We're Famous!

I have been trying to get more into keeping up with our blog, but I keep making excuses for why I can't. I will admit that it's difficult finding free time these days, but if this blog is important enough to me, I should be able to find a few moments each day to post something. 

This weekend we celebrated Grandma Ruth's birthday by going to Buca di Beppo. Our last time at a family style restaurant with Ian's family did not go very well, so I was very hesitant to go to Buca di Beppo, but it turned out to be a fun evening out. Bella was the center of attention and enjoyed the attention she received from patrons and waitresses. Bella was not having her pureed pasta and chicken meal, so we shared our chicken parmigiana and pasta with her... and she LOVED it! She also used her sippy cup to drink her formula and finished the entire sippy cup. What a big girl! 

Grandma Ruth spent the night and watched Bella so Ian and I could get some chores completed around the house. We power washed the lanai and the front of the house. We also trimmed the hedges and pulled out some plants that did not make it through winter. Let me just say... power washing is awesome! I love seeing the results and I love not having to use harsh chemicals to get rid of dirt and grim. We began power washing the driveway, but stopped about a quarter into the project because it would have taken all day. It's amazing how dirty our driveway and I cannot wait to finish the project. We also finished cleaning the interior of our house and it feels great starting the week with such a clean house!

Last night we had some new friends over for dinner, James, Jodi and their two adorable (and well behaved) children. Ian and James work together and Jodi and I have been getting to know each other via email. They just moved to Florida and they live in the same community as our friends Paul and Lisa. They seem to really like the house and neighborhood, but I don't think they're very fond of the weather. Who doesn't love 85 degree weather in February?!? Okay, okay... I kid, I kid! Anyway... they're both really nice people and their children are super cute. Their daughter is almost 3 years-old and their son is 9 months-old, so Bella got on very well with them. I think the the favorite toy(s) of the evening (for the babies) were James' shoes. It was funny watching the two little ones untie James' shoe, over and over again. Jodi is working on her master's degree, works from home, raises two kids and blogs. She blogs DAILY and she is the reason I have resolved to keep up with my blog. We actually made it into her blog (only good things)! Woo-hoo, we're famous! 

This week Bella and I have a few things on the agenda. I need to take Bella to get her 10-month photos done, we have a huge consignment sale to attend, we have a play date in Tampa to attend and of course her twice a week physical therapy appointments. I'm sure there are a few other things I'm forgetting, but these are the ones I can remember. I'm fairly tired this morning because Bella woke up several times last night and of course my insomnia joined the party. I was awake from 3:30am-5:00am, which was not fun, but thankfully, I managed to fall back to sleep for a few hours. We let Bella cry-it-out last night because this is the method we have been using since our return from Baltimore in January. We obviously ensure all of her needs have been met (i.e. hunger/diaper/pain) and if all these needs have been met, we then  allow her to self soothe. She never cries for more than 10-15 minutes and it works for us. 

Well even though we have a clean house... I have a TON of laundry to do. The early bird gets the worm... or her laundry finished, so I'd better get to it! 

Love always,

Ian, Kim & Bella

She Crawls!

We officially have a crawler in our house... well she's more of an expert Army crawler, but Bella is crawling nonetheless. This is a huge milestone for us, because Bella is nearly 11-months-old and just perfected her Army crawling. The next thing we know, she will be crawling on her hands and knees and eventually walking. 


These physical development "milestones" are important to us because Bella has not always had an easy time reaching such "milestones." I say "milestones" because crawling is not considered an actual milestone in terms of development, however it is important for us to consider it a milestone. When Bella was diagnosed with torticollis and plagiocephaly, I worried that she would have a difficult time compensating, however she seems to be developing at a normal pace. We have been working with her to pull her self up and stand with support, but this seems to be a difficult task her. She still does not pull herself up and definitely is not cruising yet. Again, I am worried, but the pediatrician and physical therapist do not consider it a problem at this point in time. 


