Our affectionate child

This little cutie has always been a cuddly bug, even when she was a baby. She is always giving kisses and hugs. If I give her something she likes she says, "I love you, mommy." with a hug. Bella loves to sing, dance and put on a show, she is such a performer. She sings her heart out, mixing different songs together. It's dang cute!

Whenever she's driving me crazy she does something so cute and irresistable I would forgive her anything (even purposely dropping the plate from the tea party set I've had since I was a little girl.)

Raising a foodie

Grace made brownies today. She has done this a few other times, with no interference or help from me (well, I did open the oil for her, that lid was on tight!) Anyway, she does a great job, even cleans up her mess. Tonight as we were all eating brownies for dinner she informs me she put a little cinnamon on one half.
Me, "Why did you do that?"
G, "I thought it would taste good."

a little later... "I just know what will taste good together, I can taste it in my mind"
And that, my friends, is how a foodie is born.(I'm pretty sure at least.) This is the cookie Grace made me with a heart shaped sugar cookie. Cute, eh?

I'm baaaaaack

For reals (As Bella would say) I'm back! Matt got me a sweet red laptop for Valentine's day (early). I am beyond exited. Let's start with some pictures of Riggins, shall we? I flipped this on my computer but it wouldn't upload to Blogger flipped, just turn your head to the side a little, sorry, but it's too cute to omit. (Yes, I know I'm "special", I'm surprised you're just now figuring it out:)

oh, is he yummy or what?

. . . Continued

. . . I had my feet up but the mysterious pains continued. We went to bed in the front room but the pains continued. I said a prayer that labor (if it was indeed labor) would stop... but the pains continued. I couldn't sleep so left our living room mattress, took a bath/shower, did my hair and makeup (wait till you see our photos right after the birth, it was totally worth the effort.) THE PAIN CONTINUED. I called the hospital to see what they thought I should do, "Listen to your body." The nurse told me when I told her this was my fourth child. Finally I woke Matt, "You can probably shower or whatever before we go (2:30 AM)." He apparently thought I was really in labor because he tooke a really fast shower. I woke my mom who was sleeping upstairs (without carpet, poor thing.) Matt gave me a wonderful blessing and we left for the hospital. I was dilated to 7 cm when we arrived. Oh my, could this be happening? They called the anesthesiologist before the doctor. (I just knew I liked that RN when I talked to her on the phone.) It was the very best epidural of all time. (Imagine a chorus of hallelujahs right there.) Then we hung out for a little while.
Finally the nurse came in, "Do you feel like you need to push?"
Me, "Nope, I'm good."
Marty (RN), "Hmm, I think you're ready,"
Me, "Nope, I'm good, can't feel a thing."
RN, "Let's just do a practice push."
ME, "OK."
Marty, "Oh, we better get the doctor in here."
ME, "OK."
3 pushes later an 8 pound 4 ounce Riggins came into the world.

My first thought was, "Those ears are huge." Then, "I can't believe he's here."