Happy Halloween!

My 1st Tag . . . and a polar bear

Well, I knew it would happen sooner or later . . . That's right, I finally got some recognition for my AWESOME blogging skills. Ok, maybe that's a slight exaggeration--but at least I update it once a week, usually. And yes, I am a slacker and haven't updated any of the friends blog stuff--but you're still my friend!


So, in order to receive this great award (aka tag) you have to give one word answers to the questions below. Oh, and I'm supposed to "nominate" seven people at the end of this so . . .

The questions are as follows:

1. Where is your cell phone? couch
2. Where is your significant other? clinic
3. Your hair color? brown
4. Your mother? motherly
5. Your father? working

6. Your favorite thing? chocolate
7. Your dream last night? aerobics (gymnastics while 8 months prego if you can believe it--some of you were there)
8. Your dream/goal? eternity
9. The room you're in? main
10. Your hobby? reading
11. Your fear? break-in
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? stability
13. Where were you last night? bonfire
14. What you're not? energetic

15. One of your wish-list items? garage
16. Where you grew up? Utah
17. The last thing you did? eat
18. What are you wearing? black
19. Your TV? loud
20. Your pet? dog (B & I both wish)
21. Your computer? slowing
22. Your mood? content
23. Missing someone? always
24. Your car? Toyota
25. Something you're not wearing? shoes
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your summer? warm
28. Love someone? obviously
29. Your favorite color? green (beautiful rain forest green--not pukey light green)
30. When is the last time you laughed? AM
31. Last time you cried? weeks

Seven people who I nominate for this award:

1. Meg (x 2)
2. Tara
3. Heather
4. Lynnsey (how's your EYE?!!!!--yes, I heard)
5. Reba
6. Steph
7. Breanne

In conclusion, (what? no speech?) I'd like to thank all the "little people" that have made me who I am today . . . those people I nominated, Annie, Bella, and my dog "Roxie." :)

Oh, and for cuteness sake, here's a pic from one of our adventures in the past month:

Yes, that is a polar bear and yes, we ARE touching his/her butt.
MEGA POINTS to those who know WHERE THIS IS?!!!!!

This makes me smile . . .

We went to the bunny fountains this weekend. IT WAS GORGEOUS.

Can you tell Bella LOVED it?

Tired?!

A picture's worth a thousand words:

This is what happens when you mix water, sand, and a long drive home with comfort food. And yes, she drooled into the can still filled with chips while sleeping.

Both Eric, B and I are feeling this way after a busy week: two of our birthday's, Eric's working 75+ hours per week (and hasn't had a day off in almost 2 weeks), doctor's appointments (I am anemic and B just got tested too), work, a kicking little bunson (sp?) burner inside me all night long, and some late nights (me reading Breaking Dawn and Bella talking in her crib).

So we are tired but for the most part busy and happy. Of course we will all be a bit more happy when Saturday comes and E finally has a day off!

Happy Birthday Munchkin!

2 Years Ago, "Little Stinky" or "the Bump" (thanks Tress)--as we called her back then in pre-name days--was born. About 2 days after her birth (as we were getting kicked out of the hospital) we finally settled on Isabella Dora as our name of choice. Some of you may be thinking, "Schweet! Awesome naming your kid after a cartoon character!?"

Yes, we are awesome.

Actually, my grandma is awesome. And although she lives in another country and can not read English (or Spanish), she is Bella's namesake.


So here we are, two years later, with a sweet little girl aka feisty fiery munchkin who is my Bells.


I'm so glad she was born into our lives. She brings joy and learning with her everyday. I learn how to be more patient. She learns more about timeout. Ahhhhh . . . serenity.


But really, we are BLESSED and I thank God everyday for the opportunity I have to be in this little girl's life. Craziness and all.


Love you Bells!

Puddles

Just so everyone knows B got tubes in her ears and some stitches in her arm (after they removed the huge mole she was born with) during her little outpatient surgery last week. She did OK although she freaked out (aka cried inconsolably) for a couple hours after coming out of anesthesia. We were told that's pretty typical.

Crying is the best.

On a lighter note: We've had GORGEOUS weather this summer. But occasionally it's rained and there are some places where huge puddles are found. BUT OF COURSE, Bella just HAD to wear her boots as we went on a walk so she could run through the puddles!! She just Loves it! And it brings a smile to my face too.


Yay for boots that still fit from last winter!


Here's to more puddles to come! (and come they will) ;)

Fort Building

We've finally introduced B to the idea of a fort. Why? You may ask.
Well she LOVES umbrellas (she's getting a $ one for her birthday). And instead of swinging it around the house we figured we'd help her find more productive ways to use it.
Thus the fort building sequence goes something like this:
1. Beg for the umbrella til Mom finally gives in.
2. Swing it around, getting dangerously close to your eyes, until Mom suggests you build a fort.
3. Cover the umbrella with blankets (for camouflage and security).
4. Gather as many valuables as possible into the said fort.
5. Then hunker down and make yourself comfortable (at least for 5 seconds).

Looks like our method has worked, eh?


Oh yes. And B is finally back to her normal self (except for the bandaged arm) after her little surgery on Tuesday. And she actually likes getting drops in her ears every night now to clean out her little tubes! Yay!

Belly Picture

Ok,

ok.

