Baby Dedication

April 28th was going to be a huge day for us. It was going to be our first March of Dimes experience. I have always wanted to get involved with March of Dimes even before becoming pregnant and having the girls prematurely. It is a great organization that does amazing things for the health of all women and babies during pregnancy and birth. I highly recommend you checking out all the ways the March of Dimes changes the lives of so many around us and probably even you too when you get a chance.

Anyway, we were supposed to go on the walk that morning, but a huge thunderstorm came in the night before and completely flooded the area and it was canceled :( I was so sad that we couldn't join in this event this year, but so grateful to those that donated to our fund and the money we raised for such an amazing cause.

The girls butterflies that would have been in the butterfly garden. They are green because they were born prematurely

It ended up working out in our favor anyway since it was also the night of the girls' baby dedication at our church. I can't believe we almost missed it. I didn't find out until two weeks before when dedication was and at our church they only do it every 6 months so the girls would be over a year old at the next one. Unfortunately, our families couldn't make it into town due to other commitments and unexpected events occuring. However, my best friend's parents, Kent and Carma Altendorf, and Paul's friend from medical school Jose were able to join us on this special day. We are so blessed that they chose to share in our joy and witness our dedication of the girls to God as we covered them in prayer for their futures.

They slept through dediation

The screen

Thanks so much Jose for coming...wish I had gotten a picture with Kent and Carma too.

I can never thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon me, and can assure you I am completely undeserving of them all. I am eternally grateful and in awe of his generosity and blessings in my life. And I am even more amazed that he has entrusted the lives of the two most precious girls to me and Paul and I pray that we will continue to lean on Him, trust Him and follow His guidance as we bring up the girls in His name.

With our beautiful blessings

Take me Out to the Ball Game

Paul loves the Texas Rangers and I love my best friend Beth so we all loaded up and headed to Dallas for a weekend of baseball and hanging out with Beth towards the end of April. We arrived in Dallas late Friday evening after I got off work, and spent the evening catching up with Beth. The next morning we all headed out to a yummy brunch and to meet Beth's new guy. Luckily for him he passed the first test ;). Once we were all fed we headed out on a hunt for new Ranger's gear and strollers for the game that evening. It took a few stores, but finally everyone had the appropriate attire and gear for the game.

Hadley and Hailey all dressed and ready for the game

Paul was so excited to take the girls to their first baseball game. We made a sign that says "We drove from Houston for our First Ranger Game!" and Paul was certain the girls would win fan of the game. When we arrived at Ranger stadium we took a few pictures before going in and met up with our friends Dave and Phebey. We were especially glad to see Dave and Phebey as they will be moving all the way to India in June! If you would like to read more about their upcoming journey and how to support them you can check them out at www.daveandphebey.com. Dave was the best man at our wedding and a friend to both Paul and I throughout our years at OSU.

Daddy and his Ranger girls with their sign

Once we got into the stadium things all went downhill. Hailey has a fear of large crowds and freaked out at the sight of a sold out stadium (and it was close to her bedtime...I told paul this might be a problem). We eventually got her calmed down, and Hadley of course thought everyone was there to see her and not the game. I  think a few people around  us moved because the girls were crying and we kept having to bounce them and such, but overall once everyone calmed down it was a good game and we made if all the way through inning 9! I found out at the end of the game that is was Phebey's first baseball game to attend as well! All in all for only being 7 1/2 months old and it being past their bedtime I think the girls did great at their first baseball game and we look forward to bringing them to another game.

Paul with Hailey

Mommy and Hadley

We left Sunday afternoon after going to church with Beth and it happened to be children's Sunday so that was a lot of fun, and we got to have lunch with the new boy and he passed the second round as well! We look forward to our next trip to Dallas!

Me and Beth

We're 7 Months Old!!

The girls turned 7 months old on April 4th! (24 weeks adjusted). We had so much fun taking their 7 month pictures. They are beginning to sit up on their own with some assistance still and kept toppling into each other. Each month just gets more and more fun as they learn and grow. This month they seemed to really start interacting with eachother and Paul and I more on purpose than accident. I love their laughter and cannot express the joy they bring to our lives.

Hadley left and Hailey right

Hadley - apparently I forgot to take weight and height this month :(

Hailey

This month Hailey and Hadley are:
- wearing size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothes

- eating 6 oz roughly every 4-5 hours, and eating solids 1-2x a day (3oz at breakfast; 4oz at dinner)

- attempting to drink water from a sippy cup

- They are still sleeping well in their own room in their own cribs from about 8:00pm-6:00am; every once in a while they will wake up once in the night to eat and go right back to sleep

- They both roll over from back to belly and from belly to back
- They are able to sit with minimal support

- They still love to talk and play, and are beginning to interact more with each other now

- They are better at grasping objects and toys and can switch items from hand to hand

- They will look for things that they have dropped.
- They are starting to move their legs and arms when on their bellies to get ready for crawling.

-They both still love the jumper and fight for time in it, but Hadley really loves it.

- They love being sung to and read to

- They are still doing well at daycare and making tons of friends

Hailey checking out the bluebonnets

Hadley

Hadley on left and Hailey on right

family photo

Easter and our tour of Oklahoma

We headed to Oklahoma for Easter this year. We drove straight to Minco that Thursday evening after I got off work and arrived early that Friday morning. The girls did amazing as always. We are so blessed to have such good travelers. They even went right back to sleep after we arrived in Minco and having a little play time while the car was unloaded and their crib was set up.

