Isabella's Firsts

We have been very busy the past few weeks with lots of family activities. Bella has also experienced many of her "firsts." I'll explain more in the pictures below!


Bella went to her first wedding- outside of my belly anyway. :) One of my friend's from high school got married in Sully. Unfortunately, Bella didn't really want to see the wedding (she started fussing), so we spent the ceremony outside.
I have FINALLY been able to capture more smiles on camera. Here is a little one!
And another one.
Bella does lots of amusing positions when she sleeps. It's no wonder that she didn't really like being swaddled! She wants those arms free!
Showing off her cute sunhat.
Another family portrait!
Derek's brother Matthew, his wife Melissa, and their son Cayden visited Iowa for a few weeks from California. Bella got to meet her other cousin in person for the first time! She didn't really notice, but he enjoyed patting her on the head. We took some family pictures with the latest member.
All of the De Haan kids. Derek, his brother, his dad, and the two grandchildren.

Doesn't she look angelic? I should take a picture of her when she's screaming though... definitely not the same face!
Bella with Aunt Melissa
This is one of her big GIANT smiles! She has really started to respond to us more in the past few weeks. In addition to her smiles, she is now "cooing" and trying to imitate the noises we make. So much fun!
Another big smile!
Another "first" for Bella was her first vacation! We went to Omaha with my whole family over this past weekend. Bella did quite awesome on the trip. We swam in the hotel, went to the Omaha Zoo, and just relaxed. Bella got to try on her swimsuit for the first time! Unfortunately, the water was pretty chilly, so we didn't have her in the pool for too long. If it was warm, I'm sure she would've liked it since she loves bathtime!
Testing out the pool with Daddy. Sitting at the edge with Mommy.
The whole family (minus Derek and my dad) at the Zoo. We had a great time there!
Derek and Dylann
Grandpa Doug and Mommy with Bella.


This is pretty much how Bella spent the entire day at the zoo. For some reason, she never sleeps in her stroller! The second we put her in there, her eyes pop open. So she slept in my arms. Good thing she's not too heavy yet! Snuggling with Daddy back at the hotel.
Our little family!
Another first this week that wasn't so happy was that Bella and I were separated for the first time... My maternity leave is unfortunately up, so I had to go back to work. I haven't been away for her longer than an hour, so it was definitely hard to leave- even if it was for just 4 hours! I just cried a little bit. :) Grandpa Sheri informs me that she was good though, so I guess we both survived. I was pretty worried about going back initially. Bella is an awesome nurser- so awesome that she went through a phase of screaming bloody murder when we gave her a bottle. I tried out some different kinds though, and found one that has been working for her. She still is not the biggest fan, but she will do it!

5 weeks old!

So I was meaning to post some updates and pictures of Bella when she turned 1 month last week... but I never got around to it. :) Having a baby definitely keeps us busy! Bella continues to be a happy and sweet little girl! She is still eating like a champ- we don't have a doctor appointment again until she is 2 months, but we have weighed her at home on our scale a few times. As of today, she is around 12 lbs! So it'll be interesting to see what she does weigh when she goes to the doctor.
Bella is still sleeping fairly well- some nights are better than others, which I think is pretty normal! She did sleep for 6 1/2 hours one night, and I actually woke her up to eat. I keep hoping that it will happen again, but so far no luck. However, when she does wake up, she just eats and goes right back to sleep, so it's really not a big deal. A new thing lately has been to stay up until midnight. That hasn't bothered me yet because we both sleep in until 9 or 10. However, as I have to go back to work in 2 weeks (boo) that could be more of a problem! I am definitely NOT looking forward to going back to work. Derek keeps reminding me that I am only going back part-time... but it's going to be so hard to leave my little baby! She is our little princess (as her shirt below points out.)
Bella's adorable "princess" shirt and tutu skirt from Grandpa Doug and Grandma Sheri. She is definitely the princess of our household!

Her shirt says "Mommy and I love to shop." Can't tell, can you? :)
Posing for some pictures before going out to eat with Grandma Sheri for lunch.

These were taken on Bella's one month birthday, July 2. She is definitely starting to get some rolls on her legs and arms! And note her chubby cheeks- Daddy's favorite part of her.
Bella's first picture with her Huyser cousins- Definitely hard to get a 6 year old, 4 year old, 19 months, and 1 month baby to pose for a picture. But this one is pretty good- even though Bella is starting to scream.
Her Fourth of July outfit- even though nobody got to see it since it was absolutely FREEZING outside!
Bella had her first definite smile on June 30. We think she had smiled a few times before that, but weren't for sure if it was actually directed towards us. I have tried to capture her smiles on camera, but haven't had any luck. This is the closest smile I have gotten- kind of a half smile!
She absolutely LOVES her swing. In fact, the night she slept 6 1/2 hours, she was in the swing. We have been tempted to put her in there more nights, but I don't want to develop a bad habit. I let her nap in there though- and no matter how much we adjust her head, it always seems to end up in this position. Bella and Mommy before her shower. There's not many pictures of us yet- I don't let Derek take any when I look gross- which is most days. :) I like being at home with a baby!


Derek's co-workers at Pella Art and Graphics threw us an awesome shower- it was so nice and we really appreciated it! (Thanks again!)



Derek's co-workers at Pella Art and Graphics threw us an awesome shower- it was so nice and we really appreciated it! (Thanks again!) Bella received lots of great gifts- not that she noticed, she slept on Grandma's shoulder the entire time.
Bella really likes to lay on a blanket or on our bed and "wiggle around." She is a very squirmy baby, and she enjoys being able to kick around her hands and feet! I say that is another trait that she got from her Daddy- he is also a wiggle worm at night. Trying out her Bumbo seat for the very first time! I thought she would sit well in it because she has really good control of her neck muscles. She can generally hold up her head most of the time.