Austin Turns 2!

Can you believe this guy is 2 already? His second birthday was spent at Nana and Papa's house in Delmar, Md. this year. We went to Delmar with my sister, John, and Anthony for Christmas. As you know Reagan's birthday is on the 24th, the Lord's birthday is on the 25th, so poor little Austin gets the end of the week on the 28th when everyone is all partied out.

We did shower him with some fun gifts and enjoyed watching him ride around on his new motorcycle! As his 2nd birthday arrived I started to think about all the things that he is famous for these days. He says "thank you" for everything...even if he's giving you something, he says "bless you" when you sneeze...or cough, he loves to ride on Derek's neck and slap him in the head and say "giddy up horsey", he's given his sister a bloody nose as well as a friend named Gabriel, he loves his bible, he loves to lick us when we ask for a kiss, you tell daddy "stop it daddy" when he tickles you, and you of course love to eat your mashed potatoes!

We've had a wonderful year watching him grow. He is everything a little boy is suppose to be!

A Night To Give Thanks!

Reagan was in her very first play this year! The kids in the co-op worked very hard to memorize a little play, memorize the ABC's of Thanksgiving, and sang some Thanksgiving songs for lots of parents, siblings, and grandparents.

They each had cute little outfits that we made in co-op. They proudly sang their songs and nervously sputtered out their lines! After it was all over I heard the kids talking about how nervous they were, but how much fun it was. I was so glad to be able to give her this opportunity. I know many of the schools in our area have done away with school plays. They just do "concerts" where the kids sing a bunch of songs with their class. This was truly a treat and a great way to introduce public speaking. What a memory!

Homeschool Fall Harvest Celebration!

Our Homeschool Fall Harvest Celebration was a HIT! We sent out invitations to all of the families that participate in the co-op. We planned fun food, games, and pictures for the entire family.

The evening started out with each child getting their Kindergarten or 1st grade picture taken. We had fun being able to take a fun picture outdoors and with fun props. Reagan will remember this Kindergarten pic!

Then we had some good old fashioned competition! We did sack races, a doughnut eating contest, bobbing for apples, and fun with the parachute. The kids (and adults) really had fun playing games in the cool crisp air. We won't mention the cheating that took place in the father's sack race (hmmm....Derek).
What a great start to the school year. We are definitely enjoying the fellowship that comes along with the co-op!

Dewey Beach Triatholon

Post-race commentary: What a great race! Rob, you were right, I thoroughly enjoyed the race and the setup, course, etc., and definitely plan to do it again next year. The Lord cleared the sky and stopped the rain for us right before the race started, and the temperature (in and out of the water) was perfect. I’d say the swim was pretty hard, but I’d like to hear from you guys on this as well. The high, rolling waves made it difficult for me to keep on track and find where the middle and end buoys were, so I went wide a couple times and had to swim back at an angle to get straight again and headed toward the buoy, and I took in a couple good gulps of ocean water.

The bike course was flat, clean, and made for speed, though I didn’t much appreciate the cross-wind pushing against us both ways. The bike and run courses were also very well managed by police and race officials. A few slight criticisms, though. It was not clear to me which way to exit the transition area for the run, and I went the wrong way (as did at least a dozen people I saw then and later after I finished). Also, it drives me crazy when races/tris don’t have mile markers for the run, so you can monitor your per mile speed. I’ll politely email the race coordinator and ask them to do this next year, because I rely on that to know how hard and when to push in the run.
Now some general comments. I thought everyone did extremely well and finished strong. Obviously looking at our times, the swim was a challenge, particularly since it’s the hardest to train for. I must say, though, that I need to give a special shout out to Jacob. He came in 11th overall in his run time – 12th out of 760 people! And only one girl beat him (and she was the first place women’s finisher)! After a grueling swim, and a very impressive 18.4 mph on the bike, he smoked me and 741 other people on the run – woohoo! Very impressive, my friend. Now we just need to get you in some swimming lessons, and you’ll be winning your age category! I understand from Rob that Jordan had, ahem, a little trouble with the brakes on his bike. :) Seeing as how it enabled Rob to close the gap between Jordan and the rest of us, perhaps it was ROB that “adjusted” Jordan’s brakes to rub the tire during his ride!
For those of you who enjoy a challenge.....let this spur you on and join us next time!!! The more the merrier. Until the next race! –dvb

Derek's times

18:03 (1/2 mile ocean swim )

2:02 (transition)

22:45 (7.2 mile bike)

1:08 (transition)

27:03 (3.1 mile run)

Total tri time- 1:10:59

Happy 7th Anniversary!

