Swim-Swim-Swim

We decided to enroll M in swimming lessons at the Y this year. It was great to have the opportunity to take a Saturday class so that Josh could join her for a weekly activity. I know they both enjoyed it so much!

Of course...I took a bazillion pictures. Just wanted to share a few.

She loved saying, "Swim, swim, swim." I love her fishie cheeks as she holds her breath.

My brother took her one Saturday when Josh was working. (Yea for Uncle!)

She loved swim class. But, she did not like splashing or getting water on her face. We could not get her to ever put her face in the water, or to try blowing bubbles.

Getting her duck.

One of her two Dora swim suits.

Fun, fun, fun!

Cutie!!!! Her newest suit from Gymboree...I couldn't help but buy it!

Trying to dive in.

Learning to hold herself on the side and move along the edge.

Playtime was always the last 10 minutes of class. Her favorite thing was dumping water on Josh's head.

They turned on the big slide for the first and last class...she loved it!

I'm sure we will have many fun swimming adventures this summer (if it ever gets here)!

Quack-Quack-Quack...

Whenever I think if ice skating...I think of The Mighty Ducks. Anyways.

Last Sunday we went ice skating to celebrate Josh's Birthday. As usual...the focus was mostly on M. Of course. Haha! (Josh really wanted her to try ice-skating, so that's why he chose it.)

We were so happy to be joined by our family and friends. There were three 2 year old toddlers that got to try ice skating for the first time. What great memories we all shared!

Putting on her skates!

On the ice!!!

Daddy and M with our friend, Erin, and her son, Nico.

She enjoyed being pushed fast by Josh.

Skating with our friend, Ryan, and his daughter (M's bestie), Sarah Grace.

Skating with Uncle.

Skating with Grandma and Daddy.

Being held and going fast with Uncle.

Love these two!


:) So glad we all had a fun day together!

M's 2nd Birthday Day

On the morning of her birthday, M woke up to her birthday sign hanging on our way. She loved it!

After her doctor's appointment...which went great...we headed to HyVee...and of course she got a birthday cookie and balloon from Mama.

Later on...Uncle, Grandpa, and Grandma all came over.

Uncle got her a new balance bike.

Daddy then showed up with her favorite: a balloon and flowers!

Grandma got her a dolly and a play toaster. I took pictures of her opening these gifts on Tracy's camera...and failed to get any on my own. Sorry!

Grandpa got her the Little People's Farm.

And...after dinner...she was sung the birthday song and got to enjoy some cake and ice cream. She is a pro at blowing out candles this year. I'm pretty sure that was her favorite part of the whole day! Haha!

It was a wonderful day celebrating our little girl turning 2!

The Birthday Party post will be up tomorrow!!!

M, Uncle, & The Balance Bike

My brother got M a balance bike for her birthday!

Anyways, I got quite a few photos of them together...including a few pretty funny ones...so, thought I would share them in a single post. Enjoy!

Trying to figure it out.

Posing for a pic with her new bike.

Awwww.

Onto the funny ones.

M's face made me smile.

And then this picture totally makes me laugh out loud!

Of course she decided she wanted to sit on her bike.

This one also makes me smile...I think she (we) were really testing Uncle's patience at this point.

Yay! In the end...we got a great picture. :)

Thanks for the awesome bike, Uncle!!!

Christmas 2011

I'm finally getting around to posting about our Christmas weekend festivities!

Christmas Eve morning started with kisses with Daddy!

After her morning nap and lunch, Grandma Tracy and Jeff arrived.

Then came her first chance at opening presents. She was a PRO and enjoyed ripping the paper.

After her afternoon nap, we got dressed up and headed to Great G'ma Bev and Great G'pa Louie's house for dinner, church, and more presents.

Santa visited...but she still kept her distance.

After more presents and time with family...we headed home! It was an exhausting but super fun day! I don't think M was home and in bed until around 10pm!

Christmas Day began with M finding a cookie in the gift bags from the night before that I left in her reach. Winky wanted her to share....

After breakfast, Daddy put together her new rocking chair from G'ma Tracy.

Uncle Brandon and G'pa Dave arrived early afternoon. No, she didn't get an i-phone from her Uncle. Haha!

And, then it was time for MORE unwrapping!

And time for lotto tickets! M was excited...but we didn't have any big winners. Bummer!

After dinner...G'pa spoiled her some more with ice-cream for dessert! She had a meltdown shortly after (overtired from being up late the night before) and was off to bed.

We did go overboard with gifts for M, so next year we're cutting back. And by we, I mean JOSH. He is such a sucker and loves spoiling her! He even bought her two new toys 2 days before Christmas! I was SO mad at him! Our house now looks like a play room, so I will be sorting and going through toys to re-organize and create some kind of rotation.

Final Christmas Thought: The holiday season is SO much more magical when you have a child to share it with. :) I think I felt that more this year because last year I was still in my anxiety-filled new mom stage. I think I'm slowing coming out of that stage. Well, I think I am...Josh probably doesn't...anyways, I digress.

Uncle Brandon's Debut on the Blog!

Last week my Dad and Brother came over to put together the last piece of furniture for the nursery. There were a LOT of pieces! It looked very complicated to me. I was glad they were there!

They made it seem pretty simple though...I guess following the directions probably helped!

Almost done...

FINISHED!

Josh and I really appreciated their help! I am also excited to one day be able to tell Baby Smyser that Grandpa Dave and Unckie Brandon (that's what Josh and I call him!) put this dresser together for him/her!

Only 11 more days until the 3d/4d ultrasound! I am getting anxious!