Angel of Hope of Central Florida

Hello everyone. We hope this finds all of you well. We wanted to share with everyone we knew (and that certainly includes all of you) to inform you of an important project we are working on that is very near and dear to all of us.

As you all know we have a very special Angel in heaven, Gabriella Grace Bencomo. She spent 12 wonderful days with us and blessed and graced all of us with her strong, fighting spirit. When Kristen was home recovering from her C-Section, she started researching creative ways to remember Gabi here at our home. She knew she did not want a butterfly garden, because we certainly don’t have a green thumb! She didn’t find anything she really liked until she stumbled across the Angel of Hope. To give some history: Richard Paul Evans wrote a novel "The Christmas Box" in which the main character mourns the loss of her child by spending time at the foot of a bronze statue of an angel, "The Angel of Hope". This book spent many weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list and the author became besieged with requests as to the location of the statue. The story is fiction, therefore the statue didn't actually exist. However, the outpouring from grieving parents was so overwhelming the author commissioned the statue. The first Angel of Hope was erected in Salt Lake City on December 6, 1994. This movement has spread throughout the country and currently there are over 75 Angel of Hope statues across the country. There are currently 5 in Florida, but none in Central Florida. Erecting this statue in our area has become our mission.

We approached a dear friend of ours who was also the facilitator for our support group, HEAL (Helping Endure InfAnt Loss). We were certain he had heard about the Angel of Hope, but ironically he had not. Over the past 3 years, we have formed a wonderful committee of people and started and non for profit organization, The Central Florida Angel of Hope and our mission is to bring the Angel of Hope to the Orlando area.

To obtain more information about the National Angel of Hope, you can visit the author's website: richardpaulevans.com and click on "statue". You can also visit the website we have set up for our local effort: http://angelofhopecfl.blogspot.com/. Our website and facebook are updated regularly, so you can keep up with our efforts.

We are currently petitioning some central Florida municipalities to place the statue in public parks. We believe strongly that the statue needs to be accessible to all grieving parents.

The statue is approximately 4 feet tall and has a wing span of approximately 5 feet. It is recommended that it be placed on a base, usually granite or other stone, and therefore is quite impressive. The foundry that manufactures the angel produces it at cost, and we have a local monument company that has agreed to produce the base at cost and provide the labor to erect the statue, but the total expense still comes out to about $25,000. We are currently involved in fund raising efforts to purchase the statue. We currently have a time constraint in that Florida Hospital has generously offered to match our fundraising efforts through the end of the year in the amount of $8,000! This means if we can raise $8,000, it becomes $16,000, enough to purchase the statue, and then continue our fundraising for the remaining amount.

So, we are asking for your help. We need to raise as much money as we can by the end of the year. Any donation is welcome, and we ask all of you to spread the news of our efforts. We are currently planning a candlelight ceremony for December 6th, at a location we haven't yet confirmed. The location will be posted on our website, and I will contact you with that information.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We welcome everyone's help in this important effort. Thanks you!
Kristen, Anthony, Bella, and Gabriella Bencomo
Angel of Hope of Central Florida
P.O. Box 2323, Sanford, FL 32772-2323

Happy Halloween

Pumpkin Patch....then and now

What a difference a year makes! Happy Fall!

Bella in the Pumpkin Patch

We took Bella to a Pumpkin Patch today. We wanted to have her see all the pumpkins. She had a great time.

Bella at the Zoo

We woke up and decided - Lets take Bella to the Zoo! She loved it and it is a great little zoo. It has a kids area so Bella got to do some splashing in the Toddler pool!

The Ronald McDonald ClamBake

We were asked to speak at Ronald McDonald's biggest fund raising event, their Clambake. We had the opportunity to speak with 600 people about how great Ronald McDonald has been during the time we had Gabi and Bella.

It is nice to give back to them.

Vote for Bella!

Bella is competing in Magic 107.7 Most Huggable Baby contest. Please click on Bella's picture and vote for her. Please spread the word. If she wins we get a nice getaway vacation!

Not to mention she is pretty Huggable baby! Thanks.

Just in case here is the link: http://www.magic107.com/pages/hbvote2.html

Bella walking

This video is the most she has ever walked.

Bella's Birthday party with Parker, Payton and Shauna

Since tomorrow is Bella's birthday- she celebrated it with Parker, Payton and Shauna. She had a little cupcake and had some fun!

