a Shirley Temple!!! I'm pretty sure the waiter was secretly making fun of me, but he did give me extra cherries!

Thanks mom and dad for a wonderful, special night!

Sorry Lyric, I didn't have a pic of your group:(

The Christmas Tree

2010-12-20T08:34:00.001-08:00

Growing up, my family always went to Calloway's after Thanksgiving to pick out a real Christmas tree. We would usually argue over which tree to choose and struggle to get the tree from the car inside the house without scratching the walls or destroying the tree. With so many fond memories, I knew I wanted to carry on my family tradition. This Christmas, Jon and I picked out and decorated our 4th REAL Christmas tree. Although stress is always a bit high transporting and carrying the tree in every year, and next year we are definitely having it delivered, I love this family tradition!

Where is that perfect tree? Or Jon's focus: Where is the biggest tree we can fit in our house?

There's just something about walking into Calloway's and seeing all the beautiful trees and the smell that makes for the perfect start to the Christmas season!

Here's the lucky winner! We get a lightly flocked tree. We love that you can still see the green, but it looks like its been dusted with snow. (This is also my 12 week belly pic:)

Jon, ALL BY HIMSELF, got this 8-9 foot tree from the top of his car, into our house and set up...as I held my breath! After the manual labor, his job is always to put the lights on the tree. He does a WONDERFUL job!!!!

I'm putting on the final touches.

And here's our little helper, if by helper I mean sneaking tissue paper out of my bins and ripping it up all over the floor! Even with the mess, he's still the cutest, furriest little helper in the world....Mr. Bear.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

(I'm just happy I'm getting this posted before Christmas day)

Thanksgiving is the one holiday we switch between the Bailey's and Kaufman's. This year was our year to celebrate with the Bailey/Wilson clan in Marshall, TX. I love going to Marshall. The mini road trip, beautiful east Texas trees, house full of people and yummy food always make for a fun and festive holiday.

(Note to self: Thick horizontal strips are not ideal for a growing pregnant person)

This table was just for appetizers and desserts!

My mom's famous homemade cherry pie! After baking it at my mom's house, the juice sloshed over onto the crust while in transit back to my house. It might not be the prettiest, but it sure tasted good!!!

Miss Everley's first Thanksgiving

(You can't see it in the picture, but she had the most adorable mini-jean skirt, baby legs and tiny white fur boots...ridiculous!!!!)

The Fam

The Fam + Jon's grandparents, George and Gerri

Aunt Terry was the perfect host and everything was delicious. The day was extra special because we told Jon's extended family that we are pregnant again!

We did throw in something new this Thanksgiving. Every other year, when we drive home from Marshall, we pass by Santa Land. Each time we say we should check it out, but we're always too tired and ready to get home. But this year, we all planned (weeks in advance) to stop and caravan through the enormous display of lights. I'm glad we did! It was a great way to kick off the Christmas holiday and now we can finally say we've visited Santa Land:)

It was hard to get clear pictures, but here's a few:

LET THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES BEGIN!