Princess Bella is 19 months old.. Time Flies!
I know, I know it has been a VERY long time since I have written. I made a NYE resolution last year to be more consistent with my writing.. and well, that went the way of MOST NYE resolutions.. Ditched shortly after New Years (probably why my loving hubby says he never makes them). I’ve let “life get in the way”. I have been having so much fun bringing up this nugget of love, that I simply abandoned my writing to be in-the-moment.
But, what’s crazy is what has happened in the short course of 1 year. Somehow my little blob that only ate, pooped and slept became this whole, fully functional human – with a larger than life attitude and an opinion. WTF? No one warned me these things would happen so quickly!
Bella is now 19 months old and the following are some of the amazing things she has accomplished already: goes to school, climbs stairs and goes down slides at the playground (sometimes head first), has friends, swims, counts to 10, spells, met (and hated) Mickey Mouse, punches the dog in the nose, unlocks and swipes applications on “her” iPad, eats real food in real restaurants, opens doors, recognizes characters on TV and calls them by name, colors and paints, blows kisses – my personal favorite, fakes a Southern accent (hiiii maaaama!), squeals with delight at the sight of strawberries, rips toys out of the hands of innocent children if she wants them, steals watermelon from the plates of others, says “bless you” if someone sneezes and screams “bye bye” or “hiiii” to anyone and everyone no matter if they are coming or going. AWESOME, right? Ok, a couple we will have to work on…
I’m no expert, but I would say she is a child genius! In addition to being smart (and incredibly adorable and photogenic), she is also TALL. Which is why some people may be missing how genius-y she actually is, because they must think she is like 2 or 3. Duh.
I would like this whole “advancing” thing to slow down. This is our only time to this parenthood rodeo. I don’t want to blink and all the sudden she’s leaving for college. I am absolutely loving every day with my baby. It brings new words, new adventures. I love smelling her skin and holding her in my arms until she falls asleep at night. Everyone says that it just keeps getting better, but I find that so hard to believe. It really is so incredibly perfect exactly how it is right now. Except for the toes she put in my mouth the other night while I was asleep… Actually, that’s kinda perfect too!
Bringing Up Bella Eveline 
Bella is indeed a beautifully developing child who radiates with the love & caring that her parents are giving her. Her life is one that we all wish every child could enjoy. After seeing her at Christmas time, we were delighted at observing her wonderful antics, her beautiful laugh & smile & the love she shows to her Mommy & Daddy … “Caillou” was just the icing on the cake!
Thank you for sharing your latest entry … we so look forward to many more to come!
Love to all, Diana & Bill
So beautiful to read of your gorgeous journey with baby Bella. I”m lucky enough to observe it front and center and it is a pleasure to see how much joy you all bring to one another. Keep up the great work Jen & Keith…Bella is surely a winner as are her parents. xo
A wonderful account of your heart-warming and thrilling experiences accompanying Bella on her long journey to personhood. Kudos to you and Keith for providing the wonderful, happy and healthy environment in which this little being can learn, prosper and mature. You three make a fabulous team: Team Bella.