"As for me and my house..."

.:merry christmas & happy new years:.

2011-12-27T14:39:00.000-08:00

.: Merry Christmas & Happy New Years!! :.

2011

I would have loved to get out an official letter and picture card out to all of you this year but due to finances, we had to cut that out of our budget =( I figured I would at least post an "End of the Year" recap instead.

This year, Ryan and I have seen God do so much in our personal walks with Him as well as with our family as a whole. It's been a big year of learning how to be good stewards of the money He has given to us and really learning the truth that it is ALL God's. Even though we've been brought "low" this year, He has still richly rewarded and blessed us with fun activities, vacations and our "daily bread" - giving us all that we need =)

Ryan is still enjoying his job at eCivis working as a Customer Service Representative. He works so hard and faithfully at his job that it's hard NOT to be inspired to do the same in my role as a stay-at-home Mom =) He continues to lead one of the small groups as well as the sound team at our church and serves on the worship team as well. He has also been enjoying the opportunities to preach - yes! Preach! at our church and has seen God really directing him in that area =)

I've been learning and growing in my time management skills as I've had to figure out how to balance being a wife, mother, apartment manager and friend this year. It has proven to be good, hard work as I learn the importance of putting the needs of my husband and kids before work and household chores. I never realized how hard it would be to put the laundry down or leave a sink full of dirty dishes so that I could play and spend quality time with my boys!
Most of all, God's really been showing me the importance of getting up early before my kids so that I can have a few precious moments of reading His word while sipping my coffee. I've gotta enjoy it while I can because with baby boy #3 on the way, it's going to be back to getting it when I can =)

Kai-the-guy is now my big 3 year old and is talking up a storm, hamming it up with Daddy and using the potty all by himself!! He loves spending time with Daddy playing guitars, making up poo-poo jokes and then bursting out in loud sarcastic laughter. I'm enjoying watching him learn about Jesus, His work on the cross, and His word making the training well worth it.

Adon is now 16 months old and STILL NOT WALKING!!! He has been such a sufficient and FAST crawler that I fear he doesn't see the need to walk. But, as I've been comforted by many, he will eventually walk and has already taken several steps on his own. He's a big momma's boy and LOVES to follow his big brother Kai and play with everything and anything that he touches. He is such a happy-spunky kid and we all are having a blast watching him become his own little personality.

I am ABSOLUTELY loving all the boys in my home!!! I also love being the only girl which makes me the princess =) hee hee. Having these 3 men and one more on the way has made life so much fun and I thank God for each and every one of them!

Maybe God will bless us with a little girl some day =)

We love you all and we're looking forward to another year of growing in the knowledge of our Savior, doing His will and living for His glory!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to you all!!!

Encouragement for weary souls

2011-10-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

Romans 5: 1-5
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Lately, I have been going through a season of "why, God?!" I have 2 kids 3 years old and under with one on the way and the daily tasks and responsibilities of changing diapers, preparing and feeding meals, constantly cleaning up, doing the same chores over and over and over and over again have left me discouraged and depressed. My thoughts have basically been "what is this for??" " WHY am I doing this again???" "Shouldn't my life have more purpose than this?"

It does =)

The ESV Study Bible translation of the above passage reads: "The people of God rejoice not only in future glory but in present trials and sufferings, not because trials are pleasant but because they produce a step-by-step transformation that makes believers more like Christ"

I have forgotten this!! I have forgotten about the gospel and how it applies to the mundane and every day tasks. I've lost sight of the cross and therefore have not been preaching the gospel to myself on a daily basis. I've forgotten that the whole reason I go through these so called "minor trials and sufferings" is so that I can be made more like Christ. What hope and joy I now have to face the rest of this day!!! I am changing diapers and wiping boogers and making meal after meal because it is slowly changing me into the image of Christ.
These little tasks that can be soooo wearisome are teaching me to endure and therefore bringing me into the step-by-step transformation process of becoming more like Christ. Laying down my life and sacrificing comfort and hobbies to the needs of my family and church brings glory to God.

If you're reading this and you're being called by God to be in a season of work, schooling, taking care of another, waiting to be married or waiting to bear children, or maybe you think you have too many children and need encouragement, I hope this encourages you. The suffering you are enduring in what ever way has a purpose! And that purpose is to point you not to this world and the "here and now" but to point you to your loving Father and Savior who is preparing you to be His perfect and spotless bride!! He is refining your faith through these "fires" to bring you out pure as gold.

Watch 180 - a shocking documentary

2011-09-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

watch this

.:My Hobby:.

2011-07-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

Hair.
I love to color it, cut it, highlight it, crimp it, curl it, straighten it and tease it. It's like painting your nails but better!
It has been a desire and dream to get better at it so that I don't have to go to salons and spend $200 and I want to be able to bless other ladies who would like to have salon quality hair but don't have the money as well.

(before)
I've been coloring my hair since I was 14 years old (well, my mom was the one who did it but I started to pick it up around 15 or 16). It has since grown into a hobby that I have been trying to perfect and see how salon-like I can get it. Color is pretty easy now for me but it's trying to highlight with the foils that have been tough.
Today, however, I think I finally have a hang of it more so than I ever have. Thanks to YouTube and my hairstylist who let's me in on some of her tricks, and MUCH prayer, I've been able to do foil highlights that don't leak out and leave a tiger-stripe design on your head.

(after...ahhhhhhh)
It's very exciting to be able to do something like this for $8 rather than an arm and a leg. Although, it is so much more relaxing and enjoyable to have that salon experience while an expert works her magic =)

It's a silly post - I know. The praise and glory all goes to God as I couldn't do any of this without Him. Every time I sit down to do something like this to my hair or to someone else's, I always lift up a prayer asking God to bless my work and make it look pretty - as silly as a prayer it may seem, He always answers it!!! If it doesn't turn out pretty, it'll end up being a catastrophe I can learn from so that I can be better next time.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31

a new day...

2011-05-17T19:39:00.000-07:00

Do you know that song "It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me and I'm feelin' good"? Well, it's what's on my mind right now (in particular, the version by Muse - my favorite). I'm feeling so encouraged and inspired in my walk with God these past few days.

To back up a little, I've been going through the trials of prosperity. Being in the "good times" of life most of the times, distracts me from my Savior. It's very easy for me to cling to Jesus and feel close to God when I go through the "hard times" because He's all I have in those moments. But, when the days are easy and God's provisions are abundant, instead of rejoicing in Him and living in gratefulness I find myself distracted by many things and wanting more (especially as my family grows - my "To Do" list grows as well).

I've been feeling so dry, dull and not desiring God and being in His word as a result. My love for others has been lacking while the love of self has consumed me. God was poking me about it and then decided to really drive his big godly index finger right into my heart through my senior pastor's message on a hardened heart. God is so merciful and I LOVE that He doesn't leave you to die in the wasteland of "self". Instead, He showed me Christ! He showed me that I CAN get out of this self-absorbed pattern I've been living in.

It's always at that moment when you've just been shown an area that needs change that you feel stuck and I have the thought "okayyy, now what? where do I go from here?". And I love how the answer is so simple. Simply come. Come to the Lord, repent and ask for help and the grace you need to change. I also love how as you draw near to the Lord, He then draws near to you and that's a promise! Every time I've come back to Him after a period of growing cold and ignoring Him, He always is faithful to meet with me and draw me back. I've found the more I read and sow into His word, the hungrier I become for His truths. I'm not satisfied to just sit for a single paragraph! I want to read it all and dive deeper!

One of the tools that God has used to draw me back to Himself and help me realize the importance of meeting with Him in His word is this book:

"Shopping for Time". This is a book written by Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters on how to biblically prioritize our days in whatever season we are in. They talk a great deal about the importance of meeting with God and how our relationship with Him should ALWAYS be our number one priority.

Here is a quote that really encouraged me:

"As believers, we are justified - declared righteous, forgiven, and accepted by God - through grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone. We do not earn or forfeit our justification before God based on our performance. Our faithfulness to sit and listen, our diligence to seek the Lord through prayer and Scripture, our efforts to make the best use of the time - none of these is sufficient to earn God's acceptance."

"So, if you are discouraged or condemned by your failure to sit and listen, if you are "troubled by many things", revel in this truth: we have a Savior who died for our sins and it is his 'blood and righteousness' alone that make us acceptable to God."

When asked what her favorite verse in the Bible was, my husbands grandmother (Grandma Baird, whom we all look up to greatly due to her love and faith in Christ) replied "Matthew 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

That's exactly what I want to do each and every day until I get to see my Savior face to face - seek HIS kingdom first!

I hope this encourages you. I just wanted to share this so that you would be encouraged and find direction for the renewal of your faith.

Wow!! The Differences...

2011-03-08T15:38:00.000-08:00

I have really been enjoying seeing these two start to interact with each other. Kai adores Adon and Adon watches Kai like a hawk - taking in every movement and sound that his big brother makes.

I've been getting a lot of comments about how Kai and Adon look alike and I can't help but think otherwise. I finally decided to compare pictures of the boys at around the same age.

Here's a pic of Kai when he was about 6 months - starting his baby food eating adventure:

....and here's Adon, very different! I'm sure there's some resemblance but, for the most part, he's a completely different baby =)

Here's Kai-guy right before crawling....

...and, here's Adon =)

I love my boys!! They are so much fun!

.:FOOOOOD!!!!:.

2011-03-07T14:29:00.000-08:00

Yup! It's that time already!
My little Adon is LOVING food!! I could easily wean him this week if I wanted to but, I know it's better for his little body to go slowly and keep him breastfed.

Thanks to WIC (Women Infants & Children), I get about 100 jars of baby food & 4 boxes of infant oatmeal a month for FREE!! The best part is, I get to choose what kind I want so I go for the organic expensive stuff=)
I'm not really into cooking period so the thought of steaming and blending my own baby food was not very appealing to me. I love being able to just woop it out of the pantry, feed it and save the rest for later.
He's having lots of fun with it and I think he's going to be a better eater than Kai was. He already has been and that makes me excited for this new part of his life!

Will share more soon!

Since I last posted...

2010-12-19T21:21:00.000-08:00

My biggest turned 2 years old in October!!!

My littlest turned 4 months old!!!

I died my hair...red...then brown/black...

Kai-guy has been walking in his Daddy's footsteps and dress up like him...

Ryan & I got to get away for a marriage retreat where not only did we relax and have a wonderful time re-connecting but, I got to try my first Lobster!!!

We're celebrating our first Christmas as a family of 4!!!

Oh ya, and we moved into our new home where we have been blessed with many opportunities to have people over and practice hospitality (something we desperately need to grow in!)

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Friends, Family & Cookies, OH MY!!!

2010-10-02T10:46:00.001-07:00

Here's what we've been up to: (I don't know how to get this "underline" function to dissapear)

Playing, playing, playing with family and friends while Daddy is away on business trips...

Finding ways to cool off and have fun in this nasty humid heat...

learning to share.... hee hee

taking frequent naps to re-charge the batteries for more fun =)

and eating lots of cookies!!!

A friend of mine posted this delicious recipe for all organic cookies that not only make a tasty treat but also helps to boost your milk production. However, if you're a man, a child or someone who ISN'T nursing - they're just really good for you and will NOT make you produce milk ;)
I hardly EVER bake - let alone from scratch - don't even mention doing anything organic so the fact that I even made these is a HUGE step for me. I had to go out & buy a lot of the organic ingredients (ie: brewer's yeast, flaxseed meal, organic oats, etc) so it cost me a pretty penny.
So, now I'm going to sit back, enjoy my treat and see if it helps me to produce more milk.

PS: I'm actually doing fine on the breast milk. Ryan and I are going to a marriage retreat in about a month and I would like to leave BOTH kids behind which means that I need to have a nice stock of breast milk for Adon and I'm thinking this might save me a lot of unnecessary pumping.

Love you & God Bless you!!

.:Brothers!:.

2010-09-23T20:29:00.001-07:00

Brothers!!!

I am so excited that I get to embark on this adventure of being in a house full of boys! Though...I do pray that one day I'll get at least one girl ;) Kai is LOVING his new baby brother. This morning, I had Adon on the bed while I got dressed and Kai came in, saw him lying there and wanted to snuggle up close to him. He even made sure that Adon was well covered by the blanket. It was too cute to resist! I had to take a picture...

