All Aboard the Sleeping Bag Express!

Who knew? Who ever imagined that a sleeping bag could provide such entertainment for two very busy little bodies!!! Earlier this week, I discovered (in a moment of boredom with our usual toys) what a useful entertainment tool dear ol' dad's sleeping bag could be! Charlie was the first to board the Sleeping Bag Express and thought it was a hoot! He cackled all the way around the downstairs as I pulled him. I would stop and he would bury his head in the sleeping bag and scoot to try and make it move again! Little did I know, this would lead to a tiring activity for mom and dad! Here is where it all began!

Thankfully, daddy arrived home just in time. I truly know that pulling 2 little ones around the house is exactly what my OB/GYN would prescribe for me these days! Again, dad swoops in to save the day!

So, in an effort to not be a boring mom and provide quality entertainment for my children, Bubs and I broke out the sleeping bag again tonight! Isn't this the perfect way to "settle down" before bedtime? (a shout out for Lucy there!) I think if Charlie and Wylie could say words besides momma and dadda they would have said "Ya'll Rock!"

Ladies, believe me, it takes work to look this adorable on a sleeping bag!

Another reason that Wylie knows her dad hung the moon!

And so... another typical night at the Bailey house is complete. Now 2 tired little loves are tucked in bed dreaming sweet dreams about the Sleeping Bag Express!

Our Little Knothead...Literally

Well, if you ever wonder what wrestlemania between Charlie and Wylie results in...here is your answer! Our first large and noticeable war wound from wrestlemania occurred today! Although a great time was had by all, the lingering result is Wylie's lovely goose egg. We have talked it over and here is her side of the story and thoughts on things!

Well, all I know is I was minding my own business. Just walking in circles around the coffee table as usual, working on my figure when low and behold a pillow got in the way. Now I stopped and tried to ever so daintly to go over this pillow but who comes up behind me, doing his super fast "I got my eye on you!" crawl, thinking the best place for wrestlemania is between the couch and the coffee table... you guessed it. My dear ol' Brother Bear! Next thing you know, me and the coffee table have our first face to face encounter! For the record, this DID NOT feel good!

After much thinking and a good nap, I have decided, a girl must learn to work it! What do you think? Am I working it?! Personally, I really feel like my smile is the focus of this picture- who even notices my "blemish"!

So, when daddy got home and saw this I learned another quick lesson. Milk it for all it is worth! What better place to milk my wound than to sit in daddy's chair. You can't get cozy in front of a TV feeling wounded without a blanket so mom added that in for the total effect before shouting for dad! Who knew Entertainment Tonight was such a good show!?

Now, I know I couldn't be any cuter in my daddy's chair so I just knew it would be okay with him for me to overtake his throne and designate it as mine! He says I may be his little "Wylie Bop" but the chair is his! Bet I win though!

So, I suppose Wednesday's aren't called "Hump Day" for nothing. I will be walking around with a nice ol' hump on my head for a while!

How to Clean... According to Charlie!

The goal of my Sunday afternoon was simple- get some "serious" cleaning done! What actually happened proved to be much more entertaining! After a delicious snack of daddy's Cheese Puff's, Charlie, Wylie and I began our standard household chores. Wylie, quickly lost interest in the moving from room to room and abandoned the task to play with the diapers she had discovered in a drawer. But not my good friend Charlie! No sir... he was right by my side, through all the dirt and grime! In fact, he proved to be quite useful... until.... it got quiet and I realized a #1 Rule: Always Put the Toilet Seat Down! So here it is- How to Clean...According to Charlie!

First ladies, remember all find ways to cut down on your work!

Just follow my example. Why walk with a Swiffer when you can crawl with the Swiffer? This really does a double duty here since what I might miss with the Swiffer my clothes pick up for me! No more messy hands!

Now, your knees may get tired from all that crawling. When this happens ladies, take a load off. Who ever said you can't Swiffer sitting down?!

Okay, now, don't skip corners here! People around my house tend to be a bit picky about corners and baseboards. Go ahead, do the dirty work and make sure to get those spots good!

Just when you think you are done... don't forget... bathrooms have floors too! Come on ladies, don't be lazy, head on upstairs and just get it done. What?! Legs too tired to walk stairs... Okay then, just crawl up the stairs like me. It is great for the bicep!

