Look at me go!!

Look What I can do!!!

Okay, so this weekend goes down in the record books!! Not only is my baby walking but she is now feeding herself!! Can I get a "woot woot". I can't believe it, I am actually still in shock. I am so excited for tomorrow, to see if she will do it again!! At least we know now that she CAN do it!! And I have proof! So, for all of you that are wondering how the heck we got this miracle to happen...here is the skinny: WE HAD AN INTERVENTION! After trying everything else, we decided there was only one last thing to try...NOT feeding her anything until she did it herself. So, that's exactly what we did. We gave her a bottle before bed Saturday night, and then the stand off began. Today for breakfast we offered fruit and pancakes..and Nothin...she didn't want anything to do with it and she screamed the whole time. We offered her a snack of goldfish and still nothing....FINALLY, we saw her trying very hard to put a goldfish in her mouth...so we applauded...but then no more....so then we got to lunch time. It was about 12:30...at this point she had only had one goldfish in the last 15 hours! And it WORKED.....we couldn't believe our eyes, she was so mad but she picked her food and tried so hard to get it in her mouth...so we helped her and praised her everytime she tried. She was so proud!! And so were mom and dad=) These pics are from dinner....she barely even needed my help. She was getting it down cold. I am so happy! Wow, what a weekend!! Good job Taylor Bell...and just in time for her 1st birthday party....let's see if she feeds her self cake....stay tuned....

Daughter in the Water

Taylor had a great time this weekend playing in the pool at Peyton's 5th birthday! Remember, she is the youngest and only girl of 6 grandchildren...and she was the the only "water baby" of them all! She LOVED it!! She would have stayed in the water all afternoon! This summer is going to be so much fun. I know I keep saying this, but where did the year go? This time last year I was about ready to pop...and now I have this chunky monkey to show for it! It's true what they say...it just keeps getting better!

At the Zoo

She loved the petting zoo. She kept waving at all the sheep.=)

Had to include the best shot of the day! Two camels having an "intimate moment." HAHA! Don't you just love nature?

Sleeping beauty after a long day at the zoo!! Sweet baby girl.

At the Zoo!

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great Memorial Day Weekend! 3 busy days filled with the Kansas City Zoo, lounging around at home, and just being together!

Taylor loves being wrapped up snug as a bug in her towel after her baths. She thinks it's hilarious!

Hanging out with Daddy!

So excited to be at the zoo!

Looking at all those crazy animals!!

Sippy Cup!

I am documenting this moment...because it has not been easy to get Miss Taylor to drink out of anything except her bottle! What a big girl she was....grabbing the sippy cup...and taking a big drink of water! She of course decided to play with the cup and spill water all over the place after she was done. But I will take it! One baby step at a time...

Mother's Day and Around the House

My first Mother's Day was very special! Taylor painted a flower pot and made me a poem! Luke let me sleep in (the best gift EVER), made me a big breakfast and gave me beautiful flowers! I still can't believe I am a Mom. It is truly the best job in the whole world. I fall in love with my baby girl more and more every day. Thank you Taylor Katherine Bell for making me the happiest girl in the whole world! I can't wait to see what is going to happen next...

Taylor was such a big helper on Sunday around the house. I was cracking up because she was soooo interested in the laundry...just when I would get everything put in the basket, she would pull it all out again. Little stinker. I have a feeling that someday she might not be so willing to help with the laundry. =)

11 months!!

I have been trying for more than a week to get a picture with her in her crib...and this is the best I could get!! She refuses to sit still long enough for me to capture her next to the giraffe. I cannot believe there is only ONE crib picture left until she is ONE. I am in denial. Where did the year go? I am sad...but yet so happy...she is definitely not a baby anymore!

I need HELP from all you mothers out there!

So here is the deal....my child is REFUSING to feed herself. A little background...Taylor has never been interested in putting anything in her mouth. I thought this was a good thing at first...no yucky stuff from the floor...no dangerous objects she could choke on...but now it's getting ridiculous because she is refusing to put food in her mouth too. You would think that as much as this child loves her food...she would be all over it, but it's not happening. She plays with it on her tray and thinks its the most hilarious thing ever to feed me or Luke...but she never even attempts to bring the food to her own mouth. She want to grunt and scream until you do it for her. She has even brought her open mouth down to the tray to get the piece of food. Anytime you put the food in her hand and force it to her mouth, she freaks out and she will imitate everything else expect for this. This is one very stubborn child! I have been so worried that I even called the development center in town. They gave me some ideas about playing more with food so that she is having fun and that its not stressful...but so far there hasn't been any huge improvements. She is also having a very hard time with the sippy cup. She will let me bring it to her mouth sometimes, but most of the time she wants nothing to do with it. So, to sum it up....she loves her bottle and she loves for us to feed her...and that's how she wants it right now. I would love any help that you mom's out there have...HELP!

Sam's Shower

Taylor and I had a great time at my cousin's baby shower this weekend. Well, I should say...for the most part...Taylor experienced her first ever flesh wound. She was bitten by a 19 month old...the little stinker. And she still has the mark on her back to prove it! I was actually very impressed that she only cried for a little while, and then snapped right out of it. It was so much fun hanging out with the family and we finally managed to get a "4 generations" picture taken with all of us girls.=) I love you mom and Grandma!

Great Grandma Ski "Callie B", Grammy Fen, Mommy, and Taylor

We are so excited to meet Samantha's little girl coming in June...Taylor's first girl cousin!!