There are moments where Adon will be watching Kai and a big smile while appear on his face. This kid is so smiley! It took everything I had to get Kai to smile at this age but not with Adon - the minute he sees me he breaks out into a big, open-mouthed smile =) One of these days, I'll be ready with camera in hand to capture the moment.

These 2 are suckers for their binkies. I'm in the process of weaning Kai off of it but I'm not really serious yet. If he's playing happily I'll simply ask for it and put it in his crib and tell him that "happy boys don't need binkies". Anyway, I'm thinking I'll get real serious about it when I potty train him (which will probably be sometime after christmas). It might just be me but in my opinion, if you're old enough to do your dooty on your own on a big boy potty, you're too big to be sucking on a pacifier.

Life is going farely well, I have to say. I'm finding more times for devotions which is unexpected. I was thinking that I'd have time to read only 2 verses here and there but I've been blessed with a good half hour at least during the boys' nap time. (Yes! They take naps at the same time, praise God!) Adon is still a really easy going baby - eats, sleeps, poops and only cries when he needs to do one of those 3 things or just wants to be held. He's definitely looking like his own little person and I'm seeing some serious red in his hair and green-brown in his eyes =)

Last Friday I mailed out 23 resumes for apartment management positions here in Pasadena and as a result, we have an interview set up for next Friday for a beautiful complex in the downtown Pasadena area. I'm super excited and filled with peace that God's will is better and what ever place we end up in - it will be perfect for our family =)

Ryan's job is going EXTREMELY well. He had his first business trip to AZ last week (yes, I stayed home with the kids and survived thanks be to God, Lynn & Terri) and is out to dinner right now with his CEO & VP!!! God answer's prayer, I'll tell ya what! We're both very thankful to God for this job and for how He is pouring out favor on Ryan with his coworkers and employers.

That's us in a nutshell for now. I'll be keeping you all posted and will try to stay current with pictures =)

Love you!

Introducing...

2010-08-31T07:44:00.001-07:00

Adoniram Allen Baird (Adon for short)
August 19th, 2010 1:55pm
7 lbs 14 oz, 20 in. long

I had an AMAZING labor & delivery!!! Thank you to everyone who prayed for us - prayer works, let me tell ya!
Real labor began at around 9:00am on Thursday, the 19th and I had my Doula, Gracie Davis come over with her labor gear (birth ball, heating pad, etc) to help me labor at home as long as possible. Both she, Ryan and my mom helped me through the hard contractions with massage and acupressure. By around 12:00pm, I was starting to really think about drugs and with my contractions being 2 minutes long and 3 minutes apart, I was ready to go to the hospital...

...We got to the hospital at around 12:30pm and they started the admission process and hooked me up to the external fetal monitor to check on Adon. I was really starting to go through the "self-doubt" phase and told the nurses that I thought I might be in transition. Sure enough, after checking me, I was 6-7 centimeters dialated...

...As soon as they were done monitoring the baby, Gracie helped me get onto all fours for the rest of my labor (I was having a lot of back labor and this was how I was comfiest). As soon as I did this, things blasted off from there! I immediately dilated to 8 and my body was already pushing the baby out on it's own!!! This was the most bizarre yet AMAZING feeling EVER!!!
The baby was coming and there was NO amount of breathing it off to stop it!!!
I announced this to the world and they decided to check me again and sure enough, it was time to push =D I pushed for maybe 3-4 contractions and my little guy entered into the world.

This was by far the most painful experience I have ever gone through but for some strange reason, I'd do it again!!! I am filled with sooo much joy and excitement as I look back on the whole process. As painful as it was, it was awe inspiring and amazing to see my body do all of the work on it's own (with God as it's comander, of course) and feel the baby move through the canal and out into the world!

Not only was the delivery amazing but recovery has been 10 times faster and easier than it was with Kai. I didn't tear so to not have stitches down there really made recovery a lot easier =)
Now, I know there are other factors too like the fact that it's my 2nd baby and I was in much better shape to begin with ( I'm 7 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight already) but, I'm convinced that not having all of the drugs going through my body helped my body to get back on it's feet a lot faster.

Needless to say, I am soooo doing this again with my next baby!

Here's the proud and happy big brother! It was amazing how he went from being my little guy to my big boy in just one weekend =) Kai has been doing great with little brother. He loves to give Adon his pacifier and he always makes sure that the baby has his blanket too. Those are the 2 essentials in Kai's life =) hee hee

Will continue to keep you posted... still need to find the darn camera cord!

Love you all! =D

Comming Soon...

2010-08-15T13:26:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!

Sorry to have not posted in a while. I lost the cord that connects my camera to our computer so, I have several pics still on my camera that I would like to post (Ryan and I's 5th year anniversary pics & the most recent belly bump pics).
Hopefully we'll find it soon so that I can update y'all on the life =)

I'm 2 days away from my due date and I can't tell you enough how excited I am! My goal is to have this little one all natural - the Bradley way. I've been doing lots of studying and reading and training with my doula friend and feel as prepared as I'm ever going to be =)
With Kai, I had the epidural experience and, although it was pain free, I didn't like the experience as a whole. To begin with, the whole process of the epidural being administered was intense and just the thought of someone sticking a NEEDLE into my spinal column still gives me the creeps =P
I ended up still feeling a lot of "pressure pain" right before I started pushing for a good solid hour and then just the fact that I couldn't tell if I was even pushing when it was time because, you know, YOU'RE BASICALLY PARALYZED, I didn't like that either.
So, with that experience, I am REALLY motivated to try an unmedicated birth. Not only will both I and the baby benefit from this physically but, I'm also really excited to experience God in a whole new way =)
He has created my womanly body to perform this role and it is HIS hand alone that is making my body contract and deliver this little blessing! All of the details of the happenings of child birth are just so obviously an invisible God making things happen in a visible world and I can't wait to see Him in bigger way because of this experience.

I probably won't be blogging again until after Adon comes (unless I find my camera cord and post some belly pics), so please pray for Ryan and I as well as for this delivery.
Pray that God would unite Ryan and I in a deeper way as we work together to bring this little one into the world and as a result, love each other more deeply.
Pray also for God's protection over Adon as he's born, that there will not be any complications and that he would be a completely healthy little boy.

In the meantime, praise God from whom all blessings flow!

~Underwood Family Farms~

2010-07-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

So, due to the fact that I only have about a month and half before little brother gets here, I am jumping on every opportunity to do something fun with my Kai guy.

Today, my friends let me crash their outing to Underwood Family Farms out in Simi Valley where the admission is CHEAP ($3!!!) and there's sooo much for kids and family to do together. With all of the farm animals, Kids Corral, train and pony rides plus a HUGE farm to go and pick whatever kind of produce you like, there was definitely NOT a dull moment!

Here are some of my favorite shots from our expidition:

The kids LOVED this ginormous pyramid made out of hay stacks - it helped to not be so nervouse about Kai being up that high when it's nothing but hay to break his fall =)

They also had these wagons (for free!!) that you could use for the day which was one of the favorite activities that Kai really enjoyed.

"Say what?!!"....work it girl!

They had these wooden trains and tractors everywhere that the kids can climb and play in.

And, of course, what would a farm be without chickens!! I got lots of shots of some of the other animals but, I didn't think that'd interest you ; )

My farm boy! He had sooo much fun and Ryan was super bummed that he couldn't go that I think we'll be making another trip out to Underwood Family Farms.

I'm so excited that God's giving me these opportunities to do fun things with Kai before the baby gets here (notice how I'm not saying a name - Ryan and I are re-thinking the name we had). I know he won't remember them when he's older but, we've got some great pics to look back on and remember =)

.:2010 BAIRD FAMILY BEACH CAMPING TRIP:.

2010-07-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

Whewww!! We are back from our annual Baird Family beach camping trip that we took in San Elijo, CA (it's down by Oceanside/Carlsbad area). We had sooo much fun regardless of the amount of work it took. Kai and I went down with Ryan's family on Monday and Ryan met us down there after work on Wednesday and we stayed until Sunday night.

I so enjoyed watching Kai in his element! He LOVES being outside (like any boy does, I'm sure) so the fact that he got to be in the dirt and sand from sunrise to sunset was his biggest dream come true and was a happy camper....that is, until it was time to go to bed or take a nap =)

(This shot was taken at Sea Port Village in San Diego - just before we got on the Carosel)

Our home-sweet-home: the tent. I wasn't sure what to expect as far as being able to sleep on a blow-up mattress being 8 months pregnant. It actually was very comfy because I brought our Postra-pedic (spelling??) mattress topper and put that on top of the air mattress and made it up into a REAL bed.

Anywho, I love sleeping in tents at the beach because I love falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. I DON'T, however, enjoy falling asleep to the neighboring campers and whatever parties they might be throwing so I usually try to remember to bring ear plugs. Kai slept through it all to, amazingly enough.

Kickin' it with Grandma and Grandpa Baird and eating his favorite snack - a pickle =) That's my boy

He is a beach bum at heart - he LOVED to come over and just lay in the sun for a couple minutes...

...then go and play in his pool and sand, and then come lay down some more. Snack, rest, play - that's what you do on vacation, right?

Daddy got the idea...note: he forgot to bring a pair of sunglasses so I let him borrow mine. He's very secure in his manliness =) hee hee

Auntie Meghan had fun too! I had to remind her that it was Kai's pool and she needed to let HIM play in it ;) hee hee

Of course, camping wouldn't be as much fun if you didn't have your cousins to play and get dirty with.

Oh my!! Georgia LOVES her fruit leathers =D

Workin' the latest sand bucket fashion =)

Givin' mommy a kiss! He's my sweet boy!

All in all it was a great trip and wouldn't trade the memories for the world. Vacationing with small children, I've realized, IS alot of work but it's sooo worth it!!! Ryan and I really enjoyed ourselves and the time we got to spend together as a family before Adon arrives.

I can't believe I only have 7 weeks left before Adon comes!! The month of July is going to FLY by as I just enrolled in a certification course to get my Apartment Managers Certificate. Ryan and I really want to pursue becoming apartment managers as a way to save money and be able to live in a bigger place. I'm also viewing it as a way that I can help serve my family financially and taking on this responsibility as a job that I can do from home and still be with my kids.

Ryan's new job and position are going really well and by God's undeserved favor, he is really receiving a lot of favor from his employers and everyone has HIGH hopes and expectations for him in this company. It's exciting to see God answer our prayers through this job and I can't wait to see what will unfold =)

My pregnancy is going well - no complications or ailments. Just the 3rd trimester trudge - no energy, restless legs at night and not being able to fall asleep as fast. Adon is an active little guy - more so than I remember Kai being in the womb - and keeps me up at night sometimes but, I'd rather have that than the opposite where I'm constantly counting movements and worried that he's not moving enough (which I did with Kai).

There is always so much more that I could write about but, for your sake, I'll save it for the next post. You know, break it up a little ;)

Love you and we hope you're having a WONDERFUL summer!

.:Our First Beach Trip of the Summer:.

2010-06-15T19:44:00.001-07:00

SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!!...for us, anyway =)
Today, Kai and I got to enjoy the beautiful southern California weather at the beach with dear friends. I am so thankful to God for the friends he has given me and for placing us in such a beautiful place where we can enjoy His creation!

Here's a shot of the up and coming generation - look out!

....HERE COMES TROUBLE!!! (Kai's face says it all)

...a shot of the camp. We were really excited about the success of bringing the kiddie pool - pathetic to bring a pool when you're at the BEACH - I know, but, it's a life saver when you have toddlers, let me tell ya!

My dear sweet sis-n-law, Nicole and her littlest, Georgia (aka: Dadoo).

Kai's trying to convince his buddy to get dirty in the sand but, Ty was feeling like he needed "Mommy cuddle" time =)

Thus concludes our first day at the beach and I am REALLY looking forward to the Baird Family Beach Camping trip that we're going on next week. It'll definitely be work and adventurous being almost 8 months pregnant and having an active toddler but it'll still be so much fun! Kai will be in hog heaven with being able to be outside 24/7 since we don't really have the ability to roam freely at our apartment.

Will post more soon =) love you all!

My Dream Stroller =)

2010-05-14T10:55:00.001-07:00

It's the Phil & Teds Sport with doubles kit - AND it's 3 STROLLERS in one!!! It's a jogging stroller, it's compact enough to take to stores or malls AND because you can convert it from a single stroller to a double, we don't have to worry about taking only one of the kids out in a massive double stroller. So it completely eliminates ANY need of having 3 separate strollers! Which for a family like us who will most likely be living in an apartment for the next 3-5 years, we need to save as much space as possible.

