Goodbye Gymboree...

Well, technically it's called Baby Bugs.  Simone has spent the last seven months in a class at Aspire Gymnastics where she's been learning to socialize with other kids, bounce on trampolines, and climb everything!

The class is for kids 0-15 months, and we've reached the end of our time there.  Sad that it's over, but she's had an amazing time.  I highly recommend Aspire, and truly if we could do both swim & gymnastics right now, we would be moving on to the next class.  The best part about Baby Bugs is it is FREE.  They offer paid classes for all ages, as well as open gym.  Simone's teacher, Coach Kat was patient, and helpful with the kids.  The Moms (& Dads) also had a great time chatting and getting to socialize while the kids tear around.

Aspire is the training facility of the ASU Men's Gymnastics team, and there are regularly guys & girls there doing amazing things!  So, if you are in the area, check it out!

Going back through my photos I realized just how much Simone has grown up since starting there. 

Our first time at Baby Bugs...

Other fun moments from our time there...

Our last day, yesterday morning... Doing her favorite thing, the trampoline!

 A little note, there were so many activities that we did there that I could not capture pictures of while wrangling Simone.  They have a great foam pit the kids can get it, super bouncy trampolines, a tumbling track, uneven bars, beams, etc.  I can't say enough about how great of a place it is... but, I will say we will be back someday!



I'm not about that park life.

The park.  Ahhh the location of so many play dates, birthday's, and hang outs.  And I'm just totally grossed out by the giant litter box.  Ok, so I'm half kidding here.  The park isn't that bad.  We always have a good time when we go.  I'm not sure what part of me can't seem to be "all in" when it comes to the park.  Although, I'm guessing it's the the type A, control freak of a mother, who never wants her baby dirty, part.  Blerg.

Let me stop right there.  I will say that I not only let her get dirty, I encourage it.  It's a huge part of learning for her, and for me, too.  She has even put a handful of that sand in her mouth.  Of course, she quickly spat it out when she realized she was eating pebbled poison!  And, the sand... the sand is EVERYWHERE.  And, by going to the park I've signed  up for two days of finding sand on her body... even after a tubby.  Since I have a 15 month old I better get used to it, right?!  And, Mom friends, please accept the weird creature that I am.

Things are getting better at the park as she can experience more, and pulling her in the wagon on the way is bliss!  Taking Simone to the park with Landon (her big cousin) is also a great way to curb me hating on the park.  Those two can make anything fun and adorable.  So, I'm making progress on my journey to loving the park.
Give me time.

"we should go play in the grass, it's more fun..." - me

Are there any regular kid things that give you the heebie jeebies?

Fall Flashback - Mother Nature's Farm

While I was on my blogging break, I missed posting some really cute pics of Simone.  Here's a little flashback to our trip to Mother Nature's Farm.

We visited Mother Nature's Farm in Gilbert, Arizona for some fall fun and cute pictures.  Simone had such a great time on the hayride (although, I was paranoid something would happen the whole time), and looking at the animals.  It's a sweet little place.  Which is perfect for younger kids who can make the trek around bigger farms like Schnepf Farms.  Plus the price of $3.00 for adults & kids over three can't be beat!  

We had fun hanging with our friends  in the piles of pumpkins, got some really cute pics, and packed our lunches for a quick snack while we enjoyed the day.  Simone sure loves giving Logan kisses!

They also have a deal on Friday's where all pumpkins (any size) are $5.  So even the gigantic pumpkins can be hauled away for really cheap!  This is great if you are doing a cute pumpkin set up by your front door.  But, beware if you live in Arizona, or more accurately Ahwatukee right off the mountain ... a pack of javelinas ate EVERY pumpkin off of our doorstep.  They literally ate everything except for the stem.  Crazy, right?  

Such a great day... Fall in AZ... we wear shorts!

Another great bonus, this adventure wiped out Simone (who has energy for days), and she slept two & a half hours after leaving.  Fall in Arizona isn't really fall... it's more like spring, hence why she's not wearing leggings, a hat, or socks & shoes. 

We will have a few more flashbacks coming your way, soon!

Simone's Nine Month Favorites

Tomorrow Simone will be TEN months old.  How are we already in the double digit months?!  That seems all out crazy to me.  And, everyone was right.  The first year is FLYING by.  Since she's hitting the big 1-0 tomorrow I figured I better post her nine month favorites.  Of course, it's all about the toys right now, or the things she WANTS to be toys.  Here are her top dogs.

 

Leap Frog Music Table - Chatter Telephone - Mega Blocks Wagon

 

I will say the blocks top everything.  While we were on vacation in late July Grandma in Michigan had this set & Simone would carry a block everywhere she went.  That meant when I got home, I was on the hunt for the same wagon & blocks.  Luckily, I found it quickly and now we have our very own set up here.

 

Simone's crawling has turned from cute little army crawls around a small area, into a little speed demon tearing ass across our house.  She is wicked fast (said in a Boston accent) & I can usually be found just trying to keep up.  She's also in full on "pull up and walk around the couches, end tables, coffee tables, cabinets, whatever she can grab" phase, too.  I'm not sure exactly what this is called... but I call it "give Mom a heart attack every five minutes or so". 

 

I've had to remove all of my cute decorations from end & coffee tables.  She will literally throw anything she gets her sweet little mittens onto across the house.  It was turning into a shit show of me picking it all up and trying to teach her "no".  Clearly, she doesn't get it yet... or doesn't want to.  Either way we've packed away most of the decorative items for a later date.

 

We recently started Simone in gym classes & swim lessons.  I'm going to dedicate posts to both and where we've decided to join soon.  She is absolutely LOVING being around other kids and I'm LOVING her getting out some of her endless energy. 

