Zoe's Birthday Party!! 3-24-2007

Today, we celebrated Zoe's birthday with my side of the family. Zoe had a great time blowing out the candles & opening all of her presents - she now has an entire summer wardrobe due some very generous grandparents. Lots of princesses could be found at the party - including Cinderella's castle (one of the cakes), books, dolls and lots of clothes.

Making Supper 3-22-2007

This morning, while I peacefully (read accidentally) dozed on the couch, Zoe lovingly made me supper -- on the kitchen floor -- using new bags of powered & brown -- that she opened using scissors -- my good "fabric only" scissors (she tried to used the kitchen shears, but couldn't figure out to get them unlocked) -- the scissors were obtained from the supposedly "locked" den (locked due to previous incident - see below). This is the last of many such incidents in the past week or so. These include:

-> Putting on make-up - using an entire tube of lipstick & mascara
-> Rubbing an entire glue stick on the foot of our bed
-> Emptying 3 things of chapstick in various places
-> "Cleaning" her room - this means emptying everything out of her dresser onto the floor.
-> Getting black paint all over herself (including her hair - which may still have paint in it) & on the floor of the den
-> Squirting suntan lotion all over the floor of her room & her crib & the footstool & the wall & the book shelf & the books.

I've come to the only appropriate conclusion -- that the next stage of toddler development involves her being tied to a chair since she obviously cannot be trusted once she is out of my sight -- the suntan incident having occurred while she told me she was playing with her dollhouse...

Anyway, I was too furious about the other incidents to have taken a photo, but Tony asked me to document this one (apparently there is some doubt in his mind that they are actually taking place)...

3-18-2007 Trip to Louisville

This weekend, Tony & I went to Louisville, KY to see the Blue Man Group - as my Valentine's Day gift to him. We stopped in Blufton on the way down to celebrate Uncle Ben's birthday & to drop Zoe off. We left Bluffton Saturday morning and stopped in Cinncinati to watch the Ohio State BB game (very close to Xavier actually). We stayed at The Brown hotel in downtown Louisville - home of the famous "Hot Brown" sandwich - which neither Tony nor I actually had. Saturday night we went to the show - which was very good - with lots of stuff we had seen before, but lots we hadn't also. We headed home on Sunday.

3-16-2007 Happy Birthday Uncle Ben!!

We celebrated Uncle Ben's birthday on this Friday. Zoe, as always, enjoyed helping him blow out the candles and unwrapping his gifts. She even told him what was in them - before he opened them - as she had helped me wrapped them.

3-3-2007 Happy Birthday Uncle Matt!!

After going to the OSU - Michigan basketball game, we celebrated Uncle Matt's 18th birthday. Zoe helped him blow out the candles & enjoyed her frosting. (Yes, Uncle Matt is a Michigan fan, but we won't hold it against him - well, not too much anyway).

3-2-2007 Princesses on Ice

Today, Zoe & I went to see Princess on Ice at the Palace of Auburn Hills. It was a neat show & Zoe had a great time - especially since she got to wear her Cinderella dress to the show.

2-22-2007 Sesame Street Live

Today, we met Daddy downtown to go see Sesame Street Live. It was mass confusion, but Zoe had a great time (although her favorite part might have been the M&Ms.).

2-14-2007 Valentine's Day

We celebrated Valentine's Day at home with Zoe. I made a heart-shaped red velvet cake & even heart-shaped muffins. Zoe enjoyed her gift - most especially the jelly beans...

2-9-2007 Happy Birthday Ava!!

We travelled to Bluffton this weekend to help Ava celebrate her first birthday. Ava enjoyed her cake tremendously - even though she was exhausted. Zoe enjoyed ordering Poppa Dave around & even got him to put on some princess accessories.

Snow Play 1-30-2007

Today, Zoe & I went outside & played in the newly fallen snow. We had great time shoveling, making snow angels & having a snow ball fight. I may have had a bit of an advantage in the snow ball fight since Zoe couldn't make the snowballs, she had to wait until I threw one at her & then she could throw it back at me.