After much researching and consideration, Ryan and I have come to the conclusion that we'd like to make this investment. I say "investment" because it's EXPENSIVE! A friend, however, bought one off of the website: PishPoshBaby.com and got it for a pretty good price. So, since this stroller is REALLY high quality, it should endure the next 3 kids or so and we won't have to make another stroller purchase again...At least, that's the idea ;)

Any who, we're selling stuff that we no longer need and are saving up for this black beauty!
I don't normally post of about "stuff" but, I'm just totally sold and excited about the idea of owning one of these babies! I'm praying that God will provide and I have faith that He will =)

.:Today's Pics:.

2010-04-29T15:29:00.001-07:00

Here's some new shots from the day:

Kai discovered a new talent and has been obsessively showing it off all day - shoving 2 "binkies" into his mouth at the same time. It was so hilarious that I had to take a pic with my phone and send it to my family =)

We took a trip to the Dr's today because his left eye has been really red for the last 2 days and I was starting to wonder if it was Pink Eye. Thankfully, after a really cool test where they dropped yellow dye into his eye and then shone a black light on it, they discovered that he had severely scratched it. THANK YOU, GOD that it's not Pink Eye!!! (You can kind of see how red it is in this pic) So, we just got to give it time and put drops in it to prevent infection and to soothe it so that he stops rubbing at it and making it worse.

My belly bump at 24 weeks. I feel like I'm bigger than I was with Kai.

Kai being cute for the camera =)

Life this week has been tough and is finally starting to get easier. Kai was pretty sick these last 2 days and with the eye thing plus no sleep - he and I were pretty unhappy campers. But, God was good and revealed a lot to me about my heart and where I've been finding my joy - in my circumstances! I need to constantly speak the truth to myself that Jesus has taken care of my GREATEST need by dying on the cross and through His resurrection from the grave. THAT'S where my joy needs to be - that I am saved!!! NOT in where I live or don't live, how my child is behaving, how ugly or pretty my possesions are or in maintaining a healthy weight. All those things are blessings from my Creator and are NOT to be worshiped but are to point me to the one who DOES deserve all my praise!

Still Here...

2010-04-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

I'm still here...

With Ryan getting all 4 of his wisdom teeth pulled, starting his new position at work and our internet being down for about a week, I feel so out of touch with everyone and need to catch up.

Yes, Ryan's still recovering from his surgery that he had last Friday. He's still in a lot of pain which is no wonder since they had to put in 4 stitches on each side of his cheeks on the bottom jaw on top of that, he has 4 gaping holes where his teeth used to be. Ryan has a pretty high pain tolerance and doesn't usually complain when he's not feeling well so the fact that a week later he's still really affected by the amount of pain he's in makes me wonder if somethings wrong. We have a follow-up appointment on Saturday so we'll find out if there's any infections brewing.

On top of that, he started his new position in the Customer Service/Sales department at his job. PRAISE GOD!!!! We were really praying and asking God to provide a way for us to eventually move into a bigger apartment (we're in a 1 bedroom right now) and it's really cool to see Him provide =) His new boss has a lot of hope for him and everyone's really excited to see what he'll accomplish in the department. My hubby's ruling his dominion and playing to win! =D

Kai is getting so big and is such a little man! He loves his Daddy and certainly takes a lot after him! He's weird, querky and spazy and super cute and makes my role as a Mom super easy (most of the time). We've been teaching him how to pray at dinner time and he thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread! All through out dinner he'll stop us, hold out his hands to us with a huge smile on his face and squeal for us to pray. That's my favorite thing right now =)

I'm getting bigger as I come up to my 24th week (6th month) mark and Adon is kicking good and strong now. Everything is going great, my energy is back, morning sickness gone and I'm starting to make a routine of going on daily walks and eating well to keep my weight healthy this time. Housework is much more doable again and God's been giving me opportunities to serve others through out the week by watching their kids.

Hopefully, I'll get some good pics of us soon and will post them. Don't hold your breath though, for one of me - I'm not exactly photogenic right now (or at least, not feeling it).

love you all!

.:Catchin' Up:.

2010-03-22T19:42:00.001-07:00

Just realized that it's been a loooong time since I've put up some family pics. Here you go friends and family far away =)

Kai and his best bud Ty at the park (our favorite place):

Us at the Rose Parade (ya, it's been a while):

Kai's favorite new past time is building forts out of our couch pillows - these were just taken tonight =)

Now that my camera is finally unloaded, I'll be taking more and posting more =)

Love you all!

Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge!!!

2010-02-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

For the past month or so, an idea has been brewing on my heart and mind. An idea that I hope will help grow me in my role as a woman, wife and mother and further the gospel in my home and community.

This idea first showed it's beautiful face when I started reading through Mark Chanski's book, "Womanly Dominion - More Than A Gentle & Quiet Spirit". (I HIGHLY recommend reading this book by the way - no matter what season of life you're in) What has really stuck out to me so far in my reading of this book is that we as women are to cultivate a spirit of ruling the dominion God has assigned to us. Being a godly woman is more than just having a "gentle and quiet spirit" that trusts in the Lord and does not worry about tomorrow. We are to do something about the "today"! Where God has placed us TODAY, whether it be in a season of singleness and going to school, newly married or raising a family of 7 and preparing for "empty nesting", God has called us to be hard workers. We are to rule and manage what He has lovingly assigned to us in our God-given roles as men and women.
In light of this revelation, the Proverbs 31 Woman came to mind since this passage beautifully portrays a woman who faithfully helps and serves her husband and children through her words of encouragement and her determination to manage & keep the home - but above all, she is praised for how she is a woman who fears the Lord.

So! Here's the challenge! Starting March 1st, I will be taking the Proverbs 31 Woman passage and meditating on it one verse at a time each month and seek out ways to applicably & creatively do the things mentioned in that verse. (If you like this idea, feel free to go on this journey with me and I would LOVE to hear the creative ways you put each verse into application and what God showed you through out the month).

My first verse is Proverbs 31: 10: "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels."
"WHAT do I do with THIS one?", I asked myself. So I did a little research and found a gal who took on the same challenge and focused on 2 areas in her life that could use a little more "excellence".

CHALLENGE:
The 2 areas that I will be focusing on this month will be:

My Husband: My #1 priority is to be an encourager and helpmeet to Ryan as well as seek to minister to him and be ministered by him before anyone else. I also really want to grow in seeking to look good for him, no matter what my day was like. Who wants to come home to a grumpy, tired sasquatch?
My Home: Being on top of my daily chores so that Ryan has a peaceful and clean home to come home to as well as managing my time so that I can prepare and have a delicious meal on the table by the time my family is hungry. (Ryan and I joined the Abundant Harvest Organics and are also going vegetarian for the month of March as a body cleanse - can you believe this was RYAN's idea?! I can't wait to try out the new veggies and grow in meal planning)

There are SOOO many other things I could work on too but, I will just get overwhelmed and discouraged by the long "to do" list so, I will keep it simple.

I will keep you posted on what happens =)

Any Advice?

2010-02-11T14:55:00.001-08:00

I need help!!!

So, how do you do it? How did YOU do it?
That is, getting everything done like: keeping the kitchen clean (& that's just the dishes, not to mention sweeping and moping), making it so that your living room doesn't look like a bomb of toys and clothes and diapers went off - and that's 10 minutes after you JUST cleaned it!!! Making sure your kid is fed even when the things you give to him make you want to puke, and then there's making dinner???

I've been really struggling lately with where to draw the line between needing rest through out the day and being lazy. I've been talking to Ryan about it and he gave me some great advice about just doing it! Get up and do the things you have to do and if you find that you are exhausted - don't beat yourself up - just rest. So, that's what I've been trying to do lately. Just do it!! ....and then go sit on the couch until the next wave of energy hits me....sometimes, I feel like it checks out for the day by 2pm.

I need your advice, mothers =) Can you share with me what your mentality was for keeping up with your God-given call as a wife and mother during the first trimester of pregnancy or even through out the whole pregnancy?

Oh ya, and can I start to drink coffee now that I've gone 3 months with out it?

Change...

2010-01-28T19:02:00.000-08:00

Life is full of constant seasons of change. In fact, that's what we're called by our glorious Creator to do - change. Change by "putting off the old self" and putting on the new self, "created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness". (Galations 4:23-24)

For me personally, the conviction of a need to change in a certain area has been growing on my heart and mind over the past few months. And that conviction is this: the need to change the way I blog (and even facebook for that matter).

I couldn't ever quite put my finger on what was bugging me each time I went to write a post. Something kept nagging me in the back of my mind and I finally felt like maybe I just needed to ask myself a few questions: Why do I blog? Who am I seeking to honor and bring praise to? Is it to my wonderful Savior? Or to my self? Am I seeking to encourage and build up the faith in my blogging friends? Or am I selfishly trying to gain the approval and envy of those that I envy?

Well, I can tell ya that after asking myself these questions I felt very convicted that I could better use my blog to serve others and glorify God.
"But, the WHOLE point of a blog is to write about yourself" I would argue to myself. Truueee....however, I think that there's a way that I can share the blessings and the stories that God brings into my life in a way that directs the focus back to Him. I need to confess that the majority of my posts have been to boast about my home, possessions, children and my husband (although, I love to praise him so I don't think that that will change ;) or to complain about the current state of my home and the amount of work that I have to do (something which also needs change). Instead of these, my desire should be to share with you the things that God is teaching me through daily life and the ways that He shows His love for me through the blessings of family and friends.

I write this because I know that the temptations I am experiencing (even in the blogging/myspace/facebook/twitter world) are not unique to me but they are common to man. We should all be challenging and evaluating our hearts and motives in every area of life, but especially in the web world. That's where we speak the loudest and the boldest and that's where we can either be a good representative of Christ or a poor one.

So, as it should be in all areas of my life but more specifically as it relates to my web world, from here on out, I am going to make it my aim to glorify the Savior, encourage and build up!

And if you happen to come across a "me" monster of a post in the future written by yours truly, please slap me in the back of the head with THIS post and let me know =)

On Vacation...

2010-01-14T14:44:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry for being so absent lately. The holidays + morning sickness + visiting family far away has kept me away from the computer.

I have lots of pics to post and will post when I get home =)

Love you all!

.:Turn Your Partner Round-n-Round:.

2009-12-15T19:22:00.000-08:00

Here's a funny clip of Kai rockin' out to his barnyard music - hee hee....

.:An Early Christmas Present:.

2009-12-08T14:29:00.000-08:00

SURPRISE!!!

Soooo..... ya, we're pregnant =D (beeeaming)

Baby # 2 has been discovered and I am so excited I can't hold it in.
My plan was to wait and tell Ryan and his family on Christmas morning but again, I just couldn't wait.
Plus, I need your prayers now - please pray that I have a good and healthy pregnancy and that nothing goes wrong.
Please pray for God's provision of energy and joy as I enter into this new season of motherhood and needing to care for my toddler. Please pray that God will continue to provide for our family financially and that His will be done as far as where we live.

YAYYYY!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!! AAAAHHHHH!!!!

Guess Who's Walking!

2009-12-07T13:14:00.001-08:00

Yup!! As of Saturday, December 5th, my little goober has proved himself to be a big boy =)
He has been taking a couple steps here and there for the last 2 weeks and then on Saturday morning while Ryan and I were sipping our coffee together on the couch and slowly waking up, Kai decided to amaze us by walking from our bathroom into our living room. It took Ryan and I second to realize what just happened and then we both screamed with excitement and praised our little guy.
Saturday was also the day that we were blessed with a christmas tree from Ryan's parents so we spent the day decorating and listening to Christmas carols.....sigh... So, to have Kai walking around all day long while we decorated the tree and the house made this Christmas so much more special =)

.:It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas:.

2009-11-23T14:40:00.000-08:00

I know, Thanksgiving isn't even over yet but, I couldn't help myself.
I love Christmas!

After MUCH searching and listening through the Christian Christmas Music section in the iTunes Store, I finally found a christmas album I liked. I've never heard of this band in general so I don't know what their other stuff sounds like - but I liked this one =)

It took me so long because I do NOT like: country, 80's "Electrical Light Parade" sounding boops and bleeps, and I hate the "Jesus is my girlfriend" type of singing that's out there in today's Christian Music Artists. I'm picky, I know. But, I truly love listening to music that sounds genuine yet shows artistic talent - nothing cheesy or anything country (sorry to all of you country lovers out there). I am what I am!

