Christmas Time

This is Bailee's first Christmas and we are so excited. I think about last year and how Jim and I were getting ready for a vacation in Mexico. Bailee was not even in the picture yet. Wow, how funny your life can change in the matter of minutes. So this year we are all going to Texas on a train. I am super excited because all of my family should be at my grandparents for Christmas Eve. I can't wait to see everyone and for them to meet Bailee. I am also going to meet up with a couple of friends from high school, which I haven't seen in a very long time. I love this time of year, except for the cold weather. I enjoy getting together with family and remembering the good times of the past year. Some of 2008 I would like to forget but for the biggest part it has been a blessed year.

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Friendships

I had a conversation with my babysitter about friendships today. And I started thinking about my past friendships and my current ones and how they are so different. I started thinking then about what type of friends Bailee will have? When I was growing up I had a lot of friends but I only had one friendship that has lasted thru adulthood. My wish for Bailee is that she has many friends but that she has at least one special friendship that will last for a lifetime.

Michelle-thanks for being friends with me.

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Daddy

Happy Birthday to you.



I could sit here all day writing about my father. But simply put he was a good friend, and a great father. I do have one regret and that is I can't see him hold Bailee.



Daddy-I love you and miss you.


Love
Pumpkin

Bonds

So for the first time since Bailee's birth we saw her birth parents, James and Jessica. I was nervous not that she would run off with her, but if she would be upset and have regrets. Jessica was wonderful she didn't hold her at first she just looked at her and played pic-a-boo and asked questions. Then she finally asked to hold her and while she held her, I was thinking many things but one was what a courageous thing she is doing right now. Bailee snuggled in her lap and I thought does Bailee know? Do they feel a bond with each other? I would be lying if I said it didn't feel a little weird or hurt. But then as I was sitting across the room from them, Bailee looked at me and smiled and that is when I knew. I knew that I am Bailee's mom and she will only know me as her mom. I might have not given birth to Bailee but at that moment I have never felt closer to her.

What A Year

Last night was the annual football banquet. While we were sitting there watching the highlights of the year, I started thinking about how different our life is now compared to last year. I started a new job that I love, and we have Bailee. I do like going to annual things it makes me look back and see how far we have come.



Bailee is doing great!! Her Grammy got her a play saucer and she loves it, and so do mom and dad. A play saucer is a stationary walker that has toys around it and she can spin in it. She is recongizing her bottle and likes to pull my hair, a typical baby. Yesterday she was on the floor playing and had a toy about a foot away and she was trying to get it. She raised her hands and feet thinking she could swim to it. Anyways she was trying so hard that she got tired and layed her head down for a minute let out a big sigh. I was thinking fast enough that I got it on camera. I am hoping that she will be crawling by Christmas. I am excited to see her accomplish little things, I guess that is a mommy thing.



So Jim and I are finally starting some family traditions. The first tradition is that we are going to get Bailee an ornament for her every year. Of course this year will have something to do with baby first year. I have worked retail most of my life, so holidays have not been very special to me. But this year they are going to start being special. This year we are going to Texas, Bailee's first trip. I can't wait for her to meet the rest of my family and friends.



I would also like for everyone to say a prayer for Jim's Dad. He is going to have surgery on Friday.

Just my opinion

I was watching a show on adoption. It was about a single mother and another couple going to Russia to adopt baby girls. The wife of the couple made a comment that ticked me off. The couple is from Florida and both blonde. She said that she didn't want to invest 15 years of her life to have this little girl and all this money to have the girl say you are not my parents and I am leaving to go find mine. I don't believe that they are going to tell her she is adopted. I understand that it is up to the parent to tell if there child is adopted or not. I think if you decide to not tell the child it shouldn't be for your own selfish reasons. She also hoped that the baby was blonde so that she would fit in with the family. Okay when has hair color ever defined a family. I understand that people out there want to look like the "All-American" family, but I feel that doesn't exist anymore. I think the way families are now, has helped us as a society become more understanding and compassionate of people different than ourselves.

Bailee 4 months

Bailee turn 4 months November 1. We had our checkup yesterday and the doctor said she was perfect, which we already knew. She is doing great and we will be starting baby food today!! I can't wait for the mess.

I want to give a shout out to my mom. Mom thanks for everything you have done for me in the past few months, I would not have gotten through them without you. And thank you for giving me a great childhood. I hope that I can give Bailee everything you gave me. Kris and I are very lucky to have such a great mom. Mom I love you.