Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Baby Fever

Her 1st night at dance. She's still in 6-9 month clothing so her leotard is huge. We had to special order some from her dance instructor. (She had to wear Momma's necklace to her 1st dance class)
Giving her baby lots of love!


Well I swear I will get better at posting on here. I have no excuse--I'm on every day reading Erica & Amanda's. I just don't feel I can live up to their blogging--Erica is amazing at it!

Things have been very hectic at work and I hope that things will get better now. City Council approved me as their Deputy Clerk on Tuesday night. I've been with the City of Savannah now for almost 18 months and feel I'm doing well. I started out as Utility/Tax Clerk and ran for City Collector this past April. I was elected and now taking on Deputy. The Deputy spot puts me next in line for City Clerk and will keep me busy, which I like. I'll also be using more of my degree, going to clerk meetings and seminars in Tan-Tar-A; woohoo!

Jasey is growing like a weed. She's 18 months now; doesn't seem possible. She's talking so much and coming up with new words everyday. Monday was "bird" and today was "door". She's really into her "baby" now. MiMi and Papa watched her this weekend and bought her a stroller and she pushed it around everywhere. She likes to give the "baby" kisses. It's very precious. I picture her being a wonderful big sister whenver we have another.

She's in dance and really enjoying it. She loves her dance teachers-Jillian & Cyndal. I think she's a little scared of Momma leaving her, but she does well for her young age. She's learned forward & backward rolls, splits and a back bend. Her first program will be December 5 for their Christmas Pageant.

With all our little town festivals she's been in lots of baby shows. At Ethel she got 3rd; she wanted Momma and since I'm in charge of so many things at Ethel I wasn't allowed to communicate with her so that ppl didn't think it was rigged. That didn't work for her so she had a little fit. I don't blame her; she didn't understand why Momma, Aunt Brandi & MiMi were all there and ignoring her. It tore my heart out. At New Cambria she got 3rd; Bucklin 1st; LaPlata 1st & Elmer 1st & Grandprize. She's beautiful no matter what they say!

Well that's all for today. I'm going to try to get to bed before midnight. I have tons of pictures to update you with, but forgot my camera card at work--O NO!





Sunday, July 12, 2009

Catching Up On Life!

A family shot at the Colorado Zoo today
The view of the Mountains from Richard's front yard

Snapshot of one side of our new bedroom



Snapshot of our living room ( I got an aqua wall )



One wall in Jasey's room





Our deck!



Our 1st picture of Colt....I miss him so much :(







Life has been crazy for the Bell family for the last few months. I have felt so many emotions; sad, happy, depressed & overwhelmed. When I last posted in April I talked about having no energy, rollercoaster emotions and etc. I went to 3 different doctors before my Gynecologist finally diagnosed me with Post Partum Depression. Only problem with that was Jasey was 13 months old....so I had lived 13 months depressed, sad and angry with no help. I was so upset that my family doctor didn't see this and suggested I take Adipex--a pill that is basically a smaller dose of speed. He thought it would increase my energy and help me shed the rest of baby weight! Isn't a doctor trained to see those symptoms and realize what's wrong? Within seeing Dr Boyle, my gyno, for 3 minutes she had diagnosed me. She said I had 6 of the 8 signs of PPD: the only 2 signs I didn't have was anger towards my child & suicidal thoughts (thank goodness!) She put me on Prozac and it has helped wonders. If you've never had depression let me tell you it's so hard! I felt embarassed to tell anyone; one reason it took me 3 months to post about it. When I told my mom she was so ashamed; she told me not to tell my dad! It has been so hard. My husband has been wonderful and really helped me out with Jasey and around the house! I just had to keep telling myself that depression isn't something I could help! Depression is a chemical imbalance in your body; it's when your saratonine levels are out of whack! I'm doing much better now and so glad to have everything figured out!



On top of that we moved and are enjoying our new house much better! We are still just renting but we moved out of a small apartment into a house in the country with a huge yard. Jasey loves it; having a place for a pool, sandbox and all the toys she wants. We have a huge deck so it has been so nice to sit outside and BBQ and relax outside. We even got to camp out in the backyard in the tent under the stars.

Life has gotten better for us. Jason finally got his first weekend off in April. He hadn't had a full weekend off since he was on paternity leave last year when Jasey was born. All his OT had really taken a toll on our relationship. We saw eachother for maybe 30 minutes a day on my lunch break. Things are so much better and having the new house has made our stress levels go way down.



Sadly, last Wednesday, our 1st baby, Colt William, our cocker spaniel, was ran over and killed. It has been very hard for us. I always had animals growing up on the farm, but was used to losing them to coyotes or other large animals. Colt was our baby and slept on my head and protected me every night when Jason was at work. It's still hard to even think about not having him around. I cannot believe someone is heartless enough to run over a small dog and leave him to die. The worst part is our neighbor was outside to witness it. How could you just run over that dog and never even brake when there are people outside witnessing you do it? I know with time the hurt will go away but I miss him so much! I hate that Jasey won't get to grow up with him. They were best friends!!! Jason and I always talked about her growing up and him sleeping with her and her sharing her ice cream cone with him. I still think of the cute memories I have of them together and hope one day after Jason and I have had time to heal we'll be able to get another dog for Jasey!



