We're Back! and we have a lot to report!!!

Ok, so we had every intention of blogging while traveling...too bad we were having way too much fun to sit down at the computer for any significant length of time. So, now that we're home, we'll catch up! So, it all started on August 1st when Stella and I left for Columbus, Ohio to fly on Skybus airlines.

*side note*

First of all, let me say that is a stellar airline! We had a fantastic experience! The first 10 tickets on every flight cost only $10...we had to pay the "high" price of $30 each way. They're very family friendly, they board and exit the plane from both the front and the rear so that it virtually takes no time at all, it's clean, the staff are fantastic...I could go on, but that's enough for now...check out skybus.com if you're interested.

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Ok, so we spent the 1st-8th in Jacksonville with Amanda, JP and baby Bella! It was wonderful! Stella and Bella had fun getting to know each other and can't wait to be together again. It was extra special for me to see my best friend "in action" as a mom. It was wonderful watching her love and tend to every need of this precious babe. We had lots of fun times with the girls, but did get a chance to have some rest for ourselves. Amanda's very generous mother, sisters and brother took the babies off our hands so we could go out for dinner, get our nails done and even get massages! It was amazing having such great care-givers so close. I know Stella misses them already! Here's some photos from our great week together.

Isabella Ann Valdez
***if you want to log on to their website, use our link and then enter the password "bella"***

Mandy and Bella

Celebrating Mandy's Birthday!!

Bella LOVES her swing!

Laying out poolside

One of Stella's wonderful baby-sitters...Cassy!!

One of Bella's first times swimming

"The girls"

While we were vacationing we continued introducing Stella to new foods with great success! Her diet now includes: rice cereal, peas, green beans, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, bananas, peaches, pears and applesauce! We haven't found anything that she doesn't like yet!! I've told a few people that I'm convinced if we put a steak in front of her, she'd figure out a way to eat it, even without teeth!
This isn't the only big development...Stella is starting to crawl! It's more of a scoot right now, but she can turn in a complete circle while on her belly, and she can put her knees underneath her belly and push off the ground to move a few inches. If there is something nearby that she wants, she can and will get it! A true crawl is not far away! YIKES!!