Finding The Beauty In The Mess

2010-02-16T15:33:00.002-06:00

Growing up, my mom always made Valentine's Day a fun kids' holiday. We would buy candy and make cupcakes. I remember always going to the store to pick out a new Valentine's stuffed kitten or bear. So this year, Arie Alex got a pretty pink dress embellished with roses from her Grandma Bonnie, and that inspired a whole Valentine's party. Cupcakes, crafts, and lots of candy!

Beautiful Mess Photography Update

2009-09-07T15:38:00.004-05:00

The past few months have been crazy busy for Beautiful Mess Photography, which means not so much blogging for Bailey, but there are three new ways that you can keep up with us and Beautiful Mess Photography...

1. Subscribe to our new Beautiful Mess Photography blog.

2. You also can become a fan of Beautiful Mess Photography on Facebook.

3. Follow Beautiful Mess Photography on Twitter.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome. We are always looking for new creative ways to share our story and what Beautiful Mess means to us. Thanks for all the support and encouragement you have given us so far. Beautiful Mess Photography has been a wonderful success this year and we couldn't have done it without our friends and family. We love you so much!

Pick of the Week: JK Wedding Entrance Dance

2009-07-26T15:24:00.001-05:00

My friend, Anne, posted this on her Facebook page. I don't know if it is because I see 20 weddings a year, that all are very similar, or because I love dancing, but I think this is so great. I can't get over how cool this video is. I was so happy watching it, that tears welled up in my eyes

Arie Alex: 15 Months

2009-06-23T21:56:00.008-05:00

So our sweet baby girl is 15 months old. She can walk like a champ and is really proud of herself. Here are a few of the pix I took of her toddling around the yard. We think she is the best kid and we are so proud of her. Among her many words she says, "go, go", "hi" "up", "down", "shoes", "no", "woof, woof", "da da", "papa", "mama", "bath", "please", "thank you". She falls down a lot still, but gets up running. Every time she does or says something new, Tim and I are in awe. As far as we are concerned, she might as well be the inventor of coffee cup sleeves. She is so cool!

Random things that happen at the gym: #2

2009-06-02T14:33:00.003-05:00

Arie Alex locked herself in the car, and me out out of the car at the same time. I let her hold my keys sometimes. I strapped her into her car seat, and shut the back door, right before I intended to open the front door. At that exact moment, my beautiful child hit the "lock" button on the key remote. I freaked. I screamed, and the lady getting in her car next to me let me borrow her phone, b/c mine was now locked in the car. With my keys. And my daughter. I called Tim to come as fast as he could with the extra set of keys. It wasn't very hot, so I wasn't worried about her getting over heated. It was classic. Airawen smiling up at me through the side window. Me screaming, "Hit the round button!". After five minutes of randomly hitting the trunk pop and the panic button, she hit the "unlock" button. I dove for the driver's door, and breathed a sigh of relief. Lesson learned.

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-06-02T14:27:00.004-05:00

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the Lake with Tim's family. Arie Alex had her first big pool adventure of the summer! There was splashing and goldfish eating, and everything you could want for a 14 month old at the pool. Of course I missed it completely. I was at Star Trek with Jake and Drew. A fantastically, entertaining flick, btw. Thankfully, Tim captured all the fun.

Tim's Birthday Weekend

2009-06-02T13:57:00.007-05:00

Tim, Joe and Tyler all have birthdays 2 days apart in May, so we usually celebrate together. We relight the candles and sing happy birthday three times, so that all three boys can blow them out. Tyler got Guitar Hero, which was my personal favorite gift of the weekend. Joe got some fancy new duds and Tim some outdoor gear, clothes and a French press, which has been enjoyed greatly. Notice the braclette on Airawen's wrist in the pic of her holding the apple? Gremacha by my friened Greta! A new favorite!

Random things that happen at the gym: #1

2009-05-15T20:55:00.003-05:00

A guy walked up to me at the gym yesterday. I was stretching and had my headphone in, so he had to tap me on the shoulder to get my attention. I looked up at him, slightly startled, then pulled a headphone out of one ear and asked, "Am I in the way?'' He smiled and me and said, "I just wanted to tell you, Jesus loves you! You are the apple of his eye!" I smiled and said, "I know." Then I put my headphone back in my ear and continued stretching.

Pick of the Week: Penelope

2009-04-28T13:14:00.009-05:00

Besides being an adorable name, Penelope is now in my top 10 favorite movies. The sets are magical, the clothes divine, the James McAvoy gorgeous, and the story line simple, but brilliant. Mostly, it captured my praise because hard as they may try, Hollywood has a difficult job of pulling those of us who understand the technical side of films, out of reality long enough to make us forget we are watching a movie. Well I forgot I was watching a movie. I was entranced, sucked in, completely bought all the beauty and magic of this film. As fantastic of a spectacle as it is, and as basic a moral it tells, I never felt that it was cheesy or pushed. There are family dynamics for everyone and it takes us on a charming adventure, coming of age, love story. (It is also family friendly, which is a plus when recommending a film. Reese Witherspoon produced and acts in the film. She wanted to make something her kids could see.)

I am a huge fan of movies like Big Fish, and Matilda, as well as the TV show Pushing Daisies. Penelope has that same extra reality feel, with vibrant colors, and old Hollywood meats punk wardrobe. If you are a fan of Tim Burton, then you will be pleased with the look and feel of Penelope.

Easter 2009

2009-04-20T13:27:00.007-05:00

This year we spent Easter in Chicago. Airawen has taken a huge liking to the piano. It kept her busy for long periods of time. She is so dainty with those little fingers. Using only one finger on one key at a time. Although, with the combination of mine and Tim's musical talent, the poor child doesn't stand a chance.

The big kids dying Easter eggs on Easter Eve.

Daddy taking Arie Alex around for the Easter egg hunt! She loved picking up the eggs and putting them directly in her mouth.

Eventually she learned to put the eggs in the basket.

Arie Alex standing up all by herself again! Doesn't she look so cute in her Easter dress? Thanks again to the treasure trove of dresses at the Blazer's house. Of course I went to all this time and energy over the Easter dress and shoes and then Arie Alex ended up sleeping through church and stayed home with Tim. Go figure.

Happy Easter!

Spring at Castle Mohr

2009-04-20T13:15:00.011-05:00

It is spring here in St. Louis land. It is one of my favorite times, because despite the neglect that our yard receives all year long, every spring, all these amazing flowers and plants turn green and spring up all over the place. Here are a few pix from the back yard.

There are other things coming into bloom during this season. Our baby angel, who can throw the best fits, (mostly over not being aloud to touch things like, the remote, my camera, our cell phones,) is learning to stand up without holding on to the furniture for support. She is the most precious little girl, even when she is crying. This round of tears was brought on by mama not letting her chew on the camera.

Notice the extremely cute outfit Grandma Bonnie made for Arie Alex?

Ahhhhhhh! But we found a passie, and it was all better after that! See how great I am at standing up?

Arie Alex Turns 1!

2009-03-31T13:39:00.018-05:00

Baby angel had a beautiful first birthday party on a beautiful day. We were able to spend most of the day in the back yard and many of our closest friends and family were there to celebrate. Arie Alex was a little unsure about her cake at first. She picked at it with her thumb and forefinger like a perfect lady at first. But after I stuck a small dollop of icing in her mouth. She started devouring the little cake, like a perfect one year old. I was very engergetic and happy the whole week. A lot of people said I might get sad or emotional thinking back at how my baby girl has grown up, but it was more of an exciting week, where I felt blessed and happy that my sweet girl is so healthy and I fall in love with her more every day.

Pick of the Week: Dragonfly Designs Taggy Blankets

2009-02-25T21:35:00.006-06:00

One of our favorite gifts we received for Arie Alex, was a taggy blanket. It was made from the softest, pink fabric, and the tags were all made from brown, pink and green ribbons. Her name was embroidered in the corner and a sweet little tag that read, "Dragonfly Designs" was fastened around the middle. Since receiving this blanket, I have started purchasing them for other friends who are having babies, and they too are finding it is one of their favorite gifts. If you have a baby, then you know their favorite part of any toy is the tag. The taggy blanket provides them with endless tags and is also very Hollywood chic. Fortunately, my friend, Abby makes these blankets at an amazing price. They come in a variety of colors to meet your taste and style. You can visit the Dragonfly Designs Store in Eureka, right out side St. Louis, or go to the website or blog.

