Ketchup Tastes Good!

We have found a new trick to convince Bella that vegetables taste good--Ketchup! Just put a few drops on broccoli and voila! You have a bowl of yummy goodness. Talk about deceptively delicious! No cookbook necessary--just a few well-placed condiments. She really gets into her eating right now. She's getting pretty good with the spoon. We never realized how difficult utensils are to maneuver. I guess it's like using chopsticks for the first time. Very tricky. She's doing alright though. She does have an entire cheering section--as you can see. It must be pretty motivating to have people get so excited at everything you do. Hopefully this doesn't inspire her compete in eating contests in the future.

Helping Mommy Cook

I dragged this chair into the kitchen so Bella could have a better vantage point to "help" me cook. All she wanted to do was sit on it. She would not stand up to wash her hands or to help me make dinner. She did really enjoy sitting there though.

Bella Laughing

Here's a little gift for those of you that have been anxiously anticipating another post. Nothing is more adorable than hearing Bella really crack up. Yesterday, I stayed home because she had a really high fever. Just before I took her to the pediatrician (she ended up having an ear infection), I was checking my work email and overheard Bella laughing hysterically around the corner from me. I watched for a minute and then grabbed the camera. Luckily I caught a really good belly laugh on camera. I think she may have been a little delirious from that fever! The really good laugh happens about two minutes into the video. For those of you that can't tell, she's playing with the dog leashes that are hanging down from some hooks on the wall--some people that saw the blog were wondering what the heck she was playing with.
It's also important to note that this laugh attack happened about two hours after she had a temperature of 102.7 and threw up all over my uniform while I was trying to give her some Motrin. It was quite a morning. Sorry that the video is sideways--I can't figure out how to rotate it.

Happy Halloween!

From October 2008

From October 2008

Bella was a turtle for Halloween. She told us that is what she wanted to be a few months ago when "turtle" became her favorite word. She can pick a turtle out of a crowd no problem. She also thinks that the little TIVO guy on the TV is a turtle. Whenever we are trying to select some fine programs from our TIVO list, she runs toward the TV yelling, "Turtle!" Green peas...turtles too. I guess I can see the resemblance. So, the Halloween costume was an easy choice.

From October 2008

From October 2008

We went to the neighborhood Halloween pot-luck. It was a very good time, and there was tons of yummy food and-of course-candy. Mommy and Daddy dressed up as Salt and Pepper shakers. Not bad for creating costumes in less than an hour. And we also had helmets in case any angry children started throwing candy.

From October 2008

From October 2008

From October 2008

Bella went for her first trick-or-treating adventure with the neighbors. She did carry her own candy, but Daddy had to carry her. She tends to walk opposite of the desired direction of travel, so this was not the year for her to walk herself to the doors. She didn't really say anything except for the occasional "Bye!" at any of the houses. I was hoping that she would announce that she was a turtle, but she got a little shy with the strangers throwing candy into her pumpkin. I guess that's not a bad thing. Her favorite activity was inventorying all of her candy afterwards. She spend at least a half-hour taking candy out and putting it back into her pumpkin. What a cutie! It was a really great Halloween! I can't believe that last Halloween she couldn't even sit up on her own. At this rate, she'll be going to college next Halloween!

Outer Banks 2008

This week we went to the Outer Banks for a week of relaxation and fun with the families of three of Todd's buddies from school. It was an EXCELLENT time. Everyone got along great, and the kids were all fantastic. Todd's friend M found us an awesome house in Corolla, NC. It was right across the street from the beach. We had two good summer days, and the rest were windy fall days. So, it was a nice mix. We never did get to see the mythical Corolla wild horses, but M did hear them neighing. :) Bella had a great time with Lex who is 18 months old. After hanging out with her, Bella decided that walking is cool, so she's been determined that crawling is not for her ever since. The two "older" kids, Liv and Z were best buds and were really great with the younger ones.
There were three families for most of the week. The P's joined us on Thursday with little E. Everybody fit right in and had a great time together. Good job to the S family for bringing the Wii. After the kids went to bed, that thing was responsible for lots of fun nights and tired mornings. Wii Karaoke was definitely the fave.
We figured out that we could definitely handle the beach house lifestyle. Maybe we could all set up an island hopper float-plane company. Any takers? I think I still remember how to fly. :)
Thanks to everyone that was there for making it a fabulous vacation. We are looking forward to another fun-filled week next year!!

Happy 1st Birthday Bella!!!

From August 2008

Wow! We can't believe our precious little baby is one year old. This year has flown by, and it has been amazing!
There was a man who locked himself in the basement of a library for a year, and read the entire Oxford English Dictionary. He found wonderful words that he never knew existed that could describe the indescribable. For example, (I don't remember the word), but there is a word in the English language for the way the street smells right after it rains.
Well, I challenge anyone to invent a word that encapsulates the awesomeness of Bella. This word has to describe a lot of things. Someone who is adorable beyond measure (look at those cheeks). Someone who finds excitement in everything ("wow!" is her favorite word) Someone who gives the best hugs first thing in the morning. Someone who loves music, animals (even Capo), and causing mischief. Someone who always makes us laugh. Someone whose smile can melt your heart. Someone who makes this world seem so much more beautiful every day.
All those words describe little pieces, but, none can quite describe the joy of watching her grow and being with her every day. It is just a constant wonderful miracle to witness her discovering the world in the darned cutest ways.
We love you Bella! We are so blessed to have you in our family!
Thank so much to all those who sent sweet birthday gifts and wishes to Bella. She is a very loved little girl, and she sends big hugs out to all of you.

Birthday Party #3

On the day of her birthday we had a little family party with Mommy, Daddy, G-ma and Gramma. Right during her party Bella got a phone call from Aunt Dawny's Family and Aunt Robin's Family. They both sang her Happy Birthday on speakerphone. She loved it! She was laughing and saying "wow!" the entire time.
As you can all see, by this time, Bella got the hang of the cake and icing thing. No more daintiness for her. She dove right in this time. Since it was her second cupcake of the day, and Mommy wanted her to go to sleep before midnight, Mommy helped her out with her cupcake a little bit. :) Then we opened presents. She is one lucky girl. She got some fun toys, cute clothes, and some amazing books. Thanks to everyone for all of the sweet, thoughtful gifts. She was definitely excited about all of her presents.