9 months

Bella turned 9 months in February. She was introduced to shredded cheese and she's been addicted ever since.

We took a T family trip to Winter Park, CO for mommy's first time skiing. Since, it was my first time skiing, I seriously slacked in the picture taking department.

We headed out to Denver on a thursday so that we didn't have to make the flight & 2+hr drive with a 9 month old all in the same day. We stayed with C's grandparents. Bella did great on the plane and even had her own seat. We took her carseat with us and she slept for more than half the flight. On friday, we visited with Bella's GGB while waiting for Aunt Suz & Uncle Buck to arrive. Once they got there, we packed up and headed to the house we rented. Uncle Pukester arrived friday night and we all hung out and went out for some green chile at a mexican restaurant for dinner. We all headed to bed fairly early because saturday was gonna be a busy day of skiing. We headed out around 930am to get on the bus and take the LONG trek to drop Bella off at the daycare. Apparently, my boots were way too small b/c before we even started skiing I had ENORMOUS blisters on both feet. I decided to tough it out and off we headed to the first green slope. I got some small training tips from Curtis' dad because he's a great skiier. After about an hour I was off and flying (slowly) down the slopes. I was way out of shape for skiing but I had a blast. Curtis & I did alot of skiing ourselves and then headed in for some lunch. I think we finished up skiing around 2 or 3 and off Curtis & I headed for a drink. Soon, we got a call saying Bella was happy but refusing a bottle (we totally expected that). The rest of the family found us at the lodge as it soon started snowing pretty heavily. We went and got Bella so we could head back home. We weren't quite prepared for the long haul with all the skis, poles, & Bella because the poor kiddo got nasty windburn on her cheeks from the long trek.

Sunday brought more skiing but Bella stayed at the house with Aunt Ruby so we could all go skiing again. I wasn't too sore surprisingly sunday for skiing. We headed back to the slopes but not before I got better fitting boots. I felt like a pro and I think we headed down two blues that day and then about an 1 1/2 hr ski down a green to the bottom to finish up the day. By the end of sunday, I was struggling to keep going because my thighs were finally giving out.

Monday, I decided I was way too tired & sore to do any more skiing. Curtis headed off with the rest of his brothers and dad to do some more skiing. Bella, Grandma T, & I hung back at the house to do some relaxing, shopping, and walking around Winter Park.

Tuesday came quickly and we were all headed back to Denver to leave for our afternoon flights. Of course, we made sure to get in one more helping of green chile before we left CO. The trip was WAY better than I ever could have imagined and I can't wait to go skiing again.

Bella & I were back in STL for a few days before we took another road trip with Aunt Stephie, Kris, & Sam to see Mawmaw & Pawpaw KK. It was nice to spend a few days back home relaxing with my parents. We don't make it down to AR often enough. Bella learned how to pull up to standing on a rock fireplace while we were in CO. Once we got to AR she was very excited to show off her new talent.

Mawmaw did alot of cuddling with her 3 little ladies!

We also got some family pictures taken with Mawmaw & Pawpaw KK.

Bella also came down with her first illness during her 9th month. She took a trip to urgent care for croup. Luckily, she got a dose of oral meds & healed up quickly. Bella had a busy 9th month but it sure was fun!!