18 Month Check Up

Went to the Dr. yesterday for Bella's 18 month check up. I can't believe how well she is doing. She is 32.75" tall and 25.5lbs. That puts her in the 70% for height and 50% for weight. That's a long way from below the charts where she started.

She is a little behind in her walking for her actual age, but the Dr. says we have to remember that she was almost 3 months early. She is so close though. She can walk behind the dinosaur her grandpa gave her for Christmas using only one hand while backing up and turning when she hits obstacles. All she needs to do is decide that she wants to walk on her own. She has also stood up on her own in the middle of the floor a couple of times.

She has started to enjoy her bed. She may cry out for you to come get her when she wakes up, but then she just wants to play and giggle at you and drop her bunny so you will pick it up. It's a fight to actually take her out of her crib. Crazy! She is such a happy baby!

Cheesy Grin and Washing Hands

Too bad this child is so grumpy! :) She knows what the camera means and what the camera sound on the cell phone means as well. Washing her hands in the sink of her play kitchen.

Well, she's still not walking, but she is so close. She could walk on her own if she would just get brave enough. She only needs to hold on to one of our fingers to walk. She is no daredevil!

Christmas and Such

I know it has been a while since I have posted, but our life has been quite a roller coaster. Grant's dad's passing has been hard on us all, but we have been determined to be joyful inspite of our hurt. Here is a snapshot of our holidays.

Good is so good! All of Grant's family was gathered together for the Grandkids' Christmas when we got the news that Barton was missing. Here is a picture of Bella with her new kitchen.
Bella was the only Grandchild at Gran's house Christmas morning so she got all the attention. I think she liked her new doll house. What do you think? This is Bella, Grant and me with Grant's Great Aunt Norma. She is so good to us and treats us as her own granchildren. We love you Norma!

After we got home from Brownwood my family came in town. We took my brother Matt and his wife Katy to the zoo before everyone else got here. I love this picture of Grant and Bella!

On our "Christmas Day" we all went down to the park to play football. Bella and I went to the swings. When everyone one was tired they came to join us. Matt and Ben tried to have a swing jumping contest, but Ben's shoulders were to broad to jump out of the swing. He got caught and only went a foot or two. Matt got some awesome height and distance!

Here is my wonderful family! I love you all!

Santa Take 2 & Cook Children's Tree Lighting

We got up this AM and went to the little scrapbook store in Weatherford to see Santa for the second time. We were hoping to get a picture where Bella isn't screaming. This is about as close as we got.

This is one of the ladies from the store holding Bella trying to get her closer to Santa.

We even brought in familiar things to try and take the edge off.

Oh well, at least she would look at Santa without screaming! :)

Tonight we went to Cook Children's Hospital (who Grant works for) to watch their tree lighting and fireworks show. They really know how to put on a good show. Grant kept saying that he thought the fireworks rivaled that of one for the 4th of July.

This is picture is taken in the front atrium.

Standing outside waiting for the show to start.

Grant and Bella watching the fireworks. Funny, the loud fireworks don't bother Bella, but a quiet, old Santa scares her to death!

Jingle Bell Run

Last night we all WALKED the Jingle Bell Run with family and friends and had a great time! Bella was so bundled up she could hardly move or see, but Mama didn't want her to get cold. Having great conversation with Grandpa. Matt Ford and Grant with their babes."Hey little guy, where'd you go?!"

Christmas Tree

After Bella went to bed tonight Grant and I decorated the Christmas tree. Isn't it pretty! Now I can start wrapping presents.

Christmas Tree Hunt

Well, we went back to the place in Flower Mound that had the cool pumpkin patch for a Christmas tree, but we were very disappointed! I guess we went too early. Last weekend was the first weekend and we went on a Wednesday, but most of the decorations that they showed on the website weren't up yet and their trees were really expensive. So after about 15 min. of walking around and getting these few cute photos we piled back in the car and headed to good ole' Home Depot for our tree. It's going to work just fine and for much less. We are going to decorate it tonight so I'll put pictures up tomorrow.