Bella had her 4 month check up today (a little late, we changed doctors so we were pushed back a little!). She weighed in at 13 lbs 3 oz (50th percentile) and 26.5 inches (90th percentile). She also got four shots! (Ouch!) She’s napping right now … just trying to keep her comfy from the little fever it gives ‘em. Overall, I liked the new doc and Bella is doing great!

Here are some pictures from yesterday:

In her cute outift that Chris’ boss gave Bella, and Baby Legs that Erin told me about!! They are great!!!

GMama and Bella:

Before we went out to Taqueria!

Today was a good day, a great birthday. I got to do some of my favorite things!

1) Hang out with my sweet baby. I get a smile from her every morning from Bella when I go to her crib. It makes my day.

2) Eat lunch with mom. It’s kinda her "birth" day too - since she’s the one who gave birth to me! She wrote a cute blog about that. We had lunch at Urban Flatts. YUMMMMMMMMM. I ate too much, and paid for it as I was trying to keep my eyes open on the drive home.

3) I gave her a "Mother’s Memories to her Child" book/journal thing a couple of years ago. She has finished filling it out and gave it to me. Chris and I gave all of these to our grandparents and parents, and I tell you what - they are so stinking precious to me. I get to have, in writing, stories from her childhood, dating years, marriage, birth of children - hopes and dreams. These are precious books to me!

4) I got a nap on the couch as Bella napped. It was kinda cold, and I had a blanket. Perfect. In fact, it was a blanket mom made for me years ago - it’s a bunch of my old t-shirts sewn together. Good memories and a good nap blanket!

5) Taqueria del Sol. Shrimp corn chowder. BLT taco. Margarita. Yum. Yum. Yum.

6) Chris bought my favorite cake - German Chocolate - from Rhodes Bakery. With a glass of frosty milk.

7) Night time with sweet Bella and great husband. My best friend.

Simple and great. Makes me forget how old I’m getting.

Oh, and (insert Debbie Downer jingle) any thing is better than the day I had yesterday at the dentist. The dentist is my biggest fear (like a really big weird fear). Terrible. I cried all the way home. Another blog, another day.

Thanks for all the wishes, friends, on facebook and phone calls!

(Chris)

If you’re wondering why we’ve been posting so much lately, and so many pictures, it’s because we got a new camera. Katie and I have been talking for a while about getting a nice camera, so we can take nice pics of Bella. Thanks to the Economic Stimulus Refund, and since George W. wants us to spend it, we did. That’s what makes us great Americans…our dedication to spend money.

I’m getting better at taking pictures, but I’m no Angela Morris.

Here’s a couple of more from today…some from church, some from home:

From here on out, I’m going to look like an Asian tourist. Don’t laugh at me when you see my honkin’ camera around my neck.

Welp. Today was a good day. Visited my (Chris) parents and brother for lunch, escorted mom to get an iPhone, and then went for a pit stop over to see Katie’s parents for a few minutes. When I got home, Katie arrived home from work, and the camera flashes began. Here’s a few from playtime.

Two beautiful girls:

Bella loves Bandit:

And…I can’t resist sharing her eyes with the world:

Much love. 

Fridays are awesome. It’s the day that Katie and I are guaranteed to be home together. Since Bella’s arrival, it’s been a family day and I always really look forward to it.

Our day today started at the changing table; always a good time. Here, for really the first time, I think she looks like me:

Then, we had a little family playtime. Bella loves her Bumbo seat:

Bella spits up a lot, but it never seems to bother her. I just think she really likes to watch us squirm to catch the drool.

 
After a long day, Bella’s favorite way to unwind is in her bath. And we make sure she receives the queen’s treatment:

Just sharing some pics for those who we haven’t seen in a while. Much love. 

…although, she’s still beautiful even when she is really ticked at me.

First sign you’re a bad dad…taking pictures while your baby cries. I couldn’t resist.

Katie and I have been following Carlos Whittaker’s blog, and I’ve been amazed to see the response to his Compassion Uganda trip. The unfortunate truth is that I’ve almost been avoiding his blog, because of the amazing photos, a vivid reminder of suffering in the world. This weekend, Katie and I finally decided to do something about it, and we hope that you might, too.

Consider how much money it costs us to live in America every month. You could sponsor 20 kids for that. For a dollar a day, you could give a child a chance…at survival, an education, and the chance to meet Jesus.

If it helps to see the face that will be changed by our tiny involvement, we’d like to introduce you to Monica, an 8-year-old girl from Tanzania. She shares Bella’s birthday, and will be a way we can teach Bella to love others first. Thanks Carlos for making this trip; I’d otherwise be spending this money on myself.

If you want to share your wealth, go to COMPASSION.

She’s so darn cute. We can’t stand it!

Just wait until we can get her cute giggle on video. Oh geez - it will break your heart!

Bella’s been on a 2-month hiatus from any measurable amount of speech. No longer.

Yesterday, while riding in the car, she decided to open the flood gates of communication. Similar to the BUD-WEIS-ER frog commercials, Bella began to blurt out a barrage of sounds. It was awesome, and…completely unexpected.

