Bailey's Thoughts on the election

I just think it's too cute when Bailey says his name!!

Is that my little girl?

Bailey started dance on Saturday and it was beautiful! We were a few minutes early so that she could observe, but she didn't need it - she's a big girl (duh, mom). For the first 22 minutes, Bailey actually did everything that the teacher asked her to do. I don't think that she has performed that task (of following directions) since she was born, and even that was a forced obedience (via c-section). Oh, and I actually know the instructor. I've directed her in shows and played a number of rehearsals for another show that she was in.

Back to Bailey, about 1/2 way through the class, Bailey went to the teacher and told her that she needed to use the toilet - so I took her into the bathroom, but she had a pull up on so I was sure that she was just fooling us. SURPRISE - she was dry and actually did use the toilet - I was STUNNED!!

Needless to say, I sat there as a proud mom watching my girl be like a bunny and wave her arms like a tree and thought about what a beautiful little person she is becoming. I just love her spirit and love her spunk (with the exception of when she tells me, "I'm not going to do that mom") and just soaked it in.

Oh, and when you see her looking behind the instructor, it's because there's a wall length mirror that she just loved to watch. She couldn't take her eyes off of herself.

Here's some video of my tiny dancer:

School Days

Bailey will start preschool next Tuesday. I am still a little shocked about this. We had parent orientation yesterday where we met the other parents and got all of our school information. It's interesting - I actually already knew two of the parents.

I was in yoga with the mom of one girl while we were pregnant. It's kind of funny, this mom and I have run into each other a number of times. We both sat on a panel at the hospital for a breastfeeding class. We've run into each other at Borders and Costco. Then, I walked into the parent orientation yesterday and discovered that our girls are going to be in class together. We've exchanged phone numbers and e-mail addresses at least 3 times - and then lost them. Now, our phone numbers are on a class list. We'll be better at keeping track of the numbers and will see each other more frequently.

Last spring, Bailey was in soccer with one of the boys in her class - his name is Camden. He definitely listened to the coach better than Bailey did. Which means that he listened to the coach more than once. I hope that Bailey will listen more than once in school - my fingers are crossed.

I did apologize to all of the other parents right away. You see, last March, as I was walking out to the car and carrying Bailey and my purse and a cup of coffee and who knows what else (probably the kitchen sink and the fridge), I dropped something on the ground and said, "ah crap". About 2 milliseconds later, Bailey said, "aw cwap". I just groaned - ugh! And thought I'd try not to even make a big deal out of it. I thought that I'd pulled it off because I didn't hear it again. Until about 3 weeks later when Bailey dropped a toy on the floor and announced, "aw cwap". And (yes, I'm confessing) I let out a laugh. And then I suggested that she use another expression. And then she used it again. Well, we've had a "cwap-free" summer until 2 days ago when I was setting up the new climbing toy. She dropped one of the pieces on the ground and said, "aw cwap" and I just about died. We had a talk and she knows that she shouldn't use that word, but I don't have high hopes. So - I apologized to the parents for my daughter's language and expressed that I'm hopeful that she won't teach this word to all of their children. In my defense - at least it's not the "F" word!

But, I digress. The real point of this post is that we have begun the school festivities. School begins on Tuesday, but today was open house. Bailey had a blast, met a couple of new "buddies" (Anna and Kira) and is looking forward to next week. I can't believe it's starting!! Oh, and we did learn that Bailey will get to bring something for show and tell every Tuesday. This is going to be an exciting year - as long as she doesn't get expelled for her foul mouth!

Smooky!!

Picture it - Olympia, 1999. I'd just recently moved to Seattle and made a daytrip to visit family. I think that Cassidy was about 4 years old. Most people who remember her as a little one remember that she came up with some really cute words and pronunciations. She is the reason that we have Momo and Tree Tree (Kristi), and for quite some time she called herself "Duckie" (but if you called her Duckie she'd say, "No - it's DUCKIE", so I'm certain that she thought she was saying Cassidy). Anyway, it was nearly Halloween and she was at the kitchen table coloring and I asked her what she was drawing. Her response was, "I'm drawing Smooky things, Kim." I have called anything "spooky" smooky ever since.

Fast forward to today - Bailey's Halloween costume arrived. Yes, I realize it's still August, but I LOVED it and didn't want to miss out on this costume. As soon as it arrived she had to put it on - she calls it her "scary" - I say it's "Smooky". Want to see what she's gonna be for Halloween? Well, here it is - but don't get too smooked!!

