Our Little Valentine

It was one year ago today that MISS BELLA BOO joined our little family. More than anything, I'm glad we've managed to keep her alive since we had and still have no idea what we're doing. Thinking over the past couple days has brought back so many memories. A flood of emotions has come rushing back. All the anticipation, the adrenaline rush of realizing that I was in labor while at a Valentine's dinner, the intense pain (and yes I still have a very clear recollection of the pain), the countless sleepless nights, the amazing bond and shear joy I felt and still feel while rocking my little one to bed. Bella has brought so much into our lives and filled a void we never knew we had. I don't remember what life was like without her and couldn't be happier that I don't. She is so pleasant and easy going and has the funniest little personality. She's our little sweetheart. I've said it before, but this has been the fastest year of my life. Almost daily there's some new milestone she reaches. She never ceases to amaze me.

Here are some pictures of Bella this year:

Aunt Brynn holding Bella in the hospital

Right after she got all cleaned up. I couldn't get over how curly and dark her hair was.

In the cutest little white dress from Grandma Bushman.

She would sleep so well in her car seat.

Pics at 8 days old.

Her first Easter.

Bella's blessing day. In the blessing dress that Grandma Bushman made just for her.

First Boat ride and trip to Lake Mead. Grandma and Grandpa May got Bella the smallest life jacket they make (the only way Bryan could convince me to take her on the boat).

Happy Father's Day So happy after a long nap. Nap time is my FAVORITE time of the day! Having fun with Uncle Brent on you first Disneyland trip.

My grandpa took some pictures for us a few weeks ago. These are a few of my favorites.

Bella's First Birthday Party 02/14/2009

Opening presents with my help.

In her own princess chair which she LOVES! Thanks Houghs!

So ready to eat some cake!

A little timid with the first taste, but it was ALL over from there.

Very happy about the cake!Getting cleaned up in Grandma's perfect bath sink. If you look closely you can see Bella's dyed bright pink face. Quincy just couldn't stand it and needed to "take a bath with Bella". These two have so much fun together!Hyped up on sugar and definitely not having the picture taking!



Bryan and I enjoying our Valentine's evening IN!

How the Time Flies

Well they say time flies when you're having fun and until this past year I never really believed it. Everyone told me right before Bella was born to enjoy each stage because they grow up so fast, but seriously I never expected it to go THIS fast. I didn't even realize it's been like four months since I've even updated this. But in an effort to remember this past fall and beginning of winter, I've decided to post some pics (of Bella).

Bella LOVES her bathtime!

Bella obviously not super excited to be in the carseat again. We can't wait for the day when she can sit in a front facing seat-- only 3 more lbs. to go!!!

Bella's hair has gotten so long! She loves to pull her ponies out (which doesn't make mommy very happy) and to play with it while she's drinking a bottle-- just like her mommy used to when she was little. She loves to play with my hair as well-- whenever I'm holding her she's got at least one handful of it.
Along with so much hair comes CRAZY bedhead! This picture doesn't even do it justice. LOL-- the whole right side was stuck straight out.

We call Bella our little scrounge because no matter what we're eating she has to have it as well. Most of the time she's really good about eating, but every now and then she doesn't like the texture of what she's been "scrounging" for and spits it all out. She's like a food magnet though. She definitely prefers "real" food over baby food and in this pic she's eating one of her favorites-- cut green beans-- while watching the Disney channel.
I know it was forever ago, but Bella was a ladybug for Halloween (along with like every other girl under the age of 3). She even went trunk or treating with her Grandma and Grandpa May. And as always Grandma Bushman gave out amazing candy (that Bryan and I couldn't resist like the whole week before Halloween-- anyone who knows my mom, knows how crazy she is about candy). Bella got some special tricks and treats from grandma and LOVED this sucker!Bella struggles when it comes to getting dressed. She thinks she's too busy to take the time for me to be able to put clothes on her. She'd be much happier without them. But because what mommy says goes, I always end up winning in the end. If only she'd learn, it's much faster and easier to just let me hurry and dress her.
The reason I've been super lame! In order to become a registered cardiac sonographer, I have to sit for and pass two board examinations. On Thursday December 18th, I finally faced my fears and took the first of the two exams. Now only one more to go!! Thank goodness. I'm sure Bella will be thankful to have my undivided attention again once the 2nd's done. Just a cute pic of Bella and Bryan- he was keeping her in style with her hood on.

Christmas was great this year. Seriously so much better with a kid of our own! We were able to enjoy all our favorite traditions-- well I mean all MY favorite traditions. I call Bryan a scrooge because he's not so much into "traditions"-- but he's great to participate for my sake. We had the annual gingerbread houses night, traditional Christmas Eve dinner and decorating ornaments at my mom's house, seeing the lights at Temple Square, etc. My brother came up for over a week and I don't know who was more excited-- me or Bryan. They seemed to have a great time with him here. We were so sad to see him go. Bella loves her uncle Brent.

