More Issues

Hello again, everyone.  I'm so sorry that there has once again been a delay in the next answer post.  Beast'sbelle's computer has been having some major issues , which makes blogging very difficult. 

In addition to that, Beast'sbelle has been very ill this past week and is still recovering now.  I will do everything in my power to get the next answer post up by this week.  Again, I apologize for the wait.

The good news is, the more delays there are, the longer it is until I finish this blog! ;)  Of course, now none of you will believe me when I actually say I'm quitting. ;)

I hope you are all having a wonderful month, preparing for the holiday season.

Talk to all of you again soon!

Post Coming Soon! :)

Okay, so the answer post is taking a bit longer than expected.  You guys asked sooo many questions...which is great...but answering them is taking more time than I thought it would. :}  Also, Beast'sbelle came down with another cold today, so she wasn't really up to doing all the photos like she had planned.

We did get a start, though...so here's a little sneak preview for you:

Don't we look official? ;)  Beast'sbelle said she thought it would be fun if we looked like a panel at Comic-Con...whatever that is. 

Sorry to make you wait yet again, but thank you for being so patient with me.  I'm looking forward to sharing our answers with you. :)

Until tomorrow...again... :}

Computer Issues

Hello, everyone.  Once again, I have to report that my plans have been foiled.  Apparently Beast'sbelle's computer is having some sort of issue.  Everything is running super slow.  As any of you who blog know, this makes blogging extremely difficult.

As soon as Belle'sbeast figures out what's going on, I'll finish up the posts waiting to be published.  Hopefully I won't have to keep you waiting for long.

Thank you for understanding.

Another Slight Change in Plans

Well, this is just embarrassing. :{  Once again, I've failed to meet my own deadline.  I still have a few catch up posts for all of you, and I'd really prefer to finish those before I do my answer post I promised you today.
So, the tentative plan is to finish my posts today (and possibly tomorrow, too) and then end with my answer post some time tomorrow afternoon.  I hope that's okay with everyone.  It's been very difficult to post this week with all of the humans around and less computer time.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. :)  I'll be back soon with more posts!!

Delayed Plans

Hello everyone.  Once again, my plans of posting more regularly and wrapping things up have been thwarted.  While my own recovery has gone well, Beast'sbelle's entire family have been hit with horrible colds off and on throughout the month, making it next to impossible to get to the computer to type my posts.

While originally I had planned on doing my answer post this Friday, these difficulties have made me decide to postpone my answer post until next Friday, the 29th.  In the meantime, I'll plug away at my catch up posts as I have the time.

The good news, this gives all of you a little extra time to ask any questions you may still have.  I've gotten a lot of great questions from you already, and I can't wait to hear what all my friends and family have to say in response. :)

For those of you who missed out on the original post, click HERE to see what I'm talking about. ;)

I should be back soon with more updates.  Coming up next...hear about the night I first met Paige! :)

My Not So Great Week

Hello, dear readers.  I know I promised to post something last week, but I do have a pretty valid excuse.  I'm actually recovering from major surgery.  As of Thursday, Rapunzel is not the only fashion doll to receive a body swap.  Yep, I went through it too.  And let me tell you, I hope I never have to repeat the process!

I'd love to go into more detail, but I'm still pretty weak from the swap.  I'm only able to post this because Beast'sbelle agreed to take my dictation and type this for me.  I have so much to share about all that has happened over the past several weeks.  Once I've fully recovered, you'll have plenty of reading material, believe me!

Ben says I should start feeling more like myself (an odd choice of words, considering that the only part of "me" left is my head) within the next few days.  Robby's been keeping an eye on me like a nervous watchdog at all times, so he'll probably want me to take blogging slowly for a while.  As soon as I can, though, I'll share everything that's been going on.  And as long as everything goes according to plan, I hope to have my answer post up by the week before Thanksgiving. (Thank you for all of your lovely questions, by the way.)  Until next time, dear readers.  

