Pumpkin Patch

Our Bella visited the Pumpkin Patch this morning. Even though Bella had a good time being outside and walking around, I think we had a better time than she did. We've been waiting a long time to take this "little pumpkin" to the Pumpkin Patch! Enjoy the pics. :)

Good Luck Charm

What pro team is 6-0??? The Broncos! Looks like our little Bella coming home brought the team some good luck! Here's the newest Broncos fan dressed out for Monday Night Football.
(For the record, I'm aware the Saints are undefeated this season too. However, Bella can't take credit for them. That credit belongs to Merrin.)

Fashion Show

Rockin' her first pair of blue jeans.....Fall finally hit Louisiana, so it's time to be comfy, warm and cute while sleeping...
And here's one just because she's too cute...

Dad and Daughter...

How sweet is this???

Ready or not...

here she comes.....

Back to Work

Monday was a big day in our house...I went back to work. I'm very, very fortunate. I work part-time and Bella will be with her dad for the next couple of weeks, but it was still hard. I can't believe my twelve week maternity leave is up. It feels like July 14th (my last day at work pre-China) just happened. It's also strange to think the adoption journey has officially closed. For so long we talked about going to China and me taking off work....and it's over...in the blink of an eye. We're now your average American family. Brian and I are just two people raising a very spicy little Hunan girl. :)

In other Bella news, poor baby has an ear infection and RSV. :( We're now masters of breathing treatments and are on house arrest until this passes. For all of our travel mates, can you imagine your little Chenzhou girl on steroids?!?! We can.

Pre-house arrest, Bella had a busy weekend playing with friends. Here's Bella and another Chenzhou girl, Ashton:

Ashton and her family have visited Chenzhou lately and have been a wealth of information for us.

Here's Bella having a good time with Marissa and Madison:

It doesn't bother Bella that they're older; she fits right in!

Greetings from my new house.....

Between you and me, I thought my mommy and daddy were going crazy! They moved us all to a new house and they kept saying this was the "worst move ever". They also keep using the word "hate" a lot and they know not to say that in front of me! You all remind them about that when I start using it. To keep their minds off of whatever was driving them insane, I decided to step up my game around here.

I've decided bottles (unless I decide to be picky with my juice) are for babies.

I like to walk with someone holding me, but now I can do it with only holding one hand!

I'm toddling around too (with daddy spotting me):
I've had parties to go to. Here's me and my friend, Katie, at her party (It was also her brother Henry's birthday party.). Their party was at The Children's Museum too. It's the local hot spot for us kids.
To make sure mommy is paying attention, sometimes I like to be a picky eater. I ask you, how could you eat if you had that big mess behind you??? Let me translate this one for you, I'm asking Mommy, "You really think I'm going to eat this cheese toast?".

Here's my favorite, snack time and picnic. Yes, I know I don't match, but I don't dress myself. Can't blame me for this one.

Talk to you all again soon! Love, Bella :)