In Home Vist.

Dorian's cousin, Nayeli and Bella, taken yesterday.

Above is Bella looking like a "big girl".

Good afternoon, all!

Well, things are back to normal this week so far. Over the weekend, we visited some cousins' houses and pretty much let loose after the funeral on Friday. It was so pretty. Some of the grandkids let white doves go at the ceremony. A weird note: if that was my funeral, I'd be pretty impressed!

So classes have started again for the week. School is getting a little more "rutine", you might say. So far in statistics we are graphing data on histograms, and continuing to add terms to our notes. In California State History, we have learned a few random facts, and were assigned to read two chapters out of our textbook, and take notes for an upcoming quiz on Monday.


Yesterday was really a neat experience for me and Bella. Apparently, there is something really neat about this state that I had not noticed until yesterday. I got a call from the hospital yesterday from a nurse who told me that she would like to come to the house for an "in home visit". They have them for all first-time mommies! I'm pretty sure (or at least never heard of) that being standard in Illinois. I thought it was so "old-fashionedly" cool! Bella got her weight, length, temperature, heart, and lungs checked. She weighs 12lbs 5oz now, and is 25in long! Yes, my little Bella is growing up. She will also talk to you now, and smile when you talk to her. The other day, she made a word/noice that sounded like "hot". It was so cute. I'm a very lucky mommy!

Unwind.

So I know that it's been over a week again, but that is mostly due to the fact that Dorian's gramma went to heaven on Friday, the 18th. Over the past week there have been a lot of family members here, and the funeral was yesterday.

She had been doing well on Thursday, because that night apparently she started breathing on her own. But in the morning that followed, she went, without pain they say, and didn't wake up again.

I know she's in a better place now, so at least that makes me happy. And her funeral was also very pretty. At least she got to see her great granddaughter before she left us. I will miss her stories and how I could talk to her whenever something wasn't going right. She was very traditional in her views, which greatly influenced her opinions, but sometimes that was also a good thing. In any case, she was very loved, and it was a difficult past week.

I also started school on Tuesday, and it has been going well. I haven't really met any new friends, but I assume that is partly due to the fact that my statistics class starts at 8am, and everyone's tired. It's a full, but pretty quiet class. Since I took AP Stats in high school, and didn't take the AP test (due to the fact that Wesleyan didn't accept statistics as a formal reasoning class...go figure...), I feel a little bored, but at least it's not hard. On Monday, I'll be starting my California state history class...which should be a little more of a challenge, since I know nothing about state history out here.

Bella has been smiling a lot lately, and tries to talk to people when they hold her now. Apparently, she thinks she's a "big girl", and would like to join in the conversations. One of the days we were at the hospital for Dorian's gramma, and a nurse passed by. With a suprised look, she said, "Look at that!". Of course, my first thought was that she was saying that because she saw a cute baby...but in reality she was expressing her suprise that Bella could hold her head up pretty well. She's a strong baby, loves tummy time, and is very interactive with people, so I guess those are contributers to her early development. I'm happy, because she is very smart and has great progressing skills when it comes to being ahead in baby development, but also sad because my little princess is already growing up too fast.

My grandma Bastian emailed me a nice email about what she has been up to so far this month. She also informed me that it was -11 degrees yesterday. That made me smile, seeing as it's around 50 here most days. I do, however, get to see snow on top of the mountains every morning as I'm driving to school, so it's really really pretty!

Today we are unwinding from all of the hype of the past week, and are trying to settle back into a pattern of normality. Bella just finished her bottle and was changed. Right now she's staring at the computer as I type kicking her little feet like a happy girl. I really liked having all of the family here, but am secretly glad that there won't be as many dishes and things to clean up after, and that the house is quiet once again!

Two Months Old Today!

Today Bella has reached that great milestone of 2 months. Of course she doesn't realize it, but that means she has accomplished some very hard things to overcome. She is way ahead in her development, so I say she's going to be a very smart girl!

On December 30th she rolled over from her tummy to her back for the first time. She now loves rolling, but for right now, it's only in that direction. Good thing too, or she'd be rolling all over! So for now all we have to do is make sure she's on her back, and she's not going anywhere. She is quite a strong baby though!

She also smiles every day now. And I think she knows how to do it herself now, because she responds to happiness with smiles...ESPECIALLY from her daddy. She LOVES to play with him. Bella already loves music and dancing with her daddy.

Eye tracking is what I would consider really good at this point. She automaticly follows people with her eyes, and can track side to side, as well as up and down. I love looking in the baby parenting books and reading about how they shouldnt be able to do that until about 3 months...but she already can. It makes me feel really good.

