Prize Fighter

And in this corner...wearing the pink and white heart pj's, sporting the coveted championship paci...it's Bouncing Baby Bella the Bullyyyyyyyyyyy!

No, really. Don't let that baby face fool you. This girl is prize fighter. She can fight sleep with the best of them. She can fight off an unwanted spoon full of food better than anyone. And try putting her in the car seat against her will. No doubt about it - this is a prize fighter in the making.

Having successfully fought off a nap, Baby Bella raises her hands victoriously and offers the "I'm number one" index finger in celebration. Daddy has entered the room and that only means one thing - Bouncing Baby Bella the Bully has won yet again.

Pool Day

Pool Day! Baby Bella and fam escaped to Ridge Top, TN for a day at the pool with Aunt Eva, Uncle Jimmy and friends.

Baby Bella continued her fascination with little people chairs. Mommy and I are thinking we may need to buy her a chair - she is just too cute.

Baby Bella LOVED the pool. Like Mommy, Daddy, and brother - Baby Bella could not get enough of the sun and the water. She had a great time - which made it easy for the rest of us to enjoy our day at the pool.

Daddy is much encouraged about the beach vacation now that he has seen how well Baby Bella handled the heat and the water.

The Chairwoman

It goes without saying that you always have fun at Grandma's. Even more so when Daddy cuts loose and let's the kids run from room to room like pirates seeking valuable treasure. Baby Bella found her hidden treasure today- boy did she.

Baby Bella discovered that Grandma has a very old wooden/wicker basket chair for little tots her size. She sat in it, climbed on it, turned over with it, hugged it...you name it and Baby Bella found a way to do it with Grandma's special chair.

I don't know who had more fun - Baby Bella enjoying her loot or the rest of us watching her enjoy her loot. In any event, it was totally exhausting for Baby Bella Bounty Hunter. She drifted off to the land of dreams and fairy tales before we ever exited Grandma's street.

Play House

Baby Bella has created her very first play house. She loves to crawl under the kitchen table, box herself in and play. And play. And play.

The funny thing is...she thinks she's invisible while under the table. If only she knew, we are watching closely and taking pictures.

Baby Bella has reached the age where she will play by herself as long as someone is sitting in the room with her. She is most agreeable to that scenario if she is in her room with her stroller, kitchen, and basket of toys.

Graduation Speeches

I have heard my share of graduation speeches - some good, some bad, some long, some short, some funny and some offensive. But I there is one piece of advice I have never heard given so I would like to add my voice to the historic chorus of graduation advice givers:

Satisfaction is not to be found in the simple success of finally getting the baby asleep. The greatest joy is in taking time to let the baby sleep on your shoulder - hearing her breathe, feeling the brush of her hair against your neck, and the smell of Johnson & Johnson in the air (hopefully). Always take time to hold a baby while she sleeps.

The yard, the dishes, the laundry, the golf, the hair , the video games- they can wait. Hold the baby while she sleeps - you might find your world is a better place than you knew.

Safe Distance

Baby Bella is starting to find her comfort zone with Winston and Tiger Lily - it's on this side of the door when they are on the other side.

The safety of the glass door allows her to explore and converse with them without being clawed or licked in the face. She is very interested in Tiger Lily but keeps a wary eye on Winston.

And yes, she does point and talk to them. In fact she had harsh words for Winston yesterday - words that I am convinced would have gotten her in trouble had we been able to translate.

And no, my glass may never be clean again. I have nose prints on one side and finger prints on the other. Sad to say - I have lick marks on both sides. Hmmm.

World View

In what may be described as her most brilliant analysis to date, Baby Bella has adopted a decidedly different world view. She has passionately embraced the idea that the world looks much better upside down.

She has a new fondness for throwing her head back to look at things and people. And usually, a giggle follows.

After Monday, I am thinking this might just be worth a try. I am off to Bob Evans for pancakes and bacon. I have every intention of throwing my head back and adopting Baby Bella's world view.

Couch Potato

Baby Bella continues to refine her sleep habits. I still maintain this evolution is about keeping Mommy and I off balance - not so much about her sleep. But I digress.

Baby Bella has developed a new habit of wanting to sleep on the sofa after taking her bedtime cup of milk. (notice I didn't say bottle.) She downs the milk, squirms for a couple of minutes, plays with her hair, and then falls asleep on the sofa.

Deep sleep soon follows. It is then, and only then, that we can move her to the crib. But have you ever seen a couch potato this cute?

The Grass is Greener

What a day for baseball and a cookout with the Heritage Braves. Baby Bella enjoyed a second straight day at the ball park - minus a few bug bites.

As you may remember, she isn't at all fond of sitting, standing, or walking on grass. Apparently, the grass is a little greener at the park. Baby Bella allowed us to sit her down for a few minutes during the cookout. She plucked a few blades of grass, gave them dirty looks, mummbled some unkind words and then wanted to be picked up.

Oh well, maybe the grass isn't greener after all.

Celebration!

Baby Bella and family take a moment to celebrate big brother for an awesome game today. Skyler hit a triple and two singles. Had three RBI's, and scored a run.

And for his efforts...Skyler received the game ball from Coach Brad. Great job, Skyler! You are showing your Lil' sister that hard work, discipline, and patience always pay off.

Baby Bella was so impressed that she gave big brother a hug and a head but after the game. Would everyone please rise and join Bella and I in a robust "YOU 'D' MAN, SKYLER CAIN!"

Side note: The first five pictures are from today's "game ball" game. The bottom five are from the game last weekend.

True Love

It has to be love. Baby Bella has started putting her baby dolls on her shoulder, holding them close, and patting them lovingly on the back. It simply melts your heart to see her rehearsing for a future role in life.

Today, in an unscripted moment of true expression, she took a cup of milk, put it on her shoulder, held it close, and began to pat. I suggest a new slogan for the milk industry...Got Milk - Got Love.

Life of Riley

Truthfully, I have no idea who Riley is or was. I have no first hand knowledge of what kind of life he lived. But legend has it that he lived a pretty desirable existence. And for a fact, Baby Bella was living the life of Riley one day after turning one.

Baby Bella and Mommy were sharing some R&R on the hammock - enjoying the flowers, the honeysuckle, and to a lesser extent - the dog. If her first day of being one year old is any indication of the year to come - bring on the year.