Girl's Night Out!

Brian watch Belle for me on Friday night while my friend Ashley and I went to a jewelry party at a church members of mine and then out for dinner!  It was so nice catching up and having some "me" time!  We are so excited for her and Jeremy to bring their sweet little "Ellie" into the world in January.  Belle especially can't wait to have a new playmate :)

Seriously, do they make this in my size?

Of course little girls clothes are so adorable, but I really want this dress in my size, too bad Janie and Jack only goes up to size 7-8 (that is in little girl sizes)

We braved the madness

On Thursday, Grams and I took Belle for her first "girls" shopping experience.  We braved the new Tanger outlets in Mebane, which I must say was madness!!  We had to park across the street at the outpatient hospital and Grams seriously wait in line for 45 minutes for a subway sandwiches!!  Belle loved checking out all the people and enjoyed "OFF Saks Fifth Avenue" a little too much, guess we are in trouble already :).  We had a great day and enjoyed a little Christmas shopping as well.  On the way back we stopped by our fabulous fire department, where our knowledgable firemen installed Grams "big" girl carseat.

Thanks for a great day Grams!

Trip to visit Grandpa and Lizzie

We are sad that we won't be able to spend Thanksgiving with my Dad and Liz this year!!  They are heading down to Florida early so we headed up to the mountains this weekend to celebrate Christmas with them a little bit early.  Since we have been so crazy with work and church lately I haven't had time to do much shopping so we will be shipping their gift to them this year!!

We heading up Saturday evening and enjoyed some catching up!  We haven't been able to get together since Belle's Birthday party!  Brian and I feel extremely fortunate that Ms. Belle left us sleep in with the time change.  She was up for about 30 minutes then went back to sleep so we all able to sleep in until 9:00am...YIPPEE.

We enjoyed sometime playing with Buddy(Grandpa and Lizzie's Dog)  Isn't he adorable?

Belle enjoyed trying to brush his teeth.  As she does everyone these days...maybe a career in dentistry is in her future?

After playing with Buddy and a yummy breakfast it was present time!  Belle enjoyed opening her gifts this year, which was so exciting!!  Grandpa and Lizzie got her some great books, a generous contribution to her college fund and an adorable book bag that she just fell in love with!  She walked all over the house carrying her books!  I think she is already to go to school:).  Thanks Grandpa and Lizzie for such a great Christmas this year.

After a late lunch/early dinner due to Belle's extended nap we headed back to JL to take some pictures outside.  Since most of the leaves were down we didn't get the vibrant colors, but the scenary is still gorgeous!  Bri and I are going to use one of the pictures taken for our Christmas card this year so enjoy some pictures of Belle/Bri/Grandpa and Lizzie...our family picture to be seen at a later date!  Thanks guys for a wonderful trip and we will look forward to seeing you in  Florida for our visit in 2011 and then back  in NC for the summer!

Avid Reader

Of course we have read to sweet little Belle ever since we knew she was joining our little family.  Brian use to sing and read books to my belly while I was pregnant.  While Belle has always enjoyed reading and listening to books she nows carries them wherever she goes.  Always reading and pointing out fun things!  Belle's babysitter told me that she will sometimes sit and read by herself for upwards to 45 minutes!!  Of course Belle and Mommy/Daddy read lots of books together, but we were so pleased to hear that she can entertain herself reading for quite sometime.  Here is my little one waiting for a snack just reading away!

So cliche

I know all babies do this...but it was our first time so I had to post...finding and climbing up the dishwasher

My little walker

So Ms. Belle has decided that walking is starting to be WAY more fun then crawling and "toddles" around on a regular basis.  We are shifting from our Frankenstein walk to Robot...I thought I had videotaped her some of her adorable steps this week, but I guess I didn't catch it since I can pull them up :(.  Next time!!

Here is little Frankenstein...I caught it with my cell phone

Moving to Robot stage...I am sure my pediatrician would laugh at my names for Belle's walking stages :)