Race for Ryleigh Grace

This past Saturday, we walked in the March for Babies (March of Dimes) at White Rock Lake in honor and support of Ryleigh Grace Cox along with 35,000 other DFW residents. Our church small group showed up in huge numbers and we all sported our lime green "Race for Ryleigh Grace" t-shirts. We even won the t-shirt contest! Ryleigh is doing so well and hopefully will get to come home soon! It was so wonderful to walk in honor of all the babies that are born prematurely each year. On our walk there was a "Path of Life" with posters honoring or memorializing local children which helped open my eyes to what March of Dimes stands for and fundraises for. What an amazing organization! We are so thankful for everyone who committed to walk and didn't let the rain scare them away, and for all the donations our team received!

Here's Robbie accepting the t-shirt award on behalf of the Cox's

They wanted him to model it as well! How funny!

Kamara, Rod, and Aubrey Cox

Rodney and Patti Cox (Rod's parents)

Our Journey Begins!

The Hudson Clan

Lisette, Bentley and Paw-Paw

The Feekes and Robbie carrying Kaelyn

(She had enough of the stroller and the snacks according to Daddy;

I think he just wanted to carry his sweet girl)

A few of the little supporters on our team

Our Family Team

Can you tell Kaelyn was tired at the end?

Rod and Kamara with the t-shirt award

Roses, Orchids, and Two-Lips That Wouldn't Smile!

The weather has been so nice in Dallas these past few weeks, so Robbie, Kaelyn and I decided to head out to the Dallas Arboretum to spend the day on Saturday. We were excited about capturing Kaelyn's cute smile with all of the beautiful "Dallas Blooms." Needless to say, Kaelyn was not in the mood for picture taking (we were able to steal a few cute photos though), but Robbie and I still enjoyed the day together. 

"I'll just touch the flowers instead of smiling."

                                                    

Finally got that sweet smile.

Using our sign language for "More"

(Did she mean MORE pictures?)

Waving to the crowds! This is our new trick.

Since Kaelyn wasn't enjoying the pictures, I had a great time taking pictures of the beautiful flowers. We may even use some of these photos in our house someday in the future. Look how beautiful the scenery was!

The rest of the weekend was spent "child-proofing" our house. We researched and ordered gates for the stairs, rearranged the gameroom (poor Daddy had to move his ping pong table to the garage), and hung curtains to block the sun in Kaelyn's room so she will take longer naps in her crib. We are pleased to say she took a nice long nap on Sunday in her crib with her new curtains. We hope to go back to the Arboretum soon because it was so nice and relaxing! What a great weekend!

Hippity Hoppity...Kaelyn Is On Her Way

Our little Hudson family spent Easter weekend in Longview! By the time we arrived Friday evening, Kaelyn was tired of her carseat and ready to play on the floor at Mimi and PawPaw's house. She was showing off by introducing us to the world of crawling. Robbie and I couldn't believe it! I was so thankful that she waited to accomplish this "first" when her daddy was home, so we could share in the memory together. Her crawl is really cute because she starts on her knees and then extends her legs and kind of hops along. I guess it's the perfect technique for Easter! We are really proud of her and have to hurry to get the house baby-proofed because by the time we made it home on Sunday night, she had perfected her technique and is crawling everywhere.

Kaelyn in mid-crawl position

Kaelyn and Daddy dying our Easter eggs for the hunt on Sunday

Our finished product

The Easter bunny knew exactly where to find Kaelyn and made three stops: Mimi and PawPaw's house, Pop and KK's house, and Nana's house.  Her Easter baskets were filled with everything from candy and Minnie Mouse to swimsuits and cute stuffed animals.

On Easter Sunday, we enjoyed a beautiful church service with all the family and then ate lunch at Papacita's. There were 29 of us total and we enjoyed catching up with everyone and eating a great meal. After filling our tummies, we headed over to Nana and Grandad's for the Easter egg hunt and family pictures.

Kade and Kaelyn at Papacita's

Kaelyn enjoying her rice rusks and shredded chicken

The Hudson family

Cousin Brice always takes good care of Kaelyn

Uncle Keeton and Kaelyn

Uncle Kylen with Kaelyn

The Perry Family

Hunting Easter eggs with Mommy and Daddy

March Madness...Kaelyn Style

Kaelyn met the Easter bunny yesterday and I was shocked by her smile while sitting on his lap. I really thought this was going to be a bad idea because we've had a little separation anxiety lately, but she was great and even laughed at him. Way to be friendly Peter Cottontail (unlike your buddy Santa)!

                                                 

This past month has been super busy and we've had lots of fun times. Pop and KK came in to town for a weekend and we took Kaelyn to the McKinney Trades Days and she loved walking around in the beautiful weather. She is definitely going to be a people watcher. Auntie Karlene joined in on the fun and we all got to hang out at the house that evening while the guys grilled.

Kaelyn showing Auntie Karlene her toys

Kaelyn laughing at her Pop

Kaelyn and KK

(KK bought her the ridiculous flower on her head to match her new outfit)

Kaelyn is not sure about this crazy flower (It's just too cute!)

Daddy has had a busy month at work, but whenever he's home, Kaelyn steals all his attention!

This is so sweet. They are having their own little conversation!

(in "Kaelyn language" of course)

Kaelyn loves to get her hair brushed after a bath.

We tried apple slices for the first time! Look at that face!

Mimi came in and spent the day with us before she had to pick up PawPaw from the airport. We took Memaw out to La Hacienda for her birthday lunch with Aunt Lisette and Uncle Bentley and spent the day playing at home.

Mimi and Kaelyn

(Kaelyn is wearing her animal print just for Mimi)

Kaelyn sharing her paci with Daddy!

(Very sweet, but very yucky!)

I'm quickly learning that we can save money on toys and just find random household items for Kaelyn to chew on and play with. Here's our latest example...the laundry basket. Kaelyn scooted her way into and thought it was funny! 

I thought I'd show her...We now have a new way to keep her contained!

We went to Longview last weekend to watch Uncle Kylen perform in the community "Dancing with the Stars." We got to see all the family while we were in town.

PawPaw brought Kaelyn back a surprise from China!

Sorry PawPaw...the tissue was way more exciting than my kimono outfit!

Kade and Kaelyn at the "Dancing with the Stars" performance

(Kaelyn was really sleepy by this point and it didn't help that Kylen was last)

Had to share this pic...Here is what Kylen would look like with long locks!

(Kylen and his partner, a journalist from the local paper, brought home 3 trophies)

March was definitely fun filled with lots of adventures and daily changes in Kaelyn. I feel certain that the month of April will hold many more adventures because we will have a crawler (we are oh so close). Don't get me wrong...Kaelyn can move across a room in no time at the present, but not in crawling fashion yet.