Arie Alex: 11 Months

2009-02-25T21:00:00.003-06:00

So here are the latest pix of our baby girl. She is learning to do more everyday. She is very expressive and is learning to communicate better all the time. She pulls up and can cruise along the furniture. She has even started pulling up on boxes walking along behind them has the slide across the floor.

Airawen can clap and wave and brushes her hair when you hand her the hair brush. She says, "King Dog", which actually sound more like "Ga Do", but it is very consistent, and there is no mistaking he is the light of her life.

She splashes the water in the bathtub when you say, "Splashing, splashing" She has also started touching her head when you ask, "Where is the baby's hair?"

Airawen is my favorite baby to take pictures of and has made this the most fun year of our life. Tim and I get so much joy just out of watching her play, and learn how do things on her own. She can drink out of the sippy cup, or bottle by herself, and flips through her books. She throws things behind her head when she is finished with them. It is crazy that she is going to be one in only a couple of weeks! This year has been so fast wonderful. We are so blessed that Arie Alex is our daughter. Being parents is more fantastic than we could have ever dreamed.

Arie Alex and King Dog

2009-02-25T20:54:00.005-06:00

Hey, look! There is my King Dog!

I love this King Dog! Every morning I wake up and say, "Ga Do" Which means "King Dog" He makes me laugh a lot, and I love to pet his soft fur.

He is really good about letting me play with is face, and climb on him for about 5 minutes, then he asks mommy to put him downstairs so he can get away from me.

He sniffs me first though, to see if there are any crumbs he can lick off my face. He is learning that I have good food that I throw on the floor for him to eat. I think he is starting to like me as much as I like him.

Arie Alex: 9 Months

2009-01-04T13:05:00.010-06:00

Our sweet girl turned 9 months old on December 5th. We tried to do something more formal for pictures, but she doesn't sit still very long, so this is what we got. Airawen is very expressive and talkative. She also quite dramatic and has become kind of a mama's girl. If I put her down she will sometimes throw herself prostrate on the floor, sobbing. I have asked her if she would like some sackcloth and ashes to go with all that weeping, but she just holds her arms up for me to pick her up.

Most of the time she is actually quite easy going and happy. My favorite time of day is when she wakes up in the morning. She will just start jabbering to herself in sweet little melodies. When I walk in to get her she is always waiting with a huge smile and starting bouncing up and down. She has learning to pull up to standing in her crib and it is still kind of a shock to see my little baby standing up.

Tomorrow begins my last week at Covenant Seminary as their Audio/Visual Producer. It is a sad and exciting time. I will miss my amazing staff and all the wonderful learning experience that I get there, but I also am overjoyed to be coming home to raise my baby and become a full time photographer. Beautiful Mess Photography is starting off 2009 hopeful and with great certainty that this is what God is calling me to do as a wife, mom and artist.

For those of you who have not seen the website... www.beautifulmessphoto.com

Pass on the word to anyone you know who is getting married or needs baby/family/senior pictures. I would love to tell your story in the Beautiful Mess style, so don't hesitate to check us out!

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year!

Arie Alex: Christmas Angel

2009-01-01T22:08:00.005-06:00

This is our baby angel at 8 Months old. I didn't release the picture earlier b/c we wanted to use it for some Christmas presents. She is in full crawl/cruise mode now and has started pulling up on anything that will hold all 19 lbs of her. She is sporting 5 teeth and is eating solid food. Arie Alex wakes up more fun and beautiful everyday! We had a great 1st Christmas with our baby girl this year. Stay tuned for more Christmas pictures!

Arie Alex Goes to See Santa

2008-12-23T23:50:00.009-06:00

One of my photography jobs this holiday season, was to take pictures of kids with Santa at a nearby elementary school. Tim and Arie Alex came with me to help. We haven't really decided if we are going to do the whole Santa thing with Airawen or not, but I thought as a traditional American icon for this time of year, and it being Airawen's first Christmas, we could get the one shot of her on Santa's lap. Thankfully she liked him a lot and wasn't at all afraid. The pictures came out really cute so I thought I would share.

Heidi's Wedding

2008-12-23T23:27:00.017-06:00

My sister, Heidi, got married in November, to Johnn Houston. It was a great time and we are so excited to have Johnn as part of our family! There were tears and laughter and hugs and all the things that weddings should have. The pictures are all from the rehearsal and the girls getting ready the next day. (I had the day off from taking pictures, so I don't actually have the wedding pictures to post yet.) Congratulations Johnn and Heidi! We love you!

Frank's 60th birthday

2008-12-06T16:50:00.015-06:00

We spend Halloween weekend in Chicago with Tim's family to celebrate his dad's 60th birthday. To honor the occasion, Bonnie surprised Frank with all his kids and grandkids coming in for the weekend, and a soaring ride. We went out to the airport on Saturday morning and watched the take off and the landing. It was really obvious that Frank enjoyed the experience. He said it was something he had always wanted to do. The next day we took family pictures.

My dad turned 60 in November too. It was a big year for the dads!

Arie Alex Halloween 2008

2008-12-06T16:42:00.011-06:00

I just took some pictures of Arie Alex with the pumpkins out front for this Halloween. We didn't dress up because we were driving to Chicago for the weekend. We celebrated Tim's Dad's 60th birthday!

Pick of the Week: Twilight

2008-11-18T15:50:00.009-06:00

At first glance this book is sappy, repetitive and juvenile. By no means, is it one of the greatest pieces of literature of our time-- or any time for that matter. However, in an age where the media portrays men as cheaters, morons, predators and leavers, it is no wonder why this book has had such intense success. Edward does what he says he will. He not only makes promises, but keeps them. Edward shows up. Every time, physically, emotionally, mentally, Edward shows up for Bella.

Friday, Twilight, the first book in a four part series by Stephenie Meyer, will be premiering in the theaters as a movie. The buzz on this is ridiculous, almost rivaling Harry Potter. So as an astute participant in today's pop culture, I read the first book. I kept asking myself, "Why is this so popular? It is cheesy and nothing really happens." I kind of started to think the main character, Bella, was an idiot. Edward, the vampire, he keeps saying, "I could eat you any minute. Stay away from me." And Bella's response? "I'm in love with you. I'll never leave you". It took me over 250 pages to figure it out.

But then it absolutely hit me. I was brushing this book off as cheesy, because it was actually striking something in me. What I was reading was so personal, and intimate between the two characters, that is was like eavesdropping on someone's conversation in a restaurant, or reading somebody's journal about their love life. The way that Stephenie Meyer writes Edward and Bella's slow, and innocently obsessed relationship, was taking me back to my 17 year old butterflies in the stomach. Remember when you almost hyperventilated the first time your hand accidentally touched that guy's hand, who you thought was soooo hot? Or that crazy sick feeling in your stomach when he actually held your gaze, on purpose for more than three seconds? The anticipation, the promise, the potential of getting the attention of someone you deemed completely out of your league.... It's like that.

The next thing I realized was, "Of course this book is doing well! It is just a new twist on the oldest story ever told!" The story of Edward and Bella goes right there next to Pretty Woman, She's All That, Pretty in Pink, Big and Carrie, Veronica and Logan... The list is centuries long. This is any story where the awkward, outcast and unsuspecting girl catches the eye of the perfect, beautiful, rich guy, (who was untouchable to any other woman alive) and not in spite of her ordinary and horribly awkward self, but because of her ordinary and horribly awkward self, he falls in love with her.

Every woman wants to be perused the way Edward pursues Bella. He is strong and beautiful, controlled and charming, and he picks her. Out of all the women across the world in almost 100 years of his vampire life, he picks her. Then he becomes vulnerable with her and takes her on the adventure with him.

Who wouldn't want to be the object of that perfect man's affection? For him to never take his eyes off of her even in the presence of a hot waitress at a restaurant? Every girl wants her man to open doors and pull out chairs and deny his entire previous existence, abandoning everything he knows, the norms, and the expectations, to capture her heart and protect her from the evils of the world. Ever girl wants a man who is insanely strong, but would never hurt her. However, that strength would be conjured up and used at its most intense force if the object of his affection were to be threatened.

Edward also lays his heart bare, exposes himself emotionally and becomes vulnerable to Bella. Edward takes Bella on the adventure into his world, never making her feel anything, but worthy of his time and attention. He invites her in to meet his family, share his history, explains the secrets of his potentially horrifying life. He lets Bella ask a thousand questions about him, never making her feel silly or stupid for wanting to know about him. Edward shows all his vampire "flaws" and then leaves the choice up to her. Stay? Or go? Edward takes the lead. He puts the breaks on their physical relationship, asks to meet Bella's father, defines their relationship. Edward isn't afraid to touch Bella, appropriately, in front of his family. Edward is the first one to say, "I love you."

