2

Today my Bailey boo turns 2!

 

Two wonderful years full of joy, love, learning, bonding, and becoming a family.

She is curious, determined, independent, loving, sweet, sassy, silly, and fun!

 

Her smile lights up my day and her giggles lighten my heart.

She moves at the speed of light: happiest outside running, sliding, swinging, getting dirty.

Cuddles are abundant, as are kisses and hugs.

 

 

To my sweet girl,

I don't know who you will be or what you will accomplish, but I can already see that you have a loving heart and have already brought so much joy into our lives. You brighten my days, make the long nights worth it and make me a better person. I love who you are today and I love the person you are growing to be. Thank you for making me a Mother. I love you more than words can say. Happy birthday my little love!

lukk,

your Momma

Better Days

After my last Bailey post, I'm glad to report that we have had some good days! Fortunately, those days don't happen too often and she really is my sweet girl. Here are some more recent {and happier} pictures.

 

Our Auntie Karen and Farmor sent Bailey this cute Elephant backpack. We ran some errands and she decided that she had to wear it wherever we went. As soon as she got out of her car seat, she had to put it back on.

There is a pool store next to our regular market, and they almost always have an inflatable duck outside. Bailey always wants to go say "Hi" to the duck before going shopping. We were walking back from the duck enjoying our icy-milk {vanilla bean frappuccino} and she just looked so big to me! Ready to go to school or something with her backpack on! 

 

We were able to enjoy an impromptu play date at a park with our friends. Markie (our ring bearer) and Monica love Bailey and it is fun seeing their friendship grow as Bailey gets older.

Bailey is definitely an animal lover and she sat, talking to this turtle at the park for a few minutes, throwing bread to the ducks and trying to get the turtle to eat some. I have no idea of everything they talked about, but she was talking and nodding her head as if the turtle was telling her a story.

We have a lot of lizards around our front yard and Bailey loves chasing them around. She asks to pet them, but when she gets close, she is too timid to actually put her hand out. She loves following them around and chatting with them.

Happy Bailey and Momma!

Bailey reminded me of my Nana in this outfit. I was trying to get her to pose with her hands on her hips, she got one!

At the end of our street is a larger road where a lot of big rigs and other vehicles drive. Bailey asks to go see the cars every day, she loves sitting there and will wave to the passing vehicles.

We were outside waiting for Chris to get home from work. Bailey walked down (and sat) on each step, before taking one of her cars and walking back and forth in front of the house until he got home.

Bailey LOVES playing with shaving cream in the bathtub. Sometimes she wants it put onto her toys or into the water, and now she likes having it sprayed on her. She gives a really good hand/arm massage when you put some on your arm.

 

Days like these occur much more often than days like those, for which I'm very thankful! We are spending our days playing in the backyard, enjoying the beautiful weather, spending time with family and making memories!

 

 

Music festival

Last weekend we were able to have an adults only afternoon and spent some time with friends at a local country music festival. About 20 of us went together and it was great getting out, enjoying a drink or two and spending time with friends.

 

We bought new cowboy hats for the occasion. Chris' hat was smooshed when we went to Stagecoach two years ago and I decided to treat myself with a new hat too.

 

Chris wanted to get a serious picture. I couldn't help laughing at him.

{Fortunately, his mustache was shaved the next day. It was his playoff mustache for the Stanley Cup and he decided to keep it for the music festival} 

 

Some of the boys.

The weather was perfect, mid-seventies and it only cooled to the 60s during the concert.

Boot picture!

Me with our good friends Johnny and Kristina. They also had a night out as they left their daughter home with a babysitter. Bailey and Kylie are good friends!

Some of us girls.

Kristina, me, Cags, Katie, and Christina.

 

We had a really good time out with our friends. The festival itself wasn't that great: we couldn't hear the music very well, even sitting in front of the stage and they didn't announce which acts were playing so that everyone could hear it; it does have a lot of potential, the location is great, the food and drinks were good, and they had an area for kids.

