The Happy Hasselds: Isabella hits the 10-month mark!

Isabella's doctor visit went well. She was up to 26" and 17 pounds. (She was 18 last night at Nana's.) It's amazing to watch all the things she can do (I know, I know, I say this every month) and she is an absolute delight. The highlight of this past month was driving down to Missouri and getting to surprise Papa and Maga with Uncle Jeff! They all got a kick out of her antics, especially Granny because Bella decided to make up a sign for her! Whenever someone said "Granny" Bella would tap her left hand against her right wrist! Nothing we taught her, just something she learned how to do on her own (like pushing her toy basket across the floor this morning like a shopping cart and crawling after it). See what else she's been up to:

Aaaannndddd...we're off! Bella's just begun crawling around. She's still not zipping around the house, but my days of plopping her down and walking off are definitely over! These first shots were taken at Mom & Dad's in Missouri the day after she officially became semi-mobile.

Immediately heading off for trouble!

And this is what her hair looks like the day after ponytails! She didn't have any "hair doeys" in at all-just permament pigtails.

Golf cart fun with Papa! The next time we get down there she'll probably be driving the thing!

Right after this picture, their buttons popped right off with pride!

Here's a good view of the adorable dress Mom sewed for Bells for my first Mother's Day. She looked absolutely precious in it. (She's very proud of being able to "walk" and, although she's only been crawling for 2 weeks, is very much into pulling herself up and getting around.)

Mom's little girl with her little girl...

Here we are outside of Uncle Rich & Aunt Janet's house. I think she was making a dive for the azaleas.

Four generations: Granny, Dad, me and Stinkerpot.

Maga gets in some quality reading time with Isabella. Maga's always buying Isabella books, and this trip was no exception.

Daddy thought Bella could use some shades for the summer so he bought these for her at Target. She looks hilarious in them, but rarely keeps them on long enough for me to snap a shot.

Here she is in her first bathing suit. We spent the night at a hotel in Springfield, MO but their pool was an outdoor one so we had to go to Plan B. :o(

Plan B: we put Bella in the tub! This is her first time in a big tub. Joshua asked if I thought she was ready for it at home. Then she slipped and hit her head. Question answered.

Here she is right before church on Sunday. I had her out in the grass, but she was sitting there with both arms up and her one leg raised off the grass. She HATES grass.

These are some shots Joshua took in the park in town. It was actually pretty chilly, but I'd been wanting some good shots of Bella for forever, and I think Joshua got worn down by my constant asking...in any case I got my pictures! Notice the flying pigtails!

If the dairy council ever wants to target their marketing to the high-chair set, Isabella would be a great spokesbaby for the "Got Yogurt?" campaign.

She's begun feeding herself and at first she would jam as much food as possible into her face at once. I had to put only one carrot circle or piece of chicken on her tray at a time. It took forever. But she's gotten better about slowing down. She always keeps food in one fist while she eats from the other, kind of a food security blanket. And with the exception of iceberg lettuce and some super-cinnamony applesauce, she hasn't met a food she doesn't like.

Here's our first "pet," Birdy. This dove decided to make a nest in our hanging basket. Every morning Bella and I would check on Birdy. Right before we left for Missouri the eggs hatched. Here they are!