If that weren't enough, Edward makes Bella start to see herself. It is a true story, the one where a girl thinks she is unworthy, and plain and boring? Then the confident friend/lover/stranger shows them otherwise, helping the girl take part in her own story and opening her heart to the possibility that she is worthy, lovable, even precious.

After the guy does all that would you let him go? Even if he were a vampire? And maybe it isn't so different from human relationships. I mean when we, mere mortals, enter into an engagement, "Will you marry me?", either party is actually saying, "I could eat you alive at any moment. I will let you down and break your heart countless times for the rest of our life together." But we hopefully are also saying, "I will love you and protect you, forsaking all others for the rest of our life together. I will say, 'I'm sorry' and, 'I was wrong', 'will you forgive me?' I will show up for you. Go on this adventure with me."

And the other says, "Yes".

Arie Alex: 7 Months

2008-10-21T12:26:00.017-05:00

I am 7 months old! Mamma gave me this bird to try and distract me from this get up she put me in, but I'm not fooled. I know she is trying to make me look like a baby doll.

Just the details.

This is the pink sweater and bonnet my Grandma Bonnie wore for her baptism. (I totally look like a baby doll in this picture.)

Mamma, if you are going to take away my bird, I'll just chew on my hand instead!

Oh, yes! Back to me being 7 months old. Well, I'm really good at eating food now, and I'm starting to crawl.

My favorite is still to put everything in my mouth. That is how I learn about things.

This is the beautiful dress I was baptized in. The back is held together with these things called, "beauty pins". Mamma likes to take these detail shots.

Really? Seriously? You are going to take away my bird, and give me a leaf?

Did you remember that I have two teeth?

That is what I thought! As soon as I put that leaf in my mouth, mamma gave me back the bird!

People say that as I get older, I'm starting to look more like my daddy. Not in this picture! I totally look like my mamma!

Beautiful Airawen Gets Baptized

2008-10-21T12:05:00.016-05:00

October 12, 2008 Airawen Alexandra got baptized.

She as happy and calm through the whole ceremony and everyone said how beautiful she looked in her dress.

Matt Blazer's, (the man holding Arie Alex in this picture) daughter, Caroline, was baptized in the same dress. It has hand made by Caroline's grandmother and on loan to us. Since Airawen is seven months old, she as too big for all the family baptism gowns that have been passed down in Tim's family.

Our friend Amy Darr took pictures for us during the ceremony. Thanks Amy!

Arie Alex and Grandma Heath.

This might be our first family picture since Easter.

It was an amazingly warm day so we spent much of the day in the back yard. I love our back yard!

Graceanne eats her taco soup and Rachel Blazer reads to Caroline.

Joe and Tyler Bertam

Arie Alex loved Great Granny's bracelet.

It was a great day! At the end of it, we sat down and played with the turtle that projects stars on the walls and ceiling, a gift from Grandma Heath.

Thank you to all our friends and family who helped us celebrate the baptism of our daughter. You mean so much to us and we are blessed to have you in our life.

Arie Alex Brushes Her Teeth

2008-10-07T13:49:00.013-05:00

Okay, are you ready? Are we rolling?

This looks kind of big for my mouth...

Oh well, I'll give it a try! Gotta start taking care of my teeth!

Seriously? This is the most ridiculous photo shoot you have ever made me do, Mom!

I'm really cute though, so I'll pose for the camera. Okay, love you, bye, bye!

Airawen Goes to the Zoo

2008-10-07T13:29:00.012-05:00

Sunday we went to the Saint Louis Zoo for the first time as a family of three! We wanted to see the new tiger cubs that were born in April, and show Arie Alex my favorite, the penguins! It was a beautiful, warm day and our baby angel loves to be outside. She was pretty tired, so we didn't get any dramatic reactions, but I think she enjoyed seeing so many new things!

Published Photos

2008-10-06T15:14:00.004-05:00

Thanks to one of my high school classmates, Sonia Thompson, yesterday's issue of the Columbia Tribune, ran a bunch of the photos that Tim and I (Beautiful Mess Photography) took at my 10 year, high school reunion. You can check them out HERE. Thanks, Sonia, for submitting the photos, and to all my classmates who smiled big for the camera!

Pick of the Week: Saturday Night Live

2008-10-06T14:33:00.003-05:00

If you saw the Vice Presidential Debate, or have been following the "bailout" conversations, you will probably share a laugh about these sketches. Looks like Saturday Night Live got funny again.

More 6 Month Pix

2008-10-01T10:23:00.017-05:00

We had a baby shower in Forest Park, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and we were already dressed up so.... I thought we should do a more formal 6 month photo shoot. The turtle's name is Titus. He lives in our garden. Sorry no captions this time. Just use your imagination. BTW, doesn't Tim take great pictures?

Pick of the Week: The New Fall Daily Tea

2008-09-30T10:54:00.008-05:00

Love the new Fall Daily Tea! Of course I won't be buying any of it until it goes on sale, but I still think it is beautiful, and thought I would share some of my favorites.

Johnn and Heidi's Wedding Shower

2008-09-26T16:41:00.011-05:00

Last Sunday we threw a wedding shower for Heidi and Johnn, who are getting married in November. Here are some of the cute pix I took and of course, got pictures of everyone except myself. I'm really great at doing that. Arie Alex loved seeing her aunts and uncle and grandma and grandpa. She even has her own room at grandma and grandpa's house!

Arie Alex: 6 Months and Eating

2008-09-26T16:03:00.005-05:00

So I've been six months old for a few weeks now, and the biggest part about being 6 months old is that now I get to eat solid food.

I love it! I've had rice cereal and this week the started feeding me carrots. I'm getting better at eating off the spoon every day.

Hey, what is this? A new food?

It is shaped like a star. I'm going to eat it!

Ahh ma gos! Wa eh the? Ih horrible!

This is so disgusting! I think they are trying to poison me!

Whatever you do, DON'T eat the star shaped food!

Sitting up and Cutting Teeth

2008-08-29T10:44:00.010-05:00

Before we get started with this presentation, I really need to go get this tub of A and D ointment.

And I need to check my self out in the mirror... I have two bottom teeth coming in. You can just see them poking out...

I love A and D ointment! It is really good stuff. It comes in this big tub with a bright orange lid, and I can't get enough of it!

I just love this stuff. I have to put it in my mouth.

What? Oh yeah! I'm here to tell everyone something....

I can sit up! Isn't that great? Have a happy Labor Day Weekend! My mommy and daddy started dating 6 years ago on this weekend. And now they have a baby who can sit up. Crazy!

Arie Alex: 5 Months

2008-08-18T21:21:00.011-05:00

This update is a little late, but I'm a busy girl! So here it is....

The biggest move I'm made yet....

All the way around...

I can roll over!

I'm so proud of my self. I just roll across the room now, whenever I feel like it!

When I get tired I just put some tool in my mouth and rest. But this is the beginning of my dancing career. Everyone who danced had to roll over first!

Daddy and I play "Patti-Cake" with my feet.... And I stick out my tongue

Daddy gives me kisses..... And I stick out my tongue.

What? If you were fun, you would stick out your tongue more too!

Daddy makes me laugh.... And I stick out my tongue.

I throw my foot up in the air.... And I stick out my tongue. It is one of my favorite new tricks to spit everywhere by blowing raspberries. I'm so talented. Rolling over... Sticking out my tongue... Posting my own blogs.... :P

Pick of the Week: Paris Hilton Runs For US President

2008-08-15T23:12:00.002-05:00

So I have to give it to her, Paris nailed the kind of humor we need during this election season. Those crazy presidential candidates delved into the Britney/Paris realm and were practically begging for the celebs to come out and play. Paris sounds kind of smart for being such a ridiculous cultural figure. Of course, someone else wrote this for her, but still... Loves it!

Arie Alex: 4 Months Old

2008-07-16T18:28:00.005-05:00

Oh, hi! Thought I should let you all know that I'm four months old now. It is even better than being three months old.

Mama still gives me lots of kisses on my chubby cheeks. I love it!

Everyone says that I look like my mama. It must be the double chin. :)

My daddy tells me how beautiful and fun I am all the time. He is the greatest man I know.

Let's see... What else do I like about being 4 months old....

Well, I laugh all the time. I'm ticklish. When mama coughs, I laugh. When King barks, I laugh. When someone says "lobster", I laugh. I am a giggly girl!