Birthday Girl Bella

Is it UCF Football Season yet?

Looks like someone is ready for @UCFFootball ! My daughter on 12seconds.tv

Here is Bella doing the Zombie Nation chant that we do in the UCF stadium. We thought we would start practicing now! We can't wait to take her to her first UCF game this season. Don't worry not in this horrible Florida Heat. We will wait until November!

August 2009

Bella August 2009

It's only the first weekend of August and we have had a busy weekend. Anthony's parent's came to visit with his Uncle from NJ. We also went to Toy's R Us to create a little wish list for Bella's Birthday. We can't believe she will be 1 in just 2 weeks. They gave her a special Birthday crown which we can't believe she kept on, and a balloon which she held onto the entire time.
We look forward to celebrating her birthday soon!
Since we are just about 1 month away from Football season we thought today would be a great day to get Bella ready! We even did the stadium "bounce".

Bella is a Geoffrey's Birthday club member

Enjoyed Toys R Us today. Bella got enrolled in Geoffrey's Birthday club enjoyed it on 12seconds.tv

Bella got a special birthday crown and balloon at Toy's R Us today for celebrating her first birthday. I know it's a little early, but she loved wearing the hat and really enjoyed the balloon.

July 2009

July has been pretty low key for the Bencomo's. We are enjoying seeing Bella crawl around the house and pulling up on everything. She is even walking around holding onto her push toy and furniture. Really we are just resting up for the 2009 UCF football season!
Enjoy the pictures.

Bella July 2009

June '09 Bella Pics

I know we have been slacking and because of that click here to see a lot of cool JUNE Bella Pic. I promise that we will be posting more often. I will also be updating BellaOnTV soon as well (don't know that is? click here)

It's our anniversary!!

5 years ago Kristen walked down the aisle to be my wife. It was one of the best things to happen to me. We have gone through a lot out 1st 5 years but together we can get through anything. Today we will enjoy a morning at the spa and spend some time with Bella. Then we have reservations for dinner. Don't think the rainy weather will mess our day up.


We had an AMAZING time at The Spa at Shingle Creek. We got Massages + Pedicures. It was one of the best massages we ever had. Check them out


After everything we were hungry for some BBQ. There is a trailer off of Narccoossee that sells BBQ called Q's BBQ.

The price was great + the food was delicious. That is the great thing about Kristen + I- we love a good whole in the wall place that serves good food.

For dinner we went to Maggiano's- It is an Italian restaurant @ Pointe Orlando. I will say it is better than Buca De Bepo. It is a Family Style type of restaurant. Lots of food and good service. We had a really nice day together.

Bella meets her Great Grandma!

1st visit with Great Grandma

New Bella videos

if you want to see more just look to the side and you can see a bunch of other videos or check out Bella on TV. Click here

Bella 9 Months Old

Our sweet baby girl is 9 months old! She is growing by leaps and bounds and it is so fun to watch her explore her surroundings. In just a matter of weeks she has been rocking on all fours to almost crawling ( not quite yet!), and just this morning I went to get her up out of her crib and there she was standing up on her knees holding onto the crib railing! It just about gave me a heart attack! Tonight we lowered her crib and took off the bumpers. She looks so little in there now. She continues to be the happiest baby ever and Anthony and I count our blessings every day. She is a pro at eating her Gerber Puffs and loves all her fruits and veggies. We are getting ready for her cousins to come visit Memorial Day weekend and the first weekend of June she will be taking her first plane ride to Boston!
Happy 9 months old Bella Anne!

Gabriella Bencomo Day at Ronald McDonald House Florida Hospital

Hi Everyone,
A very dear friend of ours Amy Plank is part of the Winter Park MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group at All Saints Episcopal Church. Last month they had a huge Carnival to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. They raised over $1,000 and will be making lunch tomorrow for the RMH as well as donating pop tabs and supplies to the house. I had the opportunity to speak to the MOPS group about how the RMH house has impacted our lives twice and will always be a special place for us. Once again, this is just testimony how Gabriella continues to touch others lives and help spread the word about the Ronald McDonald Charities to the Central Florida Community.
Amy wrote this on her facebook page about the event:

What can I say about Anthony and Kristen...You would never know by the smiles and love they extend to those that surround them that they experienced a loss so great. Their sweet Gabriella was taken far too soon, however she has become an inspiration to the many people who know her Mommy and Daddy. On April 30th at Noon, the MOPS group from All Saints will provide lunch to the families staying at RMH in Gabriella's honor. Please help support the Bencomo family keep Gabriella's spirit of life and love alive by making any donation possible on this day in her memory.

