"If We Took a Holiday..."

We were lucky enough to have a long holiday weekend where we ventured to fun and fabulous Idaho. I know you might not think it, but Idaho is a genuine good time. It does help that my parents and a couple siblings are there to make the seemingly mundane become exciting and new. (Yes that was a love boat reference). Anyway, we had an uneventful trip up there and spent a few days relaxing and chasing Bailey up and down my parents stairs. She had fun with her cousins and was pretty obsessed with my sisters dog and her cousin Austin who is almost a year old. Dogs and babies - who can blame her? We had two family barbeques as we apparently prepared way too much for the first one which then created a need for a second one the following day. We took Bailey to see the geese and ducks and to a park with a spectacular 1000 flag display and a live band playing patriotic and big band style music. One of the favorite outings was to delicious Reed's Dairy where we of course had ice cream. There were also several baby animals out and available for petting. I love animals which most of you know, and I now have a new obsession with a baby cow I have named Pepper. She was probably the cutest cow ever - she was trying to lick and eat my dress, Bailey and I thought it was pretty hilarious. Even my mom thought the cow was cute - and that is saying something. :-)


Bailey loved the open spaces of my parents house and was walking all over. I guess we just need a bigger house with more open spaces. She is talking all the time and she cracks herself and us up all the time. She has mastered our phones and knows how to talk to Siri - (which Siri does not usually understand), but her favorite thing is scroll through our pictures and videos. At 18 months old she knows how to start, stop and replay her favorite videos; which usually are of her. Not sure what that says about her personality. We also just signed her up for "swimming" (water fun) classes so  Olympic training begins next week. Have a great last few weeks until summer officially begins. Let the adventure continue.

Bailey Goats

 Someone is good at convincing Skipper to share his ice-cream. 

 

 Do you think she is happy?!

 

 

This video was taken while driving up to Idaho. One of her favorite toys is a mirror. Apparently she takes after some of her aunties. Ha! It's a little long, but it is pretty enjoyable.

"Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy..."

It's happened... Spring is finally here! We are enjoying the weather before it turns too hot for my fair skin and hot-weather-hating sensibilities. Nothing too exciting to report of course, but things are good. Bailey is walking more and will hopefully be just walking very soon. There are a lot of skirts I want that girl to be able to wear. She is really hindering her clothing selections - she has plenty to choose from of course, but that doesn't seem to stop me from buying more; sorry Trevor. :-) 

This past weekend we took Bailey to a park where she was absolutely petrified of the slide and hated the grass. This girl may enjoy the indoors a little too much. We tried again and had much better success on the slide at the park by our house. We are making progress with the grass as well - at least she isn't crying now when we set her down on it.

Just yesterday Bailey has "Open(ed) the gate and seize(d) the day...". She can now open doors. She is tall enough and apparently smart enough to do it. More kid proofing to be coming I am sure. She also has more teeth than any other kid she knows. She is up to a phenomenal 15 with the 16th almost coming through. She is pretty fun and fabulous. She is trying to talk more, and we are doing our best to understand her. We are looking forward to a trip to Idaho to see some of my family in a couple weeks. Should make for some fun cousin shots and stories. I hope that everyone had a great Mother's Day. It was another fun year for me. I love being a mom and am so fortunate that I finally got Miss Bailey. 

I also just realized that it was 10 years ago today that Trevor and I first "connected." It has been a fabulous adventure so far and I can't wait for the continued story. Stay tuned adventures - we are just getting started...

             Slide Torture?                                                                 Slide Fun

Look at all those teeth! What goofballs.

I only wear this when I don't care how I look.

Mother's Day 2013 - Happy Girls

Looking cool Smith's!

 

Not so sure about this stuff called grass...

 Tickle Torture Fun!

"These boots are made for walking...

...and that's just what they'll do. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you."

That's right adventurers. It happened. Bailey WALKS! So enjoy the following video proof. She even managed with obstacles of toys in her way. She is pretty much a rock-star and is pretty proud of herself.

It has been a great few weeks. Trevor's parents visited for about 36 hours (it was a really quick trip) and in that time Trevor's dad managed to get Bailey to fall in love with Cheetos, but really who could blame her?! They are messy and delicious - two necessities with toddlers right? She also got Trevor's mom to share her ice-cream. Pretty sneaky, but what a smart girl.:-)

I don't know - do you think she likes them?

Could she look happier?!

Other fun (well to me) facts about the last few weeks. She now says "Mama" - which obviously delights me to no end. It's about time I say since she has been saying "Dada" and "Daddy" for quite some time. I guess she finally got around to liking me enough to share the love. Also her first real word was said a few weeks ago with the help of Grandma (Trevor's mom) when she started saying, "pretty." Bailey is now the proud owner of 14 teeth and will use them even when not eating - so look out. She has also become obsessed with belly buttons, her own and other peoples. It's cute enough at home, but awkward when we are out in public and tries to pull up people's shirts. We will start teaching her about personal space and appropriate behavior right away. Ha! This girl also loves jewelry and goes around the house wearing the beaded necklace from St. Patrick's Day. She takes it on and off and says, "Pretty, pretty". She is a pretty funny little lady as well she should be since she is my child.

