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.

8 Months Old

Kaelyn turned 8 months old this past Saturday! I can't believe how quickly she is growing and how smart she is becoming. Her new trick is to go from sitting down to up on her knees (she likes to be over her toys so she can play better). Her little personality is so funny and Robbie and I love watching her little mannerisms on display. She is really talking (in jibberish of course) and she thinks that mommy and daddy are pretty hilarious. She has started eating "puffs" and drinking from a sippy cup. Yesterday I walked in the room and found her on all fours rocking back and forth, so I know it won't be long before we are chasing her around the room. Would we be bad parents if we tried to tie her down for a few more months?

We had a little playdate the other day with our friends from church, Harper Hughes and Lydia Robinson, and it was so much fun to watch the girls play on the floor together. While they were busy, we moms actually had a chance to visit which was nice.

Kaelyn and Harper (Kaelyn really liked Harper's bow)

Does she realize she usually wears one too?

Kaelyn and Lydia

(Lydia was patting Kaelyn on the back; isn't that sweet?)

Here are our 8th month stats:

Length: 27 inches

Weight: 20 lbs. 2 oz.

"Wanna see my two bottom teeth?"

"Aha..." Kaelyn is a constant chatterbox now!

Princess Ball!

Last night our church held their annual Daddy Daughter Princess Ball. Kaelyn was invited on a date by her sweet daddy and she graciously accepted. The event was held at a local country club and turned out to be quite the gala. Robbie was so excited when he got home (and still hasn't stopped talking about it)!  He described it as a "truly magical evening" for him and Kaelyn.  Apparently, Kaelyn behaved like an angel and loved the dancing, music, and lights.  I think Daddy might have even snuck her a bite of ice cream.  Robbie is already talking about plans for next year's ball...

Several of the dads from our small group got together and we took pictures before the event.

Robbie and Kaelyn, Andy and Zoe, Jason and Edie, and Ben and Kamryn

Kaelyn was curious about the grass.

Apparently, the ball was a full-on dance party.

 Look at the dance floor and all the beautiful girls.

All the girls together

(getting them to look at the camera and smile isn't an option)

Kaelyn, Kamryn, Ava, Shae, Edie and Zoe

The girls all got party favors at the end of the ball last night. Kaelyn is

sporting her new Princess Ball 2010 t-shirt with her tiara.