I'm struggling to even begin this post.  Where do I even start? When I got the big fat positive, I thought I wanted another boy.  I wasn't cut out to be a mom to a daughter.  I'm not very girly myself, I have no girlfriends, so I probably wouldn't be a good "girl mom."  That was my thinking anyways. Then, a few weeks later, it hit me that you were a girl.  I didn't need an ultrasound, I just knew it.  God was going to give me a daughter and He believed in me.  I could do this.  The excitement set in.  The ultrasound confirmed what I already knew- bring on the pink and the Hello Kitty! We'd settled on your name years before you ever were.  Then, the Twilight series happened and the name Bella became very popular.  I debated on changing your name, but we had always called our future daughter "Bella" and so we kept it.  I'm so glad we did, because you are our Bella Grace. From the moment I gave birth to you, you made me a better person.  Even through a completely … [Read more...]

Mama is a little late with this post, but I'm sure you can imagine why.  I anticipate a long, emotional post next month, so I'll keep this one short and to the point. During your eleventh month, you teethed with nothing to show for it.  Still only four shiners, but a couple more about to break through. you started walking.  Bye- bye to that baby girl with dirty knees.  You walked at the exact time that your brother did- the week before  you hit eleven months. you were sick for the first time.  You fought a 103 fever for days, were lethargic, and super fussy.  Not fun, my dear. you wear mostly 12 - 18 month clothing and a size 3 diaper. you wave and say "hey dere."  You also say mama.. mamamamamamama. you've reminded me just how much an eleven month old can get into.  Picking up the living room is pointless with you around, child. you like to get in the kitchen cabinets and pull everything out.   if someone forgets and leaves the bathroom door open, … [Read more...]