Read Alouds

As usual, before bed this evening our house was filled with a little boogying in "The Dance Party Room", a few twirls and flips from Charlie as he practices his indoor gymnastics, a few coos from Bess and narrations of an assortment of books by Wylie! It gets pretty lively around here after baths! Bubba has been working so hard on dance moves with the babies! Hence the need for the Dance Party Room!

Tonight, during Wylie's narration of the book The Parable of the Lily Bubba and I cracked up. This is the man who appears on every page of the book. Wylie points to him on every page and says " Doooooo Dad" . That is what all the grandkids on the Rutland side call my dad! I have never thought of this as looking like my dad- but hey, we will roll with it!

Striking resemblance to Dooooo Dad- don't ya think?

This is an action shot. Note the puckered lips. Wylie is saying "Doooooo Dad"

Melt my heart!

Sister Smiles!

Charlie felt a need to get in on the action! This was totally unplanned too!! Honest!

So... you may ask yourself, what was good ol' Charlie doing during our read aloud?

Exhibit 1: Flower Petals as Sunglasses! (Not disturbing at all during the read aloud!)

Exhibit 2: The Only Place To Sit ... apparently!

I can already picture the teacher comments on report cards. Wylie is such a good reader. She really enjoys school. Charlie has a hard time staying in his seat and focusing on the task!

But I wouldn't trade em' for a million buckaroos!

Just Call Me Copperfield

Coming at you live from 709 ... This is Charlie Bailey here, to entertain you folks who are reading my momma's blog. Tonight, I have taken over the keyboard so that you can chuckle at my version of the latest development at our house.

It all began Thursday morning. Momma had already headed to work and daddy was enjoying the last few minutes of silence he had before Wylie and I got up. I had woken up that morning with a crazy craving for some Cocoa Puffs! You could say... I was cookoo for Cocoa Puffs! Being the respectful son that I am, I decided daddy really didn't need to help me. They don't call Copperfield for nothing! Because the way I climbed out of my crib...it was just pure magic! So I opened the door and started creeping to the stairs with the thoughts of a big bowl of cereal in my head. I was almost in the clear until I was spotted by Wylie, who was still caged in. Being jealous and wanting to enjoy the joys of freedom, she let out an ear piercing shrill. Almost immediately, dad came running out of his room. So I quickly leaned over and grabbed the nearest ball I had lying in the floor and innocently held it up to him and said " Ball". How could he be mad at me after looking so innocent?

So this morning, I thought I would melt my momma's heart and walk into her room and treat her to my little surprise. Actually that was my plan but I was busted thanks to the fun I winded up having opening and closing the door too loudly. Again, leave it to my sister to cause a stir with her loud shrills of jealousy. (For all you bloggies, she actually did this jumping the crib trick first, she is just a scaredy cat and won't do it again. Girls! )

There stood mom. Looking down at me. Good thing I was holding Blue Bunny Foo Foo. I think that added an innocent touch. I was a little surprised because she immediately put me back in my crib. Now, I was thinking... doesn't she get it? Obviously, if I was playing with the door handle outside of my crib, I really didn't want to be in there. But my momma, she is a smart cookie. She was trying to get me to reveal my magic. So I obliged.

Until my next adventure! Ya'll keep it real!

Things This Momma Can't Resist!

Aren't there just some things that just make you happy? No matter how crazy your morning was, how irritated your job made you or how sleepy you are... there are some things in this world that regardless of my circumstances just make me smile.

Gotta love a little boy in Jon-Jon!

Poor Hank got the boot from his bed so that Baby Red could rest comfortably!

Gotta love a baby girl with her baby doll!

Babies who smell like Johnson & Johnson's in sweet smocked dresses for church!

Gotta love those too!

Three of the best reasons to smile!

Chunky Monkey

I know... she isn't even 4 months but Bess is a kid who does not taking eating as a joking matter! She sucks down every bottle like she has never had food. Seeing her fondness for eating, I decided not to hold out on the sweet girl any longer and show her the good stuff... Rice Cereal! (Everyone scream Yummo!) Now, I have been overly curious as to how she would react. Charlie dispised cereal and Wylie usually ate 2 bowls at every feeding so it was going to be a toss up! I take this first bowl of rice cereal as serious business. I wanted Bess to feel like royalty getting to eat something other than a bottle so I waited all day until the "Big Babies" were down for a nap. I prepped Bess on just what glorious eating she was about to do! Just look at the sheer excitement on her face as she anxiously awaited her meal!

You would have thought manna was coming down from heaven for Bess on Round 1 of Rice Cereal. She would have licked the bowl if she could have. I thought... yet again, perfect baby.

But after 3 days of Rice Cereal, Bess had had enough! So, being a momma who finds food at the center of so many good times, I had to teach Bess to enjoy this ever so tasteful "stuff". So, tonight, we added BANANAS! (Now, everyone can really scream YUMMO!) All I can say is she literally giggled with each bite. SHE LOVED IT!!! If this is any indication of Bess' taste buds, she might have inherited my horrible sweet tooth!

Who can resist the face of a happy chunky cheek baby?

Our Other Good Ol' Dog!

