Messy Morning

Today was the big Messy Morning activity. There was finger painting, coloring, painting, play dough, dry oatmeal to play in, and lots of fun activities. She liked the fingerpainting for 30 seconds, and the shaving cream until she tasted it and gagged several times. What she really liked was walking around the playground across the street. She was more mesmerized with walking on the rocks and putting them on things than any of the organized activities. I guess the best things in life really are free.

Goodbye Fall

I'm afraid Fall is on its way out, it went by way too fast. The christmas music on the radio and christmas trees in the shopping centers has made that clear. Most of the bright leaves have fallen, leaving sad wintery trees. It's coming, I know it is. I'm not ready for snow and cold and Christmas shopping. I'm just not. I didn't even get around to buying a pumpkin this year. It's almost Thanksgiving, and only 46 days until Christmas. Woah. Where is the time going? I would like to find out and get it back.

Probably last outdoor photos before winter.

Every time I take photos of Bailey, I get at least one of these. And yes, she stole that toy from a baby. Sorry Tara.

Daughters

I never thought having a daughter would be as much fun as it is. I knew the dresses and hairbows would be fun and bought them before Bailey was born. But having a daughter fulfills something in me that I didn't know was lacking. This little 16 month old girl is my best friend. I used to hate going anywhere by myself, and now I have my own personal shopping buddy and girls night friend. After a full day of shopping today, I looked up at Bailey in the rear view mirror and she grinned at me showing me all of her teeth and put her hand up to give me 5 and I had a moment. Man, I just love this little girl! The Wendy's fries were well deserved! I have several really good friends out here...really good friends that I am lucky to know and it makes living away from my family much much easier. But it's funny how my 16 month old daughter is one of my best friends. My little Bailey, you make me so happy!

You guessed it....

Surprise...I am posting some proud parent halloween pictures. I forgot my memory card Halloween night, but luckily my mother in law took one for me, and I had taken some of Bailey beforehand in her costume. She liked walking around and hearing the dogs bark when we knocked on the doors more than the candy. And yes, I have eaten almost all of her candy.

Finally old enough to be agreeable and actually smile in some pictures.

Not a bad costume for 4 bucks.

I take back the first caption. She seems to smile for other people, but the majority of the pictures I take of her turn out like this.

Bootylicious

It seems like once Halloween is over, the rest of the year flies by. It's already time to start thinking about Christmas gifts. I felt stressed out with buying gifts last year, and am hoping to get done early this year and enjoy the season. And with this time of year, I am craving a trip home to Utah, anyone know of any deals or tricks to getting a good deal on a flight? I really want to go home in November, but it seems all of the last minute bookings are more expensive. Why is that? I would think the airlines would want to fill last minute flights and would reduce the price. Wish I had one of those teleporters from Star Trek...

The projects

For those of you who know me well, you know I can't make a decision to save my life. I return everything I buy because I can't decide and take months to finish projects. But I had to document that I actually completed a project. From beginning to end, it was just about 2 weeks (not bad for me). I stenciled my living room and hearth room niche. Stenciling sounds like a lot of work, and IT IS! It took me 5 days to finish everything, and many sore muscles. I mostly feel bad about neglecting Bailey for 5 days straight, but you can see that she found ways to entertain herself. I really have no idea how she got the skipbo cards there, but I got a good laugh out of it. (If you are at my house and don't want to play skipbo, I completely understand). I ended up pushing all of my furniture into a circle around the TV and that's where she played for the 5 days. She hated it. Trying to clip her toenails kept her busy for a while. Anyway, one project down and several more on my list.

Living room still not decorated, that's coming. Don't judge me.

Also, I had to post the best birthday gift ever. Bailey said "birthday" to me this weekend. It melted my heart. This cute camera strap cover was a close second though. It was from my friend Amber, how cute is that! (Yep, it's hard to take a picture of the strap cover on the camera...but I managed). It even has a slot for the cap. Like I said, I can't have too much damask!

My new obsessions...

Damask, felt flowers, and white chocolate rice krispies.

I made rice krispie treats for a baby shower last week and dipped the edges in white chocolate and rolled them in blue sprinkles, and I can't stop eating them! It doesn't sound like a big deal, but try them, they are delish and extremely addicting. And I can't stop stenciling damask on things. Too fun. I have made some christmas gifts with damask (can't post pictures!), making a magnetic board for my kitchen, and stenciling my living room with a glaze once I get the guts. There is always something that could use a little damask...

And I had leftover felt from Bailey's halloween costume and thought

I would make a flower to pin to her shirt as part of the costume (lady bug) and found some really cute felt flowers online. I have made a few clippies for her hair and a big black one for her costume. I found this pink one online, isn't it adorable? It is my goal to make one of these. I don't know what for, maybe on my purse or a bag or something, but I just want one.

I am also obsessed with pictures of my baby. Had to post a few. I am extremely excited to post that she is falling asleep on her own! I don't know what I did to deserve this life-changing miracle, but it happened out of the blue. I put a pillow and blanket in her crib and play a music box for her and it's magic! She lays down without any crying and falls asleep. Yes, this is a REALLY BIG deal for me (just read a few posts back).

Smarty Pants

She is too smart for her own britches. While vacuuming today, the chord knocked over some big glass vases with rocks and candles in them. Luckily, they didn't break, but were pretty loud when the fell on the wood floor. We have made it clear that these are "no no's" and off limits. Bailey came running over while I was cleaning them up and shouted "NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!" to me and was quite clear in reminding me that these are off limits and a big "No no!" Does this mean I can't make any mistakes in front of her now?!? She seems all too happy to remind me. This could be bad...