Anyway, check this album out if you're having a hard time finding good Christian Christmas music out there. Christ Tomlin's album was good too but he uses a live congregational sound through out the whole album and that was going to drive me crazy by the end.

Chewin' on the Good Stuff

2009-11-22T18:16:00.001-08:00

Lately, Kai has been loving his books - I don't mean READING his books but CHEWING his books.

Should I take this as an offense that he would rather eat the cardboard of his books than eat the food I prepare for him? Naaaa!!!!

...He just likes to savor these delicious stories more than one way =)

Bon Apetit!

.:A Monster in My Cupboard:.

2009-11-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate to catch this little monster in the act...

After completely emptying my cupboards of their contents, he went in for the kill...

He was quite engrossed.

"till next time...

A Preview...

2009-11-01T18:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a little preview of our family's portraits done by the marvelous C.A. Boomsma (Courtney).
We wanted pictures of Kai for his 1 year birthday as well as pictures for our Christmas cards.

The best is yet to come!

...will post pictures of Kai's Halloween Birthday bash in a few.

Broken Down...

2009-10-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

As I exited the freeway this morning on my route home from Costco, I could hear a loud clicking noise coming from my engine - it was audible over the loud children's cd I was playing at the moment. Now, the car has been mildly clicking for a few months now but nothing like what it was doing now.
Within a few minutes it grew louder and the car started to shake up and down as I drove. I pulled into the drive way and unloaded the perishables into my fridge (I left Kai in the car, he was getting impatient with me) and hopped right into the car to take it to the shop. The car died when I tried to put it into gear...ugh! Oh no!! Please at least make it to the car shop!! I prayed.
It started after several tries and the whole drive up to the shop I prayed that God would let me at least get there.
As I was waiting to turn left (I was just down the street from the shop - almost there!), the car DIED!!! TURNED OFF & WOULD NOT START!!! I immediately turned on the hazard lights as I waved the people behind me to go around me while I continued to try and restart the car.
WHY NOW!! GOD, WHAT HAPPENED?!
I decided to call my dearest friend to come and help me - as soon as she picked up the phone, I immediately felt like I was going to burst into tears - in fact, I did.
I called my husband as well and cried - asking him what I should do.
Kai is now in the back seat crying harder and louder as each minute passes (or at least, it felt like it). As he cried harder, so did I - not out of fear but out of hopelessness - I have never been in a situation like this and I had NO idea what to do!!! We don't have AAA and I didn't have a phone book in my car. Thankfully, Ryan was able to text me a roadside assistance phone #.
Anyway, some nice gentlemen pulled over and helped me push my car out of the middle of the road and right in from on McDonalds where I waited an hour and half for the tow service.
God was there!
Kelsey picked up Kai for me and watched him while I dealt with the tow company and she stayed with Kai and I until they came to tow my car.
God is merciful!

Kai and I are now safely home, the car is in the shop and I am now remembering what God showed me this morning in my devotions and what I had prayed for.
Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm. I know we're all familiar with this story but God pointed out some very key events that took place during the Storm.
1) Jesus was asleep when the disciples came and woke him saying "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" and 2) after Jesus calmed the storm, he then corrects them saying "Why are you so afraid? Have you no faith?"
Here I am, in the middle of the intersection - Ryan and I are currently broke and are in serious need of financial help already, and now my car has completely broken down. Meaning, more $ is going to be required of us.
But, "God is not a god of confusion, but of peace" and he filled me with it as this was all happening. I KNOW that God knows our financial situations and I KNOW that this incident was not out of His control - so, I believe and am at peace knowing that Jesus is going to calm this storm. I could easily cry out to God "Lord, don't you care that our finances are perishing??!" to which He would reply "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?"
Finances are the EASIEST thing for God to restore. I almost want to laugh at the obvious revealing of God's hand in all of this and I can't wait to see how He is going to answer our prayers! It may be quickly or it may take more time in which I will need to patiently wait on Him and trust in Him for everything.
(On a side note, Ryan and I have been praying and seeking God about whether or not to send me back to work to help with finances, but I believe that God is wanting to test us in our faith and I believe He wants to show Himself in a greater way through providing for us one day at a time.)

It could have been a lot worse!!! Did I realize that in the moment, as it was happening?? Of course not!!! But, an hour or two later - looking back on what happened, I now see all of the ways God protected me from having a REALLY bad day!
Not only did he provide help and assistance through my friend Kelsey and my husband, but he also saved me from a HUGE embarrassment! I won't give details but know that if this thing had started while I was stranded and waiting for the tow company instead of starting as soon as I got home, I would have had a REALLY bad day!!

I'm sorry about how long this was, I sincerely wanted to encourage any of you and all of you if you are struggling with the same thing - finances (or lack there of).
Do not be discouraged - God will give you your daily bread. If anything, I believe that He takes away our comforts that so easily distract us from Him for the purpose of teaching us to rely and depend on Him in prayer.

PS: how is it that a fruit fly flies so slow and when you try to kill it, it seems to evade your deathly blow?

....Latelies...

2009-10-10T19:34:00.000-07:00

Lately...

My little guy is not so little anymore, he's almost 1 year old!!

He's clapping...

He waves goodbye...

He loves to say "Wow!" to everything!...

He gives me hugs... he cuddles with his teddy bear... he eats what I eat (well, almost)

He's the greatest little gift God has given me on this earth!! (aside from my husband of course) Even though 10% of the time he throws tantrums and yells at me when I'm not giving him what he wants, the remaining 90% is sooooo worth it!!!

Just watching him grow and become his own little man self just reminds me that I do nothing - it's all God!! His little life is in the Redeemers hands and I pray for him daily that He will love the Lord with all of his heart and that he would spread the Good News of faith in Christ.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward." Psalm 127:3

Work it Baby, yeaaah!!

2009-10-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

I NEED YOUR VOTE!!

Hello Family & Friends!

Just for fun, I've entered my little goober, Kai into the Baby Gap casting call to see if he could be in the next advertisement for Baby Gap. Even if Kai makes it to the top 20's there's fun stuff to be won.

Anyway, please help us out and go to Gap.com/castingcall and search by "chalenebaird" for Kai's entries.

Thanks so much!!!

.: A Touch of Fall :.

2009-09-29T19:14:00.000-07:00

This last weekend, Ryan and I spent our entire Saturday cleaning and doing projects around the house. One of my projects was to clean up and sell a Sit-n-Stand stroller on Craigslist - I put it up online and a half hour later, I had $50 of fun money in my hand =)
What did I do?......

I went to Michaels (they were having a FANTASTIC sale) and found some beautiful Fall decorations. (The only reason why I went is because my old decorations got lost somewhere during moving)

These garlands were 50% off - I couldn't resist =)

And of course, how can you pass up real gourds for less than a buck at Vons?

I found these candle holders / tea light holders for 50 cents at Ikea (I've always wanted tall candles for our romantic dinner nights)

This is just something new I put up - I finally was able to frame these pictures I had gotten of Kai at the Target Photo Studio

I LOVE pumpkins!!

Sooooo it might not be a TOUCH of Fall but an invasion - I had fun however and it always makes walking in the door more exciting =D Now, it's time for the holiday parties!

JOY!!!!

2009-09-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

JOY!!!!

This is what God has been showing my in my quiet times with Him. How to find joy in Him through delighting in His glory. I have been reading "When I Don't Desire God, How to Fight for Joy" by John Piper and it has been truly eye opening and wonderful!!!
John Piper explores every aspect of why and how we are to find joy in Jesus Christ and in His glory.
Please! Let me encourage you, no matter what season of life you're in - read this!!! Especially if you have been feeling like you are lacking in joy in God in His glorious Son, Jesus Christ. Are you experiencing trials? Are you weighed down by the responsibilities of Motherhood? Or are you simply searching for joy in other things? I was struggling with all of these things - and am still going through some of them but with GREAT joy in the Lord.

Here's a quote that God really used to teach me about delighting and finding joy in Christ's glory:
"Together this spiritual seeing of Christ and enjoying him - or this spiritual sense of his beauty and corresponding pleasure in the soul - refer to what Paul calls 'knowing' Christ... This knowing includes tasting and seeing. It is the knowledge of honey that you have only when you put it on your tongue and taste that it is sweet. Therefore, knowing Christ in this way means seeing him for who he really is and enjoying him above all things."

See what I mean? Read it! It's a must if you are seeing that you need a revival of God's Spirit in your heart and life to taste and see that He is good and to delight in Him!

Loving My Husband and Delighting in My Children

2009-09-01T18:44:00.001-07:00

Loving My Husband...

This is one of the things that God has so graciously been showing my lately. In my times with the Lord, God, through His Spirit has been convicting me that I have not been loving my husband like He calls me to.

There's a chapter in the book "Feminine Appeal" by Carolyn Mahaney that's entitled "The Delight of Loving My Husband" that I have frequently read since I've been married. It's one that is so helpful to me in that it reminds me how I am called to love Ryan with a tender, affectionate and passionate kind of love and make him my priority after God. I have picked it up again and have been encouraged by the Authors words:

"Loving our husbands with a tender and passionate love is not something that happens automatically in our marriage". So, we must learn it and go to older women and God's Word to be trained in how to love our husbands.

Ultimately, the thing that stuck out to me most was this :
"Sin destroyed my tender love... If we find that our affection for our husband is waning or has subsided altogether, then we do not need to look any further than our own hearts. Where sin is present, warm affection dissipates. Anger, bitterness, criticism, pride, selfishness, fear, laziness-all vigorously oppose tender love. This love cannot survive in a heart that harbors sin."

However, she doesn't leave you there dwelling on how hidiously sinful you are, she then exorts you to evaluate and examine your heart, repent, and put on tender thoughts of love and behavior towards your husband.

This book is so encouraging that I decided to read the whole thing again!
However, let me tell you that this book is not just geared toward married women. This book is centered on the teachings of Titus 2 and is for all women, single married, young and old, who want to grow in their biblical role as a godly woman. "Read it! I know you'll love it!"

Delighting in My Children...

The 2nd most important thing that God has been teaching me is how to train my children (or, child in my case).

My sister-n-law encouraged me to read this book "Don't Make Me Count to Three" after I related to her my struggles with discerning when and how I should begin to train and discipline my son. Even though he is only 10 months old, he is already capable of understanding me when I say "No, you may NOT touch that" and is also throwing fits and temper tantrums when I move him away from something or take something away from him.
I have only read the first 2 chapters and am benefiting a GREAT deal from this woman's godly council. The Author, Ginger Plowman, graciously instructs the mother's reading her book on how to apply God's word in training their children. She then goes on to define discipline and reveal how our society today views it verses what God, in His word teaches about it:

"Society portrays discipline as punishment that involves anger, yelling, and severe or even cruel acts... They simply try to control their children, focusing only on their outward behavior."

"While society relates discipline to an uncontrolled use of physical punishment, Biblical discipline involves love, the heart, and God's Word."

She then goes on to say that "we have to get them to think right and to be motivated out of a love of vurtue rather than a fear of punishment. We do this by training them in righteousness. Righteous training can only come from the Word of God."
When we work on the issues of the heart, outward behaviour will follow.

Now, I know that Kai's not going to be able to understand me right now when I teach him about what God says regarding sin, anger and selfishness. But, it will get me into the habbit of training him in righteousness by lovingly warning him, following through with discipline and lovingly explaining to him his sin and leading him to repentance.

I am very excited to read on and continue to learn how to train and discipline my children biblically. I know it's not going to be easy and it's not going to be rewarding until they are grown up but I know and trust that God's grace is sufficient for my every need.

Read with me! Tell me your thoughts as you go through these books. I would love to hear how God uses these wise women to speak truth into your life and further mold you into the image of His glorious Son, Jesus Christ!

What a Week...

2009-08-29T21:09:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a very low key and boring week. I say "boring" only in reference to my being trapped inside my house for the whole week because of the heat and smoke from the fires. (Here's a shot from the Mt. Wilson web cam which is right above houses of family friends)

However, it has NOT been a boring week with all of the action happening with the 4 fires surrounding LA and the story of Jaycee Dugard, who is a 29 yr old woman who was kidnapped at 11 and kept hostage in her kidnapper's backyard for 18 years and had 2 children by him!!!! It is so amazing and the grace of God that she is now reunited with her family. Let's all be praying for the family and for God to show himself and bring them all to realize their need for a Savior (if they haven't already) and that God would call them to himself.