In the afternoon, we went to Target & we got her a little plastic shovel of her own. She must have mentioned shoveling the snow off the driveway about 20 times in the store. The fact we had already cleared the driveway did not bother her a bit. She had a great time using her shovel to put snow back onto the driveway once we got back home. Zoe & Daddy even played outside a bit when he got home. The snow is definitely a hit with her.

A Cinderella Day 1-29-2007

Today, Zoe watch her Cinderella movie while wearing her Cinderella dress & eating Cinderella fruit snacks. Once the movie was over, I put on Family Feud - on which a question was: "Name something that the Fairy Godmother gave to Cinderella". The answers were:

1. Glass Slippers
2. Dress
3. Coach
4. Prince Charming**

**The Fairy Godmother didn't actually "give" Cinderella the Prince. I like to think that Cinderella's own charm & winning personality actually had a bit to do with it.

Anyway, quite a charming day, here in the land of happily ever after.... :)

Notice Zoe is wearing two different shoes & carrying another two. Apparently, she is worried that she will lose her slipper like Cinderella did & has taken to stockpiling them.

Zoe's Pond 1-27-2007

Today, while playing Zoe created a "pond" for her pirate ship. She has quite the imagination. Of course, now I can no longer use my blanket since it is now a "pond"...a battle to be fought another day, I guess.

Zoe visits the Dentist 1-23-2007

To prepare Zoe for her first visit to the dentist, she accompained me to my dentist appointment this afternoon. She had a great adventure and was extremely interested in what the hygentist was doing. We had to tell her to move back a couple of times because she was so closely watching her clean my teeth. The "silly straw" was also fascinating & Zoe laughed every time I used it.

Whirlyball 1-20-2007

Tonight, while Grandma Carol & Poppa Dave watched Zoe (or maybe she watched them, sometimes it can be hard to tell), Tony & I played whiryball with a group organized by Lew (past events have included bowling & putt-putt). This event was slightly more physical. At point, I ran into wall going about 50 mph (okay, maybe it was more like 20 mph, but the guy running the place asked if I was okay). He then proceeded to remove the car I had been using from the court because it was too fast!! My hips are both raw and bruised from the seatbeat, but I'll live. Unfortunately, my team (the red team) did not do so well and only won 1 game - and finished in the bottom spot in the tournament (yes, there was a tournament - remember it was organized by Lew).

This is a video of Nancy running into the wall (not nearly as fast as I did though).

Anyway, it was lots of fun & there was much discussion about what the next event should be.

Zoe's Hives 1-17-2007

This morning, Zoe woke up with a lovely rash EVERYWHERE... We went to the doctor & she has hives, most likely caused by her body over reacting to fighting a virus of some sort. She is fine, but certainly does not look that way. She looks even worse in person... wish her well soon!!

Our beautifal Arizonan Sunset 1-12-2007

Thursday, we drove to Gates Pass in hopes of having a beautiful sunset to watch. We got cold & wind and not such a great sunset.

The Butterfly Garden 1-8-2007

This "morning" Grandma, Mommy & Zoe went to the Tucson Botanical Gardens to see the butterfly exhibit. Zoe had a great time with the butterflies & just wanted one to land her. Thank goodness one finally did & our visit was complete. Of course, outside she found more rocks to play with...

1-7-2007 Sabino Canyon

After our McDonald's stop, we headed to Sabino Canyon where we took a tram up into the canyon. Due to flooding last year that washed out parts of the road, the tram doesn't go as far as it used. Once disembarking, we walked a little ways until we found a creek bed with lots and lots of rocks. Zoe & Daddy enjoyed throwing the rocks into the water for a while & we then we headed back down to catch the tram.

This is a picture by a SAGUARO catcus. They grow extremely slowly - Growth occurs in spurts, with most of it taking place in the summer rainy season each year. By the end of a year, the saguaro seedling may measure only 1/4 inch. After 15 years, the saguaro may be barely a foot tall. At about 30 years saguaro can begin to flower and produce fruits. By 50 years, the saguaro may be as tall as 7 feet. After about 75 years, it may sprout its first branches or "arms." The branches begin as prickly balls, then extend out and upward. - borrowed from the Saguaro National Park website. So, you can imagine how old this catucs must be.

