dear bella.

dear bella,

you are growing up right before my eyes.  i can hardly believe how big you are!

you are just so cute and say things every day that i want to remember.  right now you and emmy are either loving each other to pieces and laughing and playing... or you're screaming and fighting over toys.  it can get a bit exhausting; but i know there is hope in the end because that's exactly how auntie and i used to be.  and now we are best friends.  so my prayer is that you and emmy will always know how blessed you are to have each other!  you're very patient with her most of the time; she's definitely mastered being a complete and total bug to you!  but sometimes you lose it, or you'll constantly be telling me: "MOM!!!  emmy's buggin me!!!!"  the other day you found our fisher price nativity set in the basement and you had to bring it up and play with it, even though it's only september (you love christmas just like your mama!).  you were playing with it quietly when all of a sudden, emmy swooped in, grabbed mary and ran for the hills.  you got up and starting chasing after her saying "it's okay, mary!  i'll save you!!!!"

oh, the drama that goes on in our house.

you love princesses and castles and all things fairy tale.  there are lots of big, old, beautiful churches and ornate buildings where we live, and i remember when i was a little girl thinking they were castles.  so i've started getting you to look out for all of the beautiful "castles" and you've totally LOVED it.  whenever we get in the car and drive downtown, you're always getting so excited and pointing them all out to me.  today on our way to the park you said "mom!  look, at that castle!  i have to go there so i can dance with the prince!"

you also love trains.  we were on our way home from the park the other night and got stopped at some train tracks near our house as one was coming through.  you LOVED it.  once it had passed, you were wondering where it went.  i knew another street it crossed over further down, so we raced over so you could watch it go through again.  now every time we pass over those train tracks you ask where it is.  i think you got your love of trains from jude!

the other night i got really, really sick.  daddy had a football game so it was just the three of us at home and i felt so awful.  at one point i was laying on the bathroom floor and you kept coming in, rubbing my back and asking me if i needed anything.  "it's okay, mama.  you'll be okay."  your face was full of concern for me, and you were trying to think of anything you could do for me to help make me feel better.  it was so sweet; you're such a tender hearted little girl who is so thoughtful of--and sensitive to--the needs of others.  i pray all the time that god would sustain that spirit in you, and use it to minister to others for his glory.  such a great, great quality, sweets.

you LOVE clothes.  especially dresses.  i just ordered you some clothes from target, and the package came today.  you were soooo excited, you tore right into the package and you're currently wearing three of the four items that came (two are a skirt and a dress).  but you just HAD to wear them immediately, all at once.  i love it.

you've been loving the fall.  we went to pick apples a couple weekends ago, and you had a blast running around with your cousins and eating as many apples as you could find.  you also supervised daddy and uncle brian as they climbed on ladders to reach the higher apples; and you also tried climbing up a couple times until someone caught you.  i've been trying to do little activities and lessons with you on the days that i'm home.  right now they're centering around apples, leaves and the fall.  we've done apple stamping, taken a trip to the library to find fall themed books, made an apple/bible verse craft and practiced our letters.  you are such a little free spirit.  i'm trying to teach you how it's important to follow directions, but i can't help but love your creativity.  fall colors include pink (because it's your favorite) and apple stamping quickly turned into painting the entire page with all of the colors all at once.  but you're having fun and that is all that matters.  i love watching your little mind work, and your personality come out as you learn and play.

you LOVE helping me in the kitchen.  we make stuff all the time, and you just love it.  my rule is, i measure and you can pour.  and; no fingers!  you love "taste testing" especially when sugar is involved :)  i hope you enjoy being in the kitchen as much as i do, love.  and i really treasure that we're making special memories there, you and i.  i hope you will always remember being in the kitchen with your mama!

you have really been enjoying your new babysitter, michelle.  she watches a few other kids and you LOVE going to her house and playing with everyone!  i love when you get home at the end of the day; it feels like christmas i get so excited to see you!  you shriek and laugh and jump up and down.  one day i said "bella, how was your day?!"  you held my face in your hands and said "it was so good, sweetheart."  three going on forty three.

you've also been loving your fridays with meme.  this fall i have to work an extra day for my certification so meme comes and stays with you and ems.  you LOVE it and never want her to leave.  the other night we got to skype with nonnie and papa.  you and ems danced for them and they watched you play.  nonnie's birthday was back in july and for some reason, a couple times a week you'll say to me "mama!  today's in nonnie's birthday!"  for some reason, that just stuck in your mind.  you love your grandparents and you're very blessed to have ones that love you so very much!

you have been loving church but you really miss vacation bible school.  one night when i was putting you to bed you were really sad.  when i asked you what was wrong you said "mama, i just really miss vacation bible school."  we still play all of the songs for you and ems and you have a ball singing and dancing.  you've been learning about joseph (or so you say) in sunday school and tell us about him every week when we pick you up.  love watching you learn more and more about jesus.  i pray that you will follow after him with your whole heart your whole life.

you are still a huge fan of daniel tiger's neighborhood, know and sing all of the songs and apply them to every day situations.  it's hilarious.  at night you always sing "pj's, brush teeth, story and song and off to bed!" and if we try to skip over any of the steps, you're quick to remind us by saying "remember?  daniel tiger says..." and you sing the song all over again.  you're so cute.

i love you SO VERY MUCH my little sweet pea.  and even though i wish you could stay my baby forever, i just love watching you grow.  you are such a beautiful and kind little girl and i couldn't be prouder to be your mama.

love you to the moon and back (and back and back),
mama