A Little More Information

Hello, everyone!  Sorry to leave you hanging for so long.  If it makes you feel any better, I've been going crazy these past couple of weeks, too.  Ben and I never crossed paths, and after my embarrassment I explained in my last post, I wasn't about to go poking around for clues about his mysterious friend.

I did admit my nosiness to my husband, by the way.  As I expected, he was more amused than annoyed, but he definitely made it clear that he did not find such behavior acceptable.  Rats.  So much for asking him to give me a boost over the shelf.  Kidding...I'm only kidding! :}

My first glimmer of information came today.  Rapunzel happened to overhear Ben calling his new companion.  Her name is Paige.  Rather an odd name for a Belle doll, I thought.  But Rapunzel, who is considerably more knowledgeable about her Disney trivia, pointed out that the actress who played Belle was named Paige O'Hara.  That makes sense, I guess...especially if Beast'sbelle is the one who named her.  She's always trying to come up with clever names to tell us apart.  I suppose it would be rather confusing if all of us just went by "Belle". ;)

I wish I had more to report, but that's all I have time for at the moment.  I'll be sure to clue you in if I find out anything else.  I'm hoping to have a chance to talk to Ben.  There would certainly be no harm in asking a few innocent questions between friends, right?

Oh, and I've been practicing a little song for Robby.  It's nothing much, but at least it's something.  Rapunzel has promised to help me plan a special evening for my song.  I want everything to be perfect, a romantic evening just like in the movies.  I'm tentatively planning for late next week, providing I don't lose my nerve. :}  I'll keep you posted on that as well.

I guess that's about it for now...I just didn't want to leave you hanging too long.  More to come in the next week! :)

Slow Going

Hello, my dearest readers.  I know things have been rather quiet on my end for a while, but to be honest, not much has happened since the last time I wrote. 

We're slowly getting settled in our new little home, although we've been having trouble finding just the right furniture for it.  Beast'sbelle says she's been keeping an eye out at the thrift stores in town, but nothing has caught her eye yet.  

We're still hoping to find some more comfortable seating and a shelf to replace the rather large dresser in the middle of the room.

On the plus side, Beast'sbelle was able to find several toys for Emilie's side of the room.  Ironically, Emilie's very favorite is the "Beauty and the Beast" themed dollhouse and dolls that Beast'sbelle found her.  It's similar to a "Polly Pocket" playset which apparently was popular with you humans back in the 80s and 90s, long before I was around.  It certainly makes a perfect dollhouse for our girl. :)  She's spent hours playing with it.

She's also enjoyed carrying her Beast and Belle dolls all around with her.  She told me that the Belle doll reminded her of me.  Gracious, I hope my face paint is a bit better than that.  Thankfully, she hasn't told Robby that the Beast reminds her of him. ;)

I took a moment to admire her dollhouse one day and I must admit that it is amazingly detailed.  I can see why she likes it so much.

Best of all, when playtime is done, she can close it all up so it takes up less space.  It's still so odd seeing a picture of "me" on the lid. ;)

And as you can see from the picture above, Beast'sbelle had a few other little trinkets to fill Emilie's shelves.  I think Beast'sbelle has been having as much fun finding toys as Emilie has had playing with them. ;)

We had another horrendous heatwave last week.  It was so bad that Beast'sbelle and her girls left the house and stayed with her mother and father, who have something called "central air".  I was so grateful that we'd been moved away from the full heat of the window.  Even so, it was still miserable.  The temperatures have cooled down considerably this week, but Robby is still recovering from the effects of the extreme weather.  Ben has prescribed lots of fluids and lots of rest.  Now that Robby's starting to feel better, he's getting pretty restless.  I'll just be glad when the worst of the summer heat is over and our lives can be somewhat normal again.

There's not much more to tell at this point.  We're slowly waiting for furniture, slowly waiting for Robby to recover...slowly waiting for anything exciting to happen.  Just thought you'd like to know I was still alive and all. ;)

Until next time, dear readers. :)

This Past Month and What the Future Holds...