 

More soon.  I'm off to get a facial at a spa right now.  Wait, WHAT?!  No, seriously... this Mom needs some "ME" time in the worst way today.  Make sure you're taking some for yourself, too!

 

xo

Ever Try to Save a Few Seconds, and Make Things Crazier?

Apples for the first time

Well, I have.  Did it yesterday!  Simone has been a little fussy about me feeding her.  Don't get me wrong, this chick loves to eat!  She eats all of her food and takes a boobie for dessert after every meal.  But, apparently I'm way too slow at getting the spoon refilled and in her mouth.  I think if I worked a two spoon tactic it might go better.  She's very independent when it comes to certain things, and she grabs the spoon from me to try to feed herself.  Problem is, her coordination just isn't there yet, so food goes every where!

Peas.  See that grab?  That's what I'm on about...

So, what's a genius like me to do?  I've heard from Moms about these food pouches that kids love.  And, I'm such a Rhodes scholar I thought, PROBLEM SOLVED!  Let's give Simone the chance to feed herself!  Entering Target I sashayed towards the baby food section.  Just full of myself thinking look at me... promoting independence in my sweet girl, who's far superior to other seven moth old babes who need to be spoon fed.  Motherhood has a way of not only knocking you off of your high horse, but it kicks you several times after you've fallen into a pile of horse "S".

Oh, look at that sweet face.  So smart... so wonderfully behaved.  After showing her how to squeeze it a few times, and her doing it perfect (perfect = a few dribbles) I was completely full of myself.  More like full of something else.

She was telepathically telling me... "Mom, this is better."  We have this "connection" you know... 

Engage palm to face.  

I walk away to grab a bib, and suddenly hear a loud squeal followed by banging.  I look over and she's slamming the pouch on the table of her high chair.  Running towards her she's splashing me (and our walls, curtains, and dog) with apricots & sweet potatoes.  After I grabbed the pouch I had to snap this picture.  That little monkey was in hog heaven.  

 Ryder (our dog) was already running around taking care of the mess on the floor.  Kids love dogs, and dogs sure as shit love kids.  I had to post this picture on my Facebook & Instagram, because I had proudly posted her feeding herself moments earlier.  It was like Mommy karma.  Simone learned a bit about sarcasm, too.  As I told her "I really WANTED to wash the walls & curtains anyways", with an added Liz Lemon eye roll.  

And, you KNOW the cheap-o in me came out.  I scraped up every bit of food that landed on her or the high chair that I could and spoon fed her.  Don't worry, I went extra slow to try and teach her something.  Kidding of course.  

So, for the record, those pouches are pretty cool.  But I'm taping up plastic tarps next time... or doing what I should be doing, sitting there helping her keep it (somewhat) clean.

Hope you all got a kick out of it.  My best friend called me and could barley breathe when she saw the pics!

Simone's Six Month Favorites

I figured I better get on it and post Simone's six month favorite things before she turns seven months in a few days.  Seriously... seven months?!  Insane in the membrane.

Anyways, Simone's really into slamming toys together right now.  She's learning some major cause and effect when she accidentally hits herself in the head with one.  When Todd comes home from work, I'm always telling him... don't worry about the mark on her cheek, or the scratch across her face...she was playing rough today.  Wild child.

Because of this need to slam everything around she's LOVING her exersaucer.  I posted about it here.  If you are interested in one, they have a zillion different types, but we got her the Bright Stars one available on that link... but we scored ours from Craigslist.  Retail is a naughty word in this house.

All of her past favorites still apply... Sophie is still her lovey.  Can something that's a chew toy be a lovey?  Well, it's her baby for sure.  But, now that she's very interactive she's taken to stuffed animals.  

She especially loves her "Violet" by LeapFrog.  The coolest thing about her is you can program you baby's name into Violet.  You can also program songs, colors, favorite foods, etc.  You do this by hooking up Violet to your computer through a USB cord that comes with her, it takes you to the LeapFrog website to program.  This means, when I finally hit my limit of hearing "Wheels on the Bus" I can head over to their website and take that song off her repertoire. 

Simone also LOVES board books.  Any book she can chew on, throw, and hang onto she really loves right now.  I totally understand now why parents are always carrying around books that look like the dog ate them.  I am now that parent.  There is one book in particular that her Doctor gave us (for free) that she's obsessed with.  She didn't get the memo to love the books Mommy spent $$ on more... isn't that always the case?

And, finally... although it's not qualified as a toy... Simone is most interested in ANYTHING YOU HAVE.  This includes jewelry, menus, forks, napkins, straws, pens, wallets, iPhones and watches.  She is at the grab anything in her reach stage... so that's a whole new level of fun.  

She definitely knows what she likes, and doesn't like these days.  Her little personality is so funny, and sweet... but it's also very stubborn.  Hummm... do we blame that one on Mom or Dad?

Bye Bye Bumbo & Hello First Tooth

Life has proven to be a bit busy lately, but I wanted to jump on here and get some thoughts out before time got away from me again.

Last week we retired the bumbo... sad day.  I loved watching this little sweetie in her bumbo while I cooked, showered, and got ready for the day.  Alas, she escaped from it by pulling her right leg under her and launching out head first.  After the tears were dried, I got to researching exersaucers.  This little one loves her new toy!

From Bumbo to Bouncer

I posted about our struggles with the first tooth... and boy were those nights a challenge.  But, it seems things are calming down around here with the grand entrance of the first official tooth!  This thing is sharp as can be, and it's earned her the nick name Sharp Tooth around our house. 

A bit tough to see but the bottom tooth has popped through!

More to come on our recent goings-on.  Hopefully I'll get a full nap today from her and will be able to catch up on blogging.  Bye for now!