Here are some shots of the fires I took while I was filling up at a gas station. The flames were pokin' out and I just had to take some shots:

THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS FOR SERVING AND WORKING OVER TIME TO KEEP US ALL SAFE!!!! WE ARE SO BLESSED BY YOUR HARD WORK!

Please pray: that God would make it rain and the fires would cease, that homes would be saved and Firefighters would be protected from the heat from both the weather and the fires.
Pray: for the Dugard family, for restoration of the family, for mental and physical and emotional healing for Jaycee and her daughters and that they would be saved.
While we're sitting in the comforts of our ac'd homes, guys are out in this hot weather fighting the wild fires- away from their families and the Dugard family are dealing with press as well as reuniting as a WHOLE family and recovering from the last 18 years!!!

Love you all!

Daddy and Kai Jamin' together

2009-08-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

I had to share this one too - Ryan pulled out his guitar and started to play. I think it was the first time that Kai really took notice of what he was doing and wanted to join in. This was also the same day that he started to "dance" (bob up and down to music).

Fishy Kisses and Lizard Tongues!

2009-08-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

Kai has been doing this hilarious thing where he will randomely start giving fishy kisses. It's soo funny and too darn cute!! Enjoy =)

A Day at the Beach

2009-08-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

The Beach!!!

Last Friday, I went with my very good friend, Michelle and her son, Tyler to Point Dume Beach. It was a gorgeous, sunny day with a nice cool breeze. What can I say? I love living in Southern California =)

Michelle had brought her little kiddy pool so, Kai and Ty played in and out of it, dumping sand and bobbing for toy rings (as you can see below).

Ty is such a cutie! I hope that he and Kai will grow up the closest of friends =)

The best sight of all was seeing these two little guys crashed in the back seat.

God is soo good to give us friends! We as the created need companionship and unity because we are created in the image of a unified God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) He gives us joy in the fellowship we have with our fellow believers and I'm so thankful for the people he has brought into my life. Especially for my husband and my little peanut.

Lake Tahoe - the Final Part =)

2009-08-12T15:27:00.000-07:00

After Tahoe, we drove back to my Dad's house in Tracy, CA and on Sunday we went to San Francisco (after church of course) and walked around Pier 39. I was however, really bummed that we didn't get to see the Golden Gate Bridge. I so wanted a family picture with it in the back ground. Oh well.

Here's our family pic on the Pier. Super cute! I think this one is my favorite so far.

Did I mention that I LOVE sail boats? I love to watch them and on this day, they were everywhere. They're so peaceful looking - I think this will be my next painting project.

My dear, sweet sis-n-law, Jessie. I miss you so much, friend! Can't wait to see you guys again =D

The gang, hanging out on the dock overlooking the ocean (as all docs do) and watching the sail boats go by.

That concludes our fun trip. It makes me sad to have to leave me family now. I'm so used to my family being in the same town as me but now, they are all moved elsewhere and our visits will always be sweet and far too short.

I miss you guys and my love and hugs to all of you!

Lake Tahoe Part 2

2009-08-11T20:49:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's taken me so long to post again. Life was kinda crazy last week - Ryan was back east at a worship conference so I was doing everything and anything to keep busy to make the time go by.

Here is part 2 of my wonderful trip to Tahoe with the family.

This shot was actually taken from the patio of our luxurious hotel that Ryan and I got for our 4 year anniversary. It was (as you can see) overlooking the lake and it was nice brake from camping.

The Baird Family in South Lake Tahoe, July 2009. My Aunt even made everyone these really cool T-shirts that read: Tahoe 09 on the front and on the back it listed all the names of all our family members. Kai and Ethan even got one in their little sizes =)

My Mom and Dann, Sam and Grace (don't you love Sammy's expression?!!) It was so good to see them. I almost cried when I first hugged them - I didn't realize how much I missed them.

Kai LOVED the lake. He was so fascinated by the water and loved to try and eat the rocks.

Shannon Curran came with us and was able to spend much needed time with Sam and Grace. However, I loved having her around before and after too - she was so excited and happy to be on her first camping trip ever and do the typical camping activities (ie: fishing, inner tubing, swimming in the lake, camp fires, etc.)

My sweet Gracie and Sammy. I miss you guys soooo much!!! I can't wait to see you again in September! =D

I'll post the end of our trip later on this week.

TAHOOOOEEE!!!! PT. 1

2009-07-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

We're finally back from our trip to my Dad's house and South Lake Tahoe!! We had such a blast and so much fun that I didn't want to leave and wish I were back there with family again. It's always so hard to leave family after visiting them. I miss them so much already.

Kai and his cousin Ethan (Efan) had fun together at Babu and Bebe's house. Here's some shots of them hangin together.

Bebe bought them matching outfits so they looked like twins the whole trip. It was really cute =)

Kai went in Babu's pool for the first time ever and loved it! He's my little water baby

Here's my nephew and Kai's cousin, Ethan. He is super cute and soft and chunky - I just wanted to squeeze him the whole trip. Kai got really jealous and didn't know how to handle it.

Even with a little barf on his chin he's super cute. Good job Ian and Jessie!

That concludes the first chapter of our trip. We stayed at my Dad's for the first 2 days visiting before we drove the remaining 3 hours to Tahoe. I will post more tomorrow!

Faith in whom???

2009-07-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

Faith in myself, or at least that's what I've been confronting lately. I didn't realize just how big my faith in myself was and how little my faith in God is until Ryan and I began talking about our future. Housing in particular is where I find myself struggling with trusting God for the perfect home.
I have to confess, my personal relationship with Christ has dwindled significantly. As a good friend of mine put it "we never just stand still in our faith, we're either moving forward or falling backward". I think I have definitely been falling backward. My desire to be with God in the mornings and to do His will before my own is seriously week and lacking.
Please pray for me. If you're ever thinking of me, just lift me up in a quick prayer asking God to ignite the flame of passion again. I know that apart from God I can do nothing and it is He who gives us the desire to pursue Him in the first place. My hope is in Him and in the truth that it is He who is showing me my sin of unbelief and pride. Thank God I'm not blind to it and that I'm grieved over it and want to change. That right there is an evidence of His great love and mercy.

BALLOOOOON!!!!

2009-06-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

So, Kai got his first balloon at a friends birthday party (which was super cute and decorated with rubber duckies and yellow balloons). He LOVES to try and bite the balloon - which I just realized probably isn't smart since it could pop and get into his mouth. I monitor him at all times though when he plays with it.

Look who got his 1st Mickey Ears!

2009-06-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

That's right!!! On Monday, I took Kai on his first trip to the happiest place on earth. He's been teething and suffering the runny nose, fevers and pain so I thought Disneyland would be a good distraction. Plus, I had already made plans to go with my Aunt Erinn and Uncle Tom and cousin, Fallon. Here are some shots from our day:

While I was enjoying "Soaring Over California", my Aunt Erinn took Kai and got him his first Mickey Ears. These we'll keep so he can wear them every time we go - hee hee hee

Kai's first ride was in "A Bug's Life" - the caterpillar ride (train ride only you're riding the caterpillar instead of a train)

Nice and relaxing.

His second ride was "Flick's Flyers" - you get into a snack box and it lifts you up and twirls you around like a marry go round - Kai LOVED this one. Note his big smile =)

More to come...

Peas!!! YUCK!!!

2009-06-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

I keep trying to give Kai peas but he does NOT like them. I then try to convince myself that maybe he's just not in a mood to eat right now - maybe he's not hungry. But, today, I fed him carrots and rice cereal and he ate every bite. Then I tried giving him peas and this is what he did.

What do I do? Do I give up and not give him peas any more or should I work on it and try to get him to like it??? Any suggestions?

STUCK!!!

2009-05-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

Hee hee hee.... so, here are some shots of Kai underneath his pac-n-play. He can only crawl in one direction and that's backwards! So, as you can see, it only lead to trouble =)

He looked so funny because he was trying to get out - I know I know, I should have gone to help him instead of reach for the camera. What can I say? I know he was safe and it made for a great picture. =D

Wheww!!!!

2009-05-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! It has been crazy busy these last 5 or 6 days (what day is it???) Ryan was out of town last Friday through Sunday recording some new songs on the new Sovereign Grace cd "Sons and Daughters". I visited my mom's twin sister, Cynthia with Kai while he was gone and had lots of fun hanging out with family.
On Sunday, I had to rush out to LAX to pick up the hubby and get back to church in time for the baby dedication only to find out that the dedication had been moved to the end of the service. (Note: I did not glorify God that morning, Kai was fussy and I had to get myself ready for church all while knowing that it was Mother's Day and other mom's were getting the treatment in bed by their hubbies and children - major pitty party for myself.)
We enjoyed a Mother's Day lunch at the Baird's house after church and I got to be with Ryan for the rest of the Evening.

We're praying for Kai and all of the other kiddos that were getting dedicated that day.

As you can see, LOTS of other families had babies recently. It's been such a joy to walk in the same season as them and grow in our friendships. I'm looking forward to spending more time with them and watching our children grow up together.

On Monday I went and visited my Grandma (Dad's mom) who was in town from Montana. It was such a wonderful visit!! I so enjoyed talking with her and hanging out with her and my Aunt and my little cousin - Fallon. Here are some shots from our visit.

This last week has been no bueno for me in my walk with God. In complete contrast to last week where I was on a spiritual high, loving God's word, praying consistently and finding my joy in Him. This week I have had no desire to read or pray and have been seriously lacking in joy - just ask Ryan, he'll vouch for that. He was so good to bring this to me last night and I know and see that he is right. So, this morning - whether I FELT like it or not, I knew I needed to spend time with God before I did anything else. And what a blessing it was!!!!

Please keep me in your prayers - that I would grow in my love for God, serve and love my husband and be patient with Kai.

Love you all!!

.:Misc...:.

2009-04-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

So, here are some random shots of Kai - just for the heck of it =)

I am so thankful for him!! Both Ryan and I can't get over how blessed we are to have him. Even when he's crying his head off because he doesn't want to go to bed (which he's doing right now).

Anyway, we had a lot of fun this last weekend. On Saturday we went to the park with our care group for lunch. It being a gorgeous day, it brought a lot of joy in just sitting on a picnic blanket, eating chicken legs and pasta salad and basking in the sunlight. Did I mention it was a beautiful day?

We then drove down to Orange County because Ryan got to lead worship at our church extension in Irvine. We left for OC right after the park and got down there in time to hang out at the Irvine Spectrum - totally cool shopping mall! It's all out doors and - it being a gorgeous day, just sang the glorious truth that summers' just around the corner =)

Oh ya! He's also sitting up on his own -did I already mention that in my previous post??? Oh well, here's a picture :

Never Mind!!!

2009-04-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I said that I was moving but, plans changed. I tried setting up a wordpress account - and was able to but, I could not figure out how to post pictures and such!! It was too frustrating so, instead, I'm going to stay with blogger and just get a face lift - my blog that is - not me =)

Well, since I last posted, my husband got a job and has been promoted to a full time annalist and has since gotten 2 raises!!! Wahoo!! Let's here it for the God who cares! =)

We also moved out of Ryan's parents house and into our own place. It's a 1 bedroom apartment in a 4plex, has hard wood floors, washer and dryer hookups and is a single story unit - so no one is above us or below us =) We are quite enjoying it and I will put up pictures soon.

In the meantime, here's some shots of Kai and what he's been up to lately:

Yup! Food!!! He's still getting the hang of it, he really liked the Pear-Blueberry stuff but is not quite into the sweet potatos. I think he's going to be a lot like his mommy where he prefers the fruity sweet stuff =) Rice cereal is DEFINITELY a work in progress. Every time I give it to him he makes a face, opens his mouth and starts going "uggghhh!!" lol! ha ha ha

He's making really cute and hilarious faces as well as giggling, sqealing, talking and cooing. No screaming yet. I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

Last month, my sister-n-law, Jessie visited with my little nephew, Ethan. He is a spitting image of Ian when he was a baby. It was pretty freaky at first but he's super cute.

