Christmas 2009

Your second Christmas! You were really able to appreciate the holiday season this year little one. With your Sister's excitement being so contagious, everyone was filled with holiday spirit. Together, you enjoyed spending your non-school days singing and dancing to Christmas carols (Mommy & Daddy too!), baking with Mommy and looking through Christmas books. Sometimes we would catch you trying to open or peek at the presents under the tree, too (as above)! We are very blessed to have you and your Sister in our lives. Feliz Navidad, Corazon!

School Favorites

Arts and Crafts - You love to paint!

Music and Dancing - Dancing is your favorite. You do a little shift from side to side with your head and body and move one arm up and down. It is so sweet to watch you.

Singing - you try to sing and you usually raise your voice for the last word of the song like in row-row-row-your boat, you yell out DREAM! Wheels on the bus: TOWN!

Story time - You love books! During story time you like to sit on your teachers lap or you sit on the classroom rocking chair by yourself and place the book on your lap and turn the pages. Although sometimes the book may be upside down, you are intrigued by the pictures, sweetie!

Outside time - this is a whole new adventure for you now that you are mobile and in a bigger classroom. So far you are enjoying the slide and the swing!

Preschool Time

Little one, it is now time for you to move to the younger two's room...
Since you begun to walk and communicate early on, a decision was reached that you are ready to develop and learn in a new curriculum based environment. This is a big milestone for you, and for Mommy and Daddy as well.

The new classroom with Ms Joyce is bigger and that means more space for exploring! There will be more emphasis on the subjects that you love as well; coloring, painting, story time, music, singing and dancing. A bonus is that you will be able to have outside time on the swings, cars and slide and stretch those little legs of yours that keep going, going and going! For a few weeks you are transitioning for an hour a day until the permanent move on November 23rd. So far, your time in the new room has been tear free (thankfully!). You are led to your new room at the top of your designated hour and you wave to your favorite caretakers, Dania, Gaby, Romana and Gisella, and blow them kisses with your hand. From what we understand, it has been harder on them than on you. We hope that the designated day of your permanent move continues as smoothly, Sweetie!

1 Year - And first words

Little Bella, at one year your communication skills consist of cooing, babbling, facial expressions, pointing, signing and words. Regardless, of the combination you choose at the moment, we try our best to make sure and acknowledge your efforts. Interestingly enough, you and your sister seem to have a form of communication all your own. You can look at each other or speak some words and run along together, or just start giggling. It is sweet to watch you two interact. The below signs and words are one's you can communicate so far.
Words:

• oh-oh!?
• doggie
• Nana (banana)
• Mama
• Dada
• Agua
• Hi
• Done
• Dania
• go-go-go!
• tan you (thank you)

Signs

• More
• please
• thank you
• water/juice
• milk
• boo-boo
• thank you/gracias
• All done

1st Birthday Wishes!

Happy 1st Birthday, Sweet Baby Girl! We can't believe how fast the year has gone... You have accomplished some milestones and have many more ahead. How quickly our little baby has grown.

For your special day Mommy took time off from work and you both spent quality weekday time together. You went to the playground to ride the swings, read some books, had lunch, cuddled and took a two hour nap before your big sister came home from Summer Camp. When Daddy got home from work, he took his girls out for a dinner celebration.

On the weekend we had a birthday party just for you. When the party started you had just woken up from a 3 hour nap and there were many people so it took you a bit to warm up. Once you got going you really enjoyed the attention and playtime with your cousins and big sister. You ate very well too! You had some cheese enchiladas, chicken cilantro pasta, strawberries and then you had some of your Birthday (ice cream) cake. We didn't open your presents that evening since you were pretty tired, except you did open one special gift... Your big sister wanted to get you your very own "ballerina shoes" as that's what she calls soft pink Mary Jane shoes. When you were dressed, she gave you her present and put them on you for your special day!

We wish for you many, many, many more years of happiness, good health and love, Darling. We love you so very much. Happy Birthday!

