Christmas 2008

We had a really nice Christmas this year. Jason and I had most of the week off from work and we were able to enjoy the holiday season at my parents house this year. Normally, we would have been in Salt Lake City, UT - but since we are too far along in the pregnancy our doctors advised us to stay near home. Christmas was nice and quiet. It was a good time to reflect on the blessings in our lives and a wonderful opportunity to imagine the fun Christmases ahead of us.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

We had a super fun Christmas Eve Fiesta with my cute sister in law Lauren's family.And on Christmas morning we found out that Santa had left gifts for us at my parents home!Matt looking at the calendar my mom made for everyone. It's full of pictures and so much fun!The newly weds - James and Lauren.Christmas Morning Breakfast made my Grandma and Grandpa Bridges. My cousin Rachel and her new husband Daniel came over for the morning as well.
Nothin like the early morning Christmas pictures with no make-up. UGH! My sister Becca was having a fun time feeling the baby move all morning.We all gathered for a little Rock Band II concert later that morning.

Christmas in Heaven

A friend of mine sent this poem to me. It's difficult to be without those we love during the holiday season. I thought the second Christmas would be easier . . . it really wasn't. Holidays just aren't the same now. They are not care free and easy to enjoy. Every time I see all of my family gathered together I am reminded that my son isn't there.

How grateful I am for the gift of the atonement and the opportunity we have to celebrate Christ's birth at this time of year. It is because of His sacrifice that we will be with our families forever and that death cannot separate us forever. Celebrating the birth of our Savior has a whole new meaning to me now.

This poem brings perspective and helps me remember that they really aren't that far away from us.

I see the countless Christmas Trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars, reflecting in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas Choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, but the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description to hear the Angels sing.

I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above,
I send you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, “LOVE” is the gift more precious than pure gold,
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as our Father said to do,
For I can’t count the blessings or love He has for you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear,
Remember, I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

Merry Christmas Gavin.

Our Little Snow Angel

These pictures are a few weeks old, but I wanted to post them anyway. Two weeks ago we had a snow storm in Las Vegas! It was crazy! The next morning I was driving to work and when I saw how peaceful the cemetery looked I asked Jason to stop by and take pictures before the snow melted. It may be one of the only times we get pictures like these living in the desert!

The Last Perinatologist Appointment

Today we had our final appointment with our perinatologist. We had another detailed ultrasound and the doctor said we are all set to have this baby. He continues to seem very optimistic about this little (or not so little) guy's health. We will continue to have our biweekly non-stress tests with my regular OB and wait for his arrival!

Today I am 36 weeks - Gavin was born at 36 weeks. Gavin weighed 5 lbs. 6 oz. at birth . . . today this guys weighed in at 6 1/2 lbs! Yikes! We are just so thrilled that things continue to look good and he appears to be healthy.

Here are a few pictures from the ultrasound today:

He Did It!

Jason graduated with his Masters in Business (MBA) Tuesday December 16, 2008 from UNLV. I can't even begin to express my love and admiration for Jason and his hard work. He has worked hard and fought through so many good and trying times. Watching Jason walk across the stage to receive his diploma was amazing.

After the ceremony we went to Lawry's for dinner. It was great to have family here to support him and recognize the time and hard work he has devoted to his schooling.

I am so proud of you, Jason. I knew when I married you that you were a hard worker - but you continue to amaze me every single day. I love you.

Month 8!

This picture is a little late. I must be preoccupied. :)Things are going well and the doctors feel confident that the baby is going to be healthy. He is quite a mover . . . much, much more than Gavin ever was. The non-stress tests are all coming back with good reactive results.

Five more weeks to go!

Christmas Traditions

We all have them . . . Christmas traditions. Jason and I have started a new tradition this year that we intend to carry on for years to come. Gavin's Christmas Tree. Last year some of Jason's extended family decorated a beautiful tree for the PCMC Festival of Trees in Gavin's name. Jason's parents were kind enough to purchase the tree and gave it to us so we can have a sweet reminder of our Gavin during the Christmas season.

We have decided to put up Gavin's Christmas Tree in remembrance of him and to help teach our other children about their older brother.

It was a bitter sweet evening decorating Gavin's tree this year.

And wrapping the little lamb he loved on the tree.

