Suger, Spice...

...and couple of things nice in my kitchen. Skyler and I couldn't help but notice the spring in Mommy and Baby Bella's step this morning. We thought they looked especially sweet, incredibly pretty, and undeniably blessed. (We assume that is because they live with such nice guys as Sky and I).

We are beginning to learn what mobile means. Baby Bella's slow and deliberate crawl has progressed into a fast and determined crawl. Point her in the direction you want her to go and in 2.3 seconds she is headed the other way.

Last week I walked from the bathroom to the closet, selected my tie, turned around and stepped on her hand. Just that fast she made it from the bathroom to the closet. Danica Patrick has nothing on my little speed racer.

And just think - she will be walking soon. I feel the need to pray.

Daddy's Favorite Color

Baby Bella brighten Daddy's day in more ways than one this morning. She was sporting a little jumper in Daddy's favorite color. What's better than a bright yellow watermelon jumper on a gorgeous Spring day?

Maybe it's love, maybe it's the approaching 11 month mark, maybe it's the joy of Spring - but whatever it is - Baby Bella is starting to talk about IT often and loudly. She talked non-stop all the way to McDonald's, all through the drive thru line, and ALLLLLLLL the way to school.

I have no idea what she was talking about but she seemed certain of it and she clearly thought I needed to hear it in detail. She was right.

Baby Bella Blog Begging...

...forgiveness. We would like to apologize for the delay in posting over the last few weeks. Daddy is having to learn how to juggle the rigors of travelling and posting blog entries at the same time.

We repent of our ways, ask forgiveness, and commit to posting blog entries daily.

Spring Break

Big Brother is on Spring Break so Mommy and Daddy took him on an excursion to the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. Without Baby Bella? Yep! Skyler is the best big brother ever and we thought he deserved an exclusive day of play.

We had a great day and learned a lot. Climbed the rock wall (Mommy won) and rode the space shot free fall ride twice. And best of all, the day ended with Dippin' Dots. That makes any day a great one - just ask Big Brother.

Private note to Baby Bella: Yes, Mommy and Daddy will take you one day also. This was Big Brother's Day - and you are one lucky girl to have such an awesome big brother who adores you the way Skyler does.

Mule Day 2010

Don't ask!

Words I thought I would never hear myself say: "Honey, pack up the kids - we're going to the Mule Day parade in Columbia, TN."

Baby Bella and BFF Ava Grace enjoyed their very first Mule Day Parade. It is, indeed, a Columbia tradition - and apparently, a family one as well. A few mules into the parade, Baby Bella felt she had seen enough and drifted off into dream land in Amber's arms.

Grandma, Aunt Bessie, and Uncle Neal were also along for the ride.

And by-the-way, it was also the start of baseball season for big brother. Go Braves! A nice three run win to start the season.

Mommy and Daddy forgot to read the hand book on how to be two places at one time. How do people with more than two do it? I have to know the secret 'cause this scheduling thing is baffling me.

Chiquita

Baby Bella enjoys her very first Banana. We couldn't tell which she enjoyed more - the taste or playing with the peeling. She gave us a look of "are you sure this is edible?"

Her diet continues to grow daily - unscheduled - just anything that happens to be on Mommy's plate is fair game.

Top of the Morning

The girls were looking a little downcast as they packed up to leave the house. Daddy would like to think it's because they miss him so much when he is travelling.

It must be Spring! Baby Bella was looking too cute in the pink Polo dress Daddy bought for her before she was born. And the sandals? Way too cute, Mommy.

Now if Daddy could just come home and put a smile on these girls faces.

While Daddy is Away...

...the girls are playing. Being away from the family is never easy, but phone pictures, like this one, assure me that everything is OK.

Our little treasure is learning to adapt to new environments. She loves to shop, go for walks outside, and watch the boys play baseball.

Her new thing is that she has developed stranger danger with men. She isn't too fond of most men - Daddy is encouraging that attitude. LOL!

Easter - Food & Family

Baby Bella and family enjoyed an afternoon of food (Nana rocked out a great dinner) and family with Papa and Nana.

Baby Bella then open her Easter gift from Nana. Mommy and Daddy were excited about the jean dress but Bella thought the tissue paper was the bomb. Crawling all over Mommy was just a bonus.

Easter - The Worship

"He is not here, but is risen..." (KJV, Luke 24:6)

Baby Bella and family dressed up to attend Easter worship with Pastor Papa. Baby Bella enjoyed herself - including a little dance on top of the pew and clapping to the music. She seems to have inherited the Pentecostal tendency in our family.

Mommy couldn't help herself, she put Baby Bella in pigtails again. It seems a pigtail trend has emerged in our house.

Bella's First Easter

Baby Bella made it down stairs to see her very first Easter Basket. She was amused by the doll, Chickie, and the bunny ears. Everything else was just beyond her years. Skyler and Mommy enjoyed her Peeps and Jelly Beans. Daddy was guilty of eating her chocolate bunny.

Sorry Baby Bella Boo. Better Bunny luck next year.

Grand Day

Baby Bella enjoyed some quality time with Grandma and Grandpa Cain. Grandma and Baby Bella found good times in some orange cones. Grandpa and Baby Bella saw eye to eye and had one of Grandpa's famous "huggin' and gruntin' parties."

Every child should be so lucky - every day should be a grand day.

Pigtails

Oh, what a day. What a glorious sunny day for Baby Bella and her very first pigtails. Mommy and I were beside ourselves as Mommy finally found enough hair to put Baby Bella in pigtails.