Kai had a fun time haning out with Ethan and teaching him what he knows =)

Kai is not only rolling over constantly but he's also now getting up on all fours and trying to go places!!! Wahoo!! I'm so excited =)

God is good and works only for the good of those who love and fear Him. He has been slowly working in my heart to spend time with him in the morning while Kai is down for his morning nap. It's so easy and tempting for me to want to do household duties or meal planning or just farting around on the computer but He's been teaching me that NOTHING is as important as spending time Him, sitting at his feet and listening to His voice. I am excited to see my love for Christ to grow and deepen to the point where I cannot live a single day or moment without wanting to be in His presence, seeking His face. I love Him and only want more love for Him.

Comming Soon to a Bloggin World Near You....

2009-04-15T18:46:00.001-07:00

Hi friends and family!!!

I'm sorry I've been so absent. I'll make it up and fill you in but not here. That's right! I'm moving! I will no longer be using blogspot and will now be on wordpress. Once I get it all together I will post up my new address =)

"Why the change?" you ask? I just like the layout and format of wordpress more. So, keep checking back here for the new address.

Love you all!

We're Home!!!

2009-01-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

Well, we're back from our trip up to Spokane, WA. We had such a great time visiting with my Mom, Dann and the kids. Seeing Ian and Jessie and their new little one was wonderful too. He is such a cutie pie. Here are some shots taken by the beautiful Molly Hannula =D Enjoy!

Ya, it was pretty cold - it was around 24 degrees when this pic was taken. I have absolutely no desire to live in a place that gets this cold. I love to be outside too much and you can't exactly stake a stroll outside without your boogers freezing to your nose.

My little guy - isn't he cute?!

He was not too happy about the cold either. This was the only time he didn't cry when I took him outside. He had this awesome little snow onsie on that I got from Amvets for $5! So, he was nice and warm =D

Here's the fam! I miss them already. It was such a blast seeing everyone again. Dann is doing AWESOME!!! His speech is coming along very well- he was initiating conversations again, chiming in and showing his sense of humor. He seemed like he was very excited that he was able to communicate better and was much more motivated to be around everyone. My Mom is doing good - they just put an offer on a gorgeous house out in the country part on 5 acres!

Ian and Jessie are doing so well adjusting to their new lives as parents. Please pray for them as they are going to be going back to work in February and will be juggling that, school and parenthood all at once.

Love you all!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!!!

2009-01-05T14:22:00.000-08:00

Kai's first Christmas - the only thing he really paid attention to was the Christmas tree.

... Can you blame him?

We went to visit my mom's twin sister, Cynthia and her family as well as my mom's oldest sister, Luan and her son Justin. We had so much fun and it was really hard to go home. It was the only time I got with my side of the family since my Mom and Dann and the kiddos are all moved up to Washington =( sniff...sniff..sniff

We had great fun being domestic and making gingerbread cookies - I LOVE FROSTING!!!

Ryan and his little dude hangin' out on the couch while us girls did the cooking =)

Happy 2009!!!!

Our X-Mas Hike

2008-12-23T20:40:00.000-08:00

This last Sunday, the whole Baird family got together with the Boomsma family for their annual Pastors & Family Christmas day. We then congregated at Mom & Pop Bairds home for some refreshments after church and then drove to a hiking trail by JPL for a beautiful hike. We then came back to the Bairds and had a delicious dinner.

Here are some pictures of Ryan, Kai and I on our hike. Please know that these gorgeous pictures were taken by Courtney Boomsma. Thanks again, Courtney!

Ya, if I had known we were going to be taking such awesome pictures, I would NOT have worn such a loud jacket =P

Our little goober did so good - he loved being in the sling and being able to look at the nature around him. He soon drifted off into dream land and was out like a light. It was really cold however, so we bundled him up in the only blanket I had on hand - a burp cloth.

Other than that, life is still a mystery. Ryan and I find ourselves asking God "Lord, what are you doing????" Stuff still keeps coming back with the whole condo thing - I don't want to get into the details but I will say that that door just keeps opening and won't shut. If you want more info, feel free to call =)

Ryan is doing good. He is such a hard worker and is working diligently to find a full time position. Right now, he is still doing his Notary business and working as a piano instructor at a private christian school and then does odd handyman jobs on top of that. He is so good about making sure he is working hard and faithfully at whatever it is he's doing.

I am learning everyday how to be a better GOD centered mom instead of child centered or parent centered - it's really tough though, I won't lie about that. I am finding that my life dominating sin is anger and God is helping me to pull out those roots of anger by teaching me love, patience, compassion, HUMILITY, and kindness through the trials that motherhood and being a wife bring.

GOD IS GOOD though and I know that He still loves me even though I'm not having my quiet times like I should be and even though I consistently sin against him and my loved ones throughout each and every day. It makes His grace so much sweeter when you look at the reality of your own sinfulness in light of His holiness.

First Cold

2008-12-19T09:49:00.001-08:00

My poor little guy - he has his first cold. He woke up yesterday all snuffy and making these really cute snorty noises. This morning he was a little more congested and is now coughing. But, in spite of it all, he still looked up at me after nursing with a stuffy nose and smiled. He was all smiles this morning which was really weird because when I'm sick, the last thing I want to do is smile. Shows how much of trooper he is =) Anyway, he's been sleeping a lot which I was told is really good and to let him sleep so, SLEEP ON little one!

If any of you moms have any helpful tips on how to ease the congestion in his nose or help him feel better, please tell me - I'm new at this and don't know what the heck I'm doing.

These are from our Care Group xmas party. Kai (on the left) and his buddy for life, Ty Brereton (on the right) hanging out, showing each other how to blow spit bubbles. Kai had six going at one time - I think he won...hee hee hee.

They're good sports - having to sit through the picture taking. What kid LIKES to have their picture taken anyway???

New Update =(

2008-12-10T09:51:00.000-08:00

Well, we're most likely not going to move =( Ryan and I went in to sign the escrow docs yesterday and when we went in, the mortgage amount, monthly payment and down deposit had all been increased!

Apparently, they had neglected to tell us that the program for one of the silent loans (loan for which you don't owe anything or pay back) had folded so they decided to take the amount that was originally taken care of by that loan and added it to our 1st loan - increasing it by $30,000!!!

This in turn bumped up our monthly mortgage to $1900 in lieu of the originally proposed $1750 and increased our deposit from $9000 to $11,000!!!! I love how they didn't bother to call us and let us know this before we drove all the way out to downtown LA!!!

Anyway, we've been spending a lot of time in prayer and have been seeking counsel from our pastor, care group leader and friends. We are just really wanting the wisdom to discern if we should continue with this or not since Ryan is still trying to find a stable, full time job and I'm about to quit mine. The counsel we received from Ryan's brother was really good - tell the housing association that we need to take some time to think and pray about it and we'll get back to them - in the meantime, wait until we hear back from Ryan's job interview to see if he got the job. If he did, then proceed with signing the papers, if not, then tell the association that we will not be going forward with this.

The housing association advised us that they need to know our decision no later than next Monday and that we have to sign the papers by then if we're going to go through with this or there's no deal.

Please pray for us and ask God to make His will clearly known to us! Pray that Ryan does get this job or any job for that matter and that God's will be done in this situation.

We both feel really at peace about this and know that if this house doesn't work out, God has something better for us in mind =)

Will keep you posted!

Updates =)

2008-12-08T13:24:00.000-08:00

Sooooo, "what's been happening the last couple of weeks" you say?

My Mom, Dann and the kids up and moved to Spokane WA; Kai started smiling and cooing; I've been battling Thrush (Ouch!!) and WE'RE MOVING!!!!

That's right, our 2 and a half year journey is coming to a close and we finally get to move into our new town house this Saturday =) The housing association called Ryan last week to tell him that they are going to try and get us moved in this week! I then spoke directly to them this morning and the woman who's been helping us get in said she "hopes" we can close this week =( I will remain hopeful however and keep praying that we get to sign those gosh darn papers and get the keys on Friday!!!

Please keep us in your prayers =)

I DID IT!!!!

2008-12-06T11:30:00.001-08:00

I FINALLY DID IT!!! It's taken me all this time to bring myself to actually cutting Kai's nails. All this time I have been filing them and all though there's less chance for cutting him, it's actually pretty tedious. This was fast and efficient and whenever there were still sharp edges, then I would use the nail file to soften them down.

I was sooo nervous but I was able to finally do it. And let me tell ya, scissors are the way to go. I couldn't use the toddler nail clippers because they were to bulky and I couldn't see what I was doing.

Also, I waited until he was asleep so that I wouldn't have to fight with him in keeping his hand still. Don't they look beautiful? =)

Guess Who's a Month Old?!

2008-11-29T15:26:00.000-08:00

Our little man is 1 month old today!

I am so enjoying my little goober. He brings Ryan and I so much joy and we love to just sit and watch him grow. He's learning so much! He's really starting to interact with us, kicking and squirming, smiling and cooing. He's no longer JUST a sack of potatos. We're loving parenthood and thank God for our son every day.

My little Gooberkins!

2008-11-20T21:07:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely loving being a mommy - especially when it's being a mom to this cute little goober - Ryan and I have gotten into the habit of calling him "Gooberkins", it's our little pet name - I love it!

(above) Baboo - means Grandpa in Swahili - their first meeting. It was soo heart warming to see my Daddy holding the first of the next generation =)

It's definitely been an adventure learning and adjusting to living with the new role as "mom". It's scary and wonderful all at the same time. God has been sanctifying me since day 1 by showing me how much I need him and how much all of life is dependent on him for every breath!

Some of my favorite things about Kai:

He snores, talks in his sleep and smiles in his sleep - just like his mommy and daddy. Funny story: since Kai, Ryan has carried on "conversations" with me in his sleep while I'm up with Kai nursing him in the wee hours of the morning. Ryan made the comments that Kai is "a key player to our team" and he made another basketball related comment that I can't remember - I say he's been watching too many Laker games. Anyway, like father like son =)
He's a grunter - he grunts in frustration when he can't figure out how to latch on, he grunts in anticipation of a full diaper, he grunts when he's trying to get that darn air bubble out - via either the top end or through the bottom =)
He's sooo kissable - once you kiss him you can't stop
He smells so good ... right after a bath that is - any other time he just smells like barf
When he's not sleeping, he's just sitting there, content to observe the world around him and the ones holding him
He's ours to keep!!

The new little man in my life...

2008-11-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

I know, I'm totally lame - I'm sorry I didn't keep you all updated throughout the delivery - for some reason I thought it was going to be easier than it was =P

Here he is:

Kai William Baird

October 29, 2008; 4:29 pm

8 lbs 10 oz, 20 inches long

Our little miracle came without induction! Our appointment was at 5:30 am on Wednesday for the induction but he decided he wanted to come on his own. We checked into the hospital 2 hours before the appointment because the contractions were just too intense - I was 4 centimeters - BRING ON THE EPIDURAL!!

Father & Son - swaddled and happy =)

Catching up on the daily news together

In case you're wondering, the pictures that I have of Kai and I are not that great. They are either too revealing for the public eye or just plain ugly - hee hee hee.

We're enjoying each other - he's DEFINITELY a sleeper. I have to wake him up to eat and that right there has been a real challenge. We had a rough night last night because he wouldn't latch on so he was dehydrated this morning. I called the Pediatrician and she told me to try as much breast milk as possible than to follow up with formula to make sure he get's enough.

Please pray for us - I need the grace to be patient and not freak out when he does during the eating process. If you have any helpful tips or advice - I am all ears!!

Love you all!

Update...

2008-10-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

Here's an update on the baby status =)

Ryan and I went into the hospital on Sunday because I thought I was leaking fluid. So, they check me in and strap me up to the stress test machine and the nurse goes to check me and guess what??? I was only 1.5 centimeters dilated at most!!! HOW CAN THAT BE?! My Dr told me with a great amount of confidence that I was a 3!!! Anyway, no leakage and everything looked great so we were allowed to go home =)

We then went into the hospital yesterday thinking that I was ready to go in because contractions were on average about 5 minutes apart. However, by the time we got there, the contractions slowed down and decreased in strength =(

A different Dr (Dr. Yun) checked me yesterday because my Dr (Dr. Parks) had to go do a surgery. So, anyway, Dr. Yun checks me and because of all the contractions, I was now at a 2 and almost a 3 - wahoo!!! She did confirm that I was in the 1st phase of labor as I was in fact having contractions - they just weren't strong enough or close enough yet. That and other signs which I won't say because I don't want to gross anyone out.