I'm not sure if we would go back next year, but having a day with our friends was wonderful!

Honesty

 Parenting is hard.

Being a mother is hard.

Being a working mother is hard.

Being a stay at home mother is hard.

 

Sometimes, it's just hard.

 

We had a couple of those days this week.

The mornings started out well, going to the park, doing some chores and errands and spending time together.

Then something changed...no clue what or why.

 

Tantrums started.

Disobeying happened.

Time outs were enforced.

 

A full-blown tantrum occurred because I would not pick up this doll for her.

Yes...the doll that is less than six inches from her.

I was laughing so hard that tears were rolling down my face because it was so ridiculous.

{combined with her fashionable outfit}

I had to take a picture.

 

One of those days happened when Chris was working. I texted him and told him that when he got home I needed to go out by myself for a bit.

When he got home, the tantrums had stopped and I felt much better.

{and guilty that I felt the need to be by myself} 

I had reinforcement.

 

I decided that even though we were all better, I still needed to go out by myself.

I decided to get some ice cream, read a book and spend an hour alone.

It was wonderful.

I came home refreshed

{and a bit embarrassed that I needed time alone}

but after talking to my wonderfully supportive husband, I realized that I needed the time.

Bailey needed the time away from me.

The next morning, we all woke up in a better mood and we had a great day.

 

Even with days like this...I wouldn't change being a mother or being a family for anything.

As adults, we can {usually} explain why we are having a bad day or are tired or explain the reasons behind our moods. But Bailey doesn't have those words and isn't always able to explain why she is sad/mad/grumpy.

 

This parenting thing is just like learning a new language.

A long, drawn out tiring, frustrating, joyful, hopeful, awe-inspiring language that keeps changing.

All we can do is enjoy the ride as much as possible, and remember that it's ok to take a break to get a little bit of ourselves back.

Memories

I found some more pictures from when Bailey was up with my parents last week. I love the love they share and seeing Bailey so happy makes me happy!

Nana and Bailey.

Bailey enjoyed some chocolate...just like her Uncle Christopher who used to get it all over!

We were watching our morning episode of Mickey Mouse when I looked over and saw Bailey lounging like this. I quickly snapped a picture with my phone. This girl cracks me up!

We were playing on the boat when Bailey spotted Chris' old hockey helmet and begged to put it on. She loves wearing helmets and her Dada's hats whenever she can.

Every night lately Bailey wants us to sit next to each other on the couch, then she puts her arms around each of us and gives us kisses while saying "Friends!" It is the sweetest thing and lasts about five minutes and I can't get enough! She really is a sweet girl!

Our good friend, Adam, graduated from the fire academy and Bailey and I were able to go watch the graduation demonstration.

They simulated a car fire, a traffic collision, and a structure fire.

Bailey was so cute, wanting to give everyone hugs and she wanted to wear Adam's helmet...until she smelled it, that is!

We are so proud of you, Adam! Our county is safe with you out there protecting us from fires and accidents!

 

Fortunately, I don't have as much overtime at work coming up and I'm looking forward to more time together as a family...and I can't believe that Bailey will be 2 later this month! How did that happen!?!?

 

 

A surprise trip

I was so happy to get off work Monday morning (after working 96 hours in 5 days)!

Climbing into bed with my sleeping husband, knowing that Bailey was in her bed across the hall made me so happy!

Bailey woke up a short time later and we cuddled in bed for a few minutes and watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse before getting some breakfast.

 

This is how we start our mornings when we are all home together.

 

After breakfast we were trying to decide what to do with our day. We asked Bailey what she wanted to do and se said "Watch Mickey Mouse!"

Chris and I looked at each other and said...why not?!

 

So we packed up the truck and headed down to Disneyland!

 

Bailey was really excited when we pulled into the parking structure and she got to put on her Minnie Mouse ears.

