Reflecting on two years ago.....

Well, we all know time flies. People always said it was different and that time went by faster once you had kids and I never believed it. This past Saturday I realized just how true that statement made by those parents was! We went to Picture People to have his 2-yr portraits taken and I just stood there and watched in amazement as the tiny little baby two years ago was now saying he wanted a "chair" or "the car" and something that was "yellow" (I still don't know what he wanted that was yellow. He was giggling and laughing and running away from the photographer. I just had to smile but at the same time, it made me sad that he's growing so fast right in front of my eyes. It brought back memories of when he was born.

AJ will be TWO years old this coming Sunday the 25th of March. I can still vividly remember March 25th 2 years ago. Actually the 24th was more memorable :) We had to go to labor and delivery because our little man had not moved at all the entire day and I was so worried since he was already 4 days late. Well, of course AJ did not want out that night and about 5 minutes after I got hooked up to the fetal monitor he started doing the "AJ dance" and since I wasn't dilated enough we got sent home. Brian and I went to Pepe's that night for pizza. My contractions started as soon as we got to Pepe's but I was not going back to the hospital. I wanted my Pepe's and ohhh it's making me want pizza right now!!

I barely slept that night and ended up going to the couch because I kept waking up and moving around due to contractions. At 11am the morning of the 25th my doctor's office called to check up on me. I was irritated, tired, in pain and still having very irregular contractions. I was told to go in and of course I didn't want to because I was just exhausted and I just "KNEW" they were going to send me back home. I went in to the doctor's office at 1pm.

I was back home by 2:15, 4cm's dilated and on my way to the hospital. Brian and I were on the road by 2:30 and at the hospital by 3pm. AJ was born under 3 hrs later at 5:56pm on Good Friday March 25th 2005.

AJ 3/25/2005

Of all the wonderful things that have happened in my life the birth of our 1st child is one that still makes me so happy I cry. I vividly remember the look on Brian's face. The immesurable amount of love I saw on his face when he saw AJ. At that moment, that instant, I knew I just knew everything was right, everything was perfect. Our little man had arrived.

AJ on Easter Sunday ready to go home

One of my favorite pictures of Brian & AJ

Almost 2 years later, here is our AJ playing it up for the camera:

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY AJ!!!

The Bells Take Manhattan

Over the weekend we had a little getaway in NYC while AJ stayed with the Aviles'. We had some of our vacation club points to use, so we used them to stay in town at the Loews Regency. Here's what we did this weekend...

Friday, March 9th
After taking the train in from New Haven, we walked to our hotel and dropped off our bags. We went on a little adventure and took the subway over to Times Square for dinner. Not being terribly familiar with the subway system, we managed to find our way. Once we reached Times Square, we had dinner at Virgils BBQ - and ate way too much as usual. After dinner, we walked around town a little bit - stopping by the M&Ms world store and the Hershey's store. More on those on Saturday! Since we were still full from dinner, we decided to walk back to the hotel. The weather was beautiful in the city, and a great night to be out.

Saturday, March 10th
We slept in and finally ventured out for lunch. We were planning on seeing a show at 2pm, so we figured we'd get some lunch somewhere nearby. We ended up at the Starlite Deli, which was just up the street from the St. James theatre. I had a nice chicken cutlet sandwich and Millie had some turkey pastrami. By the time we were finished, the line was starting to reach us. It was almost showtime!

We had tickets to see The Producers - what a great show! Tony Danza was playing one of the main roles - and his last performance was to be on Sunday. The show was really funny and we really enjoyed it. It was pretty long, but well worth it....there was even a little surprise at the end. You'll have to see the show to find out what it is!

Since it was a little early for dinner, we decided to wander around a little bit. We went into the M&M's World store to browse as well as get AJ a picture of his M&M car. It's his favorite on the NASCAR circuit. Think 3 floors of M&M stuff...very cool. In comparison, we also went to the Hershey store across the street - we had been there before but now it seemed like a huge letdown. Only 1 floor in a relatively cramped space.

From there, we headed back in the direction of our hotel to visit 30 Rockerfeller Center and the Top of the Rock. 72 stories up and a little breezy, but you can't beat the view. We want to go back during the day next time. Sounds like a field trip to me.

We went back downtown and had dinner at Bella Napoli off Times Square. The food was good, and one of the waiters kept wanting to sing "Copa Cobana" - not sure why :o)

Sunday, March 11th
Today the clocks changed. Not that it affected our plans at all. We slept in and checked out around noon. From there we walked to Grand Central. We passed the Audi, Porsche/Maserati and Mercedes dealers along the way - drooling at the windows. After lunch in Grand Central, we boarded the 1:07 train for home. AJ was very happy to see us when he got up from his nap.

And yes, the weather was beautiful all weekend. And we did go to the Disney Store and the ESPNZone. Not that going to the Disney Store should come as a surprise to anyone.

Sno' More Additions to the Bell Family

This time our family additions wont be around too long, especially if it warms up like it's supposed to. Here are our two new Bells. We make them stay outdoors, they'd probably make too much of a mess if we brought them in the house.

And here is AJ helping daddy out with the construction:

March Mommies Make the News!!!

While AJ and I were in VA for the March Mommy meet-up we all got interviewed by The Richmond Times. Here is the article that was printed on Sunday February11th. The photos are not available online but I got a copy of the paper as a memento. We're not in the pictures - well MY hair is but that's about it LOL. Click here for the article.

Here is Nikaila (she's the one from Australia)

A group shot (I'm against the wall- behind Nikaila)

Ellie and her mommy Angela

Road Trip!!!!

