More Chit Chat- Video of the Week

This was taken early in the morning when she talks the most. I didn't want to turn on the light because then she gets interested in other things! You can here her loud and clear though!!

She has been practicing talking for some time now but now it has moved to the middle of the night and very early morning. She wakes me up with all her little laughs and coos right around 11pm and 4am. I can't help but smile at her when she does this even though I am exhausted beyond belief!

Tchau
Sara

Slow down!

All this traveling has me worn really thin! Since we have been back in the US I haven't spent a full week in one house. Luckily I have an amazing child who just rolls with the punches. Between growth spurts, which suck by the way, pre-teething, time changes, storms, cold weather, earthquakes and being without her daddy I think that she is pretty awesome!

New news with Belle:

NO more pacifier! Well it's been two full weeks of not needing it. Then again she is starting to find her thumb.... I don't know which is worse because you can't take a thumb away.

She can put herself to sleep without crying. Not all the time but most of the time.

I think she is done with her growth spurt and has grown at least two inches!

She wears 6 month onsies and 9 month footed onsies.

She has a doctor here in the US and gets her 4 month vaccines on December 12th.

She talks to everyone and everything!

She isn't scared of anything but when you play peek-a-boo she flinches- tooo cute!

Since she is napping I am going to follow her lead and try to catch up on some sleep too. I still have Christmas shopping to finish and Christmas cards to work on. The list seems to be never ending! I wouldn't change a thing in the world right now. Well, maybe for my husband to come home!!

Tchau,

Sara

Sophie

What looks very similar to a dog toy is rapidly becoming Belles favorite toy. I am not sure if I am making it her favorite because of the cost or she really does like it. If you google this Sophie Giraffe or ask any mother you will find nothing but positive reviews. I broke down and spent the 20$ on one in hope that I would have positive reviews as well. 

So far it hasn't been spectacular but Belle can manipulate the toy pretty well. My mother hates its but all the family loved the toy! 

Below is what the website says about why the toy is sooo popular. Call me a sucker for marketing!

Why is Sophie such a huge success? Sophie the Giraffe is BABYS FIRST TOY, stimulating EACH OF HIS SENSES from the age of 3 months:

*Sight: 



At the age of 3 months, a baby's eyesight is still limited and he can only make out high contrasts. The Dark and contrasting attention-catching spots all over Sophie the Giraffe's body provide visual stimulation and she soon becomes a familiar and reassuring object for baby.

*Hearing:Sophie the Giraffe's squeaker keeps baby amused and stimulates his hearing. To begin with, the funny sound Sophie makes when she is squeezed helps to stimulate baby's hearing, and then later, helps him to understand the link between cause and effect.

*Taste:

Sophie the Giraffe is made of 100% natural rubber and food paint, and is completely safe to chew, just like a feeding bottle teat. Her soft texture and numerous chewable parts (ears, horns, legs), make her perfect for soothing baby's sore gums during teething.

*Touch: 

Touch is the first means a baby has of communicating with the outside world. Sophie the Giraffe's soft feel, like baby's mother's skin, stimulates physiological and emotional response that soothe baby and promote healthy growth and well-being. 

*Smell: 

The singular scent of natural rubber from the Hevea tree makes Sophie the Giraffe very special and easy for your child to identify amid all his other toys. 

*Easy to grip: 

Sophie the Giraffe's shape and 18 cm (7 inches) size are perfect for baby's small hands. She is very light, and her long legs and neck are easy for baby to grip, even from his earliest days.

I guess only time will tell if this toy is worth the money :)

Tchau,

Sara

Thanksgiving Photo Shoot

Here are some photos from a week spent with family for the holidays!

Puzzling with Great Grandma! A favorite for all the girls.

Proud Grandma!!

With her Great Aunt Dawn

Love this one!

With Great Aunt Gail!!

All the girls! The Great Grandma, 3 Great Aunts, Grandma and the mom!

Belle travelled so well. My mom and I drove the 11 hrs there and back... well my mom drove and I tended to the baby. Either way it was such a nice trip!!

Happy Holidays everyone!!

Tchau,

Sara

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful for a healthy little family. Even though we are separated by thousands of miles it warms my heart to know that we will be together soon. I love you Nate! I am also thankful that Belle gets to meet all of her family this year for the holidays. I am glad that she can meet such wonderful people that love her soooo much! Hope everyone has a great holiday!!

Tchau,

Sara

Five Silly Turkeys

I am trying to read with Belle everyday so I thought a great book would be a Thanksgiving book! I found a cute little picture book that is short enough to keep her attention and has little crinkly feather tails for her to grab. Such a cute counting book and I love it!

By the way- when did children's books become so expensive? Even the little Golden Books are 4$ a piece.... Good thing kids love to read the same books over and over again!!

Tchau,
Sara

That Long?

Wow. I didn't realize that I haven't posted in soooo long! Time seems to be flying by and everyday I hope for a nap and some peace. Of course having a new baby doesn't really allow me to schedule things when I think would be convenient but when Belle agrees with the time.

She is the princess and everyone must follow her rule :)

Right now we just traveled up North and made a 12hr drive to see family for the holidays. Belle traveled great with a few little fits but nothing major. I really just didn't want to fly with her again. Not that flying was bad but driving we can slow down make stops and just relax!

She is napping now, put herself to sleep,  so I think she traveled pretty well! Up and coming are pictures with Belle and her Great Grandma, 3 Great Aunts and 3 Great Uncles!!

Happy Holidays!
Tchau,
Sara

Belle Playing

I put Belle in her cousin Colson's highchair and she loved it!! I put all of her toys in front of her so she could practice grabbing things and also work on sitting up ;) 

Tchau,

Sara

Fall Photo Shoot

The day ended up getting started a little late but I still wanted to see if the spot I picked out would work. Of course the sun was a little to bright and these are the best shots I got..

They all looked like this!!

Finally one of her looking up!

After making her endure the sun I moved her over to the shade in hopes of getting a better shot. They were better but still not great. She wasn't really in the mood for photos as you can tell from her wrinkled forehead!

Of course the day would be complete without some blooper photos :)

Gotta love the dogs!!

Tchau,

Sara

Fail

Coconut water in a can you fail on all fronts! To start off you have a brown mature coconut on the front. Te coconuts that we drink are green and immature.  Then you went ahead to describe this difference on the back of your can... Wonder why people are confused! 

After the first taste I knew it wasn't natural. Looking at the ingredients you have completely ruined it by adding sugar. Why must everything have sugar? Even though adding sugar to natural fruit juices is a very Brazilian thing to do this is wrong!

Overall a complete fail. I still drank it anyway but it wasn't coconut water!

Tchau,
Sara