Today is the day that Hazel got baptized! Such a special day in our family! Today was crazy busy, but it turned out to be a good day! Jeff's mom, dad and sister along with Jeff's Aunt Toma and her husband Darrell met us at our church to celebrate this baptism with us. My parents and Victoria spent the night with us (so we already knew they were coming) Frank explained what baptism represents and why we baptize babies. Then he and my dad both baptized Hazel together. That was a very awesome moment. I know how much it means to my dad to assist in baptizing his own grandchildren. Baptism is such an awesome thing. An outward and visible sign of an inward grace. Baptism is about what God has done for us, which we do not deserve. We baptize Hazel and recognize the grace that is already present in her life..how cool! After the service we took a few pictures and then went out to eat as a family. We went out to the new Applebee's in Saginaw. We had a fun time. After the meal, which was really long (as always) because we were talking and talking, my parents, sister and our family went out to the park and took some family pictures. It was really hot for a March day, but it really was beautiful. My parents then helped us put up more pictures on our wall AND finally we got the huge mirror on the wall in the hall. I think it looks great, but it needs to be cleaned! Such a wonderful day with family!

Today started early...even though we overslept! We stayed the night with my parents' so that we could support them as they ran the Baylor Bearathon half marathon. For those of you non-runners that is 13.1 miles! Yup, my parent's are super! I made signs for both my mom and dad for Ian to hold up as they ran by! This picture is of Ian holding up the sign I made for my dad. I thought he would enjoy the humor in it. There is kind of an inside joke about this sign, but its kinda hard to explain. Victoria says she hates the "pity clap" that people give the slow runners and the comment "just finish" usually follows. It is really funny when my mom and Victoria imitate those people! It was fun to see my parents run and motivates me to get back into shape too! After the race we gathered up everything and everyone and headed back to Fort Worth. My family came up with us because of Hazel's baptism tomorrow. Jeff grilled steaks and my mom, sister and I hung some of the pictures and decor on the bare walls in our house...finally!

Today was "get ready for the crazy weekend" day! I spent most of the day washing clothes, organizing things and packing bags for our short trip to my parent's house this evening. Jeff got off early today so we could get to Waco in time. That was nice! I wish he got off at that time EVERY DAY! We are headed down this evening to get Titan rabies shots at the school because they were discounted drastically. We got a 3 year rabies shot for Titan for $30! Also, tomorrow morning my mom and dad are running the Bearathon, the Baylor half-marathon, so we are going to support them as they run. Then we are going to head back and get ready for Hazel's baptism on Sunday...whew! We have a busy weekend ahead of us. In preparation for this weekend...especially Hazel's baptism, I sent the boys to get their hair cut! This was Ian's first hair cut, but he did so good! This is what the picture is. Ian was pretty still and very cautious. The lady was very friendly and did a great job. They even saves a little of his hair and gave us a little certificate that says he got his first hair cut! I thought that was so cute! Jeff also got his hair cut...thank GOD! He chopped all the rats nest off and he looks very handsome! (Not that he didn't before, but its MUCH better!) After the hair cuts we headed down to my parents' house.

Today was play date #2! Today I got together with my prenatal yoga class friends and all their babies! We were supposed to picnic at the park , but has been rainy so everything was so wet and muddy that we just ate at the house. This was the first play date that I brought Ian to. I thought he did very well until the end when he was overdue for a nap and was getting restless (and was getting into EVERYTHING imaginable!) Hazel wasn't in a very good mood today. I think she was feeling a little overwhelmed AND I think she was having a marathon feeding day. All of that combined made for a very unhappy baby...and a very busy mommy...and a very jealous big brother! This picture was taken after one of the mommies already had to leave to go run errands and pick up her daughter. Hazel was screaming so we held off on taking the picture, but she had to leave (sad day!) We had a new addition to the play date group! Harrison (next to Hazel) is five weeks old! He is so cute and is already smiling and really responding to people (smart little boy!) It it always great to see these mommies because we share many parenting styles, habits and what-not! These babies are very blessed with great mommies and daddies...seriously!

Today was pretty normal for us at home during the day. Ian has had trouble napping still and gets really tired and grumpy...poor kid! (and poor mommy!) Hazel has been going through a growth spurt too, but considering that and Ian's grumpiness it wasn't TOO bad of a day. This picture is of Ian at nap time. He is very particular about his stuffed animals at nap time. He insists that they be tucked in next to him...all four of them. None can be missing! It's amazing how much he says without even talking! This evening I got to teach the junior high at youth again! (I took a break when Hazel was born) I LOVE that group of youth! They are amazing, asking questions, being genuine and listening. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I got back to teaching them!

Today was recovery day from yesterday's extra long play date. Naps were missed and schedules were thrown out the window. So today was more like Monday with all the catching up and adjusting we were doing! This is a picture of Ian right before nap time. He is brushing his teeth after lunch. He gets really mad when we have to help him brush his teeth...not that he really has that many to brush anyways. We usually brush them pretty well and then let him have at it. He looks so much like a "big boy" when he tries to brush his teeth all by himself! Such a cute little guy! (if I don't say so myself!)

Today was a busy play-date day! I wish I would have gotten pictures of Ian with is new friends, but I just didn't think about it! Today we went over to some friends' house and played almost all day! Ian and their little girl just didn't know what to do! It was pretty funny, but finally near the end they started playing well together. Hazel on the other hand, pretty much slept on Brittney the entire time! I wish she would nap on me like that! We finally had to leave when Ian started whining about EVERYTHING and Hazel got so frantic and hungry (and of course would not take a bottle). She's a mommy-snob, what can I say! (I love it!) This picture is at their (beautiful) house where Ian's favorite toy to play with was the stroller (we won't tell Dad!) He was just driving the empty stroller around until Elmo was placed inside (brilliant!) Ian loves Elmo! All in all, it was a very fun day! It was very tiring for all three of us though! Hopefully play-dates will be more regularly in our schedule so Ian gets to play with other kids his age!