But his memory reminds us to have

and his life taught us how to haveand

Merry Christmas my Little Bug. Momma and Daddy love you.

Bye-Bye UNLV!

Last night was Jason's last night of MBA graduate school!

WOO HOO!

I told him told take it all in . . . after all, it may be his last final he ever takes. He laughed at me.

So, bye-bye UNLV. Bye-bye text books and book bag. Bye-bye nights spent studying instead of playing. Bye-bye late night classes and dinners made at 11:00 at night.

Graduation is this upcoming Tuesday. I will have pictures to post then.

Movin'

We are leaving this place . . . And moving to this place!
YAY! We just purchased a new home and we are leaving our cute town home. I know . . . we couldn't have picked a worse time to move - especially since the bank wants to close before the end of the year.
Although I am so excited to have more room in our house, a part of me will really miss our town home. It was perfect for us during the time we lived there. So many memories were made there and so much happened in that home. I'm sad to leave . . .
. . . but I am excited to move somewhere new and to have much, much more room to grow in! It will be fun and I am sure that we will have many more memories here.
Anyone know of someone who wants to rent a town home?

2008 Christmas Box Angel Memorial

This was our second year attending the Christmas Box Angel Memorial at the cemetery. Once again I was overwhelmed at how many people were there - and the people who were there for the first time. It broke my heart. For those that don't know about the Christmas Box Angel Memorial - it is a service Palm Mortuary does every year for parents who have had children pass away. Every parent is given a white rose which is then placed in the angel's arms. It is such a kind and thoughtful service.

My parents went with us and we set up a little Christmas tree for Gav and decorated his headstone with some fun Christmas gifts. We were also able to purchase Christmas ornaments with Gavin's name on it to hang on the Christmas Tree in the children's section.

The holidays aren't an easy time when you are missing someone. Last year was such a blur - I don't remember much about it at all. Maybe that is a blessing . . . but this year the holidays have been filled with mixed emotions for me. We are truly grateful and excited to have another little boy in the next few weeks, but the pain of not having my son here is sometimes all to raw and real.

It's hard to gather as a family, laugh and joke while knowing that there should have been a little 18 month boy with crazy blond hair running around and getting excited for Christmas. I miss him. However, I am so grateful for the promise of eternal families. It is the one thing that I can hold to during these lonely days without him here. The knowledge that he is our son forever is a blessing I treasure most.

Keeping It Real in the Bailey Home

Since our little guy is in the breech position, it has been recommended that I spend some time in an unsightly position which may give the baby more room to turn. Jason's response when finding me in this position . . . "You look like a cow! You know, with the big stomach and utters and stuff?!"

HA! It's a good thing I have a good sense of humor! I just wanted to look at him and say, "MOOOOO. You ain't seen nothin' yet."

Happy Birthday Will!

Today is my nephew Will's birthday. We were able to spend a day at Disneyland with him over Halloween weekend and I can't even tell you how much I love this kid. Apparently he has some traits similar to his Uncle Jason - and that makes us all laugh. Have a good day Birthday Boy! We love you lots!

(I stole this picture from his mom's blog. He's just too cute.)

Dear Buggy

My Dear Little Buggy,

I haven't been able to think about much this evening except for you. After dinner I sat and stared at your picture on our bookcase for a long time. I wondered what life would have been like with you here today. It no doubt would have been difficult but the thought of being able to hold you in my arms would be such a blessing and comfort. I hope you know there isn't a thing in the world I wouldn't have done for you. I wish I could have spent more time with you. I wish I could have given you more.

I hope that our home will always be a place you feel comfortable to come to if you ever want a peek in on your momma, daddy and new baby brother. You are loved so much, Gavin. You have been the most defining experience in my life. I love you so much Bug.

Love,
Momma

Our Little Monkey's Checkup

We had (another) checkup on our little guy this morning. He is looking good and growing well. He now weighs approx. 4 pounds 5 oz and has once again flipped into the breech position with his cute bum down. We are now 33 weeks and our perinatologist said that he would give the baby three weeks to turn before they try to turn him manually.

He also did a test to see if I would be delivering in the next two weeks (I will spare you the details of how THAT is done) and we should have the results tomorrow.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love my doctors?!

