Nothing real new...yet.

So life just seems to keep going...and I keep forgetting to post on this thing! I have a new picture of Bella, so here it is. It's of her riding in her car-seat...and wondering why I'm taking her picture. Lol.

Easter was alright yesterday, we didn't do much...but I made pizza and brownies. Yay!

Thanks to all of you who texted me. =)

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

The Countdown Has Begun!!!!

On Thursday our little Baber will be 1yr old. In one way, I can't believe time has gone by so quickly, and in another, it has been a LONG year. But...our little princess is growing up! *tear+sniffle!*

I'm so glad I have blogged over the past months, and it is easy now to go month by month and look at Bella's progress. I still remember when Dorian and I tried so hard to get her to even smile, and rolling over was a big acomplishment.

Well, for her birthday, Bella has completed the task of learning how to "toddle-walk", and is already a very demanding little girl(just like her mommie!). She may not be able to speak yet, but she has full-out arguments with me when she doesn't get her way. No doubt her birthday party will be the highlight of her week. So many people, so much attention!!!

The party, as most of you already know, is on Saturday the 15th. We are expecting a huge amount of people from (really) all over North America. Family and friends are scheduled to be coming in from up state, Illinois, Indiana, Mexico, and around town. Friday is going to be absolutely crazy, as we are starting already to prepare for the event. The plan so far is as follows:

Dorian goes to work on Friday and leaves early.
I go to class to take an exam (otherwise I totally would have skipped this time!)
I go to Dorian's mom's house to get some stuff ready.
I leave for LA with Dorian's brother to pick up Melissa at the airport!
Dorian comes back from work and buys everything (food,etc.) with his mom that was not already bought.

That's the nutshell of it all...somewhere we have to cook, get everything set up, and on top of it, Dorian wants to go see the new 007 movie that is to come out Friday!!! Hopefully we will get to.


I'm not sure what the plan is for Thursday, Bella's real birthday, but I think we're going to keep it low-key since Friday is going to be nuts.

Anyway, pre-happy birthday, my lil love!!!! I'm sure I won't blog again until the party is over!

Pics and Videos (part 1).

Yesterday I went out to play with Bella in the leaves and walk along the sidewalk with her. As you can see, the leaves are finally falling here in Cali.


Bella walked along the sidewalk, slowly but surely.


We were very attentive when cars passed every now and then on the street.


And had a fun time just exploring around the ground.


All in all it was a pretty fun outside experience!

(below are videos from the outing...)

Pics and Videos (part 2).

Here are the videos taken yesterday. The pictures are in the above post



You can't see it on her face very well (thanks to the horrible quality of my cell phone's video camera, but Bella is making an "Ooo" shape with her mouth in suprise. She gets very excited over little things, hehe!

I WANT PICTURES!!!!!

I admit it, I'm a demanding girl...

...but I want a digital camera/video camera of my own.

I'm tired of relying on other people's cameras!

Bella's halloween pictures are coming soon, and some other random ones too. I hope all of you got the cute ones from her party invitations...the beauty of those is that you can take out the picture from the slot in the invitation and do what you like with it (like put it on the fridge, or frame it! *wink!*)

For now, all I have is the following uploaded video of Bella's biggest achievement yet...walking!

Stay linked for the promised photos in the future.

*I decline to talk about the election...as I'm still unsure of how I feel about it. However, since at this point Prop 8 looks like it's passing, I am feeling better about it's outcome.*

Fall Photos!

Only with keys in her hand would she take her outside pictures!


Bella is unsure about sitting in the grass.


"I'm a big girl, mommie!"


Looking after a passing car.



Okay, so it doesn't look too much like fall yet, but it definitely has cooled off from the 100 degree weather it has been for the past 4 months. Bella has on long sleeves, as you can see. Enjoy!

Colder Weather Has Officially Arrived!!!!

Finally...some cooler weather has arrived in Bakersfield! Is it here to stay? I guess we shall see...

At last it feels like autumn. The 90's and 100's are gone, and now the highs are in the 70's and 80's on warm days. I never thought I'd say that 70 degree weather feels like "autumn", but I suprise even myself. In the morning it has been in the 40's, so Bella has to be all bundled up when we take Daddy to work. She looks so amazingly cute in her little coat. I can't wait until she walks!

Yesterday afternoon, we practiced walking outside in the nice weather. Bella picked a flower off of one of the bushes and brought it inside to Daddy. Ahh, it was so wonderful to play outside for the first time since all the heat! She wore her new little jacket, which I should have taken pictures of...maybe another outdoor adventure is soon to come, and thus produce a photo or two. Then later in the evening Bella and I made a pizza run, giving her the opertunity to show off her little coat again. She was such a good girl, and I'm starting to really enjoy having her with me as she becomes less of a physical hastle.

Today is another school day, and then it's off to the rink! Why, yes, didn't I mention that we have a rink here, and that morning ice for me is free? Oh the joys of teaching...

Pretty pictures and New Toy

A couple of "sleepy Bella" pictures. I love the cheetah blanket!