As if the inside of our house doesn't get crazy enough, we have once again allowed "Baby Otis" to move back indoors. Before Charlie and Wylie, Otis was an inside dog. He enjoyed the finer things in life- the cool air conditioned rooms on hot summer days, table scraps from dinner and the comforts of our bed at night. Life was good for Baby Otis. Until the day my sweet babies were born. Then Bubba and I truly lived up to the saying "Out with the old and in with the new!" So... Otis headed outside. We quickly learned Otis always needs company. So after thinking about Otis missing Drake in the backyard, I told Bubba my heart could not take it! I would not be able to stand in the kitchen and watch Otis be lonely outside without Drake. So he has moved back indoors! It only took minutes and an instant bond was formed between Otis and Charlie! Otis has already become very protective of all the babies and doesn't like for them to leave. He endures so many blows to the head from the flying golf clubs Charlie launches through the air and gets his face wiped down with baby wipes from Wylie! Bless the dog! Otis' heart is full of love for these babies! Where they go, he goes!

Ready for a ride? Charlie loves to "ride" Otis!

Otis loves to lick the water off Charlie's hand! Charlie finds it hysterical!

Otis oversees bathtime so I can put up the laundry while they are entertaining themselves!

I'm hoping Otis will keep Charlie out of all the mischief I have a feeling he will get into!

This is what I witness this afternoon! Check out how Otis was ever so gently "pulled" closer to Charlie! So patient, this dog!

We bought a suburban to fit our 3 deep stroller and 3 kids. Now, it is out with the stroller and in with the dog.

He may be a stubborn dog and one that isn't too bright... but his heart is full of love for our family!

Smokin'

"The Fireman"

Little Man was the life of the party today at school! So much so, he was officially renamed by his teachers as "The Fireman"!

Who doesn't love a color day at church preschool! Today, Charlie and Wylie learned about the color red. In honor of the color red, they studied firetrucks. Well... Charlie was ALL OVER this one! Charlie absolutely LOVES wearing any type of "headgear". Basically, we have been in fireman mode since school today. Unfortunately, the hats met their maker and after about 30 minutes of play with Charlie, they suffered multiple injuries and are not quite wearable anymore! Boys will be boys! I am certain from the constant babbling conversations I have heard Charlie have tonight, his day rocked!

Ladies, I am TOO HOT to handle!

I bestow upon you Baby Bess, the holy fireman's hat!

Oh how I love a little boy!

Such a Good Listener!

The evening routine at the Bailey house is pretty straight forward. Eat dinner, take a bath, play a little, then hit the sack! Some random night, who knows when ago, I created this little ditty of a song which I sing to Charlie and Wylie as I wipe their messy hands and faces down after dinner. Basically the highly complex lyrics of this song are Bathtub, Bathtub, Bathtub, Bath. Real genius songwriting huh?! But hey, Charlie loves it and sings along with me so at least I am pleasing someone. No matter how silly we sound! Anyways, as usual, last night I began singing my song in order to coax the troops upstairs to begin step 2 of the evening ritual. I was standing in the kitchen and looked down at Wylie as I began to sing my song and this is what I watched her do- of course Bubs and I were laughing as quiet as possible through it all!

You have to give the girl credit! She knew what the song meant she was just one step ahead of the game! And there you have it... another daily smile provided by Wylie!

ps- Not so sure what this last pose is all about but I am so glad I caught it on camera!

Whenever I See Your Smiling Face... Part 3

We are about a month shy of one of the most shocking and surprising days Bubba and I have had in our lives as husband and wife. October 23, 2008 was the day our family of 4 learned we were going to be a family of 5! I will never forget the random neighborhood kid who just so happened to come to the front door wanting to discuss our dogs with Bubba as I ever so calmly called for Bubba to show him evidence of the newest surprise headed towards the Bailey household. I will never forget the phone calls we made that night to people who just said "No Way!" or " I told you!" On that day, as thrilled as we both were, I don't think the magnitude of 3 kids under 16 months hit us! And now... my world wouldn't be complete without the Best Surprise Ever!

Coming home in her momma's dress! Already full of smiles!

Straight out of a textbook- that best describes "Baby Baby Baby Bess" (as Wylie calls her!). At the tender age of 4 weeks she was practically sleeping through the night. Never a child to turn down a meal, our little chunk loves a snack, meal and especially a midnight treat! Rarely does our household hear the sound of crying from Bess. Now, this may be because Charlie and Wylie can on some days do enough to equal her share , but, truly we rarely hear the child cry. If she is awake, she is happy. She has the patience of Job. The precious child endures every whack, tumble and moments of pretend that her brother and sister do to her. My mom says the Lord gives you an "easy" baby the 3rd round because He knows you need it. So true...Baby Bess is
(knock on wood) an easy baby!

Simply Perfect!

I love each one of my babies unconditionally and without end. I consider each one of them to be heaven sent. When I look at Bess, I see a miracle and a true blessing. I am always reminded of how great God is. After tears of sadness and happiness, Bubba and I were blessed with Charlie and Wylie. When life seemed chaotic but wonderful, the Lord showed us both how no doctor is ever really in control- He is. Knowing all that I know about the miracle of life, I hold Bess and can not help but be beyond thankful for our "gift". Because she truly is.

Every night I rock Bess under this reminder!

Lovin' some bath time!

"Oh, how happy you have made me!"

Posing for the picture!

Beautiful Smiles!

She was really into this one night! Gene Simmons for Halloween? Whatcha think?

Thank you Lord for all 3 of our miracles!