Our Little Wonder: Three Years

It's hard to know where to begin when a little life is lived so big that it's just bursting at the seams... 

Moriah is our middle girl, but she loves to live on the edge of extremes. She loves to play at full sound, running, jumping, dancing, giggling, chased and chasing...at the same time she can sit forever playing alone in her room talking softly to Peppa, princesses, baby dolls, or stuffed animals. Her temper can flare with screaming, vein popping, and exasperated sighs, but she's also the most empathetic member of our family. Countless times I've seen her carry the hurts of Felicity and Ephraim as if they were her own. I continue to marvel at where it all comes from and be thankful for the special work God did in creating Moriah Ann...

Moriah makes us a bit crazy at times. When things transition from loud to quiet too fast, you can almost guarantee she's upstairs changing her wardrobe AGAIN. Her favorites are swimsuits, tights, tutu skirts, and princess dresses. She's very independent and does a great job of dressing herself but gets extremely frustrated if things aren't working out and generally leaves a trail of wardrobe changes behind her. She also started waking up in the night again, and I'm not kidding she always wakes up sounding like a horror film. We're working on that. Age three goals. 

On the other hand, MoMo definitely keeps us all laughing. Her crazy, frozen, serious/somewhat disturbed with a bit of silly faces when she hears her favorite songs in the car have us rolling, and she has taken to dancing in a swimsuit on our ottoman every morning. "Mommy, can I have "Lights Shine Bright?" Her moves are a unique slow-Mo arm sequence with intense faces followed by supper fast punching arms. Gets me every time. 

No one will ever forget her grand entrance to the living room at Christmas proudly carrying the removable section of her potty chair and announcing her great accomplishment. She says the funniest things like "Look Mommy, I got screw drivas under my pillow. Wanna see 'em?!" and things we're still trying to undersand like "tamation is yuck. we have to clean it" and "let's go to the chocari baseball game" What is tamation and chocari? No idea, but she sure knows. 

A few other things can't be left out like Moriah's obsession with sweets and impersonations of Elmo and Cookie Monster. Her favorite foods are "Thai" which is anything with rice, chicken and red sauce and Tunisian cous cous. Every once in a while she surprises us with a Tunisian word and still wants a Tunisian story. She's a charmer for sure and seems to have a thing with older men. We are terrified! She adores her classes at church and all of the teachers and little friends that come with them. Chocolate eggs at Easter (almost a year ago), the crazy fireworks we saw on the 4th of July, open gym and Day Camp at Bloomingdale Church all made a lasting impression on her and come up pretty regularly in conversation. All things physical like summersaults and climbing seem to come naturally and without a hint of fear. And we've all fallen in love with the things she says:

tank tang/ chicken
tanakits/gymnastics swimmin' suit
green beams
swimmin' cool
You got armpips?
What you got?
What you say?
mash-a-tabowls/ mashed potatoes
I love you, sweetie.
Oh you so cute!
Oh my crash!
nuggle/granola bar

When I first coined her our Little Wonder, I had no idea how true to her it would be. As we leave year 3, I find myself on the edge of my seat excited and just a little terrified for what's in store for year four. No doubt some crazy, fun, hilarious, times ahead with just the right splash of sweet to keep us all under the spell that is Moriah.

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

Week Eight

It's difficult to even know where to begin. We've been waiting and praying for this for 13 months, and now that it's here, it's hard to believe it's true. I guess with each passing day of feeling nauseous and exhausted the reality sets in a bit deeper, but to think that God is knitting together an eternal soul within me is completely mind boggling!

Today marks eight weeks and three days. The days are long, but the time is flying by so quickly. Most days I find myself wanting to nothing but sleep, and my phone alarm clock has become my new best friend. So far my only craving has been french toast with strawberries and powdered sugar. I woke up one Saturday morning and had to have it!

Some days I feel like a little pooch is beginning to show, but it seems to come and go...must be bloating. I keep telling myself not to worry about the scale, but it is going up more quickly than I imagined. I'm totally not taking the "I'm eating for two" mentality, but I find that eating every three to four hours is a must to manage the tummy aches.

At this point, the next big step is finalizing our doctor/midwife options. We're praying for clarity and confidence in our choice. So many things to consider...yet, I still find myself asking, "Is this for real?"

Top Ten of the first Eight Weeks

1. Dan's expression walking out of the bathroom with the test.

2. Baby's first dance party at Nita and Adrian's wedding.

3. Sharing the JOY with friends and family.

4. Dan's nightly talks to the baby always beginning or ending with, "This is the Daddy".

5. Popsicles and crackers in bed.

6. Praying for our baby as he or she develops.

7. Baby's first gifts from Grandma Kathy and the Murray's

8. First doctor's appointment and picture of our peanut.

9. 3 Saturdays in a row of Bailey family drama.

