Bailey Rose 9 months old (on 8-15-13)

I'm a little embarrassingly late on this, due to no time, re-considering my stance with blogging...and that's all I got.

Here's what you were up to when you were 9 months old:

 
           
                              

 Daddy participated in the Tough Mudder competition in WI, so we met him in Stillwater when he was finished for some nachos and Nacho Mamas and we explored the city for a bit before he got there and helped ourselves to some ice cream...it was hot out ;)

                                 

You love splashing in your pool and tubby time!! Mommy's little fish!

                                       

Daddy is very protective of you and makes sure you're safe at all times!! 

Exhibit A 

 Daddy loves to read to you and you do a pretty good job of sitting through a (short) book

You're so helpful with the chores around the house. Someday we'll be paying you a pretty penny to do these things

                                             

Mommy and daddy sneak in as many snuggles with you as they can. We know these moments are limited and take full advantage of them when they happen

You love to hang out in your exercauser and watch TV, snack on some puffs and throw everything off the exercauser to watch it fall to the ground

We lowered your crib again! You are such a little monkey in there. You really do love your crib and you like to sit and play with your animals/little blankies in there.

You got a tooth! Your first tooth showed up on July 22 (the bottom left one). You only have 1 tooth right now, but you're the cutest 1 toothed little girl :)

You can climb up the stairs. We have 14 steps from the main level to the upstairs and you can climb them all without much of a break. This is one of your favorite things to do, you always go straight to the steps!
                          

                           

You hosted a lovely group of MN Bloggers at your house. We had some yummy food and played games. You did so well with the "strangers" here.

You celebrated your mama's 30th birthday. I remember being pregnant with you last year and going to Stillwater for the day and thinking about how this year would be different having you here with me. I had no idea what an absolutely precious gift you would be. It's truly indescribable how much joy and happiness you bring me every single day.

You went to the zoo again. Part of mom's birthday festivities

At the petting zoo

You also went to Lake Calhoun and walked rode all the way around the lake with mommy and daddy. We made a few pit stops so you could go swinging and dip your toes in the lake.

                           

You participated in a "surprise party" that didn't quite go as planned for Mommy's birthday, but it was still fun to celebrate with friends and family!

Other things to note

Height: 27.5"

Weight: 17lbs 13oz

Head: 17.5"

Places you've been: MN Zoo - Lake Calhoun

Doctor's Appointments: You had your 9 month appt on Aug 26

Daycare: Still driving to Elko about 2-3 days/week. Sometimes daddy keeps you at home with him instead of taking you to daycare (less driving). Daddy is so sweet and often times does the drop-off and pick-up!

Sleeping: Still doing great! Usually down around 9 and up around 7:30/8

Eating: Eating 7oz every 3-4 hours and solids 2/day. You haven't ventured into anything new this month. Still mom's homemade baby purees. 

Clothing: Mostly wearing 6 months and still squeeze into some 3-6 clothes

Diapers: You are wearing size 2 diapers when you wear regular diapers. We've been putting you in an overnight disposable for night time sleeping with has made the leaks go away. This is our solution for now :)

Things you like: What don't you like? Seriously, you're the happiest baby I've ever met! You're rarely upset or crying and when you do, it's usually justified.

Mommy likes: when mommy sings and dances for/with you, you love to pull mommy's hair and necklaces and suck on them, bath time with mommy
Daddy likes: when daddy sings to you in the morning to wake you up, when daddy gets home from work, daddy cuddles, when daddy plays with you, daddy reading you books (especially "Daddy Cuddles")

Dear Bailey,
You've done it again. Each month (day) I don't think it's actually possible to love you anymore than I already do, and then you learn and do something that is ridiculously cute and I somehow find a way to love you even more. Unbelievable! There is no possible way to describe this feeling to anyone. Parenthood is an indescribable feeling until you are there and living it. We love you so much sweetheart!

This is what 30 looks like

Last week, yours truly turned the big 3-0. Thirty has definitely lived up to the hype! 

Here's a little recap:

Wednesday, August 7 (my actual birthday). I decided to take my birthday off of work because I wanted to hang with these goofballs

Poor Bailey - so sweet and innocent and surrounded by some crazies

We hit up the MN Zoo since we got a membership in June and hadn't been back since. It was a gorgeous day out and perfect for zoo fun!

                       

I think the guy is much more interested in Bailey than the cow (I can't blame him)

                          

I developed a severe case of baby (monkey) fever. I think Chris has actually banned this portion of the zoo from here on out. They were so.dang.cute. I told Chris that I want to go to school to be a monkey trainer so I can hang out with them all day - I was slightly obsessed

                           

After the zoo, we headed north to Edina so we could get our free lunch. It was over-due and absolutely delicious!

