Christmas 2009

17 & 1/2-month-old Bailey celebrated her second Christmas in Boise this year. It was a busy 2 days. We had Christmas Eve at our house with my parents, the Kelso's, and Bob and Jason. It was a full house in our little condo--we can't wait to have a bigger house to entertain family a little easier. This translates directly into "having a basement or bonus room full of toys for the kids to play with." I had to work until 5 (but got to leave early at 4) so Nana and Julie did all the preparations for cooking. We had a spiral-cut ham, scalloped potatoes, homemade bread and salad. Unfortunately both TJ and I had started to get sick. TJ caught a cold from work, and I had some type of stomach bug. We made it through dinner, and after everyone left, we started watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. However, we both fell asleep on the couch and went to bed just as Aunt Bethany arrived.

Bailey was up early on Christmas- 6 o'clock- but not because she knew Santa had delivered presents. She was just up and ready to go, which was great, because we had three Christmas's to attend. We opened our gifts first thing, then on to Brit's for the Kemp's, then to the Bell's for the rest of the day. By the time we arrived at Nana and Papa's, Bailey needed a nap, so we had a delayed Christmas that began in the afternoon. Bailey actually helped open gifts this year, but she still didn't understand the reason we were giving gifts.

Even though we were sick, we had a great time hanging out with the family and seeing all the kids get so excited about their new toys. The day after we were still not 100% so we vegged on the couch and debated who's turn it was to change Bailey's diaper. Parenting is even tougher when both parties are sick!

New Ski's!

TJ gave me one of my Christmas presents about a week early as we were headed up to Bogus Basin the next day--new K2 One Luv skis and Marker bindings! They are last years model-discounted big on eBay. Sold out of Colorado and he didn't even have to pay for shipping! TJ's colleague Chris was going to Boulder for Thanksgiving so he offered to pick them up! He sure fooled me into thinking he was going to fix an older pair of skis that we had picked up. He even bought the $5 part and had it mailed here from Vermont! Pretty sneaky! Thank you so much TJ! I can't wait to test them out tomorrow!

Surprise!

What a great Christmas surprise this year. Papa arranged for Julie, Aiden and Mackenzie to drive up to Boise from Colorado for 10 days over Christmas break, and for Brian to fly in for the long weekend. TJ also knew, as he was to intercept the box of gifts I was going to ship to the Kelso family. A couple of weeks ago, TJ offered to ship the box for me. "Oh great!" I thought. One less thing I have to do--going to the post office with Bailey and waiting in a long line could be tough. So he took the box and brought it to my parents' house and hid it in the shed.

We had gone out to dinner last night with the Coughlin's and the Hirose's at the Arid Club for Christmas/Celebratory dinner, so Bailey stayed the night at Nana and Papa's. TJ and I went over Saturday morning to pick up Bailey and as I walk in, I hear kids' voices--kids that are not Magnus and Max. I thought, "who kids are those?" And then I realized it was Aiden and Kenzie! I couldn't believe it! I was shocked! I started to get tears in my eyes as I gave the kids' hugs. Bailey happened to be sleeping on Julie's chest, so she didn't jump up to say hi. I was in shock: "How did you guys get here?! Where is Brian?!" Julie and the kids had driven all day on Friday and showed up about 5pm and walked in and shocked Nana, who was cooking dinner. She just stood there, holding some butter, speechless.

It was a fabulous surprise and made our Christmas so wonderful to have everyone all together again. Our last family picture with everyone together was September of 2007.

Breakfast

Bailey and I enjoyed a nice bowl of Cheerios on Saturday morning. She wasn't interested in eating her own. She wanted mine. I was more than happy to share with her.

Happy Halloween!

Bailey's first "real" Halloween this year. Last year she wore a pumpkin t-shirt; this year she was a lion. We headed to Scott and Jenn's for a little bit of football (Vandals won!), a little bit of chilli and cornbread, and a little bit of trick or treating. Lots of kids were there at Max and Magnus' house: Max and Milo, Lucy and Mina, Josephine, Olive and Henry. It was crazy! We didn't bother with a candy bucket for Bailey, but she loved walking around in the dark. She did a good job of holding someone's hand while in the street. With so many people in our group - about 20 - she would look up and see who she was next to before she grabbed their hand. Next year I think we will let her get some candy! But mostly for Mom and Dad.

15-month doctor visit

Today we went to see Bailey's pediatrician for her 15-month well-baby visit. Many other kids were sick in the waiting room, as the flu and (H1N1) has come early this year, so we waited in another room.