Right now as I sit typing I'm in Colorado. Jason, Jasey & I all got away for a family vacation to Colorado Springs, Colorado. My best friend from High School, Richard, is in the army and is stationed here at Fort Carson. We came out to visit and get away from Missouri and stay with him and his family. We've had so much fun and still have another day here. It's been very good for us 3 to get away as a family. Sometimes I wish we could move away and start fresh, but I can't imagine moving so far away from my family. But I do love it here; I could definitely get used to Colorado!!!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Easter 2009

Last year's Easter picture; 3 weeks old

This year's Easter pic

All her cousins helped get pick up her goodies!

Tanner, Rachel, Jasey & Shayna before their hunt at Gma's

Jasey & I at Sunrise Services

Jasey really liked Noah's Ark

Jasey in her pink bunny coat; can you tell it' 5 a.m.?

Her 1st Easter Egg Hunt

We got 2 eggs!


She did not like the Easter Bunny!

It's so hard to believe that this was Jasey's 2nd Easter! It seems like yesterday we took her back to my hometown for Easter services and she was only 3 weeks old. She enjoyed her two Easter Egg Hunts. I think next year will be much better since she'll be walking. I had to help her walk, my mom held the basket and Aunt Brandi took pictures. It was definitely a group effort! She got one egg and was happy; she didn't care if she got any more or not.
It was a very stressful weekend back home with my family. My Great Grandma, Mamie, has alheimers and it's really starting to take a toll on my Gma and Mom. They really need help and no one wants to burden themselves with that. I hate to see her in a nursing home; but honestly it's where she needs to be now. It's hard to accept that the Mamie I knew and loved is gone! I know that we must rely on God and eachother; it's just hard to accept.
The weather in MO is FINALLY starting to warm up. I don't know if I can handle much more snow and winter temperatures! I'm ready to move to Hawaii; anyone want to join me?
(I know I make typos but I do know where paragraphs go; this site hates me and won't let me have paragraphs; sorry!)





















Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Everything's Changing

My adorable little bunny!

It looks like she's saying, "MOMMY, I'M NOT LISTENING!"
Do you all remember doing this to ur mother?



I love her so much!

Washing up after licking the beaters


I had to make a cake for work and this was the only way to get her to cooperate!


Jasey is constantly growing and changing. Her new word is UH-OH and she likes to drop things on purpose so she can say it. She's also likes drinking out of our water bottles. Right before bed tonight she went to daddy's nightstand and got his water bottle down and crawled with it in one hand to me for a drink. She loves water; she drank the whole thing! She's feeding herself with untensils. She's much better at a fork, but we're getting there on the spoon. She holds the spoon different and refuses to let me show her the proper way to hold it. She's using her left hand to hold things; makes me wonder if she's going to be a lefty. If she is; she will have gotten that from Jason's side; his mom is a lefty. The PAT teacher said they can use both right up until kindergarten, so we still have a few years until we'll know for sure!


I sit back and think of how much she's grown. Just a little over a year ago she was a brand new baby. All she did was eat, sleep and dirty diapers. I'd lay on the couch with her wrapped up in a blanket in my arms. I think of those days and get teary-eyed! But now I have this unbelievably intelligent toddler who refuses to walk :) She's very much a Mommy's Girl right now. She'll sit in my lap for a story or two and to be rocked before bed time. I see how she learns something new everyday and not only does it excite her, but Jason and I as well. When I look at her I see this little lady; her features are so advanced! I'm so proud of her everytime she does something new.


I just worry if I'm taking it all in. I don't want to forget one little detail. I try to write everything in her babybook and I try to take a million pictures so that she never feels/thinks for one little second she's not loved. Lately she's kept me so busy that I haven't been taking as many pictures; it makes me feel bad. I don't want to let her down; I want to be a great mommy! I worry; did she get enough milk today, (such an adventure getting milk down a child after the bottle goes bye-bye!) did she have juice, what about brushing her teeth? There are so many things anymore to do for her; it's unbelievable.


I have no energy anymore; which I thought was just b/c of Jasey being so active. I usually run on about 4 hours of sleep and make it through the day. Over the past few months I'd been so tired I could barely make it through work. I started going to bed earlier and still no change. My disposition and emotions have been like a roller coaster. I had started to think maybe I had a late case of PPD. I was definitely a different person; very unhappy, sad and depressed. Jason finally talked me into going to the Dr. last Friday. The Dr. thinks I have thyroid problems. He said 9 out of 10 women have thyroid problems, especially after all the changes that your body goes through during pregnancy. I had blood work, test and urine analysis ran on Monday. I go back this Friday to find out my results.