McDonald's Pit Stop 1-7-2007

While leaving De Grazia, we detected a faint odor resulting in a pit stop at a McDonald's which of course had a play place. I think Zoe may have planned it that way...

1-7-2007 De Grazia Gallery in the Sun

Today we visited the De Grazia Gallery in the Sun. I've borrowed the description of it from their web-site...

"Beginning in the early 1950s, DeGrazia designed and built the Gallery in the Sun complex from the ground up with Native American friends who made traditional adobe bricks on the ten-acre foothills site. The first buildings include the Mission in the Sun, the artist's home, a studio and small gallery.

The main gallery opened in 1965, a place where the prolific artist could exhibit his growing collections of work. Six permanent collections of paintings trace historical events and native cultures of the Southwest. Rotating exhibitions display some of the 15,000 DeGrazia originals housed at the gallery, including oils, watercolors, sketches, serigraphs, lithographs, sculptures and ceramics.

Before his death in 1982, the artist created the DeGrazia Foundation to preserve his beloved Gallery in the Sun and display collections of his life's work for future generations."

It was a very neat place to visit & I could not imagine actually living in such a place. Zoe had a good time running around wanting to touch everything.

One of Zoe's favorite parts of Arizona was the rocks (which are everywhere!!). Here is a touching photo of her removing a rock from what we can only assume is De Grazia's grave.

1-6-2007 Our Trailer

Here is a picture of our home for the next 8 days. It is directly across the street from Grandma & Poppa. And, it is even smaller than it looks, but has all of the comforts of home. Grandma & Poppa added lots of nice little touches to make us feel welcome.

1-5-2007 Planes, Trams & Automobiles

Today, we rode in 2 cars, 2 trams & 2 planes. We arrived in Tucson this afternoon/evening after a relatively good, but l-o-n-g trip. Zoe had a good time on her first plane ride & after take-off in Detroit said, "That was awesome." The worst part on both flights was the descent when Zoe's ears started bothering her. She wouldn't do anything you told her to, i.e. yawn, chew, etc... I am sure it was made worse by the fact that she had so much congestion. Luckily, this part did not last too long. By far, Zoe's favorite part of the travelling was riding the trams. We killed time in Detroit, by riding them back & forth and then, had to ride another in Houston. Zoe was very excited to see Grandma & Poppa and is so far, having a great time. After a quick stop at the grocery store, we had supper at G&P's trailer and soon headed to ours for bed.

1-4-2007 Misc. Zoe Pictures...

Here are just a few random pictures from Zoe's camera. I think that they are really cute and give you some insight into the perspective of a 2 year old...

1-2-2007 Zoe Not Feeling Well

Last night, Zoe developed a rapsy cough & froggy voice that she still had when she woke up this morning. At one point this morning, she says..."Mommy, I lost my scream." And, she then, proceeded to demonstrate with a soundless scream that it indeed was gone. Although I feel bad that she does not feel well, I will enjoy the temporary repreive from her scream. :)

12-31-2006 Happy New Year!!

Because we didn't have enough Christmas parties this year, Tony & I decided to have a New Year's Eve party to celebrate our 5th anniversary (how time does fly). We invited friends, family & neighbors. Friends & neighbors showed up (apparently, our families are sick of seeing us at this point & opted not to come - just kidding everyone). It was a good time & a nice way to celebrate our anniversary. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures with my camera - but Zoe did manage to capture a few with hers. We still need to work with her on a few basics, like holding the camera still & focusing on your subject, but some of the pictures are pretty funny.

Miss Susan's knees....

Yes, I wore my wedding tiara...I've found there are few occasions you can get away with wearing it, so I took advantage while I could...

Happy New Year!!

12-30-2006 Christmas at Grandma Harts

Okay, this is it. Our last "official" Christmas (yes, we still have a few gifts to exchange, but the "big" ones are finished after this one). I promise.

Saturday, we drove down to Bluffton for Christmas at my Grandma's. Zoe got to open even more gifts - still loving it, of course. We had a nice meal, opened presents and then, went outside to play - without coats, very typical weather in Ohio at the end of December.