Almost done... Remember "A Clean House is a Happy House!" (My dad loves it when he gets this note left for him from my mom!)

Now... cleaning isn't always fun... So ladies, take a minute to make some fun! All you need is a bowl. PS- I found it best to go ahead and close the door for this "fun". If you get discovered doing this, your fun is over! And... stay quiet! Trust me, your fun will last longer! Uh oh... here is me being caught in the act!

Now, if you look up and smile pretty at this point, you quite possibly can skip the "NO NO" talk and get to continue having so much fun!

And if that doesn't work, go find a partner in crime. Important note here: one last key thing to remember is- get out of there before you are spotted. This way, your partner ends up being discovered not you!

"He told me I could do it!" says Wylie!

So my afternoon of "serious" cleaning, quickly turned into a fun and entertaining memory! Please note...prior to Charlie's Fun with the Toilet... it had been thoroughly cleaned! The joys of little ones and the priceless memories!

Hotel Bailey receives a Thumbs Up rating!

Bubba and I had a wonderful set of appointments today! Baby Bailey was wired up on Pepsi (Oh how good that was!!!!) so we were able to really see a lot of wiggles! In fact, we saw so many wiggles, getting all the measurements was challenging. However, after a little tilt ride on the ultrasound table and some hard pushing on my belly , Baby Bailey cooperated and showed everything to the doctors that needed to be shown. Wouldn't you know it though, the baby went from being super wiggly one minute to dead asleep the next. And of course, the baby fell asleep with its backside to us so we had lovely views of the spine and rear! Glad to report those two areas were fantastic! Good thing to know it has a nice booty I suppose! Out of the bunches of pictures we got today (lots of feet and hand pics) we did get one profile shot and a rather humorous shot as well. Just as the baby recieved a wonderful report, the ultrasound tech scanned back to the head area and Baby Bailey was giving a Thumbs Up! Check out the pic! I know and believe that the Lord was in control of that picture. While it was funny, it was a huge relief after being in the very same ultrasound room where so much bad news has been delivered to Bubba and I in times past. It was just a little sign from above to treasure forever and a reminder of who is really in control!! We were VERY STRONG and did NOT find out what gender Baby Bailey is! The heart rate was 153 at the first appointment and 150 at the second so again, exactly where Charlie and Wylie were and varying times of my pregnancy with them... who knows. I am beginning to not believe the myth on heart rate. It doesn't matter- baby is healthy and apparently happy! So to put in the words of the doctor- I will not be a "frequent flier" at his office this go round! Yahoo!!! Everything appears on schedule for Baby Bailey's arrival in June! Happy 6 Year Anniversary Bubs and Kasie! I wonder if this means I get two presents - a push present and an anniversary gift or do I just get a happy high five, thanks for birthing a baby card!

Thumbs Up from Baby Bailey!

Sweet Little Baby!

Wylie's Latest Discovery!

Wednesday Wylie discovered something new! Her tongue! Last night, while enjoying some daddy daughter time, this impressive discovery was made! Since making this discovery, Wylie has walked around, taken baths, played with all her toys and watched Baby Einstein videos with her tongue poking out of her mouth! She has learned how to smile with her tongue hanging out and even can do a unique form of coughing with the tongue still poking through! It is quite adorable and humorous.

In addition to this, Wylie has decided that mocking us when we cough is the most fun! Last night, as we were feeding the babies, Bubba coughed- not on purpose but for real. Wylie, pushed the bottle out of her mouth, and very quietly smiled at me, coughed a couple times then went right on back to her meal! Charlie finds coughing HYSTERICAL! So if you walk in the house and hear 3 of us coughing and 1 of us laughing- now you know why!

My daddy, my tongue and me!

Still showing my tongue!

I am planning on keeping my tongue out since everyone finds it so adorable!

Glamour Shots of the tongue!

Charlie's Top 8 of 08

After a serious conversation, over apple juice and Fruit Loops, Charlie mentioned several highlights from 2008 that he wanted everyone to take a moment and relive with him! Enjoy taking a trip down memory lane with Charlie to remember these milestones!

Number 8! Here comes the Helmet!

