Hair DO

As opposed to a hair don't.

Have you seen Babe H's comb over recently? It's quite the sight. It's a Class-A side sweep. Fit for a toupee, no doubt. To combat this phenom, I've started having her wear bows or a headband, but she won't keep them on and so...
we've been subject to her rug for a while now.
On to other hairy situations:
I have decided to pull a Constanza and DO the opposite of my instinct regarding my do. Every year, I get so crazed over potentially having horse hair that I go and chop it and EVERY time, I decide to grow it out. Stopping the vicious cycle and going against this instinct which for some reason is so strong right now...I'm going to trim it, keep the length. I don't know if I can do it since this cycle has been going on since sophomore year of college.
"If everything you do is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right."
Speaking of hair, Pearson's seems to fall PERFECTLY no matter the situation. I see her brushing it over her eyes and looking out underneath it some mornings.
It's the kind of hair I would love to have for just one day.
Ty manages to keep it tight with his. You never know what he'll come back with and I love that...
What are your hair dreams and quandries? Just curious...

Harper's Dedication

Harper had her dedication on Sunday at church. It was a fun day for family and friends to come together and celebrate her, and help us to commit to raising Harper in the Lord. While we were on stage at church, she was waving and having a good time. We chose a verse for her and words we'd like to raise her with; these were it:

We truly prayed for God's timing with our second child, asking Him to
give us the child He wanted for us in His timing, knowing that he or
she would be the perfect fit for our family. When Harper was born, we
knew full well that His timing is perfect. He knew Harper before she
was born, planning her for our family. Like we desire with our first
daughter Pearson, we pray that Harper will come to know Christ fully
and personally; that she will develop a faith rooted in love and the
uniqueness of how God made her. That she will come to know the peace
and victory that is ours in Christ and learn to lean into the Holy
Spirit letting it fill, guide and comfort her in every kind of life
circumstance.

Harper we love you and our sincere hope is that you love the Lord.

Sick & Tired

We are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
As a family, these Bells have literally been ill on and off since the day after Christmas.
No joke.
First, babe H got the ball rolling with a stuffy nose from teething. Then Pea got a terrible cold, then it morphed into Harper getting said cold AND (bonus!) a double ear infection. After those fun times, I got sick and Pea's cold lingered until finally SHE got an ear infection. Ty got sick in between all of this. We have been to the doctor countless times. I've also recently learned Pea's gag reflex can be set off like a bomb by the slightest provocation. She cannot even bring herself to look at her own runny nose...
Dude. We're over it! Relief and sleep needed desperately! All in all, I suppose we are on the mend and that's what cold meds are for.
Postscript: All SIX of babe H's teeth have popped through now...
Can I get an AMEN?
Amen.
In other news, she started full on crawling this week. I do not require an AMEN for the previous statement...
Yours in the waiting room,

Sprinkle

Dear Molly,
First let me just say: I hope you like pink. Last night, I hosted (with your YaYa; the lovely Djones) a sprinkle for your Mom! It was a small gathering and rather than it being a full blown shower, it was a sprinkle of love for you! Molly, you are going to be one CUTE cookie with all the amazing SWAG you received last night! Ignore the fact that I'm giving the thumbs up in one of these pictures, I'm really much cooler than that...
You are the long awaited third of hers and fifth of all the cute Bell belles to join the fun. Miss Molly, we cannot wait until your arrival!
Let's meet SOON!
Aunt Chels

Bemusings: On Funny moments (part 2)

I've been thinking about more funny moments from childhood and thought I'd tell two more. Thinking about making this a three part series, thoughts? No doubt with my history it could be a blog all its own. Again, going to assess lessons from this Bemusing while I type, but I digress...
In sixth grade my school participated in the DARE program. Did you endure this public school ritual? It was classic early 90's. Circa Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing. Anyway, somehow Moringside Elementary was assigned the proverbial Bad Cop. I was lucky to witness this as I'm positive this cop was taken off the assignment of educating impressionable minds immediately following this incident. He comes in without a word, heads to the front of the class, nods at Ms. Andrews (a Ms. never to be mistaken with a Mrs. and a chain smoker who knew every European capital city by heart) and proceeds to open with the charming story of a crack head who while high on crystal meth jumps to her death from the top of a building instead of being taken alive by him. I'm quoting now...
Are you kidding me? I was 11. Literally, my first thought was if she jumped to her death, what are a rat pack of unruly sixth graders capable of? I stand by that question...
It was burned into my mind; can you blame me?
Story two.
In eighth grade I was and still am friends with a stellar gal only known to this blog as Manzo. She is hands down the most hilarious person you'll ever have the pleasure of knowing. Folks, we've all been in eighth grade. Image is everything. It's the only thing.
We were at a party, everyone was there. Manz was wearing a pair of paper-thin GAP jeans. I'm laughing already. I prophetically told her then it was the funniest thing I would ever see and certainly it's been close. Resuming story; the jeans were tapered and she had cut the cuffs on each side; creating more room at the ankle. Don't act like you didn't do this. There happened to be a piece of hem hanging off and she was teased into ripping it off by another girl there. Next thing you know, Manzo had accidentally ripped her own jeans in half up to the thigh. And the best part is she for some reason she was wearing hot pink socks. A crying shame. I would guess her embarrassment at this moment as something akin to being "pantsed" in public. She showed to me when I had a mouth full of M&Ms (some things never change) and I spit them all out in laughter. Some kind soul gave her some safety pins, but it went down in history.
Lessons I've learned whilst typing: sometimes it's better to fight then run. Don't smoke meth. And finding a perfect pair of jeans that fit you is worth every. single. penny.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

