Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!

Everyone who Bella comments on how awake and alert she is.  She stares right at whoever is holding her (as evidenced in the pictures below).  We've had some rough nights of sleep, but luckily the past few have been improving.... let's hope it's a trend.  Anthony & I have been reading lots of information and books on baby sleep so that we can can ALL get more sleep at night.  A lot of the suggestions have really helped.  (Bella is sleeping right now, allowing me time to update the blog!)

We've been feeling a little "cooped up" inside, but it's been well into the 90 degree temperatures for several days so it's a little too hot to go for strolls around the neighborhood or in the park.  I hope it cools down soon.... 

Bella looks up at Dad

Dar meets Bella at Tracy's baby shower

Peggy holds Bella so mom can eat

Back at home after Tracy's shower

Pics I forgot to put up before...

These are actually Bella at 3 weeks, so they are older than the previous post... 

Becoming more interested in the play gym and the things hanging in the air...

Milk drunk.

Meeting Miss Cara for the first time at Starbucks

Pretty stuff in my hair... 

1 month!

Bella is 1 month old today!  I will try to take pictures every month to see how she is growing and changing.

This was my first attempt, but Bella fell asleep....  she was smiling in her sleep.

Then she spit up on her dress so we changed clothes on the changing table, but she was still smiley.

And still smiley....

Here she is pooping... with both feet up in the air... 

... which she thought was funny.

And then she was all tuckered out...

\

Back to the changing table for a diaper change... 

Busy, busy, busy

Haven't posted in a while!  Turns out this little girl keeps us kind of busy....

We have been trying to get out of the house when we can.  Bella has been to Target, Starbucks, & Marshall's with me during the day.  She loves to ride in the car and be carried in the baby Bjorn.  A couple weekends ago, Anthony, Bella and I went to the National Zoo for my birthday.  Of course, Bella slept the entire time in the Bjorn and it was HOT, but it was nice to walk around and see all the animals.

Bella's transportation system around the zoo

She slept!

The following pictures are from Amy, Anthony, and Hilda's visit this past weekend.  

Our baby girl

PaPa & Bella

Grammy & Bella

4 generations

Ma & Bella

Bella at 3 Weeks

Bella and I enjoyed our first week at home alone.  She sure keeps me busy!  Sometimes she is wanting to eat every hour, but the doctor said these "cluster feedings" are normal and are just indications that she is going through some growth spurts.  Still, it makes for a tired Mommy.  

She was in the 98th percentile for height and 25th percentile for weight at the doctor's on Thursday.  The doctor was pleased that she had surpassed her birth weight and weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. so everything went well at the doctor, except she got her first shot and her heel pricked for PKU.  She was NOT a happy camper - I never heard her cry so hard!  But, she was consoled pretty quickly and fortunately car-rides put her right to sleep so as soon as the car started moving, she was asleep.  

Last night was probably our hardest night so far.  Bella was awake from 1:00 a.m. til morning just fidgeting around and crying every time the binky fell out of her mouth.  So, as soon as Anthony got up, he took care of Bella while I took a nap. :)  Luckily, not all nights are like this... and usually after a bad night, we have a good night.  *fingers crossed*

Bella loves car rides, or being carried in her Baby Bjorn.

Lauren & Bella

Uncle Allen & Bella

"Baby Dave" stopped over today to meet Baby Bella too.

Corey is also here now visiting with Bella....  She was awake when this picture was taken, but has since fallen asleep there.  

Early July with Bella

On Saturday night, we had a full house with my mom & dad, Uncle Allen, Corey & Lauren, and Peggy & Paul (more pictures to come).  We had fun playing games and eating pizza while Bella enjoyed being passed around from person to person.

On Sunday morning all our visitors left and we spent the day hanging out at home and catching up on sleep.  We only went out to go to the Ruddy Duck for dinner.  Today our plans are much the same except we may only leave the house to get some Starbucks.  We are exhausted!

Bella is doing well.  She is staying awake and alert for longer periods of times during the day, but still sleeping relatively well at night.  She usually wakes up about twice during the night... but some nights are more difficult than others depending on how easily she wants to go back to sleep after she has eaten and been changed.  

This was taken at the hospital, but I'm using it because somehow I don't think we got a picture of Peggy with Bella on Saturday night.

Paul with Bella

Grandma Holly with Bella

These are cornhole boards my mom painted for Peggy & Paul's wedding while she was here.

All our company left on Sunday morning and we decided to take a nap.

This morning, Bella had her first "real" bath (up until now, she could only do sponge baths until her umbilical cord fell off).  She didn't cry or fuss at all!

A family picture taken by my uncle Allen.  As soon as Crumpet heard the words "Family Picture" she woke up from a sound sleep to join us in the picture.  

We have more pictures still on the camera that we haven't uploaded yet from the past few days, so more pictures will be uploaded soon.... perhaps the next time the baby naps. :)