(Julie and Alex's wedding, Baby Benji, We're Pregnant!)

10. Gratitude for God's perfect timing.

Eight Weeks...Let the belly documentation begin!

Sunday Afternoon...

I just couldn't help myself. I love this man and the sweet peace and rest of Sunday afternoon...

Katie Bailey and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad, Day

It's official. As of today I am "honorably dismissed" from my position as a teacher in U-46. I knew it was coming, but there's just something horrible about signing on the line and having to face my 28 darlings the rest of the day.

Here I am sporting my PiNk, standing strong with the other 700 or so teachers who were released today...pink slip in hand (I know, it's not even pink)...and a pink bag filled with chocolate from my sweet colleagues and friends at school who also wore head to toe PiNk in support of hundreds, like me, who were RiFfeD today.

I consider it a tremendous loss to leave students, teachers, friends, and families that have captured my heart in many ways, and though I have not lost heart, and I am hopeful for the BeSt, today was undoubtedly a No Good, Very Bad Day...there's just no other way to put it.

The End.

Rescue

Last month I had the opportunity to attend an event called ReScUe hosted by one of the most compassionate people I have ever met, and someone I'm honored to know.

Going in, I knew the night was going to be HeAvY, and that was an understatement for sure. The subject at hand was HuMaN TrAfFickInG. AKA: Slavery in the 21st Century, the ExPloItaTiOn of men, women, and children for labor and/or sex.

I wish I could fully share the night's experience with you. The speakers, dramas, video clips, images, etc. were heart breaking, startling, and quite overwhelming. My heart was stirred.

Here's only a bit of what I didn't know:

• • 27 millions people are in some form of sLaVeRy right now.
  • 50% of these people are ChIldReN and 80% are female.
  • Nearly 18,000 victims are trafficked into the U.S. each year (50/day).
  • The average age of entry into the commercial sex industry is 12 years old.
  • U.S. citizens account for 25% of SeX ToUriStS worldwide.

This issue is not something that just happens OvEr ThErE. It is close to home, in our very own country, and I didn't know ...but now I do, and I can't ignore it.

So what do I do?...

I tell you. I pray. I penetrate darkness with the light of TrUtH. I hope. I give. I speak. I love. I pray some more. I ask. I cry. I remember and not forget. I advocate. I trust in the One who is greater than all these things. I fight. I don't listen to the voice in my head that says this issue is too big. I educate myself. I move.

What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

If you are interested in speaking for those who do not have a voice, loving those who can do nothing for you in return, penetrating darkness, making a difference and joining the fight, please visit the International Justice Mission site, and let your voice be heard. It will take one minute of your time, but it could help spare many little ones a life of pain, exploitation, and utter darkness. Your voice matters. Let it be heard.

Bling, Bling...

It is quite possible that my engagement ring has never seemed so BeAuTiFuL to me as it does today. Let's just say I have been given the blessing of living, in a small way, the Parable of the Lost Coin...

Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and LoSeS one. Won't she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and SeArCh carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, "Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin." In the same way, there is JoY in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents.

After a long day with my 28 DaRliNgS, following a night of searching, I am too spent to ReLiVe the tale at present...coming soon, but I can say that in a small way I have been awakened anew to the deep JoY of finding that which is lost and the SoRrOw that comes while longing for its return...

The Socks vs. Me...

I took this picture earlier this week in an attempt to EmPaThIzE with one of my Blogger/Facebook Buddies...You know who you are :)

I dedicate this post to you and anyone else who continually BaTtLeS the infamous sock BrIgAdE that is an ever present ThReaT to the organization and cleanliness of my home and many others throughout the world...

How is it that the SoCkS never cease to DeFeAt me and ObLiTeRaTe any sense of order I strive to maintain?....How is it that every week I throw up my hands in SuRrEnDer as the SoCkS overtake my life?...

Perhaps it is one of those MysTeRiEs in life too great for me to ever CoMpReHeNd...How is it that the socks AlwAyS win?...

Attention Husbands of the World...

So if you're a HuSbaNd, and you're leaving your wife for the weekend, and it just happens to be the end of an ExTrEmEly overwhelming week...you know, the kind that leaves the kitchen looking like this:







You might want to be PrOaCtiVe and SmArT about the situation.


For example, you might want to leave your wife a voice mail like this one so she's not surprised that you left her with the T.W.D. (this term was created by my dad: Toxic Waste Dump) you two have created over the course of the week:

"Hi Honey it's me. I just wanted to call before I leave to apologize for the mess that I'm leaving. I feel really sad about it. I can clean on Sunday when I get back and,
hopefully I can make it up to you with a date Sunday night."