In my last post, I shared about our wedding anniversary celebration.  As you all know, that was a month ago.  So what's happened around here since then?

To be honest, not much that was earth-shattering.  It took Robby a few days to recover from being out in the cold for so long, and then he was back to his normal self.  We had a couple of nice, mild sunny weeks when things were great.  Faith and I arranged a couple more playdates so Emilie and Sara could play together.  

I blush to admit that I still have not sung to Robby.  Do any of you ever feel something so strongly in the heat of an emotional moment that you feel like nothing can keep you from your goal, only to find yourself feeling much less passionate about it when the moment has passed?  Beast'sbelle says it's because I'm dramatic like she is.  Whatever the reason, I've managed to rationalize and talk myself out of singing to him all this month.  But I have not given up.  I am determined to find the perfect opportunity to sing from my soul.  My husband deserves no less.

Around the second week of June, the temperature rose to over 100 degrees.  In Beast'sbelle's little house with just a swamp cooler, that sort of weather is nearly unbearable, especially in her bedroom (where all of us dolls live).  It's at the back of the house and gets the brunt of the hot, afternoon sun.  We were all pretty sluggish.

Poor Robby had it the worst.  Cold weather makes his bad joint and armature hard and stiff, while hot weather makes them soft and unstable.  I was feeling melty and miserable enough myself, so I can only imagine what he must have been going through. :(  He kept stumbling because his knee and hip just couldn't hold up.  It got so bad that by the end of the week he was pretty much confined to our shelf and couldn't even stand.

To her credit, Beast'sbelle was very concerned about him during this time.  She thought that it might help things if we weren't right in front of the window anymore.  Even though our foam core board wall was protecting us from direct sunlight, it still got really toasty on our shelf.

She thought and planned and finally decided that the best place for us would be back on top of the curio.  She discussed it with us first to make sure we were okay with the change.  I was willing to try anything that would help Robby.  I know make a lot of comments about the way Beast'sbelle is constantly rearranging things, but this was one time when I didn't mind. ;)

And here is our new home!  It's nothing overly fancy, but it works just right for us.  The wall is made of cardboard and covered with an elegant scrapbook paper Beast'sbelle found that looks a lot like wallpaper.  She also made us a floor out of foam core board covered in contact paper.  The new floor gives us a little more floor space than the top of the curio did, and with the three of us living there, every extra centimeter is appreciated! ;)

We still have our tin and our little mini table that serve as chairs.  Eventually, I'd really like to get some proper seating, something a little more elegant...and comfortable. ;)  

Robby is sitting right where our friends normally enter the room.  The white shelves right next to this side of our room make it convenient for them to climb up.

We talked to Beast'sbelle after our anniversary, and she agreed to let us keep the comfortable zebra blanket and pillow we used.  She had offered to make us another bed like we used to have, but it takes up way too much space.  Having a bed we can roll up and put away is much more convenient for us.  We do have to let her 18" dolls borrow the blanket when they travel, however. ;)

Her is our dresser.  While I really love this piece, it probably won't be around too much longer.  It just takes up way too much space in our little room.  I'm hoping to find a tall, narrow jewelry organizer that I can use for a bookshelf.  It would take up less space but still be able to hold our things. :)

One of the most fun things about the new arrangements is that Emilie now has her very own bed.  She was so excited when Beast'sbelle gave it to her. :)  

She now has her own little corner in the room.  We're eventually hoping to paint her shelf (and fill it with a few more toys and do-dads.  Emilie also requested a little dog bed for Toto, so we'd like to find something for that.

Other things I'd love to add are more pictures on the walls and a rug for the floor.  We've never had a space so completely our own as a family, so I'm having fun dreaming and planning the decorations. ;)  We've been happily settled in our new home for a week or two now, so hopefully we'll be able to make the changes soon.  

