Why are you my Momma?

From Isabella...Mommy, why are you my Momma?  I want Grandma to be my Momma.  I'm going to pray and ask God to make Grandma my Momma, and make you my Grandma.

Marry a Girl?

Last night Bella declares, "I wish I could marry a girl." I quickly remembered all the wise counsel I've received in the last five years, and instead of going in to panick or damage control mode, I simply asked, "Really? why?" She tells me that if she could marry a girl, she'd marry Arianna so they could always live together! Awww...how sweet (and not at all where I thought that conversation might be going)!

Blogging Again...Bella Style

Before I had kids, when y'all were the ones with little ones, I alway wished you would send out more updates than you did. I thought if I was ever the one with kids, I would be better about keeping everyone up-to-date with what was going on. Now I understand the lack of updates! Holy cow...we are busy! I'm going to tackle an update now, because the dishwasher doesn't need to be emptied, the floors don't need to be swept/mopped, the laundry is all caught up, I don't have any "real" work that needs to be done, the kids aren't clammering for my attention, there are no dust bunnies hiding in the corners, and the island isn't piled so high that you can't see the counter top! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Isabella is growing up so fast. She seems to mature every day. She enjoys all things girly...her entire wardrobe is pink and purple (she refuses to wear black, brown or dark green). She loves to dance, sing and put on "concerts" for us. Her favorite song is still "Living on a Prayer" by Alvin and the Chipmonks, but she will tolerate the original by Bon Jovi. She also likes the song by Willow Smith...is it called, "I whip my hair back and forth"? Obviously Mom is a bit behind on pop culture!

She's doing well in school. She's writing all of her letters, knows what they all say, but is still struggling with letter combinations (why IS the 'K' silent when it's with an 'N'?). She's starting to read a little. On her list of favorite things are her Barbies, her Grandma Rose, and her Mommy (possibly in that order!). She loves to build stuff and is constantly hanging bed sheets and blankets from her top bunk to make swings. She's also a master negotiator, always trying to find ways to bargain for "one more minute" of whatever fun activity she's engaged in at the time.Bella recently had a struggle with a little boy in her lunch room. We talked to the teacher and got permission for her to move to another room. However Bella decided that she wanted to stick it out and deal with him. She was NOT letting him get to her. We were really proud of her stick-to-it-ness. She's a very strong child that doesn't back down from anything!

Funnies From Friday

Jason took the girls to the zoo yesterday, and Arianna called the gorillas (and apparently most of the other animals too) "Ma Ma". Um, I'm not sure what to think about that!

Bella is still periodically asking us for a new baby. While I was holding Arianna we had this conversation:

Bella: Mommy, do you ever think about having another baby?

Me: No

Bella: But I want one (she's starting to get whiny now)

Me: No honey, we're not having another baby.

Bella: But I need one, because that one (points to Arianna) IS NOT WORKING!!!

Two Quick Things

First, Arianna is finally saying Ma Ma!!!

Second, a funny exchange when I got home from work today:

Daddy: Bella, do you want to come downstairs and see Mommy?

Bella: No, I'm working on my voicemail.

I guess a girl has to have her priorities, right?

More Random Happenings

#1 Arianna took her first steps on Wednesday night. She won't walk to Jason or me, but took three steps to get to Jason's food. I guess we know what motivates her!

#2 Bella is such a hoot, she's constantly cracking me up with something she says or does. Last night she was playing with her magic wand and said, "I'm going to poof Arianna gone so we can have another baby." She's seriously on a campaign to get another baby...a boy this time. She WANTS a brother.

#3 Arianna is starting to form words (that you can only understand in context because they are still baby babble). She says, Bella, DaDa, Grandma, kisses...you'll notice there is no "Ma Ma" on this list. She's also picking up on lots of baby signs. She will sign dog, fan, light, Da Da (you can tell she's a Daddy's girl...she can say AND sign Da Da), nurse, and cracker.

#4 Mommy and Daddy are getting a date night tomorrow!!! Thanks, Grandma Rose.

#5 Bella has decided she's getting married in a pretty dress. She can't tell me who she's marrying, just that she knows she wants one of those pretty dresses (we attended a wedding last weekend, and apparently the dress made a big impression).

#6 Arianna got her first two teeth a couple weeks ago. Now she's working on getting four more...all at once. They are making her very uncomfortable, and she's not bashful about letting us know it!

#7 Bella is super-duper fascinated with all things related to hospitals. Her current obsession is the medflight helicopter at St. Joe. Whenever Jason brings the girls to me at work (usually twice a week) we have to swing by the heli-pad, and see if it's there. Occasionally we get to see it take off or land...and she LOVES that.

There is never a dull moment around our house. I could go on and on. I'm learning to appreciate all the ways I am blessed, even in the midst of what often feels like chaos.

Random Happenings In our House

As I'm sitting here pumping, there are several random things floating around my brain. I thought I'd post them...

First, Arianna has had very little interest in walking. She pulls herself up and cruises (holding onto furniture, walls, etc) but doesn't attempt steps. Last night she grabbed the back of the rocking horse, pulls herself to a standing position, and proceeds to walk it across the floor (10 feet or so). Hmmmm...I think she's hiding a talent from us!

We are attempting to night-wean Arianna (yes, again) and move her out of our bedroom. So, we put her crib in the toy room, and Jason is camping out on the futon. We haven't decided if we are going to convert the toy room into a bedroom for her or have her share Bella's room. So, until that decision is made, she's bunking in the toy room. It looks a little funny, but is practical for the moment.

Arianna has starting using several baby signs. She says "dog" "bye-bye" "all done" "fan" "light" and I'm quite sure she's tried to use "nurse" but it's been inconsistent. It's pretty funny to see her do "all done" because what she's really trying to convey is, "I do NOT want that nasty food you're trying to convince me to eat. Please get it out of my face now."

It's so much fun to watch Bella and Arianna develope their relationship. They are starting to play with each other quite a bit. Arianna loves to laugh at Bella...and Bella loves to be silly to get a laugh. They are quite the entertaining combo.

Saturday evening we went to a cookout at my brother's house (thanks Jim and Amy for having us...it was great). There were several of our family members in attendance, so Bella had lots of people that she was comforable chatting/playing with. At one point I look over and my Dad is sitting is a circle with three other 60-ish men, and Bella. She has climbed up in one of the empty chairs and is hanging with the grown-ups as if it's her favorite spot in the whole world. I wished for my camera at that moment! She is such a ham! I think that was the only point in the entire evening when she let Aunt Amy get out of her sight, though. Bella LOVES her Aunt Amy, and was insistent that she go wherever Amy went.