Bailey Summer Update

Lately there have been a lot of new and exciting things in our life. So You Think You Can Dance and Wipeout started during the new season of summer TV!!!! So You Think You Can Dance is our favorite show! This season is already amazing and there are so many talented people on the show. We love summer TV! Eric’s favorite show is also on right now, Wipeout! If you haven’t seen it, it’s hilarious! We just watch and laugh then crack up at all the funny people and stuff that happens. We like it so much that I filled out an application for Eric to be on the show. Not likely but we’d love it if he got called on for next season. I think Eric would be really good at it!

In other exciting news, Black Eyed Peas released their new album The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies) last week and we have been listening to it non-stop. BEPs are our favorite music group and this CD is one of their best yet. We both have new ring tones with their songs already, too. Eric (my beloved nerd) made them for us on the computer so we wouldn’t have to buy them. LOVE IT!

I feel like an infomercial…But wait, there’s more!! On top of all that exciting stuff, my best friend Joanna is moving back to AZ and officially has a job. WITH US AIRWAYS!! She will be working at a different building than me but will have all the flight benefits and perks of working in the airline industry. I am so excited to have her not only living here but also working for the same company. She starts at the end of the month and it can’t get here fast enough. It’s crazy that she hasn’t lived here since we graduated high school. We have always stayed close friends and seen each other often so it will be nice to have her so close to us. She is an excellent god mommy to Jarem and we’re excited for them to spend time together, too. YAY!!

As for my Jarem update, we have really good news! Last night he slept through the night and we feel so refreshed and rested today. Since he started teething and a new daycare a couple weeks ago he has been waking up multiple times each night and really struggling. But last night he slept through the night. We are so happy that he seems to be adjusting! On top of that, when Eric dropped J off at daycare today, he didn’t cry. This is another first since he started his new daycare. We are happy that he is being such a good baby and adjusting to all these changes he has going on right now.

Yesterday at daycare they gave him pineapple and cottage cheese for his snack. The teacher said he LOVED it and was eating it by the handfuls. I am sad I missed it but the visual of him eating by the handfuls makes me smile. He is trying to increase his vocabulary and is constantly rambling sentences. If only we could make out what he’s trying to say. His two main words that he likes to say now are Bubba and Baby. Baby is brand new. He learned that one from this book we read him. Jarem also loves to point at everything right now. He points and talks and we’re sure he’s telling us something so we just talk back to him and encourage his language skills.

Jarem is beyond mobile right now and we’ve been forced to up our baby-proofing another level. He can reach everything now and since he’s running, we aren’t fast enough to catch things before he gets to them. He loves to open our drawers and grab whatever he can reach out of them. He also loves to reach up on the countertops and pull down anything he finds. Too funny… He’s definitely a curious boy. We’re happy that he’s healthy though and learning the ways of the world.

One last thing that we haven’t talked about recently is his baby sign language. Jarem is doing phenomenal with his sign language and impresses us so much!! This is his main form of communication right now. He is even putting signs together and forming little sentences. He knows: more, ball, up, help, eat, drink, all done, bath and please. He recognizes even more signs when we do them but hasn’t mastered repeating them yet. It has made our lives so easy to be able to ask him what he wants and have him tell us. The sign for help is the household favorite. Jarem uses it for so many things. It’s amazing how smart babies are!

Okay, I know I already said one last thing but this is really the last thing. The other new fun thing to do with Jarem is give him directions and have him be our little helper. He listens very well and understands everything we say. If he brings a shoe and we tell him to get the other one, he knows to get the other one of the same pair. He is such a good listener and we can’t believe how big and smart he is getting. We’ll post more pictures soon and try to do some new videos, too. ... Full Post...

My poor teething boy…

Well it has been a rough week so far. Our poor little boy has been cutting his molars. One tooth has broken a little skin and I think at least two more are also coming in. He has one on the top on each side and I think I found one more coming in on the bottom last night. It’s so hard to tell because he won’t let me get my finger in there. I don’t blame him, I’m sure it hurts! Last night we opted to take the Motrin and teething tablets route because the night before was our worst night ever as parents. Jarem woke up almost every hour crying and writhing in pain. He could not sit still. He would toss and turn and cry and it was miserable. We felt so helpless. Eric fed him a banana popsicle at about 2:15am and that made all the difference. It was the only thing that got him to stop crying.

It’s especially hard right now because not only is he drooling EVERYWHERE and cutting these big teeth, he also is adjusting to a new daycare. The transition is getting better according to his teachers. But he still bawls when we leave in the morning and again when we pick him up. I don’t completely understand why he cries so hard when I pick him up but I’m sure he’s just emotional to see me. He has been so clingy and attached that I can only imagine how hard all of this is on him.

