PT makes me work!

Bella has begun physical and occupational therapy again. And of course she doesn't like physical therapy. I had to reveal all her secrets to her therapist like how she loves to play possum to get out of working. Fortunately her therapists seem very nice and very capable at what they do. So far they seem to be a good fit for her.

In other news, Bella is starting to roll to toys. She finally getting the idea that she doesn't have to wait for them to come to her. Such a big step in her development. I have to admit that there are times that I really have to hold back the tears because I'm so proud of my little girl. She has come so far and I can't see anything holding her back. God has been so good to her and I know will continue to bless her.

Jen and Bella-roo

I love cake!

Bella recently turned two and had a blast with her birthday cake. It wasn't so much a birthday cake as a cupcake creation. Since she is the one and only Badfish Bella, her cake was a fish.

In other news, Bella had an appointment with her oncologist and her neurosurgeon. Both appointments had good news. Her oncologist said she could go off her antibiotic at the end of August and resume immunizations in September as long as her tumor has not grown. Her neruosurgeon reported that the bottom part of her head is becoming more in proportion with the top part. All of this means that things are getting to a more normal state.

That's all for now.

Jen and Boogie Along Bella

New adventures in a new town

We have been going full force for the last few months. At the end of April we moved to Bowling Green, KY. Go Toppers! The move went smooth and we are pretty much unpacked.

In May Bella had an MRI, the first one since ending chemo in February. It showed no growth. She'll have her next MRI in August. If that one shows no growth, then she should be able to go off of some of her medication. Thank God! Plus she'll hopefully be able to resume her immunizations. That would be one more step to normalcy.

Bella continues to develop at breakneck speed. She is making a sound similar to "z". She's standing in her walker and is starting to search out objects she knows is within close range. She's starting to interact with toys and seems to be getting closer to crawling. All of these are such a testament to God's presence in her life.

The biggest change might be in her understanding the word "no". She will shake her head when she does't want something. She's even created a game out of this. You can ask her for a kiss and she will shake her head no. What a silly girl!

Like any two year old she has tantrums. This is my greatest challenge because I don't know how much she understands and she has no way of really communicating to me. I know she must spend a lot of time frustrated because she can't communicate her needs/wants, so she throws a tantrum. I have to be careful when putting her in timeout because I don't want to punish her for being frustrated because she can't communicate. I do want to punish her when her behavior is bad. So it is a delicate balance I try to maintain.

I just want to thank all of you who have e-mailed. You know who you are. And I just want to ask everyone to keep our family in your prayers.

Sorry the update has taken so long to come.

Jen and Bella

Happy April Fool's Day!

Well, since I can't talk, I can't play any April Fool's jokes on mommy or daddy. However, I invite everyone to get in the spirit and try and play one on them for me.

In other news, I'm in love with Cheerios. I don't want anything else. Mommy threatens to send me to Cheerios Anonymous if I don't start eating other foods.

Have a great day!

Bella

Bella's new trick

Cuteness at its finest!!!!

Jen, Jw, and Babababbah Bella

The Little Engine That Could

Bella has always been a little dynamo. If any baby could beat cancer it would be her. We received the results of her latest PET scan and the news is quite promising. The tumor is showing miminal metabolic activity. In laymen's terms, the tumor is alive, but is not very active. I think of it as a bear in hibernation. The bear is alive, but is not doing anything. I asked the doctor if it will grow back, and he said there was a good chance that it would never grow back. What tumor is left may just sit there in her brain and do nothing. Fortunately her type of tumor is slow growing. So as we do scans from time to time, any growth detected would be a small amount. We still plan to get a second opinion just to be safe, but we are taking this news to be very positive.

Jerry and I cannot express how grateful we are to everyone who has prayed for our sweet little Bella. This success is not just Jerry's or mine, it is yours, too. But most importantly, it is God's success. I know that without Him, Bella would not be here today. And without Him, Jerry and I would not be where we are today. Through all of this ordeal, God has put people in our lives who have supported and loved Bella, Jerry and me. I thank God every day for bringing such wonderful people into our lives - people who have loved, supported, listened and cried with us. Thanks to all of you. Celebrate this day!

Jen, jw, and precious little Bella

Growing and growing and growing

Bella was measured by her nutritionist this week and she's grown an inch over the past month. At this rate, she'll be taller than both her parents by age 5!

Since being out of the hospital, Bella got a touch of a stomach bug. She just can't win for losing. As a result, she's lost some weight and is again below the third percentile in weight. Mommy is going to whip out her bag of tricks, though, and get some meat on those bones again.