The dance parties continue in our house and Bailey has a real love of music and dancing. She is such a happy fun child. Trevor and I are doing well and enjoying our little family. Our lives are not very exciting, but they are very full. Happy Spring everyone!

 

She loves to dance! Watch her shake her groove thing.

Bailey and Storm - Best Friends

 

 

Rock-star Glam!

Silly Day at Home

What Goofballs!

"I Said A Hip, Hop..."

...the hippie, the hippie. To the hip hip hop, you don't stop the rock it to the bang-bang, boogie say up jumped the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat..."

Happy Easter! 

The dress and hat (shocker) courtesy of Grammy Marilyn

We hope that everyone had a fun and Spring weather filled Easter weekend. We had a great time in our household. The Easter Bunny brought some new toys for Bailey and some treats that are mostly for Trevor and I.  She took her official first steps over the last week so we are hoping we can encourage more of that. She is standing more and continues to walk along everything - if we can just convince her to walk unassisted we will be golden. She also does great while holding just one of my hands. I am sure it will happen soon enough and I will regret encouraging her to do it. Ha! She also is starting to play like a big kid - sitting at a Lego table or playing with trains (see below) - it's crazy that she is 16 months old. Time is flying, but we are loving everyday. She does have her 13th tooth coming in - so she is an overachiever in that field.

We recently went to my cousins new house (we are more then a little jealous of their house and phenomenal yard) and Bailey got to play with their fabulous dog Will Rogers. She loves animals - sometimes not as softly as we would like, but we are doing our best to teach her and make sure that Storm also survives her "loves" and "big hugs." So far no scratches or big bites - on either side.

We finally retired her infant car seat and purchased a new toddler car seat. With the new rules she is supposed to continue to be rear facing for a while longer, but she is loving her new car seat. When we do finally turn her around it will be a whole new world for her. With the improved weather we have been out and about a little more and look forward to more adventures in the coming weeks and months. (Before it gets too hot for me and I must stay somewhere air conditioned as much as possible). We are excited that Trevor's parents are coming this weekend and I am sure we will have photos and stories to share soon. Happy Trails!

 

Bailey meets Will Rogers - they become very fast friends (as you can see)

 

Moves Like Jagger...

 Mean parents giving Bailey a Lemon.

Happy Girls!

Let's meet at the Bailey O'Quinn for a pint!

We hope all you adventurers had a fun filled St. Patrick's Day. We had a great fun Irish weekend. We decided to head up and crash the second annual St. Patrick's party at my parents house in Idaho. It was fun, loud, and very green. The food was delicious and I helped make some seriously amazing Reuben sandwiches. Bailey had a great time with her cousins and was only knocked over once (I think that is a great achievement). Our little Irish Bailey O'Quinn continues to love St. Patrick's day.

There is nothing terribly exciting to share, but we did get some fun pictures, so enjoy. Bailey is ridiculously close to walking - seriously. I feel like I have been saying that for quite a while now, but I think maybe she was just waiting for Spring. We did get her a new toy - a tent that we have filled with plastic balls. Her own private ball pit! She is kind of obsessed with it and it's pretty funny.  Life is pretty fabulous. Happy Easter and Spring!

Green cousin fun!

Very serious conversation with Skipper (my dad)

Fun at the pediatrician's office!

"Relax Don't Do It..."

"Easy like Sunday Morning..."

It has been a pretty mellow few weeks in the Smith household. We enjoyed the Oscar fun with my brother and sister-in-law (and ridiculously cute niece). We visited the tax man who gave us much better news than we were expecting, which then led us to buy a few fun movies and things for the Bailey. I might have even purchased something for myself, which those that know me know it does not happen very often.

Trevor's job is still going well and we all hope it continues to. Bailey is soooo close to walking. We are taking her in tomorrow for her 15 month checkup which seems pretty surreal. I hope her head size and height are closer on the charts - ha! She has officially decided she is done with the bumbo - which makes me sad on several levels. I was able to use it longer then most I am sure since she is pretty awesome, but once she realized she can easily escape there was no more containing her. Although maybe I should keep using it and put her in it on the counter and then leave her for a while. That seems like a good idea. Oh wait - that sounds like a terrible idea. I wish they would put some kind of warning directly on the bumbo to let people know that would be a bad idea. Oh they had to?! Huh - I guess there are too many dopey parents out there. No offense. :-) I am not talking about you. Although based on the photos from this blog post - we watch way too much TV - right Kirse. :-)

We are hoping to head up to Idaho soon and see some fun Granat's and not so fun Granat's - just kidding. Have a fabulous beginning of March and St. Patrick's Day - you know that our little Irish Lady Bailey O'Quinn will definitely have some fabulous attire. Spring is coming and I am definitely excited for the warmer weather.Well adventurers, till next time...

Bailey Loves Ellen...

and Sesame Street - maybe she should get closer to the TV...

She is also a climber now - (sorry about the creepy hand)

"Oh this old thing - I only wear this when I don't care how I look..." Oscar Fabulousness!

Storm hiding up high to avoid being attacked

Wall of Photo Fun - Bailey say's hi to herself every morning. It's pretty funny.

Bathtime Beauty!