I am getting lots of hair on my head.

I am very coordinated with my hands and mouth now. I can suck my thumb and take my passie in and out of my mouth, as well as my favorite toys.

But the newest thing I like to put in my mouth is my toes! That is my absolute favorite! I'm really good at it!

Yep, that is my foot all the way up in my mouth. Aren't I so big?

Well, I guess that is all for now. I love my Bum Genius diapers. They are so cute and earth friendly. They also give me less diaper rash, in case you wanted to know. TMI? Sorry. Talk to you later!

Arie Alex: 16 Weeks

2008-07-01T11:39:00.008-05:00

I took these last week when Arie Alex really was 16 weeks old. She is now almost 17 weeks, but she still pretty much looks the same.

I am probably one of the happiest 16 week old babies, ever! Let me tell you why!

For one, I'm super cute and charming. I know how to ham it up for the camera, and even when I have drool on my face, I'm still a great looking kid.

Second, I know how to ask important questions like, "When is lunch?", "Are you going to play with me now?" and "Will InBev really buy Anheuser-Bush?"

That's what I think about InBev buy Anheuser-Bush. Which brings me to the third reason I'm the happiest 16 week old baby, ever.... I found my tongue!

Hey, I know that funny guy....

That's my daddy!!!

Dinner Table

2008-07-01T11:26:00.007-05:00

So for our 5th anniversary, Mother's Day, Father's Day our birthdays, and the celebration of Airawen's birth, Tim surprised me and bought dinning room table (that seats more than four people), and a china cabinet, (for all that china we use all the time. :P) We love having people over for dinner, but with all our friends having kids and sometimes wanting to have more than two people over at a time, it was quite crowded.

I like making the table look pretty, now that there is room on the table for plates, silverware, glasses, and food and flowers. It is very exciting!

(Those are also my birthday dishes from my parents and Tim's parents. Thank you, I love them!)

Picked these out of the ally behind our house. We have beautiful flowers this year because of all the rain.

Tim also bought me beautiful flowers that made my week. If anyone knows what that purple one is with the yellow center, let me know b/c I love it!

Before dinner, Arie Alex and I decided to enjoy the beautiful weather out in our awesome back yard.

King joined us, but found us quite boring.

My sweet girl!

Mama loves to kiss those chubby, baby cheeks!

Pick of the Week: Baby Soy

2008-06-24T10:41:00.004-05:00

So I've been on this rant lately about all all baby onesies are boring pastels, or have stupid cartoon kittens on them or have ridiculous sayings, like "princess in training" on them, and I just want a fresh, bright onesie that I can put on my baby girl sans the obnoxiousness about being a diva or a princess or whatever. Well I finally found them.

I was shopping at Cotton Babies with Tim's mom, a couple weeks ago, and she walked up with this beautiful (and environmentally friendly,) bright pink onesie with light green trim. Baby Soy onesies. Apparently a mom with the same dilemma I was having decided to make this whole soybean fabric clothing line, called Baby Soy.

Soybean fiber is not only soft and silky, but it is made to last and is completely recyclable. The way it is made is harmless to nature b/c the production process is a c losed end process. They also make their clothes under free trade conditions so they are taking care of the world and the people in our world.

You can see these sweet soft clothes and read all about Baby Soy at their website.

http://www.babysoyusa.com/about.asp

Father's Day

2008-06-15T15:03:00.014-05:00

Today is Tim's fist Father's Day. It is so fun to see him melting over our little girl. I don't know which is cuter, when she does cute things, or when Tim gets all gushy over the cute things she does. I love that he is the daddy of a little girl. Tim is a wonderful Father for many reasons. First because in being a dad, he is carrying out the calling God has given him and partly because he had such a wonderful dad who he can look to as a wonderful example. Tim and I both feel we've been blessed with exceptional fathers, and are excited to celebrate them today.

Five Reasons that Tim is a wonderful dad: (in no particular order)

1. He is a good husband first.

2. He hugs and kisses Arie Alex, constantly. Little girls need affection from their daddies.

3. He encourages her in all the little things she does.

4. He makes a fool out of himself to make her smile and laugh. Recognizing that a daughters laugh is worth doing almost anything, is a great character trait in a man.

5. He loves God more than he loves his baby girl and that is the best way he can love her.

Arie Alex: 3 Months Old

2008-06-15T14:15:00.000-05:00

So here is the sweet 3 month old, Airawen Alexandra. No official photo shoot this time, mamma is tired, and swamped, but I got these shots in last weekend. She is our little Cards fan already!

Charlotte's First Birthday

2008-06-15T14:00:00.001-05:00

June 6th we went to Columbia for Charlotte Horn's first birthday party. It was quite the extravaganza, and so fun!

We stopped by to see Grandma Heath and Grandpa Richard before the party! We love trying to make the baby laugh.

Mamma loves kissing those chubby little cheeks!

Me and my baby girl. These are the only pictures I've actually been in with my daughter since she was about 3 weeks old.

We cheered Char-Char on as she went to town on that cake!

She demolished it! That is my kind of girl!

Arie Alex getting some love from our friend Camryn, Charlotte's cousin.

Baby girls and their daddies. So special. Airawen looks a little zoned, we woke her up from her nap so she could party. We are terrible parents. :)

Char-Char got a little jealous that her daddy was holding Arie Alex. Someday they'll be able to share more than just clothes. (Airawen's Baby Gap, party dress on loan from Charlotte Horn's closet.)

Happy Birthday, Char-Char!

If only we could all express exactly what we wanted like a one year old, the world would be a better place.

The beautiful birthday girl! Thanks for inviting us to your party, Char-Char. We love you!

Airawen's First Trip to the Lake

2008-06-15T13:59:00.000-05:00

We went to the Lake for Memorial Day weekend with Tim's parents. It was Airawen's first time on the water. She did great on the boat, and loved the one-on-one time with Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Frank.

Here is our future wake boarder in her little surf girl suit. She looks thrilled, right?

Hanging with Grandpa, looking out at the water and the boats. (Thanks to Charlotte Horn for loaning this perfect "weekend away", strawberry onesie.)

It rained most of the weekend, but we got to see this perfect whole rainbow.

It was even a double rainbow for a while. So amazing, I don't think I've seen a whole rainbow before.

Tim got to wake board a little bit, play some golf with Frank, and Bonnie and got some great shopping in. Can't wait to go back. The Lake is a magical place that is good for the soul. Thanks to Bonnie and Frank for sharing it with us so generously!

Olive came to play

2008-05-21T21:20:00.004-05:00

Abby and Olive came over to play last week. King has really lost his place since Arie Alex joined our family, so here are some the pictures of Olive and King hanging out.

Mother's Day

2008-05-21T16:48:00.014-05:00

It is still hard to believe that I'm somebody's "mom"! Someone entrusted me with a child? Crazy!

My family came into town for Mother's Day. We ate lunch at Jilly's Cupcake Bar, and then spent time at my Grandparents. It was a good laid back Mother's day. Tim Arie Alex and I came home at watched a movie that evening and went to bed early b/c we were too tired to do anything else.

It has been an interesting chapter entering the circle known as Mothers. Did you know there was a circle? I didn't, not really until I became a mom. I kind of got a glimps of this Motherhood tribe while I was pregnant, just a peek under the curtain, but the curtain came up after Airawen was born. Other mothers smile at us and help us with the cart at the grocery store. They give advice freely when they can tell I don't have a clue what size socks I should be buying for my baby. I get the most encouraging emails and phone calls from my friends who are moms. I joined this sisterhood without even knowing it. The initiation is kind of rough... The toll, the beat-down, the hazing all came in 12 hours of labor that ended in a c-section and going on 3 months now without getting more than 4 hours sleep at a time. The pain I still feel in my body. The payoff is everytime Arie Alex smiles at me. Everytime she nuzzles her face into my shoulder. Watching her sleep. Talking with her and having her coo and goo back in conversation. Watching Tim interact with her and joy on their faces as they get to know each other as Daddy and Daughter. Every time a mom stops us in the store and tells me how adorable my sweet daughter is. I have no problem saying, "This is hard", "I can't do this", "I am weak". But thankfully I am so far from having to do this alone, God has given me those who are stronger, wiser, more patient and graceful, to help me cut a path as a mom.