Every parent has "those" days... when I do, I see the smile of Anthony, Kristen and now beautiful baby Bella and I am reminded of how precious life is, how important it is to laugh and love. They set such a marvelous example of strength and courage. What more is there to say? Share this with everyone, learn what RMH does in YOUR community and donate. Visit Anthony and Kristen's website, you will laugh, love, cry and triumph with them.

Anthony, Bella, and I think about Gabriella everyday and is still very much a part of our lives. I sometimes think what it would be live to have a two in a half year old running around the house along with an 8 month old and working full time! I know we would be loving every minute of it. This event brings alot of memories good and bad, but cherished, as we are coming upon Gabi's third birthday next month.

We are very thankful for our friends the Planks and the MOPS club, and love the fact that we continue to share our story with the community and how it has impacted our life.

More Easter pic

We have more pictures from when Bella went on an Easter Hunt. Will post those soon.

Bella's Easter

(just want to see the album)

Eating like a Big girl

Bella is always grabbing at things and is wanting to eat more and more like us. So she is always wanting the spoon or the bowl. It is great to see what they do when you give them a chance.

Happy Easter

pictures taken by Shauna

Baseball season has begun!!!

It's Baseball Season!!!

Bella is excited for baseball to begin so she can show off her team colors!! Bella got this outfit from Tara, Rich and Elizabeth. She is looking forward to wearing her Sox gear this June when we go to Boston. Anthony will be going to a Sox game!

Bath time is Quacktastic!!!

A great picture of Bella after bath time.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Bella is a very happy Irish Baby

Well, her Daddy calls her Cubish, half Irish, half Cuban

A Wee Bit Irish!

This is Bella after too many Bottles of Guinness!

Bella's Bling

With a little help from Shauna, we went yesterday to get Bella's ears pierced. She cried like when she gets her shots but it lasted a few minutes. Afterwards she was the happy girl we love, but with bling.

Princess Bella is 7 months old!

Bella is 7 months old today! It is amazing how quickly she has grown. She is truly the happiest, sweetest baby. No matter how bad of a day you are having, her smile makes you forget about it all! She loves Jupiter and starts to laugh hysterically when she sees her.

These photos of Bella are courtesy of Photography By Shauna! AKA...Bella's Nanny! Shauna decided to dig into the dress up box and turn Bella into every Disney Princess known to man.

We've got Snow White, Tinker Bell (wings and all!), Belle, Sleeping Beauty, and my favorite, Cinderella!

Bella's has Original G artwork!

Our friend Gary is a talented artist who dabbles in painting on his spare time. We asked a long time ago to paint something for us. Today he calls me up and says" Hey can I come over, have to drop something off" I said sure no problem and when he arrives he shows us this beautiful painting for Bella!

It is really nice and thoughtful and looks great in her room. Thanks Gary! So Bella has a G Original artwork.

Bella on TV

With all the video's we take why not have it available for everyone who wants to watch Bella. So Bella now has a YouTube Channel: Bella on TV. Check it out and feel free to leave comments. We figure it would be easier to upload it and you can check out the videos all in one place. Besides pictures you really can see the Bella grow.

Bella meets Susy- 1st time in Disney Property

Every time our friends Susy and Maria come into town we meet them for dinner @ Disney. Tonight was no exception. We met Susy and her friend Alex @ Portabello's for dinner. It was one of the 1st times we took Bella out for dinner later at night. We had a great time and Bella enjoyed meeting Susy and Alex. She loved all the gifts she got from the Esquijarosa's (check out the glasses). Good times were had by all!

1st time in a Floppy

Bella got to sit in her floppy for the 1st time today and she loved it! This will make shopping even easier then having her in the Baby Bjorn.

Bella bath time

Since Bella can now sit up we get to do so many more things with her. One of them is have her sit in the tub she got from our friend Shari. Its a big Rubber Duck and it's bill quacks. We have video that we wlll soon upload and include.

Bella fun time

It feels like a photo shoot whenever we have the camera with Bella. She has gotten use to it and is always looking at it and will stop what she is doing and stare at the camera. Of course we cannot stop shooting pictures of her.

We have updated the Feb 2009 album for you to enjoy!

