First smiles

Technically Becca's first social smile came on July 31, 2008 while Mema was talking to her. She was able to capture this picture since she knew we wouldn't believe her.

But I was able to capture this big grin on August 14, 2008. She was smiling at her daddy. She looks cubby in this picture, but she really is not. She has long legs and arms, and they have yet to fill out. But we are working on it. We are also working on getting the front part of her head some hair. Poor thing really looks like her daddy with that style.

How to give a baby a pacifer

Find an unsuspecting baby...

Force it into her mouth...

Then find an escape route.

We're Having a Heat Wave Here

Bella loves to go outside. She will beg to go outside several times a day, and she usually goes out once in the morning with Grammy and then again with us in the evening. And since I have been home with the girls, we have been going outside A LOT more. It's the only thing that keeps us sane around here. But since it has been in the 100's, I really haven't been able to take Bella outside as much and we have had to shorten our time outside when we do go. Becca really can't tolerate the heat. She was born during the summer, but 105 is a bit much. But while Grandma Farrel, aka Mema, was visiting, Bella got to resume some of her outdoor activities, although again, her time outside was abbreviated. Here are some things you can do in 105 heat:

You can play with your water table. Some sorry substitute for a pool.

You can go for a wagon ride. Man I wish this thing was covered!

You can cover yourself in temper paint. Someone put some pants on that kid!

You can go to the park and slide down the slide. Turning your hat sideways apparently keeps you cooler.

Bella's Summer Bob

Bella does not like to have her hair washed. Bella really does not like to have her hair rinsed. Bella does not like to have her hair brushed. Bella does not like to have her hair put in ponytails. Bella got her hair cut off. That's the way we roll in the Dyer household. Hope everyone likes all their limbs.

Matchy, Matchy

A neighbor of ours bought the girls matching onesies and made them matching skirts. The idea of putting them in matching clothes hadn't even occured to me!

Rebecca the Restless

Becca was so still in the womb. She hardly ever moved. I thought I was going to have a docile, sleepy, lazy baby. WRONG. While she is fairly docile when awake (well, of course she is docile -. she's not even 3 weeks old - what's she gonna do? - handstands), once she gets tired she begins to get cranky, and like all babies, she wants to be put to bed. Only thing is, she doesn't know to shut her eyes. At least once a day she says up from the start of one feeding to the beginning of another feeding. I think Bella was nine months old before she did that. Maybe we were too spoiled with Bella. That girl is still a good sleeper. But something tells me that Becca will not be following in her sister's footsteps. Too bad for mom and dad.

You Had a Bad Day

You think you had a bad day? Poor Bella not only had to welcome a new sister this week, but she caught a nasty summer cold and mommy won't even pick her up! What does a girl have to do to get some comforting. DADDY!!!