Just because

Just because I have so many pictures of Bailey on my phone, too many to write a post about each one, I'll just share them all at once.

This girl sure has captured my heart!

1. She's learned to stand and pull on her mobile. I wonder how it tastes?

2. Being silly in the den

3. Hanging out in the front entryway {sticking her tongue out} while Daddy makes loud noises sawing in the garage

4. Not wanting to pose for her 8 month pictures

5. Loves her baths!

6. Eating while Mommy and Daddy work in the garage

7. Mommy and Bailey

8. Happy girl at the bowling alley (Thanks to Auntie Amy for sending me this pic while I was at work!)

One night last week Bailey was having fun crawling in the hallway. I sat at one end and she would poke her head our of her doorway and then pull it back in when she saw me look at her. After a few times, she came crawling over and then posed for us, keeping this pose until I took her picture.

Too cute!!!

I love it when we have time to be silly and just hang out with our girl. I hope she keeps her fun personality and sweet smile!

Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday dear friends!

In high school I would change my nail polish almost daily {good use of my time!} and couldn't leave the house unless my toenails were painted.

Since Bailey is putting everything into her mouth and loves to taste our fingers, I rarely paint my fingernails. I made an exception when I found this nail polish at Urban Outfitters.

I love how shimmery/glittery/color change-y it is!

It definitely makes me smile when I see it change colors.

What fashion or make-up thing have you done lately that makes you happy?

Our week in review

This has been a pretty wonderful week. Not for anything extraordinary, but for all of those little moments that make up a special day.

Monday: I was at work, but I was able to go home on my breaks and spend time with Chris and Bailey. It's always fun watching them together, wrestling, cuddling, chatting and loving on each other.

Tuesday: Chris and I were both off work! The three of us went to breakfast at one of our favorite breakfast places and then made a lap around Target to look for some essential things {you know, like wine and new shoes}. We were also able to get together with some friends for an impromptu birthday dinner for our sweet friend Matty. It was pouring rain when we left the restaurant, and it was wonderful to get home and cuddle up together!

Here is Matty's husband, Mark {my co-worker} and her son, Markie {our ring bearer}

Wednesday: I had my first meet up with a fellow blogger! I've been reading Lindsay's blog for awhile now and it was exciting to meet her and her sweet daughter in person. I will admit I was nervous while driving over; kind of like a blind date but you already know so much about the other person and what they look like. Lindsay is so honest on her blog, often times writing about things that have been on my mind but I don't have the courage to post about or can't find the correct words to explain my thoughts/feelings. Go say hi to Lindsay at Lee LaLa and enjoy reading her honest writings about life, love, fashion, parenting, and everything else that's going on!   
            In the afternoon we went on a walk/jog on the path along the river bottom. Towards the end, Bailey kept turning around looking at me through the window of her stroller. I walked beside the stroller for a bit, and she stretched up to hold my hand while we walked. {Melted my heart!}

Oh how I love this smiling face!

Thursday: Bailey and I were supposed to begin our new Mommy and me group this morning, but she slept until 10am!! Holy Mackerel! I'm thankful that she slept so well, but I was disappointed to miss out on our group. Hopefully we will make it next time. I also learned that I shouldn't let her sleep that late because she was a cranky kid most of the day!! So we walked over to the park to play and get some fresh air.
                 Thursday night my co-worker and I gave a presentation to a group from Tri-County GLAD explaining how Deaf and Hard of Hearing people can utilize 911 and how we interact with those people when they're having an emergency. I am so thankful for my Mom and friends Sarah, Jacob, and Robyn {!!!} for teaching me Sign Language when I was younger! I was able to talk to a few people and understand their questions before the interpreter was done voicing their questions to us.  

Friday:  Bailey and I drove up to SLO because she is staying with Nana and Grandpa for the weekend. We had a wonderful drive up (no traffic and clear skies over the ocean) and enjoyed an outdoor lunch with Nana before heading to their house. We played and chatted and enjoyed watching Bailey before I had to head back home. {Here's a little video of Nana and Bailey playing after dinner}

I'm looking forward to seeing my sweet girl tomorrow, but I know she is enjoying her time with her Grandparents.

I love days where nothing big happens, just the normal sweet daily moments occur and I can enjoy them in the moment. I will file these sweet days away and reopen them in the future. Sweet days of "nothings" that really turn into days of "somethings".