Hailey has all the toys

Hadley is enjoying her Easter bunny

That Friday we hung out with my grandparents and had an early Easter dinner. Mark and Mallory had driven up from San Antonio too and we all had a good time eating yummy food and hanging out before heading to Tulsa that night to see my older brother and his family.

Once again we arrived late Friday night and the girls did amazing and went right back to sleep after their crib was set up. I had never been to my older brother's house so it was nice to spend some time there with his family. My mom and 4 younger brothers all traveled with us as well.

We were supposed to go to my niece and nephews soccer games on Saturday morning and afternon, but the rain kept us from doing that so we enjoyed pizza for lunch, some outdoor basketball and just in general hanging out around the house. We also got to visit my little brother Brett and his girlfriend Kayla's place. They have a nice little apartment in Tulsa where Brett is finishing up his rotations for pharmacy school and Kayla is going to law school. All in all it was a fun mini trip to Tulsa.

Hadley and Addelynn playing

watching a movie with cousin Addelynn

Hailey swinging in Trevor's swing. She loved it!

Hadley swinging

Brett and Tyler dying Easter eggs

We left fairly early on Easter Sunday so that we could make it home at a decent hour and have time to stop in Ada to see Paul's grandma on his dad's side. She hadn't had a chance to meet the girls yet so it was fun surprising her with our visit and catching up with some of Paul's Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

Playing with cousins Tate and Reid

Hadley with Melody and Reid

Meeting Mimi for the first time

We sure were busy, but we had a great trip traveling all over and visiting all of our family in OK. I think the girls had a great first Easter and I look forward to enjoying many Easters to come with them. I can't wait until they can dye eggs. My brothers and I have dyed eggs every year together since I can remember except for this past year which makes me a little sad; although I did catch Brett and Tyler dying eggs and Addelynn too.

Hadley with her Easter basket

Hailey with her Easter basket

Happy Easter!!

More Spring Break!

My mom, little brother Mark and new sister-in-law Mallory also visited us over Spring Break. The weather was a little chilly, but overall pretty good. Everyone arrived Tuesday night and we had a jam packed week ahead of us. Paul was still in his psychology rotation, and was rotating at a prison in Sugar Land, TX (about an hour away from where we live) this week. Luckily, the medical students call the psychology rotation 'psychation', and he was home by 2:00 everyday so he got to hang out and have some fun too. He did have to get up super early though to be at the prison by 7:00am.


On Wednesday, we slept in (well tried to at least) and then did some shopping before meeting up with Paul for a late lunch, and heading to the island to ride the ferry while the boys went fishing. I think I may have mentioned a few times that I love riding the ferry and so does my mom. This was Mallory's first time to ride the ferry, and I always get nervous that we won't see any dolphins. We did see a dolphin on this trip, and I was so excited! I still think the best time to see dolphins is in the fall. I also brought some bread to feed the birds. I did not realize how scary feeding the birds while holding a baby would be and may have freaked out a little bit.  After, we rode the ferry we met up with the guys briefly while they were fishing on a jetty. They didn't have much luck, but I guess they had some fun. It was a little chilly that night so we ditched the guys and headed home to make some queso and put the girls to sleep.

Grandma on double duty while we wait for the ferry

Hailey on her first ferry ride

Hadley on her first ferry ride

Group photo minus Mallory

Mallory feeding the birds while I try and protect Hadley because I thought the birds were much closer than they were

Fishing with Daddy on the jetty

On Thursday, we headed to the outlet malls and did some shopping while we waited for Paul to get off work. Only the girls really got anything. When Paul got home we headed to Kemah for some boardwalk fun. I really enjoy going out to Kemah it's a nice little board walk. Mark, Mallory and Paul rode some rides while my mom, the girls and I walked around. It was a little chilly and windy that day, but we just bundled up and took in the sights. We even rode the boardwalk tower and the train to end our evening. 

Mallory and Mark at Kemah

Mallory and Mark riding a ride at Kemah

Hadley annoying Hailey in line for the boardwalk tower

about to see Kemah at sunset from the boardwalk tower

Ending our day with a train ride. Hailey slept while Hadley enjoyed all the sounds and lights

Curious little Hadley

Family photo for our first trip to Kemah

Paul and I at Kemah our first year in Houston. What a difference 2 years can make...

On Friday we packed up and headed out to the beach. We were hoping it would be warm enough to play in the water. On Wednesday we had seen a few people at the beach. While the air was warm, the water was very very cold. We did stay for a while and even dipped the girls toes in the water to complete their first trip to the beach. We then ditched the boys to do a little shopping while they went back fishing. We then headed home and said good bye to Uncle Mark and Aunt Mallory, but first we had some yummy sundaes from Sonic.

Hadley playing at the beach with her bath toys

Hadley did not like the cold water

Hailey didn't mind it so much

Hailey left and Hadley right...she still doesn't like to touch the water

Family photo for our first trip to the beach

Group shot with Uncle Mark and Aunt Mallory

My mom was able to stay with us until Monday morning so we spent Saturday and Sunday hanging out at the house playing with the girls, and of course doing some more shopping ;). I am so grateful that Southwest has reasonable tickets from Houston to OKC. It makes being so far away not so bad. I'm also glad that Mark and Mallory now live in San Antonio which is only 4 hours away! 4 hours doesn't seem so bad when the rest of the family is 8-10 hours away. We had a great spring break and are looking forward to the summer!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!