I got my arms back!

Freedom! I finally got my arms back and can do things around the house thanks to the Moby. It's a wonderful comfy baby carrier that you can use in a million different ways. So far Bailey's favorite is the hug hold. She usually falls asleep in about five minutes and I'm free to vacuum, cook, do laundry, etc. while she naps. It's truly a lifesaver. I was almost at my wits end until Lindsey came to visit me this week and we were able to venture out to Cotton Babies and try on the carriers. Bailey definitely preferred this one to the rest. I feel like a whole new mommy. This is Bailey and I sporting our new toy. Look at me wearing my baby. (Not sure why this is underlined. Oh well.)

Bailey checking out the world.

It may look funny but it has changed my life.

Snoozing on mommy. Look at those smiles on both of our faces. A happy baby means a happy mommy.

Just pics

Please stop....enough with the camera already!

Precious moments with daddy.

Already two weeks old!

We have survived the first two weeks! Bailey is a joy to parent. She does the funniest things and we just sit and stare at her waiting for her to make us laugh. It doesn't take much. We had a little problem sleeping at night at first, but the past few nights she has done much better. I think the swaddling was key. I finally got it tight enough where she can't wiggle her hands out and wake herself up. We are becoming less zombieish every day and starting to feel like normal human beings again! And now what you have been waiting for...more Bailey girl pics. Isn't she precious?!

Staring at mommy in the mirror.

Sleepy time.

Taking a snooze with mommy.

Chillin after a sponge bath.

Striking a pose after she lost her stump. We love our naked baby.

Welcome Bailey Nicole!

She's finally here! Bailey Nicole Buss made her debut on Tuesday, July 22 at 5:50pm after 21 hours of labor from her momma. She entered the world via c-section and was just perfect. She was 6lb. 5 oz. and 19.7 in long. Ken held her for 45 minutes in awe while I got stitched up, shook like crazy, and puked my guts up on the operating table. It was not a pleasant experience but it was all worth it when I got to hold my little girl for the first time as they wheeled me back into the labor and delivery room. We had four long days in the hospital but we could not have asked for better care from the staff and nurses. They were all fabulous and made recovery and adjusting to a new baby so much smoother. We got to come home on Friday, July 25 her due date. I was very nervous taking her home since I know nothing about babies but things have all been falling into place just fine. She is very alert for a newborn and loves to stare at mommy and daddy with her big blue eyes. They just make us melt. She is also very strong. She is already lifting her head for brief periods and pushing up with her feet. We already have a fiesty one on our hands. Speaking of fiesty, she hates sleeping at night. We got barely 3 hours of sleep total each night for the first week and a half we had her home. Mommy and Daddy are ZOMBIES! Mommy cried a lot the first few days wondering if we would every sleep again like normal people. Well enough of my babbling. Here are some pics of our precious angel Bailey!

First picture in mommy's arms all bundled and peaceful.

Bailey and Blair...second cousins and three weeks apart.

Bailey and mommy getting ready to come home.

Bailey in her swing bored to death. haha

Bailey loves her daddy. Aren't they just precious!

Chicago

I told you I was behind on this thing. Ken and I took our one and only senior in the youth group to Chicago the second week of June for her senior trip. Since she was the only one, she knew exactly where she wanted to go...Chicago to do some sightseeing and SHOPPING! Ken's sister lives in a suburb outside of Chicago so we were lucky enough to be able to stay with her and her family instead of a hotel. She works in the city so she took us downtown every morning and we would ride the train back at night. We had a blast. I was nervous that I would ruin the trip for everyone since I was almost 9 months pregnant, but I think I held up pretty well considering we walked a TON! At night I felt like my feet were going to explode but it was worth it. I was proud of this little momma. We did pretty much all the typical Chicago stuff like Navy Pier, Sears Tower, Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, deep dish pizza, lake Michigan, and LOTS of eating. It was a great trip but it was a little sad at the same time because it was the last time we will be spending significant time with Jacqueline who is like a daughter to us. Now that she has moved in with her dad I know that the time we see her will be few and far between, but we also can't wait to see what God has planned for her life as she grows into a young adult. We are so proud of her and love her dearly.

In Millennium Park...it took me forever to get hoisted up on that thing. lol

On top of Sears Tower. Such a great view of the city.

Navy Pier. This pic cracks me up because it goes from Ken (biggest) to the baby(smallest).

I needed to give my aching feet a rest. Enjoying the cool water in Lake Michigan.

Jacqueline, Ken, and me on the ferris wheel on Navy Pier.

Showers of blessings

I've really been neglecting this blog lately so I'm trying to catch up and fill everyone in on the month of June. It was busy and exciting. I had a beautiful shower that the ladies from church threw for me and it was just lovely. They always do such a good job at these kinds of things. Ken and I were spoiled by everyone and basically got everything we needed for this baby and then some. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful church family. Thank you to you all and especially the hostesses who took the time to plan such a fabulous event. We love you all. Here are just a few pictures.

The yummiest cake! I LOVED the filling! Mmmm...

Mommy and me! I like this picture of us.

Two of my gorgeous girls!

Hostess Jen and photographer Alex! Love you girls!

The nursery is finished!

Today we finally finished the nursery. Well pretty much. I still need to find some kind of window treatment and the baseboards need to be put in, but hey it's pretty much done. :) I used a few gift cards we received from very generous friends and bought the last of the decorative items. We got the pictures hung, the glider set up, washed and put away all the clothing and bedding, and now we are just waiting on our little bundle of joy to get here so we can put all this cuteness to good use. Overall I'm very pleased with how the room turned out. Sometimes what I picture in my mind is nothing like the finished product, but this one wasn't too bad. Thank you to my mom who spent many painstaking hours painting the tedious lattice work on the main wall. Thank you to Stacy who helped me pick out the shelves. Thank you Ken's family for the beautiful comfy glider. I already sit in it just to relax. lol Thank you most of all to my wonderful hubby who hung the shelves, installed the beautiful flooring, hung the frames, set up the glider, and for not fussing too much when I snuck some pink in the room. I hope our little girl grows to love this room. I can't wait for her to get here! Just under 3 weeks until the due date!!!!