Saturday, December 31, 2011

Our Felicity: 2 months

How do you begin when the past two months feel like years and so many joys, tears, laughs, and questions have passed? I guess the beginning is a good place to start:

Felicity Renee Bailey entered our lives at 1:50 p.m. October 31, 2011 (more on that later...36 hours of labor requires it's own post or number of posts!).

Our lives are forever changed by her presence, forever more joyful, forever more terrifying, forever more grateful, forever more fun, forever more in need of wisdom and grace from God. I could go on and on...

So now to play catch up...

Month 1: "I just can't believe it. She's really ours. I never could have imagined her as wonderful as she really is." Just a few lines repeated over and over in our house the first month. We are in love, but let's be real. The first few weeks are rough, especially the first two. I don't know who cried more me or Felicity. I remember thinking I'd never prayed so much in such a little amount of time, about one topic in my whole life. Each day that passed saw the passing of my own discomfort, hormonal imbalance, and insecurity and the growing of a deep, deep love for our girl...

At two weeks we were completely taken with her dreamy eyes...coupled with her crinkly forehead, we gave her the nickname baby chimp:

Some favorite memories from month one include:
  • a furrowed brow from day 1. Our girl was cute + grumpy which equals CrUmPy.
  • Her first two nights at home she cried and wouldn't be consoled from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. It was like a three-ring circus up in here trying to find the silver bullet. Dan, my mom and I tried everything! Her pediatrician must have wanted to crack up when Dan and I asked him what was wrong with our newborn because she cried all night. He told us that her days and nights were mixed up and time would help. He then looked at Felicity and with all seriousness, in his Korean accent said: "You make your mommy crazy!"
  • Time with grandparents: the first week my mom and I were up with her at 3 a.m. I was crying because of all of her crying and all of a sudden we heard these loud sucking, smacking noises. She was going to town on her fist as I bounced her up and down. I've never laughed and cried so much at 3 a.m.! Pa Pa Jim and Grandma Thresa came around week three. I'll never forget how she followed my dad across the room with her little eyes as he put together our new IKEA storage. The week of Thanksgiving Grandpa Darrel, Grandma Val and Uncle Ben came to celebrate with us. She practically slept all of Thanksgiving day. Grandpa held her all through dinner. She was completely out!
  • Overwhelmed with gratitude: There are no words that could fully express the love and support we have felt from our friends, family and church family. Every time I thought the encouraging words, meals and gifts were at their end more would show up. I can't imagine going through this transition without the support of others. It is truly beautiful and a challenge for me to do the same for others. Thank you for every kind word, note, gift, prayer, and meal. We are so grateful and humbled by your generosity.
  • Out and about: The first time I took Felicity to Target I was doing my normal check: keys, phone, license, money. I suddenly had the feeling that I needed some sort of document to give me permission to take her out! I also remember feeling afraid that I had left her somewhere as I drove home. I can't tell you how many times I double checked that she was in the back seat. I will also never forget the first time I took her to ladies bible study. Picture this: a room full of women and a newborn baby. Do I even have to explain why this was one of the most hilarious things I have ever seen?
  • Bed time: One of our favorite times with Felicity is the bed time routine. We swaddle her up, pray for her, sing to her, and then make her watch mommy and daddy kiss :) It's a mystery to us but for some reason she just stares at us with those dreamy eyes, a cute little baby burrito, we turn the lights down and usually don't hear another sound from her until she's ready to eat again. It's truly amazing.
I could keep going, but this 2 month post is starting to get too long, and I haven't even gotten to her second month. I guess I just want to bottle up every little bit so I can hold on to it forever. Month two will have to wait for another day. I don't want to miss any more of today to tell you about yesterday :)

Treasuring every moment that I can,

Katie

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Crock Pot Baby


It seems our little lady is a SloW CooKeR. Her daddy affectionately referred to her as a crock pot baby yesterday :) We can't wait to meet her, but we're so grateful for the extra time to rest, nest, and enjoy each other. It's crazy to think a new season is about to begin. It has been a beautiful six years together...


...but Dan's ready to play with his little girl...


...and I just can't wait to hold her...

The AnTiCiPaTioN is truly beautiful...I can hardly wrap my mind around what lies ahead!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

31 weeks and the quintessence of pregnant...

It all started at the beginning of week 31 when I declared to our friends that the Moose Tracks ice cream in our freezer was FrOsT BiT and they might want to try another option. From then on it seems this week has been a series of events that confirm that we are at the height of this journey called pregnancy...impulse buys, less brains, more body, and many, many laughs!

