Spring Break is Here

Okay, so really, Spring Break is over...so sue me for not posting earlier.

There have been a few things that happened over the break that I am REALLY excited to tell everyone about. First off, on Tuesday we took Bailey to the movies. Yup, you heard correctly. Tammie and I took her to the Alamo Drafthouse for their "Baby Days" movie times. Thankfully the Drafthouse has Tuesday morning "Baby Days" that is designed to give new parents the opportunity to get out at least once a week. The lights are turned up a bit and the volume turned down some, and parents are welcome to enjoy the movies with their newest additions (and sometimes NOT so new additions). There were three or four infants there (counting Bailey) and at least one older kid (about one and a half). It was great!

The theater was great about posting signs everywhere to let "non-baby toters" aware that there may be crying infants in the theater. Luckily Bailey and all the other infants did just fine (Bailey actually slept through the entire movie...slept, but had to be held by either Tammie or me the entire time. Oh well...). There was only one problem that I had with the whole experience. Apparently the projectionist was deaf as a doormat, because the volume of the movie was way, WAY too loud to start with (it was hurting the adults ears...not really a good situation for sleeping babies). To the staff's credit, the problem was immediately fixed once it was brought to their attention. The Alamo Drafthouse has once again proved that they are the only movie theater that I ever wish to visit. They know how to do things right.

Friday night Tammie and I had some company over for dinner and a movie (hi Brad and Katie!). Bailey was being a little fussy (even though we have talk repeatedly about how she is supposed to behave in front of the guests) and we couldn't figure out what she wanted. I took her into the nursery to check is she had a dirty diaper and laid her down on her changing table. Immediately she calmed down and became the happy baby everyone loves. After a diaper change I picked her up to head back into the dining room...and Bailey started crying again. Then I had a bright idea...

I went back into the nursery and took the pad off of the changing table. I brought it with me into the dining room, cleared a space on the table and laid Bailey in it. You'd never guess that all she wanted was to be on her changing table mattress! For the next hour Bailey kicked her legs, stretched her arms, and was fascinated by the world around her (who knew her "Pee-pee pad" would make her so happy). So we left her on her mattress, belted in (yup, comes with a seat belt installed) and on the couch where she was the happiest baby for most of the movie (until she got hungry and wanted to eat, that is). We tried this again over the next couple of days and it has been proven many times...Bailey loves her "pee-pee pad."

We also noticed that Bailey was smiling more Friday night and seemed to enjoy having her cheeks pinched and her arms tickled. Then on Saturday night, Tammie and I got the best present from Bailey so far...she smiled at us just for being there (and no, it wasn't gas!).

I was holding Bailey up in front of a mirror, talking to her and pointing to her reflection. I then watched as she looked up at me (not the mirror) and gave me the biggest smile. She was looking directly up at me and smiling! It melted my heart. Tammie then came up the hall behind us and leaned up against the wall to watch what we were doing. Bailey looked at Tammie in the mirror, her eyes got REALLY big, and she smiled again, just happy that Tammie was there (man, I love watching her learn new things!).

It was confirmed once again later Saturday night when some friends of the family came over to visit Bailey (hi Smitty and Terry...). Terry was holding Bailey, talking to her and having a great time. Tammie came up to stand behind the couch, and once again Bailey straight at Tammie and smiled at wide as she could, mouth open and eyes wide.

I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone reading this that Bailey is very special to us and is the most precious little baby. I pray that everyone either has had, or very soon will have, the opportunity to share your love with and watch grow and develop. If anyone ever wants to come and visit this precious little person, please give us a call or send us an email. We would love to have you over. Take care everyone. We hope to see you all soon. I do have new pictures and even some movies that I will try to get posted up to the Picasa web albums too. Please be patient with me; if I'm not at school I'm doing everything I can to help out Tammie at home.

PS -- Terry (Teri, Terrie, etc...), if I misspelled your name, my sincerest apologies. Please let me know if I made an error and I will happily fix it for you.

PPS -- Tyfany, I've heard about your promise to babysit this Saturday (3/22/08). I don't know if Billy has agreed to your plans, but I'm holding YOU to it. Bring some t-shirts you don't mind getting dirty...Bailey spits up a lot!