Friends...

..and lovable coach potatoes.

Does anyone besides me think that Baby Bella is sticking her tongue out at Amber? Hmmm, acting like her Mommy again. LOL!

Blow Your Nose

Daddy says, "Bella, Blow your nose." Off to the bathroom she goes.

It was all going well until she tried to wipe her nose while standing on the tissue. That frustrated her for about two minutes. She solved the problem by pulling more off the role.

"Put it in the trash," Daddy said. So, put it in the trash she did.

We are taking great delight in her response to verbal communication. She is, without a doubt, the smartest girl God ever made.

I have to say "girl" because Skyler is quick to remind us that anything she can do...he did better and earlier. OK, I have to give him that on the walking. He was walking and climbing out of his crib by ten months.

By the grace of God, Baby Bella isn't climbing out just yet.

Hike, Hike

This week marks the kick-off of the college football season. In the great tradition of college ball, I started teaching Baby Bella how hike the ball.

Yes, that is a golf ball she is hiking but it is the only size ball she can palm in her hand. She is pretty good at playing center - as long as I don't get too close - the diaper isn't always fresh.

My little girl is learning football. I feel accomplished. Surely, my work on earth is done. (I need a bumper sticker - "My girl can tackle your Heisman Trophy winner." Yep, that's a good one.)

Ouch!

Note to self. Either duck or get a softer ball when you teach Isabella to throw the ball.

Chocolate Chip

Baby Bella had her very first taste of Chocolate chip cookies. Thanks to friends Mike and Karyn.

The spoon? You guessed it, that is ice cream. Thanks again, Mike and Karyn.

So I ponder...are people who sugar up your kids before the ride home really your friends? Hmmm, I ponder.

Don't Jump...

...on the Bed, Baby Bella.

It seemed like a nice little sit down to slowly wake up. I turned around to find it was really a wake up stand up on Mommy and Daddy's bed - the start of a purely wonderful day.

Tell you a little secret...Baby Bella was still in her PJ's when Mommy returned home at the end of the day - now that, is a sign of a really good day.

Old Glory

The hazards of being an adult is sometimes you just can't turn your mind on idle. Such was the case for me last week as the family enjoyed Nashville Shores.

I found myself reclining in the chaise while Baby Bella napped on my shoulder. Looking up, I couldn't help but see and reflect upon the beauty of Old Glory flying in the wind against the back drop of the blue sky. (This photo is the actual view from where I sat.)

I know patriotism is a bad word these days and much has been said about the concept of American Exceptionalism. And yes, many see the United States as a nation for whom the sun is setting rather than rising.

This I know. There is nothing wrong with loving ones country. And self doubt shouldn't be celebrated above the moral certainties that our country was founded upon.

This I know. America is exceptional not because she is strong but because she prays for strength. Not because she is always just but because she strives for justice. Not because God is on our side but because we try to be on his.

This I know. Whether the sun is rising or setting upon America is a question each generation must answer. While I wish my generation had embraced the self discipline that self government requires - I am not convinced that our best days are behind us.

Baby Bella - your Daddy is very proud that you were blessed to born in America. This is the land of opportunity - it's up to you to make the most of what is available and what is possible.

Repair Work

Daddy is having trouble keeping dry eyes as he blogs today. Baby Bella was totally involved in a little cleaning and repair work on her car seat.

The event sent Daddy scurrying back through the 2,000 pictures we have taken of Baby Bella (literally 2,000) since she arrived. The journey was memorable and I simply can not believe how fast she is growing.

The first three photo's are of Bella "helping" Mommy with the car seat this week. The bottom photo is from the January blog as Mommy put together her very first forward facing car seat.

Sit 'N Stare

Sometimes we sit, sometimes we sit and stare. For the last 15 months we have been doing a whole lot more of the latter.

We have been amazed to watch Baby Bella's sleeping habits evolve. In the last couple of weeks she has started a new phase of wanting to lay down when she gets tired. Less of us walking her and holding her - she wants to lay down, stretch out, fidget and then finally crawl up close to you and sleep.

Monday evening she took her bed time cup of milk in our bed and then crawled up on Mommy's pillow and fell asleep. Last night she fell asleep on top of her blankie with her feet dangling off the sofa.

Either way, she's a sleeping beauty to us. We just sit 'n stare.

Shoe Strings

Uhhhhh, Baby Bella has discovered shoe strings. She grabbed my shoe strings tonight - "don't pull that, I protested." She pulled with delight. Then she grabbed the other one as I protested even more.

Look at her eyes - totally fixed on mine to watch my reaction. It's even more fun if Daddy over reacts.

Monday Mornings

I guess it's just how you look at it that matters. Baby Bella was all smiles this Monday morning and Daddy even managed to get a laugh by tickeling her belly.

Our little giggle box has two spots that are almost always good for a smile and laugh - her belly and the back of her thighs.

Nashville Shores

Baby Bella accompanied the family on an outing to Nashville Shores today. It was a first for our little fish. (Shame on us, the family has been a couple of times without her.)

Baby Bella was anxious to get wet, she started walking toward the pool while the rest of the fam lather up with SPF 50.

She had a great time in the kiddy pool - splashing, sliding with Daddy, and making friends with all of the sea creatures - the whale, the seal, and the Octopus.

A quick nap on Daddy's shoulder after lunch and she was ready to go again.