Mirror, Mirror

Baby Bella had a blast with the three sided mirrors at the mall. I would call it a shopping trip but it was more like a chase Bella around the mall trip. She has discovered walking and is very passionate about demonstrating her new skill.

Today we added the fall and get back up trick. Up til now, she would walk a little - fall and then finish her journey with a crawl. Today we started bouncing right back up and walking after a fall. And she didn't even crawl to something to hold onto while she balanced. She just put her hands on the floor and pushed herself upright - and walked.

Yes, I know, Baby Bella isn't the first child to do this...just give me my moment.

Side note: Baby Bella is showing signs of inheriting Mommy and Daddy's love for shopping. She insists on holding the bag. And she doesn't just hold the bag - she draws it close to her chest and loves on it like found treasure. Oh my! My wallet is nervous.

Ballerina Stretch

Not. Baby Bella grew impatient waiting for Mommy to get her in the tub. She checked the water temperature with her hand and then decided to climb in by herself.

We are learning that Baby Bella is a decisive - take charge kind of gal. She is certain of what she wants and will stay focused on it until she has figured out a way to make it happen. There is no way to distract her from her goal once she sets her sights.

As a parent of a 14 month old, that is a high maintenance trait. But it will serve her well in her lifetime.

Circle the...

...table. (and you thought I was going to say wagons, didn't you?)

Baby Bella has improved her walking skills by walking around and around the coffee table - both at Nana's house and ours. She is really getting pretty good at this upright thing - you would almost think it was meant to be.

We are celebrating three straight nights of sleeping through the night. Woot! Woot! The House of Cain is a much happier place when it's occupants are rested.

Beach Ball

Daddy enjoyed being at recess with Baby Bella. She has become a fan of pitch of catch - even more so with a beach ball.

She Walks...

We have a walker. You will have to turn your head sideways to watch this video but it is so worth it. Baby Bella is walking.

I count thirty steps in this video! Woot! Woot!

The End of the Day

It's 5 0' clock somewhere....

This is the Baby Bella we most often see at the end of the Academy day. Tired, hungry, dirty, and in need of a hug. That is not to say her Academy experience isn't good, just the opposite.

We always find arms out stretched and a loving smile from Baby Bella when we enter the room. The excitement in soon replaced by a somber mood and a snack for the ride home.

Most days, as today, you look in your rear view mirror to see Baby Bella starring deep into the Cheetos box as if she were looking for the true meaning of life. Like us aspiring adults, she has put in a full day and just wants to go home for some rest, relaxation, and love.

HELLO

HELLO? HELLO? Mr. Jobs, can you fix my Daddy's iPhone? He is lost without it.

Pearly Whites

This was as much smile as Baby Bella could muster after a week of heavy teething. Daddy wasn't even smiling this much.

It seems our little Blessing is getting her molars and eye teeth at the same time. For two of the last three nights Baby Bella and Daddy have been up at eleven something - and the rest of the night thereafter.

Funny how you think you have it all figured out. After all of my trepidation about the first 90 days - it seems my fears were misplaced by twelve months. I should have feared the teething season.

Someone asked me if anything would help - "yes," I said, "whisky for both Bella and I." I was kidding. I think.

Monkey See..

...Monkey Do.

Baby Bella has developed the cutest faces as she mimics the funny faces she sees Skyler and I make. Her best is the wrinkled nose with the pouty lower lip.

Family dinners are always a treat now that both Skyler and Baby Bella love to see who can make the goofiest faces. Did I mention they are also entertaining?

Kicking it Up

I get a kick (pun intended) out of Baby Bella kicking back and hiking her leg up in the air to sleep. As if to say - "I'm too cool for a nap, I'm just relaxing."

This has become somewhat of a regular occurrence both in the car and around the house. Anytime she has the occasion to sleep sitting up. She'll even do it if she's sleeping on our bed - take one leg (usually the left one), throw it up over our legs and lay back like she's Queen of the Nile.

Perhaps it her age - or maybe it's mine. I get a kick anytime she's voluntarily submitting to sleep.

Bitten

ARGHHHHHH! Mommy arrived to pick Baby Bella and was greeted by Academy staff sporting concerned looks and a sheet of paper. As it turns out, the sheet of paper was an incident report and Mommy soon applied her own look of concern - followed quickly by the voice of concern.

It seems Baby Bella was bitten on the back of the arm by a male suitor today. Yes, you read correctly. Bitten. As in snake bite. As in teeth marks. As in red welts. As in bruised. As in pain. As in Daddy wants to go kick some little tike's diaper side.

I can see now that Baby Bella is going to have to take karate lessons at the tender age of 14 months. No further details are available as of this post. You can be sure Mommy will be collecting full details when she takes Baby Bella to the Academy tomorrow.

Finger Painting

Baby Bella proved her future talents in her very first finger painting exercise. Ms. Lane said that she took to it like she had been doing it her whole life.

Don't laugh - Picasso had to start somewhere.

Older Men

Baby Bella seems to have a thing for older, taller, and well dressed gentlemen.

Hmmm, I wonder where she could have gotten that trait?

Leilani's Dedication

Baby Bella and family were honored to stand with Nika and Leilani on this wonderful occasion. And Leilani played the perfect little lady during the whole ceremony.

FYI, not a dry eye in the house when they sang "In My Daughter's Eyes" at the end.

Here's to you Leilani. The hand of God has been bestowed upon your precious life.

Dedicaton - The Dinner

Now you know, the Cain's celebrate every occasion with a dinner. Food is a central and unifying element in our family. Here's a look at the post dedication dinner - Cracker Barrel style.

Double Trouble

Triple Trouble.

Two of a Kind.

Cain Quartet.

Hollywood Janette.

Children Are...

an inheritance of the Lord.... (Psalms 127:3)

Grandma was enjoying the blessings of Granddaughter Bella and Great Granddaughter Leilani.

Baby Bella wanted to give Leilani her stamp of approval by patting her on the head. Fortunately, Leilani is a sound sleeper and wasn't disturbed.