In the Beginning

One thing people need to realize about me is that I have very little patience and no writing skills whatsoever. So, for those of you who get offended by bad grammer, too bad.

I have so many things going on that I sometimes don't take care of the most important. One of those things is keeping up with Bailey's craziness. She is one of a kind, a wild woman, a "true" two year old, a diva, and one strong- minded princess. I'm sure every mother feels that her child is the smartest and cutest. I am no exception. Bailey cracks me up every day. So, that is why I'm starting a blog.

I haven't decided whether I want to start from day 1 with her or just pick up from here. I do want to acknowledge that parenting is 3 times as hard as I thought it would be and I was as prepared as I could have been. It's also the most amazing, beautiful thing in the world. Bailey drives me crazy but can melt my heart in one look. She is the ultimate firecracker and even leaves my mom, the child development specialist, scratching her head.

When I first got pregnant I wanted 3 things.

1) A cuddler

2) A social kid

3) No red hair (no offense to the red heads out there!)

Well here's to "in your face!!". She refuses, still to this day, to snuggle. When she was a baby I had to put her down in order for her to stop crying. She doesn't like anybody but "her people" (me, Dave, Nanna, Papa, Melly (Lindsay) and Jon. And she has reddish hair. Strike 3! She also attacks the world like it won't be here tomorrow. She dances, sings, draws, tells stories, and runs with pure joy. She absolutely loves what her body can do...and literally practices her plies, chases, arabesques, and pirouettes every day. And, she cracks us up. Here are some of her latest remarks:

" Ladies, can I get you a diet coke? It's my favorite!"

"I want to hold you!" (This is what she says when she wants me to pick her up.)

"Bailey, can I have a bite of your cookie?" "UMMMMM, wait your turn!"

"Sooooo, can I have a yogurt? I ate my goldfish, my cookies and my melade (lemonade)."

"Mom, that man chasee?' (About the man who was walking across the parking lot.)

After she's been sent to her room........"Nanna, may I see you for just a sec?"

I could go on forever. She has an incredible vocabulary for a 2 year old. I swear it exceeds mine, but that's not saying much. I love my baby more than anything in the whole world. I hope I can keep up with her.

Right now, I am on summer vacation and loving the time I get to spend with Bailey. I am also going through a divorce. I don't want to get into details here, but let's just say, this is not what I wanted for me or my daughter. It's been much harder than I expected and it's only the beginning. Without my foundation of the gospel, my family, and friends, I wouldn't be able to get through this. Our number one priority is Bailey. It is now and always will be. For this reason, Dave and I will remain friends and try to "re-define" what divorce looks like. It's VERY hard.

Well, my ADD is kicking in and I have already rambled on far too long, so until next time! Here's a few pictures we had done a month or so ago (I told you she was a DIVA!!!!!!)