Of course through all of this, Bella remains Bella. She laughs and smiles like nothing is going on. She's making all sorts of noises and enjoys being mimicked. There is definitely no shortage of laughter in this household!

Jen, jw, and giggly Bella

Well it's Thursday and we get to go home!!!! Bella is doing much better - eating, drinking, laughing, sitting up, and saying "ahhhh!" Her sodium level has stabilized and is back to normal. Of course she is off her schedule which means that she is wanting to play at 4 a.m.! Thanks to all who have kept her in your prayers.

Jen, jw, and little stinker Bella

Feeling Sicky

Bella has been doing well, but caught a little bug Friday night. Because she kept throwing up, we had to visit the ER. And of course, she had to be admitted. I have to be thankful, though, because it has been since April that she's had to stay the night in the hospital.

This visit to Kosair has brought back a lot of memories. I've had flashbacks of sleepless nights, talks with the nurses, days of not knowing what her future will bring. We have come so far and yet still cannot predict how all of this will turn out. This time last year, I was emotionally exhausted with worry about Bella's illness. Now, all I can focus on is enjoying my time with Bella - no matter how much time we have with her. Last year, I was consumed with my sorrow; now I'm filled with hope and peace.

If I've learned anything from all this it is to keep laughing at life. That's what Bella does - laugh.

Daddy's little girl

Dresses like daddy, funny like daddy, daddy, daddy!!!

Love ya
Jen, Jw, and Bashful Bella

Mama

Bella is becoming such a big girl. She now is saying mama and baba (whatever that is suppose to mean). Plus she is sitting up all by herself. Hard to believe that she is doing all these things and it is happening so fast.

Jen, JW and big girl Bella

How funny can velcro be?

Payless Shoe store is really a good time!!

Jen, Jw, and corn mo lover Bella

Who do you look like?

We decided that Bella looked like curious george last nite. Here is all little bit of proof!!

Jen, Jw, and Curious Bella

A poem written for Bella

ashley wrote this about bella (based on bella roo)...

Bella

and as they sing and strike their strings
your life hangs between the balance of every ring
you know more than we
what this all means..


you're above us,
and beyond us,
so inspire and require us,
to take note of what you cling to:
this precious substance,
this priceless life,
that we all mean to,
not take for granted.


but yet,
we do.


let our carelessness be used,
to perhaps save the life of you.

If she can be this happy, then why can't we?

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemondrops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemondrops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Laughing Bella

Turkey Day

This is the closest I could find to Bella being a turkey. She is a chicken which I guess somehow is in the turkey family. Not really sure.

She is what I am thankful for this year. Another year, another holiday, another day. She is still here and bring joy whereever she goes

Love ya
Jen, Jw, and Belly full Bella

Bella-roo ROCKED!!!

We just wanted to thank all of the bands that played at Bella-roo. They all played for free!!! Bella-roo was a sucess!!
Starting with the first picture and working our way down: Hope Dialect, the Ocelots, A Spectacular Dispay..., and Redfoot. Thank you very much!!!

Backwards in Time but somehow moving forward

So every once in awhile I like to make a list of everything that Bella has gone through, just so I don't forget. Its a good way to keep me up to date with everything and not forget anything. I will probaby forget something.

1. Brain Tumor
2. Shunt surgery
3. Brain surgery
4. Shunt was revised
5. Cyst drained from the tumor
6. Port put in
7. 2 seizures- one month apart
8. Numerous MRIs and Cat scans
8. Pet scan
9. 2 different kinds of chemo for a year
10. 4 different medications daily
11. 3 shots during the weeks of chemo
12. living with me
13. Numerous hospital stays
14. Physical Therapy, Vision Therapy, Occupational Therapy
15. Blind(yep, she can't see)

My heart still hurts but I have my baby. Thats what gets me through the day. She is why I wake up every morning.
She is why I go to work. She is why I have done everything.

Love ya
Jen, jw, and Brave Baby Bella

A Great Day for Freedom

Bella is doing well. We are enjoying every minute that we have with her. Almost every minute. Sometimes she's a little sassy.

We want to thank everyone who had anything to do with Bellaroo. We are so excited about it. It will be on the 18th of Nov. at Trinity Free Will Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Ky. Its free. There will be seven bands and a lot of fun.

Love ya
Jen, Jw, and the Bella who put Bella in Bellaroo