Monday, August 8, 2011

Jumping Bella Bean

We all know busy as life can get, there has to be times when it's important to slow your roll and just relax...let your hair down...and just be.  It's just as important when you're two years old to give those little legs a rest...although sometimes thinking outside the box is a boon when down time is required needed by a very tired mommy.

You could use this time to catch up on correspondence and see what happening in blogland.  You might even happen on something about you in your meanderings.
You could look at lunch time as chill time.  Just hangin' and lookin' cool doing it...even though Mommy is saying "EAT!".

What Mommy doesn't understand is you have other plans for a light nosh later on.
You could catch a little sun and work on a baby tan....if Mommy would quit slathering you with SPF 30!  Nothing like a little skinny dipping to get that all-over, even tan you've been working on all summer!

Funny thing...bath time is never the same as pool time, even though both call for H2O.  After a little scrub-a-dub-dub in a lavender bubble bath...one always ends up just a tad sleepy.  Hmmm...wonder if this is what Mommy had in mind?
Then there is the chance of getting wrapped up in something really engrossing.  Maybe even a little hide and seek, with you doing the hiding and Mommy doing the seeking...that is until you fall asleep waiting to be found.  Hmmm...am I seeing a pattern here?

It's important to stay on top of things, lest one ends up in the doghouse and Mommy throws away  swallows hides the key.
Ah music to soothe the savage beast...or at least the little hellion precious baby.
When you are the precious baby, you can float along and get away with anything.  You can also be blessed with not one, not two, but three birthdays a year...the day you were due, July 4th...the day you were delivered four months early, March 12th...and the day you came home from the hospital, August 8th.  That's the date your Nana loves to celebrate.  On that day, my precious darling...your journey that began with your fragile, tiny body being delivered March 12th ended. God had finished preparing you and you were perfect in every way, ready to come home to waiting hearts and arms.  
It's awe inspiring to look at these photos of you Bella knowing God held your fragile heart in His hands from the beginning...just as you held us by our hearts.

~For you created my inmost being: You knit me in my mother's womb.~Psalms 139:13

~By you I was clothed with skin and flesh and joined together with bone and muscle.~Job 10:11

I will never forget the day I held you in my arms for the first time.  You hooked by lines to me and me hooked to you by love.

~He shall cover thee with His feathers and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.~Psalms 91:4
When God had finished all the details of your creation and whispered to the doctors "It is time for her to leave the hospital"...We were waiting with open arms.

~Thou has granted me life and favor, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.~Job 10:12
Each hurdle was faced with belief that God had a plan for you and would help you to overcome each health obstacle that arose.

~Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.~Hebrews 11:1 
Awed to watch you get stronger, bigger, and more beautiful with each passing day. Wishing time to stand still...but knowing it cannot...leaving us to hang on to your dress-tail for dear life for fear of missing a single step, word, laugh...or tear.

~For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.~Ephesians 2:10
Celebrating the joy of being allowed the privilege of watching God's hands as they continue to mold and perfect you while keeping you safe in your life's journey.

~For we live by faith, not by sight.~II Corinthians 5:7

As we celebrate your birthday month after month Bella, know that we are eternally grateful to God for you and the blessings He has poured out on this family.  There aren't words enough to say thank you to Him who created you or for the joy you have brought to our lives.

~I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Jesus Christ.~I Corinthians 1:4

Happy (third time's the charm) second birthday our beautiful baby Bella Bean.

~I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations.~Psalms 89:1

41 comments:

red.neck chic said...

This is a GORGEOUS post...

Happy Birthday Bella!!! Does this mean she gets extra cupcakes today?

;-D
I'm going to wipe my eyes now.

xoxooxo
robelyn

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

That is absolutely beautiful and made me cry!!
What a precious blessing Baby Bella is ~

Happy Happy Birthday!

xoxo
Lori

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Happy Birthday Bella Pie!!! What a beautiful post Debbie :) It made me cry....

Lou Cinda :)

Anonymous said...

wow,, thats a beautiful post,, tear maker that one,, what a journey,, what a beautfy,, those euyes,, happy birthday beautiful baby!

One Gal's Trash said...

Happy "Home from the Hospital Birthday" Bella Bean! Lovely post, Deb. That girl is one little pistol!
xoxo
Pam

Jill said...

A sweet post from one sassy Nana ... Happy BD Bella!
xo
Jill

Decorating Lady's Humble Abode said...

Oh, what a sweet post on this beautiful little girl. I know first hand what a scary time it can be having a baby born early. My son and his wife had their son at 6 months, weighing 2lbs.2oz. He to is doing well, talking, and walking. Thanks for sharing this little blessing. Parents that read this post will be inspired for their own little ones that are born to early. Decor. Lady

Donna Reyne' said...

What a wonderful post and such a joyful happy birthday/coming home day to Bella!
She is super cute!
Have a wonderful week!
hugs to you my friend!
Donna

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh Debbie....this post gives me CHILL BUMPS!!!! My eyes are filled with tears at the love you feel for this angel ~ Such a journey she's had and she's just growing like a little weed too!!! I love that Bella has three birthdays ~ she deserves each and every one...hugs and love, Dawn

jena said...

Deb,

What a sweet post and how precious Bella is! Thanks for sharing Bella's story and I just love all of her new pics! Not every little one can be a bathing beauty and know how to work a computer! It's post like these that make you feel good inside because that is what life is about!

Debra@CommonGround said...