Bella February 2009

Bella playing her new toy!

Bella got the Move and Crawl ball and we thought since she is sitting up so well not have her enjoy it.


enjoying Bella playing with her new toy: the Move and Crawl Ball. on 12seconds.tv

Bella's 1st UCF sporting event

Being the big UCF sport fans that we are. We decided to take Bella to her 1st sporting event: a UCF Baseball game.

We thought since she is 6 months old and it would not be as loud as a basketball or football game and we could leave at any time if she got fussy.

Here are some pictures of her. She also go to wear her Gold Adidas Running suit that she got from her Aunt Tini and Auntie Aly.

For those keeping time- we lasted about an hour and a half or so. So we have to build up her stamina for football season!

Little Red Wagon!

See the little girl in the wagon...  Yep that is Bella on a Wagon ride with Parker.  Kristen was in the area and drove by and saw Bella loving being in the wagon.  

Bella on a swing

I never get to see Bella do things during the week since I am at work. So when i get a chance to see them I enjoy them that much more. I know I am such a dad. She just love the swing.

Happy Valentine's Day!

February Update: Happy Valentines Day!!!

Bella is 6 months old and has had her 1st picnic and celebrated her 1st Valentine's Day. She is still sleeping well at night and as you can see in the pics- likes to sit up like a big girl. You will also notice- she loves to smile- I think it's her favorite.

Album View

Bella February 2009

The faces of Bella!

Kristen took these on Sunday with her cell phone.  

Bella's Tiny Bubbles!

Bella - Some January pics

Bella is growing up so fast. She is starting to sit up pretty well on her own. She started blowing bubbles (YouTube video coming soon) and as you will see in the last pictures- She held onto her bottle today. What a cutie!

Album View:

Bella January 2009

No more monitor for Bella!

After many successful perfect monitor readings-  the doctors have given us the OK to take Bella off the Apnea Monitor when she sleeps at night.  So Bye Bye Monitor! No more wires, no more bands, no more forgetting to put her band on when getting her ready for bed.  The process of weaning her off at night was MUCH quicker than we anticipated.  But it's a good thing.  Anthony and I still get up 2-3 times a night to check on her just for some extra reassurance! This is a BIG milestone for Bella. We are very happy she is a very healthy happy 5 month old!

Bella meets her cousins

We were able to finally spend some time with my sister and her family as they stopped by our house overnight for a quick visit on their trek back to Virginia Beach. I was excited to finally meet my nephew Landon, who i almost 7 months old. We actually had 3 generations in our house. There was my dad, my sister and I, our kids. My cousin Melissa also stopped by for a visit and brought her 4 month old son Connor. It was a fun filled day of visiting and playing with the babies. Bella had a great time and was full of smiles the whole day!
Oh and I can't forget it was my niece Jessica's birthday. Enjoy all the pictures!




Album view:

Bella meets her cousins

Bella pics

We are so lucky to have Shauna taking care of Bella.  Here are some pictures she has taken of her.  It is great that she captures these moments for us.

Bella's 1st concert- Mr Richard

We took Bella to her 1st concert. We were told by one of Kristen's friends about Mr Richard and it looks like he is very popular here in Orlando. It was a free concert and thought it would be fun to see how Bella liked it. We met up with a few to enjoy the free concert.

Bella loved it. She was happy the whole time and just moved around and just loved listening to Mr Richard.

Here are a few pics and if you are curious to hear what he sounds like- found some music video's of him on YouTube. (We heard these today)

I felt like a total dad today. It was a great feeling. Kristen and I look forward to the times ahead and the concerts that await us.





Album view

Bella's 1st concert- Mr Richard

Cheese


Want to watch another one?

Pooch Smooch

Its cold!! (for Florida)

It may not be in the teens or freezing in the Sunshine state.  It does however go from 80 degrees to somewhere in the 40's this week.

Here is Bella all snuggled up!

Bella is starting to eat solids

It's not snot- its Peas!

I like sweet potato

My first bite of bananas

Bella has started to eat solids. She first had bananas, and then sweet potato and most recently peas. After 3 or 4 days we try to introduce a new vegetable or fruit.

So far she likes bananas the best. Here are some pictures of Bella and her solids!

Bella wishes you a Merry Christmas-Sort of

Bella's 1st Christmas!

Another 1st for Bella- This time Christmas.  Christmas' will never be the same again.  What an amazing thing to see and experience.  We are very blessed this Christmas season.  Bella got visits from her grandparents, uncle Jay and of course Santa!

