The Mountains - Day 3

Blogging from Gatlinburg, TN......

The night was......less than planned but better than average. Baby Bella slept more on Mommy than beside her. Whether it was the absence of routine or the overall excitement of the day, Baby Bella found it hard to reach her deep sleep zone.

Baby Bella did her best sleeping in her Moo-Moo sleeper after Mommy did the early morning feeding. Afterward she was very wide-eyed and ready for new fun and adventure.

The highlight of our trip was meeting the Bakers for dinner this evening. Aunt Dree and Kinsley were able to hold Baby Bella for the first time and even offered to change a diaper. Kinsley is a future baby sitter for Bella and you can see Baby Bella is already looking up to her like a big sister.

Nothing beats sharing your new baby with friends and family. The Bakers are special people - all five of them were in our wedding. Baby Bella is blessed with a host of friends and family. I have heard it said "it takes a village to raise a child". The Baby Bella village is truly inspiring.

The Mountains - Day 2

Blogging from Gatlinburg, TN...

Aw, the smell of cool/clean mountain air. Baby Bella slept like a champ!!!!!!! The morning brought yet another first for Baby Bella - she joined the family for breakfast at the infamous Pancake Pantry. (you haven't eaten breakfast until you have tried the Pancake Pantry).

Then onto Splash Country for a day of water park adventure. Yes, the adventure was keeping Baby Bella cool and happy while Mommy and Daddy alternated water rides with Big Brother.

Baby Bella was seen sunbathing and cracking jokes - she was a hit with the southern sun worshippers. Later in the day she took a nap in the stroller while Daddy and Big Brother braved yet another water hazard.

The evening found Baby Bella napping through her first visit to the Apple Barn while proclaiming her love for Mommy. Mommy and Big Brother just couldn't stop smiling after they consumed half a chicken and a basket of Apple Fritters. (By mutual agreement Mommy and Daddy suspended their postpartum diet for the mountain trip).

No mountain excursion is complete without a late night stroll down the boardwalk. Baby Bella made her inaugural ride in the Baby Bjorn . WOW! What a way to travel. Daddy and Baby Bella both thought that was pretty cool - expect more of that in the near future.

Baby Bella Goes to the Mountains

Blogging from Gatlinburg, TN.......

Baby Bella and fam bravely departed for the mountains today. Whether this was a brilliant and brave act or a risky and crazy idea remains to be seen. So far Baby Bella has proven to be a terrific traveler.

Upon arrival, the princess immediately found her way into her PJ's and went....fast asleep. I am referring to Princess Bella but the same could be said for Princess Deborah.

Sometimes it's the small things in life that matter most. Six months ago I thought pack 'n play meant you packed your duffel bag and headed out of town to play. Now I know it's a wonderful contraption that keeps the baby out of Mommy and Daddy's bed on a road trip. Now why didn't I think of that?

God Bless the inventor and manufacturer of the Pack 'n Play.

Matching Pair

Baby Bella and Daddy show off their matching yellow shirts. They are definitely two of kind.

I love it when a plan comes together! Every once in a while you get the feeling that life is a puzzle you can solve - Daddy and Bella had that kind of day thanks to a little piece of advice from Mommy.

Mommy explained that Baby Bella is easier to sooth when you comfort her right away rather than waiting until she is in the full throws of a blustering Bella storm. Any whimper that is followed by open eyes means that Baby Bella is not going back to sleep and needs one of three things - rocking, changing, or feeding.

Mommy left me with Baby Bella for a few hours and what do you know? It worked! Baby Bella was so easy to handle that I was almost convinced we will survive when Mommy goes back to work next week.

Dedication Sunday

Baby Bella was dedicated to the service of the Lord on Sunday, July 5, 2009.

Baby Bella Celebrates the 4th

Baby Bella celebrated the 4th with the fam - including Papa, Nana, and Great Grandma Blair. Late in the day it became all too much to handle. Baby Bella took a power nap to regroup.

Perhaps the best fireworks started on Friday night. Baby Bella slept for 5 - FIVE - straight hours and then another three after being fed. Mommy and Daddy were able to get eight hours of sleep with only one interruption. YEAH!!!!

99 Years Apart

Baby Bella and fam took a road trip to introduce Baby Bella to her other great grandparents. She was introduced to Great Granddaddy Blythe who is 99 years old and to Great Grandmother Jane who is.....well, you should never tell a women's age right?

We had a wonderful time, Baby Bella played in Great Grandmother's arms and then drifted into a deep sleep without the first whimper. She made it look easy.

A good time for everyone! Our children are blessed to have four living grandparents and three living great grandparents that absolutely adore them.

Side note: Papa took the opportunity to hold Baby Bella as well. It's interesting to watch the two of them together. They bond with their eyes - they stare at each other. Looking back at all of our pictures of Papa and Baby Bella, we do not have one where you can see his eyes. He is always gazing down at the little miracle in his arms.

Hamming it Up

Baby Bella was introduced to her precious Hammy today. Hammy is a very soft pink lovie with the head of a pig at the top. For those of you who don't know - Mommy loves pigs. That is her thing. Apparently, from the smile, so does Baby Bella.

Is it that Baby Bella loves pigs or is she just thinking of bacon? You be the judge.

Recess

Another first for Baby Bella. Mommy introduced Baby Bella to the play yard today. She kicked her legs and threw her arms around - good times. Amazingly enough it entertained her for over thirty minutes.

Bella in a Basket

What do you do with the baby when you need to fold laundry? You put her in the laundry basket on top of the dryer so the motion will keep her happy - of course. Necessity is the mother of invention. Mother had a necessity and invented.

Foiled Follies

Baby Bella bellowed for much of the morning and afternoon. No apparent cause - no crime was committed, no diapers voided, no feeding skipped and certainly no lack of attention was paid to the princess. She just had one of those days - but then again, (to quote a country song) "the lady has a right."

The evening turned a good deal happier as BFF Ava Grace and Baby Bella got together. Little Ava Grace found entertainment in the foil laying around. Too cute for words. We enjoy watching little Ava for a host of reasons, including that she is one year older than Baby Bella. It provides good insight into our future.

And a happy future it seems to be judging from the smile on our face when we are around Ava Grace and Baby Bella.