Nine and All Mine

Yes Bella's Ninth Month is coming to an end. She will be on to Month Ten in just a couple days. But I wrote most of this weeks ago and was waiting for a photo shoot. Today we went to the splash park and Bella decided to be brave and enjoy the warm weather. Although the sun made her have funny facial expressions, she was still happy and a cutie the entire time. So enjoy these pictures as she will not be nine months for much longer.

Update: 

On to a new month and a new world of enlightenment. Bella is discovering new things every day. We love nothing more than watching all her funny expressive eyebrow skills and her serious contemplative outlook on life. Sometimes Bella will cough or tug on you to get your attention, or just climb all over you and tug on your face, it may feel like she is ripping your skin off but she has not mastered the gentle skill and I promise she is only trying to extend a friendly greeting. We also have to keep in mind that she has sensitive skin, whether it is rashes or sunburn it is better to think ahead with lotion, sunscreen, and diaper cream on hand. Unfortunately Bella is still not eating anything. It has been frustrating to have such a determined non bottle or food taker. At the doctor I mentioned her food aversions, gagging, shivering, lock down. So they set her up with an occupational therapist which may be able to help teach us some exercises to use with her to overcome this. She takes a sippy cup rarely and is a determined nurser. So much for only 9 months of nursing.
*** CORRECTION: After her therapist appointment and a few tips, along with her new teeth coming in she has finally decided to try food out. She is eating a little every time we give it to her as long as she gets to feed herself. Mashed potatoes, waffles, goldfish, and more. It is little at a time, but definitely an accomplishment! 

Milestones:

TEETHING! No teeth yet. But her top front two are very close and she loves gnawing on her fingers and Mommy's knuckles or arm. She is not too fussy but a little baby tylenol has come in hand a couple times. Maybe her first tooth will make its appearance within the month :) *** CORRECTION: Tooth 1, 2 and 3 have cut!

Cruising on everything and VERY cautious. She is nothing like our on the go lad Connor. She likes to have purpose. Crawl to get a toy, cruise to get Mommy. And when a toy or blanket in the way she sits and crawls around it.  

Catches herself when falling, with hands

Imitates sounds and likes to copy Daddy when he clicks his tongue

Stranger Danger, she loves being home and with family (outsiders and new places are not her favorites to explore)

She is babbling more and more with sounds like "ooh, aah, maaa, naaa, baaa, uhhh", they range between high and low pitch and are usually long and sometimes loud. Connor has started babbling back and it makes her giggle. 

Not liking the little boy that just splashed her in the face. 

LIKES:

Peek-a-boo

Responds to name, with smiles.

Enjoys making new sounds, like banging on the metal chairs at church.

Sunbathing, the sun is so exhausting for her. Whether it is the park, pool, splash park, or playground, she is zonked and enjoys the sun rays while she sleeps. 

Upside down tickles win the biggest heartiest laughs you ever did hear. 

Staying up late. When we are on vacation she usually ends up joining the party and she loves the night life. Happy and center if attention is how she likes it.
Happy arm shaking and loud cooing (as seen in picture!)

DISLIKES:

Does not like it when we trick her to stand or walk by herself. She hates it when we hold her fingers to help her stand and then let go, she gets all nervous and looks down and slowly cautiously sits down. IT is so funny to see her stand on her own balanced and all, she rarely walks even when encouraged. Once or twice she has made a step to get to the couch, oh so close. But nothing of acknowledgement yet, since that has only happened once or twice. 

Afraid when left alone, so she crawls on a search and find mission.

Boise Waters

With only a few days left we had fun exploring. 

Nampa Ducks

As the children napped in the car one day, Shea took us on a tour of Nampa. He showed me all three homes there that he grew up in, the schools he attended, and fields he played on. We stopped near a park to eat some lunch and Shea told me about how he fed ducks here once. So with a quick trip to the store, returning with a loaf of bread in hand we got our children unloaded and made our way over to some hungry looking ducks. 

McCall, Payette Lake

Shea had family vacationing in McCall, and since it was just a drive away from Boise we decided to accept their invitation for a visit. Playing at their condo, ice cream eating and Lake side digging. Life is good. Connor LOVED the sand. And the water sand combo. It was his first time and he was a brave plunger, trying to fill his bucket and chuck rocks across the lake. A little boy's dream. 

Mommy had fun too!

Connor was soaked and dirty from head to toe with sand everywhere in between, but nothing a bath couldn't fix.
After a late night drive home with sleeping babes in the back, we jumped into our warm beds and cuddled our family close.

Everyone in Boise treated us so well we didn't want to leave. But Monday came and after a two week vaca we headed home. We've returned to Rexburg with bills, a baby fish, and a new job for Shea awaiting us. We can't complain life is looking good.

Thanks: Jared and Lindsay, CJ, and Aunt Karen and Family for being so welcoming and such good hosts! We love and miss you all!

Boise Life

Our trip wasn't over yet with lots more to do and more people to see we enjoyed another week or so of the Boise life.

"DOUGHNUT"
While we stayed with Uncle CJ, Connor wanted only two things for breakfast. Waffle. Or Doughnut! He would beg all morning and eat apples and fruit snacks but nothing made him happier than going to visit the local Krispy Kreme and watching the doughnuts and enjoying one only moments later!

Thanks Uncle CJ !

Bowling 101

When bowling with a toddler remember that they are super independent (especially this one), and may want to do every detail of bowling themselves. Which can and will make the bowling trip hectic and tantrum filled. I must say he LOVED it. Waiting for his turn and staying away while others bowled was not the fun part though. Good thing Uncle CJ was his patient buddy and helped him along. 

Soggy Bottomed Boy
We celebrated our last day with the kid's cousins at Five Guys Burger and then at a park. Our girl cousins were exhausted. But our boy cousins couldn't help but want to explore the playground and splash park.

I didn't think to bring a bathing suit since I wasn't expecting a water outing, so soaked from the water this little Connor man had a hard time keeping his soaked bottoms up.

After a change and quick dry we tried snapping a photo of both our Stanger families.

It was hard to say goodbye to Jared, Lindsay, JJ, and Addie. They make Boise quite a fun place equipped with playmates. They are now in Pennsylvania and starting a whole new adventure. We can't wait to visit them this winter, and see how big all these kidlings have gotten.  

Connor is still saying "JJ play, please?"

Boise Cousins

After a long spring semester of school for Shea, we celebrated with a trip to Boise. Delayed by our dead car in Pocatello we headed out for a second go, a few days later and made it. We didn't want to leave.

Playing with cousins was definitely at the top of the list!
Bella and Addie (one week apart)

How many can we fit in a tub?

Nature Park 
Strolling through the park, watching fishies, seeing birds, and enjoying the shade.

The Mom stop holding my hand look.

Cousin JJ

Who can resist jumping in the pool on these hot summer days?
Not us.
We stayed with Uncle CJ (Shea's Brother) and his apt swimming pool was a definite perk. We bought floaties for the kids and they had a blast experiencing swimming/sunbathing for the first time.