Hormones

These days I've been a little hormonal. I suppose it's pregnancy. For those of you who don't know, we found out a couple of weeks ago that we are expecting a baby boy this time. I am not disappointed, I am thankful that he is healthy, and looking forward to experiencing life with a little boy. But, I really thought we were having another girl. Like I said I'm not disappointed, I think it's more that I'm just getting emotional over Bella growing up. Granted, she's only 2, it's not like she's about to get married, but I just feel like it's going too fast. And part of me was hopeful that I would get to experience another baby girl all over again. After we found out this baby was a boy, I was looking in Bella's closet at some of her old clothes. I couldn't help but tear up a little at the thought of Bella in them. It doesn't seem that long ago that she was wearing them, and now I'm sure most of them wouldn't even fit over her head. Here is a pic of my baby girl in one of my favorites...

I am really excited about meeting my little boy in 4 months, and know he will change my life in ways I can only imagine now. I also know that your love doesn't divide when a new child comes, it multiplies. I'm just being a hormonal pregnant mama and feeling a little sappy over the past 2 years, 3 months and 4 days with my little girl. I wish time didn't go so fast sometimes.

Maybe you've heard this song before, but I just wanted to add this video. We've been doing floors in our house the past few weeks, and haven't had a TV in the living room, so we've been listening to a lot of radio. I've heard this song more than a few times over the past few weeks, and it pretty much sums up what I've been feeling lately... Enjoy.

Easter

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend! We sure did. We started the weekend with lunch and an Easter egg hunt at Scott's parent's house on Saturday. This is the second year they have done this and it is fun! They invite my parents, as well as my brother, sister-in-law and neice. Last year Bella was the lone Easter egg hunter, but this year Layla got to participate! Bella felt it necessary to open each egg as she found them and eat the Hershey kiss hidden inside. So needless to say, the hunt lasted quite a while, but I think both girls had a good time.

Bella looking for some eggs.

I love this picture of Bella, even though there is chocolate on her face :)

I was impressed that Bella decided to share some of her beloved chocolate with her cousin Layla. For those of you that know Bella, you know what a huge sacrifice this was for her!

After the Easter egg hunt was over, Grandma got out the bubbles. Bella loves bubbles, and this little thing was great- tons of bubbles and Bella could do it herself!

Bella giving her cousin Layla some love before we left to come back to Wilmington.

Sunday morning we got up to see what the Easter bunny brought. Of all the things in her Easter basket, Bella was most excited about the candy- shocking, I know.

She had just woken up, and was excited to see what the Easter bunny had left!

Candy!!

Afterwards, we got ready to go to church. I have had Bella's Easter dress for months, and couldn't wait to see her in it. Of course, I think she looked adorable! We really enjoyed the Easter service at church. When we went to pick Bella up in her class after church, she couldn't wait to tell us what she had learned in Sunday school. Her teacher said "tell Mommy and Daddy the good news!" Bella threw her arms in the air and yelled "Desus is alive!!" She just kept saying it over and over. I loved it!

Bella in her Easter dress. Our house is a mess right now. We're putting in new hardwood floors, and have been living in a construction zone for 2 weeks! It was hard to get a picture without the mess in the backgroud.

After church, we tried to get a few more pictures outside, but Bella was pretty restless and wouldn't stand still. But here are a few action shots.

Oh, the Excitement!!!

I ventured out to Wal-Mart this morning. I have found that Wal-Mart is actually bearable if you go in the morning during the week. Forget trying to go on a Saturday afternoon- you'll never catch me at Wal-Mart then! That's when all the crazies go, and I want no part of it...

Anyway, the purpose of my trip was to pick up a few necessities, but the main thing I wanted to get was a potty for Bella. I had read or heard somewhere that it helps the potty training effort if the child gets to help pick out their own potty. So, I thought I'd give it a try. As soon as I put Bella in the cart, I started trying to get her excited about picking out her potty. I had no idea how excited she would get! We got to the potty aisle, and within a few seconds Bella yells "I want da pink one!" So, the pink one it was!

As soon as we got back to the house, I couldn't even unload all of my purchases because Bella kept asking "take my potty outta da box?" I still couldn't believe how excited she was over the new potty. She couldn't wait to try it out. So, she has spent most of the afternoon and evening sitting on her new potty. Although nothing has happened in the potty yet, I know it will soon. I just have to be patient. I may be able to avoid having 2 in diapers after all. I can't believe how fast my little girl is growing up!

A Conversation with an Elephant

So, the other morning, I woke up to my sweet girl having a conversation with her stuffed elephant that she sleeps with. I listened for a while, over the monitor. It was quite entertaining and went like this...
"Hey elphant, how you day?" (translation: Hey elephant, how are you today?)
"Daddy will get us a snack."
"You weady to get out of the cage?"
I loved it. I wish there had been a way to record it, so that I could hear it again and again. On the other hand, I'm not sure why she was referring to her bed as a "cage". She still sleeps in the crib, but I have never called her bed a "cage"... Maybe it's my clue that she's ready for a big girl bed.