I've entered this clan of women and they have accepted me with open arms. They tell me I'm mighty and I am not alone. They ask me how I am doing, and say, "You are doing a great job!", when I feel like I'm falling apart. They are the women who also are getting no sleep, haven't showered in days, and have no idea how to make what is required of them fit all into one day. They are the same, these women, who's bodies still hurt from being a mom and who's patience dwindles from time to time. They are the moms who understand and have faired worse and better parts of being "Mom" for years longer than I.

Thank you to the mom who showed me what size socks to buy at Target. Thank you to the mom who showed me what A&D ointment was. Thanks to the mom who texted me while I was in labor. Thanks to the moms who read my blog and the moms who don't have time to read blogs. Thanks to my mom for raising me and praying for me. Thanks to the mom who raised my husband to be a loving and Godly man. Thanks to the mom's who put their wants and needs before their children's and truly know sacrificial love.

I really felt like a mom this Mother's Day. Constantly putting what I want on the back burner for the good of my baby, working until I feel that I might go crazy because I have just that much strength left. Tired, with a list of a million things to get done, but thankful that I have a reason to be tired, and in love with my husband and child. Happy late Mother's Day to all you moms out there.

Tim's Birthday

2008-05-21T16:33:00.009-05:00

We celebrated Tim and Tyler's birthday at the beautiful Castlewood Park, here in St. Louis. Tim raced in a three hour, endurance, mountain bike race. Then we all gathered for lunch and cake, and presents. It was a beautiful day and Arie Alex and I were waiting at the finish line for Tim. He met his goal of doing five laps in the three hours. We are so proud of him!

Five things we love about Tim:

1. He loves God and others well

2. He takes care of his family

3. He works hard to make our dreams come true

4. He does what he says he is going to do

5. I have so much fun with him all the time!

Arie Alex: 2 Months Old

2008-05-09T12:57:00.020-05:00

This is a boring photo shoot! We need to spice it up a bit.

That is what I'm talkin' about! Now I look awesome!

Thanks to Devin and Drew Lammy for my head band!

I laugh and smile all the time now!

And I get better at lifting my head up everyday.

She took the head band off. Boring again.

See isn't this soooo much better?

Okay, I'll be happy because I just remembered I can put my hands in my mouth!

I am getting so good at this. I rock!

I love being two months old.

I was just thinking, I really am kind of awesome.

The photo shoot is over? Are you kidding me? I was just getting the hang of this! Okay, well tune in next time for when I continue to be cute and wonderful.

Arie Alex: 8 weeks old

2008-04-29T21:09:00.058-05:00

Here is the long awaited quilt mama designed for me.

Maddie did such an amazing job putting it together. It is beautiful! We love it! Thanks Maddie!

Here I am being 8 weeks old!

The changing table is the happiest place on earth!

I discovered my hands this week. I love sucking on my fists. I'm so talented!

I love my swing and my legs are now fat enough to hold up my Baby Legs! I'm 11lbs this week.

This the bag for my Fuzzie Bunz and Bum Genius cloth diapers

My curtains and crib and star!

This is my shoe drawer, but may I point out that all these shoes were given to me.

The music box and coin bank are from my Great Granny Mohr and the sampler is from my Great Grandma Bailey.

Here is my beautiful, crib bumper!

These books were Grandma Heath's when she was a little girl. Mama loves to read to me.

Mama loves birds! Maddie made these birds for me.

These birds are from my second cousins Heather and Patrick. You can purchase these lovely pieces of art at PBK!

Daddy spray painted a branch from the back yard and hung the butterflies that Leah gave to me.

Too Cute

2008-04-18T22:27:00.004-05:00

Thought these were too cute not to put up.

Arie Alex: One Month Pix

2008-04-15T19:04:00.005-05:00

Pick of the Week: The Weepies, Say I Am You

2008-04-11T21:50:00.007-05:00

I first heard the song "World Spins Madly On" on the pop, teen series, One Tree Hill. I've actually find a lot of good music on that show. I mean it is just a scripted commercial for everything from CD's to makeup, clothes and good causes, right? So I bought The Weepies latest album, Say I Am You. They have a laid back, folky sound that has successfully gotten me in the mood for the warmer seasons. It is the album that you want to have in your iPod as you are laid out on a blanket in a green field, watching the clouds float by. It is the CD you want in the CD player, as you sit in the back of a convertible, on a warm evening, driving on a windy road through the woods, as the trees come together in a never ending green canape overhead. It is the music you want playing as you are sitting barefoot, on a Tuesday, back porch evening, with a cold glass of wine, and your best friends. It is the sound track for spontaneous road trips, last minute BBQ's, stopping by unannounced, summer late night talks, kissing in the rain, and watching your daughter smile for the first time.
My favorite songs are "Suicide Blonde" "Gotta Have You" and "World Spins Madly On"

They happen to be coming out with a new album called Hideaway on April 22nd. I can't wait!
http://www.theweepies.com/

Arie Alex: Week 4

2008-04-05T20:12:00.007-05:00

Excuse me! We are missing a very important piece of my wardrobe!!!

Haaa. That is much better. I'm ready for my close up.

The lovely Airawen Alexandra is sleeping now. No more pictures please. Being four weeks old is way harder than it was being three weeks old and she needs her beauty sleep.

Pick of the Week: Oompa Toys

2008-03-27T21:42:00.008-05:00

So once again, my friend Liz has turned me on to another site that is not only means fun for my child, but is in line with this, "raise our child to be respectful of people and the planet", type of thinking Tim and I have been embracing since we learned we were having a baby.

Oompa Toys was started by a mom who wanted her kids to have toys that were well made, from natural materials, and were simple, not battery operated to driven by some consumeristic television character. She had a hard time finding these kinds of toys in the U.S., but discovered that a plethora, of simple, educational, well made toys, that are environmentally friendly and non-toxic existed in Europe. So she started her own company called Oompa Toys. Oompa Toys gathers beautiful, simple toys, made from natural materials, that won't be contributing to the mounds of disposable plastics piling up in land fills. There slogan is "NO BATTERIES. NO BLINKING LIGHTS. NO CARTOON-THEMED TOYS. PERIOD."

They carry everything, from games and blocks, to dolls and clothing. There are leaning and imaginative toys for every age child. You can start a wish lists and earn "loyalty points" which contribute to getting money off other purchases. I just love the simplicity of the toys and not having to worry about a recall due to lead paint. I started a wish list for Arie Alex and am really excited to be bringing toys into our home that are good for my child and good for the environment.

http://www.oompa.com/baby-toys/category/0

Arie Alex: Week 3

2008-03-26T15:49:00.006-05:00

I am 3 weeks old today! Which means I've been alive longer than most of mama's house plants. It has been another big week for me. I'm trying out this kimono sleeper. What do you think? Does it go with my skin tone?

I learned how to make the most heart breaking pouty face. It gets them every time!

We got pretty tulips from Grandma Heath

Lydia Matlock and I had our first play date. She is a tall girl!

Like mother, like daughter. "Hi, Andrea!"

I learned how to talk to myself in the mirror.

Even though I looked fabulous in my Easter dress, I wasn't up for taking pictures.

We hung out with all the family for Easter dinner. We missed Grandma Heath and Grandpa Richard, and Aunt Bethany b/c they were down with the flu.

Aunt Heidi came for the whole weekend to help take care of me. She done fell in love with me!

I met my Uncle David and he thought I was pretty fun too!

Dene' came all the way from Germany to see me.

I slept through the sad goodbyes to aunt Heidi.

Just hangin' out with my girls.

Hold all my calls. Mom and I are going to nap until I'm four!

Arie Alex: Week 2

2008-03-19T13:06:00.024-05:00

I am two weeks old today! I had a very busy second week of life.

First Aunt Lori and my cousins Graceann and Tyler came to see me.

Then we had to say goodbye to Grandma Bonnie, and momma and I had to fend for ourselves and try and figure out how to do everything for the first time on our own. So far I guess she's doing okay. :)

I got really good at gripping things with my little fingers. Daddy's hand looks so big next to mine!

I got my second bath and real tears started coming out of my eyes when I cry. So pitiful!

We loved hanging out with Great Granny Mohr at her Easter Brunch!

Daddy loves to show me off!

Thank you, Aunt Lori, for feeding me lunch.

I got to spend some quality time with my cousins, Graceanne and Jacob.

Also my Uncle Brian and Aunt Christine came to see me and Mom and Dad forgot to take pictures! What were they thinking!

Man I'm tired! It was a tough second week of life! A few diaper blow outs and some spitting up puts a girl through a lot of outfits. Someone call wardrobe and tell them to send over the Prada!