Speaking of Bella's plagiocephaly... she has been in her helmet since December 10th and has made great progress. When her head was scanned and measured in late November, the asymmetry was 15.7mm, meaning the difference in the shape of her head was 15.7mm. This is seen as moderate to severe and warranted the prescription of the corrective helmet. Bella had a scan and measurements done after being in the helmet for 8 weeks and the asymmetry has improved greatly... and is now only 9.5mm! This is very promising news and we're hoping that another big growth spurt (or two) will help reduce the asymmetry even more. Bella still has bi-weekly appointments with the orthotist and physical therapy twice a week. 


Anyway... we are so very proud that Bella started crawling and I cannot believe how quickly she is growing up! 


Love always,
Ian, Kim & Bella

Bella is 10-Months-Old TODAY!!!

It's hard to believe that I'm writing Bella's 10-month update, because in my mind, it feels like just yesterday that I was announcing my pregnancy and anxiously awaiting her arrival. Now that she's been a part of our lives for 10 months, we really can't imagine life without her. She is such a blessing and if every child were like Bella, then I'd gladly have 10 more children... okay, maybe 2 or 3 more. 


Bella didn't have a 10-month wellness appointment, but she did manage to see the pediatrician for pink eye... so without further adieu...


Height: 29.5 inches! 


Weight: 24 pounds 10 ounces 

Clothing Size: Bella seems to be outgrowing her 9-month pajamas, so I recently ordered some pajamas from Old Navy... in size 18-24 months! I was going to order the 12-18 month pajamas, but I figured we could get more use out of the larger size. 

Sleeping Pattern: Bella must have missed her own bed because she has been sleeping VERY WELL since we returned from Baltimore. We have totally ditched the middle of the night feeding and Bella has been sleeping through the night. We put Bella to bed around 8:00pm and she wakes up around 6:30am. Needless to say we are all VERY THANKFUL for her new sleeping habits. Bella is also napping twice a day for 1.5-2 hours each nap. 

Eating Pattern: Bella's eating habits have been a little iffy lately. She is drinking her normal bottles, but she sometimes refuses solids. We still try to give her solids, despite her refusal, but with a little patience, she eventually gives in and eats. She is great at picking up food off her tray and putting it into her mouth. I would like to note that she may be a "south paw" because she seems to favor her left hand. 

Milestones: Bella has 5 teeth (3 top teeth and 2 bottom teeth) and is working on tooth #6. She is a trooper when it comes to teething, but can be a little fussy when beginning to cut a new tooth. Bella is army crawling but still prefers to roll her away around. Bella learned how to play "Patty Cake" and says (a variation) of the phrase and claps her hands together. Bella is a little parrot. She tries to repeat words that we say and her most recent words have been "car", "dog", "good girl" and "hi." She is so smart and she is going to be quite the talker when she's older... I suppose it runs in the family?!?

Friends: The usual motley crew of characters, including, Connor, Layla, Taylan, Luke, Camden, Carter, Tyler, Lily, Gia and Logan. We haven't seen our neighborhood friends recently because everyone has been sick. It's so much fun to see the babies grow up together and it's been great to make mommy friends. Bella has recently taken trips with her friends to Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium. 

Current Events: There has been much unrest in Egypt as the citizens of Egypt have called for President Mubarak to step down. Protests began several days ago and seem to be heating up. Two police officers in St. Petersburg were killed in the line of duty. A mother in New Tampa murdered her two teenage children for "mouthing off". Needless to say, we've had some very sober days, and we're hoping for good news soon. Our friends and family up north have been experiencing a very active winter storm season... as have our friends in the Mid-West. Better them, than us! let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!  

Bella has been in her helmet for almost 2 months and is doing very well. The specialist seems pleased with her progress and we go for a scan in about two weeks for exact measurements. The torticollis... oh the torticollis... Bella has been in physical therapy, twice a week since October and I'm really not sure if her condition is improving or not. Some days her neck appears to be straight and other days her neck appears to be tilted. Hopefully another few months of physical therapy and maturity will help her overcome this. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

Well, that's all from Casa de Lasher. The countdown until Bella's 1st Birthday is underway... in t-minus 2 months!

Happy 10-Month Birthday, Isabella Eve!

Love always,
Ian, Kim & Bella