On Saturday, Bella's daddy achieved greatness. Yes, Dorian bought Bella the first toy she WOULD NOT let go of!

She now has a singing musical bear that she knows how to push the paws on. When we got to the counter to pay in the store, Bella cried because the cashier had to ring it up. Then she cried because we had to take it away for a second while we put her into the car. It's been a hit ever since. I have yet to take a picture of her with Mr. Bear, but I'm sure they'll be up soon. Other than that, we had a nice weekend, since it was more layed-back than most.

...And More Recent Stuff.

Today's first post (scroll down to read)is of some older birthday photos. I had promised earlier to include them in my blog. Now we have some updates of more recent events.
Bella is now 10months old. She is finally cutting her first tooth, and it is very difficult to get her to show it to anyone. It is in the very front of her mouth on the bottom, and just barely starting to peek above the gum-line. Therefore, we constantly have our hands in our mouths.
As far as recent accomplishments, Bella is now dancing to almost anything she hears. However, her favorite things are anything with kid's voices, and anything else up-beat. Elmo's song is still being played daily.
Also, Bella has started giving kisses. I have a video of the dancing, but it is hard to get Bella's attention away from the camera while video-taping...so I'm going to need 3rd-party help to capture her giving kisses. But the outline goes like this: I usually say "kissy-kissy" and pucker my lips a little, and Bella will lean forward until her little baby mouth touches my lips. It's so cute. Then I praise her, saying "What a kisser!!". She will kiss Dorian, Eban, and Me so far. =)

Old Birthday Photos.

The camera was finally passed onto me a few days ago. So here is the "catch up" photos I have long promised.

Below, photos from my 22nd birthday party: 7/27/08


Bella was very interested in the candles.


The Ice-cream cake Dorian got me (yummy). I have no clue why the photo won't turn around, so turn your head...I've been trying to get it back for a while now.

Finally...a post!

Bella checking out baby Carmen, who was born in May. She's borrowing Bella's car-seat here to sleep while Bella and the cousins play.


Bella, 9mos.


Hi again everyone...

I've been having an extremely difficult time aquiring pictures, and it seems that I never like to post blogs without them. It looks so boring without pictures. Anyway, I still have yet to post the birthday ones in July, because Freddy has the camera still. But I have a couple of new Bella pictures sent to me from a cousin in Indiana...yes, how sad that I get pictures of my own daughter from someone else. I really need to resolve the camera situation.

In recent news, I've started classes again for the semester. I'm taking a Latin-American history class (by choice) because I find the subject interesting, and a Sociology class by necessity in order to get my degree. Both classes are pretty easy for me so far, and I like my teachers. I'm also still working part-time.

Dorian has been up in the morning super early to go to work as usual, however, now I have to drive him to work so that I can use the car during the day. Needless to say, our weekends have become precious.

And...the getting better news....Bella will be a year old before we know it. We are planning quite the party for her, with a princess theme. Dorian's mom and cousin have already bought 30yards of fabric from Los Angeles for table cloths. So here's my pitch: if any of you (that is my friends/family back in the midwest) would like to come out here mid-November, we'd be happy to pick you up at the airport in LA. Unfortunately, I can't pay for airfare for everyone...but if I could, I would!

Here's a couple of pictures that I've aquired from recent days. Enjoy!

Lack of stuff...

I haven't been on this thing in a while...mostly due to the fact of having a lack of photos.

For my 22nd birthday, Dorian's family had a party for me again, but the pictures are on Freddy's camera. I'm still waiting to borrow it and upload them. Bella was entranced by the balloons and birthday candles...hehe.

And...we're crawling regularly now...hard-core and fast too. Here's one of the most recent photos I have of me and Bella. Sadly, I'm still waiting on the others.

Hope to have more stuff soon!

A "Dark Knight"

After a sleepy start to my morning, I think I'm finally fully awake.

Last night (or this morning?) we went to see the premere of "Dark Knight", the new Batman movie. Dorian and two of his brothers thought it was the greatest movie of the year, along with probably the entire packed theatre. The great thing about living so close to LA is that when movies premere out here, we have some really special events. People not only came in costumes, etc, but our theatre was hosted by a really famous radio DJ out of LA. The host, along with a few of his other "high-class buddies" was planted exactly in the middle of a completely packed theatre. There were probably 5 or 6 screens showing the movie here, and all of them were super full a 1/2 hour before the show started. News cameras and radio stations were abundant, recording interviews of fans standing in line/opinions after the show. Mr. Ledger's performance was grusome indeed, but he had quite the turn out for his last full length movie.

Needless to say, it was a long night, and I, quite frankly did not expect the turnout that it did have. It was lots of fun though. I can only imagine what it was like in LA for real last night...next time maybe we should make the drive for a premere blockbuster if we're up to it.

Wanna know a secret?
(Shh...don't tell, but I still liked Iron Man better for some reason. Dorian has already explained to me that they're not comparable due to the fact that Dark Knight was geared toward an older audience.)