Tiny Dancer - Part Deux

"I'm a beautiful Tinkerbell, Mama" is what Bailey has been exclaiming every time that she walks by a window or a mirror. Bailey and I went to pick up her dance "duds" today. She tried on ballet slippers and tap shoes, and then it was time for us to pick out her leotard. The only "rule" is that it has to be pink. So we looked through the leos and she found the one that she wanted. I felt like we should try it on first so we hit the dressing room and as soon as she saw it on she took a deep breath, spread out her hands in an "oh wow" expression and declared, "it's beautiful". And, she has been wearing it since. I hope we'll be able to get her out of it for her bath. I just don't think that it will dry before bedtime!

Tiny Dancer

As is well known, I grew up a gymnast. By the time I was in 7th grade I ate, slept, and breathed gymnastics. While I loved what I was doing, there is a part of me that, every once in a while, wishes that I'd tried other sports.

True story - during high school assemblies they often have "class competitions". In these competitions they would choose one person from each class to go to the main gym floor, in front of EVERYONE, and perform some "wacky" competition. At one of the assemblies my senior year, they had a "sport competition" where they chose one person from each winter sport. That person had to cartwheel out to a mat (gymnastics), jump rope a certain number of times (wrestling?!?!), ride a little square scooter thing on their stomach to a line (swimming?!?!) and then shoot a free throw (basketball). Well, the cartwheel gave me a huge lead which no one made up - until the free throw. I kid you not, I stood with that damn ball trying to make a free throw at least 3 minutes past the last person. Someone yelled, "aim for the backboard!" They could have said it in Amharek - it wouldn't have made a difference - I had no idea what they were talking about!

Of course, I don't share that story to indicate that I have always wanted to play basketball. At 5 ' 4 1/2" I don't think that I'd be of much use, and the game really never interested me. I simply note that I was a clod in any sport other than gymnastics.

Well - I've certainly strayed from the path on this post. The whole point is that Bailey has really enjoyed a number of sports (at her advanced age of 2 3/4). She had a blast in gymnastics. Totally loves soccer. Thinks that puddle jumping is the best of all (I include it as I think it should be named an Olympic sport). Enjoys swimming (when it doesn't hurt her ears). And is going to try dance this fall. It's a mixed ballet and tap class - I'm hiding the tap shoes when we're at home!! Can't wait to see my "tiny dancer" in the studio!! Of course, I'll have video to share when she begins - keep your eyes peeled for a full report on September 6th!

Oh, and did I ever make the free throw. Finally, after they had cleared all of the equipment used in the competition, I "sunk" one - while I didn't have much "skill" in other sports, my persistence never wavered!

Playgroup Fun in the Sun

We hosted playgroup this week on a beautiful day and decided to set up the bounce house and the pools and let the kids have at it. They had a BALL! Bailey was quite fearless, and got to spend a little more time with Kiki. What you can't hear in the video below is Kiki laughing her head off every time that Bailey jumped. I turned down the sound because you can also hear the conversations that we moms were having - y'all don't need to hear us comment on cute baby bumps and hair styles!

Kiki....Where are you?!?!

Bailey had a great day yesterday - her best buddy, Makenzie (Kiki) is up in Seattle for the week and we went to the zoo with her. I woke Bailey yesterday telling her that we were going to go see Kiki - her reply was, "I like Kiki, Mom". Me, too. When we got to the zoo we waited for a few minutes for Kiki. When they saw each other they went running to meet - I thought they were going to knock each other down. Then they went running off together. Not long into the visit they were holding hands and giggling - TOO CUTE!! They are also now having conversations where they ask questions and answer APPROPRIATELY - it's so fun to watch. I have to pull the video and pictures off of the camera - I'll post them as soon as I get a chance.

It was great to see both Lindsay and Makenzie. Lindsay is 19 weeks pregnant and just found out that it's a girl - if this one has anywhere near the personality that Makenzie does, they are in for a fun trip!! We'll see them again for playgroup on Thursday - can't wait!!

Here are a couple of teasers - I still have to edit some others and to edit the video!

One down...now it's two

Ah, somewhat cryptic title, right? Well - we took Bailey in for an ear recheck and now it's not one ear infection of the "swimmer's ear" variety. It's a double ear infection of the ear drum variety!! This poor girl. We're on heavy duty antibiotics to knock it out and will see if it goes away in 10 days. If not, we'll be at Children's Hospital to assess next steps - feel better little one!!