Next came my first nesting purchase: the ExTenDaSauRuS:

This is the type of thing my husband usually brings home, and I roll my eyes and laugh,
but there was no stopping me when I saw this baby. I just couldn't help myself. Goodbye unreachable dust, cobwebs, etc.

This week also marked the first week of school. I have to say going to school with my sweet baby girl makes it so much more fun.
Thinking I had more than enough room to scooch by this poor boy in my class, I definitely underestimated my GiRtH. Before I knew it my belly was crashing into this poor boy. Of course all of the kids watching were giggling, and the whole class burst into laughter while I declared to said embarrassed fifth grader, "You've just been BeLliEd!"

Us on the first day of school.

Then there was the day I was grocery shopping at Caputo's and the chocolate covered CaNnoLiS just happened to be screaming at me from the bakery case. Needless to say I was done for:


Perhaps the most exemplary moment occurred at our dinner out at Chick-fil-A. Of course I was ravenous, but for some reason I couldn't seem to bring myself to get anything but those itsy, bitsy chicken nuggets. They're just too good to pass up so naturally when my dear husband left to go get a cup of water and Chick-fil-A sauce, I snuck a significant BiTe of his spicy chicken sandwich. Lucky for me my dear husband is often in some sort of dream land and suspected nothing when he returned. I thought I was in the clear until the end of our meal when this dear, sweet lady approached our table:

Dear, sweet lady: When are you due? You're just too cute.

Me: Aww, thanks. October 21st.

Dear, sweet lady: Yah, my husband and I were just sitting over there cracking up when he left, and you took a big bite of his sandwhich. I said to my husband, "Oh NO she DiDn"T"!

Dan: (very confused, not connecting the dots as to what dear, sweet lady is talking about)

Me: (cracking up at this point because clearly I've been caught)

Dan: (look of shock realizing the crime committed against him.)

Dear, sweet lady to Dan: Now you be nice to her and give her whatever she wants!

I still can't believe I got BuSteD. Unbelievable. Hysterical.

Basically Dan summed it up well when on the last day of week 31 he nonchalantly confessed, "I keep expecting the non-pregnant version of you to show up."

Thanks babe. I think it's going to be awhile until she returns. In fact, it's hard for me to believe she really ever existed. I guess we'll just have to keep laughing at the preggo version until the non-pregnant one decides to make a come back. : )

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Hot Mess

What do you do when there's a heat index of 110 degrees, neither of your cars have a/c and you're 6 months pregnant?...

1. You stay inside (of course) and have no choice but to come face to face with the guest bedroom you filled to the brim with all of the stuff you eradicated from your little girl's new room...

Baby girl's room...

Stuff you need to deal with that used to be in Baby Girl's room now transplanted to guest room...

2. Or you might step outside for a split second right after you get ready for the day because you realize week 26 is almost week 27, and thorough documentation of this pregnancy is worth the heat...

And yes, as a pregnant lady, this documentation must occur the split second after you're ready for the day because within minutes, it seems you're in shambles no matter how hard you try to hold it all together. If you wait too long you'll very likely have sweat, frizzy hair, some part of your clothes twisted or in the completely wrong place, and most definitely something spilled on your belly...ShAmBleS!

3. And if you really need to get out: grab as many ice packs as you possibly can, sit on them, shove them under your clothes, and be okay with the fact that your husband thinks you are insane...at least you're not burning up :)

4. Finally, thank God for ice cream, a house with a/c, and the fact that you're only 6 months pregnant instead of 8 or 9...

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Fourth of July Fun

We had a lovely holiday with friends, family, and our itty bitty firecracker :) ...

(24 weeks)

Giving thanks to the One who gives us freedom...

Interdependence Day with our Bloomingdale Church Family...



Fourth of July Breakfast...


Fernandez Fun...



Fireworks with the Rich/Murray/Riems...

Twins...


The End.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Like Christmas...



Tonight I feel all of the wonder, magic, and anticipation of a child on the eve of Christmas. I can hardly believe that tomorrow we will get to see the form of our little baby. Little legs, tiny arms, a beautiful baby silhouette...

The last time we saw the baby was at 7 weeks, and he or she was no more than a tiny dot.

Needless to say it's going to be especially difficult to sleep swimming in the great JoY welling up in me...

The DaDdy is just a little bit excited too...
Other highlights of this past weekish (week 20 and 21)...

Lying in bed the night before the last day of school I felt the baby's nudging from the outside for the first time. I couldn't stop giggling even though Dan was next to me sound asleep.

Walking around our lake a perfect stranger asked "When's baby due?" There's definitely no hiding this baby anymore! In fact I'm wondering how he or she is going to fit in my shorty torso!