12-29-2006 Hart Christmas

Well, if you are keeping track this is our 4th "official" Christmas of the year - only 1 to go. Zoe may be beginning to think that we have Christmas all year long at this point.

Dad, Karen, Matt, Amanda, Jason & even Ben trekked up again to join us Friday evening to celebrate Christmas. Zoe had a great and really enjoyed her Cinderella pillow book, as well as her newborn Cabbage Patch Doll (the regular CP that she has is now the mommy of the newborn - it is really quite cute). Karen & I only exchanged the exact same gift 3 out of 5 times, I believe, (a horoscope calendar, the DvD "The Devil Wears Prada", and wristlets to go with our purses). Great minds, I guess...

More Christmas' to come

12-25-2006 Moyer Christmas

On Christmas Day, the celebration continued with the arrival of my Mom and Dave. A whole new stack of presents appeared at our house and we began opening then once Zoe awoke from her nap. This year, she really understands what is going on and the she is getting to unwrap presents (or 'rap presents as she says) and then gets to keep whatever is in each present. She even appreciates and oh's & ah's over the clothes. What fun!! She gots lots of neat presents from Grandma & Poppa including a bike and a dollhouse (furnished by Uncle Ben).

12-25-2006 Christmas Morning

On Christmas morning, Emily & Shannon were the first awake and mistakenly came to our room looking from Mommy & Daddy. After awaking us and realizing their error, they soon found Kathy & Jason. In the meantime, I got up and had to wake up Zoe (something I always hate to do) to go see what Santa left. The girls all opened their stockings. Zoe paused to admire each 7 every item for what seemed like 5 minutes. We hurried her along, so she could open her gifts from Santa which included a digital camera, a Cinderella doll and a Weeble castle (no mention of the Santa requested "baby doll house" which was to come later in day...whew!) The adults then checked to see what Santa left in their stockings & I believe a new tradition involving Santa leaving some sort of alcohol has begun. Mom and Dad joined us a little later for Christmas brunch and all too soon, the 2006 Bailey Christmas was over.

12-24-2006 Bailey Christmas Eve

We celebrated Christmas Eve with the Bailey side of the family at Kim & Andy's house in Howell, MI. My brother, Ben, even joined us for the festivities (and was nice enough to take a family photo for us... although someone needs to mention to Dad that it is Christmas and he really should be wearing red or green :) ). The girls played together relatively well and all enjoyed opening their presents. It was a pretty relaxed affair and we all enjoyed ourselves.

Following dinner, Tony, Kathy & I went to our church for the Christmas Eve bell choir service. It was quite lovely and our pastor even managed to fit college basketball into his sermon. Meanwhile, Jason & Ben brought the girls home and even "put them to bed". They were still awake when we returned, but were soon settled down and fast asleep awaiting Santa.

12-23-2006 Happy 40th Birthday Kim!!

Saturday evening, Tony & I along with Kathy & Jason joined Kim & Andy and some more of their friends to celebrate Kim's 40th birthday by taking a couples yoga class. (Mom & Dad graciously watched the 6 grand-daughters for us.) I think we were all pleasantly surprised by the class and especially by the fact that we weren't even close to being the giggliest people there. Plus, a night away from the children is a night away from the children. I might even try to coerce Tony into going again. We'll see... (sorry, no photos from yoga although I heard there was market for pictures of Jason participating...)

Following yoga, we went to an Irish pub for dinner, cake & presents.

Happy 40th Kim!!

12-23-2006 Happy 40th Anniversary Mom & Dad Bailey!!

For the past 6-7 months, I have been working on a 40th anniversary album for Mom & Dad Bailey. Saturday, it was finally done & finished. We finally gave it to them (their actual anniversary is November 19th) & I was a little sad to see it go. The "album" ended being two albums, 72 pages (39 layouts) and contained almost 400 photos. I ended up scanning/acquiring over 4 Gig of photos onto my computer alone. It is by far, my largest single project and probably took me over 200 hours to complete. We got photos from many family members and Tony even made a clandestine trip to their house to borrow some photos. We thank those who helped to complete this album and hope that Mom & Dad enjoy it for years to come. Happy Anniversary!!