Pirate Party!

The city of Kirkland kicked off their summer with a Pirate Party on Saturday - what fun it was!! Here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

Bailey the pirateNote which eye is best for sight through the spyglass.

Yaaarrr!

Hmmmm...

Me: Bailey, what happened to your legs?
Bailey: I colored my knees, Mom.

This is what happens when you both think that the other parent is watching her.

Cleanliness is next to...

If there's one surefire way to experience "no fail fun" it's to give Bailey a stool or a chair and let her stand in front of the sink and "wash hands" for an hour or two. She plays in the water, "spatulates", drinks a little water, splashes - in fact, I don't believe that any washing actually happens, but that's ok - she has a BLAST!!

Bailey-isms

I thought I'd try to recall a number of her favorite "Words" and phrases. I plan to keep better lists as they really are very cute (and, I'm not even slightly biased).

"I darfed"

"I kickee de ball"

"Cash" She is saying "Catch" and has a ball in her hand at this time. The frightening thing is that Catch doesn't always follow the ball throw - frequently the ball has already been launched. Even more frequently, it's been launched at your head.

"Daddeeee....are you?" (when she's looking for someone to come get her out of her crib. She will often run through the list of people she knows if I haven't gotten to her quick enough - all the way down to her cousin Johnny [perhaps her favorite person in the world]. Um, yeah, I'm sure that he'll be super helpful in getting her out)

coot baby (cute baby)

Mommy: Bailey, look who it is...
Bailey: It's a baby Jesus (when looking at Baby Maisy)

Bailey calling for Johnny's cat (named Don), "Donner" This was just after Christmas, so I think she was thinking of one of Santa's reindeer. She still calls for him from our house - apparently he has great hearing.

Foofoo (this was what she called Goofy until just after Christmas)
Mimmie (Minnie Mouse)
A-icky Mouse (Mickey Mouse)
Goo-noh (Pluto, Mickey's dog)

When we went to Disneyland in December we had booked the trip through Disney, and as part of the package they arrange for one of the characters (or a group of the characters) to call the child. We chose Minne, Mickey and Goofy. After they called and she hung up, she looked at us and said, "A Donald". As if to say, "Um - where was Donald - too selfish to show up for the call?" After that, she'd talk a TON about seeing Donald at DisneyWorld. Ironically - the only time that she saw him, she was asleep. We took the picture anyway.
"I take a baff" (I take a bath - typically she's already naked and in the tub at this point, just waiting for us to add the water).

"Tiggah Pooh Wide" This refers to the Winnie the Pooh ride at both DisneyWorld and DisneyLand. If she could ride it over and over again she would be utterly delighted and life would be even more satisfying.

"I tek a pooh" What she is really saying is, "I want to watch My Friends Tigger & Pooh". It always sounds as if she's referring to bodily functions.

Update - Darf!

For anyone who's wondering how Bailey is feeling after her eventful night, she seems to have made a full recovery. So, when I'd asked her how her tummy felt she said, "I darfed!" You sure did, Princess! It's been jammie day for her - she's wearing her special bear jammies and stops a little more frequently for snuggles. I think that has more to do with interrupted sleep and being tired than with "darfing".

Melmo!!

Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me? Well, last night it was Elmo, or as Bailey calls him - Melmo! We took Bailey to Sesame Street Live last night and had a blast! You can tell that Bailey's a child of the DVR age because as soon as it was over she was asking for "Melmo angain" (her version of "Elmo again") in the same way that she asks to see Monsters, Inc (DVRd) and Tiggah Pooh (My Friends Tigger and Pooh - also DVRd) again. She especially seemed to enjoy Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie and Grover. Here are some pictures - oh, and pay close attention to that picture of her sitting eating a hot dog (well, the hot dog is in Adam's hand). That hot dog - called a Dome Dog by the Tacoma Dome - will forever more be referred to as the barf dog which is what happened at 3am. I may regret teaching her the word barf, but in my defense, to my 3am brain, it was easier to teach than vomit. Try these two phrases and then see if you agree. When Bailey gives you a questioning look say, "you vomited" or "you barfed". Well see? "You barfed" just rolls out so much more easily - it's all of those soft consonants!! After a bath and some relax time (watching Oobi, thank God Noggin begins at 3am here) she seemed to be doing much better - she's still sleeping, so we'll see.