She also discovered the cell phone:

Bella discovers the cell phone on 12seconds.tv

Ronald McDonald House

We went to Ronald McDonald House this morning to feed the families there. My family instead of giving gifts to each other we decided to donate money and buy household items the Ronald McDonald House needed.

My father in law had the idea of making breakfast for the people there as well. He felt everyone deserved a good Christmas breakfast. So we made a Breakfast Bake. Here are some of the pictures. It was a great experience and I was a great way to start Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Today was quite a busy day! We started out going out to breakfast at this new coffee shop by our house. We had 3 coffees (the fancy kind aka starbucks) and 2 breakfast sandwiches for 11 bucks! Unheard of. Anthony finished up some last minute shopping. I whipped up a few quick batches of Choc. Chip cookies and then before we knew it, it was time to go to mass. It was a beautiful service at our church. Bella was very well behaved. We heard some whispers from behind us that she looked like a doll! Better than calling her a boy I guess, which by the way I am getting a lot of lately.
After mass it was time to feed Bella and put her down to sleep. In the mean time Anthony went and got us some delicious Chinese Food for our Christmas Eve meal. Neither of us felt like cooking and it was only the two of us! He also went to publix to get their food that they were going to be throwing away since in the morning we will be providing the Ronald McDonald House Christmas Breakfast. Publix gave us big platters of fruit and their deli salads that they were just going to be throwing away since it was past their sell date.
Anthony and I worked as a team prepping a lot of the stuff and we will be up early in the morning to cook everything and then head on over the RMH.
A busy yet rewarding Day.
Stay tuned to find out how Bella's first Christmas went!
Merry Christmas

We went to see Santa today

Here is the slideshow of our day.

Here are the pictures for you to review.

Santa is coming to town

Tiny Bubbles...

My baby girl making Bubbles! on 12seconds.tv

More Bella Pics..

We cannot get enough of Bella. It is so amazing to experience what others may think as something minor, but they are her firsts! They really do grow very fast. She is amazing!  Here is an updated December Album.

The Magical World of Bella?

Can't get enough Bella pics?

We are very fortunate to have Shauna not only taking great care of Bella but she is also taking pictures of her. So not only do we get all of our shots, we also get her photos.

Shawna's Bella Pics

I'm 4 months old

Today Bella turned 4 months old!  I can't believe it's been 4 months.  It's gone by fast.  Bella hit a huge milestone today.....her first ear infection! :o(  And so we start the game of colds and ear infections.  Whoever said breastfed babies get sick less and it prevents ear infections was lying! 

But with my history of ear infections as well as Anthony's I think she was bound to get one sooner or later!

Someone not feeling well

We are experiencing a 1st.  Bella is sick.  She has a runny nose and a cough.  She is in good spirits and thank goodness for the cool humidifier she sleeps well through the night.

She is such a great little girl.  Lets hope this passes by fast and she does not get worse.

Random pictures of Bella

We are very lucky to have Shauna taking care of Bella- she loves Bella so much and is always bringing us pictures that she took of her.  Here are some of the pictures she has recently taken.  My favorite is the one with the blankie on her head!

Bella's Big Week!

Well so much has changed since our last post!  Anthony and I were becoming zombies with Bella not sleeping at night.  She would go down for about 4-6 hours and eat, then would be up every hour to hour in half.  She just couldn't settle herself down.  After totally loosing it Tuesday morning at work b/c of lack of sleep I decided to call my pediatrician.  He suggested giving her a little cereal before bed.  I was extremely doubtful, but I was willing to try anything!  Well wouldn't you know it she slept great and only woke up for one feeding.  Wednesday night she slept from 8:30-7 and since then has been sleeping through the night without needing to eat! A miracle.  I have learned from some friends and family this works with some babies but not others.  I am counting my blessings that we are now sleep!

Thursday was another milestone.  Bella rolled over 3 times from her tummy to her back.  This was all during tummy time.  She is finally enjoying tummy time and loves sticking her butt in the air.  

We are off to buy her Christmas Dress today, and don't worry there will be plenty of pictures of that! 

Bencomo Family update

 

It's been a while since we've posted so we thought we'd give you an update on what's going on with us!  

