He Has Risen! (Happy Easter)

Happy Easter! Today is a special day. Today celebrates the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies are nice, but knowing that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is better than any gift that could be placed inside a basket.

If you have a moment, check out a video. It is a simple and powerful reminder of our Savior.

http://youtu.be/oXrOG02NMB0

Now for the photos

I'm learning it's nearly impossible to get Andrew and Bailey to both have their eyes open and looking in the general direction of the camera at the same time. We did our best. I even jumped in for a few photos.

This was my dress when I was a baby. (I thought it was just perfect for Easter)

I got Bailey some Easter shoes. They are so cute and so tiny!

Going in for a kiss.

Bailey was looking at Andrew, and started cooing. I told him that she was talking to him and he got so excited! After she looked away he kept saying, "look at me and talk, Bailey". He's such a good big brother.

Andrew is always ready to help fix Bailey's bow/flower.

Showing Mama some love too.

Bailey has started to smile. I was holding her and trying to take photos, so it's not completely in focus, but you get the idea.

Geesh! Are you done taking photos yet?
My New Favorite!

Bailey's Blessing

Bailey had her baby blessing on Sunday, March 20th. For those who are unfamiliar with how our church does baby blessings, here is a description from the Church's Family Guidebook.

Naming and Blessing Children

“Every member of the church of Christ having children is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name” (D&C 20:70). "

When blessing a baby, men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood gather in a circle and hold the baby in their hands. When blessing an older child, brethren place their hands lightly on the child’s head. The person who gives the blessing:

1. Addresses Heavenly Father.
2. States that the blessing is given by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. Gives the child a name.
4. Gives a priesthood blessing as the Spirit directs.
5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ."

Ryan, along with a group of our friends who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood created a circle where Ryan held Bailey and gave her this special blessing. He doesn't know what he's going to say until he is prompted by the Spirit. It is a very personal and special blessing for Bailey. I took notes for Bailey so she can have them when she is older. Bailey was blessed to know that she has a family who loves and supports her and who she can go to in good times and times of trials. Something similar to this was mentioned 3 times during the blessing, so it must be important and I feel I should share it. (I want our families who read this to know that they were a part of her blessing too. It doesn't matter how far away we our or what our religious beliefs are, we are family and are here for one another).

If you want to learn more about any of the things mentioned above, click on the banner on the right (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). There you can search for anything you might want to know. Or just ask us! :)

When my mom came out, she brought some of my baby clothes with her. One very special item she brought was the dress that I was christened in. I was a little older than Bailey, but it was such a beautiful dress (that my mom made!) and the thought of Bailey wearing it for her blessing was just wonderful. I am a very (very very) sentimental person, and I am so humbled so see my little baby girl in the dress I was christened in. How perfect.

Of course she needed a big flower to go with it. :)

The Girls.

Fun.

(It's hard to see, but I'm holding Bailey. Maybe me wearing white that day was a silly idea)

Look how long it is! I love it!!!

Just typing this post make me really appreciate all the blessings in our lives. I am so grateful for our loving family and friends. I am grateful for our Heavenly Father and all He does for us. In a time full of change, trials, and sacrifice, I know I have someone to turn to. How wonderful that is. I am never alone, nor will I ever be alone. Our family has been blessed with two very special spirits and I am grateful that the Lord trusts us to take care of them. Some days I have to remind myself of that, but Andrew and Bailey are the most precious gifts I have ever been given. I can't imagine my life with out them or Ryan. (And on that cue, Bailey is awake and hungry...) I better go feed my little gift...and it looks like she left me a gift of her own. ;)

Second half of March

Here are some more photos. I still have more to upload, but I hear Bailey waking up so I know my time is limited. I wanted to get this updated while I had a spare minute.

March went by way too quickly. Here is a quick recap of the second half of March.

Tummy Time! We didn't force too much tummy time with Andrew because he hated it and just screamed the whole time. Therefore, he spent a lot of time on his back and now has a flat spot on one side of his head. We decided to start tummy time sooner with Bailey and so far she hasn't protested as much as Andrew did. I do notice that she favors one side when she sleeps so I try to turn her head around and rub her neck to stretch out her muscles. She doesn't really like that, but I'd hate for her to have a flat spot like Andrew. When Bailey does tummy time she actually does pretty well. She can look straight up and get her chin almost an inch above the blanket. (haven't gotten a photo of it yet) She also holds up her neck to look around when she's up against her chest. She's much stronger than Andrew was at this age.

Look at her little feet! She's trying so hard!

Mommy does tummy time (resting) too!

While my mom was here we made a lemon meringue pie. It was the first time I had made one and I'm glad my mom made the meringue. I took over for about 30 seconds and my arm was sore! (Lame). It didn't turn out perfect, but it sure tasted good!

Bailey's first bath (before the water). She actually doesn't mind the water, it's the drying off and getting dressed that she dislikes.

First bath. She looks so tiny!

A Kearns post wouldn't be complete with out some photos with huge bows.




Andrew is still a very good big brother. He want's to hold "him" all the time. He wants to pick her out of the bed or carry her to make her happy. He still sings to her when she's sad and crying. He is very good with her and is very protective if another kid gets too close to her. He says, "my Bailey" Hopefully he continues to look out for her :)






He is always near her...

and still excited to hold her.While my mom was here, she helped me plant two tomato plants and a bell pepper plant. She got these (awesome) pots to put them in and taught Andrew how to water them.

See the yellow chair in the background?
It was perfect for Bailey to take a little snooze.

This does not look comfortable. We took my mom to the park where Ryan and I and the kids eat lunch about once a week. I'm incredibly happy with how this photo turned out.
This is a pretty common sight in our house now.

My new favorite times a billion!