Charlie spent several weeks in a helmet to reshape is poor little head. He owes a great deal of thanks to his baby sister who stood on his head (ever so gently- we are sure) during their time as "wombmates". A trooper he was though on this very sad day! We are glad to report, Charlie's head is as good as new- and very tough too!

Minutes after the helmet!

A few days after living with the helmet!

Number 7! Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow!

Charlie entered this world a fan of medical technology. Shortly after birth, he began to have "bradys". All this did was earn him some extra attention in the NICU and result in a lovely heart monitor that our family got to enjoy for 6 weeks. While we were thankful to have this alerting contraption, the day the phone call came telling us to pack up Herbie Heart Monitor was a delight. Here is Charlie saying his final thoughts before the separation!

"Mom, can you give us a few moments alone?"

Number 6! Don't forget the Hernia!

As mentioned, Charlie loves a medical condition! After reanalyzing the grunting that Charlie was doing throughout the day, we were quickly made to realize, the grunting was not his "language" but rather a way of saying to us he was very uncomfortable. Charlie was able to spend his 8 week birthday at Presbyterian Hospital having his hernia repaired! We are happy to report, the grunting stopped and now when we hear that faint grunting sound, it means something much more smelly and dirty!


Ahhh... this not sharing a bed business is pretty good!

Number 5! Praise the Lord for Johnny Jump Up!

Since the age of 4 months, Charlie has spent many hours in one of his favorite places- in the Johnny Jump Up. At first this contraption was not used for its intended purpose but it quickly became one of Charlie's favorite Target purchases. Now, months later, we still enjoy a trip to the Johnny Jump Up just to liven up our day!

Charlie's first use for the Johnny Jump Up...

And today...

Number 4! Hanging out with the Boys!

Bless his heart, Charlie learned quickly that hanging out around all girls leads to dressing up and watching silly movies. Good thing his daddy has made sure to surround him with good role models who aim to teach Charlie how to survive around girls and teach him other important lifelong lessons. These are just a few of the recent highlights from good time with the boys!

Up to no good in a kitchen (after a day of Clemson/Carolina football)

Practicing for the upcoming concert of The Charlies

Getting the secret recipe for cooking porkchops from a cooking lesson with Uncle Lew

Getting kisses from Uncle Kenny after his discussion with Charlie on Budweiser and babes!

Number 3! Snuggling with Sissy!

Charlie is a child of patience. Already at the early age of 11 months, Charlie has learned how to appropriately deal with his sissy. Snuggling close together was how it all began and this close bond has continued to develop. Although these days, it is clear to see who is the little stinker in the relationship and who is peacemaker.

Sweet Dream Sissy!

You see her right?!
Holding hands and laughing all the way!


It's all fun and games until "someone" pulls my hair!

Number 2! Cords and Cabinets!

Charlie is obsessed with his latest discovery of cords and cabinets! It does not matter how well hidden the cord is, what furniture it is behind or what it is connected to, he can find it and will get the cord in his little hands. Cabinets are no exception. His personal favorite is my bathroom vanity cabinet which has since been transformed into his upstairs bathroom toys.

He, He, He.... guess what I just found Mom!

She thought these were well hidden! HA!

But Mom, I was only trying to help you get your pretty things out. Don't fuss...!

Number 1 ! My Dada!

Charlie is so lucky to have such a loving dad! He is a dad who plays a great game of pee-pie, a dad who talks in silly voices just to get through a diaper change, a dad who jumps from behind walls just to hear a deep belly laugh, and a dad who takes any opprotunity there is to get in a good nap or snuggle. To the best dad a little man could have!

A dad great for an afternoon nap...

or two!!!

A dad who lets me eat naked, not wear a bib and keep my baseball hat on!

A good lookin' daddy! He knows how to swoon the ladies... guess he will teach me all he knows!

A daddy that lets you make fingerprints on the glass door and teaches you to blow zerberts on windows!

A daddy who loves to laugh with you!

All in all, 2008 turned out to be pretty good for Ol' Charlie Rut! Hope you enjoyed seeing a few of Charlie's favorites from 08 as much as we have loved watching him in action! We are so blessed by the love, smiles, and tender moments that Charlie brings us each day! Thanks to all those who have contributed to all the memories in 08- we know there are more in store!