Oh Deb, this is such a wonderful post! God's blessings abound, and on another note, don't you wish you could get your toes in your mouth without really hurting yourself? I know that would be such a major accomplishment! AND I like to eat my cake the same way!!
lots of hugs and love to all of you
(extra for the Bella Bean) xoxo Debra

Anne Lorys said...

I will NEVER get tired of seeing pictures of and hearing about this little doll baby!

It's so cool knowing there are living, breathing miracles out there, and your little Bella surely is one.

Hugs,
Anne

Prior said...

favorite post, so far. the scripture, songs, and the Bella of the ball! You are a blessed Grandma!

I put a pic of cat daddy and moma on my blog the other day...planned a long post, but heart just not into blogging right now...but tomorrow is another day, lol.

Dixie said...

Happy Birthdya Baby Bella! You are one very loved little angel... God Bless. Dixie

Rebecca said...

Oh Happy Birthday to sweet lil Bella Bean, so many blessings to you and your family, my dear friend.
Just dropped in to say hi and to say you are the winner of my give away. Could you send me your info so I could send you the necklace and to tell you how much you have blessed me these past years. You mean so much to me
Blessings
RE

the old white house said...

Happy Happy Birthday Sweet Bella Baby!!!
She is so precious Deb, can you even keep from kissing that little face for one minute? t. xoxoxoox

AuroraSuzette said...

I am literally crying happy tears over this post! very touching. Love those photos. My fav is the keyboarding one of course! God bless you and your family, sweetie!!

Sue said...

You got me there at the end, found a tear or two rolling down my face. That little baby Bella is something else. A daily reminder to us all what life and faith are all about. How's she doing in the two's? I know my Morgan is suffering big time from the terrible two's! She loves drama!

Take care, Sue

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Darling photos of your darling girl! She's so lucky to have you too! This is a lovely funny heartwarming tribute for her birthday. I loved seeing it.

Unknown said...

Dad-gum it!! Made me cry too!! What a little sweetheart! Awesome God was playing while I was reading...........Wow!

Junebug Furniture and Design said...

Too Cute! She's an absolute doll baby! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story.

xo + Blessings

Glad & Celia

Anonymous said...

this little precious is so lucky to have a Nana like you! And thanks a lot! Now I am all teary eyed missing my Ava and Boo. xoxo

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

Oh Girl, you made me tear up with this post! Isn't God awesome and just look at your little miracle, growing up each day!

Lisa Love Harris said...

Oh, Debbie! Thank you for sharing your Baby Bella -- She is a beautiful miracle. Thanks be to God!! Continued blessings to you and your sweet family! Peace, love, and precious baby kisses always! xxoos

Shabby Vintage Junk said...

Deb I swear EVERY time I see this little IMP I just want to reach out & squish those PRECIOUS cheeks....I have never EVER seen a cuter babe....N-E-V-E-R....!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY little Bella....BIG hugs & SMOOCHES from Oz....!!!!!

Cheers,
Tamarah :o)

sassytrash said...

Happy Coming Home Day to precious Bella and her blessed family!! What an awesome post...thank you for sharing her with all of us in your always wonderful and unique way. You lift us up!!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Homecoming Birtday Bella! You are a beautiful little miracle.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

You always have a way with words when it comes to posting...but this takes the birthday cake!

Happy Birthday to little Bella!

Joyce Janes said...

Sweet, sweet, sweet Bella. You are blessed.

~Joyce
aka Calamityjaneslifestyle.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday and coming home day and wishing you the best in every day, Bella!

Lauri Evans said...

She's absolutely precious, Deb! Isn't it funny how they always want to play with everything that isn't a toy!!!!

Pam @ Frippery said...

Amen and Happy Birthday and homecoming Bella. What a post Deb! Just beautifully said.

Carole said...

Ok I cried the first time I read this post.....it's ok I'm better now. I can't even look at that cute little face without tearing up so I went right to the comment section. haha

You are truly blessed to have this angel in your life.

hugs,
Carole

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Happy Birthday to Bella Bean!!! Debbie, she is just amazing, isn't she?!! She is a blessing to all of you but I just want to also say how blessed she is to have a nana like you :)

VINTAGE HOME lifestyle said...

Oh Deb. All I can say is...she is so you!!!!!
ox~Cathleen

time worn interiors said...

Wow! How time flies! She is a baby doll!
tot

Red Shed French Antiques and Travel said...

Belated B-Day Congrats to Bella! You are one lucky grandma and she is one lucky grandchild to have you!
Valarie

Paper Dolls said...

A true blessing for sure!! Glad you are getting to enjoy this little angel here on earth!

Donna Rinn Robertson said...

Debbie, I refuse to believe that sweet little thing is "all growed up"! No Wayyyyy she is 3! She is so precious! I am glad that you put all of the photos on.... her progress is incredible! A real example of God's Handiwork in action!

I sure hope I get to come to see you all in Roundtop! I have missed seeing everyone. Getting back in the swing of things.....

I have had to start a new blog... long story... but here is the address if you wanna catch up.

http://donnascuriouslife.blogspot.com/2011/08/curious-goods-antiques-here.html

Big Hugs,
Donna Rinn

Cheryl, Junk Devotion said...

Wowser, that's a tough one to read without the tears of joy. Our stories are very similar, as our daughter was born 14 weeks early. Her early photos look almost identical to Bella's. Our baby is now 16 and just as precious as ever. It still tugs at my heart though.
Cheryl

trash talk said...

Bella is the gift of life that keeps giving us immense pleasure. I thank you all for your sweet comments.