This morning, I was woken up at 5 am with contractions that would have pleased Dr. Yun - they hurt so bad I was on the verge of tears AND NO AMOUNT OF BREATHING WAS HELPING!!! They have still been that strong and sometimes stronger but they're only 20 minutes apart. So, here we go. It's going to be a loooong day =P

So, I have scheduled an appointment to go in tomorrow (Wed. 10/29) at 5:30 am to be induced if things still haven't progressed since then. Since I have been in labor since Sunday night, I figured - "I don't want to endure a whole week of this! LET'S DO THIS THING!"

Please keep us in your prayers and ask God to let everything go smoothly and that Kai is healthy and safe =)

Having Fun...

2008-10-25T09:21:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh, the Huntington Gardens: a place of beauty and quiet tranquility. Ryan and I decided to take a day off yesterday and go do something fun. Terri (Ryan's mom) was so kind and gracious to help us get in free since she's a member there.

It was a nice long day filled with LOTS of walking. We really enjoyed the Japanese and Chinese Gardens - they are beautiful.

This shot was from the Japanese Gardens - which was Ryan and I's favorite.

These shots were from the Chinese Gardens

Yes, Ryan is in a wheelchair - he actually got it for me after we walked through the Art Museum. We had already been walking for about 2 hours and my legs and hips and back were hurting big time. So, because he really wanted to see these gardens he went and got me a wheelchair and pushed me around. It was really embarrasing but really sweet of him =)

Yup, can't wait until I can get this baby out and start walking off these pounds!

That's it for today, I'll continue to keep you posted. Oh ya, nothing else has really happened. Just a bunch of false alarms. =P

Comming Soon to a Baird Household near you...

2008-10-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

You want to know when I go into labor? CHECK MY BLOG

You want to know when we're driving to the hospital and checking in? CHECK MY BLOG

You want to know the most recent happenings of the delivery? CHECK MY BLOG

You want to know the juicy details of when Kai is born, birth weight and other fun stuff?

CHECK MY BLOG

That's right, I'm going to try and do what a friend of mine did for her labor and delivery news / status. I'm going to post as much as I can while I'm going through it. And when I am otherwise occupied, Ryan will be posting information for me. This way, you all will know the details and we won't be bombarded by phone calls on that special day =)

So, for the first post, I'll let you know that I am a good 3 centimeters and experienced my first real contractions last night. They were quite painful and my sister-n-law Bethany was right, you'll know when you're having a real one when you can't talk. They were ranging from 15 to 10 minutes apart for a solid 2 hours - after that, they died down and went away - DRATS!!

This morning was pretty quiet but then I had a really good one about 30 minutes ago. Hopefully, labor will start soon =)

Keep us in your prayers!

Ahhhhhhh.... Maternity Leave =)

2008-10-14T13:36:00.001-07:00

Good news! I went in for my weekly check up this morning and Doctor says I'm a good 2-3 centimeters dilated, baby's head is down and low (which made it hurt more when she checked me - OUCH!) and things are "soft" - what ever that means. She didn't give me any ETA and I didn't want to ask because I don't want to get my hopes up. I have been told that many a women have walked around for a good couple weeks at 3 centimeters so, I just want to be prepared for the long run.

Let's just say, I'll be doing A LOT of walking and cleaning =)

Well, I am so totally thankful to be on maternity leave. For those of you who don't know yet, Ryan and I are all moved into his parents house for the remainder of our time before Kai gets here as well as for the recovery. Hopefully, just until Ryan and I can move into our place. The purpose being so that I can really rest and enjoy the last moments I have with Ryan one on one -uninterrupted =)

I want to give my husband a big "THANK YOU" for the sacrifice he is making so that I can be at home to raise our little boy in the ways of the Lord. I know God is going to bless this new season as He does every season, but, it really means alot to me that you are joyfully willing to work so that I can stay home. Thank you, my Love =)

So, here is a shot of my first project that I completed last Friday - a hooter hider =D I'm totally excited and can't wait to use it. I have to confess, I prayed the whole time I made it and asked God to give me a beautiful result since this project was also supposed to be cost effective. What good would making something be if I messed it up so bad that I had to just go and buy a pre-made one???

Thank you Mom & Terri for your help and advice (and the use of your sewing machines).

My Baby Shower & Stuff!!

2008-10-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

I was sooo blessed by my family and church this last weekend when my sister-n-law, Nicole threw me a baby shower. 2 words: God Provides!! I was so blessed to receive everything I prayed and asked God to provide plus more. Thank you so much to everyone who came! It was such a joy and a huge blessing to have you there.

I gotta get started on those "Thank You" cards =)

Here are a couple of shots:

My mom made a BEAUTIFUL quilt (I helped pick the fabrics, though) and I can't wait to wrap up my son in it! Thank you thank you thank you mom!

Ryan's Grandma (Terri's mom) hand knitted this beautiful blanket and a pair of matching booties. Thank you Grandma Bryant!

A onesie to make Daddy proud - it says: "Weepublican" Thank you Bethany!

Some of my family & friends playing the "Guess Chalene's belly size game" and a game where you had to find words in Kai William Baird - My mother won -she found 71 words!!! As far as my belly size goes - 48 inches!!! Can you believe it?! That's four feet around!!

This is our crib that I'm opening up - Thank you so much, Dad & Jenn!

My diaper bag which was packed with goodies and a children's Bible. Thank you so much, Michelle & Foster! I've already packed it with everything that I need to take to the hospital for the baby.

Tomorrow I have my Dr's appointment and I'll keep you posted on how things are going. I'm praying that things have progressed since 2 mondays ago when my Dr told me that I was 70% effaced. I've been experiencing alot of cramping, downward pressure and strong braxton hicks to make me think that the ball is still a rollin'!

Till then, God Bless!

I'm What?!!!

2008-09-29T21:20:00.001-07:00

Happy Baby Shower, Amber!! We're going to miss you guys! Here's a last shot of all of us in our final month - Michelle (left) is in her 39th week, I'm (middle) in my 36th week, Amber (right) is in her 35th week in this picture.

I am now 36 weeks this week and went into see my Dr (I've graduated to weekly appointments-Wahoo!!) I went in with puffy eyes, no make up and frizzy hair as I had hardly any sleep last night. That's how it is these days, not only does it now take effort to roll from one side to the other but, it's also painful - all of my lower abdominal muscles will feel totally shot and achy. This last week was the week of happenings: crying at the drop of a hat about God knows what, constant and even painful downward pressure, sharp cramp/pain in my left inner thigh where the thigh meets the belly and this morning, menstrual-like cramping. I'm thinkin' "what's going on?!"

So, my doctor was just going to measure the belly and listen to the heart beat but, as I explained to her everything that I've been experiencing, she gave me a concerned look and said "maybe I should check you".

After checking me she tells me I feel pretty "soft" - what does that mean??? Is that in regards to effacement or dilation? She then answered that it means I'm about 70% effaced already - cool!!! Fyi: you have to be 100% effaced in order to start dilating, so, in other words, the ball is a rollin! "Sooo.....does this mean I could go early???" I ask - she than cautiously replies: "well, you definitely won't make it to your due date, I'd say you'd probably go into labor in your 38th week."

To make my already long story shorter, I moved up my maternity leave to begin Monday, Oct. 6th - so, this Friday is my last day at work - yeahhH!!!

My baby shower is October 11th - hang in there Kai (literally). Please don't come before than!

I'll keep you updated =)

35th Week Update

2008-09-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to give you all the update on how Kai my guy is doing. I went into see the Dr today and Ryan and I had the pleasure of seeing his cute little face on the ultrasound. He's head down (which is great) but is facing the wrong way-away from my spine (which is not so great). We're just praying that the good Lord will turn him around before delivery so that I won't have to endure any back labor =P

He's about 6 pounds now and his head is normal size (although, from the ultrasound, his forehead looked huge). From what we could see, he is completely folded in half with his two little feet in front of his face (one foot one each cheek). He had a sad little frown, squishy looking cheeks and the cutest little chin. I had to go through a stress test prior to the ultrasound so I think he was showing his disliking to the belts that get strapped on.

Dr says that my due date is still October 30th and okayed my maternity leave to begin October 10th - I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it! I'm praying that God will really bless it with not only alot of physical rest but also lots of spiritual rest: time in His presence, diving into His word and refreshing my soul before the next trial(s).

Please pray - there are too many things to name specifically but it all boils down to the fact that I need to be finding my joy, comfort, peace, and rest in God alone and not in what I have or don't have or where I am or where I'm not.

Baby Update - 33 Weeks!

2008-09-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I only have 7 weeks left!!! AAHHH!!!! Here I am at 33 weeks:

Kai has been quite the active little guy. Ryan and I will just sit and watch my belly for entertainment as Kai shows off his stuff - and strength. One night, he kicked so hard that his foot popped out a good inch and a half and it looked like an alien was trying to pop out of my stomach.

I had my Dr's appointment yesterday and she says everything looks good and healthy with the baby - he's even down in the head-first position. It's just mommy who needs to lay off the sweets and carbs (I've gained 40 Ilbs already!!!) It's all baby though, right??? =P

Here's my hand without my wedding ring...sniff..sniff...I've gained too much water weight to be able to wear my ring. I bought a cheapo ring just so that I wouldn't feel so naked and like a pregnant teenager.

NEW HOME UPDATE:

Ryan and I met with our loan officer last night and received some good news and some bad news. The good news is: our mortgage payment is $100 cheaper than what we were originally expecting! YEAAHHH!!!! The bad news is, escrow might not close until the end of October - when Kai's born!!! AHHH!!! But, praise be to God, we're part of an awesome church that is so quick to serve and help people move that I know won't need to worry about anything.

We'll keep you posted on both baby and home =)

Some More Shots of Our New Home =)

2008-09-06T08:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the shots I put up of our new home before were professional shots that I used from the condo's website. Here are real pictures I took yesterday of Ryan and I's unit:

Our front door =) ...it's the one on the left- #114...notice our sweet balcony =D

Our Living room - I'm taking the picture from our dinning room area. I tried to take a picture of the dinning room as well but it came out too dark - I am NOT a professional photographer. I can't make these pictures look good - let me tell ya =P

This would have been a cuter picture but just at the right moment, Gracie decided to brake out into jumping jacks. (This is our kitchen)

Here is our bedroom up on the 3rd floor. There are 2 bedrooms and a full bath on the 2nd floor but those pictures didn't come out too good. Plus, it'll just mean that you have to come over and visit in order to see the whole place =)

The window in our room overlooks the courtyard of the complex.

I'm still trying to figure out if I should put the bed here or my dresser & mirror here...hmmm....anyway, that's all you get!

In the meantime, I'll keep you posted of our move-in date and then, the invitation for our sweet welcome home party. It'll probably be sometime in November since I will have spent the month of October moving in and having a baby =D

Happy Birthday Kathy!

2008-09-02T21:09:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine at church just celebrated her birthday this last week. A whole bunch of us ladies took her out to Cheesecake Factory and had a night of fun and fellowship (and a couple of drinks for those of age and not pregnant). Here we all are:

The birthday girl =)

Funny moment: one of the ladies, Kim Roby, called the waiter over and in front of Kathy asked him to bring over "5 hunky guys" to come and sing happy birthday to the lovely young lady. Everyone started laughing and Kathy turned bright red....hee hee hee....

Here's Kathy's reaction to the 5 hunky guys that appeared and sang "Happy Birthday" - it was priceless. We love you Kathy! Happy Birthday! =D

Cool Tip:

2008-08-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

How To Get a Spiker Out of the Bathtub:

If you don't have any bug spray - use hairspray! If you spray spiders with hair spray, it'll "freeze" their legs so they can't move/crawl up and out of the tub. Then you can safely remove the spider without fear that it's going to jump out at you or crawl up your arm. I never knew about this awesome trick.

Hope it'll help you in future battles =)

Our New Home!!!

2008-08-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

WAHOOO!!!!! God has heard Ryan and I's consistant prayers! We have been in the process of trying to buy a condo unit in this new development for the last 2 years!!! Long story short, God has intervened several times to make this a possibility for us and now it's finally concluding (as Ryan says, "we're not moved in yet"). We just went in this afternoon to sign the Purchasing Agreement with the Housing Association and went over all the final details. Now, we're just going to be prayerfully waiting for escrow to close (which will probably be for another month or so).