Derek and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary this past weekend. We started the weekend out by packing up the car and heading to Aberdeen, Maryland 5:30 am on Saturday. The weather was amazing- actually a little chilly. We ran a hilly 5k with a few friends at Ripken Stadium. My childhood hero, Cal Ripken, started off the race and gave final awards out at the end of the race. One of our friends received an award from Cal himself and even got a picture with him! I told Derek, if I would have known Cal was going to be giving out the awards I would have trained much harder!

We left Aberdeen and had a hearty Bob Evans brunch on the way to Harper's Ferry. Our friends Rob and Aaron joined us for our relaxing getaway-they got to celebrate our anniversary too!

Derek surprised me with a beautiful suite at our hotel. It had a jacuzzi in the room facing the tv. That was a super treat now that we don't actually have television at home anymore!

After some much needed rest from the morning's race we decided to take a little tour of the town and grab some dinner. We ate at the Secret Six, which told us the history behind John Brown's revolt. The history was fascinating, the food was delicious, but only after an hour of waiting on it!

We got our usual "card fix" in and played some spades until midnight-only to be stomped by our "friends". We'll see if they are invited back next year!

After a good nights rest, Derek and I decided to start our Anniversary day off by going for a hilly West Virginia bike ride. We did 8 miles-one for each year of marriage and one because I didn't know better! I paid for that ride for 2 days!

We met up with the Coopers at Tri-State Baptist Church and got a very warm welcome from all of the members. The message was just what we needed.....Amen, Amen, Bring it, Come on preacher, Whoooohewww. (That's a little inside joke for the Coopers)

We then headed toward home, but stopped for the afternoon in Great Falls. We enjoyed the quiet afternoon and beautiful scenery. It really was a wonderfully relaxing weekend and well worth doing again. I believe the boys got wind of a new scheme to try it again next month- they want to ride 70 miles on their bikes along the C&O Canal and have us meet them up there. Sounds good to me-I'll be in the car!

A Girls Best Friend!

For those of you who have been praying for me- thank you so much for your prayers and concern. The Lord answered my prayers so perfectly that I know it could only be the hand of God.

My dog Prince started showing some signs of being uncomfortable this morning, which I promised myself that if he was in any pain during his illness I would definitely take him in. He refused even water today, so I knew it was time to take him in. My friends cousin is a vet not too far away, so she was kind enough to have an appointment carved out for me and meet me there. Another friend put on her warrior suit and took on my 2 kids plus the two I watch along with the 7 she always has.

I prayed all the way to the Vet's that the Lord would make it clear to me what to do when the time came. I also prayed that He would bless Derek and I for trying to be good stewards of the money He has given us. I asked that He would not make me have to decide on expensive tests or x-rays and to give the doctors wisdom in counseling me. I also prayed that I would feel comfortabel with whatever diagnosis they gave to be able to put him down if needed (especially if I opted not to have tests done). I had an appointment at 1:00 scheduled and pulled in at 12:57. I got out of the car and opened the door and just rubbed him and talked to him for a few minutes. He kept his eyes on me and just breathed slowly. I realized I needed to get him out from the other side of the van, so I closed the door and went around to the other side of the van. When I opened the door and reached for the blanket he was on, he took 3 deep peaceful breaths and went peacefully.

The Lord knew exactly how it had to happen for me. He spared me from all the pain of the decisions I would have had to make. My friend was right there beside me within minutes and was a wonderful comforter-taking care of all of the details that I just couldn't deal with. When she went in to have them come to take care of him, just for 2 minutes I started to feel some sprinkles come down from the sky as I sat with him and just cried. I thanked the Lord for crying with me.

My two friends really helped a ton- I guess this is one of those situations where it really pays to have the BEST friends in the whole world.

I have a heavy heart, but feel so relieved that it really was just his time to go and that it was ALL in the Lord's hands.

Thank you for your prayers-

Melissa

4th of July 2007

We had a great time with lots of our friends.
The day was perfect and so was all of the great food!
What a blessing it is to be able to celebrate America
in fellowship with other Christians!

All of us at our friends house for a church family cookout and fun fireworks

Austin and Derek enjoying the fireworks. Notice the ball in Austin's hand-he still doesn't go
anywhere without a ball in hand!

