A couple of random ones

I took this picture today while I was going through Mikayla's new and old toys. I was emptying all the bins I had the toys in and putting them in her new toy box when I noticed she was surrounded by toys... it's like where's Waldo!!!! She is loving all her new toys.


I took this picture today also... she looks so big in this one. I just want to squeeze her cheeks!!!

Mikayla's birthday party

Mikayla had such a great first birthday party. We (Uncle AJ)put up a tent in the backyard. We had a Sesame Street theme because Mikayla loves Elmo. To eat we had pizza, chips, veggie tray, meat and cheese tray, and of course cake and cupcakes. Mikayla had her own cake that mommy made. Grandma Bonnie made an Elmo cake that was so pretty!!! The kids and some of the adults played wiffle ball, frisbee, and blew bubbles. Some of the kids even had fun playing in the storm drain!!! We ate lots of food, played in the yard, opened presents, enjoyed each other's company, and just celebrated Mikayla's birthday. I think the best part of the day was watching Mikayla eat her birthday cake. She was a little shy about it at first but within a few minutes she had a huge chunk ripped off and was trying to shove the whole thing in her mouth. It was great!!! The whole thing I felt was great!! We had a great turn out - around 50 people there. My house now looks like a toy factory... toys everywhere. I think Mikayla is a little overwhelmed by all new things she has. I think I am too... where in the world am I going to put it all? Luckily, she got a toy box for her birthday so that will help out a lot. Time to put away all the baby toys and organize the big girl toys. Speaking of big girl... Mikayla is on whole milk now(has been for a couple of weeks) and is eating big girl foods. Her favorite things are cheese toast and pinto beans. Some of her veggies I still give her baby food- the texture of most are no fun for her. Her facial expression is great!!! We are still awaiting the arrival of another tooth... come on already!!! All in all everything is great!!! Enjoy the pictures from the party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKAYLA!!!!!

Can't believe our baby is one year old today!!!! Wanted to compare a couple of pictures. The first one was taken when she was a couple of days old and the second one was taken this morning! It is amazing how time has flown.

Swimming

Mikayla was able to use her baby pool for the first time today.
Smiling face enjoying the sunshine.

She seems to be ok with the water at this point which I was really surprised by because it was really cold.
Yea- she is over the cold water at this point!! These pictures were taken about 12:00 today. I let the water warm up during her afternoon nap and by 4:00 the water was perfect. She stayed in the water the first time about 5 minutes and about 30 minutes the second time.

Hysteria

We went to Chuck-E-Cheese on Saturday with our Hometeam from church. If I never have to go there again that will be ok with me. It was crazy!!!! There were kids everywhere running wild. We had to stand around for what seemed like eternity to get a table. I remember going to Showbiz Pizza when I was a kid and it was much better than this place. Back in the day when the characters put on a show, the lights would dim so that it was almost announced that a show was going on. The shows on Saturday were very unannounced. Mikayla really did not care anything about watching the characters unless you took her right up to the stage then she liked it. I did not want to take in the game area because there were so many kids and they were all BIG kids. Maybe it will be better during the week. We did enjoy watch Mikayla eat pizza. She really enjoyed the crust and cheese. She is getting so big!!!

Daddy feeding Mikayla pizza crust.
Mouthful!!!
I love this little face!!

March of Dimes

Sunday we walked in the March of Dimes - March for Babies at the Lebanon Fairgrounds. The March of Dimes deals with birth defects, premature births, and helps expectant mothers beat addiction during pregnancy. (I have a link on this page to March of Dimes website) Since Mikayla has a birth defect we felt this was a good cause for us to get involved. We had a really good response with donations to "Team Mikayla", we won first place in Division II(we think that is the family division) for money raised. We raised $1,850!!! Next year we hope to do better - try a little harder. We have so much going on lately, Mike and I did not put forth that much effort in collecting money. To everyone who did donate - thank you so much - we appreciate it!!!!!!


Some of the groups standing around waiting to walk.

Mikayla and Mommy before the walk. Mikayla was kinda grumpy until we started walking - it was her nap time.

Starting the walk... we were in the back. Mikayla is looking for her graham crackers in her stroller tray... she loves those things.

Here's Mikayla with our award for most money raised in our division.

Mommy, Daddy, and tired Mikayla

Here's everyone that walked with us... Left to right (1st row) Mike, Mikayla, and Leshia - (2nd row) Philip, Amber, Susan, Bonnie, Memaw, and Carl. We had several others that were supposed to walk with us but things came up for them all at the last minute.

Sweet tooth

I don't know if I told everyone already, but Mikayla FINALLY got her first tooth!!!! It broke through about 2 weeks ago. We are so excited and are anticipating the arrival of #2 any day now. She has really evolved with her food intake. She does NOT want baby food anymore and is very picky about what she does eat. Mommy is having a really hard time with this because I know that she is not eating as much as she should. I know that new textures will just take time for her to get used to. We have also been transitioning her off formula to whole milk. She actually had her last bottle with formula last night so today is just milk. That kinda makes me sad because she is growing up. Saving a little in the wallet though!!! On another subject... we finally had the last of our new flooring installed yesterday!!! Yipee!!!! My house is still in disarray because we have to wait until tonight to put everything back in its place. I am ready for organization again!!! Ok - back to Mikayla. Sunday at Grandma & Grandpa's Mike was eating a blow pop and thought he would give Mikayla a lick or two... well, little Miss Mikayla had a different idea. She grabbed it from Mike and popped it in her little mouth... the whole thing. I thought she was going to cry when we took it from her. We did get some pictures first though.

Cheese Puffs

I had share these pictures with everyone because I thought both were so cute. Today, Mikayla was having her afternoon snack and I decided to give her a big cheese puff - just to see what she would do with it. Well, like the rest of us... Mikayla likes junk food. She got about halfway through and started putting the rest in her mouth at once. She loved the taste.


I hope that everyone can see who is standing beside the highchair in this picture... it is Duke. He is waiting to be fed. Mikayla and Duke have become big buddies at feeding time. She is sticking her hand off the side of the highchair and giving food to Duke. She is not just dropping it... she is letting him take it out of her hand. Of course, Duke expects this now. Before he wanted to go outside and play when she ate... not anymore... he waits right by her chair. Sometimes after she lets him lick the food in her hand, she decides she doesn't want to share so she then eats it!!!! So funny!!!! Guess we cannot worry about dog germs in our house.

Flood in Portland

We have had a lot of rain today... an all day pouring rain. This is what our backyard looks like.


There is also standing water in the street. This picture was taken right in front of my brother-in-laws house. It is like this throughout our whole neighborhood. Hope everyone is careful.

Just hangin' out

Just some pictures around the house...
Look out Daddy... already talking on the phone!!!


Look at this messy, funny face!!!

This is a funny face also!!! Mikayla has become such a clown... loves making funny faces and noises, loves imitation!!

Her serious face!!!

Playing the drums with Mommy's dishes!

Happy girl with pig tails... look at all this hair!!!