There's not much else I have to update you on, so I think you can all officially consider yourselves completely caught up with my life. ;)

As you might have guessed from the title of this post, however, I have a little more to share.  I've been thinking a lot about the blog lately and what my goals are.  

When I published my first post on Tess and Maggie's blog in October of 2010 (goodness, how the time has flown!), I was at a place in my life where I really needed an outlet.  I was alone in a room of pristine Belle dolls who all sang like angels and weren't really thrilled with the fact that I was free and deboxed.  Blogging gave me a way to get my thoughts out in the open and deal with my constant feelings of inferiority.  

Much has changed since those early days.  I met Rapunzel and Eugene and formed a lifelong friendship.  I met Robby, and although it took me a while to realize it, I found my hero and soul mate in him.  I met Ben and lost my heart for a time.  There were other friends and acquaintances who have come and gone:  Marguerite, Raoul, Isabella, and Tiana.  Each of them hold a special place in my heart and will never be forgotten.  And of course, I met my sweet little Emilie and filled a void I never even knew existed.  Through Emilie, I met Faith and made a new friend.  And all the while, Beast'sbelle has woven herself throughout our lives, sometimes a benevolent overseer, other times a pesky meddler, but a part of things nonetheless.  

All of you, my dearest readers, have lived through these moments with me, encouraging me with your wonderful comments and making yourselves a part of my insignificant little plastic life.  I truly could not have accomplished all I have without you.

I look over my life and find it so different from the life that lonely little Belle doll was living three years ago.  I love blogging, but I don't need it like I did before.  I'm also finding that my life as a married doll and a mom is making it difficult for me to continue blogging as regularly as I'd like to.  The blog has become a burden rather than a release.  

I've thought and cried and agonized and discussed things with Robby, Rapunzel and Beast'sbelle, and I've come to the conclusion that it is nearly time for the end of this chapter.  It's an extremely difficult decision for me.  This blog has been a huge part of my life.  But I feel that it has served its purpose, and the time has come for me to move on.

I will continue blogging long enough to celebrate my two year Blogoversary in October.  (In reality, I will be celebrating three years of blogging, since I blogged for a year on Tess and Maggie's blog before starting my own.)  But at some point in time after my Blogoversary, I will be saying goodbye to the blogging world.  

I'll still keep my Facebook page open even after the blog is finished, so you'll still get to see glimpses of my life after October.  And up until I finish the blog, I hope to post more regularly...depending on what I have to write about. ;)  I'm also announcing this several months ahead of time so you'll all have time to get used to the idea.  I didn't want to drop this sort of news a few days before it was to happen. :}

I want to thank all of you for your support over the past three years.  You've made this the most wonderful, incredible journey, and I will never forget you.

But that's enough of that sort of talk for now...I'll save my nice, long tearful speech for October!! ;)  For now, let's just enjoy these last few months together.  Who knows what the coming weeks will bring?  

The very last picture taken on our old shelf! ;)

What's New?

Okay, I think I just need to stop apologizing or commenting about how long I've kept you waiting  every time I post.  By now, you've all come to expect me to take forever between posts. :{

So, you're probably wondering what's been going on in my life in the month since you've heard from me. :}  I have more detailed posts planned, but the short version is that we've just been busy with parenting and the everyday events of life.  To give you a slight preview, though, Robby and I have a new "room" that may or may not be permanent, Rapunzel and Eugene now have four children (two of them are here temporarily), Emilie got a puppy, Robby and I celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary, and Ben met someone new.  But that's all I can share about that for now...you'll have to keep checking back to get more details. ;)

In my previous posts I mentioned that Faith and I had scheduled a Friday playdate for our daughters.  We ended up going through with that plan on Friday, April 26th (goodness, it is horrible how far behind I am...but oops...I said I wouldn't keep saying that). ;)  To keep things simple, we decided to meet on Beast'sbelle's bed since it was centrally located and easily accessible.

