Thursday, February 23, 2012

Bailey's First Year

I spent weeks working on a photo book to document Bailey's first year. The goal is to make one for each of our kiddos for each year. As much as I love to craft and be 'crafty' the idea of me making a scrapbook a year is unrealistic. Heck- our wedding scrapbook only has one page done almost 4 years later. But we have a wedding photo book! Thank you to Shutterfly for making my slacking off acceptable :) Here is Bailey's First Year photo book. Blood, sweat and tears included.


Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

An Alt Family Christmas :)

This was our first year having our own Family Christmas :) Just us in the morning- opening presents, seeing the joy on Bailey's face, and enjoying our time together before dinner with my family.

Mommy and Daddy snuck into the family room to see what Santa left before Bailey tore into her presents :) Santa did great this year!

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Bailey really loved her Rocking Bug Santa brought!

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We had to help, but eventually she got the hang of tearing off the paper.

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Daddy loved the watch we got him :)

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I'm not convinced Bailey had any idea what was going on, she mostly seemed confused. But she still had fun!

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Christmas was a Sunday this year, so we got all dressed up and went to church together. I have to say, as a kid I remember disliking when Christmas fell on Sundays. Church put a "wrench" in playing with our new toys, eating food, and the other things that seemed most important as a child. As an adult, it was my favorite part of Christmas this year. It really helped me put things in perspective and to spend the right amount of time worshiping the Savior and His birth. I am so grateful for the season to remind us of his sacrifice and love for us. Going to church on Christmas Sunday was just the icing on the holiday cake!

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After church we came home and Bailey played with her toys while Matt and I cooked dinner. We made a ham! Had macaroni and cheese, green beans, Paula Deen's Sweet Potato Souffle and sour cream cheese pound cake! It was so yummy!!

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The aftermath of all the playing was quite a disaster!! But I think it was worth the clean-up!

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Bailey's second Christmas was so much fun! It was amazing to see the wonder in her eyes at the lights on the tree and tearing the wrapping paper. Although I am NOT READY one bit... I need lots of warm weather first, I am looking forward to next year and really getting to teach her the Christmas story and see her understanding increase. I love our little family!

December Catch-Up

Yes I realize next week will be March. But that's what happens when you have an extremely active toddler and a mommy who can't get off the couch because morning sickness is ravaging her body. So, here we are, at the end of February attempting to catch up and bring the blog current. I should have made a New Year's Resolution to blog better... so I'm making a Spring Resolution to blog better. You gotta do whatcha gotta do :)

So here goes... DECEMBER

I'll start with a sleeping baby picture. Then I figure you'll forgive me for slacking in the blogging department since sleeping babies are so cute and all.

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I'm already forgiven aren't I. I know... she's precious!

The month of December is always my favorite month of the year. The Christmas Spirit just changes people. Mostly for the better, there's always going to be the psycho at the mall who would rather run you over than give you 5 minutes to get your kiddo out of their stroller and into their carseat, but karma will catch up to them one day :). We got dressed up and went to our ward Christmas Party :)

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Possibly the saddest part of the month was weaning Bailey. I shouldn't say sad- it was bitter sweet. My body needed the extra energy to create Little Sprout and Bailey was getting to be so big and not as interested in nursing... so it just felt like it was time. She is a CHAMP with her sippy cup!

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We had playdates with friends :)

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And waited outside in the cold to see SANTA on the firetruck like I did every year as a kid :) Apparently Bean thought chewing on my nose was appropriate to pass the time while we waited.

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Another new development in December- Bailey likes LEMONS!!! No idea where that came from, but after giving her 15 things to try at the dinner table (rolls, fruit, green beans, mashed potatoes, chicken, etc etc etc) Grampa gave her a lemon, and it was a success!

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With lots of teeth brushing action afterwards :)

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December was such a fun month! Stay tuned for Bailey's second Christmas!!

Bailey's Winter OneDerland

Bailey's birthday party was spectacular! Everything I had hoped it would be :) I spent months cutting out penguins on a Cricut, finding discount party supplies, hand creating invitations, etc. Finally the day arrived for the big party! It was SO MUCH FUN! All of the kiddos watched Happy Feet and ate popcorn. The adults talked and ate awesome food and Bailey ran around getting loved on by everyone. There is nothing quite like a celebration of your own little miracle.

It was amazing seeing all of our friends and family there to show us how special our little Bailey is to them. She was spoiled rotten and loved every minute of it. All of the planning, time and effort that went into her party was worth every minute. We'll see if I have that kind of energy next year with a six month old too :)

The morning of her party, Bailey hung out with her penguin presents from Papa and Catie from the day before and waited for the fun to begin!

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I went early and set up all of the fun details. The cake table with her month-by-month banner and her smash cake that she obliterated later!

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There were hot chocolate and ornament favors for everyone. (And a cookie decorating station for the kids that I somehow forgot to take a picture of.

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We had tons of food, a sweet birthday banner, and the perfect place for Little Miss to SMASH her first birthday cake!

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She looked so precious in her special outfit. Even her pediatrician contributed to her day! She made the bottle cap that is in the middle of Bailey's bow! (It has a penguin on it to match the theme.)

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After food and fun it was time for Bailey's favorite part- PRESENTS!

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Next came the cake. Bailey had no idea what to make of it, but eventually enjoyed smashing it EVERYWHERE!!

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I think there was more cake and strawberry frosting on the walls than she actually ate! As you can imagine- it culminated in a sink-bath for Bean!

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Matt and I made it through our first year of parenthood. All in all I think we did a pretty good job. We are all healthy and happy and no worse for the wear :) I can't wait to see what Bailey's second year brings!
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