Almost Crawling

In the last couple of days, Mikaela has come very close to crawling. She is getting up on her hands and knees, rocking a bit, and has even pushed herself forward a little bit. She's not there yet, but she's definitely trying.





We shot some video for you to enjoy. In the first video, she has become very frustrated, but when she notices the camera, she is momentarily distracted. In the second, she is rocking back and forth.

Race for the Cure

This morning was the Tarrant County Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K. I was extremely nervous as I had a personal goal to run the entire thing and not walk at all. Except for tying my shoe at mile 2, I accomplished my goal. It was very difficult but I'm glad I did it. I plan to run many more. If you'd asked me 3 months ago, I'd have never guessed I could do it, nor would I have described it as fun, but it really was. I don't have the group shot yet (must get it from the team captain) nor do I have the total amount raised by our team yet, but thanks to all who donated and when I get those things, I'll post again. For now, here are the pictures I took.

Mike was able to join our team last week because his parents came and watched Mikaela for us. Thank you Gran and Papa Bill! Mikaela had a great time and we really enjoyed doing this together!
Above: Mike and I after the race. He finished in about 33 minutes; I finished in about 39.

Below: Our team shirt. We were "Bethie's Angels" in honor of Kylar (team captain)'s aunt who is currently battling the disease.

With my friend Mel. I know it was hard but thanks Mel for joining the team!
The original 3 members (from left to right): Jenny, Kylar, Me
Melissa and Jon with Mike and me.
Me and Jenny after the race.
Before the race...
And I threw in a cute Mikaela picture. She's wearing a "Boot Camp Baby" onesie to support her parents.

Bluebonnets

On Sunday, Mike and I drove out to Ennis to take pictures with Mikaela in the bluebonnets. I'm sure this will become a yearly tradition as we do live in Texas and they are so pretty! Enjoy the pictures.




At one point, she become more interested in her shoes than the flowers, but not matter what draws her attention, we still think she's cute.

Race for the Cure

In 17 more days I will be running a 5K with a team of friends led by my best friend. It is the Ft. Worth Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. We are running in honor of her aunt who is currently fighting the battle. If you'd like to know more about our team or how to donate, click on the link below. Thanks so much!

http://tarrantcounty.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/FTW_TarrantCountyAffiliate?team_id=125785&pg=team&fr_id=1650

Easter Weekend

Greetings! I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter weekend. Easter is probably my most favorite holiday. I have fond memories of coloring and hunting eggs as a kid. These are things I can't wait to share with Mikaela. But most importantly, Easter is the reason we have hope. One of my favorite songs about Easter actually comes from the VeggieTales "An Easter Carol" DVD. The best line from one of the songs sums it up: "He died for us to give us life and to give us hope He rose." May you find joy and hope and life in Christ Jesus.
Now to explain the pictures: Above are two photos from the Easter Eggstravaganza our church hosts every year on the Saturday before Easter. It's a great community outreach. My life group was in charge of the photo booth.
Saturday evening Mike and I went to a friend's house to dye eggs. I haven't done that in years. It was lots of fun even though our eggs didn't turn out anything like the pictures on the box. Chris bought some metallic eggs as well as some glitter eggs, but neither project turned out the way it said they should. Oh well.

Chris applying glue for the metallic eggs.
Donna applying glue. Wayne coloring eggs.
Mike trying his hand at making R2D2.
Mikaela slept through it all.
Shalise reading the box meticulously for instructions on making glitter eggs.
It didn't turn out like she'd hoped.

Finished products:

And we'll leave you with the best: Easter photos of Mikaela.

5 Months Old

Mikaela is now 5 months old. It's hard to believe! She rolls over often, grasps anything she can, and puts it all in her mouth. She is definitely teething, drooling, chewing, the works. She chatters and squeals a lot and makes many different expressions. She has less hair now than she did as a newborn. She mostly has a mohawk and a mullet now. It was red, but what's left seems to be more blond. Sleep isn't still great but we are making progress. She goes down between 7 and 8. Then wakes up between 10 and 11 for another feeding. Then again between 2 and 3 and then up between 6 and 6:30. At her follow up appointment on 3/31 she weighed 12 lbs 8oz. I think she'll need some more weight before she can drop that 2am feeding.