I figured I’d start a new tradition, I’m going to take a picture a day during the month of May, Bailey’s birth month. I got the idea from Kristen Cook Photography, she takes a photo a day during the month of January. I didn’t really want to do January as the photo a day project, I liked the idea of starting the project when Bailey gets a year older, and since her birthday is on the 1st, it works out perfectly. I hear three is a big age for kids, and I’m sure every parent has heard the expression that it all goes by quick. I already take a lot of photos of my daughter, but probably closer to 3-5 days out of the week do I actually get my camera out and photograph her. So this was almost a challenge, but the real challenge ended up being unable to decide one photo for the day, so many days I wanted to choose 2 or 3. Once we got to about 10 days into this, we were about to leave the house and Bailey reminded me to grab my camera. I love capturing her in her natural state while playing, it really encapsulates her real life day to day. Not too long ago I got over trying to pose her for photos. Well, really, she got over it and let me know it wasn’t fun for her. The last thing I want to do is put a camera in her face and force her to pose and smile when she doesn’t want to. Just like with anything I’m sure no one wants to force their child to do something they don’t want to. I’ll admit, it was a little awkward bringing my camera into the grocery store the first time. Here you have it, Bailey’s first 31 days as a three-year-old.

 

May 1, [1655] Bailey’s birthday! No she didn’t actually eat all three cupcakes, she barely ate one. Me however, I ate like 13 cupcakes. That’s probably an underestimate too.

May 2, [1634] there is a playground right around the corner from daycare, and Bailey asked to go, so who was I to say no?

May 3, [1003] Bailey’s 3 year check up. I’m pretty sure every time we’ve been to the doctor’s office, even while sick, she tears up that paper on the exam bed.

May 4, [1551] my favorite place in Fort Worth, the Botanic Garden’s. It’s rarely crowded and Bailey has so much space to run wild. Plus they have geckos everywhere, and we go gecko scouting, while running around with sticks of course.

May 5, [1541] I got out of work early and we had just enough time to make a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo, and no trip to the zoo is complete without going to the atrium and feeding the birds. Bailey’s favorite spot, second favorite is the MOLA exhibit.

May 6, [1122] seashell hunting! It wasn’t the plan for the day, we went to check out the park nearby that has been under construction for the last year, and we found this sweet little spot. What started out as spotting one seashell turned into me bringing home about 20 seashells and a rock with seashell impressions.

May 7, [0755} lazy Sunday. The day can’t start until you eat a solid breakfast naked.

May 8, [1630} we went back to the park nearby to explore more parts because we had only made it to the entrance when we saw the little river with seashells. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Bailey play outside where she hasn’t picked up a stick. As she was raising the stick in the air she was shouting “I’m Bailey!”

May 9, [1653] see what I mean about the sticks? I find sticks and rocks at home all the time while cleaning. She some how sneak them in.

May 10, [1630] on this supposed to be raining all day, except it was just really cloudy instead, we went shopping at Central Market. We went to HEB a few weeks ago and they had a super tiny basket that is supposed to be used in the cosmetics department, but it was up front with all the large hand held baskets, but Bailey saw it and had to use it, and ever since then shes wanted to hold a basket, but they were too big, so I found a tiny one for her and she was excited to use it at the grocery store.

May 11, [1651] I am still active duty in the Marines, so I do that job every day, and at the end of today I broguht Bailey back to my office. I turned on some PJ Masks while she lounged in one of the office chairs.

May 12, [1643] we went outside to eat a pre-dinner snack, we forgot silverware,  but thats ok, we just used sticks instead.

May 13, [1233] earlier in the day we went to get my state inspection on my car, then Bailey treated me to a massage while I watched the Hunger Games.

May 14, [1155] we spent Mother’s Day relaxing in the shade at the Botanic Gardens eating fruit, afterward we found danilions and set them free!

May 15,  [1658] we made a trip to Half Price Books after I got off work.

May 16, [0646] I typically let Bailey eat a snack on our way to daycare, she eats breakfast usually 45 minutes after I drop her off, except today daycare wasn’t letting any kids in because the power was out, so I broguht Bailey back to my office and she ate all of my breakfast.

May 17, [1606]it may look like shes posing for the camrea, but really she was so tired from running around at the park she sat down, and then she was showing me her elbow because I had said I was bitten by a bug on my elbow, so she was was checking if her elbow was all clear.

May 18, [1605] ah, the grocery store, we come here probably 4 times a week, and it’s Bailey’s second favorite place, the zoo is first of course.

May 19, [1627] Back to the Botanic Gardens, two favorite things mixed into one. Jumping, while holding a stick, except this stick still had leaves on it, so I guess a branch…

May 20, [1410] Bailey wanted to wear pajamas after her bath, so why not?

May 21, [1030] Who doesn’t like a nice refreshing drink after running rampant at the park.

May 22, [1551] We stopped at the zoo and we were looking at the hippo exhibit, which Fort Worth Zoo’s hippo exhibit is by far the worst hippo exhibit I’ve ever seen, but the hippo was actually out walking around, which was a first for us to see.

May 23, [1718] We made it home before the rain, and then Bailey asked to go out and play in the rain, so of course we did.

May 24, [1729] Flex. Actually she’s moving the hair out of her eyes with her stick, but showing off her muscles at the same time.

May 25, [1759] Because eating Jello with a spoon isn’t as fun.

May 26, [2020] Bath time. The truth is, we got to the end of the day and I didn’t really care for any of the photos I took earlier, and you can’t go wrong during bath time.

May 27, [1016] She had shoes on when we got to the park…

May 28, [0935] Saturday night I put away all the markers and crayons, I always keep them in out of reach area, but I couldn’t find the red one, I figured Bailey had just tossed it in the trash,  but Sunday morning I found the red marker. I was in the other room planning an upcoming newborn session, maybe about 8 minutes, and Bailey came in and said “ta-da” It pained me a little to make this one black and white, but to keep with the theme I decided to.

May 29, [1533] I usually prefer to bring Bailey to parks, but we went to a playground this time, and though you don’t see the dog often in photos, he’s usually close by.

May 30, [1729] Sticks, rocks and water. What else does a toddler need?

May 31, [1701] I kind of phoned this one in. We were just playing on the porch, and it was hot! You can see the sweaty hair on her forehead.