12 ... 13 Months

Last week Bella completed her twelfth month and she is on to month 13. She is no baby anymore. It is hard to believe she is over a year now!

Twelve Month Doctor's appointment report...
Happy Smiles, Down to a Diaper, A Tad Chilly, Long Stick in Mouth, Peeking in Ears, A Heartbeat Check, All looks good! Than 6 Shots, Cries, Screams, Tears, Band-Aid Kisses, Brother Hugs and about Three Days of Recovery (from shots that bruised her poor legs, tylenol and warm baths weren't enough so we just did a lot of snuggling).
        Height: 28 in - 17%
        Weight: 18.6 - 12%
        Head Circumference: 18 in - 69%
Only half a pound growth from her 8.5 month check up, silly girl determined to stay our baby forever :)

Connor joined Bella and I for her check up. SO it was quite a juggling act. But I am getting used to managing these two acrobats while Shea is busy. It isn't always easy and tantrums and fits usually fill my adventures, but these two love nothing more than being together.

Thirteen Month WIC appointment report...
Playtime with Brother, Walking and Exploring, No shoes, Sit still, Check weight, Still happy, Check height, Stretch, No fun, Daddy clinging, Back to shoes and listening to Mommy brag about me and brother.


Height: 27.4 Inches
Weight: 18.75 Pounds

All these pictures are from before and after her WIC appt today. She enjoyed being able to walk and play around this time and enjoyed her brother's company. Daddy came along too, to help Mommy juggle both babes in the office. 

Milestones:
Climbing. Using her knees to attempt the couch, stools, drawers and other maneuvers.
Getting off the couch be herself. Turning around to shimmy her legs off.
Eating more and more. All sorts of textures and flavors. A little bite of anything we give her she takes. Not to fond of mushrooms though :)
Getting into trouble. You may not think this a milestone, but it has been a huge change in her easy going, come what may nature, to ... finding trouble, exploring for mischief, and picking on brother.
She is more vocal. I wouldn't say she is communicating but sure she knows to babble and giggle, and act silly before bed, and scream super mad at brother when he picks on her (as if to say "Give that back, or Stop it!").
I love her affection, full on open mouthed kisses for brother, and more.
In the last week we got a couple surprises. Another bottom right tooth has come in along with a molar on her right side too. Which explains some of her gnawing lately.

Bella has finally discovered her annoying bows . . .

LIKES
She loves the bathroom. I don't know if it is her love for the tub, or climbing on top of the toilet, or watching Mommy do her make up and hair. But it is her favorite place to be. Maybe it is partly because it is rarely open for her exploration :)
It took a little coaxing but she is now a shoewearer mainly only to church. But she loves playing with them and walks in them really well. The first time she was a little uneasy about the whole shoe thing, but you wouldn't be able to tell now.
Windy weather.
Brother's Toys
Ears
Chewing on Bows

DISLIKES

Brrr Cold. Yes the winter weather has already hit us. And our Bella shivers every time she feels the cold sneak in when the door opens.
Being alone. Our baby doesn't like to be left, so when I switch rooms too quiet and she looks up and around to find I am not there she gets very nervous and screams out for me. Connor likes helping Bella find Mommy. He goes and gets her and leads her my way, saying "Come on Bella. You sad? Come on." With a little hand on her back as he helps her into the next room.
Milk.
Mommy messing with her hair.
Being weaned.
New places and strangers.
Teething

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving this year with my Mother's family. I enjoyed it immensely, it brought back so many sweet memories.
It all began with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, with the Martins . . .

 Then we went to my Aunt Shauna's home for a Thanksgiving dinner.

Our favorite part was visiting with Grandpa Kotter!

I am not going to lie, I was  a little uneasy about how things were going to go, for our first time in a hotel with two littles. But both litttles loved it, they especially loved the corded phone, the drawers in the dresser, and cartoons and snacks before bed.

We also took advantage of our Salt Lake adventure and tried out Tucanos a Brazilian Grill. (Shea and I have been to the one in Boise several times and LOVE it!)

 OH and Amberlee and I found Santa! Right before we left!

MY family then got to take a trip up to Rexburg and visit us for a few days. 

Where we played LOTS! 

 Cocoa Bean, Cupcakes

 Dragging the boys with us to the last Twilight Saga Movie. 

 Constructing snowflakes. 

Dancing in Diapers.

 Playing Pool.

Story time.

 Enjoying Gator Jacks.

 Mom's Homemade Blueberry Pancakes.

 Sending Letters to Santa.

 In between all our activities we did a lot of this  . . .

loving.

Then they had to say goodbye and fly home. 

I am threatened with a terrible aching every time they leave after a visit, because I miss them so much. I am close to my family, and calls and skype constantly keep me up to date. But neither can replace the emptiness I feel when they no longer fill my home, or their faces fill my days. 

Missing you all.  

Totally Honest

Some days I think to myself . . .

So Heavenly Father when I am going to have a nice house to put things in, and money to play dress up, and a car that runs without fail, and a backyard, and time to learn to sew (or buy a sewing machine), and a day to cook dinner without being bothered, and, and, and . . .

Then I look at my life and think to myself.
All my needs are met and we have an abundance of love in our home, and we get to share each and every day with a darling girl and an outrageously handsome little boy.
Life is good.

I am so grateful.

for cheesy smiles . . .

for static cling and Daddy giggles . . .

for a silly boy . . .

for a tough girl . . .

for sleep . . .

for family near and far . . .

for Jamba Juice . . .

for diapers . . .

for story time . . .

for this face . . .

for a happy home . . .

and for my man who I get to share this wonderful life with!

Bella's First Crush

Bella's favorite show. 

You may think me a bad parent for letting my girl watch TV, but she is just a calm and easy going child. And she just sits and watches anything with music and colors, so I put something on for Connor and he runs off in two seconds unless it is Curious George. Where as Bella gives it a good watch. 

Super Why is by far her favorite though. And I must say I think it has something to do with this fellow ...

SUPER WHY. Also known as Whyatt! He is the star and everytime he is on the screen, Bella gets a smirk. She even laughs at his jokes. It is adorable! 

First CRUSH. . . 

I think YES!

See for yourself :

Don't mind her shiner, tripping into the bathtub is no fun.