It's official. My jeans no longer fit, but I think we've finally made it to summer so I won't have to buy huge pants until fall :) Living in stretchy skirts, dresses, and my one pair of shorts that actually fit!

Reading and praying the Psalms for our baby.

Dan says he thinks he will be much better with the actual human being than pregnancy ;) In our house you will often hear him refer to me as Artemis the fertility goddess and ask me questions about my "gut". He's lucky to be so funny because not every man could get away with such comments!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Goodbye Bulldog. Hello Summer.

Messy: It has been a hard year to say the least. Sometimes saying less is best, and this has been one of those years as far as school goes.
This AmAziNg card from my sweet friend Allison
pretty much sums it up. Basically she has the GiFt of finding the perfect card always:

Beautiful: Since August I've donned the bulldog Monday through Friday, and today the bulldog is officially off of this girl's skirt...It is a beautiful day indeed!

Grateful: I know that this trying year is serving it's purpose in refining this messy soul. We shall see what fruit it will yet bear. As for now, I'm grateful for the many times I was able to rely on the ONE greater than anything my 31 could throw at me for help and comfort. I'm grateful for the FoRgiVeNesS He continued to offer me on those many days I relied on my own strength instead of His. I'm grateful for my patient husband who graciously listened to my daily woes. And finally I'm grateful friends like Allison who pray, listen, and always seem to be there (with reinforcements) when I'm on the brink of losing my SaNiTy.

So Goodbye bulldog, hello summer! I will not miss you. I much prefer the poodle...And just because we're saying goodbye to the bulldog, it does not mean that our Ben and Jerry's days are over. There's always a place for ChErRy GaRcIa, always...

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Mama Drama


Messy: So this morning started off swimmingly...actually felt exceedingly joyful, energetic, and peaceful. When I got to school, I headed to my mobile as usual, but as I began preparing for the day something didn't feel right. My stomach ached, my head was spinning and heat rushed through my body. I knew I had to get out of my mobile and into the building, but I was afraid I wouldn't make it. I made my way to the building, but had to stop and sit on the pavement. My heart was RaCiNg, and I knew this feeling all too well. The same feeling I had as a freshman in high school before I face planted on the corner of my grandma's coffee table, out cold...

Somehow I pulled it together and made my way into the commons. I MurMuReD words about being sick and needing the bathroom while the head custodian and lunch lady filled me with orange juice, led me in breathing exercises and practically carried me to the bathroom.

I was shocked when minutes later I was feeling MuCh better and ready to carry on with the day. However, that quickly changed when 40 minutes later the scene replayed again. This time I went to the office, and in a matter of moments 6 paramedics and many colleagues who quickly jumped into MoM MoDe were attending to my every need. After refusing the ambulance, Dan came and took me home where I remained on the couch until our appointment this afternoon.

Beautiful: It's amazing how data, lesson plans, and behavior issues seem so meaningless in a moment like this. The anxieties of a regular school day FaDe and colleagues become moms, friends and nurses all at once. The love and care I felt in this silly little moment was tremendous.

Lying on the couch, each little baby fluttery flip brought a deep sense of peace and joy after such a DrAmAtiC morning. Now more than ever I'm realizing the great gift within me. I can't quite put it to words, but I know that this chaos has brought me to a place of deeper connection with our little baby.

I felt like a mommy for the first time today. The doctor was searching for the heart beat in all the wrong places, and I knew exactly where our baby was, not on the sides but in the center. Sure enough when she finally moved to the center the 132 rhythm filled the air and my heart. How beautiful to think that those tiny flutters are felt by me and me alone, what a gift.
Grateful: So many dear ones carried me today. Our downstairs neighbor Jen found Dan when I could not reach him, Ontarioville School became a family to me, and the paramedics were so kind. Though I did not call out to the Lord for help in the midst of the chaos, He answered me.
Before you call, I answer.
All of this happened before the kids came, I was able to make it inside and find people, and our little baby is safe, content, and fluttering more than ever. Stealing away all of my iron must be giving little Bailey a BoOsT of energy :)

Lord you are good. Thank you for being with us today.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

For Real

We are at 18 weeks with this little baby, and to be quite honest, I still don't believe we're even having a baby at times!
I'd have to say that the inability to believe it all is the most
surprising part of this whole adventure so far. I never would have imagined I'd be finding it so hard to fathom that God is creating this little life inside of me at this point in the pregnancy. It truly is a mystery, a miracle.
This week Dan looked at me and said, "You're huge! This isn't fake anymore." :) I guess after nearly six years of just us, the idea of three of us is something that will take a little getting used to.

