Counting Down

I know I keep saying it but I seriously cannot believe how soon we will be moving to California....and we STILL have not contacted a realtor about leasing our place.  That's because the interior of our home is still not in a shape to show.  We managed to THOROUGHLY clean the living room and master bedroom but that still leaves a guest bedroom, kitchen and 2 bathrooms to go :(  Our problem is this past weekend was one of the few we are ever home to get things done, not to mention that the interior wall of the guest bedroom has yet to be repaired from construction.  My favorite thing about actually being home this weekend is that we made it to church for the first time since Bella was born-yes, I know she is 4 months already; don't judge!

4 Months Old

Baby bear is growing up so fast, it is exciting and sad all at the same time.  She had her pediatrician appointment on Wednesday and here are her measurements:

Height 24 inches (40th percentile)
Weight 15lb 10oz (85%)
Head 16.5 (75%)

She got her shots and we were going to get her ears pierced but they were out of earrings...so I will call next week.  Yesterday she ran fever and slept until 9:30 this morning and is now into a 1 1/2 hour nap which she never does....poor thing!  We were told we could start rice cereal...which I will get around to...I am in no rush.

Construction on the exterior of our condo is finally coming to a close so we are about to start interior repairs.  David and I will spend the weekend cleaning as there is dust everywhere and the house is a mess....we were hoping to have it in shape to show for leasing by now but no such luck!

Happy Friday!

Our week of Vacation

Oh how I live for David's vacation time!!!  This was his first week off since Bella was born and it was so great for him to be able to spend so much time with her.  We decided to go to David's mom's house in Austin for the week which also allowed David to meet with some ENT doctors as we want to eventually settle in the Austin/San Antonio area when we get back from California. 

The first weekend we were there was our niece, McKenzie, 2nd brithday.  We got her a sandbox which she seemed to really like.  It was sooooo cute watching the cousins interact.  Mckenzie was so sweet with Bella-holding her, helping me burp her, read her books, and just speak sweet words to her....she would say "I like-a da Baby Bella" in a hilarious accent.  She has also started to call me Baby Ayse!

Bella all dressed up for the birthday party.

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One day we took the girls to take some bluebonnet pictures....another great Texas memory to take with us when we move!

Kiki and her precious granddaughters

Oh, it just melts my heart to see Bella smile at her daddy like that!

She has become an absolute pro at sucking on her fingers or anything else she can fit into her mouth!

Towards the end Bella was grabbing all the flowers so we knew it was time to go!!!

'Must Have' baby items

Until I was pregnant I didn't realize how huge the market for baby gadgets was.  There is something for every aspect of babyhood that you can imagine.  And it makes registering very overwhelming.  3 1/2 months into motherhood there are a few items I think are worth EVERY penny...
-high quality carseat (obviously!!  This baby's safety is paramount)-but I personally love our Chicco...easy to carry and get it into and out of the car.
-a snap n go stroller....forget the travel system!
-the double Medela breastpump....pumping sucks enough as it is (get it, HA!!!), so a quick, effective pump is worth it's weight in gold....and this one is PRICEY!!!
-video monitor-I went back and forth on whether or not to get the regular monitor or the video one.  This is one of those purchases I really thought wasn't necessary but I am so glad I chose the one with video.  A lot of grunts and peeps are ignorable but there are times when she coughs or makes some other wierd noise and I want to look at her without getting out of bed or risk her seeing me.
-a baby carrier (I didn't buy the bjorn-we have a cheaper one and it works just as good and without fail it will always calm Bella down-ie.everynight from 7-8pm!!)
-the bumbo....what an awesome invention-of course you can't use it until they have good head control but they love to see the world sitting up.....now I can actually eat meals with my own two hands as opposed to a baby in one!!  Bella loves to watch me make dinner, do the dishes, and even fold laundry....she helps by grabbing and chewing on the clothes!!!

Baby Bits

Every day I am so fascinated with the intricacies of my daughter-those little hands, those precious feet....truly there is no other explanation than she is a miracle from God. I am amazed at how those 10 little fingers are so actively discovering her environment and I love that little reflexive grip they have on your hand. I love how when I kiss those feetsies she beams with a huge smile. I desperately need to the time to myself when she goes down for her naps but can't wait to pick her up again and kiss those incredible cheeks!

Easter 2010

David was on call this Easter so my parents came to pick me up and we headed South to spend time with my brothers, uncle, and their families.  Bella's Kiki bought her a beautiful Easter dress so I was so excited the weather was warm enough for her to wear it.  She had so much fun being outside, watching her cousins run around, and posing for pictures (or maybe that last part was forced upon her!).

Proud grandparents!

Bella is thinking "Grandma, enough pictures!!"

Enjoying time on the floor to stretch

Bella found a purple Easter egg to match her dress!

When we move to California I am so going to miss these family get togethers; thank goodness it is only for a year!

I am very thankful this Easter for the blessings in my life-especially my wonderful family.  But most important I am grateful for a Savior who died and rose again :)

Family Fun

Let me start by saying this will be an incomplete post since I am terrible at taking photos and am waiting on photos from Bella's Granny.  David's dad, Rick (Papa), and stepmom, Mary (Granny) came down to see Bella from the first time from Florida.  David's sister, Allison, and her cutie McKenzie also came down from Austin so we had a funfilled weekend with family. 

Allison, Bella (3 mos), David, and McKenzie (almost 2)

Bella chomping on her hands in the bumbo-I have discovered this is the BEST invention for allowing me to be able to have a hands free dinner with family.

Allison got Bella and McKenzie matching outfits-they looked so cute.  This is the second time McKenzie has seen Bella and now that Bella is more interactive she and McKenzie had a ball together.  McKenzie was so sweet and gentle.

Cutest thing ever-we told McKenzie to read Bella a story so McKenzie took it upon herself to cozy up to Bella, put her arm around her and proceed to read to her!!

Kisses for the cousins

Me and my girls!

The weather was spectacular on Saturday so we took a trip to the zoo.  Bella did great and enjoyed being in her carrier so she could look at all the animals.  We of course lathered her with sunscreen and gave her some shades and a nice wide sun hat.....she had everyone talking!  One lady even asked to take a picture of her....such a cutie.  Bella loves chillin' with her Aunt Alli!

Like I said, we have pictures missing of her Granny and Papa so I will post those as soon as I get them.  Also last week construction began on our condo (the exterior needs to be repaired due to faulty construction and water damage)-the damage was so bad they have proceeded to take down some of our interior walls so Bella and I went to stay with my parents in Conroe after all our company left on Sunday.  It was nice after a busy weekend to be taken care of by my mom-I don't have to worry about cooking, cleaning, etc.  Mom and I took Bella to get some Easter pictures taken at JC Penny's-they came out really cute so if you are a relative expect a copy in the mail shortly :)

Unfortunately on Wednesday Bella came down with a 101.4 degree fever-her first time to be really sick.  I took her to the pediatrician and she has a little upper respiratory infection and seems to be feeling better but it just breaks my heart to see her not feel good.  I need to quit worrying so much about her-she is only 3 months and if I keep it up I am sure to have a stomach ulcer by the time she is a year!

I can't believe we are in April already-Bella and I will be with some of my family for Easter but David will be at home on call (have a mentioned before how incredibly excited I am he is done with residency in 3 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).  

Stay tuned.......