Time with daddy

2008-03-12T22:06:00.006-05:00

Since Tim was running the camera(s) the whole time we were in the hospital, I thought I should throw him some love. He is the father and everything. Here are some pix of Daddy and Daughter. He such a cute proud papa. I love them!

Arie Alex: The latest IT girl!

2008-03-12T08:02:00.029-05:00

Airawen Alexandra Mohr graced us with her presence during the blizzard of '08. She was born March 5th, 2008 at 2:50 A.M. She was 20" long and weighed 6lbs 9oz. She has brown hair and blue eyes, (for now) and came out screaming like a rock star! But I am getting ahead of myself.

I was scheduled to induce last Tuesday March 4th, after 4 P.M. When I woke up on Tuesday morning the snow was just beginning to fall around 7 A.M. I started working in my home office, thinking I had all day until we went into the hospital. Around 11 Tim called and said the hospital was ready for us. Apparently the 8 inches of snow already on the ground had spurred a few people to cancel their inductions, and St. John's was delivery ward was empty.

Tim came home and we hurried around to get ready to go to the hospital. It took us an hour and half to make the trip which usually takes around 20-25 minutes. They gave me Cervidel (to start contractions) at around 2:30 and the contractions started pretty much right away. It killed but I was able to talk and kind of joke through them. I was talking on the phone, and getting encouraging text messages from my friends. My water broke on it's own around an hour later, but I was only about 1 1/2 cm dilated. So I went through another hour of contractions that were 1 1/2 to 2 min apart. I held on to Tim for dear life when when they checked to see how dilated I was, and was the only time I really screamed b/c of the pain. I still wasn't dilating though, so they gave me Stateal, so slow everything down and give me a little rest b/w contractions. My contractions slowed to 4 to 6 minutes apart and was able to recover a little in between. Next came the Pitocin. These were the "good" contractions. It was horrific pain. They were 4 minutes apart, then three then 2... I was staring into Tim's eyes hard, silently begging him to take it away. I was squeezing Susan's hands and they both said, "Bailey, breath." "In and out, in and out" "Good job, Bailey." "I am so proud of you, you are so strong." Tim's mom and my mom were rubbing my back and praying and trying to keep me distracted between contractions. I could hear Airawen's heart beat on the monitor, I remember the the thinking, "This really sucks" I remember taking turns focusing into Tim's eyes, then focusing on Susan's eyes.

After, 2 or 3 hours of the most intensely, painful experience of my life, Susan, my most amazing nurse, told me I was at 4cm and it was time for the epidural. I had 5 or 6 more contractions while they were giving me the "spinal tap" (See Juno) and then-- it was all good. The pain was gone, and it was 10:30 P.M. I had made it through, I was alive things were progressing, and Tim was holding my had the whole time. Susan told everyone to leave and that it was time for Tim and I to try and get some sleep. I texted some people that I had my epidural and I was going to sleep. I was almost asleep, when for some reason Susan came back in and checked my cervix again. No pain this time. Then she said, "Bailey, you want to hear something really cool? Your done! You're at 10cm!" I went from 4 to 10 in about half and hour. Tim went to tell our parents and one of my dr's came in and started the practice pushing, I guess to see if I knew how. Apparently I'm really good at pushing. Susan and Tim and one of the residents got me through almost three hours of pushing, and puking. Susan started to look nervious after about an hour and a half. Arie had stopped progressing down the birth canal. She was about an inch from crowning, and wasn't moving any further. Her heart rate was dropping dangerously low after the contractions, which isn't the norm and we were only able to push on every other contraction to give her heart time to recover.

Dr. Knight showed up at about 1:30 A.M. and gave us a few options, but said that the safest thing for Arie Alex was a c-section. Within an hour they had me preped and wheeled me into the OR. Tim scrubbed in and they stuck in him a chair in the hallway where he could see the whole OR, but due to a huge machine in his way, he couldn't see me. He said he felt like he was in the dunce chair. I was really happy at this point. Susan said, that I said, "I feel like I'm floating." I remember saying, "I feel like I'm on the set of Grey's Anatomy." When they were ready to start they let Tim come in. I remember talking to the doctors accross the sheet about my iPod dock that they wished they had in the OR. I remember seeing Susan zooming around taking pictures for us. Tim was on my right with the video camera, talking to me. I remember shaking so bad from the chest up I felt like a fish flopping around on a dock. My body was so warn out!

Dr. Knight said they were about the pull the baby up and a woman behind Tim pulled the curtain down, told him to stand up and turned him and the video camera toward the surgery. He had no choice but to watch as they pulled our daughter from my body into the air. The anesthesiologist on my left pulled the curtain down a little for me to see and as one of the doctors held Arie Alex up I could see my bright purple, screaming baby. That scream was the sweetest sound I ever heard. Tears came to my eyes as I breathed, knowing she could breath. They told me they were going to donate the cord blood and it was a really long umbilical cord, that was wrapped around her little body and that was probably what had her lodged in the birth canal.

They took Airawen over to a little bed where the cleaned her up. I could see the pink spreading trough her body every second. I could see Tim with the video camera, faithfully capturing every moment, with one hand and touching Arie's check with the other. I could see him crying, with joy, relief, exhaustion...

They sewed me up and wheeled me into the recovery room. My mom and Tim's parents took turns holding her and crying and praying, thanking God their prayers were answered and everyone was okay.

I fed my baby for the first time a few hours later. We spent 5, much needed, days in the hospital. I feel like half of Saint Louis came to see us, bearing gifts and flower, and everything pink and cute and that you would expect in celebrating a baby girl! It is so amazing how much love and encouragement we have from the people God has put in our life. Everything was perfect.

We have been home about 3 days now, and things are going smoothly. I'm healing well, and I'm only taking my meds about three times a day now. Arie Alex is eating well, sleeping in 4 hour shifts through the night, and the doctor says she is perfectly healthy. She almost never cries unless she is hungry and she is the cutest little bird when she wants to eat. She tilts her head back and opens and closes her mouth like a baby bird. Thus, earning herself the nick name "Bird".

Arie Alex is a week old today, looking pretty in her sweet pink outfit from Grandma Heath!

Arie Alex Arriving Wednesday at the Latest!

2008-03-01T17:34:00.003-06:00

So I'm on bed rest due to "high blood pressure", and if I don't go into labor before Tuesday, they are going to call us into St. John's after 4PM and induce me. So Arie Alex will be here by Wednesday morning sometime at the latest! Keep us in your prayers. I'm going crazy, and we would love a safe, healthy delivery too. :)

Tim's mom, an angel of God, came in on Thursday night and has been cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, shopping and putting all the little things together to help us get ready for the baby. It has made my stress level go way down, since I was all worried about how I was going to do all that stuff while on bed rest.

If anyone knows how I could go into labor tonight, I would love to know the secret. We have been trying EVERYTHING, that they say causes labor. She just doesn't seem ready to be out yet. We'll keep you posted!

DON'T BUY ANYTHING FROM CIRCUIT CITY!!!

2008-02-22T13:07:00.008-06:00

I don't usually use my blog for this kind of thing, but we are out $800 and thought I should tell people, before they get the same royal treatment from Circuit City as we have.

So just before Christmas, my husband and I ordered a video camera as our present from our whole family and to each other, to have for when our baby is born. The box showed up a couple weeks after we ordered it from Circuitcity.com. The FedEx guy put the package on the ground and told my husband to sign for the box. The FedEx guy walked away. When Tim picked up the box he realized it was empty. He called Circuit City with in minutes of getting the empty package. Two months later, 20+ phone conversations with Circuit City and FedEd, where we were told no one higher than the trained monkey who answers the phone would ever talk to us, and they closed the case without telling us! No refund and no camera.

FedEx says that we can't file a claim against them, Circuit City has to do it b/c they are the shipper. Circuit City won't file the claim b/c they have our money and don't have any intention of giving it back.

We told Discover not to pay the bill b/c we never received our order, and they said they would "investigate", but Circuit City is denying that they sent an empty package. FedEx told us to send them the empty box, but won't do anything with it until Circuit City files a claim. Circuit City says it isn't their problem, it FedEx's problem. So we are out $800 and no one from Circuit City, FedEx or Discover gives a darn.

Hope whoever the jerk is who stole our video camera is getting plenty of use out of it. Merry Christmas, you awesome person!

