Bella Boo

Bella is talking so much now and the increase in communication has caused less frustration on all counts. We still have to use the "Happy Girl Spot" (This is kind of like a naughty spot or time out but Bella goes there (on her own) when she is being unacceptably whiny or unhappy for no reason, she sits until she is ready to be a "Happy Girl") She comes back from the spot and says, "I happy girl" with a big smile on her face. Sometimes if she doesn't want to get separated from the group she will say it between tears while forcing a smile. She also brings it to your attention if she thinks the other kids are crying to much, just to remind you. It is pretty darn cute. She put McCade in the naughty spot the other day. It was hilarious. He went willingly, without me saying anything, because he too, found her creased brow and serious look to cute to argue with.

I had to take my friend Judi to the ER last week and Bella came with us. She charmed the nurses and all the staff in my department with her outgoing personality and laugh. She was wonderful, going for walks around the department with the nurses and my friends while I attended to Judi. That day especcially I was so grateful for her willingness to go with the flow, as long as the flow involved attention being lavished on her. It's a small price to pay.

She sings beautiful songs in her crib. I don't know what she is saying but she sings it like she means it. The older kids adore her and dote on her, she accepts their affection about half the time, other times she gives them the stiff arm. They always include her in whatever game they are playing but, of course she knows no different so she can't appreciate how wonderful they are to her. Bella laughs all the time at anything and everything. Most days (and especcially in publice where she acts adorable) I think I might like her to stop growing for a little while so I can enjoy this phase a bit longer other times I am so grateful when bedtime comes. Often both occur in the same day.

Happy birthday Grace

Happy birthday Grace! Grace turns 7 this year.

Grace's cute cards she made for her party invitations.

The morning of her birthday when I was doing her hair she said, "If I were a lady bug, I would have 7 spots." It struck me as so cute.

A few of the things I love about her (right now). She is into clothes and outfits and she loves to shop and plan things with me. She still (mostly) shares with Bella. She loves getting her homework done for the whole week on Monday night. Her clothes are sometimes muddy because she and her friends go to the swings and play with a worm they named "wiggle bum." At night she will ask me to lay with her and rub her back and "chat" with her. She doesn't like to play with friends who aren't nice to McCade.

Soccer girl Grace

Grace played her first season of soccer this fall. She was unsure at first because there was only one other girl, she didn't know what to expect etc. But once she got into it, she loved it. Matt practiced with her and McCade in the backyard alot, this built up her confidence.

Sometimes she was focused and intense, kicking her little heart out and other times she was doing ballet moves in front of the goal (fear not, the ball was on the other end of the field when she was practicing dance. ) She even scored a goal. In her words, "The boy, um, got distracted, and I just kicked it in!" It was awesome. She decided she liked playing defense the most. I wish I had a picture of her in her soccer shorts and socks but alas, the weather turned to cold to wear them. (Oh, come on, I can't help it, I love clothes, even sporty girl clothes.) Enjoying a treat after the big goal.

The excellent adventures of Bella and Nana

Some of you may have noticed Bella's absence in our Disneyland pictures (nice job Cari)...that is because she did not meet the age or height requirement for our Disneyland adventure. (Before you call child services, rest assured we will go again and she will get to come next time.) Instead she spent a fun, one-on-one attention filled week with Nana. My mom broke her ankle six weeks before the trip so were all a little worried that she might not be able to handle it. But they did great. Mom said to my sister Wynn, "Bella is just my pace." They settled into their own routine quickly and I know Bella had fun and was well taken care of, thus alleviating any guilt I may have been feeling over leaving her behind.
Just helping Nana clean a spot on the floor.

A link to the article I referenced

My last post talked about the article I read, www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/10/26/20081026sisters1026a1.html here is the link to it.

For all my sisters

If you are uncomfortable with public displays of affection you should stop reading right now. (That means you Shalece.) I just read an article ( I will try to figure out how to link it some time so you can all cry as hard as I have) and it made me want to thank my own sisters. Not just my two blood sisters, but the sisters of my heart. While I have never even come close to anything as horrible as what the Nielsen family is going through, my life has not been without it's own struggles. And always I have been blessed enough to have "sisters" come to my aid countless times; Help with my children, cook meals for my family and I, visit me in the hospital (and by visit I mean hang out for long periods of time when I may or may not have been coherant), stay with us to help me and the kids, take our horse of a dog for a few nights, drive me to the ER in the middle of the night, work my shifts at the hospital, even vacuum out heat vents (at the ridiculous request of my dear mother). I don't know what I have done to deserve all the love and service that my "sisters" have given me over the years but I guess that is the thing about sisters. You don't have to deserve it, to get it. I love you! T

Grace's Greatest Disney Moments

Grace... wanted to get right back in the line to meet more princesses after she met three; wanted a balloon everytime we saw one; obsessed about how much money she had left to spend; loved Splash Mountain all but one time we rode; worried about getting wet more than I did (no easy task);wiped her seat after we went down one time so the person next in line wouldn't have a wet bum; loved being with her cousin, Sadie; liked all the rides we went on except the roller coaster type...had a great time in Disneyland. I loved being her "buddy"!