L'Italia o Busto... (Italy or Bust)

We're off to Italy for Christmas with the Castaldo's!!! Please say a quick prayer for safe travels and a happy baby! :)

Thankful for our many blessings!

Marc and I have SO much to be thankful for this year! We have been blessed with a beautiful little girl and have an amazing, loving family.... who could ask for anything more.

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving out in the country at Bill & Angela's. It was so much fun and the cold weather was a perfect excuse to dress Bella up! :)

Random picture... I just love ruffle bottoms!

Bella LOVES taking baths and kicking out as much water as she possibly can onto the kitchen counter and floor!!! She is quickly becoming more than I can handle in her little blue sink tub, so we have moved onto "The Ducky." I was hesitant at first because Bella is a lot like her Mommy and doesn't like change, but she fell in love with Ducky!!!

4 Months and growing...

Today we went to the doctor for our 4 month check up..... Bella is now 15lbs 5oz (90th %) and 25 inches (97th%)! Marc had to be at work due to his kitchen remodel, so my mom came with me for "shot support." The only problem was that she cried more than Bella did.... but we were both very thankful she came along!!! Next week we are headed to a pediatric eye specialist because Bella's left eye gets very droopy when she is tired and our pediatrician wants to make sure it is not effecting her vision. I am optimist because Bella got her "tired eye" from her Daddy and he's just fine!

Bella's going through a tounge phase....

Bella and her Nini...

Now that Bella has doubled her birth weight, she has started on solids.... well, cereal for now. We started off a little rocky....




...but after the introdution of the high chair, Bella seems to have taken very well to cereal. She loves her highchair because it allows her to sit up off the ground and be where all the action is!

I call this her "old man" face...

Bella's watch dogs!!!



My Mom and Dad have added a new member to their family.... Tucker!



He is so adorable and looks so cuddly but beware... he has sharpe teeth and in Tucker's eyes, Bella is the perfect chew toy. Needless to say, it might be awhile before they are best friends.

Everyone loves a naked baby picture!!!

Bella's Baptism

Last weekend was wonderful!!!!

Nona and PopPop (Marc's parents) travel from West Virgina to come to Bella's baptism. The last time they had seen Bella she was only 7 days old.... so it was like meeting a totally new baby. Other than the screaming fit she threw on the way back from the airport, Bella gave her grandparents many coos, cuddles, smiles and love. We are all so glad they made the trip and Bella is so blessed to have two set of amazing, loving and giving grandparents!!!

Saturday night the family got together for dinner...

Bella with her Nini.

Beautiful Ali Grace (3 yrs old), who was so excited to see Bella. Before Bella she was the baby of the family but now is a precious little lady! At one point she looked up at me while holding Bella and said "She is so beautiful." It melted my heart! I pray that Bella will grow up to be as sweet and loving as Ali and her brother Luke. They are such amazing children!

Ali in the poodle skirt her Aunt Cheryl made.

Ali and Katie (another wonderful cousin) loving on Bella.

Uncle Bubba

Sunday morning getting Bella ready for her baptism.

All dolled up and ready...

Pastor Mike

Bella and her HUGE, wonderful, loving family!!!!

After the service, Bella was exhausted!

So she took a short catnap....

... but didn't want to miss out on any of the excitement and was ready for more love and attention!

After a quick wardrobe change, she was ready to play with Aunt Judy and Ali Grace...

Bella has entered the phase of putting everything she can into her mouth... if she can get her hands to cooperate. The Radde family gave her a sweet little lamb that played Jesus loves you and it was quickly slobbered on...

This is her "Who me?!?!?" face.... I LOVE it!!!