Spring!

Okay, so I realize it's technically not spring yet, but we have had some beautiful spring-like weather over the past several days. I also realize that having just looked at the forecast online, the spring-like tease we've been having is about to come to an end. We have been spending a lot of time outside these past several days, and I'm hoping it won't be long before spring comes back for good.


Bella and I made sure to take advantage of this last warm day with a trip to the park- it was packed! Tons of bigger kids, which made me nervous for Bella to be on the slides. Those big kids are so fast! Luckily, Bella was content with a walk around the lake since her nervous mommy didn't want her to get run over on the playground. We enjoyed picking up sticks and rocks- we even saw a few turtles. I do want to share one funny thing that happened as we walked.... We came across another mom and her kids, and they spoke Spanish. When Bella heard the mom talk, she looked at me and yelled "Dora!" I couldn't decide if I should be embarassed or impressed that Bella recognized the language.

I've included a few pictures of the past few days...

Getting some help from Daddy. It's tough to pedal through grass!

Bella loves to blow bubbles!

Catch-Up

My New Year's resolution was to do a much better job at keeping up my blog. I guess I have failed. Miserably. So, to catch all of you followers up on the happenings in our lives, here goes...

The biggest news would have to be the fact that Scott and I are expecting our second child in August. We are thrilled with this, but a little nervous about having a 2 year old and a newborn. Especially since that 2 year old is Bella. I've seen the way she treats her baby dolls and I'm a little concerned for this kid's safety :) Hopefully, she won't throw her baby brother or sister on the coffee table to "tange" it's diaper! This pregnancy so far has been completely different than Bella's. With Bella, I rarely had any nausea, and pretty much just sailed through an easy pregnancy. This time, it's been quite the opposite. I've hugged the toilet more than I would have preferred over the last few months. I keep hoping that I'm nearing the end of the "morning" sickness phase, but it keeps rearing it's ugly head. Also, whoever coined the phrase "morning" sickness was an idiot. I've learned that it's morning, noon, and night sickness. Fun, fun!!! But it's all for a good cause!

Also, I've gone back to work! Ironically, I found out I was pregnant the day after my interview for my new job. It was probably the worst interview I have ever been through in my life, and really thought there was no way I was going to get the job. Luckily, I managed to sound somewhat qualified and was offered the position. It's a part-time position as a dietitian at the hospital here. So far, I love it. Working in the hospital is totally different than long-term care, so I'm still learning. Bella is going to daycare for the 2 days a week I'm working now, and she loves it. At least she does now. We had a rough few weeks in the beginning, but I'm so thankful that she's made the adjustment. She's even taking a dance class at school once a week- I can't wait for the recital!

I've attached a few recent pictures of Bella. I took her for her first haircut last week. I've put off getting her a hair cut for a while, because I was afraid her curls would be gone. Luckily, there are still some curls left :) Her hair looks so much better!

Being such a big girl in the chair!

The end result! She's enjoying the sucker she got as a reward for being so good.

Happy Birthday Bella!

I can't believe my little girl will be 2 years old tomorrow. Everyone told me during my pregnancy to enjoy every moment, because it goes by so fast. They were so right. It doesn't seem like it could possibly be 2 years already since this little girl came into our lives. Scott and I continue to learn everyday how hard, but rewarding parenthood is. We couldn't imagine our lives any other way and thank God everyday for Bella.

On a lighter note- we had her birthday party last weekend. She had so much fun! We rented out one of her favorite places in Wilmington, Fit for Fun, and invited several of her little friends. I think there were about 9 kids total, and everyone had a good time. We played, did a little art project, and of course, ate birthday goodies. Fit for Fun was the perfect place for her party. I didn't have to do a thing other than watch Bella enjoy every moment of her party. And the best part was, I didn't have to clean sticky finger prints from my walls at home!

I have included some pictures of the party...

Peeking out of the fort made of blocks.

Bella playing in the ball pit. Layla really wanted to come in to play too!

Layla and Bella in their birthday crowns.



They had the blow up cake up front just for Bella!



Playing with the parachute- that was fun!


Bella and her "boyfriend", Bryson. Bella has it bad for this little boy :)



Layla LOOOVED the cupcake- at least she's getting some good practice for her birthday that's coming up soon!

Making birthday crowns.

Bella and Layla playing before the party got started.

I think everyone enjoyed the cupcakes!

Bella decided to give the dinosaur some love.

Blowing out the candles. It was a good thing that everyone had their own cupcake, because Bella involved a lot of spit to get those candles out!

Playing in the bubbles.

The birthday girl!