We were planning on staying at a hotel this weekend and had lots of fun events planned but decided to put that off until Jarem is feeling better. I’m sure our hotel neighbors would kill us if they had to listen to Jarem cry all night. We’re hoping that it only gets better from here and that his pain isn’t too much. He voice is a little hoarse from crying so much and we feel absolutely horrible. We are really hoping that he is back to his happy, playful self soon.

Here are a few pictures from this past weekend that Eric took with his new phone.

These two pictures crack me up! They look like Jarem is holding the camera and taking a picture of himself. Too funny…
I think Jarem might have been a little drunk on Tylenol in this picture. Really, he was just blinking. But too funny! ... Full Post...

Crucible Prayers

Please send prayers today and tomorrow for my cousin Kory. He is currently going through the Crucible. The Crucible is a test every recruit must go through to become a Marine. It tests every recruit physically, mentally and morally and is the culminating event in recruit training. The Crucible takes place over 54 hours and includes food and sleep deprivation and over 45 miles of marching.

The Crucible is Kory’s rite of passage and an experience I am sure he will never forget. At the end of the Crucible, Kory will be presented with the Eagle, Globe and Anchor; signifying the new Marine’s successful transformation from recruit to Marine. During the week following the conclusion of the Crucible begins family day and graduation ceremonies. Kory graduates next Friday and will then return home back here to AZ for a few weeks before being assigned. We cannot wait to see him!!

I cannot imagine volunteering to endure the things he has been put through these past months while going through recruit training. I am definitely not military type but respect those that are. Kory has our utmost respect and appreciation. He is truly amazing for the sacrifices and commitments he has made. We love you, Kory and appreciate your service. We’re thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers.

Kory is squatting on the right.

From top left: Tyler, Kristy, Aunt Tresa, Uncle Rick

Middle from left: Kyle, Travis and Kory ... Full Post...

Giraffes and Diamondbacks

This weekend we had such a fun time. On Friday Eric worked in the evening at the zoo for Starry Safari. It was the first night for this summer and we had so much fun! Jarem and I started off by going to the new giraffe deck. Eric came and met us there and I got to feed the giraffes. It's definitely one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life! No exaggeration. I highly recommend everyone go and do this. So cool!! I couldn't believe how close I was to them and how peaceful they were. What amazing creatures! Notice my face in this line of pictures? The giraffe wrapped its tongue around my thumb while I was feeding her and I couldn't help but crack up! Believe it or not, I didn't scream because I didn't want to scare the giraffe. It was really fun though...

After the giraffe deck I changed Jarem into his swim clothes and let him go get out some energy on the splash pad. There were tons of kids on there and I wasn't sure if he would want to go since it was so crowded. I thought he might get scared or be a little timid. Boy was I wrong! He went running through there and loved being with all the big kids. He is so amazing and courageous! I loved watching him out there. He is growing up so fast. After that we went over to one of the inflatable slides and I took him down the slide. It was a little high for him and I again thought he might cry or get scared. But he just held on to me and enjoyed the ride. It was such a fun summer evening! I know it gets hot in Arizona but I absolutely love the summer time! Jarem is definitely an outdoor baby and loves being outside to play.

Sunday we went to watch the Diamondbacks game with my mom. We got her tickets for her Mother's Day present. Our seats were great and although the Dbacks lost, we still had a blast at the game! We got seats in the All You Can Eat section. It's newer and on the suites level. We had hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, chips and totally feasted while we watched the game. We were in the second row and even had an aisle seat. It was so perfect! Jarem and Eric went up to the playground on the upper level for a couple innings and played. Then when they got back Jarem crashed out for his afternoon nap and we stayed from the opening pitch through to the very end of the game. It was so much fun to relax and enjoy a Sunday baseball game. ... Full Post...

Love and Learn

Well, Love and Learn really is so fitting for today. Jarem started a new daycare today and the name of the daycare center is Love and Learn. It feels like that is our motto. We love Jarem and try to help him learn as much as possible. Our new daycare is right in between Eric's work and my work. It is the perfect location since we carpool. My mom is also only five minutes away. I love having him so close and being able to get him so fast now. That is one really nice thing about his new place.

No daycare can compare to the set-up we had with my sister for the past six months. But my sister got an amazing job offer on Friday and had to start the program today. So we adjusted on the fly and are so happy that Love and Learn was able to fit Jarem in. We were on their waiting list for July but they helped us out in a bunch and fit him in on short notice. Today is his first day there and it's been pretty rough so far.

We knew there would be an adjustment period but I wasn't really as prepared as I thought I was. The morning went great. We got there early and spent time with Jarem in his class. The teacher was great in the morning and Jarem was so excited to play with all the new toys. He didn't cry when we left and even waved and said goodbye to us. I planned to go back and stop by mid-morning before he napped to check on him.

