Jessica's Birthday

One of the only drawbacks to having Bella in my life is that I can't find enough time to spend with my scrappy friends. Any extra time I *do* have, I spend with my little girl. Priorities, right?

Well, yesterday my scrappin' sisters celebrated Jessica's birthday with cupcakes and a crop. I caught a lot of flack from these ladies back in January because I didn't attend the ScrapCabin weekend... so I thought it would be nice to at least stop in for the party, even if I wouldn't get to do any creating. It was a great idea! Bella got to spend some time re-acquainting herself with this crazy band of women, and I got to see my pals! Definitely a win-win situation. Jessica was kind enough to let Bella play with her Hello Kitty keychain... which spent most of its time in Bella's mouth, drenched in drool. Bella attached herself to Mara (or was it the other way around?), and they had a fantastic time sharing toys, crawling on the floor, and playing under the table.

*sigh* It was just a good day.

Guess who met Santa yesterday?

Truly Thankful

... for snuggly pets.

...for these two.

... for K, who loves my BFF *almost* as much as I do.

... that 5 hours isn't too long a drive.

... for peas and mashed potatoes.

... that I get to do this everyday.

5 Months!!

It's been a big month for you, little girl. Leading up to your 5 month birthday, you've:

• gotten two new teeth on the bottom
• learned how to eat rice cereal, then green beans, then peas
• almost mastered rolling from your back to your stomach, though you still get frustrated and often refuse to roll from your stomach to your back without help
• celebrated your first Halloween
• discovered just how high you can jump in your johnny-jump-up
• decided that you're ready to crawl, you're just not sure how to do it yet
• mastered sleeping from 7PM to 6AM and sometimes a little later
• had your first swing in the park
• gotten very good at grabbing things and putting them in your mouth

So many new things you've learned how to do. You're growing, growing, growing, and we love you more and more everyday.

You don't know it, but you were also alive to witness history: our first African American president was elected the day before your 5 month birthday. What exciting times we live in. I'm so glad that you will grow up in a world where people are becoming more and more accepting of differences everyday. You won't think twice about someone other than a white man having power in our country. You won't think twice about someone speaking another language in your class. You won't think twice about your aunts being married and having children. You will recognize the person, not the color or language or religion or orientation. It will all be the natural way of life for you. Change is here. I'm glad you're alive to be a part of it.

Two months!!!

We can no longer, officially, call her a newborn. She's two months old now and growing, growing, growing! Here are some highlights from her 2 month photo shoot. And a shout out to Aunt M who suggested the monthly pictures to begin with: Word!

Catchin' Up

After my doctor's appt on Tuesday, Mom and I hit the Carter's store because, well, who can pass up a sale on baby clothes these days??? We found some great stuff for Bella including a onesie that says "Daddy's wrapped around my finger." Just love it! Mom had to get these socks -- Mary Janes in 3 colors, along with another 3 pairs that are ballerina slippers. Too cute for words.

After the Carter's shopping spree, we drove home, picked up Kristina and my dad and headed to the lake. Mom and Dad are "camping" there this summer. (You can hardly call it camping when you have a microwave, recliner, and DVD player!!) We swam and played and took Kristina to the petting zoo they have at the campground. She loved it. Here she is with her favorite: the lamb.

I've been back from the lake for a few days now... catching up on laundry, working on sub plans, spending time with Z, and hanging out with our visitors! With most of the Clan on vacation, we're hosting these two cuties for our friend Marilyn. The first adorableness you see is Savannah. She's a Jack Russel puppy. She keeps Kharma busy and has kept Luna in the sink for several days. Xerxes could care less. Speaking of caring less, the second adorable pup you see is Houston. He is the brother of my SIL's dog, Roscoe, may he RIP. Yes, he has a cleft lip. Yes, he's nearly blind and deaf. But he's 14, soft and cuddly and is pretty spry for an old man. He could care less about Kharma or the cats. Just make sure he goes outside, gets something to eat, and has a quiet place to sleep, and he's one happy man!

So, that's pretty much life here in the 'burbs. That and the fact that school supplies are on sale... but that's another story for another day!

6 months later... doin' it Mommy style.

Soooo.... it's summer again. And six months (or so) since I've posted. Pregnancy took a hold of me, and there wasn't much time for blogging. Now that our Bella is here, I don't know if I'll have much more time, but here's hopin'!

Our little girl arrived 2 days early. Grammy and Pop Pop left the labor/delivery room to have some lunch just as I began pushing. By the time they got back, Bella had made her appearance.

2 hours later, Aunt Mandy arrived to hold her newest niece.

We spent a good 2 days in the hospital, bonding as a family, getting to know each other, and enjoying visits from aunts, cousins, and grandparents. Now that we're home and have spent almost 3 weeks together, along with some more grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, we're liking this family thing.

Now, if I could just get a little more sleep...

Oh, and there's that whole "back to work" issue. Not planning on going any time soon, mind you, but the first day of school is breathing down my neck, and I have -- get this -- no sub! Both my sure thing and my back up bailed on me. Perhaps in the next week or so I should start panicking. Or, at least get on the phone and find someone to babysit, I mean, teach my students for the first 5 weeks of the school year. I'm going to Oregon whether there's an adult in the classroom or not...

In the meantime, I need to get birth announcements sent, I want to read a few good books, and create a DVD for Bella's great grandpa.

Here she is...