poor baby. poor bunny.

Easter is almost here!

A tradition has started to enjoy a little Easter Bunny Breakfast. Just mommies and kiddos. A couple of my best girlfriends and 4 boys and a little girl. In other words, Quinn and all her boys. :)

An egg hunt, breakfast, and pictures with the Easter bunny.
Unfortunately it was the chilliest day we have seen in all of March.
It didn't hold back the fun though.

ready for breakfast with the bunny.

one to remember :)   but....poor baby.

and...poor bunny.


Mommy's lap was a little more comforting.

Lots of love.  Lots of smiles.  Lots of fun (well maybe not with the bunny).
Another wonderful day.

big girl shoes.

Big girl shoes call for some big girl walking.

We feel a little bad that we didn't get her these big girl sturdy shoes earlier.  She has been walking all over for months , but still was not quite taking off without holding on to something.  As soon as we put these on she was all over!  Oops! 

A bad video (sorry) of these cute little feet moving.

Click here for that video.

Sometimes the walking doesn't always go as plan, and we get cute moments like this.

Click here to watch that moment.


Lots of time with daddy this week.
So nice to have a little more while he is off for Spring Break.

Have a great day!

on the court.

She is a coach's daughter.
She will grow up on the court.
She will crawl, walk, skip, run, roller skate and watch many games from the stands.
She will always be a part of the magic and spirit that takes place on a court.
It is unlike any other.
I am so happy she will grow up with this. I already know all that it will instill in her as a person, and it comforts me.

Last night we went to the boys' season home opener. Quinn's first volleyball game as a toddler. And after last night, probably one of the few as a toddler. :) She loved it, she was excited, but I spent the entire night chasing after a fast girl who wanted so badly to get onto the court where the action was. She got a crazy workout in, and so did I! It was constant movement, as she only wanted to be down on the court and not restricted to my (normally chosen) arms. She is a girl who already loves the game. However, I don't think we were able to see more than a single play of the entire match. So, I'm not so sure there will be many Quinn will attend during this stage (unless I ever have company with me, another set of hands to trade off with definitely helps). By the time it was all done, I think it is fair to say I was probably way more exhausted than any of the athletes on the court.

The picture above, is truly the one moment I had a still child. :)
And probably because she had a corn puff in her mouth to slow her down for a second. Quick grabbed my point and shoot, because I realized then I may not have many opportunities to capture her at this age, in a place that will one day become like a second home... on the court.


As I quickly realized we were not watching the game, I sought for some quiet, and a new environment to distract her. We headed out of the warm gym into the absolutely gorgeous 76 degree evening sunshine outdoors that was calling to us, and we found ourselves a quiet football field. It was empty, a few hurdles set up on the track, a young boy off to the side punting a football, and a setting sun gleaming off the bleachers. And I realized right then and there it is a happy place for me.   It calms me, clears my head and immediately floods me with happy thoughts. A football field on a cool fall day, a track on a warm spring day, a court filled with fans on the edge of their seats during an exciting game, it all calls to me and it makes me happy.

Well, I am a coach's daughter after all.

so big.

There are moments when you realize your itty bitty baby is not so itty bitty anymore.

This new addition to our fridge captured one of those moments.

That little S of a snake makes this one proud mama.
Quinn attended her first Toddler Time class this morning. It was "S" day.
There were stories beginning with "S" read and songs sung. There was a special "S" craft and even an "S" treat (sherbet ice cream - yum!) I was quite impressed with this little class, all for one dollar ...fantastic and Quinn had fun and that is the most important part.
As for that snake craft, it's probably 80% mommy 20% Quinny as she was the youngest in the class, but she was such a big girl at that table and had her first experience with finger paints.

I'm so excited to be doing all these new and fun things together with her now that she is officially a toddler. Other than Toddler Time at the Library, we also are Gymboree class regulars now. I am so excited about that, and Quinn will be so excited when we go back for our next class. She LOVED it!
It all makes me realize what a big girl she is becoming.

Otherwise, most days we are happily playing at home. :) The awesome weather of March has increased walks, park visits, and playing outside.
Quinn's 12 hour day-time portion of a day primarily consists of:

15% Chasing Lucy
15% eating
30% napping
15% reading books
15% cozying with her stuffed animals
10% cuddles and kisses

and throw in bathtime every other night in there too. :)

Books and stuffed animals are Quinn's favorite things.
She cuddles with her animals all the time. It's the cutest.

She is such a happy girl.

She has really been interested in learning more about her mommy lately.  She pulls out my Educator of the Year book about once a day and really looks through it carefully.

Our windows are the perfect height for this curious little girl.

no tippy toes needed.

such a big girl.

She is excited that her little cousin is growing fast and getting big too!
She can't wait for a girl playmate, although her boys love her so much too. :)
Here is our adorable little niece/Quinny's cousin - Brynn - 4 months
Look at those blue eyes!

Have a great day!

what I learned today.

I learned that this little girl...

is a silly little ham.

Quinn attended her first little toddler class and it was memorable. It was her first time being in a structured group and being around others of the same age group (especially other little girls).

