Movie Star Baby

I'm ready for my close up Mr. Deville

The following are some of the great expressions of Miss Bella Boom.

"Good Point Daddy, you are however totally wrong"


Thoughtful



"Why I oughta!"




Goofy Laugh



This girl has got something to say



"Awwww, Mom"



"Now just wait a minute"


Pensive



"Say Awww"


~Trish

Oscar Night and Beyond!

The gowns, the movies, the glamour. Oscar night is a fave of the Neuteboom family and Eric and I have started a tradition. We make a fancy meal and watch the Oscars. Then as movies we want to see come up we make a list and add it to our Netflix cue the next day so we can get updated. In the past, we've usually known a bit about the 5 best picture nominees but this year we were in the dark on a lot of things. It was definitely not the best Oscars ever but the tradition was still a blast. Here is Bella in her Oscar Night outfit (we had just happened to go shopping earlier that day) In the second picture she is showing you how she feels about watching the speeches, none of us were too thrilled with the set up this year.




We were however, very thrilled with the dinner Daddy made. Filet's with asparagus, potato pancakes and a Bearnaise sauce (Actually I think it ended up being Hollandais because we were out of the Bearnaise packets). Doesn't it look like this meal could be on Top Chef, check out the presentation. The meal was worth a thousand Oscar nights.




So I know It's been a while since I posted, it sure is hard to pin down this once a week thing. But I've got some great pictures to get you updated. Here Bella and I catch a nap one night as Daddy cooks dinner.




Also, as much as I want Spring I was really excited for the super cold day we got last week, Bella was able to wear her Pink Bear outfit again and I got some great shots.




We also had a chance to snap a quick family portrait, We even got the cats in on this one. Sadly there will never be a family portrait with the three of us, both cats and the dog. The dog would try to eat the cats and no one would be willing to freeze for a picture.



NO DADDY! You can't have the remote!






And last but not least, Bella has been cooing up a storm, If she knew words we'd have epic monologues from her. Here's a great shot of her talking to Daddy in the mirror.




Our Baby girl grows more beautiful by the day. I've got a great post I'm planning to construct in the next couple of days to prove that point.

Stay Tuned

~Trish

Mommy's Back at Work

I'm back at work so I can't post long but I thought I'd update you all. I'm on my second day back to school and I miss my baby like crazy. I also miss my handsome Baby Daddy! However, even with all the missing I am actually enjoying being back. I'ts nice to be back on a regular schedule and comforting that Bella is at home happy with her wonderful father. I have already started directing a VERY funny play (written by none other than Ric Averill and in true Apple Valley Style) And my classes are great. It feels like a whole other world to be back in the workforce, it's the same as before I left only I know there is a beautiful baby waiting for me at home. It's a pretty amazing feeling, I truly love being a mom.

Okay Back to Work! Young minds to be molded.

Trish

2 Months Old!

Bella turned two months on Feb. 14th/Valentine's Day. So Happy Valentine's Day a few days late. We had a wonderful day celebrating our love and of course our beautiful new baby! We started off with a trip to The Slow Ride to watch the KU game with Gaus and Emily. I was surprised and thrilled to see Jaq and Joe there too. They drove up from Wichita for some training stuff and we got to watch the game with them. Here's the first time they've held Bella, AHHHHH!






We then got dressed up and headed out to dinner at Bambino's. The 2 month picture is of Bella in her 1st Valentine's Day shirt. She was Keegan's Valentine (sorry Grey and Manning!)





The Next Day we had a visit from Ashley and Ryan where Bella got all kinds of cuddled and loved on. Plus she got a super cute pink elephant, It kind of reminded me of that drunk cartoon one in Dumbo.





Later We had dinner with Nana, it was the first night of what I am now convinced is a growth spurt. Bella has been eating every 45min-1 hour in the evenings. Either she's growing or she knows Mommy is heading back to work (AHHHHHHH!) Anyway, Nana got to finally give Bella a bottle and it was so cute.



So the adventures of Trish and Bella are coming to a close. I have to go back to work Monday and I'm going to miss my girl like crazy. However, the adventures of Eric and Bella have only begun. I can't wait to see blog posts and pictures and then get back to our adventures in May. So wish me luck!

Trish

Shots!

No no, not the Ryan Lantz variety (sadly).

Yesterday Bella had her two month (holy shit, has it really been two months?) checkup. She is doing great! Her weight is a bit below par (she tipped the scales at 9lb, 1oz - and peed/pooped out two or three more ounces before hitting the scale, all over the office), but is nothing we're concerned about. The Dr explained that this is mostly a reflection of her low birth weight. She's measuring well, and my takeaway is that her weight gain will follow. But she's moving well, is tracking well, and is as healthy as anyone has any right to ask. We're very thankful.

The other big part of the visit was her series of shots. I'd name them all here if I remembered, but there were four total (three with needles, and another taken orally). She (Bella) did well, but her parents, not so much. It's very hard to watch your child in pain, and this may have been the first time for all of us. After a little blood and a lot of tears, it was over, and we headed home. A little ice cream helped mom and dad out too. As soon as B is older, I'm sure she'll get her treat too. I look forward to starting traditions like that with her.