Last time we went to Disneyland, we took the monorail into the park and missed taking the iconic picture in front of the train station. We made sure to get it this time.

When we first walked in, Chip & Dale had just come out and Bailey was very excited to meet them, she kept calling out "Chick" when we were waiting our turn. She gave them each a big hug and posed for pictures.

She was a little timid to go up to Mickey Mouse by herself, so we joined her.

Bailey loved petting the goats in the petting zoo.

She wanted to go on the carousel so badly, pointing to it when we were waiting in line for Peter Pan. Fortunately, the line moves quickly and we got right on. She and Dada had fun riding their horses around and around.

We even got to ride on the Dumbo ride, she loved going higher and higher!

I waited in line to see Goofy while Chris and Bailey "drove" some cars in Toon Town.

She loved seeing Goofy from afar but was shy up close.

We were a little late to the parade, so Bailey watched it from Chris' shoulders. She waved to everyone and got really excited when they looked her way.

 

It was so fun to be able to make a spur of the moment trip to Disneyland. Fortunately it wasn't too crowded and it was in the 80s, so it was a great day.

 

Working long hours away from my family can be very difficult at times, but knowing that we can make these kind of memories when we are together makes it a little easier.

Happy Sunday!

Awhile ago, I posted every week for posts titled Happy Sunday. Those posts fell by the wayside, and while I don't expect to return to weekly postings, I'll do my best to share some happiness with you on Sundays!

Since our honeymoon, where we had one a day a few, I have loved crepes. I was able to take some time for myself today and first got a massage, then went next door and enjoyed a strawberry/banana crepe. Oh my, was it delicious!

 

Bailey is allergic to strawberries so we don't have them in the house and it is amazing how wonderful they taste when I get to enjoy them.

My Mom had this shampoo once when I was at their house and I had to get some for myself once I got home. It smells just like Banana Laffy Taffy! The smell doesn't linger on my hair, but that smell always brings a smile to my face!

 

Luke Bryan....pretty much his name and image is enough to make anyone happy!

But... This song gets cranked up every time I hear it. I'm pretty sure we all have a song that we could listen to over and over again and right now, this one is mine!

 

I'm sure you've heard once or twice that Chris is a HUGE LA Kings hockey fan.

{Did you know that we got Bailey's name from their mascot? Their mascot got the name Bailey from their former director of pro scouting who died in the 9/11 attacks} 

 

The Kings are in the playoffs to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals and we were lucky enough to go to their home game on Memorial Day. It was a great game {for the Kings fans} and we had great seats.

Growing up, hockey was always something that my cousins in Alaska did, not something that us southern Californian's knew much about. I have definitely become a fan and Bailey loves watching hockey with her Dada.

 

I have been in a slump with my wardrobe lately. Most of my clothes come from Target or White House Black Market (when I have time by myself to shop) and I usually don't have the energy to plan cute outfits and think of accessories...you know, like the ones on my pinterest board that I wish were in my closet... So I tend to stick with jeans and t-shirts.

 

I've been seeing Lisa Leonard and Lindsey Cheney talking about Stitch Fix and decided to give it a try for myself.

It was pretty fun, you answer a few questions about your style and what you're looking for and then 5 items show up at your door. I kept 3 out of the five items, I probably would have only kept 2 but my Mom and Chris liked the skinny jeans, so I kept them. They will force me to stretch my wardrobe comfort level which is a good thing!

{If you want to try stitch fix, let me know and I can send you an email, they give discounts when your friends join!)

 

Chris has been getting off late every shift lately and this week I'm working 96 hours in 5 days. That leaves us with no time together, not even a passing glance and when I saw this:

 

I knew I had to send it to Chris.

If you know me, then you know how much this means :-)

He just laughed and said "Wow, that must be a lot!"

Yep...even more than Starbucks and Target, my love!

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing a few things that are making me happy this week. What is making you happy today?

 

Happy Sunday friends!

{You make me happy too!}