The mid-morning visit didn't go nearly as smooth. When I got there Jarem was crying and a new teacher was in the room. The morning teacher wasn't feeling well so she went home early and the afternoon teacher had today off so there were two new teachers in the room. Jarem was beyond exhausted and so happy to see me and grammy. My mom came with me to visit cause he needed Tylenol for his new molars coming in and she went and picked it up for me. Thanks for helping out so much, grammy!

We calmed him down and got him to play some before trying to head back out to work and let him eat his lunch. He was too tired to eat and the teacher decided to just lay him down pretty soon after we left. She said he zonked out in less than a minute and slept for over two hours! One of the hardest things for Jarem right now is we're weaning him down to one nap from two. He is kind of a grouch without getting two naps at daycare. Not to mention all the other new and fun changes he's facing.

After nap his day went much better. I called and checked on him quite a few times and the teacher said he seemed to be warming up more to his new surroundings. I am so relieved to hear his is adjusting now but beyond anxious to go pick him up. I am hoping that tomorrow goes better with his regular teachers in the room with him and after having been there all day today. It could be a long week though so please keep him and us in your prayers. It is so hard on us as parents to see him going through this tough transition period. But we know that he is being loved along the way and will learn to love his new daycare almost as much as he loved being at Auntie Jen's house. ... Full Post...

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to remember our soldiers who have served and who are currently serving our country in the military. Both Eric and I have cousins currently serving in the military. Eric's cousin John is stationed in Iraq and my cousin Kory is in Boot Camp to become a Marine. We are so proud of both of them and incredibly grateful for their dedication. We think of both of our cousins often and are wishing them the best. We send prayers for active duty soldiers everywhere and ask for their comfort, safety and continued strength. The duty they provide our country is astounding and we both feel blessed to know these two outstanding soldiers. They both love receiving letters and support, not just on Memorial Day. If you would like to send either or both of them letters of support and encouragement let me know. I have their contact information.

Hopefully everyone had a safe and fun weekend. ... Full Post...

My personal American Idol

I know everyone has been caught up in the controversy of who won American Idol this week. But we weren't. During the finale we were busy watching our our personal American Idol perform for us live. My cousin Josee has the most beautiful voice and we got to watch her sing at her school's Broadway Revue. She sang Popular from Wicked and did such an amazing job! She is only 14 and we can't wait for her to be old enough to audition for AI. She makes us so proud! Great job, Josee! Thanks for pulling me up on stage with you to dance. :) Enjoy the video and be sure to watch til the end when she nails the high note!

This is Josee singing the National Anthem from this week, too.
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Splash Pad!!!

So on Tuesday Jen took the kiddos to the zoo for some fun. We got Jarem's sunscreen on first thing in the morning and dropped him off ready for a day of fun. I am so sad that I missed Jarem's first time ever going in the splash pad but I love seeing all the pictures. I can tell that he definitely loved it and had a blast! He must have been so proud running around with all the big kids. Eric snuck out for a little bit while they were there to take these pictures. He got some really great shots! Jarem's swim shorts were too long and so they opted to just let him run around in his swim diaper. I'm sure Jarem didn't mind since he got to see his 'Melmo'. :) He loves those swim diapers with Elmo on them!

We've been trying to plan what we want to do with our backyard landscaping. We're thinking of trying to make our own splash pad in the backyard. That way Jarem (and any future babies) can cool off and play without us having to worry too much about drowning. It's still a work in progress but we'll keep you updated. At least for now we know that Jarem would have fun with it and love playing in it! Enjoy the pix... Thanks for taking them, E!
Wet snuggles from Auntie Jen. This is Jarem's new smile. We crack up cause we think it's a combination of smiling and ojitos. We love it! So happy! What happens if I step on it? Hold your breath!! I love those long eyelashes! Great picture!!! Jarem loves playing with his cousins!!! Oops, too close. Gotcha right in the face! ... Full Post...

Play Date

On Sunday, before we went swimming at my aunt and uncle's house, our neighbor Jason stopped by and asked if we wanted to take Jarem to the park with them. We were so excited because they have twin daughters that are just a couple of months older than Jarem. We have been wanting to get the three of them together for play dates since we live right next door to each other and our kids are so close in age. We run into each other frequently but have never really had time together for the kids to just play. We lathered Jarem up in his sunscreen real fast and threw his hat on. Eric grabbed the camera and they were out the door and off to the park for Jarem's first official play date. Jarem gets to play everyday with his cousins while my sister Jen watches him. And Jarem also gets to play with his good friend Raf, too. But this was different since it was girls. Haha... In any case, the dads took the kids down to our neighborhood park and had some fun in the sun. Here are a few pictures of Jessica, Jamie and Jarem playing. (Try to say that three times fast!) Thanks for stopping by, Jason. We hope to hang out again soon!








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