My American Hero...

Well... I've had the intentions of writing this post for the past 6 weeks.  The problem is, it's a very emotional one and therefore very easy for me to keep putting off.  But, reality is here - my brother, whom I love so very, very much, is leaving soon for Afghanistan.  There - I.said.it.  Words that already sting my heart to say, or even write. 
I like to think that my brother and I are very close - not that we need to talk often or see each other all the time - it's different than that.  There is such a strong bond between the two of us from our "growing up" years.  Anyone who knows me well knows that my siblings and I are spread out in age.  Amy is 8 years older than I, Kara 5 years older and Nate is 6 years younger.  So... it was Nate and I in the household together for many years.  We happened to still be young when my parents divorced, so were together at home with my mom and during our visits to my dads.  It was always Nate and I.  The brother that I was so proud to be a big sister of and the brother that I still am proud to be a big sister of.  :)
Well... this year began with my brother heading to boot camp for the Army - he went to Fort Benning Georgia.  He successfully completed that in early May, was home a brief period of time and then left for Fort Polk Louisiana.  We knew that he would be getting deployed this fall and were blessed by a brief (as in pretty much one full day brief) visit from him on September 9, 2010 - it was an amazing day.  My entire family spent the day at my dad's, all together, to spend that day with Nate.  And, Hayden was able to meet her uncle for the first time - priceless.  So... that brings us to now - preparing to say our "see you laters" to him.  How do you do that?  I'm not exactly sure myself. 
But, if you go back to my first blog entry, it was about my Grandpa.  Amazingly enough, Nate got home from boot camp and was able to visit my Grandpa in the hospital in full uniform - I know that my Grandpa was proud of him and beaming inside :)  Nate was also granted a few extra days to be home for the funeral and was able to present the American Flag to my Grandma during the ceremony at Camp Ripley (sorry, I'm not too savvy with all of the proper terminology of this stuff) - an incredible honor that we were all able to watch him do.  The reason I mention this is because my Grandpa was stationed at Fort Polk Louisiana as well... it's as though it was meant to be.... and I know that my Grandpa will be watching over and keeping Nate safe!!
So, please keep my brother in your thoughts and prayers as he will be spending the next year protecting us and our country.  I don't really know what more to say, I'm not one to be speechless often, but this topic does that to me!  Again, I don't need to say much - I love my brother so much and admire what he does and he will continue to do for us - he's not only my brother, he's my American Hero!
I love you Nate!!!! 
Until I see you again.... See you later!

Week one = success!

WOW - amazing to think how much things have changed with Miss H over the past couple of weeks - we have come sooo far and each day keeps getting better and better. 

Hayden turned 12 weeks old this past Wednesday which meant that it was time for me to return to work - Boo!!  But, this week really could not have gone any better.

Week one = success!! 

Thankfully J and I had it worked out that he would stay home with H my first week back to work, that way we could slowly transition ourselves into the new routine.  And, J + H could do daddy-daughter bonding ;)  I think that was the best idea we could have had - I shed more tears thinking about going back to work, than actually doing it.  I worked Tuesday through Thursday - our company gives you a "baby day" for the week you return to work - so, thanks for that I am sitting here staring at my beautiful baby girl sleep while I type this.  So, the return to work went well - my unit had the most beautiful bouquet of flowers on my desk to greet me with, which put a nice smile on my face - and truthfully, it was nice to have some adult interaction ;)  But I missed H tons and couldn't wait to get home to her - the best part of the day came when I got home, Hayden saw me and immediately leaned toward me - ahhhh, talk about melting your heart!?!  And, J survived stay at home daddy mode for those 3 days - even though he had to point out the first day that he barely got to eat, he still hadn't finished his "cold" cup of coffee and a shower hadn't fit into the day ;)  yesssss... that's what the days are like! 

This past week we have made MAJOR progress in the sleep department - and I mean MAJOR!!  So much that I don't know what to do with myself and the sleep I've racked up lately (even though work sucked the energy right out - ha!).  Last Saturday Miss H decided that she would sleep 7 hours, wake up briefly and sleep 4 more!  That trend has continued on, going into 8 straight hours and last night she didn't wake up at all - ELEVEN straight hours of sleep!!!  Now... that doesn't mean that I've managed as much sleep as I still wake up and run to check on her every so often - but, apparently miracles do happen as she slept the ENTIRE night - if you can't tell, I'm still amazed and in disbelief.  The other great thing in the sleep category is she is starting to nap like a champ as well.  This makes our days much easier as we then have a happy baby on our hands :) 

Miss H has discovered her hands the past week or two - it is so cute to watch her sit and admire those ten little fingers on those chubby little hands - she sits and moves them into fists, brings them to her mouth, holds onto the rattle and rings with them and gets so darn proud of herself - we do too of course ;) 
She LOVES when you sing the ABC's to her and smiles and coo's/"sings" along with you!  And, when talking about coo'ing - she really likes to hear her voice and try out new sounds of all pitches these days too!  Let's just say we definitely have a girl in the house :)  And, that little girl is quick to stick out a bottom lip when she's upset! 

We've been keeping busy between getting Miss H on her routine, finishing up Mom & Baby Class, transitioning into the working world, enjoying walks with this beautiful weather and even managing to drive up north to visit "Dambro" - my dad and Gayla's 80 acres of land that they purchased :) 

Life in the Bailey household is absolutely amazing - we love, love, love each day with Miss H and seeing her new discoveries!!  Each day is an absolute blessing!!

Love to you all,
A+J+H

Haydens Haven

Thought we'd share how Hayden's Haven turned out - note that it is not this clean any longer - ha!  These were captured prior to her arrival :)

Our precious girl... enjoy!!

Had to take a picture of how Hayden stayed once I set her down, was too cute to pass up

Mommy and Hayden

Too cute to not capture

Addison Vaughan and Hayden :)

What Hayden likes to do during tummy time

Colton Sauerwein and Hayden

Two month shot war wounds - poor girl, but she was one tough cookie!

My baby girl...

TWO MONTHS OLD

So sweet!

Ha, this is what happens when I try to get something accomplished - I come back to her looking like this :)

Melts.My.Heart

Our family - Jasons BIG 3-0!!

Awww... look at that smile!

And another one :)

Keelin Morud and Hayden

Hayden's first football game - cousin Isaiahs 9th grade homecoming game.  She brought them good luck as they won!!

First trip to Pine Tree Apple Orchard

Enjoying apple pie a'la mode