i love …

…. that Bella and I were laughing hysterically together at Aaron Brothers the other day. She found a mirror (what could make her happier?!) and was “showing her muscles” and kept watching her self and being silly and laughing.  I couldn't stop laughing.

… that Bella likes flipping through my design books and Ohhs and Ahhs at all the pretty photos.

… that while going through my Preston Bailey’s Design for Entertaining book we chatted about her future wedding.  She gravitated towards pink peonies.  Melt my heart!

… that Bella hugs back … TIGHT.

… how many kisses Bella gives Mommy and Daddy.  It’s like she can’t get enough sometimes.  Little does she know, the feeling is mutual!

… that Bella is a ham!

… how there is one specific place Bella holds her “baby”.  She has to hold the seam of the ruffle and suck her thumb … simply has to.  Luckily I’ve caught onto this habit and can now help her find the spot quickly.  It makes her smile every time I hand her baby to her with the ruffle seam exposed.  It’s the little things :)

… that Bella is learning and growing.  It’s amazing to see her little mind turn and to watch her as she learns new sounds, colors, animals and images  & can really grasp what we’re saying to her.

… looking at her big brown eyes and imagining the world through them.  She is so happy and blessed it shows every time her face lights up!

… watching Daddy play with Bella.  It’s incredible to see the love between them!

…when she squishes up her little nose and smiles so big that her eyes close and her head tilts back just slightly!

… that Bella loves me so much. What more could a Mommy ask for?!

Tagged

My sister, Emily, tagged me on her blog so I’m participating! Here’s a slight glimpse into my life/brain with the answers to a few questions.

1. What is your greatest achievement?
Easy.

Bella.

She is my world and I am proud to say that she is my daughter. 

2. What is your worst habit?

Not taking laundry out of the dryer when it’s done so I have to “fluff” it up about a zillion times.  Or when I do take it out and fold it it takes me way too long to actually put it away. However I have acknowledged this problem and have gotten MUCH better over the last year or two.

3. What did you want to be when you “grew up”?

A teacher.  Then as I was talking to my college advisor about classes for an education degree she mentioned they also offered interior design in their college.  I said “okay” and the rest is history. 

4. What is your favorite childhood memory?

Oh goodness … favorite? Impossible to pick one.

I remember playing Barbie's with my sisters and always hoping I got the “good” Ken doll.  We had a ton of Barbie's, but only 3 Ken dolls.  One’s leg always came off and the other’s head always popped off.  The third one was coveted.

I remember pool parties involving water balloons and always putting them in our bathing suits to look “enhanced”.

I have vivid memories of countless sleepovers and putting on fashion shows & making music videos.

I remember the first time I saw my husband, Tyler. I was 5 years old and he was in his fort in the backyard and I saw him from our driveway (we were neighbors).  I remember begging my little sister Emily to go with me to “play” with Tyler’s, sister Hillary so I could hang out with Tyler.  I remember the first time he “kissed” me. We were young … elementary school and he kissed my leg.  I was so embarrassed.  Flash forward 12+ years for the first “real” kiss in his college dorm. Ha!

5. How did you decide on the name for your blog?

Bella is our Princess. Tyler came up with the idea to make it her diary. Now we’ll have to change the name so we can tell the stories of Bella AND baby #2. 

6. What is your favorite place to go out to eat?

That’s tough. I’m happy to just go out to eat! Some days McDonald’s does the trick, other days I dream of the days we went out and had a romantic dinner at JRs.  Yum.

7. What is the last book that you read?

Abby’s First Book of Shapes. Does that count? If not, then how about Your Pregnancy, Week by Week.

8. What is your favorite family tradition? (new or old)

Another tough one! I love our Jamotta family tradition of making Easter Bread.  And by making Easter Bread, I mean eating Easter Bread. And a lot of it!  I also loved when we all made Christmas cookies, but that hasn’t really happened in a few years.  Hoping we get back to that one and can involve the kiddos!

It’s funny because at the time I didn’t like the tradition of going to SWA to cook breakfast or pass out goodies on Christmas morning but looking back I think it was so special.  I thought just a few weeks ago about how I would love to do something like that with Bella and our kids. To show how important giving and kindness truly is.

Hot and Sticky Summer

Let’s first start with a photo that will make you cry.

Look how big Bella is.  How did this happen?

How?!

Last weekend Daddy, Bella and I heard the beautiful sounds of the Ice Cream man from a few blocks away.  We gathered some cash and hung out in the front yard until he graced us with his presence. So worth the wait in the zillion degree heat. 

After selecting the watermelon popsicle for Bella, we stripped her down and let her go to town.

Good thing we did!

Here she is “before” …

 

Then we started to get messy.

But it was so worth it!

Look at this happy girl!! :)

 

Daddy rinsed her off and we went straight to the bathtub!

 

Bella met the twins, Ansley (on left) and Kinley (on right) last week.  We will be watching them a few days a week for a few months. 

We’re still working on learning to share and being patient, but I’ve seen an improvement in my B in just a few short days. They’re still getting “used” to each other but I know they’ll become great friends soon.  

These photos are too funny. Daddy lays on the floor with B a lot and Bella sits right on his chest since he doesn’t have an accessible “lap” to read books on.

(she doesn’t quite realize that it’s very hard for Daddy to read a book when you have a toddler blocking your view)

(and she doesn’t how rude it is to put your tushie so close to someone’s face when you toot so often) 

The second photo I asked her to say Cheese and smile.  This is what I got. 

Gotta love this girl!

Today I did a little design work and Bella was my tiny Design Assistant. She was such a good girl & got many compliments from other customers and workers on how well behaved she is.

She has them all fooled. ;)

Welcome Baby Matthew!

Jen, Brad & John welcomed baby Matthew to their family on the morning of  July 29th. 

He’s a healthy little boy with a head full of hair!

Isn’t he simply adorable?

     

Grandma and Grandpa watched John for a few days while Jen was in the hospital so we spent a lot of time playing with John!  We took them to the splash park and John had a blast! 

We bought another bedding set for Bella last weekend & returned the last set.  This one is a keeper though & is perfect for her Big Girl Room! 

This weekend we plan to paint and start organizing her closet & getting the room ready. Can’t wait!

Bella and I visited Jen, Grandma, John and Matthew when they came home from the hospital. 

Bella and John had fun & played with play-doh!  

And when I say “played” I really mean “ate”.  Bella thought it was so yummy!

 

Bella played dress up the other day with Daddy’s boots and her sunglasses – which she LOVES to wear all the time now.

Although she doesn’t always get them on the right way.

 

In other BIG news … Bella is sporting a pony tail for the first time and it is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen! Truly!