Bella is growing fast.  On December 13th she will be 4 months old! HOLY COW, time does fly! She lights up our life with her huge smiles.  We just know she is going to laugh any day now.  She is enjoying tummy time more and we have a feeling she will be rolling over soon as well.  Her hands are constantly in her mouth so we may be on the brink of teeth.  

As you can tell by the pictures, Bella had a great first Thanksgiving.  The weekend before that, Bella was baptized at our church with all out friends and family present.  Anthony will post those pictures soon.  We are now in full swing of the Christmas season.  Christmas cards, shopping, and parties! UGGH, it never gets easier.  This year we cut back on ALOT of things.  our Christmas cards will be emailed (free and very eco-friendly!) We cut back on buying gifts for the adults on Anthony's side of the family since his family is so large. Instead we took up a collection and Anthony and I are going to stock the Ronald McDonald house with household items like paper towels, toilet paper etc.  We plan on taking Miss. Bella to visit Santa Claus.  Word on the street says the Millenia Mall Santa is the best.  So we will go!  I threw her on some pumpkins for that great pumpkin patch picture, we definitely need the first Santa picture! 

We also plan on getting our Christmas tree this weekend. Our artificial one has gone kaput after 6 years.  The top third doesn't light up and it's huge, we don't have room for it anymore now that we re-arranged the house.  So I think we will get a nice small tree this year for Bella.  Then the day after Christmas we will get an artificial one on sale.  That's the plan at least! 

That's about if for now. Anthony is working hard at Lockheed and I'm still working 3 days a week with clients.  In January I will move to 4 days a week.  Bella has a fantastic babysitter, Shauna, that takes awesome care of her. We are very thankful for her.  

We will post some more pictures this weekend of her baptism and of Bellafest 2008.  In case you don't know Bellafest was the nickname we gave the party that Anthony's mom threw for Bella Thanksgiving weekend. 

BELLAFEST 2008

My Mom and Dad have been patiently waiting to throw a party for Bella.  We told her no baby shower and since she did not get to throw a baby shower for Gabi, Bella's big sister,   my Mom and Dad were going to make it a very special party for their granddaughter.

As always my mom did not disappoint.  We dubbed the party BellaFest since it was becoming bigger and bigger every time we spoke to her.  There were over 90 guests, a seating chart, beautiful center pieces and a cake that looked like it came from Ace of Cakes (Thanks Cakes by Design).  It was a great time had by all.

You can tell a lot of time and sacrifice was taken into make this happen.  It was great that my parents were able to show off their granddaughter to family and friends.  

Of course the next time Bella has a party like this again will be her Wedding.  

However - Kristen and I will be re-creating a BellaFest for her every year- in a way smaller fashion!

Enjoy the pictures and we should be adding more the album soon.

UPDATE:  We have added more pictures to the albums.

Bellafest 2008

November -Bella

November was a crazy month for Bella and us.  We had friends come in from VA and MA as well as many parties for Bella.  Bella also got baptized.

We have some amazing friends that threw us a Bella party/UCF viewing party (Can't go wrong with that tandem).  We also had BellaFest '08 and Bella's 1st Thanksgiving and the washing away of Original Sin- Bella's baptism.

Here are some pictures of the month of November.  We seperated BellaFest and Thanksgiving since there are so many pictures.  

Bella - November 2008

Bella's 1st Thanksgiving!

Holidays will be different for us now.  This is Bella's 1st Thanksgiving.  She got to meet some special people today.  My cousin surprised us from the Dominican Republic.  She came with my godchild and my niece and nephew.  It is amazing how fast they grow.  It is really great.  

More and more I think Bella may look like Kristen but she loves the camera like me.  What a sweet little girl!  We have a lot to be thankful for.  We are very blessed.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Pictures from Saturday...

My parents came to visit and we thought it would be nice to go to Lake Eola. Here are some pictures we took during the weekend of Bella-  Yes she has found her thumb.  In case you are wondering why Bella is in the front seat with Kristen.....it's because she was nursing her and was spending some fun play time before the ride home!  Her oh so happy face is from Kristen singing Patty Cake to her.  It's one of her favorites! 

Enjoy

Bella's 1st Halloween!

I think holidays that we use to take for granted become special again thanks to Bella. This is Bella's 1st Halloween - she dressed up like a Little Lady Love Bug!

Here are some of her pictures with her 1st pumpkin and dressed up with me! I cannot wait as she gets older and we all dress up.

Enjoy:



Here is the album

Halloween 2008