Reagan and her best buddy side by side, as usual!

2007 Congressional Baseball Game

We had a fun time at the Annual Congressional Baseball game. Austin was in aww. You know how he feels about balls! We were able to hang out and have some fun with the Coopers and the Lloyds!

Austin Vaughn knows how to have fun at a game!

The Coopers ENJOYING

the HEAT!

The Lloyd's enjoing Ms. Charlotte!

What? Princess Reagan at a sweaty baseball game?

Go Republicans!

Austin in June!

Austin at 18 months!

Wow- time is flying by with this little guy. I remember thinking Reagan was a baby forever. Austin is the complete opposite. I suppose he doesn't want to be left behind. He has to keep up with "sissy" and cousin Anthony.

He is in the 50th percentile for height and weight. His favorite activities are to play with any type of ball. His favorites are basketballs (which he likes to sleep with) and tennis balls, and racquetballs. He had to put an end to the golf balls because he liked to hit his sister with those! We have chosen to not waste any money on any other type of toy because he has not touched another toy other than a ball in over a month. He is my dad through and through.

Austin is definitely a mama's boy. I don't know how it happened, but he's got daggers for me! He gets very jealous if his sister our cousin get too close to me. Daddy is great for holding up to the basketball rim and letting him shoot, and he does look forward to daddy spinning him around on the kitchen floor like a rag doll. That gets the asthma laugh going. Yes, daddy can get him going so hard that he needs to do a breathing treatment!

He is saying more words now including: mama, daddy, sissy, dog dog, eat, snack, more, ball, nana, papa, no, mine, bath, teeth, bath, nose, eyes, bird, bye bye, please, thank you, hat, and various other words that only mommy can decipher.

He is still a joy to us all. Reagan reminded me the other day that she wanted a sister, but was glad we had a brother instead. My whole family rushes in the door to see him. When you are away from him, you just miss him! His personality is so fun. I can already tell he's going to be our little silly guy.

The Flower Girl

My girl! It still amazes me when I hear some of the things that come out of her mouth.

Mom: "Reagan, can you please move the toy out of the grass so that mommy doesn't hit it with the lawn mower?"

Reagan: "But mom, that thing is disgusting, it's all wet."

Mom: "That's because you left it out and it rained, just move it please."

Reagan: "O.k- but I'm gonna get germs on my hands...eww." (as she pulls a plastic playground car with her two index fingers)

This weekend she was in the wedding of our two very good friends Jonathan and Hannah. She woke up almost every morning for 2 months asking if it was the wedding day. As the day finally neared she admitted that she was a bit nervous, but ready.

We picked out the fanciest dress we could find and Ms. Hannah picked out a tiara just for her. The night of the rehearsal came and she did great. The pianist had to play the song about 3 times before she got down the isle, but she did great. Before she went down the isle she whispered to Hannah, "don't worry, you'll do great!"

Day of the wedding- I was a little worried that she would be nervous in the back of the church without her mommy, but we were assured that she was just fine. After the wedding everyone in the wedding party told us that she was in the back telling everyone where they were going to stand and not to be nervous. Her exact words..."don't be nervous, these are all our friends and family, you'll do fine." She finally made it down to where I was sitting which was 3 pews from the front of the church and she whispered to me, "mom, I' don't have any flowers left." I pointed one out that was stuck to her dress and told her to just throw it and pretend. She lofted the newly found rose petal up in the air and finally made her way to her place in the front. I finally breathed (nervous mommy). The wedding was one of a kind, from sharing the gospel themselves in a video to entering the reception side saddle on a horse led by the groom, and who can forget Jonathan forgoing the throwing of the garter and choosing to wash his new brides feet as a servant of Christ. What a day to remember!

Ever Growing Austin!

Exactly 3 years and 4 days after we were blessed with Reagan-came our little guy Austin. He was an answer to prayer. I found out I was pregnant in December 2004. I decided to surprise Derek by letting him and all of our friends know in our pre-printed Christmas Card. I signed it, "Love, The Bakers....Derek, Melissa, Reagan, and baby." It was a very difficult Christmas because only days later, when I was only 5 weeks pregnant, I miscarried. Not exactly the way you want to remember the Christmas season, especially when we have such great memories of Reagan being born just 2 years before on Christmas Eve.