Walking By Yourself!

We are so proud of you Sweetie!

Daddy's Day

Daddy, thank you for the cuddles, hugs and tickles you give me. You make me feel safe and very loved.

Practicing First Steps

Here is Daddy helping you with your steps, little one!

School

Bella, we are very happy that you look forward to seeing your caretakers every morning when Daddy drops you off. You reach out to Dania and excitedly kick your little feet when you arrive. You have smiles for everyone! Your sister kisses you goodbye and Daddy then takes her to her classroom. Luckily you get to see Kenzie through out the day as Dania takes you over to pay her a visit. You have a daily routine each day but the teachers also focus on teaching you and your little friends different skills. Below are just a few you are learning or have learned:

• Using utensils
• Social interaction
  
• Sign language
• moving to music
• Enjoying books
  
• improving motor skills
• First steps
  
• Stacking objects
• Sharing with friends
• Spanish
• Grasping
• Spatial relationships
  

We are very blessed to have found a wonderful nurturing environment where you and your sister learn the skills and receive the love and support to hopefully grow into beautiful little people.

Crawling

Little Bella, at one point you were just sitting there and then before I knew it, you were at my feet while I was cooking. It had started with an arm and stomach lifting a few days prior and then a rocking back and forth with your knees. Now, you can't hide the excitement of getting from one place to the next on your own without the walker. Especially when the task involves finding your sister or getting a toy! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you, Darling.

Playtime with My Sister

Bella, you really enjoy time with your sister, especially when it comes to discovering what may be in the toy bins for the day. Daddy and Mommy swap out the toys often so old ones found become like new again. It's just wonderful for us to watch you both interact together. You are learning so much from your big sister as well; the joy of chase, books, cars, teddy bears, playing with water and how to get Daddy's attention!

Easter

Your first Easter, little one. A special day that was filled with Easter celebrations: morning services, egg hunts, your first bunny, and visits with family and friends!

Enjoying Food

Bella, when it's not on you, you really enjoy your applesauce! Some of your other favorites include:

• Tofu
• Peas
• Yogurt
• Brocolli
• Barley Crackers

My First Word

You can say Da-Da!

Bella, when you see your Daddy, you start bouncing up and down from excitement and say it over and over. It brings a big smile to your Daddy's face and you just light up when he responds to your calls, sweetie.

6 Months

You are growing so quickly little, Bella, and you are doing so many new things...

• rolling over
• lifting yourself up
• sitting up on your own
• speeding through the house on your walker
• eating solids- favorites are bananas and sweet potatoes
• bringing your hands to your mouth with food
• clasping and grabbing with your fingers
• bouncing to music
• pointing with your finger
• enjoying peek-a-boo

We are very much enjoying you and all your milestones, little one. We love you so!

Introducing Solids

Bella, you had your first solid meal on this day, sweetie. You had cereal with mixed pears and you did quite well. Your sister was even excited to help you out!

Mobile

Loving my walker from my grandparents so much. It helps me keep up with my sister, Kenzie, wherever she goes on our main floor. Sometimes, I have a hard time stopping myself and I accidentally roll into my sister's trains when she is playing with them or bonk her on the head when she is trying to help me out by picking up a toy that I dropped. I am glad she is pretty patient with me. On a side note: Lately I really like to drop things on the floor to hear how they sound. It is pretty neat to hear all the noise that I can make on my very own! Another plus of being in my walker is that I can find Mommy and Daddy all by myself when they go from room to room. I just listen for their voice. This video shows my very first try in the walker.

Bathtime

Bella, you are almost 5 months, Sweetie, and you have outgrown your little tub and will be able to enjoy bath time with your big sister. Since you can now sit-up on your own (minus a little swaying) you can get into the big tub to have your bath with the assistance of a bath chair. Unlike your sister when she was a baby, you don't mind having your hair washed or having water poured over your head, so with all the splashing your sister likes to do it will ease the transition. We are sure you both will be splashing about in there in no time!