CIRCUIT CITY has despicable costumer service, and I will make sure that everyone we know takes pause before purchasing from there again. If you look up reviews on Circuit City, they are horrible. We weren't the first or the last people to get the a raw deal from them. Don't make the same mistake.
to see other reviews on Circuit City. http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Circuit_City

Belly Pix

2008-02-14T21:42:00.009-06:00

Some of you have been asking me for belly pix, so I had my own personal pho-tog, Timothy, capture my hugeness. I thought I might as well do it right since this baby is coming in,hopefully, about two weeks. I am a little self conscience about putting these out there, so please keep all obnoxious comments to a minimum. Thanks!

HaPpY VaLeNtInE's DaY!

2008-02-14T08:28:00.007-06:00

I woke up to the whisper of, "*Good morning. Happy Valentine's Day*" There was a beautiful man laying next to me in bed, and that beautiful man was my husband and the father of our much anticipated daughter, Arie Alex. Waiting for me in the middle of the nursery was an amazing display of roses, a bottle of non-alchoholic wine, and the most beautiful letter written in a journal that we pass back and forth to each other. I was so moved with gratitude and love over Tim's letter to me and thought, "How can I be so blessed, that God gave me the gift of Tim's love?"

And not just Tim's love, I'm blessed to be loved my many! We have amazing families and amazing friends who are good a loving us well. We are blessed by this bouquet of different types of people loving us in different ways, some of which I didn't know I wanted or needed until God put them in my life to show me His love and celebration for Tim and me.

My prayer is that your Valentine's Day, and the rest of you year, is filled with beauty and the knowledge that you are loved.

Puggles!

2008-02-12T08:17:00.000-06:00

Our friend, Abby, (see link for Dragonfly designs on my side bar) came over last week for dinner, and brought her new Puggle puppy to play with king. Her name is Olive and she is a cross between a Pug and a Beagle. If I may say so, she came out really cute!

Olive and King sniffed at each other a bit and as you can see Olive "viciously" attacked our over sized tennis ball. King was mostly just interested in sniffing Olive's butt, but toward the end of the evening, Olive was batting at King with her "huge" paws and scaring him to death. We love Olive and although she probably won't break 7 lbs, hope that she and King can be friends for a long time.

Pick of the Week: The Story of Stuff

2008-02-07T14:27:00.001-06:00

Thanks to my friend Drew Lammy for putting this link up on Facebook. It made me start thinking, and rethinking the way we go through stuff! I am just as big of a consumer of stuff as anyone. We don't all have to go out and buy hybrid cars, or check to make sure every tag of everything we buy is made in America, but there are little things we can do. Tim and I started by replacing our light bulbs with the energy efficient kind of bulbs. We recycle our plastic, paper, glass and cardboard. We started using concentrated laundry soap that last longer, uses less packaging and is better for the environment. Those are all little things that we have done with almost no effort. There are a lot of little things we can be doing to help take care of our world and the people in our world better.

My friend Liz Horn turned us on to using cloth diapers for when Arie Alex gets here. Just using one cloth diaper a day, instead of a disposable diaper, means NOT putting 365 diapers in a landfill in one year. We should value things like thriftiness and sustainability. We should be looking for ways that make us the generation to turn around the bad effects that people have on the planet, and other cultures around. We need to be the generation that raises our children to take care of the planet and people better. Okay that's my two cents. Go watch the video. It will make you think about these things and then pass the website on so that other people can think about these things too.

To watch the full video and learn more goto www.storyofstuff.com

Airawen's room and stuff

2008-02-01T11:36:00.000-06:00

I told some of you I would post pictures of some of the cute things we have gotten for Arie Alex, and how cute her room is so far. There are some more things to be added, but here are the beautiful curtains and glider Tim's mom made for us, and some of the other baby accessories that now adorn our house.

The fabrics in Arie Alex's room are by Amy Butler and Maddie Schmidt has added the bird's to the curtains.

Snow Day

2008-02-01T10:59:00.000-06:00

All the schools are closed, and there over a foot of snow on the ground here. Today is a snow day! King loves the snow. He runs along the ground with his mouth open eating up the snow. It gets all over his nose and he looks cute. Pray that Tim's flight from Cleveland doesn't get delayed this afternoon!

The Last of the Baby Showers

2008-02-01T10:02:00.000-06:00

Two weeks ago we had the last of the baby showers. Our friends the Sweeney's and Warren's from church threw us a co-ed shower on a Saturday night and the next day Lori and Christine threw me a shower for Tim's whole side of the family. We were surrounded by friends and family, prayers and generosity all weekend, and got some great stuff for Arie Alex. The biggest blessing about this pregnancy has definitely been the excitement and celebration by the people in our life. We are so thankful for the love of our community and family. It gives me strength and a renewed excitement about our baby girl. It keeps my mind off the pain and fatigue, and is a constant reminder that we have amazing blessing and a life to be thankful for. Here are some of the pictures from the that great weekend. I know I probably say it a lot, but thank you, thank you, thank you for all those surrounding us and holding us up in prayer.

Baby Shower at Lori's

2008-02-01T09:41:00.000-06:00

Lori, Christine, and Bonnie made my baby shower look like a page out of Martha Stewart. It was beautiful!

Stole this from Brooke...My husband

2008-01-31T10:50:00.000-06:00

What is his name?
Timothy Richard Mohr. He goes by Tim, or I call him "Baby".

How long have you been together?
We will be married 5 years in June, and we were "together" about 9 months before we got married.

How long did you date?
Ummm... Well it is kind of tricky, but I a little under four months before we got engaged.

How old his he?
He is turning 28 in May

Who eats more?
He does. He eats hands full of things all every 10 minutes.

Who said I love you first?
I did. I'm not scared to tell the truth.

Who is taller?
He is taller, and even in heels I have to break my neck to look up at him, not b/c he is strangly tall, but b/c I'm horrifyingly short.

Who can sing better?
Tim sings very well. He sang to me when he proposed. I sing like a really bad audition on American Idol.

Who does the laundry?
Both of us pretty evenly. Although, I think Tim ends up doing most of the actual folding of the clothes.

Who pays the bills?
Tim, I haven't seen or opened a bill in 4 and a half years.

Who sleeps in the right side?
I do. Which started out so I could be closer to the bathroom in our old apartment. But in the house we live in now makes is so I have to walk around the bed and past a chair and a desk, which is super convenient since I get up every 3 hours to pee since I'm 36 weeks pregnant.

Who mows the lawn?
Tim. I really should get better at helping with the yard.

Who cooks dinner?
I do, but we both do dishes. It is one of my favorite times of day.

Who drives?
Tim does, especially on long trips, but since I've been pregnant, Tim has had a built in sober driver.

Who is more stubborn?
I would say we are equally obnoxious when it comes to who thinks they are right.

Who kissed who first?
He kissed me first, on the couch watching Moulin Rouge after we had been "dating" for almost two months.

Who asked who out first?
Tim asked me on our first official date. He took me to a few places, and had a card and a candle at to give me at each place. We had dinner at Murray’s. It was so good!

Who proposed?
He did- in front of all my friends and family at my college graduation party. Just how I like it, public displays of humility and self abandon in the name of love.

Who has more friends?
I probably due, b/c I hang on to friends from every stange of life, long distance, and local. I also due the whole Facebook and Myspace thing, that keeps me in touch with people from everywhere.

Who is more sensitive?
Tim is, especially in social situations. He is sensitive to the needs and thoughts of others, his surroundings and can put himself in other people's shoes who might be scared or uncomfortable. I'm usually looking for the food, and assume that everyone is as outgoing as I am.

Who has more siblings?
I do. I'm one of four, Tim is the baby of three.

Who wears the pants?
I hate this question. If I say him, I look weak, and if I say me, then that makes him look weak. So I would say we have a pretty good team going. I'm in charge of the things I'm good at, and he's in charge of the things he's good at. He almost always asks me my opinion and what I want to do or how I want to do things. I often have no problem stating my opinion or I give him a list of options and leave the decision up to him, b/c I like it when he takes charge. He is good at taking care of me, and I know that he always aims to make me happy and has my best interests at heart.
I love my man!

Pick of the Week: Orr Street Studios

2008-01-09T10:33:00.000-06:00

While visiting our friends the Horn's this weekend, Jon and Liz took us to an amazing new feature of Columbia, MO. The Orr Street Studios. It is a warehouse that a group of people have turned into artists' studios, to work and display their work. One artist, was commissioned to make all the doors to the individual studios, pieces of art in themselves. They are phenomenal! Every type of art, from sculpture, to photography, paintings and poetry are displayed.