Well, the Lord doesn't make any mistakes and His timing is perfect. The doctor said I was textbook for an early miscarriage-something just wasn't right this time and that I shouldn't have any problems getting pregnant again.

Just 3 months later I was pregnant! It was so fun to think that I might have another Christmas baby like Reagan. My due date was Jan. 4th. Being pregnant with Austin was so terribly easy it was scary. He was even easier than Reagan-who was a piece of cake! I made it past Christmas with ease and started showing some signs of labor on the day of my 39th week. While at the doctors office with daddy- the midwife said I was already 3 cm and should just hang out in Va. and then head over to the hospital if things progressed. Derek and I ate at Panera Bread and caught "Chronicles of Narnia" at the theater. During the movie my contractions increased to the point that I could not watch any of the movie. We got to the end and hurried to the hospital. Nana, Papa, and the Coopers met us there. Nana, Derek, and Aaron were present during the delivery. Is was amazingly easy! December 28th, 2006....6 lbs. 11 oz...18 inches long...one week early!

Just days before delivery!

Austin's first picture at home!

I know, who is this? This is Austin at 2 montsh!

Austin at 4 months!

Austin at 6 1/2 months with Paw Paw!

Austin at 8 months!

Austin at 11 months!

Austin at 1 year- after his birthday party!

Austin at 14 months!

Austin at 16 months-asleep on the kitchen floor after a long day of wrecking Aunt Shelley's house!

Austin at 18 months!

ICE PRINCESS

Reagan had her first ice skating lesson! Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Shelley, cousin Anthony, and brother all piled in the van to see her skating debut. She was as calm as a cucumber on the drive over while we were all giddy and nervous for her.

Well, she ended up having a private lesson with her teacher Mr. Robert. I think he was under the impression that this sweet looking little 4 year old would relish the idea of having him all to herself. Reagan on the other had decided that he didn't quite understand why she was there. He kept telling her to "wiggle" and "march". She would irritatedly reply...I don't want to wiggle, I want to skate! She would then procede to turn in very slow circles showing him that she already knew how to turn around, something that HE had not taught her...how slack of him! Eventually Reagan complied with all of his requests, but only after mommy burned holes in her sweater with embarrassed glares from off the ice.

We'll see how it goes-she has 6 sessions and then we'll see if it's something she will want to pursue. I think she will love it...as long as Mr. Robert can get with the program!

Austin Vaughn Baker

We are always in amazement of our little bulldozer! God sure does have a gBefore Austin was born, me, Derek, and Reagan would sleep in until 9, have nice quiet family movie and game nights, and sweet conversations at the dinner table.....In came Austin!

Now our family nights consist of chasing him around the living room trying to retrieve a card for our Old Maid game or game piece to Bingo. Our dinners are much more entertaining as we no longer have time for sweet conversation, but amuse ourselves with the amount of food that Austin can get into his hair! There is no sleeping until 9 anymore- he's usually up around 8 making "aaa" "aaa" sounds-(that's NO NO in mommy speak). If we try to bring him in bed with us like we use to do with Reagan he only slaps us in the head and face until we finally toss him over the side of the bed so that he can run in his sister's room to do the same to her.

He is a phenomenon to me- I can't wait to put him to bed in the evening (to give my tired bones a rest), but can't wait to see his smiling eyes in the morning. Just like I was with Reagan...I'm addicted to yet another one of my kids! He is my sunshine-

Austin is so different than the three of us, but I do believe he completes us. Did you hear that Daddy.....we are complete! I'm trying to convince DVB that our quiver is full. He laughs and says...we still have space in the van for more....I glare back and say....sell the van and give me back my car and the dog can sit between the kids!

I love my family!

Reagan Eleese Baker

Two and a half years after we got married, Derek and I felt it was time to get started on our family. We got pregnant with Reagan right away and she was born in Virginia on December 24th, 2002- What a Christmas gift!

Reagan at 3 days old in our home in Alexandria-December 2002

We spent lots of time driving between our home in Virginia and Maryland where our parents and church were. Nana's house was a common stop!

Reagan at 13 weeks old laying on a quilt that Nana made- Easter 2003

Reagan gets dedicated at church and experiences lots of fun in the church nursery with all her new friends. I get to go to my first Mother/Daughter Banquet! I'm so happy to have a daughter!