Though acknowledging the situation in this way is good, you might not want to assume that a voice mail totally covers your tracks.
It does prepare her for what's to come, but let's be HoNeSt when she walks through the door and sees first hand the MeSs you and she have been trying to IgNoRe all week...and all she really wants to do is ReLaX... and she realizes that you are ReLaXiNg around some GoRgeOuS lake surrounded by trees turning their leaves into the BrIlliAnT shades of AuTuMn...and though the idea of you cleaning on Sunday sounds good, you know that in reality there's no way she could stand herself any longer if she left it until then...

You might also want to leave something like this:

Honey Love,

I miss you already. You are my love. I'm so sorry it's still a TrAsH PiT.
Please forgive me. I'll clean on Sunday. Think about our date on Sunday.

Love,
Grizz

...that way when she sees this:

...She'll MuSteR up a GrAciOuS attitude instead of FrUsTrAtiOn. SmIle and LaUgH instead of RoLl her EyEs and SiGh. She'll probably even forget the about the mess and MiSs you terribly...And who knows...maybe her just knowing that you recognize that she got the CrUmMy end of the deal this time might help her AtTaCk those dishes with GrAtiTuDe and LoVe as she thinks of her SmArT and PrOaCtiVe husband.

Ode to Christopher...

How I LoVe thee my BrOthEr dearest...Let me count the ways...A list of TeN things that make me GrAteFuL to call you BrOtHeR on this day of your birth and every day of the year...

Number 1: You're the only person in the world that I continually catch UnaShAmeDly checking themselves out in the mirror. I can't blame you...you come from a GoOd LoOkIn' family...

Number 2: Even though you sometimes implement ToRtuRe TaCtiCs, you still remain, in my opinion, an InCrEdiBle UnCle. I secretly can't wait to watch you work your MaGiC on my own children one day.
Number 3: You're really CoOl...SeRiOuSly...what were you thinking bringing along your sixth grader sister to the CrAnBeRriEs CoNcErT when you were a college kid? Did you know that was my first concert ever?...I'm glad I get to forever share that memory with you. I never hear DrEaMs without thinking of you my BrOtHeR.

Number 4: One time when I lost a FrIeNd you were the OnE who came to be with me. You put aside your busy schedule to be a BiG BrOtheR. Thanks for just being there. I know others in the family would say the same...

Number 5: As you know FoOd is of the UtmOsT importance in our FaMiLy, and I have to say you do your fair share of CoNtrIbuTiNg to the PaLlaTe PleAsInG meals at our gatherings...give me some of that SwEeT ChiLi !

Number 6: You are the SloWeSt eater on the face of the PlaNeT...I love that I can FoReVeR make fun of you for that :)

Number 7: You picked a RoCkiN' wife...seriously, I'm so thankful you chose ChRiStiNe. She fits in PeRfeCtlY with the Family, and I think she is HiLaRiOuS, CrEaTiVe, FuN, and CaRiNg...all essentials if you ask me.

Number 8: Basically you've always been one of my FaVoRiTe people to HuG. Thanks for putting up with me even in my most AfFeCtiOnAtE of moods.

Number 9: You truly CaRe about and LoVe each member of our family, and you ShoW it. You are one of the best LiSteNeRs I know, and I AdmIrE you for the way you take time to get to know and care about each one of us. You always make sure we have some QuAliTy talk time when we are together. I really VaLuE that time with YoU.

And FiNaLly Number 10: You put up with StuFf like my MaRiaH CaReY AlL I WaNt for ChRisTmaS song and dance...

and ThiS...
...ThIs...

...I can't forget to mention ThiS...

...somehow you're even managing to put up with ThiS...

...ThiS....
and EvEn this...

Yet at the end of the day you somehow manage to LovE us all...you're the BeSt. Thank you for being such an InCreDiBle brother to me throughout the years. I'm grateful for the opportunity to CeLeBraTe you on this day.

I love you Christopher,

Katie Did

just a thought...

Have you ever been on your way to a friend's house, family get together, church, etc. and gotten into a BiG FiGhT with the husband? I hate when that happens. You get to your destination and put on your HaPpY FaCe for the sake of those around you, but inside you are BuRnInG.

Well, tonight as I watched MrS. ObaMa admire her husband's enterance, I wondered if her and the President ever get into ArGuMenTs on the way to CaPiToL HiLl. It's silly I know, but I know it happens to everyone else so why not the FiRsT LaDy?! I wonder how she does it. How does she watch as the WoRlD admires her husband and goes BoNkErS over the man who quite possibly just got UnDeR her SkIn.

