Ode To Bella

     Today I'd like to talk about my beloved Bella. I was having some issues with her today. Bella is now five years old and loves to test my parental limits. She wares me out. She even drives me insane. Bella is full of energy and from the moment she wakes up, she talks my ears off. She's loud and can sometimes annoy me. Yes, my own daughter of five, can annoy the crap out of me. Let's face it mommies and daddies out there, children are a handful, annoying, and messy. So why do we continue to produce them? Why? Maybe because they are the most precious creatures on this earth. Really. We all know being a parent is tough, blah blah blah, but it's worth it. 
     I was on the phone today with my sister, and while I was talking Bella decided to act out. She followed me around everywhere I went in the house just to annoy me. I had a hard time focusing on the conversation I was having. I had to put Bella in timeout. After I got of the phone, Bella came up to me and said "I'm real sorry. I know I'm not supposed to be naughty. I promise I will try harder not to do that again." I was thinking, yeah right. But she said, "I love you to the moon and back momma." Usually, I'll immediately respond with I love you to the stars and back, but I was taken back. Looking at my little Bella, I got all gushy.  She has really grown up. I know she may have some behavior issues right now, but what kid doesn't? 
     Let's take a look back at some of my favorite Bella moments. 

 

  

Here I am at 9 months pregnant with Bella. In this picture, her head was lodged into my rib cage. She was born 3 weeks premature because the little bugger wouldn't change positions. So, bring on the c-section. Then my little Bella was born on March 14th, 2006. 

Isabella Pauline

Daddy's little girl.

Worn out and tired!!!

 Here she is. Frog legs and all. I remember being in the surgery room, and looking at Adam while the doctor was taking her out. The doctor said, congratulations it's a girl! Adam looked at me with tears in his eyes. One of my most precious memory of that day. Here is Adam holding his little girl for the first time. He fell in love with her and I fell in even more love with him. Life with little Bella was so full of love and new found worries. Bringing her home from the hospital, Adam was driving so slow. Like, snail slow. I was sitting in the backseat with Bella giggling. It was scary to think we were responsible for such a tiny creature. As the time went on, Adam and I slowly got the hang of the whole parent thing. We became avid coffee drinkers and bottle washers. We were a good team. There were days when every moment was so precious. Then there were days like this one:

She was a really good baby though. At 3 months she was sleeping through the nights. Sometimes it was hard to get her to sleep so I'd sing all the typical baby songs, but the one song that seemed to calm her down the most was "This Kiss" but Faith Hill. Weird, I know. But it worked. So, I'd bounce her, slowly, on my exercise ball and sing that song. Worked like a charm! I think one of my favorite things about having a baby is dressing it up! Duh. Bella didn't seem too amused, though..

Smile for the camera!

Daddy and Bella!

Peek-a-boo under the coffee table!

Bella doing some laundry.

Apple picking.

All smiles.

Story time.

First Halloween! 

     I could post thousands of pictures of her. Each picture taken is a moment to cherish. That's what the people of Hallmark say, and I believe it. So, Bella, when you're old enough to read this, I'd like you to know you drove mommy crazy. But I wouldn't change anything. You are my whole life my little bologna butt. 

     More stories to follow. Next, ode to my son, Peter...Stay tuned.