7 Months

Hudson is growing by what seems like miles each day! Some mornings when I wake him up, I swear he grew some overnight. His rapid growth is bittersweet. I enjoy watching my baby grow, figure things out, and experience life, but it also makes me weepy, because time is so fleeting.

Unfortunately, Hudson has spent most of this month sick. Early in the month, he had a horrible stomach virus. Poor baby, it caused him to have the most awful diaper rash. He would scream every time he went to the bathroom, and it just broke my heart each time I had to change him. Then, the night before Christmas Eve, Hudson came down with the flu, even after having his flu shot. Thank goodness he had the flu shot, though. He ended up having a very mild case of it. Sadly, we did have to miss Christmas with our family and his friend, Cale's, first birthday party. Bummer. I hate when my baby is sick, but I have to admit, I do enjoy the extra snuggle time at home with him. 

At our last doctor's visit (last week), Hudson weighed 19 lbs. and 2 oz. He has also moved up to a size 4 diaper. If he keeps up this rate of growth, I'm afraid he will be wearing "Depends" soon. Ha! Hudson also tried avocado and pears for the first time this month. He liked them both, but sweet potatoes and bananas are still his favorite. We also found out that Hudson had been hiding some of his tricks from us. I went to pick him up from daycare early one day to find that he could hold the bottle all by himself. That little stinker had been holding out on us!

 

If you couldn't tell, I love this boy to the moon and back!

Amanda

Tis the Season

So I have come to the conclusion that Christmas is so much better when you have children! Being seven months old, Hudson didn't really know what Christmas was all about. He was more interested in the wrapping paper and the bows than he was about the gifts themselves. And because Hudson came down with the flu on the 23rd, we were able to experience his first Christmas all by ourselves.

We had plans to travel to the lake and spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day there with family. We didn't want to expose Mymama or little Prudence to the flu, so we stayed quarantined at home instead. At first, Tucker and I were bummed. We were really looking forward to spending time with our family over the holidays, especially Tucker. Tucker has been working long hours since Thanksgiving, and he was really looking forward to a little down time.

Being Santa's little helper was rough on Daddy this year. Most nights he didn't even get to see Hudson, due to him already being asleep when he got home. One night, he didn't get home til 10! Looking on the bright side of things, we realized how special it was that we would get to spend this very first Christmas with Hudson alone. We cherished every moment and started, what we hope to be, many new Christmas traditions.

 Merry Christmas from the Boswell's!

 Our little Christmas Eve dinner. 

Thanks to Shug and Big Al for bringing us groceries. This Mama didn't plan on her boy being sick! Lesson learned...we will now be prepared for anything and everything! I'm learning the hard way, friends!

 Hudson getting ready to open his first Christmas present from Santa!

 He was so excited about his Christmas jammies and book "The Auburn Night Before Christmas".

 Getting ready to crawl! 

My heart is full!

He was so into his book. I loved every minute of this! We will do this every year!

 Hudson checking out his loot from Santa!

Love his sweet expressions!

What a sweet and special Christmas, friends! And as always, we remember the true reason for the season, Jesus' birth. Not only do we thank him for giving his life selfishly for ours, but we also thank him for our most precious gift, Hudson. He has filled our hearts with joy and our home with laughter. We couldn't have asked for a better gift this holiday season.

Merry Christmas,

Amanda

A New Tradition

This year we started something new, and I hope it becomes our new family tradition! We went to Lanett, Alabama to Gilbert's Tree Farm to get our Christmas Tree. Growing up, we always had a real tree. When I got old enough to decorate my own home on Christmas, I always went with a fake tree. In my opinion they are so much easier, especially if you have one that is pre-lit, and they aren't near as messy. My obsessive tendencies makes having a real tree an anxiety ridden experience. However, this year Gilbert himself helped us get a Leland Cyprus, and the best part is, it doesn't shed! It's the perfect compromise. Tucker gets a real tree, and I don't have to spend time stressing about the tree shedding it's needles on the floor.

We took Hudson with us, and he and I picked out the best tree in the field. When we had picked the perfect tree for us, we informed the guys at the tree farm, and they went over and cut it down for us. Our tree is gorgeous, but it is slightly too big. It didn't look near as big in the field as it does now in our living room. We even had to trim the top just a little bit. Going to the Christmas Tree farm to pick out our tree will be a tradition that we will look forward to year after year.