After our short visit there is one piece of art that has really stuck with me, almost haunting, but also hopeful in nature. Forgive me for not knowing the artist's name. The piece stood apart for me so greatly, I didn't even think to look at its creator. It is a, big, square canvas, painted white. In the bottom left corner there are a pile, maybe 5 or 6, actual teddy-bears glued to the canvas. They are distressed, torn, dirty. They look like someone ran them over with the lawn mower and then drug them threw the mud. The white paint has been splashed across them and then extends to fully cover the rest of the canvas. In the upper right corner, a simple, wooden, toy airplane, also white, placed in an acceding fashion away from the teddy-bears, the canvas, and even the viewer.

It was creepy at first seeing something so iconic as a teddy-bear destroyed and mangled that way, but over the days I've been reflecting on the painting/sculpture, it is truly redemptive. It shows a picture of Innocents lost, crushed, literally ripped to shreds. Then, a pure, cleansing comes over the thing, and freedom is found. A flight of new and amazing beginnings that are still innocent, or innocent again perhaps, but it is a blameless, guiltless, emerging that is completely free of evil. Although I physically have no where to hang such a piece of art, I mentally and emotionally have been captivated by it, and it will be displayed as an example of the things I know to be true about life.

Orr Street Studios is a truly inspiring space, with so much potential to be the next hot spot in Columbia. Jon told us people are already renting out the space for parties and that possible expansion for a restaurant or coffee shop/cafe are in the works. Other ideas for converting some of the other abandon warehouses around the Orr Street studios into something redemptive and beautiful is also being talked about.

To learn more about the Orr Street Studios, and see more pictures, go to:
http://www.orrstreetstudios.com/index.html
*all photos from the Orr Street Studios website.

Baby Shower Columbia

2008-01-09T09:56:00.000-06:00

This past weekend, Liz her mom, and my mom and sisters threw me a baby shower. Liz started off the weekend on Saturday afternoon, by surprising me with a massage and pedicure at Kalani. It was amazing. I've never had a professional massage before, and I can safely say, that if I were a millionaire, I would keep a masseuse on staff. We then went to Booche's for dinner and stopped by a new art gallery in Columbia. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Liz and I then ruined our massages that night by playing a few... 3 hours of Wii with Tim and Jon. Another first for me, and I'm pretty much addicted. I kick tail at bowling. :) My Mii girl is pretty cute too.

The shower was perfect. Fun and competitive games, friends I rarely get to see, and Italian Wedding Cake from Upper Crust. Not to mention the high was 75 degrees on the 6th of January. It was amazing! Charlie woke up from her nap just in time to see all the presents Arie Alex received and stole the show with her adorableness.

It was a perfect weekend, with fond new memories. All the new baby stuff motivated Tim and I to come home and organize Airawen's room a little better. It is hard to believe my due date is less than two months away!

Baby Shower for Work

2008-01-09T09:26:00.000-06:00

Back in December, before all the Christmas craziness, my beautiful friends, April and Emmalee, threw me a baby shower for work. They made a fantasticl diaper cake, full of fun baby things for a center piece, and a baby rattle corsage that I wore proudly throughout the party. It was my first baby shower, and I decided at that point, that baby showers are more fun that wedding showers b/c cute little pink things for Arie Alex are better than crystal bowls and cookware.

Although, I'm getting more into this whole domestic side of life. Buying things are expensive. A lot of times making them is cheaper, and I like custom designing to fit my every whim. So.... I've decided I want a sewing machine. Yes, you can fall over from shock now, Tim almost did. He made me look him in the eye and say, "I really want a sewing machine" four times, before he would believe me. It is true, I really want one so I can make all these cute things that I see stores charging $60 for, that I could make for $10.

More baby shower pics to come. Thanks to all those who have given us cute and much needed things for our baby girl! We are so blessed to have you supporting us, and praying for us as we anticipate the arrival of our daughter.

Wild New Year's Eve 2007

2008-01-04T10:00:00.000-06:00

This New Year's Eve wasn't the craziest, most extravagant event, but we laughed a lot. We celebrated the beginning of 2008 with our friends Patrick and Becky Allen, who are moving to Baltimore tomorrow, and Ed and Sonja Clower, who are super heros and always have good deserts at their house. We spent a hilarious evening Playing Settlers of Catan, amongst the packed boxes of the Allen house, until we popped some bubbly and counted down with Ryan and Dick on New Year's Rockin' Eve. Becky kicked all our butts at Settlers, despite her "only playing the game once before" and making comments about, "now what does this piece do" and "I'm not really sure what I'm doing." She had us fooled and we got slaughtered.

Hope everyone else had a great New Year and How about them Tigers? Arkansas didn't even show up to the Cotton Bowl, even though they decided to wear all red for the first time. And in the Spirit of the New Year and sharing, and blah, blah, congrats to the KU fans and their win last night. Keepin' it in the Big 12! Stupid Oklahoma.

Christmas Continued

2007-12-30T21:56:00.000-06:00

The morning of the 24th was spent with Tim's Grandma Mielke, at her apartment in Saint Peters. We ate lunch, opened presents and the arm wrestling began. I think it should be a new Christmas tradition. Bonnie can whoop Drew and Tyler now, but I think it will only be a few years before they become bigger contenders.

After lunch Tim's eyes started bothering him and we had to forego the rest to the Christmas Eve festivities. The next morning, he could barley open his eyes because the light sensitivity and general pain. After much debate, and many tears, on my part for having to leave my poor husband home by himself on Christmas, and on his part because his eyes wouldn't stop watering from the pain, I went to pick up my grandparents in Kirkwood. We drove the 2 hours to Columbia to spend Christmas Day with my side of the fam.

Many Christmas traditions take place on the Bailey side of Christmas. David brings all the girls roses on Christmas morning. Mom reads the Christmas story, before we open tons of presents. Grandma Bailey gave David is stocking this year since he turned 21, and also passed on to him some of Grandma's most fabulous recipes in a homemade cookbook. She made Heidi a big tie quilt that was beautiful. All the grandkids get quilts when they are born, when they move into their first "adult" house, and when they get married.

David got money for his January trip to Vegas, and Bethany got clothes and Guitar Hero lll, with two Guitars!!!! Johnn got his super surprise of a PlayStation 3 from all of our family and all his family. Tim and I got more money for our video camera, and Arie Alex got Shakespeare's onesies from David. Tim and I bought her some gDaipers, a "green" alternative to disposable diapers. She also got a rattle from Great Granny Mohr and a stuffed teddy bear from Great Grandma and Grandpa Bailey. (Their first great grand child.) Dad got a wireless keyboard and Grandma and Grandpa got a new answering machine with new handsets for all over the house. There were many more gifts and lots of amazing food. Crab legs, lobster tail, and steak to round out the blessed holiday.

I was really anxious to get home to my man and my puppy. King opened his presents more bones in his stocking and a compressed raw hide from "Grandma and Grandpa" Bailey (My parents). Tim was feeling much better by the time I got home to him and finished our Christmas evening laughing ourselves to death by watching Arrested Development, Season 1.

Overall a bitter/sweet day. Lots of presents, and love and fun, but I missed my boy.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2007-12-24T09:01:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas Eve! I'm eating chocolate for breakfast. Not that it needs to be Christmas for me to do that, but it is finally here! We go to such great lengths to shop and decorate and bake, (yeah right) and prepare for this holiday, and here it is! King likes to guard the presents under the tree. He runs to the window any time there is a person with in 20 yards of the house and barks to let us know that someone is approaching. We hit the Christmas card jack pot this year! When I was growing up, It was tradition to hang the Christmas cards on the door. So I have carried on the tradition. We have a big door too and it was getting hard to find room for them all. Thanks to everyone who was thinking of us. We got lots of cute pictures, and next year we'll be sure to send out a card with the newest addition to our family!

We kicked off Christmas yesterday at Lori's with Tim's family. Årie Alex already got three presents! Notice the doll's name? We got money toward our video camera and Brian and Christine gave me some bangles from National Geographic. I got a beautiful blue necklace from the Bertram's that goes smashingly well with a pair of earrings Brian and Christine got me for my birthday last year. Tim and I gave Graceanne her first Barbie and her first My Little Pony. Tim got some bike stuff and King got some dog bones. Bonnie tied a red ribbon around his collar. That makes me happy. :) King was very much a part of the festivities and I know he is just a dog, but I love having him around for holidays.

So it is off to see both sides of Tim's grandparents today, my family in Columbia tomorrow, and more picture to come! Happy Christmas and a Rockin' New Year!