Bailee

I know, I know... it's been way to long since I blogged. I had some computer issues and I got busy and all that... SO I am jumping back in and hoping to do better.

Yesterday, Bailee turned 8! She woke up and informed her father that she is halfway to driving. She had a skating party on Sunday. It seemed very "old school" to me. Guess because I used to be at the skating rink a lot at her age! It was a nice party. Bailee has some really neat friends. It makes me proud that she seems to be such a good judge of character and it also makes me proud that she is the kind of girl that such neat people want to hang out with. Is that strange? It's hard to believe that 8 years ago I was sitting at home wondering what you do with a little 5 pound ball that sleeps all of the time. Now she's a bundle of energy! Here are some of my favorite Bailee memories: (there are too many to list but if you want to add your favorite... I'd love it)

• Taking her home from the hospital and feeling like a real family
• Making cookies with her in a snugglie with Aleesa and then shaking all of the flour off of her head. (There are too many "Aunt Yes" memories to list... Aleesa, thanks for helping Bailee be who she is today. We are so blessed to have you. The distance may have changed how often you see us, but it has not changed the values that you continue to help instill in my little girl)
• Her first camping trip which involved a major poop blow out on a hike where she ended up wearing Eric's sleeve from his sweatshirt for the rest of the time. (Another Lewis memory!) She was 3 months old.
• Dirt...Bailee has never been afraid to get dirty and play hard.
• Her laugh... Bailee has a contagious laugh. Even when she was tiny, it was always a big belly giggle.
• Learning piano... I can remember when she would come home so excited because she could play "Up and down the slide" and knew where the lows and highs were. Now she is playing songs and learning theory!
• Camping memories with Bailee are too many to list. She loves it all... the biking around, the time with family, going to the land and wading in the river... all of it. I am so glad that she loves to go up to Colorado and just hang out with family and explore. She meets her days with passion, fun, and energy!
• Listening to my kindergarden baby read just a few years ago.
• Board games, Mancala, Uno... that kid can play games!
• Becoming a big sister to her "Curly" and embracing our new family member from the word go. It's not always perfect, but they love each other so much!
  

I could go on and on and on. Bailee and I can really bump heads sometimes... her stubborness is going to make her a great grown up someday. I just hope that the next 8 years will slow down just a little.