happiness is in the details

Well I woke up a little gloomy today. From the moment I opened my eyes things seemed to go “wrong”. But as the day continued & I started focusing on the blessings I have, things started to look up.

So here are a few things that made me smile today …

Each morning I hear Bella waking up on the monitor. I go into her nursery and flip on the light. Then kneel down next to her crib so we’re at eye level and she instantly has the biggest, most adorable smile on her face. Her whole face lights up and you can see a sparkle in her eye. Then she reaches her hand through the rails of her crib & I kiss her hand … then she presses her forehead up to the rails to “kiss” me.

My heart melts.

How can I have a bad day when it starts like this?!?

Bella and I went to Target to pick up a few things …

We got some goodies for her FIRST birthday party. This makes me smile and also breaks my heart a little. How is she turning one in March? How did she go from this …

to this … ??

Bella and I found some great cupcake items for her birthday party AND I called about renting a gazebo for the big event! I have wonderful ideas that I’m trying to make come to life for by precious pumpkin! :)

Party planning … for my Bella … that makes me smile!

A big smile today was due to a sweet stranger at Target. I just finished loading my “Green” Reusable bags (Thank You Janet! LOVE THEM!) in the car when a lovely lady walked up to me and asked if she could return my buggy to the Cart Return in the parking lot for me. Simply because. I said yes thank you and took Bella out of the cart. She walked a little out of her way in the parking lot and returned my cart for me. Such a simple act of kindness and it made my day.

It’s my turn to pass it on …

Tyler made me smile today. As usual. He actually asked me to post something on Facebook. If you know Tyler, you know this is something.

Something big. :)

I told him I posted the photo he requested as well as a picture of him in his new glasses and his response was:

“I’m not ready for the world to see those. Now I'm going to get swamped with emails and facebooks of how GQ I look.”

And yes … he did say facebooks.

Tyler made an announcement last night at dinner. Literally said “I have an announcement to make.”

And it is that he weighs 200 pounds now! That lucky duck has mysteriously managed to loose 35 pounds. (sorry Tyler, for telling the world and my dedicated blog fans how much you used to weigh)

So a big Congrats to my Tyler.

Bella and I visited both sets of Great Grandparents this week and we enjoyed some quality time with everyone!

Here are a few photos from today (didn’t have my camera yesterday … boo)

A 2 dollar bill! Why thank you!

These photos are sure to make you smile!

PS – Have I mentioned that Bella is now CRAWLING?

PPS – Did I also mention Bella was selected as one of the babies for the commercial she auditioned for? More details and photos to follow about this!!!!

cupcakes galore

We’re getting ready for Bella’s first birthday!  And by “we” I mean “me”.  I’ve been gathering ideas and supplies and just finished the invitation. (for now … I like it today, but tomorrow there’s no telling) :) 

What do you think?

We’re having a cupcake theme.  I’ve had this idea for a while, and of course it’s now becoming trendy.  But I still love it and am going to continue with my planning!

Aunt Jen made this cupcake outfit for Bella to keep in theme with her party.

Bella looks scrumptious!

The rest of the party will be a surprise and posted after the big day! So stay tuned. :)

Yesterday we watched the Cowboys game at Auntie Em & Uncle Jer’s house.  Bella played with John and Madison and had a really great time!

Friday night we went to Tyler H’s house (my Tyler’s old college roomie) and celebrated one of our friend’s birthday.

Bella was the belle of the ball and even stayed up 2 hours past her bedtime with NO tears!

She’s such a party animal!

   

I hear Bella stirring from her nap …. I’ll post more later. :)

New friends, New job, New boots

We’ve had some much appreciated feedback about our blog … so we’re trying new (more readable) fonts.  :)

What do you think?

Miss Bella wore her new cowgirl boots last weekend! 

 

We visited some friends (new and old) … Josh and his lovely wife Patricia and their sweet baby Annie!! We had such a great time and we left wishing they lived in Texas!!

Luckily Patricia used her camera for a group photo and it came out much better!! Bella hid behind Josh … silly girl!

Look at this beautiful little girl!!

I think she looks just like Josh!

She was such a doll and I think gave me a little baby fever!!

Uh Oh!

 

 

        

Mommy had to go into the office a few extra days this week … so I joined her! 

Do I look professional sitting at my new desk?

Then I got tired and had to take a nap.  This is allowed at work, right?

I also spent some good QT with some of Mommy’s friends.  Thanks to all the Hayslip girls for watching me and taking good care of me!

Today after work we stopped by Daddy’s office and grabbed lunch together!

It was so much fun!

In other important news …

Bella is holding her sippy cup on her own like a champ!!!! Here we are in Target, shopping& drinking like a big girl! 

She also has started helping Mommy with the dishes.  Hopefully soon she’ll realize that only clean dishes come out of the dishwasher.  It’s not very productive when Mommy is rinsing and loading dishes and helpful Bella is behind her unloading them.

This weekend it looks like we have big plans! (Besides watching the Cowboys and visiting Great Grandmother) we are going to baby proof!!!

   

Lastly ….

Is there anything on my face?!?

  

it’s official …

Our baby girl is now our BIG GIRL. I think I’ve said this before … but this time I mean it!

This morning Bella was SITTING in her crib when Daddy went to get her … this is a first. She’s recently learned to sit when she’s placed on her hands & knees (in the crawl position). She is so determined not to crawl, that she taught her self to sit when we place her in this position. However, she’s never done it on her own … until this morning. Tyler said her eyes were practically closed and her head was falling over & she was sucking her thumb. Makes me wonder how long she was sitting up like that. :)

Bella is getting another tooth!

This will make number FIVE!

I tried to get a photo … but this is the best I got … showing off her two bottom pearly whites.

Bella is learning to stand on her own! She can only do it for a few seconds but it’s highly impressive to us. :)

She also can pull up and is starting to cruise!!

Bella LOVES to cook in her new Dora Kitchen – thanks Aunt Jen! She is starting to walk when we hold her hands and will get so excited when seeing her Kitchen and walks straight towards it!

Bella learned to clap hands! And loves Cheerios.

She is now the proud Mommy to a few babies of her own.

Although we’re concerned and may have to call CPS if she doesn’t stop eating their heads.

Bella’s hair is getting so long and is starting to curl at the ends. Luckily the weird curly frizz on the top of her head is calming down …but we’re starting to get some whisps & curls in the back. :)

Grandpa and Daddy hung her new swing yesterday. I think she loves it! What do you think?

Luckily our big girl still loves her Daddy (and Mommy!)

And is still the most adorable baby in the world! Yesterday Bella was brave and got her CT scan. All of the nurses “oohed” and “ahhed” over her! She didn’t cry once & thought it was fun to be wheeled to the MRI room for her anesthesia & scan … without Mommy or Daddy!!!

Such a good pumpkin!

Tell me she doesn’t look adorable in her tiny hospital gown!!!

And lastly, I’d like to point out that our furry baby is still a big baby and love to snuggle and be loved. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!