Right at the scheduled time, Faith arrived their with her two daughters, Beth and her youngest.  Emilie's replacement, I thought to myself, though I cringed at how crude the phrase sounded.  For just a moment, I imagined Emilie standing there instead of this new little one.  This would have been my reality if not for Faith's generous sacrifice.

At that moment, Faith and I locked eyes, and from the look I found there, I knew she was thinking the same thing.

Meanwhile, the girls, oblivious to the intensity of our thoughts, promptly introduced themselves and sat down to play, chattering as if they'd known each other all along.

Beth seemed thrilled to see Emilie again, but there was no trace of sadness in her voice as she proudly introduced "my new little sister, Sara".  

There was nothing for Faith and I to do except sit down.

As you can imagine, the first few moments together were pure torture.  While we had made a connection over our common grief, the whole situation was awkward and uncomfortable.  I was desperate to know how Faith was coping, to make sure that she was okay, but I was worried that it might not be proper for me to ask since I was the one that had ended up with Emilie.

Faith must have been going through a similar struggle.  She was just as silent as I was and fiddled with the material on her dress nervously.

Finally, I could stand it no longer.  "How are you?" I blurted out in a rush.

She seemed startled by my sudden comment, but let out a long breath as if she was relieved that I had finally been the one to begin our conversation.  "I'm fine, thank you," she responded in her quiet voice.  "And you?"

"I'm fine too," I answered casually, feeling like I shouldn't respond too happily, as if I was rubbing in the fact that I had ended up with the child meant for her.

Faith nodded and turned to watch our children playing.

Oh, why on earth did I agree to this? I thought miserably.  I hated silences in conversations more than anything, and often found myself babbling just to fill them.  But that was the one thing I didn't want to do in this case.

I took a cue from Faith and looked over to where the girls were talking up a storm, blissfully unaware of the misery of their mothers.

I could just catch what Beth was saying...something about "my little sister Sara" again.  "Sara can count to 100, and she loves to sing, and I think you two should be friends," Beth told Emilie excitedly.  

I was relieved that at least Beth seemed to have recovered from the whole ordeal.  She looked ready to burst with pride as she listed Sara's good points. 

Emilie showed no sign of jealousy at being so easily replaced in Beth's affections.  Her eyes were wide as she listened to Sara's accomplishments.  "Wow, I can only count to 87," she responded seriously.

I couldn't help chuckling at this, and heard Faith laughing quietly.  I casually glanced over at her and found her looking shyly over at me.

"This is horribly awkward, isn't it?' she said with a smile.  

I laughed more from relief than anything else.  "Incredibly awkward," I agreed, feeling like I could finally relax now that we'd both admitted it.  "I didn't want to offend or hurt you...I was so worried I say things the wrong way or make things worse."

Faith looked down at her lap and fingered a loose thread on her skirt.  "Belle, when I said I was fine, I meant it."  She looked wistfully over at our girls.  "A part of me will always miss Emilie, but Sara is just as precious."  A smile touched her lips.  "And I know that Emilie belongs with you and Robby."

I impulsively grasped her hand in mine.  "I'm so glad to hear that," I told her, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.  "I...I hoped you didn't regret your decision."

Faith shook her head, smiling gently.  "No," she said.  "I know what I did was the best thing for Emilie.  It was horrible and hard, but I have no regrets."

And with that comment, at last the barrier had been broken.  We moved back on the bed so we could lean against one of Beast'sbelle's decorative pillows and then talked as if we'd been friends for years.  We were just two moms sharing the joys and frustrations of parenting, without being hindered by the pain and loss of the past.  It would always be a part of our history, but if anything, it would bring us closer.  I feel I gained another true friend that day.

And speaking of friends, Sara and Emilie grew so close that first day that they nearly cried when we told them it was time to go.  They've written each other weekly since then, and we've had numerous playdates since that first one in April.  So two special friendships were formed. :)

I suppose I have enough time for one more quick update.