This is for real.

Here is a picture at 18 weeks. In the words of one of my little darlings at school:

"Wow Mrs. Bailey! Your baby grew!"

This picture was taken at a picnic Dan and I had at a local forest preserve. What you don't see is the three geese that were encircling us the whole time nibbling on our blanket...crazy, bold birds!

Week 18:

Symptoms: daily headaches, difficulty sleeping (can't seem to figure out where that bottom arm goes when you sleep on your side?!?!...still perplexed even after Dan gave me a tutorial)
Food Aversions: still cannot handle anything with tomato or heavy seasoning
Cravings: none to speak of
Reading: Baby Wise
Looking Forward To: June 14th...we find out if our little baby is a boy or a girl!
New this week: It's actually beginning to feel like summer! Grateful for chances to be outside and be active...especially since I'm already feeling rather large...
The Daddy: This baby's daddy is officially the Reverend D. Joseph Bailey. Congrats love!
The Mommy: Loving that there are only two and a half more weeks of school. Woot!
Connecting: Reading and praying scripture over our little one. For some reason I'm drawn to the prophets. Hmm...


Saturday, April 16, 2011

13 Weeks and 1 day...

For the most part the last 8 weeks are a BluR. I have been in survival mode, just doing enough to get by...I am so grateful that the nausea and fatigue have subsided since last Friday. When my friend Marina told me that it would end "like that". I really didn't believe her, but she was right. It's like 12 weeks came and BOOM! It was gone...at least I'm hoping it's gone for good. I still don't actually enjoy eating how I did pre-pregnancy, but I don't despise it either...which is a HUGE blessing!

For 13 weeks, here are 13 little bits of life with baby...

1. Someone told me to get through the sickness, they hung a CuTe little baby outfit above them so here's what I've been staring at while lying in bed...

2. Week 10 Dan's parents came for a lovely visit. They were so sweet to bear with my tummy and tiredness. Thank you mom and dad Bailey for LoUnGiNg around with us and being such gracious parents! Next time I promise I'll cook for you, and we can go to restaurants that smell like food :)

3. The day after I told my principal I'm pregnant, my mobile ramp CoLlaPseD with myself and all of the children on board! Everyone was ok, but you can imagine her concern...

4. I told my class I was pregnant the day after their fifth grade How Boys and Girls Change lesson. It only seemed appropriate ;) (it actually just happened to be 12 weeks). The looks on their little faces were priceless! Now the girls just StaRe at my midsection whenever I walk by, and everyday they ask me if I want a boy or a girl and what I will name the baby. Some of them are actually hoping I'll choose their name.

5. The baby is currently the size of a medium-sized shrimp. This DisTuRbS me for some reason. Last week's lime was much more appealing! I much prefer the fruit comparison.

6. We've started perusing baby names whenever we get the chance, but I'm amazed at how NoThiNg really seems to stand out. The reality of our child living with the name forever really changes the game. I'm so glad we've got some time to mull it over. Praying that it just HiTs us. We shall see...

7. We ArE going to find out if Baby Bailey is a Boy or a Girl. :)

8. I'm so thankful for dear friends who are already sharing their wealth of WiSdoM and resources. I have a good amount of books that I'm currently borrowing. Here's my favorite:
Good luck Dan :) I'm sure you will be ReLeVanT in the midst of it all!

9. We switched over to a Midwifery...and since this is the first thing everyone asks when I say this...here's the answer: No, we're NoT planning to give birth in our home!

10. Hormones are RaGiNg! One minute I'm balling as Julie Andrews introduces The Sound of Music, and the next I'm so angry that it's snowing in April! Poor Dan. I have to say he is doing a good job of stepping into the chaos...
11. At EleVeN weeks our baby graduated from embryo to fetus, and we saw a baby bump for the first time! I was getting ready for bed doing my regular stand in front of the mirror and suck-in routine when suddenly...there was something there that CoUldn'T be sucked-in! I started laughing in a giddy sort of way, and could not stop! Dan watched wide-eyed and amazed...

12. Things I can't stand: Chinese food, anything tomatoey, Coca-Cola (major shocker!), sharp cheeses (also astounding!), and the SmElL of any ethnic food (so sad:() Things I can't live without: apples, oatmeal, lots of water, naps, hugs and encouraging scripture.

13. And finally the thing that has been beyond what I ever imagined is sharing our JoY with others and having them ShaRe in it with us. Maybe I'm just extra emotional, but seeing our friends and family light up when we tell them has truly been overwhelming in the best way. We are so blessed, so grateful.