Reagan at 5 months old-Mother Daughter Banquet-May 2003

Reagan learns to roll over quickly and then crawls at 6 months and takes her first steps at 7 months. She takes continuous steps and never crawls again at 8 months-Labor Day 2003

Reagan walking around on Nana/Papa's patio at 8 months- August 2003

Reagan celebrates her first birthday at the Conrad Home. We decorated with butterflies and flowers. She had lots of family friends over and enjoyed the boxes the most.

Reagan turns 1 !!! Oh what fun!!!-2003

We move into our house in Maryland and get adjusted to MD life. We are 10 minutes from Nana/Papa and 10 minutes from Paw Paw's house. We love being just 3 minutes from church.

Reagan at 2 in our new home She celebrated her 2nd birthday with a Dora the Explorer party!- 2004

Time definitely doesn't stand still. Reagan continues to grow. She gets to hang out with her cousin everyday and they love to play outside.

She soon discovers the world of Disney Princesses and Dresses and Sparkly Shoes! She celebrated her 3rd birthday with Disney Princesses. A few days after her 3rd birthday she got a big present....a baby brother...Austin Vaughn on the 28th of December.

Reagan at 3 -Easter 2005

Reagan has grown into a very sweet little princess. She is quite the young lady in her dresses and princess outfits (that she wears everyday). She cries if she has to wear pants, the only compromise is to be able to match mommy, so we will often wear matching jeans and a solid top with our brown shoes! If we can't match- no deal!

Reagan a few days from turning 4- December 2006

Reagan continues to amaze us. She is growing into a lovely young lady.

Reagan as a flower girl in our friend's wedding-2007

Princess Reagan turns 4 !

Princess Reagan celebrated her 4th birthday with a My Little Pony birthday party on Christmas Eve. I tell her she is so blessed to have a birthday the day before the Lords birthday. I don't know how long she will believe me! Right now it's just a frenzy of gifts for 2 days, and now with her little brother's birthday just 3 days after Christmas.....it's the best week of the year for our kids!

Her special day included waking up with a special Birthday Barbie on her pillow, followed by getting to wear a beautiful long black and pink dress to church with pink sparkly shoes. She was allowed to have 4 friends over after church for some princess time. She had her best friends Halyn, McKenzie, Katie, and Abigail over. They ate McDonalds happy meals in their favorite princess garb (except Katie...I think she preferred being a dog). They played princess and watched My Little Pony all afternoon. Reagan blew out the candles of her My Little Pony cake and opened up some great gifts from her best buddies. They got all princessed out and returned to church that evening for a wonderful Christmas Eve Service!

Reagan had a wonderful year of growth. She is 40" tall and 37 pounds lean. She is quite the little lady. She only wears skirts and dresses, always wears tights and "clock clocks"- dress shoes. She is all girl and is a bit disgusted by anything boy related. I never thought that I would have an emotional daughter, but she is half Derek, so I should have known. Reagan is not one for holding back the tears over anything- she seriously sits in front of her closet sometimes and cries because she can't decide what to wear! It is not often that we make it through a day where she only had one outfit on. For a while I couldn't figure out why my laundry load was so much each week. Then, I realized in a three day period that I had 6 pairs of panties, 3 tights, 3 shirts, 3 skirts, and 3 dresses all belonging to Reagan in the basket!

We are so proud of her. She is doing very well in The Baker Pre-School. She has quite the teacher! I can relate to her so well! :) I think we will request to have her again next year! Reagan read her first word "bat" and first sentence "Tom can run" this year.

We can't wait to see what is in store for our little/big girl this year. She is about to begin some cooking classes, science classes, and it's a toss up between ice skating and "gee-nastics" she says!

Happy Birthday Princess!

Cousin Anthony turns 5-Bowling Party!

Cousin Anthony had a birthday bash this year! Anthony turned 5 and Papa turned 5...something!

We started the day off with a P.E class at church like we do every Friday morning. After class the moms got to enjoy Ladies Bible Study and the kids went to hang out in the nursery. Anthony invited his two favorite cousins along with his best friends from church (8 of them) and old friends Yolanda and Brandy to join him in his first big birthday bash. The kids piled in cars and headed for the Bowling alley.

They ate cheese pizza and fries before hitting the lanes. Three groups of 4 were lined up at each lane. They had a great time watching those scores soar! Anthony ended his game with a whopping 88!

This little outing also served as our first P.E field trip for the school year. The kids were able to practice a little bowling etiquette as well as form (as much as possible with 6 pound balls).

Thanks Cousin for a great time!