In early May, Beast'sbelle informed Rapunzel that she had three children that were ready for a temporary home.  Eugene and Rapunzel talked it over again and then agreed to take care of them.  Rapunzel had been overflowing with confidence and excitement when the subject initially came up, but when I saw her the night before the children were scheduled to arrive, she was suddenly doubting herself.

I had just put Emilie "to bed", for lack of a better term.  (We don't actually have a bed for her, so she just snuggles up next to Robby or her rabbit Posy and goes to sleep for the night.)  Robby had sent me off to take a walk and have some time to myself, but just as I started past Beast'sbelle's bookshelf, Rapunzel came to meet me.  I could instantly tell from her tense expression that something was wrong.

"Rapunzel, what is it?" I asked her, worry instantly gripping me.  My friend was so even-keeled that I knew it must be something serious.  

She regarded me with serious green eyes.  "I think I may have bitten off a bit more than I can chew," she admitted.

"You mean with the extra children?" I questioned, feeling a bit guilty that the first thing I wanted to say was I told you so.

Rapunzel nodded miserably.  "What we're doing just suddenly hit me.  What if we're not ready?  We've done all right with Abby and Emma, but these children are older.  Beast'sbelle said that the boy is the model of an eleven year old."  She adjusted her new LIV fingers (I'm still trying to get used to them) and then pulled part of her braid around so she could play with it nervously.  "What on earth am I going to do with a boy that size?"

[Side note here:  You might be wondering about Rapunzel's wording about the boy.  Dolls don't really age like humans do, so sometimes when we talk about doll children, we say that they're the "model" of whatever age they're molded to look like.  This boy was obviously supposed to look like he was about eleven years old, even though he could be anywhere from three to forty in reality. :} I know, it's confusing.  Be thankful for your human simplicity.]

It was rather ironic that I was suddenly the level-headed one.  It didn't happen often in our relationship, but I was always rather caught off guard when it did. I was quiet for a moment, trying to figure out what I could say that would help.  The only comments that came to mind were not helpful, things like "What were you thinking?" or "I was worried about this, you know".  Then I felt ashamed of myself.  I didn't need to be so negative.  Besides, I believed in my friend and admired her for her tender heart.  Why should I discourage her from doing something she had felt was the right thing to do?  And suddenly, I knew just what to say.

"You and Eugene talked about this, right?  I remember you telling me that you both felt it was the right thing to do...a way you could help doll children who needed love and kindness."

Rapunzel nodded, releasing her braid again.

"And it's just temporary," I reminded her.  "If it gets too hard, you can tell Beast'sbelle.  She'll understand.  This isn't forever."

My friend looked down at her hands, her cheeks turning pink.  "You're right, of course.  I don't know why I got myself so worked up." 

"Because it's a big commitment and you care about doing things the right way," I pointed out.  I took her hand.  "I'm sure you'll be great at this."

A smile that seemed a mile wide spread across my gentle friend's features.  She pulled me into a quick hug.  "Thanks, Belle.  A pep talk from you was just what I needed."

I grinned.  "Just returning the favor for all the times you've had one for me."

She laughed as she pulled away.  "What are friends for?"  A glance at the clock on Beast'sbelle's shelf caused her face to pinch up again.  "You should get going...I've wasted enough of your walking time."

"Do you want to come with me?" I asked her.  "It is your last night of freedom," I teased.

"Freedom?" she teased back, pretending to be offended.  "Let me have you watch the girls for a night and tell me how 'free' I am."

She glanced at the clock one more time, hesitating.  "Let me go check with Eugene and see how the girls are doing.  If he has everything under control, I'll join you."

I nodded, hoping that she could get away.  It had been too long since we'd had the chance to talk without interruption.  I missed my friend.

Within moments, she was back, a bright smile on her face.  "I'm free!" she announced.

