A few milestones for Belle

Bri and I can't believe our beautiful little girl is almost one!  Where does the time go?  I want to put her in a bottle and never let her grown up!  Well, you know what I mean, just not too fast!  Belle has cut her second tooth on the bottom and has six, yes 6 tooth buds on the top that have not broken through the gums yet.  What does this mean?  Our recent sleep has diminshed for a bit. 

Belle can stand without support for about 10 seconds.  Once she realizes she is up she will squat back down.  However, with the assistance of her hippo she will scoot all over the living room. Brian and I think she just doesn't want to walk right now as she has had the ability for months now. Her pediatrician told me to get ready at her 6 month check up! She is just going to do it on her own time, which is fine with Mommy and Daddy! 

Belle is beginning to enjoy story time much more, reading books to herself and pointing out things that interest her in the stories.  She is also starting to grow some more hair which makes her Daddy very happy!  The jury is still out on the color for sure!  Belle has tried all sorts of yummy food lately loving lentils, shrimp, salmon, figs, spinach and pasta.  I am so happy she has been an adventurous eater so far!

We are just loving every minute of our sweety pie!

A new Mommy mistake

(thanks lizzie for our cute shoes!)

This summer I have just kept Belle in her little bare feet most of the time.  The weather is nice and it is truly easier not to have to worry about shoes.  Well, have I learned my lesson!  I should have been putting shoes on her periodically for her to get used to them.  I put a pair on her the other day and she screamed until I took them off.  She can't grip herself to stand up or crawl in her normal spider like ways!  So I am now trying to put a pair on her for a little bit each day.  I hope that this will work since she will probably be walking soon and babies can't be shoeless in the winter right?  Guess that means the "girls" need to do a little shoe shopping!

I can feed myself...

Belle has started feeding herself in recent weeks...or at least trying.  I have begun chopping up whatever Brian and I are eating in small pieces and letting her try our dinner.  The other day she tried spinach penne pasta with white bean, artichokes, spinach and shrimp.  She loved it and it only took her 45 minutes to eat all of it!  But at least she had fun and of course so did Bosco and Scooter.  Belle is their new best friend and dinner time!

Pink pool for a pink kinda girl!

As most of you know, my little "Belle" is a girly girl at an early age.  It probably has a little bit to do with her Mommy.  Who knows what her style will be when she gets older, but while Mommy has a say...she is all girl!  A few months ago we went to pick Belle out a pool and couldn't seem to find the right one.  So, Bri waited in the car with Belle at our last stop and I ran in and picked out this pink little pool!  Of course Bri shook his head and said, "Seriously, a pink pool!"  But, it was the only color they had left in the type of pool we wanted!  Belle loves her little pool.  Here are a few shots of her in the shade playing!

Our Salty Dog

When we were in Hilton Head "all" of us bought Salty Dog t-shirts!  We had planned on getting a group shot, but forgot--maybe next year!!  Belle looks like a little grown up in her t-shirt and shorts!  I was fortunate to receive two fabulous ice cream makers for my birthday in July.  Homemade ice cream traditions on Sunday evenings in my family were one of my favorite memories as a child that I want Belle to remember.  We made our first batch of Brian's grandmothers vanilla ice cream in our old fashion ice cream maker.  Thanks Gigi and Pap!  As you can tell Belle was a big helper!!

Riley Bean!

I think they are trying to figure out how to get to the golf balls.. :)

Our great friends Jeff and Caryn live in Myrtle Beach so unfortunately do not get to see them very often ;(.  They were visiting in Greensboro a few weeks ago so we headed up for a cookout to see them!  Their little girl, Riley was born one month to the day after Belle.  Belle and Riley enjoyed catching up since their last play date at Christmas(not as much as their Mommies!)

Congrats Kim

My dear friend Kim has just completed a grueling Nurse Anthesiest program!  We are so proud of her accomplishments.  A few of us had a little celebration for her graduation.  Belle was able to enjoy a bit of the fun before nap time!