Post Christmas Pittsburgh Visit

Bella had a great Christmas... Here she is with some of her presents:

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Bella with her cousins (2nd cousins?)

Bella does whatever her big cousin does.

Trying on her new jewelry

Bella's first time playing in the snow

Laughing

She's a little leery of the snow and would rather be held than walk in it.

On the drive back to Maryland....  She caught me taking a picture of her, but this is how she was watching her iPad.  

Christmas Eve and Christmas Pics

CHRISTMAS EVE:

This is Christmas Eve.  Bella is obsessed with wearing Anthony's hat.  She will not wear the pretty teal blue hat that matches her jacket when she is outside, but she will wear this hat EVERYWHERE.  In the house, out of the house - she loves to wear it.

Cuddling with Daddy before bed.  We knew she must not be feeling too good because she never sits this long near either one of us.  

She's wearing a soft sleeper around her neck like a scarf...

Bella wasn't quite herself yesterday and we were wondering what was wrong.  She is smiling here though.

CHRISTMAS DAY:

 

Bella had a rough night.  Even with meds, she was so hot every time she woke up in the middle of the night.  In the morning, she had a 102.5 degree fever so we took her to the ER, since no where else was open.  Yes, she insisted on wearing her hat and also her shoes. They tested her for flu, RSV, bladder infection, strep, ear infection, pneumonia... everything was negative.  So, it must just be a virus! 

 Once we got some meds in her and some extra sleep, she was ready to look at some presents.

Since she always wears and breaks Mommy's jewelry, Bella got a lot of fun, little girl jewelry for Christmas.  Here she was grabbing her bangle bracelets to show them to Anthony.  

Here is Bella in her new chair.... playing her new piano with her feet.  

Here's Bella walking around with the cups from her new play kitchen on her feet.  Why?  I don't know.  But at least she was smiling.

Drawing on her new easel/desk with Dad

Diva

Bella looks so old to me when she plays on the floor like this...

These are from today.  Bella wanted her tutu on all day.... She kept putting on sunglasses, jewelry, slippers, and gloves too....  she loves to get dolled up.

Videos

Bella decorating the tree... 

Pretending to sit on Bella...

It's a...

GIRL!!!

Today Anthony and I had a nice, daytime mini-date in Annapolis.  We got some Starbucks.  We did a little bit of shopping.  I bought a LOFT cardigan for $4.95.  Anthony purchased what he deems a "Cosby Sweater" that he insists he will wear everyday of his holiday break.  We ate a delicious Italian lunch.  You would think we couldn't get any happier.  

But then we got to see some sneak peaks of our baby girl.  The tech said that the baby was in the perfect position to get her gender.  She was moving all over the place and the tech was confident that she is, in fact, a "she."   The tech tried to do some 4D images for us, but the placenta was completely covering her face so this is the best she could get:

We will have a more comprehensive ultrasound around Week 22 (end of January) so hopefully we'll see her face then!  Until then, we love knowing that we are expecting another little girl.  I can start planning another little girl's room and I know that I don't have to buy a new wardrobe for baby #2.  

These are a few pictures from last weekend with Bella.  I've been behind on posting.  Bella is wearing cousin Resa's coat and she got many compliments on it!  :)

On our way to see Santa... we turned around and realized she fell asleep before we even got there.  We didn't wait in line to sit in his lap or anything, just looked from afar.  

Walking in Downtown Leonardtown, showing off her coat and shoes.

Walking with Daddy.  When did our "baby" become a little girl?

Once I get a chance to sync up my camera, I should have a few more photos and videos to post soon!  And, certainly, we'll have some after Christmas.  We are very excited...

Bella's Got Moves

Bella showing her moves to some Jingle Bells.

Bella dances to the Kwanzaa song on her Elmo Holiday DVD.

Quick Bella Update:

Bella is almost 18 months!

Bella can wear: 18 month clothes, but soon will be going into 24 months and 2T.  Size 5 shoes are fitting perfectly.

Some of Bella's newer words:  bus, monkey, fish, bath, Elmo, Santa, help, nigh-nigh, outside

Bella can eat:  just about anything now that she has so many teeth...  She can eat apple and carrot slices.  She loved eating smoked salmon at Peggy & Paul's house yesterday.  She likes to attempt using a fork and spoon, but still grabs at it with her hands when all else fails.  She has a good appetite and is always hungry.

Bella is all over the place.  She likes to climb up on things, including the kitchen table and the back of the couch.  She can pretty much run now.  She does laps between the kitchen and living room.  She dances when she hears music.  Anthony taught her how to play the harmonica.  And, she loves helping Daddy to play the guitar.  

She still loves bathtime and lets us know when she wants to nap and go to sleep.  Still sleeping about 12 hours a night.... usually napping for an hour and a half to 2 hours in the afternoon.   She still goes to daycare with 2 other little kids.

It's getting cold outside...

Loves to accessorize

Clobbering Daddy

Best seat in the house to watch a DVD

Bella exploring what lies beyond the sidewalk

Getting carried home by Daddy since she won't stay on the sidewalk

Cracking up at me as I try to tickle her...

On the go... 

Big Cheese

Spaghetti Bella

She's a mess.... and you can see her sign "clean up" at the end.