Oh Happy Day!

Happy Sunday dear friends!

I have felt very accomplished this week. Bailey and I have taken walks/jogs each day this week and I have exercised while at work. For three days in a row, we have bettered our time for the mile. {I use this app to track our journey and we recently got this stroller}.

While on one of our walks, I looked up and saw this beautiful tree:

The thin, almost transparent petals were falling on us like snowflakes {reminding of this song, that I love!}. I actually stopped and let the petals fall around us, floating on the slight breeze.

It was such a peaceful moment.

I'm glad that I took the time to stop and breathe in the fresh air and feel renewed.

I hope your week if full of refreshing moments that bring you happiness!



Valentine's dinner

Chris has to work on Valentine's day this year which is no big deal for us. We usually celebrate Valentine's with a home cooked dinner eaten at our dining room table {a rarity!} (like we did last year). Enjoying time together and not paying for an overpriced meal at a crowded restaurant is more our style.

Since Chris is working, I decided that I will surprise him with our dinner meal which is definitely straying from our healthy eating habits. Our dinner is totally inspired by pinterest! 
Here's what we will be having:

{Source}

{Source}

 I will not be making my own cinnamon rolls {thank goodness for Pillsbury!} and will probably add strawberries and whipped cream to our pancakes.

I've been doing really well with my exercising and making healthy meals, so I'm giving myself a cheat meal! Go big!

Maybe I'll add in a glass of wine or champagne, just because I can. {I'm on the hunt for these!}

Miss Bailey will probably get some banana and maybe try some strawberries.

**Growing up, having breakfast for dinner was such a treat! Now I realize, it was probably because it was easy to make and not a lot of thought had to go into it after my parents worked long shifts. I see it in our futures as Bailey grows!**

Do you have any special Valentine's plans?

Happy, Happy birthday!

Happy, happy birthday to the best Mom, Mother in-law, and Nana ever!

You are an amazing woman, Mom, friend, supporter, worker, idea sharer, listener, crafter, photographer, baker, chef, fingernail painter, gardener, advice giver, game player, planner, organizer, card sender, healer, & dreamer.

{just to name a few} 

Bailey is lucky to have you as her Nana!

She loves playing, laughing, bathing, eating, napping, cuddling, walking, chatting, & just being around you!

Happy birthday my Dear Momma. I don't know where I'd be without you, but I know it wouldn't be where I am today. We love you more than you'll ever know!

Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday friends!

I have been making Bailey's food since she started solids and it makes me feel much better knowing exactly what is going into her little body. This cookbook is the best one that I've found, it's full of easy recipes and has good tips.

I've seen lots of squeeze packages of baby food and love how portable they seem to be. Since I'm making Bailey's food, I have had to thaw her frozen food and take it with us when we've been out at mealtime which isn't always easy.

I went to Babies R Us and was looking in their feeding section when I found:

The Infanto Fresh Squeezed Squeeze Station!

I'm now able to make my own squeeze packages of homemade food! These are so portable and easy to use. I can squirt it onto a spoon, into a bowl, or give it to Bailey to suck on.

Knowing that I'm giving Bailey pure {often organic} foods, without preservatives and other additives makes me happy!

I hope you have some good food to eat this week! 

Superbowl snacks

While the 49ers were not the victors, the superbowl was an exciting game!

{I missed about two hours of it because I was taking a nap on my break at work}

We had a potluck at work and I made SLO rolls:

flavored tortillas filled with ham, swiss cheese, flavored cream cheese, sun dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and spinach. Rolled up tightly and then cut into slices

and

49er pretzels!

{inspiration found HERE}

pretzels covered in white chocolate (from Michael's) and sprinkled with red and gold sugar

Boy, oh boy these were yummy!!

The perfect blend of salty and sweet.

And even more fun to make because my Mom helped me make them, I love being in her kitchen together!

Did you have any fun game day snacks?

Happy Sunday!

Happy {superbowl} Sunday my dear Friends!

I hope that you are gathering with friends for fun {or for the commercials} today.

Lots to be thankful for here today, but one thing that always makes me happy is:

The beach!

Walking along the shore, hearing the waves crash, surfing with my Dad, finding surprises in the tide pools are all some of my favorite things to do.

The beach is my happy place and I love that I live within fifteen minutes of the water.

What's your happy place?