Busy, Busy!

Not a lot of time, but here's a cell picture I took earlier today of me and Bella playing. She's quite the crazy girl! Haha.

BISC. (Work Rant!)

Oh the Bakersfield Ice Sports Center...how crazy you have been!!

I've decided that the main reason my blogs have been especially slow since November is mainly due to skating. However, I really like the fact that I'm getting back most of my edge (no pun intended...wait...maybe I like the pun!).

Anyway, as I previously stated, we're working on getting a synchro team started here. I've been coaching 8 girls on Tuesdays, and they've been progressing very well. One of them even brought a video camera last week, so they could watch themselves and improve on their formations. In particular, their two-spoke wheel is looking nice. I'm so excited to have the beginnings of an ISI Youth Formation team...and we haven't even had our synchro clinic yet!

I've been making videos with Ken (the skating director) in order to advertize the "new concept", and am still working on organizing a clinic for April. If you want to watch the first of the videos, go to: http://www.bakersfieldice.com/Getready1.html.

((Story for all of you music nuts:))
Particularly, there is a funny story regarding the video. The song on it, as you music nerds like me will instantly notice is "Finlandia". Why Finlandia? Because we were working on the visual aspect of the intro movie, and it's the only piece that I had in my bag at the time other than Bernstein's "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story". At any rate, it's this big joke amongst a few of us who know what the song is...because...well...it's freaking Finlandia!!! Hahahaha!!!


Depending on the interest, we will start one or two teams. I've also been so lucky to have a new coach come in (Lindsay) who knows about synchro as well. It's always awesome to have two pairs of eyes...because I certainly can't catch everything!!! I can't wait to have more people and an actual team or two to work with...I truly know which side of figure skating my heart lies...and it's all thanks to my parents, grandparents, and Chicago Jazz! (More to come on this when clinic is over, or another video gets put on the BISC site).

Other than that, I've been just teaching classes and private lessons at the rink. It's been fun also working with my huge pre-alpha classes. I would say the hardest part about it though is getting a new student when I finally get the whole class up to par on something. But my older students are always eager to help...phew!


So that's my "work rant". Of course, as always I've been skate-guarding on the weekends, and some of Dorian's cousins have come to skate at DJ night on Fridays. This picture is from last Friday, when Nayeli and her 2 friends went.

Family photo!!!

(Click on photo to enlarge!)

I finally got sent our Christmas '08 photo. This was taken Christmas Eve at Gabby's house. Sorry so late!

2009!

The girls + Freddy & Alex.


All the Cousins.

It's finally 2009, and what a long past year it's been. When I think about it, it could have felt long because it was the first full year of having Bella, but it was full of fun stuff.

Here are a couple of pictures that were taken on New Year's Eve. As you can see, there was a lot of family there, and the pictures don't even include the adults!

So to everyone, Happy New Year!
(P.S. Sorry the post was late...again!)

I have a reason...

Yes. I know it's been a while. But this time I have a great excuse.

I've been working really late on weekends and have been at the rink so many days! We have started "Winter Wonderland" at the Ice Sports Center, and it's been so much fun! So if you live here in Bakers come check it out this weekend!

Bella has been her normal little self. Although she has had quite the tantrums lately when she doesn't get her way. We'll see how long that lasts. Here's a picture that I took for Critter a couple days ago.

Birthday Pictures.

Bella's Birthday Pictures are here! There are soooo many, so I had to pic and choose only a few. All of the rest are posted on facebook and myspace in a speical album.




Before the party we had to finish decorating...So we practiced waving.




My roomate (and sorority sister) form Illinois Wesleyan flew out for the party. Dorian had fun adding to the silliness.





Bella was very interested in her cake. Video of this to come!





Present time was also fun. Bella looked inside each bag...





And was very happy with what she found inside!!




This is a pretty picture of Bella and her grandma on party night.





Melissa liked taking pictures with Bella.




Uncle Junior was even playing "pass the birthday girl"!





So many other people came. Here's me and one of Dorian's cousins, Crystal.





And finally the cake with the princesses and butterflies that Dorian cut out. We had been working on the party decorations all day.


All in all it was a crazy fun time. We had over 50 people at the party, and Bella got so many gifts. It was lots of work, lots of traveling and very tiring in the end. But, I figure if I'm this tired after all of it, that it's a good sign we had quite the party!!! Hopefully in the next post I will be able to upload the videos of Bella's happy birthday song, etc. Thank you everyone who helped and attended!!! Bella's day was very special and pretty.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE LOVE!!!!

Today Bella is a year old! I don't have much time to post, but I just had to put something on here for my little princess.


MyHotComments


To Bella:
Daddy and I can't believe how you've grown the past year. Did you know that you've been a strong and demanding girl from the start?

I hated leaving you in the hospital for your first week of life, but the doctors and nurses took care of you. When you finally came home you had so many people who wanted to see you that there wasn't enough time in the day to see everyone. But you instantly loved the attention.

In your first month, you only wanted your bottle, since that's the milk you recieved in the hospital. And what an eater you were!!! You would have had all the bottles at once if you could!

In your second month, you had your first Christmas. Never has there been a better girl for Santa. You got lots of toys and even more clothes (especially dresses). You were such a good girl that you only cried when you were hungry or needed something.

In your third month, you started to roll over from your tummy to your back on a regular basis. This meant that Daddy and I had to keep a closer watch on you when changing your diaper, or drawing your bath water. Your exploring days had begun!

In your fourth month, you began to smile and laugh when things were funny. Daddy and I tried so hard to get you to laugh before that, but it wasn't until now that you liked the silly stuff.

In your fifth month, you went to the park for the first time. Miss Nayeli and I took you to see and play with the little kids, and you wanted to join the fun, but couldn't do much other than go into the swing...but you were scared of the swing, so Mommie took you on the slide on her lap instead.

In your sixth month, you decided that anything within your reach was automaticly yours. We had to keep the area clear of things you might be interested in that could have hurt you.

In your seventh month, you began to crawl. First, you decided that you wanted to just push your right foot and "scoot" on your tummy towards what you wanted. And then eventually you got up on all fours and "rocked" back and fourth.

In your eighth month, you had figured it out. Now you were crawling at a good rate of speed. You started babbling a lot more, instead of just saying "da-da" like you had done earlier.

In your ninth month, you clapped your hands on command. It was so fun to say "yay Bella!" and see your little excited face light up. You also learned how to pull yourself up onto your feet in your bed with support.

In your 10th month you were impossible to walk away from. You had figured out how to climb onto your changer from inside your pack-n-play bed, and were able to stand up without help. You also began to dance to music by "squatting" up and down to the beat.

In your 11th month, you finally accomplished the task of walking. First you would only try and take a few steps on the bed, and would only try there. Eventually you decided that the ground was safe, and slowly added steps to your attempts. By the end of this month you have accomplished walking all over, and even walking really fast to the things you are most interested in. You have full out arguments with people when you don't get your way, and your list of words include "Oh-oh", "Da-da", "eeee---yah" (ewww) or (yeah when said fast), and the suprised inhale of "huoooh!!". Never has there been a more accomplished girl. We are so proud of you!

Today begins your 12th month and 2nd year of life. We can't wait to see what you will accomplish next. It was only yesterday, that you learned how to play "peek-a-boo" with your own hands. I'm so glad that entertains you!!! You are a very special little girl and Mommie and Daddy love you very, very much. Enjoy your "Elmo's World" today as usual, and your 1st birthday party on Saturday!!! What a little princess!!!

Love,
Mommie