Santa, Bella, and TJ

 

As Bella would say....'I did it'. She and Tj both did it....sat in Santa's lap for this special picture. I didn't get a photo of Bella or Tj last year with Santa. So, this year, I decided to have them both in the same photo.

New Daycare.....

 

Bella started a new Daycare yesterday. I had been looking around for the past couple of months for a new Daycare. I had found one that I really liked, but they did not have an opening until February. I was going to try and wait it out where Bella currently was....but, I just felt that her class situation was getting out of control....and I had to get her 'out of there'. Don't get me wrong, her teachers were the best. But, the Center management was ensuring that the 2 year old class was 'full'. This meant 18 2 year olds. There were 3 teachers in there most, but not all of the day. And in the last couple of weeks, I had noticed a change in behavior with Bella. And I don't attribute it to just being 2. It appears to be behaviors that she is learning from others.

So, I made the decision to pull her out 'quickly' this past Monday. She is at the center that I was speaking of earlier. They still don't have a FT spot, but she is in part time for now. And the person that kept her when she had the broken arm is filling in the other days till the FT spot is available. Her class has a max of 6....and her teacher is the teacher she had in the Toddler room at her previous school. Her first day was great! She went in, found a tutu, and started playing. She played with the other kids, took her nap, and exclaimed to me when I picked her up, 'I had fun at school today!'

I am feeling good today about the 'quick' decision that I made...and I am hoping that this help to reinforce a more positive behavior environment. And I am not so worried that Bella is going to 'intentionally' get kicked, bit, or hit with a toy.

And the saddest part of all of this is.....those parents that don't/won't/can't encourage positive behaviors while away from the center....and expect the teachers to do it all. And Management that loses sight of the best learning/nurturing environment for the children in order to make that almighty dollar.....

Our 2nd Christmas with Isabella!

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And these are just a few of the proofs

This is my great nephew, Caden. He is such a little ball of fire....but, Bella just loves him to death!


I so seldom get to be in the same photo with Bella....


Oh to be 2 again.......


What a beautiful fall day to make some memories.....thanks Jenny for these wonderful photos. I can't wait to see the rest of the proofs and the finished product.

And little Miss Bella is changing everyday. Her newest thing to do is add 'very much' at the end of a statement, I love you...very much and stating numerous times each day, 'that was so sweet'. Tell me they don't listen to what we say. Well, most of the time...lol

Trick or Treat 2009

Check out our latest fall outfit from 'Snazziedrawers'....I just love the work that Joy does!!

What a fun time we had with Isabella's 'Monarch Butterfly' costume....and her 'butterfly catching net'....which she caught candy in instead. So glad to have Bella out of that cast and have her back to doing all of her normal activities. And with Keith home to share in all the fun.....couldn't have asked for a more special time.

Have Pony Will Travel....

She really enjoys her haircut...although, she doesn't look to happy here...notice she is on a pony


Dora and Happy Meal...what could be more relaxing!

 

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day! Sunny and only 73 degrees. We were off early for a hair trim, new shoes, Happy Meal, and PONY RIDE! Notice....they are holding her along the way on her pony ride. We didn't want any more injuries! She loves ponies!

Before, during, and after the cast removal....

 

Isabella had her pink cast on for 21 days. It was removed, along with the 3 pins, yesterday. Just a few photos....and yes, there was some crying, but not too much. She is such a trooper and managed the cast so well. She will have to wear a splint for another 3 weeks, while she is at Daycare. At home, she doesn't have to wear anything at all. And her arm is a bit stiff. But, I catch her starting to use that arm, 'just a little bit', every once in a while.

Thanks to everyone for everything that you have done for us during this time! Bella loved all of the cards, animals, and phone calls. You are all very special friends to our very 'special girl'

Something in the way you look.....

There must be something that fascinates our little ones with the 'big people' glasses. I saw another friend post pics of her cutie wearing her specs. Which reminded me that I had also snapped a couple of photos with Bella modeling mine as well.

It seems these days that I capture alot of Bellas moments with my BB camera....so, if the quality isn't quite there..I do apologize.

Do you think that we would be quite as happy as Bella looks...sporting that heavy cast on her arm. She has adapted to it almost as though it isn't there. The pins are scheduled to come out on the 30th.

Ouch!!!!!!!!!

Hey all....just a sidenote...these photos were taken with my Blackberry...not really a photo session that I would have chosen.....but I wanted to make sure that I captured what was happening.

Last Sunday Bellas nap ended with a loud thud and lots of crying. I knew exactly what had happened. Bella had fallen out of her crib but I wasn't prepared for what the end result would be. She was lying in the floor. I picked her up, looked at her, and asked what was hurting. She said her 'arm'. As I looked at her left arm, it was evident what she meant. Quickly, we headed for the ER. She was such a tropper riding in the car seat with an obviously seriously injured arm.

We arrived at the ER...signed in and waited until we were called back by the Triage Nurse....the look on her face said it all when she looked at the now 'very swollen' elbow. We were quickly taken to a room with xrays following. The xrays showed a Displaced supracondylar humeral fractures type IV....displaced in three places. And the Ortho Surgeon had not done this type of corrective surgery for 28 years. And due to the severity of the fracture, Bella would be transported to a facility that could handle this level of trauma. So, off to Brenners Childrens Hospital we go.

More xrays.....and remember this is a the long Labor Day Holiday Weekend.....skeletal staffing. No one knew when we would be on the list for corrective surgery. It would possibly be Tuesday. Bellas arm was splinted and she was medicated to control the pain. Sunday was a very long night. On Monday am, I went out to check and see if they had heard anything about Bella getting on the surgery schedule. To the surprise of the Nursing staff....Bellas name was on the list for Monday am....the first name on the list....for a 7am surgery....it was 615 and they would be there to get her any minute.

The surgery went very smooth....Bella has 3 pins that will be removed in 3 weeks...and a new cast applied for several more weeks. On Monday pm, there was substantial swelling and her cast had to be split and spacers applied to allow for the swelling. We removed those spacers yesterday.

Needless to say...this is just a brief recap.....

We now have a 'big girl bed'....no more crib. And she is warming up to it very quickly. I have done the 'big girl bed' song and dance several times today. lol Last night was her first night sleeping in it. She didn't get up. But, did at nap time today and returned to the bed and completed her nap. At the suggestion of the Pediatrician, we put a gate at her bedroom door. She can get our of her bed but can't leave her room. That is the only time it is up.

As you can tell by the pictures....Bella is adapting and improving really quickly. And no more pain meds. She will even lift her arm so that I can get under her arm to pick her up. And check out the cast....there was a plastic tube made into the cast so that a soft cloth can be passed thru and around her neck to act as a sling.

Sunny Beaches

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It seems forever since I have posted. We have been so busy the past month....check out our Beach Fun!

'Flip the Flops'

 

Bella truly loves her flip flops and mine too! She put mine on and had me to try hers on for size....check out her little 'buddah' belly...too cute...

Bella just being Bella!

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