Better yet, she kept doing it. And doing it.  And doing it. She even woke up at 4am this morning to make sure that we knew that she had learned a new skill; Katie and I laid in bed and laughed for a long time.

Without further adieiu, please allow me to introduce today’s speaker, Bella: 

Katie and I have spent most of the weekend soaking up the spring-like weather. The weather just makes you want to get off your tail and get outside. Friday morning, we got up, fed the baby, and then fed ourselves at the Bluebird Cafe, a cool little breakfast spot in Grant Park.

Because it was early, the lighting was really nice. So, I made sure to get a couple of shots of cute little Bella. These are from the iPhone…not bad: 

 We got back home and headed to Gwinnett to meet Katie’s parents for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants tucked away by the mall; one that only the locals know about…Wendy’s.

Gregg wanted to take a picture of himself with Bella with his phone. Not very easy to do:

We wrapped up our adventure with a trip to one of our staple stores: Babies R Us, to grab Bella some new development toys…like an Exersaucer and a Jumping Swing.

As you may know, babies drop you surprises on a daily basis, and not all "stink." One really cool surprise from Friday was that Bella starting talking again. After a 3-4 week break from her hilarious orations, she brought them back with a vengeance. Stay tuned for exclusive video from a speech she gave us this afternoon. 

Yesterday Bella was on a roll!

She rolled a few times, and I finally got one on camera. Sorry for the camera work. I kept putting it down to cheer her on to keep her head up, and I almost missed it!

It was great to catch up, girls!

Here’s Sara and Bella (right when she woke up from a nap to stretch!)

Feb 11th - Bella is 4 months old!

Here are some pictures for ya! What a great four months it’s been!

This was at ONE month:

We’re in love more and more everyday!

…to say happy birthday to GG!

Happy Birthday, GG!

I just rolled over for the first time today! Yeah!

This is right after! 

…we’ve not posted in a while.

So, here’s a treat… another day with Bella.

We started at 6:30… Bella eats. We hang out in our favorite pj’s. She’s about to outgrow these, too. Then we look at the book Amanda gave us. Bella wanted to make the book her dessert.

She’s at the stage where everything she can touch goes straight to the mouth. And she grabs at everything. Eating at Macaroni Grill Friday with Morgan, I quickly learned that my plate is going to have to stay a little further away.

Then, we work on tummy time. Just last week, she discovered how to hold her head up with her arms. And it’s great! She can get up on her knees sorta, but no roll over yet. I can see the first time will probably be an accident… but she is a cutie when she lifts her head!

Let’s see… then we take a little nap together since it’s so darn early. We then get dressed and eat again - Bella is sporting "My Mom Rocks" AND "I love my Daddy." Bella chills on the bed while I take a sec to brush my teeth, pull my hair back and throw on something that fits. We’re going to Target!!!! 

Bella goes in the car seat while I’m letting the dogs out. When I go to pick up the carseat… I smell something funky… and it’s time to take her back out, change her and her clothes. I guess she didn’t like that outfit. So we put on her "Green Peace" outfit from Gmama.

Let’s see… being cute must be hard, because she is out like a light on the short ride. But don’t worry, she has a hold of her toy!

Now this is the part where I realize I shouldn’t be let out of the house. I racked up today. Did you hear Target now carries Converse? Well, you’ll see the Green’s sporting their’s now. Chris picked red, I picked trusty ol’ brown.

After picking up some stain remover for Bella’s clothes (I’m seeing we’re going to need this daily, now)… I tried to choose between these cute invites for a special someone!

Next, I tried on a couple of things. Bella woke up. She didn’t like the cart to stay still, so I was pushing and pulling it in the little dressing room while trying to button my pants. It was quite comical.

After Kroger, we came home and ate again. And by "we ate again", I mean Bella. Then, I ate for the first time. Then we just hung out looking cool.

After a nap, we went for a walk with Bandit. He was pumped to get out of the house, especially on such a pretty day!!! I was excited to see soooooo many moms and kids at the playground in Grant Park.

We met up with Kristy and Thomas. We tried a pic of us and the dogs… but my arm only stretches so far… so we’re the only ones in the shot!

Bella LOVED the walk… I can see that I’m going to need a walking stroller… something with inflatable tires soon. That way she can look where we are going instead of just up or at me. She was all smiles. Beautiful as usual.

We ended the day with Daddy. They both get so excited to see each other; it’s the best!

How’s that for a blog?

We don’t know, and honestly, we don’t care. Katie and I walked out of the house for the last time Thursday at noon, with closing wrapping up at 4pm. I would share the celebration dance/gesture we did, but we would both be quite embarrassed.

Thanks to all who helped us with this project:

The Green’s, McIver’s, Myra and Jack Smith, Kristy and Paul, Kelly and Bobby Walker (and for helping me make a citizen’s arrest while there), Morgan Collins, Bryan and Vick, Jim Sias, Matt Sears, Johnny and Matt Lyons, and most of all…Mark Rice.

Katie and I feel like we sold a piece of our art. We couldn’t be happier with the final result, and after just listing all who helped us in some way, shape, or form, we’re left saying…thanks to everyone who threw some paint on the canvas.