It's only Tuesday. It's cold. My hand is ripped up from devious crossfit pull-ups, no one will take a nap, and Pea peed her pants at school today. So far not the best start, BUT it could be worse. Bright side to this January day? I found my mom's homemade Chex mix in Harp's umbrella stroller, which I promptly devoured AND I've done some much needed reorganization of the baby gear we have. Can you believe Harper is 9 months tomorrow?
I say random thoughts, and I truly mean it.
My sister is doing a facebook fast. I think that's a stellar idea. One I just might need to borrow; planning to ask her thoughts on the experience at the end of the fast (tomorrow). She went as far as to have her girlfriend change her password. Genius! Speaking of Chandler, I love having a sister to give clothes, jewelry, and shoes to when I clean out my closet. I do that a lot. I am of the mindset if you don't wear it in 6 mo. to a year give it a better home.
Chandler's dorm.

Speaking of clothes, one of my biggest completely pathetic superficial fears is being mistaken for a tranny when I get dressed up. I suppose this thought crops up in the mind of every girl over 5'8" and has a larger than average nose? Maybe not, but my guess is that Khloe Kardashian and a number of others have this fear...
I met my blogger friend Katie in person for drinks this week! I'm now proud to say that she's my in-person friend too. That was a wonderful way to spend an evening; my two favorite things about her are the way she talks with her hands and the fact that she called Southcenter; The Southcenter. So funny and spoken by a true city girl. Did I look like a tranny, Katie? I know my shoes were borderline (I have the advantage of asking someone about a first impression and I'll take it!)
Also at drinks? Bethy, aka Legs McGee. Friend of 10 years and one AMAZING catch. Fellas, she's a GEM.
While typing my random Tuesday thoughts, I'm working on future legit posts. That have comedy, pictures, and meaning. Meaning might be reaching, but you get the point!
Stay tuned...

First word

Harper spoke her first word last night...
Ty walked in from work and she just smiled and said "dada." Thinking we were hearing things we asked her to say it again and she did. Our high praise then overwhelmed her and she turned bright red and started crying. It was a funny moment, but a sweet one!
Until...
I realized.
"Dada."
In point of fact, the same exact first word as our first born. And although that's special, it leaves me a tad miffed. That's right, ignore the poor sap who feeds you, changes you, plays with you for 12 plus hours a day. What's a girl got to do to get some appreciation from a baby around here? Oh, I remember. Wait for that baby to grow up and make you a Grandma. That said, my girls absolutely love their daddy and for good reason!
Still, Babe H your babyhood is flying by so no matter the real or imagined connotations of your first word I'm celebrating your accomplishment! Go Harper.
Xoxo.

3 1/2!

Today you are 3 and 1/2 Miss Pearson! Almost 4, unbelievable. Right now you're favorite thing is Rapunzel, dancing, playing Candyland, playing band, and the impending excitement of your first trip to Disneyland. We love your beautiful brown eyes and your unexpected comments and the fact that you're ours!
Two things of note: I love how she's holding up four fingers in these pictures; wasn't planned & that happens to say "cat people" on our door because she wanted to see how those words were spelled. Ironic, no?

For Kicks

Surprise package on my door step from Mr. B today. He's dazzling...

It's Always Sunny in...

Maple Valley.
I am peppy beyond reason today! It's been sunny (and mind you, freezing cold) all week my spirits are buoyed by the fact that I get to wear new sunglasses in winter.
It's the little things, am I right?
In addition, I can't help but to be excited for the next few months. Wonderful things are on the horizon and it's such a stark contrast to last year that I'm consciously sitting in the good feeling. Here's a look at what January, February, and March bring!
January: The RETURN of preschool, Dinner with friends, Andi's Sprinkle, and Harper's baby dedication.
February: Ty's 29th birthday, Friends visiting, Valentines Day, Chicago trip with my dad, and the hopeful arrival of our new niece!
March: Repeat of the last (said neice may arrive this month too), Spring, and the kicker: Disneyland with Pea. We cannot wait to take her, she will love love love it.
What's on the horizon for you?

"Mom, she's like freaking out."

I LOVE how you can hear Pea say the above in the background of this mini video and I LOVE that this is Harp's new thing...simply funny. The mini joys of parenthood!