Bailey was 31 inches long (75th percentile) and weighed 20 lbs 6 0z (15th percentile). She grew 2 inches and gained only one pound in 3 months! Which, apparently, is normal on the growth curve. Bailey checked out well in all area's!

Bailey got her flu shot today. Since this is the first year she is eligible to have the seasonal flu shot, she will have to get a second dose in 3 weeks. Hopefully she can stay healthy this flu season.

Big shoes, little girl

Bailey is 15 months old this week. She is so fun and we just love seeing what she'll come up with next. She has been into putting our shoes on her feet and-trying to-walk around. She can get a few steps before she comes out of them.

Bailey has been saying a few words. Besides the usual Mama and Dada, some others are:

"ball" (baaa)

"book" (booo)

"uh-oh"

"up"

"hot" (haaa) - while touching food cautiously with fingers spread

And her favorite noise to make is a quick, high pitched "mmhhh" with an inflection that makes it sound like she is saying "ok?" or "yes?" or "more?" Will try to post some video of that later.

First Owie

Bailey and Daddy were walking outside behind the condo a couple of weeks ago and Bailey fell and scraped up her knee. It was her first owie. Daddy cleaned it out and put a band-aid on it, but she took the band-aid right off. That night, she kept pulling up her pajama pants to look at her knee. And if you asked her where her owie was, she would gladly show you.

Bailey the Daredevil!

Look at the look on her face! She looks like she is up to no good! She has been climbing up on anything since Sept. 20th, after she took a spill at the zoo, which is kind of ironic. Climbing on the sit and spin, the couch, the first stair (to the gate), the bed, her Elmo car...anything!

Fun in the Water

Another warm day in Boise in September. Mid-80's on Daddy's birthday! Definitely above normal temperatures this week. Bailey went to the Market with Nana and played in the fountain at the Grove. Then back to Nana and Papa's to run through the sprinkler this morning. Bailey would run through, turn around, and go right back through. She stuck her finger in the hose and sprayed her face, only to smile and do it again. She is our water baby! We need to get her in some swim lessons!

Bailey at the Computer

Bailey has been wanting to get up in our desk chair and work on the computer. We put her up there last week and she was hard at work, reading her Google reader and listening to Tony Kornheiser's podcast. She is a Geek-in-Training!

Mom and Dad Camping Trip

We decided to get at least one camping trip in this season, even if it was just overnight. We drove north to Silver Creek and camped at the Silver CreektPlunge, where they also have a pool filled with hot springs water. We found a nice, shady, quiet campsite and set up before taking off for a hike. Boy was it hot for mid-September! We were hiking in 90 degrees AND we forgot our trekking poles at camp. We decided to turn around earlier than we expected...TJ just wasn't feeling the best after a heavy lunch and the heat was taking its toll.

We went back to camp and headed for the pool to cool off...well, kind of. The pool was like swimming in a hot tub. But it still felt great, especially when we got out, with the water evaporating from our skin, cooling us right down.

Back to camp to change and start a fire. We had two different fire starters, and it took about a half and hour to light the fire! After cursing Bear Grylls (who lights a fire with a flint and steel in 2-3 tries) and getting some "bear hair" in the mix, TJ finally got a flame and kept it lit. Just threw a couple of logs on, as we wanted to get some red hot coals for hot dog and marshmellow cooking.

For a 90 degree day, it sure cooled off once the sun went down. I was pretty cold with 3 layers on and TJ only had on a long sleeve shirt, but was fine. We watched the sun go down and Jupiter rise. With binoculars, we could see 3 of Jupiter's moons. We also saw the International Space Station and another satellite cross the sky. The number of stars seen with the unaided eye was just incredible. It has been a long time since we had seen stars like that; there is no chance to see that in Connecticut.

Slept toasty all bundled up in our mummy bags and enjoyed our new 4-person tent which allowed us to bring an air mattress. (Hey, we were car camping.) We didn't want to get up too early, as it would still be cold, so we slipped in and out of consciousness as the sun came up and warmed our tent. It was 9:30 before we got up! We made bacon and fried eggs on our camping stove, packed up and headed south. One short hike toward Rattlesnake Point before we headed back to Boise. This time we remembered our poles and we sure enjoyed them. It was a steep hike.

Hats, Hats, Hats

Bailey has a thing for hats. She finds them all around the house. Mom's hats, dad's hats, her hats. She even puts things that aren't hats onto her head....like underwear! Everything is a hat to her. She puts them on her head and walks around in circles looking at everyone in the room, strutting her stuff. It is really funny when she puts on a hat, and grabs her purse, then walks around.