Guess

it's

about

time

for a

belly

picture:





Haha! Were you thinking it was MY belly?!

B figured out that with all the attention towards that part of my body (i.e. ultrasounds, feeling the baby kick, etc.) that her belly is pretty cool too. Especially because hers is adorned with beautiful flower stickers. Oooohlala!

Saturday Morning Wash

Well, it's been a few months since we scrubbed both cars. So E and B got to work one Saturday morning. B observed for a few minutes. Then got to work.

Polishing the tires . . .

HEAVY bucket!!

Soaping up!


Whoa! A little too heavy!


And here's soapy hands for a job well done! B loves bubbles!


Great job little girl!

Wall Art

Hmmmmm . . . chalk art resembling ancient cave drawings:





Witnesses describe the following suspect:



If anyone recognizes this photo please call 1-800-2much2handle. :)

41-17?

Did I get that right? Did you see BYU's first game on Saturday?
Go team!
And go brother!
Yep, check him out. Number 68 on the offensive line. He did an awesome job. Great start to your last season!
Love you bro!

Cruise Pics . . . Finally!

Well first things first. I am FINALLY getting around to posting pictures from our cruise which was in June. I know, I know. It will be September tomorrow. But, better late than never. So here's what we got:
First, B had to settle into her home away from home for the week. Why does she LOVE portacribs so much?! She usually sleeps better traveling than at home. Wearing her out every day helps . . .

We started out in Boston. Here's a PhD at Paul Revere's house giving a spiel on what it was to live back then etc. Halloween costume idea for Eric . . . ;)

And here's Paul Revere in metal. We came upon him during our walking tour of Boston.

It was really hot though. And we couldn't board the ship until 3 pm--so we found some fountains to keep cool. Aunt Olivia helped B splash around.

Nothing better for a hot day . . .

Of course B had to order room service (all included!) when we finally got on the ship. Notice her green leg band for identification purposes in case we went down like the Titanic so she'd be matched to the right life boat. Personally--I doubt it would work in a panic situation. People tend to not think rationally then.

Looks like she just KNEW she would have the time of her life (and be spoiled) this week. :)

Here's our ship from the shore. It looks small but it was huge--the Maasdam.

Sunscreen was our first order of business every day upon reaching shore. Our first stop was Bar Harbor, Maine:
Unfortunately, Eric closed his eyes for most of the pictures we took during this trip. But I still included this to show the beauty of Bar Harbor:

We took a walk along the shore where there were gorgeous homes with a seaside view. Wouldn't love to live here?! Dave and Rashelle thought they'd pose in front of their future manor. For their summary and day by day of the cruise click here.


It was still a bit chilly especially after dinner when the ship would start sailing for the night and the sea breeze would pick up.


More slathering of sunscreen for the daily adventure. B noticed Dad had missed a spot on his face:

This was at the Fortress of Louisbourg. It was a 45 minute drive but well worth it! I totally recommend it if you're ever in Nova Scotia. Look at my cute sisters! No, that is not an authentic ancient canon--the fortress is reconstructed--so don't worry about my sisters desecrating history.

All of Bella's aunts were SOOOO helpful. I felt like I really got a vacation. They all took turns playing with her and even listening to the monitor at night so Eric and I could go see a movie or show. Thank you!

Aunt Amanda showed Bella how fun picking flowers could be. Isn't it picturesque?

Telling secrets and tickling . . .

Look at all those yellow flowers!

Sorry for the glare--it was rather sunny. Olivia, Amanda, and B. Random guy in the background.

At Prince Edward Island we declined the 45 mile drive to Anne of Green Gables' place but if you look closely at the bottle you'll notice Bella got her first swig of Raspberry Cordial. Or was it currant wine? ;)

Pretty windy on board the ship . . .

Dave didn't blow away though. Here's a huge bridge (Bridge of the Americas) that our cruise boat actually fit under?!!

Another picture of Eric. Hello eyes?!

This was the first time B was able to play with her cousin Abby. They hadn't seen each other since B was 3 months old. They loved crawling around the ship together! Abby preferred crawling over walking so B obliged.

Look at them go!
Every day B would run down the hall and knock on Abby's door to come play. She loved having someone her age.

Here's the two little squirts together. Playing with great grandma's lipstick Bella?!

Dave and Rashelle on a formal night. I believe Rashelle has escargot on the spoon. Mmmh!

And here's gorgeous Tressa and Amanda.

Nate and Bella in their finest. Notice Nate's cool tie from Panama. Bella really did enjoy this I promise despite the look on her face.

Oh yes--nothing like eating a hot dog in a velvet taffeta gown.

"Let me just clean my teeth before the drink lady comes around to get my order . . ."

My favorite city of all was Quebec. It was very European and unique. Although it was French speaking I'd recommend it for all English speakers. I love all the signs hanging above the shops.

More Quebec . . . the city is terraced and built in levels. Very cool although a bit difficult to navigate with a stroller.

And of course, what did we do most of the time but eat! This was at the midnight snack bar. I often opted out due to some sickness but everyone else enjoyed themselves immensely!

Thanks for the fun adventure! Bells is so lucky to have experienced her first cruise at the ripe old age of 1! And she has the shirt to prove it. :)

We're glad we have the memories with family! Thanks great grandma for a wonderful time!