Merry Christmas!

6 Months

Hudson will be 7 months old in a week and a half. I can't believe time has passed so quickly. Six months has been good to Hudson. He had so many firsts this month!

At his 6 month check up, he weighed 17 lbs and 14 oz and was 27.5 inches long. He's in the 56th percentile for weight and the 83rd percentile for height. Dr. Johnson said everything looked great. He also said we could begin solid foods with Hudson. I was thrilled! I could finally put that Baby Bullet to good use!

I was determined that I would make my own baby food. I still have so much guilt for only breast feeding Hudson for 3 weeks. I know it doesn't really make a difference, and I shouldn't be so hard on myself, but I really wanted to breast feed. I did all the research and went to all of the classes. I was so gung-ho on it that I asked my poor husband to miss a morning of golf to go to a breast feeding class with me! That being said, making Hudson organic, nonprocessed baby food is my way of making it up to him for not being able to give him what he needed so early in his life. 

Surprisingly, I found that making my own baby food is quiet easy! In fact, I love it! So far, I've made sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, and bananas. Hudson loves sweet potatoes. They are his favorites. He's not a big fan of carrots or squash. He gagged when we fed him those, but we will keep trying. We tried bananas for the first time tonight and he seemed to enjoy them although he wasn't sure about it at first. It's so much fun to see him experience new foods! 

Hudson also has two teeth! We didn't even know he was teething! We expected fussiness and fever, but other than excessive drooling, there were no signs. We introduced a sippy cup this month. He mostly plays with it, but he does hold it and drinks from it occasionally. Hudson can also sit up all by himself! This makes bath time so much easier. He loves it too! He loves to splash and play with his rubber duckies. We went to the grocery store this week, and he got to sit in the buggy like a big boy! 

Hudson spent the night away from home for the first time this month. His Shug and  Big Al picked him up the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and took him to Honey's house in Wetumpka. We missed him so much! I didn't know what to do with myself! His daddy took it worse than I did. Tucker said it may be a while before Hudson gets to spend the night away again!

We took Hudson to visit Toomer's Corner after the Iron Bowl. We went Sunday after church. He got to see Auburn win the Iron Bowl and now the SEC Championship! We scared him and Prudence, but one day soon they will understand! 

So many firsts this month! It seems the older he gets the faster things are happening. I just want time to slow down. I want to live in this moment and love every single ounce of my sweet baby boy. 

Amanda

Five Months

My boy is 5 months! Well, technically he's a week and a half shy of 6 months. Where does the time go, and how do I always get so behind in everything I do? 

Hudson weighs about 17.5 lbs. He's growing and doing new things everyday. This month he learned to shake his head no, eat his piggies, throw toys, and squeal. His favorite toys are his ladybug shaker and a fabric book one of my kiddos from last year gave him. It was her toy when she was a baby, and she wanted Hudson to have it. How sweet is she!

He is also a champ at rolling over, and we think he's well on his way to crawling. Earlier this week he was laying on his tummy, and he put his legs up under him and was sticking his bottom in the air. He was trying to get somewhere, but he's just not there yet. Hudson is also sitting up on his own! We are so proud of our sweet boy!

He takes 8 ounces of formula every 4 hours, and eats some cereal morning and night. He's so funny! He opens his mouth like a baby bird. We are excited to start some solid foods soon! He sleeps through the night, and he has finally made the transition to his crib upstairs. He should have been up there sooner, but this mommy just wasn't ready yet! 

My heart be still! Time is flying by, and I'm just trying to keep up. One thing is for sure, this boy has my heart forever. 

Amanda

Halloween Sweets

I'm a few days late, but I just had to share some pictures of Hudson and Prudence in their Halloween costumes. They were the two best treats all night! 

Hudson was a skeleton and Pru was a flamingo! Emily made Pru's costume! I give her mad props on her craftiness! It's original while being absolutely precious at the same time! Totally Pinterest worthy, if you ask me! 

Hudson wore his costume to daycare. They had a Halloween parade. Halloween night he helped me pass out candy to trick or treaters. 

On another note, it's November! Thanksgiving is around the corner, and Christmas will be here before we know it. It's another reminder that my baby is growing up! 

