Halloween

When it becomes Fall if you have kids you need to do the traditional Pumpkin Patch visit.  We didn’t get any pumpkins because they are totally overpriced but Pa’s Pumpkin Patch has a full carnival for kids.  We met some friends there and Baines had so much fun.  We did the Carousel, Pumpkin bounce house, Petting Zoo and her favorite the Pony ride.  I wasn’t sure she would like the ponies since she had to do it without us by her side but as you can see she loved every second.  

The night before Halloween, Baines was in a great mood.  After her bath we put her in the new pink Skelton jammies grandma had sent.  I did notice that her voice sounded a little scratchy that night.  The next morning poor baby girl work up full blown sick.  I stayed home from work to be with her since she couldn’t go to preschool.  She slept in till about 10:00 and then woke up hungry for lunch.  I let her eat spaghetti in our bed (which she gobbled up)  Then she took a late nap and you could tell she felt crappy.  She told us she didn’t want to trick or treat or wear a costume.  I didn’t want her to miss out so we got her up and moving and she agreed to go. 

Every year we meet at Nicholas’ brothers house to trick or treat with our nephews.  Baines had an awesome time and she looked so cute in her Jessie for Toy Story costume.  I even played domestic mom and glued red sequins to her top an hat.   She ignored the sickness and was going to every house saying “Tricker Treat, Please” then “Thanks for da candy”.    She probably would have stayed out longer but she needed to go home.

  

Taking a sick little girl Trick or Treating probably wasn’t our best parenting moment and we paid for it!  She was up all night crying.  I literally had to rock her for about 2 hours to keep her somewhat calm.  Nicholas and I only got a few hours of sleep.  The next day I had to work so we had Nana take her to the Doctor.  So glad we did because the little lady had Strep Throat.  I knew once she started Preschool that she would get sick but I didn’t think we would start out with that.  After 10 days of Penicillin (which I’m allergic too but luckily she was not, also this was her antibiotic ever) she’s back to her healthy self.

PS. She’s looking at herself in the mirror in the video.  I did her hair like “Mommy’s”

First Day of Preschool

Today was a really exciting day, Baines started her first day of Preschool.  We’ve been trying for months to get her in somewhere and finally a space opened up at our first choice.   This is the same preschool her cousin Dean went and my Sister-in-law Andrea was really happy with the program. 

Baines went last Monday to fill out registration and meet her teacher.  She also met a little friend.  So was really excited to go back again today.  She even woke up at 5:30 this morning.  Yeah I was super stoked about that.   Haha

She got all dressed and ready with her empty backpack (because she didn’t need to bring anything but lunch).  When we got there she danced her way through the gates and was ready to play with the toys.  Nicholas and I hung around for a little bit until the teacher started an art project.  Then we slipped out the back door.  It was a little emotional for me but I know she’ll have so much fun and it will be great for her development.  I had to call the registration office to ask a few questions and Miss Tricia told me that she did good today.  There were a few tears L but mostly fun J.

She’ll be going Mon, Wed, and Friday from 8-12:15.  Hopefully she’ll be just as excited for Wednesday.  

Easter

We had a lovely Easter!  The weather was amazing, the food was amazing and we got to spend it with family.   I just love seeing Baines play with her cousins.  She just loves them so much and so do we!

  

Last Checkup...

Since Baines is almost 20 Months I think it’s appropriate that I finally post this 18 month checkup visit.  

Of course she made being at the doctor a party and was running around crazy in her diaper and socks.  She was really brave and only cried a little when the doctor examined her.    He became her best friend when he gave her a grape flavored tongue depressor.    She had to get some shots and cried for two seconds and then said “Ouch Hurt” while rubbing her leg.     Then she was back to playing around.     Her measurements were, 23 lbs and 33.4 inches tall.  So she’s still in the 25% for weight and 75% for height. 

18 Months

When I travel for work I come home and I’m always amazed at how much she has grown and transformed in a few short days.   So it’s no surprise that 18 months have flown by.  She is pronouncing her words so much better.  Learning new tricks.  Evolving into a little person and really showing her personality (Which at times can be very bossy especially to the dogs).    She’s so much fun and we’re enjoying every second with her.

•  She is talking all the time and repeating everything you say.  Even the stuff you don’t want her to.  Mommy and Daddy slip up sometimes. 
•  Her comfort items are her Milky and Blanky.  She asks for them all the time.  Especially when she’s tired. 
• She Loves playing Soccer.  She says “Mommy, kick-a-da soccor ball?  She’s actually really good.  Honestly she’s better than me, which is not saying much I guess.   
• Outside is still her favorite place to be.  Digging in the dirt, swinging, playing at the park, watching bugs,  going for a walk, or petting doggies or Kitties.  She always wants to be outside. 
• Yesterday I taught her how to walk backwards.  She thought it was so cool.  She kept bumping into everything and laughing.
•  When she eats she started yelling “Mmmmm, So yummy! Good!!!”  It’s really funny because she’s screaming it. 
•  She loves singing and almost has her ABC’s down.  She also likes to sing Twinkle Twinkle, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Ring around the Rosie, Happy Birthday and EI EI O (old McDonald). 
•  We’ve been working on counting and she can count to 6 no problem.  She almost can get to 10 but always forgets  at least one number.
•  Most words she says are pronounced correctly but she still says Mink for Drink but the best one is Elephant.  She said El-Oh-Shit.   It makes me laugh every time especially because there are a lot of Elephants in her books and movies.  

The end to November

Since the weather has been so beautiful the past few weeks we’ve spent a lot of time at the park.  As you can see its Baines second favorite thing to do (first is going for a bike ride)  

We had Thanksgiving early on the 19^th with Nicholas’s mom’s family.  There are tons of grandchildren so it’s always a good time for the kids.  Nicholas’ cousin Austin and his girl friend surprised all the little kids with their balloon animal skills.    Baines got a crown and a corsage. 

  

   

Our Sister-in-law Andrea got a cold the other weekend so we took Dean for a few hours.  Baines enjoyed the company at the park

As I said the weather has been beautiful in fact last weekend it was 80 degrees.  This is one of the reasons we live in California   Baines and I were in shorts and t-shirts sitting outside watching the boys install the new door.  (We’ll post some pictures soon.  It’s amazing).  Our neighbor brought over tangerines from her tree and Baines was grubbing them up.  

15 Months

It’s been a long time since I had a chance to write an update on Baines and now that she’s 15 months old I thought I should get to it. Here is some info about the little Baines. 

• Her vocabulary is ever expanding. She staring to put words together. The other day when I dropped her  off at Nana’s she said “Bye Mom, See ya” It was so cute.

• Not all words come out right. My favorite things she says are mis pronounced like Meow is a cat, alloon is a Balloon. Neck and ear is Necklace and earrings. Banky her favorite blankets.

• The terrible two’s have already started. Girl knows how to throw a wicked temper tantrum.

• Baby Dolls are still her favorite. She carries them around feeding bottles. She also loves her purse and filling it with our remote controls.

• She’s also obsessed with jewelry. I don’t know where she would have picked that up….Oh right maybe me! She has to wear a Neck all the time. She also has a bunch of bracelets. Nicholas put them on her feet the other day and now she always wants you to put them on as anklets.

• Being outside is her favorite thing. When we put her shoes on she get so excited because she knows its time to go outside. Rocks and bugs are the best things to look for.

• When ever she wants something she points and says “this, this!” When you finally figure out what she’s pointing at she does a little jig with excitement.

• She loves to color but crayons aren’t as cool as a pen and paper. She likes to walk around making little notes. Nicholas calls her the building inspector.