First Day of School

Like other children across the country, September meant back to school for Bella, too. After visiting MANY daycares and MUCH deliberation, I decided to send Bella back to Primrose. While I wasn't happy with the care Bella received last time she was enrolled, I do think it will be different this time. It is a different location, and she is 20 months instead of just 4 months. I decided on Primrose because they seemed to have the best mix of play and learning. Anytime I would ask Bella if she wanted to go to school, her eyes got really big and she nodded her head vigorously, so I figured it was time. She was very brave and excited on her first day, although she did cry when mommy left. But when I came to pick her up, she didn't seem to want to leave, and when I asked if she had a good time, I got the same vigorous response. And yesterday when I asked her if she enjoyed her first week of school, she gave me her version of the happy dance. So it seems like it is going well.

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

March 31, 2007

September 1, 2008

Now that Becca can hold her head up fairly well, we busted out the bumbo seat, but just as with the swing and the bouncer, Bella has found it entertaining to get in it and use it as her own personal chair. So we let her since she can't break the bumbo seat like she can the bouncer or the swing. Here she is with her hand in her mouth (the last of her canine teeth are coming in) watching Elmo. Bella would watch Elmo all day, every day if we let her. Her two favorite things to ask for right now are Elmo and "Won moor" (One More) vitamin.

CHEESE

Going for Gold

Here is a shot of Becca and Todd watching the Olympics. I really don't think there is much doubt that they are daddy/daughter.

And I like this picture of Becca. She looks very chilled out in her swing. The trick is keeping sister from either trying to push her too aggressively or trying to climb into the swing.

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.