After lunch, we continued further north to Lake Calhoun. I don't know what my obsession is with going to Calhoun for my birthday, but I request it pretty much every year. I love the atmosphere there and we never venture up that way. We walked all the way around and made a pitstop for Bailey to swing and splash her toes in the lake :)

                               

Next we headed back home to freshen up and gather some toys for Bailey to bring to Nana's house. I got a random thought in my head on our way home to get a shooter of a fun flavored vodka and make a little birthday drink for myself before heading to dinner. I've never tried sprinkles on the rim, but it's so easy and fun! I just dipped the glass into a bowl of honey and then into a bowl of sprinkles and left them upside down on a plate for a couple minutes. Pour in the drink and voila - instant birthday drink! They were so fun and the drink was tasty too :)

I'm so lucky to have this guy as my hubby and daddy to Bailey - love him to pieces!

We headed to Nana's house so she could watch Bailey while we went out for a little dinner. We went to Chianti Grill in Burnsville. It was a perfect night for dinner on the patio. I got a birthday drink (something tropical that was delish) and we each got an entree to share. They brought me complimentary creme brulee with a little candle in it :)

The night finished off with a relaxing evening at home with the fam. We walked over 5 miles that day and it was so much fun to spend it with my hubby and Bailey. I'm so happy I took the day off!

Friday, August 9
I was presented with 2 of these awards at work. Each is worth $25 and you get to pick out a gift card from a bunch of different retailers. Still not sure what I'm going to do with mine yet, but it felt like a belated birthday gift!

After work, I headed down to Elko to pick Bailey up from daycare and then went straight back to Edina to meet my parents for dinner. We met at Ruby Tuesday and then got some ice cream in the mall afterwards. My parents brought a long a special gift that my grandma left for me when she passed away 14 years ago. It was very emotional looking at them and thinking back on the days that she was here, but very special to know she wanted me to have these. Not gonna lie, the chances were pretty good considering I'm the only granddaughter on that side ;)

They're so pretty! I wish I didn't have sausage fingers and could actually wear some of them. I may be visiting the jeweler in the near future

On Saturday, we had plans to meet up with some friends for dinner to celebrate my birthday again (geez, get over yourself already). We were meeting them at Carbone's in Lakeville at 5:30. We started getting Bailey in her car seat around 5:05 and while Chris was strapping her in, I went to the driver's side of the car to look for something in her diaper  bag. I was about to go back to the passenger side to get in when I see (what looked like) Chris's mom's car pull up by some trees in our front yard. I see her peaking her head around and then she quickly backed up. I ask Chris if that was his mom's car and he just kind of shrugged so I asked again and ask if something's going on. He goes out in the driveway and waves his mom in. Some friends and family were all pulling up to surprise me. We were supposed to leave and then Chris was going to say he forgot his license and come back to our house, have me run inside to get it for him and everyone would be inside to surprise me. I guess a car just like ours had gone out of the neighborhood so they thought we had left and were coming over to set-up. Chris was pretty bummed the whole thing didn't go as planned, but to be honest I know I would've been super annoyed if we turned around to get his license, which would've made us late to dinner (or so I thought).

The party was so much fun! I hardly took any pics since I didn't even touch my phone pretty much the whole night. Millie brought so much food and wine, which I apparently thought would go bad if I didn't drink all of it - oof!

Me with some of the ladies - really wish I would've taken pics earlier, oops!

My s-i-l made an amazing cake that I want to devour the remainder of that is still in our freezer.

We played my new favorite game that I apparently become very good at when I drink enough :) I was kicking some serious booty that night!

Bailey and Jack were have a blast hanging out in our friends Karl and Amanda's Jeep

                           

Then came Sunday, August 11

Yikes...this was a rough day for me! I spent the first half of it in bed trying to recover from Saturday night's shenanigans. Chris came to check on me around noon (I had been up and moved around a few times before this, but not much) and I told him how I'd been craving a 7-up/Sprite/Sierra Mist so badly but knew I couldn't drive to get one (still puking). He so kindly offered to run to the gas station to get me a soda. Seriously, husband of the year over here! After I got the pop and munched on a few super healthy chips, I was feeling so much better!

The afternoon was spent outside letting Bailey splash around in her little pool. She LOVES the water so much, it's so cute watching her splash around. 

Post-swim baby

Well, that's my little long recap of my birthday. I feel so blessed and loved by my friends and family. It really meant so much to have people come over to celebrate with me! My hubby way out-did himself with everything and surprised me with an amazing gift and a party. The best gift of all is that little peanut up there. I had no clue what an amazing experience being a mother is. I get it now - it is the best feeling in the world. Thank you Bailey Rose for bringing the most joy to my life!