What strength it must take to stay composed as the cameras zoom in on her every expression. I salute you MiCheLle ObAmA for your grace and composure...it's hard enough at church. I don't know how you do it in front of the entire PlaNeT. Just a thought...

These are my People...

So there's this country song that goes something like, "These are my people, this is where I come from...it ain't always PrEtTy, but it's ReaL....wouldn't have it any other way"...

I think we can all relate to the fact that when FaMiLy gets together, BiZzArE things happen...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting some of my family, and of course my camera was working overtime! To keep it InTeReStiNg...or at least EnTerTaInInG for me...I've decided to share the photos and stories that aren't the PrEttieSt of the bunch and may seem a bit UnConVeNtiOnAl , but they fill me with TeNdeRnEsS for my family and GrAtItuDe that ThEsE are My PeOpLe...

#1 Photo Op. in a hotel lobby whose name will remain anonymous...

These are my people invading a hotel lobby full of plush chairs and plenty of space for our big group...what the picture doesn't tell you is...no one in my family was actually staying at said hotel! Of course I made this known to everyone as they joined our party. They would see the drinks and say "at least we're buying drinks"...I would then point to SoMeOnE's purse...not naming any names here...and they would laugh as they glimpsed the wine bottle inside...ThEsE are my PeOpLe...

#2 The Topsy Turvy

This is an upside down tomato plant. If you're like Dan and me, you've seen commercials for these things and guffawed and thought, "who buys these things"?! You can imagine my AsTonIsHmEnT to find this dying tomato experiment in my Grandparents' backyard...You can also imagine the entertainment I found in watching this:
It took three men from my family to move this baby to a place where it could get more sun...as they're doing this, of course I'm wondering "do you ReALly think that what an UpSiDe DowN tomato plant needs is sun?" I sincerely hope the BeSt for Grandpa's tomato plant, but if nothing else, it was worth a GoOd LaUgH...

#3 My People love DeSseRt...we come by it naturally...

Grandpa loves when everyone comes to visit because he gets some extra SwEeTs...This picture epitomizes my grandma and grandpa...I love them to pieces!

#4 Sometimes I like to HaRaSs my people...actually I'm known for it. A few examples:

Forcing my mom and grandma to HuMoR me by taking this picture...one day they'll thank me for it...pretty darn CuTe if you ask me!

Playing paparazzi to my Uncle Dave as he tries to enjoy his meal...My people really AdOrE me even though they sometimes tell me to "Get outta here"...you can clearly see the LoVe in his eyes...

#5 My People also enjoy HaRaSsiNg me... Oh cousin Deirek...I know you love me so...you just cant' stay away from me...

Thank you cousin Colby for stealing my camera and taking completely PoIntLesS and somewhat DiStuRbiNg pictures of food and such...

I know the ArTisTiC GeNiUs of the above macaroni and cheese shot is a lot to handle so I will spare anyone who has made it this far in this post the other masterpieces from the day...

If you're still with me on this post, don't worry, I'm done with silly AnEcdOteS from my most recent visit...but I'd like to end by sharing my FaVoRitE thing about my people... My people LoVe and LaUgH a lot...ThEsE are my PeOpLe...and I LoVe 'em for it!

Nice to See

Tonight as Dan and I walked into the Bloomingdale Library, I was blessed by five words from a middle-aged woman I don't even know. As she walked past us she smiled and said, " A GeNtLeMaN. Nice to see."

All at once I realized my hands were securely in my pockets and Dan had just opened the door for me without skipping a beat. I was struck by the CaRe and LoVe shown to me by my husband through this simple gesture. I was struck by my presumption that this is the way it should be as my hands were firmly in my pockets...I never even thought of removing them because I have just come to subconsciously ExPeCt this gesture from Dan.

Isn't it ReFrEsHiNg that a few simple words from a stranger can open our eyes? In the business of our lives, I so often don't stop to ApPrEcIaTe the little things that show great LoVe.

I want to be the stranger that NoTicES and AcKnOwLeDgEs the little things. I want to be the friend and wife that others/Dan expect these little acts of kindness and love from.
I am GrAtEfuL for Dan who does so many little things that I know I take for granted and to this stranger who used her words to help me NoTicE.

The Paralyzing, Anxiety Filled Decision Making Process of an American Consumer Observed:

This is what happens when you just happen to have your camera in your coat pocket and your husband insists on going to Walmart on a Friday night...You observe the HiLaRiTy of our lives...

"Why is it so stinkin' hard to pick out ButT PaPeR?"

~Daniel J. Bailey

It's a wonder we accomplish anything SigNiFiCanT in our LiVeS when just picking out BuTt PaPeR requires so much time, energy and CeReBraL activity.