tap me out

I hope this "party" starts sooner rather than later... I'm over the waiting. 

Kinda done...

cutest

Cute things like this are getting me exited.

10 days to go...

Doesn't my friend Dena have great taste!?

mobile

I have been looking online for a baby mobile to hang above baby b's crib.  The ones that I have found are either super cheesy or just OK.  Nothing that I was really loving.  And, the price ranged between $50-$150 for nothing fabulous.  So, like the true DIY that I am, I decided to give it a whirl.  I figured if it turned out horribly, it wouldn't matter, because all my supplies maybe cost me $10.  So, after about 3 hours of work yesterday evening, here is my final result. 

It will work, and I kinda like it.

tex at six

Today was Texies birthday party. I still have a hard time believing that he is six.  It feels like I was just barely at his birth, holding his mommas hand while he joined our world.  Now, just a bit more than 6 years later,  I will soon be at the very same hospital with his momma coaching and holding onto me so another little raskel can join the party.  

 

The two partners in crime.  Jackie Jack and Texie.

This photo cracked me up.  Frantic mom trying to feed the herd.

He was very spoiled by his generous friends! 

And, in the end, 2 tired preggies ready to go home.

april fools

Ryan's April Fools dinner he made for me. 

Chicken gizzards and hearts with onions.

I reminded him that I am pretty adventurous in trying different foods, but I draw the line at internal organs. 

Sorry to disappoint.

I opted for this.

And some broccoli.

 

Funny man.  One of the reasons I fell in love.  He's pretty darn funny.

happy

Happy Spring.  Happy Easter.  Happy Husband.

Ryan finally started his garden that he has been dying to start since the first snowfall back in November.  Now we have 2 "greenhouses" that will be transplanted to the upstairs garden in a month or so. 

He is attempting to cultivate a few new things this year.  Hopeful that our garden will be profitable.

And he has the waterfall cleaned and going strong.  It is so nice to open up the back door and hear the sound of water.  Spring/Summer cannot get here soon enough for the Baileys.

perspective



I was looking for some perspective tonight and this is what I found.  A gem, as far as I am concerned.

FATHER FORGETS
W. Livingston Larned

Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek and the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside.

There are the things I was thinking, son: I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor.

At breakfast I found fault, too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play and I made for my train, you turned and waved a hand and called, "Goodbye, Daddy!" and I frowned, and said in reply, "Hold your shoulders back!"

Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you before your boyfriends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Stockings were expensive -- and if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father!

Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. "What is it you want?" I snapped.

You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set blooming in your heart and which even neglect could not wither. And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.

Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What has habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding -- this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years.

And there was so much that was good and fine and true in your character. The little heart of you was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt there, ashamed!

It is a feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: "He is nothing but a boy -- a little boy!"

I am afraid I have visualized you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled and weary in your cot, I see that you are still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother's arms, your head on her shoulder. I have asked too much, too much.

Instead of condemning people, let's try to understand them. Let's try to figure out why they do what they do. That's a lot more profitable and intriguing than criticism; and it breeds sympathy, tolerance and kindness. "To know all is to forgive all."

As Dr. Johnson said: "God himself, sir, does not propose to judge man until the end of his days.."

Why should you and I?

showered with love

My past 2 Saturdays I have been so blessed and spoiled with two beautiful baby showers.  Chal planned and executed both of them.  My sister Carmen hosted and helped with the South Valley one for all my amazing clients, family, and friends to attend, and my great friend Lorraine hosted and helped with the Davis County one for all our family and great friends up in that area.  Ryan and I are both very fortunate to have such a large and overwhelming support all around us.  I guess the older you get, the more full your life becomes, which in turn brings many blessings and generosities from so many great people in our lives.  My heart is full of thanks and gratitude.  It really has been abundance all around us.

Carmen's great gift of floral design.

Just a few photos of the Draper crowd... I wish I had more!

The 2 preggie mommy's to be

Grandma Linda and Grandma Gayle

Brecken and Jennifer Barnson

 Me with my 2 out of 3 sissies and my momma who just returned from russia

And, the very genrous and great friend of mine Miss Lorraine who hosted.

final stretch...but hoping to not stretch

Here I am at the beginning of my 9th month!

I'm not going to lie... I am counting every day now...



tennis '13

BNP Parabis Tournament 2013

Indian Wells, California

Our annual tennis trip was another enjoyment and a much needed reprieve from work, ice, snow, cold, and no sleep!

 

I could almost touch my boyfriend (Nadal) through the fence, but it just wasn't meant to be this year! Here he is on the practice court before his match.