Isabella at 8 months!

I know I say this every month, but it's hard to believe another month has FLOWN by. I love this first picture of Bells-can you tell she's done this a time or two before? And just when I thought Joshua's idea of putting the sign up on the couch would solve my problems with her grabbing it...well, time to build a better mousetrap because the mouse is getting smarter! P.S. Please note the leopard shoes-love 'em!

And here are just some pictures of her in random cute outfits.

Someone's ready for Easter! I couldn't resist these for $1 at Target.

And I got up with Bella early one morning and snapped a ton of pictures of her-fuzzy hair, sleepy eyes, drool-you name it! I didn't figure you'd want to see all 20+, so I picked a couple of fun ones for here.

One of the fun things about parenting is doing goofy things to your kid. Here I stuck my favorite pair of Isabella's tights over her head. She looks like Pharaoh from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! And oh, to have the flexibility of putting my foot into my mouth!

Here's her new talent: peek a boo!

And here we are in Chicago mid-February for Maga's birthday/Rachel's surgery. We had a great time, even though she was struggling with her first cold. You'll never know how strong your little peanut is until you've tried to hold her down so you could suction her nose! Here she's hanging out with Uncle Jeff. I figured that since he has 5 nieces and nephews already that Bella would just be one more, but Jeff has a fierce love for Bells and I love watching him dive for her the second he can. I think there's an extra little compartment in his heart for Isabella.

Late one night at Aunt Shirley's, Joshua snapped a bunch of shots of Bells just being Bells. You know, an incredible ham, as witnessed by the first picture.

Bella became the star attraction for her cousins Faith and Brooke.

And here she is doing what she does best-eating!

Someday, when she's older and sees this page, she will be mortified that I posted her bald spot for all the world to see. She will roll her eyes and go, "Oh Mother!" I don't care. It cracks me up and I frequently kiss it. Then I'll get to bust out my, "You'll understand some day when you're a Mommy," line.

It struck me recently that, although I've mentioned how Bella clasps her hands and sticks both thumbs in her mouth, I didn't actually have a picture of it! I know that all too soon she'll stop doing this, so I wanted to make sure I had it on film.

And last but certainly not least, the Pooh suit. She was pretty much stuck in this position, even in the carseat. Great fun. Til next month!