We hurried off on our walk before our husbands or children could call us back. ;)

The very next morning, Beast'sbelle brought Eugene and Rapunzel three more children.  Then she took a family photo of them (you know how she is about pictures):

You'll recognize Abby and Emma. (Rapunzel and Eugene finally decided to shorten their names.  "Abigail and Emmaline" was becoming quite a mouthful.) ;)  The tall young lad you see holding Abby is Thomas, the cute little one with plastic hair next to Emma is Lily, and the adorable blonde in the purple dress is Rebecca, Becca for short.

As it turns out, it's a good thing Beast'sbelle took this photo, because just a week later Lily found another home.  So now Rapunzel and Eugene are down to four kids.  They seem to be adjusting really well.  Thomas is a complete sweetheart and a big helper.  He loves helping take care of the girls, and he is completely enamored with Eugene.  I'm not sure how my friends will do if Thomas and Becca find new homes as well.  I don't think I could ever be a temporary parent, especially after my experience with Emilie, but I know there are some who can do it.  I guess time will tell how it works out for Rapunzel and Eugene.

I'd love to update you on the rest, but I really must get to bed.  I'll not make any promises this time around about how soon I'll have my next post up, but know that I'll come back and share more as soon as I can.  Until next time, good night, dear readers. :)

A Few Random Things

And here I am again, horribly late on my posting and without any pictures or anything interesting to say. :{  It's eBay time again, so Beast'sbelle has items and packing materials stacked up in her room.  It's made it rather difficult for us to get around, so we've been pretty much confined to our spot for the past week.

I have a few tidbits to share before I go back to my "prison" (although it is a rather pleasant one). ;)  First, Beast'sbelle told Rapunzel a few days ago that she's discovered several plastic children who need a home.  Several?  She was quick to inform Rapunzel that she didn't have to take all of them...she could find places for the others.  She was wondering if Eugene and Rapunzel would like to have them stay with them for a while, though, almost like a foster home scenario for you humans.  I was pleased to hear that Beast'sbelle was so clear about her intentions throughout the process.  What we went through with Emilie was horrible, but if it saves other dolls from going through the heartache we did, it will be worth it.

I asked Rapunzel if she and Eugene would consider adding more than one child to their family permanently, and she told me they might not be opposed to the idea, but it would depend on the situation.  I think she and Eugene must be nuts, but I have to remember that Rapunzel isn't me.  I'll be sure to keep you informed about them.

I do hate just blurting everything out in such a boring way, but I'm afraid I'll forget to tell you all the news if I wait! :(

In other news, we recently discovered some of Beast'sbelle's old Barbie horses.  I found out something about Robby that I never knew:  he loves horses!  He and one of the horses instantly connected.  Emilie was super excited to see that there was a baby horse just her size.  I've never really been around horses much, but they all seemed friendly and I was quite at ease around them.  Beast'sbelle said it would be good for them to get some exercise, and I thought that perhaps that would be a good family outing.  Three horses for the three of us.  I hope it will work out.  We could use some outside time after being cooped up for so long. :)

I've also finally arranged a playdate with Faith for the girls.  We'll be getting together this Friday.  I'm excited and nervous at the same time.  I hope there's no awkwardness between us, and I hope it won't be too hard for Faith to see Emilie as my daughter.  I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

That's about all for now, dear readers.  I need to go read Emilie a bedtime story.  I'll be back to share more with you soon. :)

New Header and a Few Updates

Hello, dear readers.  I just wanted to quickly update you on a couple of things.  First off, Emilie is happily settled in this morning after our exciting night last night (which I just finished writing about in my previous post).  We are so happy to have her with us again.

I have some other exciting news:  Belle's Bulletins now has an official Facebook page! :D  You can see it HERE.  Please spread the word and "like" us, if you are interested.  I haven't posted much yet...Beast'sbelle, Tess, Maggie, and I are all still trying to learn the ropes over there. :}

Also, it's time to change my header again, so I wanted to include a copy of my previous header here:

I'm going to miss this one...it makes me feel all warm and happy inside. ;)  

Until next time, my dear readers, I hope you all have a lovely weekend. :)