I was the mom going in hoping my shy little girl who sticks to my side around other people would venture out to explore. Well, not only did she have no problem venturing out, she somehow became "that girl", you know, the social butterfly that wants to know every little thing going on and be friends with every single playmate possible in the room. The one that eats up all of the attention as other parents are entertained by her silly, singing, dancing adorable self (while all of their children stay close to their sides) and mine is in the middle of the circle underneath the draping parachute swiveling her hips and snapping one hand like she is in some music video. Yup. That's my girl. I loved every single second of being able to see this side of her around other people. I've always seen this little silly imaginative little girl, but around others in her age group it definitely stood out how much her little personality shined. It made me smile so big, because of all the hopes I have most in the world it is for her to be herself, be strong, be kind, and let herself shine.

Aside from our little star who I've determined will have some artistic (song or dance) about her, she also played very well with the other kids. And her sweetness was apparent through her play, her smiles, her joy and that anytime the teacher stopped talking Quinn would clap. It was seriously so cute, and the teacher ate it up, thanking her each time for her applause.

When your kids are around peers, it definitely teaches you more about them. Things you already knew, but think is just typical of all children at that age.  But you discover it isn't typical and you learn more about what makes them stand out in this big world.

Quinn, you are so sweet and care about what is going on with others around you. I know you will be an amazing friend. You already show what a good listener you are, and focus when others are talking to you. You make good eye contact too. :) Your personality shines and you share your happiness to others by your infectious smiles and giggles. Others are drawn to you. You have a serious beat to you when you dance, and you've got more than just a few moves. We listen to music all the time and you love it. You are so responsive to others, and I've realized that you respond to everything. I am SO proud of that in you and it is definitely a unique trait to a little toddler like you. There is a very silly side to you that makes us laugh constantly, and a dramatic side that makes you strong and independent. We love every single little bit of you and love getting to know you more and more everyday.

With our first gymboree class being such a great experience (and she loved it so much), we are going to turn it into a regular weekly class for us. And I'm really excited about it, I'm sure Quinn is too!

It has been so fun to get more involved in new activities. We also have a Toddler Time Library class we attend now as well. It's all so fun.
New activities also means making new friends and meeting new people and I love that side of it.
I had the funniest conversation with my sister the other day that started with her saying this "I got picked up at the park today". And me "huh?" Well it turns out another mom was there with her baby and started up conversation and then slowly led into "Well, I'm sure you probably have lots of friends, but if you ever want to hang out..." and then an exchange of numbers for play dates. Leading my sister to talk about how awkward it is to get "picked up"/make new friends. It's like the beginning stages of dating. And this comparison just made me laugh, but it is so true.
I called her two days later following our new gymboree class to tell her "Guess what, I got picked up twice today!"
All things funny aside, it is so nice to meet new people. Gymboree will hopefully bring us new friendships and some play dates with other kids Quinn's age.


Happy St. Patty's Day!
A gorgeous day led us to the park.

dancing her Irish jig.

We see this finger to the mouth look a lot lately.  sometimes it's like Dr. Evil on Austin Powers though.

another adorable outfit made by grandma.  and the little booty is always the best.

Have a wonderful weekend!

storytime for bear.

We went on a little adventure today and decided to read a story for bear.
And where do bears like to be read to?

In the woods of course. :)

"I will be reading Brown Bear Brown Bear by Eric Carle"  she says.

"Mama, are there brown bears up in the trees?"

we giggle when we get to the brown bear page.

and then we take bear to see the lake.

and squish our feet in the grass.

and take in every single ounce of a beautiful day.

ready to go.

Our adventures are the best and I'm so grateful for them.

Quinn's wardrobe:  a 3-6 month dress we pulled out from the fall that still fits and put it together with some jeggings.  I love that we can still get great use out of a lot of her clothes.  Only for a girl though can you make it work in new ways.

piggies, booty shakin' and sunshine.

hello sunshine. welcome spring.

Winter came and went so fast you barely saw or felt it.   Before we knew it, it was time to "spring ahead" already.  I won't complain. Spring and Fall are my favs and they have been putting up a fight for more of a presence. I cheer for them and enjoy watching their triumph over winter or the scorching days that may show in summer.

With this little girl around seasons are so much brighter than before. Spring is more meaningful than I've ever known. Spring is sweet, and right now it is absolutely scrumptious.

girl was on a mission today.

and she found a little boy to chase down the block.  warm weather brings neighbors outside and together.

60's and 70's are here for the week.
I think it may have even been warmer here than at Grandpa & Grandma's in Florida today.


There are moments that bring about a great excitement during the stages of infant and toddlerhood and one snuck in and surprised me with how exciting it was.

Piggies.

Piggies are here and I'm excited. Not just for piggies but for everything that is oh so girly. Putting piggies in her hair was like "first tooth" exciting for me. I loved it.

I am SO in love with being a mama of a little girl.   And this particular little girl, oh my word is she precious.  seriously.

and right now this absolutely precious little girl with piggies...she loves to dance.
and this little outfit is a favorite of mine, we pulled it out from the fall and it still fits (6-9 month). yay! It is ADORABLE on her.

On most days you will find us with music on in the background, playing, reading and lots and lots of dancing.

To watch our little booty shaker click here.

and to see some more plus a little dancing like auntie amy click here for extra cuteness.


Have a great week!
Enjoy the sunshine and dance a little too. :)

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, you would think we had been on vacation.  A little bit of a different vacation I guess, away from the computer and my camera.  Picking it up again and heading outside today was refreshing and felt brand new.  I love spring.