Back to Normal...

After about 5 days of Amox, Bella seems to be more like herself again. When she can't make something work the 'first' time, she becomes angry. :( And she wants to do everything 'herself'. And if she doesn't get her way, look out!!! lol She has picked up a couple more things that I do. She will hold up her pointer finger, look at me and say, 'be right back', if she is going out of her room. Or, hold up the finger and say, 'one more time', if she wants to do something. And remember the kitchen she got for Christmas, when she grows tired of cooking on it, she climbs on top and sits on it.

Bella had her first lesson on the 'TumbleBus' yesterday. Tumblebees visits her school on Fridays with the 'TumbleBus'. They said that she loved it and did great. They work on the basics of tumbling, etc. She seems to be very flexible. They work on teaching good physical health starting at a young age.

And can you believe it, this is the last day of January. In just a few days, Bella will be 20 months old. Approaching the 2 year old mark, where has the time gone? And on the 23rd of February, we will have our '1 year' Anniversary as a 'Forever Family'.

So, why do we buy toys for our tots? Hmmm...all they need is a keyboard and a mouse...Bella seems so easily bored with 'her' toys at times. Then other times...check out the moving of 'Pooh' from her room to where she is going. This Pooh is way bigger than she is, but she loves him better than anything she has. And has to wrestle with him everyday. He never says 'no', she truly loves him.

Please Pray for Abby

I have added a link on the left side of my page. There are lots of families that have adopted from Guatemala that I don't know but we all share that common connector of 'having adopted from Guatemala' and therefore news travels among the many blogs that are out there. This link will allow those that don't know Abby, to get to know her and her family.

'Abby' is four years old. She was adopted from Guatemala when she was six months old.

In July 2008, three years old, she was diagnosed with a high risk, aggressive form of Leukemia. Over the months, her prognosis has worsened as other complications and conditions became known.

Just how quick can our kids become sick!!!!!

Friday was a great day, the Dentist visit, half day off work, eating Mexican.....And on Saturday, Bella woke up with a nasty cough and runny nose. This continued into Sunday, runny nose and cough were worse. It was off to the Pediatrician on Monday. Bella has an ear infection and was per scribed some meds. Poor Baby! I stayed out of work with her on Monday and today my sister n' law is sitting with her while I work. She loves her Aunt Nancy. And they have so much fun together! I am so thankful to have such a wonderful sister n' law that is so willing to help out on short notice.

Home 11 months today--1st Dentist Visit

Eleven months ago today, we arrived home in the wee hours of the morning with the newest addition to our family, Isabella. We just love her so much! So much has changed in those eleven months. We brought home a little girl that was confused, scared and missed her Foster Family very much. Today, those difficult days seem so far away. But, today, Bella is a happy little girl that brings joy to us everyday.

Today was also Isabella's first Dentist visit. We have found a wonderful Pediatric Dentist in Greensboro. The office and surroundings are very kid friendly. And the staff was awesome. The first visit to a Dentist could be a very traumatic event. Bella did cry a bit. But, she allowed the dental assistants to look in her mouth, clean and floss her teeth. Then the Dr. took a look and did a fluoride treatment. He said her teeth look great, all 16 of them and are cavity free.

Rack em' Up

So, I couldn't resist this Kodak moment, Bella chalking up a Q Stick. And I didn't have my camera with me..had to use my Blackberry to capture the 'shark' in action!! LOL

We are off tomorrow for Bella's first Dentist visit. I really should have taken her sooner for that initial visit. I am thinking that her 2 year molars are trying to make their entrance. She has been cranky, moody, and just evil at times. She can be the sweetest child ever. But, she can pull a Linda Blair sometimes. Highly reminiscent of when she was cutting her prior teeth.

Now, when she wants something, she will point to it and say 'mine'. Insists on drinking from the juice box, wants to walk everywhere and not be carried, can totally not want to get in her car seat, or wash her hands at school, get dressed for school, get undressed for bed.....sound familiar??? Folks are saying that I have a typical child that is quickly reaching that 2 year old mark.

But, oh how she does amaze us as what she can say and do. We are beginning to let her make a few choices. Do you want the apple or orange, which shirt, which pants, etc. She really gets excited when we ask her what she wants. And the girl loves to be outside. Will walk to the window, look out and state 'outside'. Doesn't matter how cold it is. She is all in to taking clothes from the dirty hamper and putting them into the washer. Or, taking them from the washer and putting them in the dryer. And Bella is getting very good at following basic directions. And last night, looked up at Keith and said 'bed'. We do our best to adhere to a pretty tight schedule. It works for us in that Bella naps each day at the same time, in or out of school, and goes to sleep each night between 7pm and 730pm. After her bath, brushing of teeth, and a couple of songs, she will knock right out. I just pray that her 'twoness' doesn't affect this.

Tomorrow, Isabella will have been home with us for 11 months. And in one more month, it will be a year. And in just a few more months, she will be turning 2. I already have her 2nd Birthday Party planned and on the calendar for May 30th at 330pm at the 'Little Gym' in Greensboro, more details to follow.

Am I behind...or what?

Keith, Isabelle (was in the same Foster Home), and Isabella



Bella and Isabelle sharing a 'smooch'



















What a busy Christmas and New Year it was...I will just let the pictures show just how special this 'first Christmas' with Bella was. From riding her first horse, visiting friends and family, to watching her first Christmas Parade, it was truly a blast.