So, apparently we produce monkeys instead of little boys! If you look closely at this ultrasound picture of his head you can see the spikey stuff coming off the top of his head . . . IS HAIR! :)And here is a profile shot with his arm draped over his face. SO dramatic!

Almost . . . But Not Quite Yet

WARNING!!

Only a girl who is crazy would actually post this kind of picture. So here I am . . . crazy and all.

Today Jason and I went to Valley Hospital for a Fetal Non-Stress Test. We have started the bi-weekly monitoring and since the doctor's office was closed today, an appointment was made for us to go to the hospital to have the NST done. Things were going well - I could feel the baby moving and the heart rate looked awesome. After about 30 minutes the nurse came in looking somewhat concerned and asked if I was feeling all the contractions I was having. With total embarrassment I told her no. She told me I had about five contractions in the 30 minutes I had been hooked up to the monitor. (FYI - she told me they consider pre term labor as 4 contractions in an hour at this gestation) She gave me a huge glass of water and said we would need to stay there until the contractions went away - or they would have to give me a shot to stop them.

Poor Jason. He looked at me and said, "Not again. I can't do the NICU again." Some urgent prayers were said; I gulped down the water and the contractions stopped in the hour that followed. A baby born at this age (almost 33 weeks) would most likely be fine, but it would also require some time in the NICU and neither of us are really up for that this time.

The nurse told me that this was very common in women who become pregnant within 18 months of giving birth - and that would be us. I was so embarrassed that I didn't realize I was having contractions - they just weren't hurting the way I remember. We are keeping a closer eye on things now and hopefully we can keep this little guy "in" for another month or so! We have another appointment this upcoming Monday - so we will see what the doctor says.

Happy Belated Birthday Becca!

I just realized I did this entry for my sister's birthday (November 8) and never posted it! UGH! I hate doing things like that! Sorry Becca-Boo I didn't forget you . . . I just have pregnancy brain and forgot to hit the publish button on the entry.

I still remember the day my sister Rebecca was born. I was in first grade and they announced over the loud speaker in our classroom that I had a new baby sister! My dad had called the school and asked them to let me know that mom had had Becca. I was so excited and couldn't wait to leave school to see my baby sister. I had so much fun dressing her up in my clothes - being a big sister is the best!

I love my sister so much. I have talked about her many times on the blog . . . but I just want her to know how much she means to me and how much I love her. Happy Birthday Becca-Boo!

Why I Love Living In Vegas . . .

Today I listened to Christmas music in the car while I had the air conditioning on!

Lovin' Vegas Weather!

An Empty Room

The nursery in our home used to look like this . . . and this . . .
. . . and now it is void of all baby stuff. It's an empty room with a lot of crap in it. I'm so tempted to bring all the stuff back and prepare for this little guy - but I think it would break me if I ever had to pack it up again.
Do I take the chance and bring the baby stuff back?
Or do I hold off and work on the room after he gets here?

The Other Jason In My Life

We went to the Jason Mraz concert this weekend with Jason's brother and sister and we had a BLAST. It was actually the best concert I have been to in a long time. He was surprisingly funny and kept us all entertained - including the baby who danced the whole time too. :)

I have a whole new love for Mr. A-Z. Can't get enough of the Geek in the Pink.

7 Months Done!!

Here is the monthly picture. YIKES!!

I know I am so nerdy for posting these. I'm just happy that the baby is still growing! It's a sign that things are looking good.

We are now officially done with seven months of pregnancy - only about ten weeks left.Done with 7 months! YAY!

Up Close and Personal with Baby Bailey

Today we had a 4D ultrasound done at our perinatologist's office. Jason and I were quite nervous as we knew what facial deformities we would be looking for. But . . . it ended up being a wonderfully peaceful visit. This little guy moved all over the whole time and he has now turned into the "head down" position. The best part of the whole visit was to watch him move his face, yawn, smile and making sucking faces. The tech commented on how expressive his face was . . . and I realized that that was a tender mercy to see his range of facial movements. He even stuck his tongue out at us and "blew kisses". Of course, our nerves won't be completely calmed until we are holding this little monkey in our arms - but we have one more thing to be grateful for. I can't believe how much I already love him!

I know ultrasound pictures are always a little difficult to decipher . . . but I think these ones turned out pretty good.

Just Because . . .

. . . I am crazy about him today.Just thought he should know.