18 Weeks in Stripes.

HAPPY FOUR MONTHS BELLS! WE LOVE YOU THIS MUCH, and MORE!

Update:
Our baby girl has turned 4 months and is 18 weeks old now. Bella is awake more during the day and is playing and watching all the excitement and movement around her. She enjoys sitting in the bumbo on a regular basis. Doesn't use a pacifier anymore, she won't take it at all. I wanted her to be a pacifier sucker, so that I could use it for some peaceful sleeping and entertaining, but I have another paci-hater. Bella will occasionally try to scoot herself right out of the car seat. She tries getting to the car seat edge if she gets fussy and we don't get there fast enough, I guess it is her way of saying "I am done being here and I am coming out one way or another". Fortunately the car seat keeps her pretty cradled and she is in our sight all the time. She enjoys her brother, Connor's, soft kisses and hugs. He has to be careful though not to startle her, and when he does he rushes away saying "Oh my! Oh my!". Connor even tries to get the spit up rag and wipe away her drool if he sees it, Bella isn't too fond of that though. She is much better during diaper changes now and she doesn't mind getting changed or being wiped off after a spit up attack. Bella is enjoying baths a little more. But she has to have someone to hold her. She is a lot more clingy and sensitive than Connor was. But we don't mind holding and snuggling with her lots.

Height: 23.5 inches
Weight: 15 lbs

She loves to chew on her tongue now, as if deep in thought.

MILESTONES:
Grasping toys, and brings them to her mouth.
Makes new cooing and gooing sounds.
Bella bats at mobiles and enjoys watching their motion.
Responds to Mommy's voice, by looking at me.
She pinches. It isn't really a milestone I am too fond of. But a milestone in her development all the same. While holding her she pinches my neck or grabs my hair and pulls on it. It is cute sometimes, and other times a little painful.
She has many more facial expressions and shows her love for people in all her smiles and laughter.
Bella kicks her legs lots and springs up while you're holding her. And springs backwards too, so we have to be careful.

LIKES:
Likes to have tiny feet massages.
Loves to look at the mirror on her kick and play gym toy, and enjoys kicking the piano and making it play music.
Rocking in the rocking chair.
Snuggling into your neck to cuddle and sleep.
Sucking on her long fingers.
Bumbo sitting.
Bella LOVES to be cradled and carried and held and snuggled the most!

DISLIKES:
Her fingernails that she has started to scratch herself with. Once they're cut their even sharper.
Poking herself in the eye, no fun and a painful long cry ensues.
High pitched screams, inspire a blood curdling scream of fear from Bella. She hates being startled.
HATES having her nose wiped (and having the dreaded saline drops and nose sucker combo, is the worst).

Happy V Daying!

A little Valentine history: "The history of Valentine's Day--and the story of its patron saint--is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

According to another legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first "valentine greeting” himself after he fell in love with a young girl--possibly his jailor's daughter--who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today." (history.com)

---------------------------------------------------------

Happy Valentine's Day!

My day began waking up late with Bells. And soon after Shea and Connor spoiled me with a giant box of chocolates and beautiful roses. Their were even some baby sized chocolate boxes for Con and Bells. And the best part was balloons for both babies! Con couldn't get enough of his balloon and he is still enjoying it now. I love my valentine!

For Valentine's Day dinner, we went out to Bonefish Grill. After reservations were made way ahead, we still had to do some waiting, but once we got seated it was all yum! I love seafood and this was my place! I had Wolffish Stuffed with Crab and Scallops, it was awesome. We doubled with my Mom and Dad and it was a fun little evening out, which we all enjoyed. Even though our babies at home were sick, we got some awesome babysitters (Amberlee and Daniel). I had a cold too; however, I didn't want to miss out on our plans so I went and was a little tired, but had such a great time.

I loved my Valentine's Day with my special valentine. I love having Shea by my side all the time and he makes me so happy. I feel so blessed to have him in my life forever! Thanks babe!

Love Bugs

February is the month of LOVE!

And we sure can't forget how much we love these two babybugs!

They are everything to us. They make us laugh, smile, and even cry. Everyday we learn more about them and they teach us new things. As they grow older we can't help but miss our precious little babies, however the excitement of each new stage is undeniable.

WE love you LOVEBUGS!

1 + 1 = 4

Eyes Met at FHE Social

+

Haunted First Date

+

Held hands

+

First kiss before Christmas Break

+

Shared "I Love You's"

+

 Proposed on a showboat (Cumberland River -Nashville, TN)

+

Spent a Summer apart

+

For Time and all Eternity

+

Anticipated our First Born, Connor

+

Baby Bella crashed our 3^rd Anniversary

+

Happy 3.5 years of Marriage

=

TRUE LOVE!

“We love with a love that was more than love.” Edgar Allan Poe

Drive Me Crazy

Bella drives me crazy! 

Literally...

Not the normal crazy, the I love you so much I go crazy!

How could you not just adore this face!

She makes each day so bright with her heart melting, full faced, 

smiles and a little giggle to accompany them!

It is amazing to see how fast she can light up a room! 

WE LOVE YOU BABY BELLS!

Darth Vader

Not this one...

This one...
This is our Sick Con. Sniffly, coughy, sleepy, sneezy, grumpy, hoarse, Darth Vader - sounding Con!