Today, on her 2 month birthday, Bella woke up exploring as usual. When I came to pick her up, she smiled at me, and started talking to me. I changed her and fed her before giving her a bath. There are still many family members here, and more coming all the time. Of course the circumstances are still horrible, but at least today will be a little brighter.

The news on Dorian's gramma is pretty much the same. I guess they've decided to let her go if nothing improves by tomorrow. So the family is pretty heartbroken and sad right now. Like I said in my last post, I'm trying to separate those sad feelings and only have them when I visit the hospital, because I don't want to be sad all the time.

Anyway, we plan to spend the rest of the day with family and think positive. Keep praying that Dorian's abuelita wakes up soon.

Happy (?) New Year.

A couple of quick updates:

We had a pretty quiet but good new year. People came over and watched TV. Bella went to sleep early. However, with the new year came quite a sudden blow. A few days after, Dorian's grandmother went into the hospital and is now in a coma. Family has been pouring in from all directions from Mexico, to Indiana, and other parts of California. I don't know every detail, but I know she went in because she had water in her lungs, and after an incident at the hospital had a whole bunch more problems. She is currently being run by machines, and I could never want that for anyone. Please pray for her, and Dorian's family.

I've been in to see her a few times, and tried not to cry, but have given in every time. She was, for a time, the only grandmother I could talk to, because my family back in Illinois has been angry at me since I came here. I can't believe that only a few days ago, she was in the kitchen talking to everyone. She has such good stories, and I hope to God that he will bring everyone here a miracle by letting her wake up.

Otherwise, the three of us have been good. Dorian's brothers have celebrated their 20th and 23rd birthdays (on the 8th and today, the 12th) and Bella has been a good girl. She got two new dresses from Dorian's cousin who came from Indiana, and they're so cute!

I also had my post-partum appointment a couple of days ago, and everything is going nicely for me. Apparently, I'm pretty well healed up since having Bella.

Above is a picture I think you'll enjoy. Hopefully it will bring light to the situation we are finding ourselves in with Abuelita.

New Hats!

Today has been a really good day so far. I uploaded a video onto facebook of Bella for my brother, and she got two new hats from her gramma! I never knew she knew how to knit...but apparently it's one of her (many) hidden talents.

I cleaned a lot today and feel very accomplished from what I have done. Bella has been a good girl today, and we got a break last night, because she stayed with her grandma. She also has new bottles that are shaped exactly like her pacifers...those things are amazing, because now she likes her binky (pacifier) more. This is something mommy likes VERY much!!!

Christmas

Ugh...I'm having so much trouble keeping up with this thing!

Anyway, Christmas has already come and gone. I won't say it's been the easiest Christmas I've ever had, but what I can say is that it has been an establishing one. Being away from home has been difficult this year, but it was good to have an independent Christmas as well. I even watched skating on TV, which made me feel happy. I have to get back on the ice soon, before I go crazy! =)

Bella has been her normal self, as you can imagine, and on Christmas day turned 6weeks old. I have to go back in for my "post" doctor's appointment soon. For Christmas, Bella got a really pretty dress and shoes, as well as cute earings. They're diamond stud ones. I'm sure my family at home will freak out over this...just wait until I hear what they have to say about it...lol.

I talked to both my brother and grandma on Christmas, and was very glad to hear from them. Apparently my cousin made a bunch of sweets for Christmas, and went nuts baking. From what I heard, people had to take home pies, squares, and an assortment of small cakes and cookies afterward!

All in all, we look forward soon to 2008, and I hope everyone reading this had a very Merry Christmas!

1 Month Old!!!

Apparently I'm getting worse at this whole "lets keep up the blog" thing. Hopefully things will go in a better direction from here.

Yesterday Bella had her 1 month birthday! She is definitely keeping up with drinking her bottles, and that is pretty much all she wants for Christmas this year. "Santa: I'd like my stocking to be full of bottles, please!"

We have quite a pretty Christmas tree up in the house now, and Isabella LOVES it. She stares at it night and day, and as long as her diaper is changed and her tummy is full, the Christmas tree will keep her occupied.

Also yesterday Bella got presents from Jenna & John. She got a bunch of clothes, a Christmas spoon ordiment, and a little stuffed frog-prince. Perfect for the little princess that she is.

Well, to be honest, there hasn't been any "big" news since Thanksgiving. I did register for school at Bakersfield College for the spring semester. I'm definitely excited about that!

Otherwise, just keepin' on keepin' on. Bella gets bigger every day! =)