Where has the time gone?

BELLA GETTING READY TO GO TO CHURCH


Our baby is almost 8 months.. wow the time keeps on inching and inching towards her 1st Birthday which totally freaks me out. I can't believe how fast these 8 months have gone by (with the exception of the first 3 when all she did was cry), but even that feels like a distant memory. In fact, we were at a dinner party with lots of people this past Friday evening, and a friend of Jen's was there who I had met once before at Jen's birthday party in August. If any of you read my journals on the babysite, you know that her party was not a good one for me. Isabella cried literally the entire time. Nothing I did worked to calm her down. I ended up leaving early and I cried the whole way home because I was so overwhelmed. Anyway, this girl Amy at the restaurant looked at Isabella and said "wow, I didn't even recognize her, she is so happy and not crying!"

After she said that, I was thinking to myself, "wow I just can't believe that was the same baby." We stayed at the restaurant for a few hours where she was being passed around the entire time and never shed a tear or even fussed. I remember sitting at the table and thinking to myself "I can't believe I made it through that time, and how much she has changed in to a happy little girl. I am so thankful for my daughter". Believe me, it has been a crazy journey through screaming days, sleepless nights, and many in betweens. Now, she hardly ever cries, sleeps 9-11 hours w/ out even waking up once, and is just so happy. It's so wonderful!

She continues to be spoiled rotten by us and my Mom (Nannie). She has gone to church w/ us a few times, and even tried out the nursery (not a favorite of hers). Although, the nursery is beautiful and full of great teachers, she is not used to being in a nursery , plus she doesn't know the girls in there well yet. However, we plan on bringing her more often so she can get acquainted with everyone.
Speaking of church, her baptism is coming up. we are so excited! Her dress is beautiful and Eric, myself, Nino Steve and Nina Cas can't wait to baptize OUR beautiful baby girl so that she can begin her lifelong relationship w/ God.

Here are some videos of our Bella. The 1st is of me reading her a book, making animal noises and she is cracking up hysterically. I have been recording her more and more so that Daddy can see her. He has been working the past 2 weeks late nights so he has seen very little of her. The 2nd video is daddy dancing and then Bella following. So cute!

Also, have to tell my other baby Eric congrats on his soon to be promotion. He applied to go through the Operations management training program and he found out he was accepted! It's an 8 week course that will teach him the skills to be an Operations Manager. Im so excited for him, he works his butt off for us. I love you and am very proud of you Bubs. ERic is off for the next week, he took vacation time so he can be home w/ Bella. We are so excited for that.

Isabella's 1st tooth/video

So the day has finally arrived.. Isabella has a tooth! IT has been under the skin for quite some time just waiting to emerge, and it finally has! She has done so well, you wouldn't even know.
Also, here is the video I promised to upload of her dancing. She has really turned in to a dancing machine. Every time Eric and I sing to her or clap hands, or make a beat she wiggles her little body: SO CUTE! She is going to really love music! A few key points about the video : please don't laugh at my voice, my voice is still cracking from being sick so it sound horrible (not that I have a great singing voice to begin with), 2nd: I apologize that the video goes sideways. I was not thinking that once I moved the camera length wise it would in turn mess up video (DUH!). 3rd: she gets her moves from her Mama :) Other than that, enjoy my baby dancing away!

Family Time

We went to Tucson this weekend to visit our family, much of who have yet to meet Isabella. We had such a great time! Isabella was so happy to be around everyone. She was passed around from person to person all weekend, and never cried. She was so happy all weekend. She of course still prefers her mommy, but is absolutely fine being w/ whoever. It's so nice now that she is out of the phase where she only wants mommy all the time and never wanted anyone else to hold her. She would cry and cry when being held by others. Now, she enjoys everyone's company. However, she is still a mama's girl, well at least for now. I know once she gets older, she will be a daddy's girl. Daddy can't get enough of his baby girl.

Isabella got to meet lots of 2nd and 3rd cousins, aunts, and uncles. Of course, they all adored her! She was spoiled rotten this weekend. The only hard part was being away from her crib. She is so used to being in her crib at home and sleeping through the night that when we were somewhere new w/ out her crib, she woke up a few times throughout the night. Which in turn, Mommy and Daddy were exhausted!

Isabella's tooth has finally surfaced through her gum. It has not fully popped out, but it is definitely there. She has not complained at all, which is nice. She has started to lift her arms up when she wants someone to pick her up, and if I say the word "up" without any visual cues, she will put her arms up in the air, its so adorable. She also knows the word "kiss". Everytime before I give her a kiss, I say the word, so now she opens her little mouth. OF course she doesn't pucker but she knows the word. My little babies receptive language is growing!
We also have a dancer amoung us. It's the most adorable thing ever. I have sung the "Isabella song" to her since she was born, and now when I sing it she dances, shakes her hips, and moves her head all around. I showed all my family this weekend, they all got a kick out of it. She has been doing it for a while and she has seen our friends and family laugh w/ her, so of course she loves to show off! She also dances when daddy whistles or does drum sounds to her. My little star! I will post a video of her dancing soon.


She is able to take one scoot while crawling before rolling over. We know it's coming very very soon. We have started to baby proof the house, it makes me so sad how fast she is growing. However, Eric is the opposite of me. He loves that she is starting to crawl and is becoming so independent. He can't wait for her to walk and talk.
Before we know it, we will be celebrating her 1st birthday.. AHHHH!

Also, everything is set for Isabella's baptism. Most of you know that it will be February 14th. I have ordered the invitations, so you will all get them soon. Eric and I are so excited for her to finally be baptized.

BELLA PLAYING W/HER COUSIN GIOVANNI


ISABELLA AND COUSIN COLOSIMO


CHRISTMAS W/ AUNTIE JEN


W/ COUSIN SABRINA


FAMILY TIME W/ THE MILLER'S
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Bella going in for a kiss w/ her new friend Bryce