Outing to the library

Getting a quick play at the music table in while mom gets on her shoes...

Bella's cute little shoes

Exploring the light table

Crawling around to find just the right book

Like she owns the place... 

Playing with the neat toys that are just at her level...

Playing with gears

Playing with a puzzle and a magna doodle

No More Tears!

Bella had her last swim lesson today and she did great!  No tears at all!  She got a little better every day this week and today she went to Ashleigh very willingly and didn't cry or fuss.  She even went underwater once!  Then we stayed after to swim for about a half hour, which she loves!

Here's a video that kind of shows her progress!  I didn't get any footage from Tuesday - there was too much splashing by the steps for me to have my iPhone out!  

(Next time I take videos, I will try to remember to turn my camera horizontally!)

After swim lessons, she comes home, eats lunch, and CRASHES...  I don't hear a peep from her after putting her in the crib.  Next week, we'll probably do some swimming at a different pool!

Also noteable - Bella has been saying "mama" in the correct context.  The first time I heard her use it correctly was when she was swimming on Monday with Ashleigh... and she screamed "MAMA!" and reached for me....  and then she did it again later that day when Crumpet's tail scared her...  I've heard it everyday since!  

She also started to cruise (walk while holding on to furniture).  She is holding on with two hands still and isn't very proficient, but she can get from one end of the couch to another, or from the couch to her music table if she has things to hold on to.  :)

This week's fun

Here are some pictures from this week:

A little Jillian/Bella "side by side"

Chilling in the laundry basket watching Sesame Street

(Thank you Aunt Brandi & Uncle Josh for the new PJs!)

Enjoying a snack after swimming

Just talking to herself while playing... 

Standing up in the water by the steps

Having fun with dad

Ashleigh and Bella after swim lessons today

1 year appointment

Bella had her 1 year appointment.  She was about 21 lbs. (50th percentile) and 30 inches (90th percentile).  She got 2 shots and cried just for just a few seconds and then was fine when I picked her up.  She goes back in about a month for 2 more shots.

Water baby

Well, Bella had her first day of swimming lessons.  She likes sitting by the pool, going in with me, and splashing on the steps.  She does not like going to swim with the instructor.  Since she is not a familiar person,Bella does not like going into the water with her.

Content to watch the other kids swim

Bella's swim suit from "Aunt" Marti and "Uncle" Bob. :)

Bella's new sunglasses from Aunt Dee and Uncle Frank

We have swim lessons Tuesday through Thursday this week too... Next week, we'll probably just go to the pool to swim ourselves!  Can't wait!

Mama!

Practicing saying "Mama"

Movin' On Up!

Since Bella mastered the art of crawling, she started trying to climb up the stairs.  She has gotten really good!  When she's done climbing though, she'll just throw herself back and she expects someone to be there to catch her.

An Ordinary Wednesday

Ahh... the joys of being home in the summer... I have all these pictures to share from a WEDNESDAY..

Here is Bella on her new trike from Grammy and PaPa... since it was in the high 90s, we didn't get to try it out outside today, but that didn't keep us from taking it for a little spin in the basement.

 Bella in the bathtub this morning.  This girl is pure joy in the water.  I hope she enjoys swim lessons next week and I hope we get to spend a lot of time in the water this summer!

Whenever Bella opens the drawers in her room, this tutu is always the first thing she pulls out.  I think she likes the texture of it.

I had to stop by my office today to pick up some things I needed so Bella tagged along and kept herself occupied while I gathered what I needed.  

Bella is ONE!

 The last of our monthly photo shoots with signs!  She just can't sit still for them.  We only got one good one!

"I'm one"

"So big!"

"Yay for birthdays!"

"I'll take this sign down for you, Mom."

"Here's your sign, Mom!"

Taste testing it...

Fun gift from Grammy and PaPa - a tricycle!  She pulled right up on the box from a sit to a stand.  She does this in lots of places now (on our couch, on the stairs, etc.)

Why, Hello, Miss Crumpet!

Practicing standing...

Birthday mini-cupcake

Mmmm!

All done (prompting tosses it on the floor)

"Yay!"

Looking cute on her first birthday!

What is Bella up to these days?

-Bella is trying to pull up on everything.  She is good at getting to a standing position these days.  She can go from one side of her music table to another, but isn't interested in cruising too much!

-She is crawling all over the place!!

-Bella is learning how to crawl up stairs.  She can get up one or two (of course, we are there for when she inevitably falls...)

-Bella is transitioning to whole milk - and really seems to like it!  She eats just about everything we eat.

-She has 9 teeth in, include a new molar...  the one on the other side is just about ready to break through...

-She loves to shriek, and "talk" with intonation, and dance when there is music.

-No real words yet, but she does say lots of mama and dada... I just haven't seen any real indication that she knows what they mean yet, so I don't count them yet, but I think soon...

-Still taking 2 naps a day and sleeping 12 hours at night (with the exception of the last week since she's been sick)

-She caught hand, foot, and mouth at daycare and is now recovering!  It was rough for a few days - she wouldn't eat, or sleep, and she was generally pretty miserable -  but we definitely turned a corner today!

It's been a wonderful year!! Happy Birthday, Bella!

The Great Bella Chase

Uncle Corey Visits

Uncle Corey came to visit from Friday to Saturday.  Bella loves when he visits and recognized him right away.

Bella's rings

She loves these things.