The specs of our unit: 3 story, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, full living room and dinning room, beautiful kitchen with actual tile floors - NO LINOLIUM!, Dishwasher, fridge and new oven/stove all included. HOLY FREAKIN COW!!!! Anyway, it's a God-send and we are so excited about moving in. The most awesome part is that God answered our prayers about enabling us to move in before the baby gets here. I am soooo happy and filled with joy and thanksgiving for what God has done! He hears our prayers and it totally pays to trust in Him and wait PATIENTLY for Him =)

We will be sure to post pics of it once we're moved in.

Wow!!!

2008-08-07T17:40:00.001-07:00

Wow!!! That's all I can say is "Wow!" I started reading this book last night and I'm already half way through it. This is a biography on the lead guitarist from Korn and his testimony on how he found Jesus Christ. So far it's pretty intense. A word of warning - he's truthful about all of the horrible stuff he did before he was a christian and like any life that is not saved by God's grace, it's pretty dark and disturbing. A couple parts got under my skin but, I'm looking forward to reading about the moment he turned to the Lord.

Alot of it is about how he came to be in the band Korn and the road that they walked as a band and also about his daughter and ex-wife. It totally changed my perspective and outlook on secular artists in this field - I see them through new eyes. It's far from a glamorous life and all of the reports of the rich and famous going in and out of marriages and drug/alcohol clinics makes total sense now.

Anyway, it's a very interesting read and quite the page turner and I hope that God will bless his work by using this book as a tool to bring those who are running on the path that he once walked, into the light of the gospel.

Hint Hint =D

2008-07-27T16:32:00.001-07:00

I found the diaper bag of my dreams! My sister-n-law, Bethany has a Ju Ju Be diaper bag and raves about how awesome it is. I checked out their website and compared their diaper bags with those at Target and Babies R Us and this one beats them all. Sure it's on the pricier side of things (this bag sells for $117) but, I would much rather get a diaper bag that I can use for more than one child than get one that will brake before I'm done using it with my first.

So, when the time comes and you're wondering what you want to get me for my baby shower, wonder no more, my friends. Here is a little "hint hint" from me =) This color and this style too.

3 YEARS!!!

2008-07-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

I LOVE MY HUBBY!!! Wednesday, July 23rd was our 3 year anniversary...we are now no longer considered newly weds...sniff...sniff...but, that doesn't mean we have to stop acting like one =)

So, Ryan planned the most wonderful relaxing evening we've had in a long time. He took me to the Farmer's Market in Sierra Madre where he let me buy whatever I wanted and as much as I wanted. Now, I have been craving fruit like nothing else so, needless to say, I bought all the peaches, grapes, strawberries and whatever else I could get my hands on.

Then, he took me over to the house in Sierra Madre that he's been remodeling and is now on the market. He had set it all up and decorated it with beautiful roses, table set for two and one of the bedrooms set up. I walked in and music was playing and the table looked so beautiful.

Our table for just the two of us - it's been a long time since we've had a meal all to ourselves that wasn't in a restaurant. It was like old times and I was so incredibly blessed and filled with joy.

After a delicious dinner of Penne Rustica from Macaroni Grill(delivered to us by Ryan's brother, Jonathan), we walked into downtown Sierra Madre to try and get coffee. Little did we know, everything closes at 7 or 8 so, no such luck =(

We walked back to the house, lit a fire, enjoyed some melted Hagan Daaz ice cream and some good books.

We spent the night on the probably the hardest bed ever but, it was still the best anniversary I think we've had so far. Last year we were in Lake Tahoe for a week but the actual day of our anniversary didn't compare to this one.

My man delivered - I love it when he does things using his own creativity. Things never turn out as fun when I try to plan them - I so enjoy seeing what Ryan comes up with and the Romantic side of him come out.

Also, doesn't this house look gorgeous? Anyone want to buy it???? PLEASE!!!! ;)

Cozumel, Mexico

2008-07-22T17:38:00.000-07:00

Cozumel, Mexico was Ryan's favorite stop as well as the HOTTEST!!!. He, my Dad and brothers went on a Jungle Bike ride through Myan ruins - lucky dog!...Or, was he? While he was swettin' up a storm enjoying the tropical jungle, I was....

...chillin' out on a beach with my Step-Mom, sister and sister-n-law. Like I said, it was the HOTTEST stop so I sat my prego tushy underneath an umbrella and made sure I stayed hydrated. This is also where the waiter tried to rip us off by first telling us that we had to order at least $10 per person in order to sit here - we agreed. After we ate our delicious nachos and enjoyed a drink, he tried to tell us it was $40...sigh, "okay" we say as we get out our wallets. "No - $40 a person" he says - WHAT?!!! Like hell you did!...ya, we totally flipped out on him and he immediately backed down saying "sorry, sorry, my mistake". WHAT EVER!!

Yes, I am now getting to the point where I can balance a drink on my growing belly =D

There were also some VERY interesting characters hanging around - not that much different though, from walking around in so cal.

This was our last and final stop. The last day and a half we spent on the ship headed back towards Miami. By the time we were making our way back, I was ready to fall asleep in a bed that was on dry land. I was going a little stir crazy on that big boat. All in all we had fun in the sun and enjoyed each others company tremendously! I am already looking forward to the next cruise - Mediteranean =D Hope you guys enjoyed the pics.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

2008-07-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

Yup, Grand Cayman was my favorite stop. It was the most beautiful beach I saw on the trip. Ryan and I road a boat into the island and took a taxi to this beach that's called 7 Mile Beach. We found a nice spot with some chairs, grabbed some Coronas (water for me, thanks) and enjoyed the view. The water was so delightful and wonderful to swim and float around in. Kai (the little bean in my oven) like it too. Any time I had to get out of the water he would start kicking - I believe he was telling me to back in =)

Isn't it beautiful?

My handsome man looking gorgeously hot in his new suit =) You can also see the dark ominous clouds threatening to bring rain our way. Which, it did - big FAT rain that came on suddenly and stopped as fast it started.

Enjoying every minute of it.

Heck Yes! Ryan and I went to Jack Sparrow's favorite spot - Tortuga (Wine and Spirits - for his rum of course)... Little did Ryan know that he could have gotten that fantastic Jamaican Rum that he had bought in Jamaica for a lot cheaper here. Oh well, live you learn.

Ryan's face after he found out about how he was worked in Jamaica and could have saved some dough.

This stop wasn't too adventurous. It was actually the most quite and relaxing of the 4. Grand Cayman is also known for it's shopping! It had great little shops that sold really cute items - I bought an ornament that is Santa Clause in a red & white striped bathing suite carring a life saver that says "Cayman Islands" on it. I love it - though, I had to talk Ryan into letting me get it - hee hee hee.

Next stop, Cozumel, Mexico. I'll post those pics up in a day or two =)

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

2008-07-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

Dunn's River Falls - where thousands of tourists can pay to stand and walk up these beautiful waterfalls with the smarter ones watching them from a boardwalk above. Yes, I got to enjoy the luxury of taking pictures from the side lines because...

...I was not about to risk slipping and falling down on my prego belly on these wet rocks!! I would have done it though, if I weren't pregnant. Brown murky water and all, it was so hot and humid the thought of getting in that water was really tempting =)

Luckily, I had my Daddy to hang out with and make jokes at the stupid tourists who were being led into dorky chants and campy songs while making the watery treck. It was soo silly at times that it reminded us of a day care or summer camp for big kids/adults - hee hee hee.

My wonderful new sister-n-law, Jessie. It was such a joy to get to spend more time with her and get to know her more. I can't wait to see their little one - yes, she has one in the oven. Doesn't she look fabulous?!!
Here is one of many of the beautiful plant life that we saw. Our tour guide showed us a certain fruit (already forgot the name of it) that they eat alot of in Jamaica and it can only be eaten after it blooms on it's own. If you try to eat it before the plant opens, it releases a poisonous gas that can kill you.

Along the waterfall hike, there were also alot of huge spiders that were yellow and black. They were the creepiest things ever. I tried to take a picture of them but they were too far away and my point-n-shoot camera couldn't focus on them.

That wraps up our second stop. We took a tour bus to and from the falls and the guide was able to direct our attention to the different achievements of Jamaica, such as their sugar containers...oooh ahhhh....and the big mantion of a house that some famous Jamaican golfer used to live in....wooowww!!!!

Ryan also bought some supposedly really good Jamaican Rum which he brought home. However, he didn't quite wrap one of the bottles really well in his suitcase and when we opened it, we found all of his clothes drenched in Rum and shards of glass everywhere. =( But, at least he has one bottle left to enjoy. Drink up, Lover =)

Labadee, Haiti

2008-07-15T18:59:00.001-07:00

Our first stop was in Labadee, Haiti - commonly known as the poorest place on earth and yet it's very beautiful in this little spot that we went to. Apparently, Royal Caribbean bought this little chunk of Haiti's peninsula and made it completely touristy. I don't mind though, it was gorgeous as you can see. The water was beautiful turquoise blue with a sandy bottom and was probably around 70-80 degrees. You could rent either snorkel gear or a floaty for more fun. On the other side of the peninsula they had lots of water slides, trampolines and rock climbing floaties out in the water. I wanted to play sooo bad!

Anyway, these are the good ones from this stop, tomorrow I'll share pictures from out next stop at Ocho Rios, Jamaica where Ryan and the boys climbed a water fall =) Hope you're enjoying these!

We're Back from the Caribbean!

2008-07-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

We're back from the Caribbean and we had SOOO MUCH FUN!!! I will be sharing pictures from our trip and all of the different places we visited through out the week so, keep coming and check them out. We were on Royal Caribbean's "Freedom of the Seas" ship which is the largest cruise ship in the world! It was absolutely gorgeous and I have to say - it was a HUGE challenge to make God the focus when everything and everyone is there to serve YOU. But, God gave me personally lots of grace and just poured out His blessings on the whole family. In case you didn't know - my Dad and step-mom blessed Ryan and myself as well as Ian and Jessie by taking us on this 8 day, 7 night cruise. We enjoyed every minute of it - even when it was freakin' hot and humid!

Anyway, I hope you will enjoy these snap shots and the corresponding captions =)

Isn't She Cute?

2008-06-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Here she is! Mikayla Hope Weishaar (I think I spelled that right). She was born June 14th at 7lbs 11oz (me to!). Mommy Linni had to endure 11 hours of labor before being rushed in for an emergency c-section. She is now doing great and is on the mend-she still needs prayer though. She's fighting off an amniotic infection that could affect the c-section stitches. Please pray that God heals her completely and for comfort while she gets better. She's hooked up to an iv and has to carry it around the house with her (she's at home by the way). Mikayla's doing wonderful - she's absolutely adorable and is the easiest baby in the world. Please keep the new family in your prayers when ever you think of them =)

SUMMER!!!

2008-06-07T14:36:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost here and I am having way too much fun with this blogging thing and my camera =) Here's some fun pics of the kids playing in the sun.

You Have To See This!!

2008-06-07T08:10:00.001-07:00

Ryan and I went and took Sam and Grace to See Kung Fu Panda with my friend Kelsey and her sister, Shannon and it was HILARIOUS!!! I was laughing sooo hard I couldn't breath. It was also great fun to listen to Gracey scream and squeal with laughter (I think she was the loudest laugher in the audience). It was so much fun and it was such a great movie- I HIGHLY recommend it even if you don't have kids. =)

Digital Camera!!

2008-06-05T19:06:00.000-07:00

So, Ryan and I finally bought our first digital camera (not counting the piece-o-plastic that we bought on E-bay which never worked). We're having so much fun with it and are anxiously looking forward to building memories with it in our growing family. Here are some shots of me and my little sister, Grace and my little brother Sammy. The handsome one is my childhood sweetheart and hubby, Ryan =)

IT'S A BOY!!!

2008-06-04T17:29:00.000-07:00

IT'S A BOY!!! Say "hello" to Kai William Baird =) Ryan and I were able to find out what the baby is sooner than we had planned. I almost passed out at work so they told me to go home - I looked whiter than the pilsbury dough boy! So, Ryan came and picked me up from work and we went to the doctors to make sure that everything was fine. Everything looks great- Kai's doing great and my sugars and blood pressure was normal. Apparently it's par for the course to either feel near fainting or to faint completely in your second trimester.

Praise God that everything's great!!! We are soooo excited and can't wait to meet our little boy.