Monday, July 26, 2010

July Happenings


Fourth of July.  A first.  Fireworks, road race, parade, and barbecues.  Our town even paints the center stripe red, white, and blue.  Bella has star beads in her hair.  Its all about the accessories:)
Bella takes everything in stride.  She loves her daddy.

Potty trained.  We are now potty trained.  Just a month shy of 3 1/2 y.  It took us a few weeks but she really wanted to be... finally got the hang of it.  

Sleep.  She still takes a nap (2-3hours).  She has a hard time going down at night, though.  I read a book.  Cuddle.  Rock.  And then she wants to hold my hand...the problem is the routine can take an hour.  I have found something that helps. Don't think I am cray...it's survival.  She loves Eliza's I-touch.  She plays with that for 5 minutes and then is out like a light.  (Still comes into our bed in the middle of the night.)  So much for my "no-technology rule" in the bedrooms.  Ugh.  This girl is genius in figuring out any technology, too.  

Friend.  She has several of her own friends now.  She craves interaction with them, too. She went blueberry picking, too.  She was so excited to see where blueberries come from.   I can't wait to take her to the Vineyard this year.  Fishing.  Swimming.  Jumping from the dock.  So many firsts:)  

I look back a year ago...and we were waiting.  Emailing, texting, or calling Emily and Michelle kept me sane.  What a blessing my new friends are.  A year later they are still so dear to me.  Almost a year and it feels like she has been home a lifetime.

5 comments:

Lori S said...

I remember meeting precious Bella in Ethiopia!!! She has grown so much!!! How beautiful and relaxed she looks now!!

Deena said...

She is so darn cute! I still can't get over the hair...please email any hair tips you have. Our little Grace's hair is starting to grown already and I want to make sure I do what I am supposed to. I love the natural look Bella has :) Thanks for sharing the bedtime struggles, etc. It helps to know that other moms are going through the same things. Grace is a good sleeper once she gets to sleep - she just loves to fool around when it is time to go to sleep - lots of trips to the bathroom and many good night kisses :).
Have a great rest of the summer!

Rahel said...

I fully understand that sleep time calls for drastic measures! Do what you gotta do to survive! We also struggle with sleep and sometines resort to odd things!

emily said...

Isn't that wild?? A year ago, I was in Aspen calling you multiple times a day to do our investigating together. :)

Love the pics!!

coffeemom said...

I know, I can't believe it's a year already. I remember last year when you were at the vineyard and just twitchy, prepping to go get Bella! And now you get to take her there. Relish this one, it's priceless, so special! And makes me grin from ear to ear.