Our poor sick Con came down with a cold that I had at the time too. And it quickly turned into croup. Hearing his hoarse "Darth Vader" voice, and his barking cough, and his very sad wheezing for breath was the most heart breaking sickness he has endured yet. Shea has been so worried about our little man and can't bare it. We have had several sleepless nights. As we hold our little boy upright, since that is the only way he can breath. Lying down for the poor man is a nightmare. So Shea and I are happy to say that our Con is on the mend! We are looking forward to some deep sleeping nights in the future.

Last night Con perked up a bit and ate lots of dinner. He is such a veggie and fruit lover. I love my healthy eater. He enjoys fresh cooked corn, asparagus, green beans, and carrots. And his favorite fruits are pineapples, strawberries, apples, and grapes.

But our boy isn't all the way better just yet...

dinner was exhausting and a grumpy sleepy Con reminded us it was bedtime. 

Flakes in Frederick

Hometown in Maryland decided to grace us with a quiet snowstorm. It snuck up on us with big flakes, and a short fall. Connor loved catching the flakes in his mouth and tasting them, feeling the snow and crunching it in his mitten covered hands. He could have stayed out there forever, but after a little prodding he came in reluctantly.

Connor had a haircut a little over three months ago, and his hair grows fast! So after too many crazy bedhead days and a lot of funny hairdo's we decided it was time for haircut number two. Mommy helped lots this time and we cut it as close as we could get. 

Late Night Thinking ...

You know how late at night when you can't sleep and you feel a tad sense of uselessness, (I know it sounds silly since I am surrounded by family as I am visiting in Maryland, but it happens), well as I was struck with this I came across an enlightening quote. A good pick me up for those of us that need a reminder of all our essential assignments in life that keep us filled and happy!

"Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for and relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling."

~  Marjorie Pay Hinckley  ~

Third and Twenty

Third Month 
of Bella

Update:
Bells turned 3 months a little while ago. Bella is becoming a charmer, she is such a smiley little girl that seems to brighten everyone's day. She is content with cuddles and happy faces. She wears bows and all the outfits Mommy dresses her in, without any complaining :) She loves kisses and hugs, and tickles. She is not too fond of the pacifier but Mommy still makes her take it sometimes. (Why do my kids refuse to take the pacifier? If only.) Bells is no fan of formula and bottles, but when desperate times call for desperate measures it suffices. She adores her big brother. She smiles at him and puts up with him, even when he is a little rough. We love every inch of her, from her wispy blonde hair to her ticklish toes. 

Height: 23 Inches
Weight: 13 Pounds
(These numbers are measured at home so they are only approximate)

MILESTONES
Brings her hands to her mouth.
Swats at dangling toys placed near her.
Stretches her legs out and kicks when lying on stomach or back.
Mouths objects brought to her face.
Pushes down on her legs when her feet are placed on a firm surface.
Enjoys playing with other people; and she cries when playing stops sometimes.
Stares at her hands and fingers.

LIKES
Smiles at our faces (I love this stage where she is beginning to really respond and show us her happiness)
Laughs at Daddy
Sleeping in the Car seat, at all hours
Sticking her tongue out
Holding your finger or her blanket
Staring in the mirror



DISLIKES
Spitting up, and she knows how to let it go. Poor Girl.
Loud Noises
Bad Dreams
Sudden Movements
(She has these perfectly peaceful moments where one little thing makes her fall apart and she screams the most long pitiful heart wrenching screams that only Mommy cuddles can fix.)

------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Twenty Months Old
from Connor

Update:
Connor turns 20 months old tomorrow. Since month 19 (and a little before) he has been going to nursery at church. The nursery leaders love him and he does fantastic every week,  occasionally he does need a friendly face to accompany him. But all in all we are so impressed. Having our child safe and happy in nursery is amazing, we get a break! Con is ALL BOY! He loves screaming and making messes and fighting, He is also the sweetest, most gentle brother and son he could be. He gives kisses and hugs and pouts when Mommy or Daddy are sad, he loves to give and receive back massages; and LOVES taking care of Bells he rocks Bella in the car seat and tries to carry her around and tries hard to put her hair bows in. We love him to the moon and back. 

Height: 32 Inches
Weight: 27 Pounds
(These numbers are measured at home so they are only approximate)

MILESTONES
Tries to open doors using knobs and handles
Uses zippers
Throws and tries to catch small ball
Scribbles with crayons
Turn pages to pretend to read, gabs during
Helps with simple household tasks: "throw away", "get diaper", etc.
Points to what he wants, or where he wants to go
Holds cup without lid and drinks - some spilling
Removes socks independently, places hats on heads, lifts his arms and helps put on shirt and pants
Folding his arms, when prayers are being said

LIKES
Gabbing away -we occasionally catch words similar to: Football, Drink, Here you go, See You, No, Mine, More, Go, Thank You, etc.

Lego Blocks; putting together and mostly taking apart
Reading, in short increments
Giving Bella kisses
Brushing his own teeth
Eating with a fork
Sipping from a straw
Sweeping with a broom, even if it does make more messes then it cleans up
Dancing
Singing "la la la la" around the house
Playing pretend, he already has his gun sound down and his dramatic death and he makes most anything into a sword so as to hit and slice things accompanied by all sorts of sounds
Waking up with Daddy
Talking on the phone

DISLIKES
Being Sleepy
Showers
When Mommy Brushes his Teeth
If anyone leaves the house, goes up/down the stairs, or goes to the bathroom (if he sees someone leaving he shouts NO and chases them so as to bribe them to take him too, with his pouty lip and outstretched arms)