CAN'T SIT STILL/WON'T SIT STILL

Actually, Bella sits still just fine nowadays, which is amazing. In just he last week or two, she's become steady just sitting around on her own playing with toys placed around her. She toppled over a few times, bonking her head against the rug or a stuffed animal, but it never seemd to even phase her. This is nice becuase we can leave her to her own devices for a few minutes while we do laundry or make dinner. She's quite content to spin wheels, pick up toys, put things in her mouth and generally enjoy her own world.

But she's also about to get new teeth, which has meant a few helacious nights lately. Even Jen couldn't soothe her Sunday night after we got back from seeing The Dark Knight. We were all up for like two hours from 2 to 4 a.m.

Luckily, Fred and Elizabeth were around Monday and Tuesday to look after her. She loves seeing them, and they have developed several songs about Bella they love to sing in unison. Bella just light sup when she hears the song about her wearing "stripes and monkeys." I'll have to get a recording of that soon.

I have one more week of work, and then become full time dad again and part time free lance writer. We're also looking to buya house in Atlanta, so there are a lot of changes in the air. But they all feel good.

GIVE PEAS A CHANCE!

THE TOOTH FAIRY!

As of July 4, Bella has two tiny teeth. We thought she'd been teething for some time as she had been staying up later and later at night with us, refusing to go to sleep, and seemingly in pain at times. But while we were up at Lake Junaluska enjoying a long holiday weekend, Jen came into the kitchen and announced to everyone that Bella had two bottom teeth.

Now when she drinks water from a glass, those little teeth make the most wonderful little clinking noise against the glass.

Bella is also eating up lots of apples, squash, peas, sweet potatoes and bananas. Jen has been milling these down to a pastey consistency and Bella has been gulping it down. Usually it takes her a few tries to get the hang of the taste and then all bets are off. She'll take several spoonfuls, make the "mmm!" sound, and then gulp water from a bottle.

It's not nearly as messy as I thought it would be, but we are just getting started. Anyway, meal time is great with the three of us at the table. She feels like an adult, and definitely wants to eat big people food. She keeps her eyes on it, watches intently as Jen aor I chew our food, and mimics the chewing motion. If you're not careful, she'll pull the food from your hand before it reaches your mouth.

She went in for a check up this week and is fine, weighs over 16 pounds, and screamed her head off apparently. She's discovered her voice and enjoys making howling noises now. Not screams of pain, but definitely disruptive if you're in public with her.

The video here was taken on July 3 before we left for North Carolina. Jen was folding laundry while Bella hung out on her belly on the floor. Needless to say, laundry will never be the same again!