Thank heaven for little girls

Anthony, one of Todd's co-workers, came over yesterday to take some pictures of the girls. He took one of Becca at the holiday party. I like both of these pictures because it captures them both so perfectly. Becca is sweet and still. Bella is smiles and silliness, my little payaso. Who knew there were so many different reasons to love. 

Becca Bob

Becca has started this head bobbing thing. Bella thinks it's funny. She says Becca's dancing. And perhaps she is. She seems to do the head bob when Todd plays the piano or when she's bored or when she wants down or well, we don't really know what it means. But it is funny. 

Hats and mittens

The girls got a late Christmas present from their Great Aunt Fran. They loved trying on the new loot.  Although Bella kept wanting to pull Becca's hat off by the tab on top. Thank you Aunt Frannie! The girls looked adorable. And we will make use of them when we go for a walk today.

Little Gym Graduation Part Deux

Today Bella graduated from the Little Gym Beasts class. She has had so much fun in these classes, and it has been a great time for her to share with her daddy.  This time, Grammy came to the graduation, and Bella loved the extra attention. She kept going over to her and saying, "Come on Grammy." She wanted Grammy to hop, skip and run. Now that really would have been a sight. Note that both the barrette and socks didn't make it until the end of class. 

Happy Birthday Bella

Yesterday was Bella's birthday and what a difference a year makes! This year she could understand that her birthday was coming. She knows that the days of the week have a name and that her birthday was on Friday and that for her birthday she would get CAKE!  She loves cake. She also knows that birthday cakes have candles. She found a stray candle once and put it on top of her head and began singing the Happy Birthday song.  And when we would ask her how old she was going to be, she'd proudly yell, "TWO!" 

Todd spent the last few days figuring out how to make a cake. As you can see he baked and decorated a beautiful Elmo cake for Bella. She got soooo excited when she saw it.  I'm sure if you asked Todd, he would tell you it was well worth all the effort. We also went to her school to help her celebrate with her friends. They had cake and ice cream, and then we left school early and went to the library.  Her cousins and Grammy and Popo were supposed to come over for dinner, but the cousins didn't make it.  But we had a nice celebration anyway.  We told Bella she couldn't eat her Elmo cake until Popo and Grammy showed up.  Well, wouldn't you know the second they walked in the door, she ran into the dining room where the cake was waiting and started yelling cake, cake.  She talked to Mema and Aunt Launa after dinner through the webcam, and she finished her day staying up well past bedtime playing with daddy and her new little people toys. What two year old could ask for more! Thank you Bella for two awesome years. We love you! 

Rolling in the New Year

Yesterday was one of those rare warm days you get in the middle of winter. A reminder of how nice warm, sunny weather can be.  So, we took full advantage of the day, and in the morning Bella "helped" daddy take down Christmas lights. And while Bella napped, Todd and I took turns running with Becca.  And then once Bella got up, everyone went biking. Well, at least we attempted. We were only able to bike two miles before ignoring the cries coming from the bike trailer began to seem like child abuse.  Bella was upset that Becca's hands were on her back and that she was "eating" the seatbelt.  Becca was upset that her diaper was full. Oh uh who forgot the diaper bag! But we are certain that all these things can be remedied in the future (except for the seatbelt eating), and that our bike outings can last longer than two miles.  

Merry Christmas

Well, Santa was good to us this year. He brought Bella an Elmo restaurant/kitchen that she immediately began playing with and has really enjoyed. She will stand on one side and want you to sit on the other.  When I was playing with her I repeated the order into the little microphone by the cash register.  The next time we played Bella did the same thing. He brought Becca a little play table that Bella has mostly enjoyed. Becca has really enjoyed the Pooh spinning top that her Gramps and Grandma got her.  She is sitting up now, so she uses it to steady herself.  Becca also has two little teeth on the bottom, but we haven't been able to get a good picture of them. Becca keeps chalking up first year milestones before we even realize that they have happened. I'm sure one day we will look over and she will be crawling 

The weeks leading up to Christmas both girls got sick, Becca is sick in the picture above, and by Christmas mommy was sick. Todd has been struggling with Bells Palsy for a week now. He doesn't have to return to work until the new year, so he is thankful for that.