We were actually able to go on a real date!! My mom was great and watched Bella while we went out with a big group of our friends to see the lights and ate at CPK. We even rode Trax (from Gateway to Temple Square) which was a first for me-- I know, I've lived in Utah how long? It was freezing that night! But we were grateful to get out and for the amazing company!!!

When we were little my mom used to dress us up in a elf beard and hat that went on some singing bears we had. So in honor of that and to keep the tradition alive, we dressed Bella up the same. She kept looking at me like "mom what's so funny?" Then she'd take the binky out and chew on the beard. EVERYTHING goes in this child's mouth!

This picture is a little dark-- sorry! We have to move the TV over in the living room every year because that's the only spot we have to put a tree. The joys of our apartment!

Santa was good to Bella! He even left her a pile of presents unwrapped with her stocking there to let her know that it's her pile like he used to when I was little! Bryan thought this was weird because Santa used to always wrap his presents when he was little. I guess Santa must have been in a hurry when he got to our house or something.

This is Bella on her favorite step. She seriously acts like that step was made just for her. As you can see we had to baby-proof the second step to make sure she didn't hit her head, etc. on the top step that has a convenient metal edge. This is her favorite place to play.

Bella is totally walking now. She took her first steps on December 17th and is a confident little walker now! Which we attribute to her being around her cousin Olivia and thinking she's got to be doing whatever Olivia does. She's been walking all around the house with support from whatever she could find for the past couple months, but not just that anymore-- she's totally independent and definitely reminds us of that everyday. Bella also says hi, hello, mama, dada, baba, baby, and sometimes Bella and a weird version of Quincy (her cousin). But her favorite thing to say right now is "uh-oh". She'll drop something or even throw something down and while she's doing it she says "uh-oh". At her last Dr. appointment Bella weighed 17 lbs. 1 oz. and was 27 inches long. It's so funny to see this little petite thing walking around.

California 2008

My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this month. They had a big party to celebrate, which gave us an excuse to spend the week in California. We loved it and Bella got to go on her first road trip there. Sadly, Bryan wasn't able to go with us. I was a little worried that he'd be so lonely all by himself. Little did I know I was TOTALLY WRONG. His buddies kept him busy pretty much the ENTIRE time we were gone. Needless to say, I don't feel too bad for him now--haha. He definitely missed being with us though and we wished he would have been able to come too!

On the Friday we were there, we braved Disneyland. My sister, my brother in law, my niece, my brother, Bella and I were all able to go. I was anticipating super long lines, blistering heat, and total boredom (thinking Bella and I wouldn't be able to go on many rides). Once again, I was wrong.My bro in law holding Bella while waiting in line for the Buzz Lightyear Ride

My brother and Bella in line for Snow WhiteBella looking terrified in line for Pirates of the Caribbean

Bella also went on Peter Pan, The Haunted Mansion, met the Princesses, and watched the Parades. She even took an over two hour nap while in her stroller. While she was napping, my sis and bro in law were so nice and let me go with my brother on some big rides. I honestly think that Tower of Terror is still my all time favorite ride.

I can definitely say that it was SOOOO much fun to have Bella there. She would get so excited on every ride we would go on.

While we were on our way back from California Adventure we got stuck by the parade. My bro in law decided to give Bella a taste of Pineapple Whips while they were waiting for the parade to start. Bella was in absolute heaven. When I got back they had to show me her reaction. She was scrunch up her face and act like she was tasting something sour and then start licking her lips. After that she was start waving her arms for more and anytime I would even say "Did you have some Pineapple Whips" she would start licking her lips. It was so CUTE!

All three of these pics were while waiting for my sis, bro in law, and Quincy to go on their last ride in Toon Town-- the Roger Rabbit one. Of course it was the LONGEST line of the day. Funny thing is, the "expected wait time" started at 30 mins and seriously one second after they walked in the minutes kept adding and before we knew it, it was a 45 min wait. So to pass the time we took pics. Haha. Don't you love how super excited my bro is?

My niece on the tram on the way out of the park. She LOVED Disneyland and was SOOOO excited! I love this face!

We left on Sunday morning for the drive back! Bella did awesome during both car rides. I was amazed. The pic below is of her on the way home. She is such a little flirt now! Everywhere we go she smiles at anybody and everybody trying to get their attention. She's such a cutie! If you look closely, you can see that Bella finally has her bling! Little stud earrings!

I was so excited to have her ears pierced, but a little nervous that I was being a bad parent. Ever since we decided to get them done, Bryan and I have noticed how many differing opinions we get about piercing her ears. I had mine pierced when I was younger than she was and I am definitely glad I did. Bella seriously only cried for maybe and I mean maybe two minutes at most! I didn't even have enough time to make it up to pay the lady before she stopped crying and she hasn't had a problem yet (we're crossing our fingers that it stays that way)