I'm very scared! I want things to go back to normal. I feel like my world has been turned upside down. I've always been a overweight but otherwise very healthy. Ever since having Jasey the weight has gotten worse. Before I got pregnant I had lost 39 lbs and was very happy where I was at on our wedding day. But now even running every night the weight hasn't went down, but up instead. I'm very snippy at Jason; the poor guy doesn't know what to do to help. He's such an amazing husband; I thank God everyday for him. At one point it had really drove a wedge between us. We weren't talking; me b/c I was sad/disapointed/depressed and him b/c he was afraid of getting his head bit off. Now that I know something's wrong; we're doing well. I was so ashamed to admit I had something wrong. So please, any prayers you have for me; I'd love to have. I really need to get healthy for my baby girl and my wonderful husband!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Missouri Weather

The weather has been up and down here. We're all sick again and poor Jasey just can't seem to knock it this time. Her little nose is raw; from all the wiping I've done. Her and I seem to be passing it back and forth. I really want it to warm up and stay warm. I hate being sick and I hate being cooped up inside!

Jason went to St. Louis this past weekend to go to a Blues game. Jasey and I had a very relaxing weekend at home. The freezing rain and sleet made it the perfect weekend to be lazy. I did start some packing since we will be moving shortly.

We found a house right across the road from my sister; out in the country. We'll still be renting, but a lot more room. Still only a 2 bedroom, but 2 bath, utility/laundry room and a much bigger kitchen! There's also a 16x20' deck on the back and a huge yard. Jasey will love the yard; we're so excited to put out her new sandbox and pool when it's warm enough. We got to pick the paint colors for all the rooms. Jasey's room is going to be a sage green and we have Uppercase Living to put up. Her bathroom we're doing a light blue with rubber duckies. It will be so cute; I'm very excited! Most of the house will be a khaki/cafe au late color. I have a Cricut so I'm planning on cutting a lot of my own vinyl for decorations. I love Uppercase Living but it gets so expensive. Since I have the tools to make it myself I'm going to play around with it!

I'll post pictures as we get rooms finished. We're not completely moving out of our apartment until June 1. Our new landlord is awesome and letting us move slowly since he's remodeling it all; he doesn't want us to be rushed!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Catching Up!

It's her new game to play on Mommy & Daddy's bed with Colt
They're best buds!

Even though she wasn't feeling well we took her out for some fresh air in her new wagon; she loved it!


Being sick wears a kid out or maybe it was playing in the sandbox. She doesn't care that there's no sand in it and that it's still in the house :)


She was tired of shopping!

Her new friend, Mr. Octopus!

And Mr. Crab
A shot from my sister's play


Wow; I haven't posted in a while. I tried posting Sunday night and this site wasn't cooperating.

Jason and I don't see eachother much so this past weekend was a very busy, but fun one for us. Friday night was the first time we let Jasey stay with friends. Shane and Tara were so excited to watch her. My sister had a play this weekend; she was co-director and costume designer. I knew Jasey wouldn't sit through a 2 hour play, so she went to Tara & Shane's while Jason and I went to the play with my mom, grandma and great grandma. It was a very funny play and those middle schoolers did a great job!

Saturday we made a day of it and went shopping. The mall here just went through a complete remodel. It looks like an acutal mall now; food court, play area, kiosks, etc. Jasey had a great time in the play area; she really liked the crab and octopus!

My sister, Brandi, babysat Jasey Saturday night so we could have a night out. We went to Bandana's and Room 107 (a new club that just opened) for Jason's best friend, John's, surprise birthday party. We had a really good time; even if they were all cops :) My sister called around 11:30 to tell us Jasey was running a 104 temp and throwing up. It cut our night short but we had fun.

Jasey is cutting 2 bottom teeth (the bigger ones; I'm not sure what they're called) It's the first time she's had any problems. She has 8 teeth and with those 8 we never knew she was cutting them until they popped through; she was so good through them. These 2 are horrible. She's in so much pain and fussy! My poor little baby. She was burning up so we kept alternating Motrin and Tylenol plus orajel. Finally the fever broke but she wasn't in the mood to sleep. I think Jason and I had 2 hours of sleep. She was still sick Monday, so I had to call in after I finally got to sleep at 6a.m. We've had a long week; she's doing better but still hurting and a little fussy.

In all the craziness I started a new workout program with my friend Tara. We run every night at the highschool track. We're keeping each other motivated so that we can get this baby weight off. I'm really trying to stay motivated and upbeat about this. I'm going to get an IPod this weekend to keep me upbeat while running.

Have a great week and I'll post soon!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Jasey's 1 Year Pictures































These are Jasey's 1 Year Pics we had taken March 1 (one day before her bday) at JcPenney. She always takes great picstures, but these aren't are favorites. She's so mobile now that she didn't really want to sit still for pics. But they're still good. We have another photo apt for March 17 here in town with a professional lady who takes amazing pics. She's doing Moon babies, so she'll be naked and sitting on the moon in the stars. We're excited for those. Hope you guys enjoy!
BTW---the last post I had would not let me do paragraphs, so matter how many times I edited it. I know my grammer/punct is not perfect but I did make paragraphs :)