Running Through the Fountain

We took Bailey to Ann Morison Park one evening this week for a dinner picnic and play time on the playground. While we were there, we stopped by the fountain. TJ decided to have a little fun and run Bailey through the fountain's spray. She loved it! She giggled and squealed as the cool water sprinkled her face.

"Feed Me!"

We were in our bedroom this AM and I said "Bailey! You read to eat? She dropped what she had in her hands and practically ran to the kitchen, right up to her high chair, looked up at the tray, then at me, the wined as if to say "get me up there!". Pretty cute. She is so smart.

Bailey likes purses!

Bailey is into purses. I don't quite know how she got into that. Mommy has more of sling-bag/messenger bag as a purse. Perhaps Nana? She found some of Nana's purses and an old one of mine. Grandma K also brought one for her with the strap cut short especially for her. She picks it up and slings it over her shoulder, then takes off walking. Sometimes it will fall down off her shoulder into the crook of her elbow and she looks like a little old lady. TJ and I just smile and giggle at her. She is so fun.

Fun at Dinner Time

Here are some fun pictures of Bailey while she eats. She loves putting an empty bowl on her head and playing peek-a-boo after finishing her meals.

Beautiful Summer Morning

A beautiful summer morning in Boise. Nana and I took turns jogging in the morning while one of us stayed home with Bailey. Afterwards, we did some weeding. Well, Nana did. I was chasing Bailey around.

Bailey's First Birthday (a little early)

Tonight we celebrated Bailey's birthday a couple of days early. Julie and Brian and kids were coming home from Coeur d' Alene, and Scott and Jenn and kids were coming down from McCall. It was going to be 98 degrees today, so we got out the kiddie pool this morning and filled it up with some water so it would heat up during the day. Bailey got in at 5pm and absolutely had a ball!! She held on to me with one hand and splashed with the other. She got her face dripping wet, but loved it.

Her four cousins all helped her unwrap her gifts. Who are we kidding, Bailey didn't undo a one. She got some good fun bath toys, shakers and bells, a big pink ball, a duffel bag, books, and some clothes. It was a good size party...the only person missing was Daddy, as he was just about to take his Boards and then start the trek across the country with his truck and U-Haul trailer.

We had hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad and beans and later on some angel food cake. But Bailey had a chocolate cupcake with bright pink and blue frosting. I thought she needed something darker--chocolate--to make a big mess while eating for pictures. Angel food cake is, well, white. She had a good time tearing apart that cupcake. Afterwards she had to get in on the action back at the pool. The cousins were jumping and splashing all around. Once her dress came off, she made a bee-line for the pool. Her laugh turned to a shudder, as Mackenzie surprised her by pouring cold water down her back.

Bailey's New Ride

Bailey got a bike carrier last weekend when Daddy was in town. It is a Chariot, Cougar 2. She didn't like the helmet so much, but she sure enjoys the ride. We are so excited to be able to take her on bike rides with us to the park and on the Greenbelt.

Bailey's (First) Black Eye!!!!

Well, Bailey got her first black eye last week. Daddy was sitting on a little "red chair" in the garage and Bailey was standing up next to his leg. Her hand slipped off his leg and she landed right on her face! Yeowww! The sound of her head hitting the garage floor is one we would like to forget. The very next night, during her bath, she was standing up next to the soap dish, and again, her hand slipped and her face hit the side of the tub. The exact spot where she hit the night before! TJ and I felt so bad. Her eye immediately started puffing up and turning red. She was getting her first black eye! As the days went by, it turned the usual gamete of colors.

Daddy here today!

TJ is flying in for a quick 5-day visit! He has finished his 5-year residency and when he returns, will be studying for the Boards and finishing packing up the condo. He'll start his drive across the country mid-July. This visit is just a break and a chance to see "his girls." It has been a month since we have all been together and Bailey has changed so much. Her hair is filling in quite nicely, although it is still short. She has progressed from not walking at all with your fingers in her hands to now trying to grab them when she stands up and taking off all through the house. She is eating a bigger variety of foods now, and none of it is baby food. Still on formula, of course, until she is one year old.

Looks like TJ is in about 10 minutes early at 3:02. Bailey had to pick this afternoon's nap to fuss and not go down at 1:30 right away. She has just calmed down...she'll only get an hour before we have to leave for the airport!

The picture is of Bailey exploring the leaves and the grass last week. She is not confined to the blanket anymore!