In other news, my leave has started! Woooo!!! I'll be doing some small amounts of work from home, but otherwise I'm a full-time dad for the next two to three months. Hopefully Bella is as excited as her dad. More adventures in fatherhood soon, I'm sure...

Daddy Duty

What a crazy morning! It's hard enough to coordinate a repair of a flat tire on the wife's car, but to add a two-month old into the mix makes it that much harder! Between calls to D&D Tire, Progressive Insurance Roadside Assistance, D&D again and then the vet's office (another unrelated but still time consuming phone call made this morning) I'm tired, and it's only 9:00! But, I do highly recommend D&D tire, and Progressive. Both are good companies with good customer service. Plus, we always support local businesses (D&D) when we can.

Super Update

I know, I know, I'm way behind and we've been so busy! So this is going to be a long post full of lots of pictures to catch you up on the last couple of weeks.


When we found out about Bella I was so excited, but also kind of worried about having my maternity leave in the middle of winter. However, It has been a surprisingly beautiful few weeks. We've been able to get outside and enjoy the weather which has really made it the perfect maternity leave. Even with all this incredible weather there have been some super cold days. But don't you fear, we are totally prepared with our new Pink Bear outfit, thanks to Pat. This little coat set is so cute that every time she wears it I giggle for hours. Here's the best picture we have of it so far, she's making a funny face which makes it all the more cute!





















At the beginning of February, Eric had to leave for 6 days to attend the annual GCSAA trade show in New Orleans. He even got a hotel room ON Bourbon Street. Before Isabella got here I was so jealous that he was going to go to New Orleans. It's been ages since I've been there and I wasn't 21 yet so I've never experienced the full effect. But, since Bella arrived, The jealousy shifted, now I was so jealous that he was going to get 6 nights of uninterrupted sleep. Ah, how one's priorities change.

Anyway, I digress, I was worried about long nights and days without him so I called in reinforcements, Eric's mom, Connie, came to visit for a week and help out with Bella. She arrived the Thursday before he left and insisted that Eric and I plan a much needed date night. We hit the town that Saturday for 3 hours. We had a lovely dinner at Genovese and then drinks at the Red Lyon. It really was wonderful! Here we are all cute and ready for a night on the town. Connie was really proud of us because we managed to stay out without calling home several times.
















Eric then headed off to New Orleans and as they say...When Daddy's away the girls will play. We had a fun filled week with lots of adventures. Bella and I had some standing dates with our new playgroup buddies. Here we are enjoying (well, more like hating) some tummy time.
















The beautiful weather took Mimi, Bella and I downtown a couple of days during the week and we were able to walk around and visit some of our favorite stores. Here is Bella's first trip with Mimi to The Bayleaf, Mimi's favorite store!
















And then lunch at The Mad Greek. Grandpa Ric was able to join us for a bit here and I've gotten so comfortable with nursing that Bella was able to have lunch at Mad Greek too!
















On Friday J.P. drove down to join us for a couple of days and check out the new Condo they just bought. Connie spent several days furnishing and decorating so it would look like home when he got here. Her work really paid off, it's beautiful. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to take pictures of it. She mostly worked on it when Bella and I were out with our playgroup friends. Here's Bella really studying her Grandpa Boom. She's not so sure she wants to learn about the Boomer Sooner song.

















That evening we had a fantastic dinner at Bambino's where Mimi tried to give Bella a Canoli. Too bad I wouldn't let her, they were AWESOME Canoli's.

















The next morning we went to one of the best breakfast joints in town, Mirth. Eric and I love this place so we always take family when they come to town. It's so good it's starting to get popular which has its advantages and disadvantages. Anyway, any time you want to go to Mirth just let us know, we'll join you!

















Grandma and Grandpa Boom then went shopping for some more Condo stuff so Bella and I headed to the Averill's to watch the KU game. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK! sorry, just had to throw that in. Here's Bella talking to Nanna and Poppie.





















The other fun thing about going to Che Averill, is we get to see my dog Joey. He's living with Nanna and Poppie for a bit so the cats, Eric and I can adjust to Bella. We'll add him back into the mix sometime in March. I'm not quite sure how it will go but I think it will all be fine in the end. I'm really starting to miss that dog!

Here it seems Bella is not too happy with the attention Poppie is giving Joey.
















Now Joey's not so thrilled to see the attention go back to the baby.
















It's okay Bella, We can't possibly lose to Mizzou! (That's why we don't believe Nanna when she talks sports. Better luck next time)
















Well, That about covers our adventures the first week in Feb. We REALLY missed Daddy but Bella and I got through it. We also starting getting really good at nursing discreetly in public and it's really helped get us out more. Now I only have one week left before I go back to work and as much as I love my job (which is a ton, I'm really lucky) I'm dreading leaving my beautiful baby. My only comfort is that she's home with her Daddy and Eric couldn't be more excited about his leave. He may even start posting!!

~Trish