AJ and mom spent a long weekend in VA meeting up with other mommies and babies from The Mommy Board. We had a ton of fun. We started the long weekend on Thursday when Candy came up from Maine with her kids. We all went out for burgers to Red Robin and even Chris met up with us. Friday was an early start driving to NY to pick up Tania and her baby Marcus then it was off to VA. The babies were absolutely wonderful on the long ride and had lots of fun when we went through the tunnels or went on bridges. All we kept hearing was "yay" and lots of clapping. VA was wonderful, we met all the other mommies and babies. We visited the Richmond Children's Museum then had the March Baby birthday party at Cici's Pizza in Richmond. What a blast!!! enjoy the pictures!

Click here to view the other pictures

Dashing through the snow....

In AJ's purple sled. AJ had a lot of fun in the snow and did not want to come inside. He helped mom and dad shovel snow with his Mickey shovel and loved the sled rides up and down the driveway. His sneakers were a little slippery on the snow and he was getting upset about that but mom and dad got him new snowboots so he'll be all set for the next time we're out playing in the snow. We were gonna attempt the making of the 1st Bell Snowman BUT the snow here was too powdery and loose so we'll have to wait until next time. Mommy is secretly hoping that "next time" is NEXT YEAR!! But for now we're enjoying the snow.

Here is AJ helping with his Mickey shovel

Daddy pulling the sled down the driveway

and up the`driveway

And Ralphie enjoying the snow

Aspen, Colorado

Here are more pictures of Aspen, Colorado, click on the link to go to the photo album.

Check this out:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp%3Fc%3Dkhccaza.67gp1e7a%26x%3D1%26y%3D-nivo3n

Snowy Colorado

Some pictures to share with you all...

skiers on the mountain


snowy rocky mountain


X Games practice

X Marks the Spot!

Millie and Brian are out in Aspen, CO for Winter X Games Eleven which is on January 25-28. Make sure you tune in! Since Millie is working the late shift, she'll have a chance to take some pictures of beautiful Aspen. Look here for pictures soon! While we're away, AJ is visiting with Nana and Papa Aviles. I'm sure he's having a great time! Thanks Nana and Papa!!

It's a Girl!

Well, a girl puppy anyway. She doesn't have a name yet - Brian has retained naming rights and is looking for the highest bidder. Millie is leaning toward "Dixie" and AJ calls her "Baby Doggie". She's a mini-Schnauzer and is a couple of months old. So far she's getting along great with her older brothers.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes...

AJ Sings! This is our first video upload, taken on New Year's Eve day. AJ loves to sing, and he's accompanied by "Bruin Bear" from Uncle Chris.

A spoonful of sugar...

Well okay, it was a beater from the mixer. Daddy made some cupcakes and then some frosting. Here we are sampling the sugary goodness on our bikes. Such a great idea right before bedtime!

Happy New Year!

We rang in the new year with our friends at the Villa Capri restaurant in Wallingford, CT. This picture actually appears on their website as well. A fun time was had by all - appetizers, drinks, dinner, drinks, dancing, drinks, snacks - and a countdown to the new year with noisemakers, confetti and champagne. All of us, from L-R: Mike & Kristen, Lisa, Brian & Millie, Valencia, Mike and Chris. Happy New Year everyone!!

Our Little Elf

Check out our AJ dancing as an elf :) click on the following link to see AJ in action

http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=3ec29f6f04a11e48e617635G06121812

Et tutu, Andrew?

I went to pick up AJ at daycare today, and apparently they were playing "dress-up". Or at least that's what we're hoping anyway. I opened the door to the classroom and out came AJ wearing his tutu. He went right over to the bubble mower to "mow" the hallway. I'm not sure if I can pull this look off when mowing the lawn around here!

MOM's SIDE NOTE**** At LEAST he's pushing around a lawnmower - a masculine item lol

Christmas Eve

AJ got all dressed up for Christmas Eve and our visit to Nana and Papa Aviles' house.

He is our little GQ model :)

AJ at home coming down the stairs like he's all grown up:

AJ with Nana Aviles

AJ with Papa Aviles

More Christmas

We've had a lot more "Christmas" activities going on in the past few weeks.
We put our trees up and AJ even helped decorate. We had the ESPN Christmas party, the Bell Holiday gathering the day after the ESPN Christmas party and just hanging around the house getting ready for the holidays. Even though it's been a busy few weeks we have all been having fun and enjoying the season. Here are some pictures.

Carl, Kristin, Rossi and Chisholm


Bell Get-together(a little gambling going on in the living room)


Brian & Millie's Gingerbread House


Donovan our little Christmas baby


Our fireplace all decked out for the holidays


AJ helping to decorate the tree


Mom and all her "boys"

Here comes Santa Claus.... There goes AJ

AJ has been very excited about Santa this year. Mom was excited at the possibility of another awesome picture opportunity with Santa. AJ has been saying "santa" and "tree" and loves when we stroller by Santa at the mall and will wave at Santa. Santa decided to make a visit to AJ's daycare in early December so I thought it would be a great (free) picture opportunity. AJ was very excited when I got there and told him Santa was in school and we were going to go see him. He kept saying Santa and waving while we were in line. Our turn comes up and I get my camera all ready and AJ walks right up to Santa and gives him a high five and even accepts a little toy doggy that Santa had for him. However when I told AJ to get closer so I could get a picture he just said "no", "bye bye Santa" and ran towards me. Santa thought it was funny. Here is our Age 1 Santa picture of Santa and AJ

It's REALLY Potty Time!

AJ actually used the potty tonight! We went upstairs to brush his teeth, and he started tugging on his pants and saying “Pee”. Well, we got the pants and diaper off really quick. Soon after, AJ was using his potty for the first time. One of those “priceless” moments – I had to yell downstairs to tell Millie the big news. It doesn’t take much to excite us these days!

Messy Marvin

AJ really likes his food, that's no secret. Here he is enjoying some spaghetti...




And here he is enjoying some chocolate cake.