neat link

I got this link from WORLD magazine. It is a series of 4-D ultrasounds stemming from week 6 to week 40. Really neat! God's ways are so amazing, and it's amazing to see things in ways we weren't able to see before.

http://www.gehealthcare.com/usen/patient/ultrasound/obtimeline_new.html

front & back

Then, a picture of this big sister trying on some big shoes!

I've had ups & down this week, but overall can't complain. Am actually feeling pretty great right now! Thanks for all your prayers. I'll know when you guys aren't keeping them up!

it's that time again

Josh, Kate, and I are expecting the arrival of a new Bailey some time in May. :-) We've had a fun time announcing our news this weekend. It all began with a phone call on Friday night, where we debuted Kate's "Big Sister" shirt. I'll hopefully get a picture up soon, but here's the basic gist of it. On the front it reads, "I have a secret." On the back it reads, "I'm going to be a big sister." I guess when I say phone call that is a bit misleading. We "called" my parents on Skype & using our webcam we showed them Kate's shirt. Then, on Saturday, we had the Bailey clan over for burgers. We let Kate toddle around in the shirt & it was a full 30 minutes before anyone read it carefully! When Lydia had arrived, I told her privately what the shirt said. She shared her news with Mima, but Mima didn't believe her! She just thought it was Lydia telling a story about Kate being a big sister, just like Lydia. In the end, it was Lisa who first read it & realized the meaning. We had fun letting other people slowly figure out that something was going on in the kitchen with lots of hugs & squeals.

This morning we announced it at church & I got in touch with my sisters. We have a line in our prayer bulletin for pregnant mothers & this line has had someone in it for the last several years (at least 2) continuously. Just last week, it had nobody's name for the first time, and lo and behold -- I was pregnant. Everyone at church had a good laugh about that. We just can't escape those pregnant ladies! I guess it should be no surprise since many of us got married within two years of each other (as many as 6 couples) &, of course, there are people still having children who were married long before my "generation" & some after.

I'm about 5 weeks along & have felt great so far. (I was still feeling great at this time last pregnancy.) I'm hoping I won't have to start the "puke watch" again. But, I've tried to make a list of things to do before I might get sick. Make food & stash in the freezer. Get a hair cut. Pick a doctor. Meet some doulas. Make lesson plans. Hopefully, my mental preparedness will aid me this time round.

sweet poem

My dad sent me this old hymn & it was so sweet, I had to share with you all. It reminded me of what our Pastor has been emphasizing the last couple of Young Mother's Bible Study -- the nobility of woman's calling.

My Lord, I do not ask to stand
As king or prince of high degree,
I only pray that hand in hand
A child and I may come to Thee.

To teach a tender voice to pray,
Two childish eyes Thy face to see--
Two feet to guide in Thy straight-way;
This fervently I ask of Thee.

O grant Thy patience to impart
Thy holy law, Thy words of truth
Give, Lord, Thy grace that my whole heart
May overflow with love for youth.

As step by step we tread the way,
Trusting, and confident, and free
A child and I shall, day by day,
Find sweet companionship with Thee. Amen.

sewing for fall

These are my latest two sewing projects. The first was actually completed some time ago, but I hadn't taken any pictures & more importantly, hadn't convinced my model to put it on for a photo shoot. I love the material I chose (Hobby Lobby) and it was pretty easy to work with. The pattern is Simplicity (easy-to-sew) #5936. I really wanted to include a panel at the bottom, but couldn't find a coordinating fabric in weight to the corduroy I picked out. I initially imagined this would go over a long sleeve shirt, but when I put the jumper on Kate by itself -- I thought it looked pretty cute. So, I guess she could wear corduroy because its September, but no shirt underneath because it's hot.

Two new things in this pattern were zippers & bias tape. The bias tape went well, but the zipper was a bit onerous. As you can see from the close up picture, I didn't achieve an even look in the back, but my zipper works!

Sewing Project #6

Close up of the dastardly zipper! I just noticed that the seams of the back "yoke" don't match up either. I thought it was a last minute mistake in how I tucked in the top seam, but now I see that I probably made a mistake in pinning & basting. Well, live to learn another day!

The adorable model in her new HUGE Sunday shoes. Somehow Carter's Size 6 are about 2 sizes larger than Gymboree sz 6. Go figure! (I paid $3 for them, so it doesn't really matter!) Also, unlike the pattern prescribed, I did a blind hem, which takes up lots of extra material, so it's not really as long as I wanted it. Of course, as a summer dress, this length looks adorable, so maybe I'll let it down once we get to winter time!

My second project was completed this morning. I love my fabric choice (Hobby Lobby, again), but I'm not sure I LOVE the style of the dress. I tried to customize the fit a bit more this time; but the dress still ended up too large all over. So, maybe it'll be a better fit in the Spring or even next Summer. Funnily enough, the thing that gave me the most trouble was the pocket. I just couldn't understand their directions & didn't know what the end product (the inside of a pocket) really looks like. Now that I know, I'll be adding pockets onto everything! The collar went surprisingly smoothly, and once I remembered how my buttonhole foot worked; the buttons went as smooth as silk. I even have a button foot that helps me sew on buttons! Now that is a tool every one of you should invest in. Well, everyone of you who hates hand sewing, that is! (I stink at it!)

Sewing Project #7

I also made the bow! Now, it wasn't that hard, but it doesn't look that great & I'm not convinced that it's cost effective. The true test will be to see if it lasts (wear & tear) as long as a boutique bow.

I think I'm going to try to make a purse with the remnants of the corduroy & this paisley fabric. Wish me luck!

interpretations on a smile

One reason I love taking pictures is that some moments that happen too quickly for the mind's eye to register can be captured on film. These images can enrapture us or cause us to giggle. I find this particularly true with children because their expressions can change a mile a minute. Adults have usually figured out what to do when they are in front of a camera. Don't put your finger in your nose, don't blow bubbles, don't look at somebody you aren't dating yet with eyes of adoration & love. You get the picture! Well, this picture captured these cousins in a moment. Even my grumpy child adds some character to the shot! I can't get her to smile these days (for pictures, that is!). Enjoy....

Nathan (4.5 years), Lydia (3 years), Caroline (19 mos), Kate Sourpuss Bailey (20 months)

I can't figure out what this expression is saying. She knew I was taking pictures of her. . . Jennifer, can you fill in here?



She's smiling behind her choc-ate finger licking goodness. She helped Mima make the frosting for the brownies. yummy!

Nathan had a great time in the pool although he didn't enjoy the bigger kid's splashing, so he stayed in the hot tub w/ Lydia most of the time.

Bonus reel: