Beauty and the Beast

Last weekend we drove up to Dallas to see my "little" cousin Calli as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. She is a sophomore in high school this year and scored the lead role. There is definitely something to be said for that. I of course began crying as soon as she started singing. I am so proud of her. She is the youngest of the grandchildren on my Dad's side of the family and this was the first time that we have seen her perform. She did a great job and I look forward to the next couple of years of high school musicals with her.

Belle and Bella

Gaston and Belle

Signing autographs

Calli and Tiffany

Us with Belle and the Beast


Courtney with one of her favorite people.

Courtney was so funny throughout the show. My favorite part was when Belle (Calli) gave her father a scarf and told him that she made it just for him. Courtney said (loudly) "Calli did NOT make that scarf". I started cracking up!! Typical Courtney.

2 Little Monkeys

Mom bought Bella and Ryan matching monkey outfits so of course I took the opportunity to take some adorable pictures. They are so sweet with each other. They even shared their fingers for sucking.

i am thankful for...

Well this is the season to take a good hard look at what we are thankful for. I believe this season I am thankful more than ever for Dr. Schnell. I am thankful that God gave her the intelligence to help people like us have a baby that otherwise would not have been able to. I am thankful that she did not give up on us after the first failed cycle. I am thankful for this precious little person that has come in and taken over our lives. I am thankful for her smiles, cries, fits, dirty diapers, spit up, laughs, kisses, screams and silly personality. I am thankful because she is here, with us, on this earth and she is ours. I am thankful that God has given me the most wonderful job that I could ever imagine, Bella's mommy. I am thankful that He trusted me with her. I am thankful that it was His will for me to be a mother. I am thankful for a husband that is such an AWESOME hands-on daddy. I am thankful for a husband that shows me an abundance of unconditional love. I am thankful to be able to watch him love our daughter in a way that every child should be loved by their daddy. I am thankful for my parents who take care of Bella while we are at work. I am thankful that Mom gives her time and love for us to have peace of mind that she is save and loved on everyday. I am thankful that Bella is surrounded by love every single day. I am thankful for all of our friends and family that have loved us through this whole process and now love B. I am thankful for my life.

Bella is 6 months

WOW!! I know I say it every month but it is so hard to believe that time is flying like it is and she is growing right before our eyes. She is changing so much every day. She is almost sitting up. She will sit for a few minutes or seconds depending on her mood and then fall over. She has a funny new habit when she is tired. Her paci can be in her mouth and she puts her thumb on top of her paci with the rest of her fingers sticking straight up in the air. This doesn't have to be on her paci, you may find her with it on her forehead or shoulder or chin or cheek or if your real lucky she may put it on you, she just has to put it somewhere. This happens most often when she is tired but she does it other times as well.

Bella with Courtney and Papa and her thumb on her paci

She has also rediscovered her hands and feet which cracks me up. She likes for everyone to also look at her hands. She shows them to us in case we have forgotten what they look like. She has also discovered that she make a really high pitched squeal. It is a lovely sound that I look forward to hearing any chance I get. She does it when she is happy, sad, angry, mad, you get the picture! It is LOUD!!!

She also absolutely loves her ExerSaucer. If she isn't in it, she stares at it until you put her in it.

Here you can see that she is longing to be in her ExerSaucer. Don't worry her Daddy put her in it right after I took the picture.

One of my very favorite things she does - smiles with her whole body when she catches you looking at her. She will also do it when you aren't looking at her and you catch her just grinning away when you do look at her. MELTS MY HEART!!! She can have whatever she wants when she does this. I love it.

She goes to the doctor next week so we will be back with her stats after that.

Bella Eats Cereal

The other night we decided to give spoon fed cereal a try. She wasn't real sure what to think of it and had a REALLY hard time keeping it in her mouth. It was pretty entertaining and a great photo opp.I'm ready Mama

What is this on my tray?


Quite possibly my favorite picture of all time. Love those eyes!!
She did pretty well but it is going to take some getting use too.

Love that girl!!

Madi Turns 6!

Madi turned 6 this month. It's hard to believe all these babies are growing up. She had her party at Acrosports. I'm pretty sure Terry had the most fun of all the kids. Same as last year. It's funny because last year I was pregnant at Madi's party and this year Bella was there with us.The Birthday Girl!!

Sweet Cousins!

Madi and Courtney

Bella and Ryan. They are so interested in each other. They laugh and smile at each other every time they are together. I hope they will be great friends.


Mom and Dad with the babies. Courtney was sitting with Madi at the table and I didn't want to interrupt her to take a picture. She wouldn't have been very happy with me. Can't wait until Chrismas to get some good shots of all the kiddos together.

Random Pictures

I am very aware that the majority of you only visit my blog to see pictures of our growing girl. I can't say I blame you because I can't get enough of her and I see her everyday. So here are some random pictures from the last month. Also you can click here for her 5 month pictures that I finally posted.
Ok so there weren't very many random pictures once I started dowloading them. Oh well!!