Amanda

Beach Babes

Here are a few pictures from our beach weekend a few weeks ago!

 Hudson's first trip to the beach! He wasn't sure about it at first!

Thanks, Mrs. Watkins for the adorable AU towel! Hudson loves it! I may have to get his Daddy one just like it!

Pru enjoying the breeze.

 Dipping our "piggies" in the pool.

 I'm not sure what Hudson is doing. Ha! 

Great photobomb by Aunt Emmy!

 Big Al with the catch of the day :)

 "I've got my toes in the water..."

Pru loves the beach!

We had a wonderful time! We can't wait to continue the Boswell beach trip tradition next year!

See What Happened Was...

Tucker and I attended John & Lacy's wedding October 14th. They were getting married in Fairhope, so we decided it would be a good idea to turn a wedding weekend into a beach weekend as well. Tucker was one of John's groomsmen and had to be at the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on Friday night. I had plans to attend and really wanted to, but I had just had one of those weeks. I had a migraine that lasted 3 days, and on Thursday night I was so sick to my stomach. I just felt horrible all week. I worked a half day on Friday, but I should have just taken the whole day off. After feeling like crud all week, attending school on Fall Festival day and the 3rd grade violin performance was a bad idea. (On another note, you know that sound your straw makes when you slide it up and down inside the lid...that's what it sounds like when 3rd graders play the violin.)

Of course, my sub was late, making us late leaving. This in turn made Tucker late for the rehearsal. If he had had to wait on me to get ready, he would have been even later. I was bummed I missed the rehearsal and seeing our sweet friends, but it was more important for Tucker to be there. On the plus side, I did get to spend some time with our family. Shug, Big Al, Emily, Andy, and Pru joined us for our trip!

Saturday morning, Tucker had to get up and head back to Fairhope for groomsman duties and pictures. Meanwhile, I was up early buying face wash, moisturizer, and make-up. In my haste to get us to the beach, I forgot to back nearly all of my essentials. I'm just thankful I remembered my undergarments! Ha! I even forgot to pack clothes for Hudson! Total mom fail! So before leaving for the wedding, Phyllis and I had to find a boutique that sold baby clothes, so Hudson could have something nice to wear for the wedding and for our family pictures on Sunday. Did I mention all of this was happening the weekend of the Shrimp Festival? Traffic was terrible.

We finally made it to the church where the wedding was to take place. It was gorgeous by the way. It had huge, almost floor to ceiling windows on each side of the church. The ceiling on the inside had the most beautiful wooden beams. Rose petals were already sprinkled down the aisle.

I fed and changed Hudson into his wedding outfit in the car. His stomach had been upset the previous few days, so I was crossing my fingers that he would wait till after the wedding to have his blowout. Things were going well. The groomsman started to walk the grandmothers and mothers down the aisle. Then the wedding party made their way down the aisle. Then, IT happened, and the whole church knew what IT was. I could tell by the sound of it that it was in fact, a blowout. I pretty sure even the videographer got that on camera.

As the beautiful bride was minutes away from walking down the aisle, I was rushing out with Hudson. In fact, I passed Lacy on my way out of the church doors. Talk about embarrassed! I didn't even have time to say hello, because poop was slowly but surely creeping up and out the back of Hudson's diaper. Then I had to find a place to change him. The car was parked right in front of one of the huge windows at the side of the church. If I changed him there, the whole church would know what was going on. The last thing I wanted to do was take away from John and Lacy's special day. Then I realized I didn't even have the diaper bag; Big Al did! I looked behind me, and there he was! Thank goodness!

We were able to find a somewhat flat and grassy area. We laid Hudson down and did the best we could to clean him up. Hudson's cute outfit, that we had just bought, was covered in poop. Thankfully, we did buy two outfits. We put the outfit he was supposed to wear the next day for pictures on him. Big Al and I were cleaning up the mess, when I realized I didn't have any more poop bags! Another total mom fail! Big Al had to hike in the woods and leave our mess. I know, what kind of people are we?!?! Needless to say,by the time we had taken care of all of that, the wedding was over. We had missed the whole thing!

Big Al and I were sweating profusely. We just wanted to get to the reception. On the way there, just when we thought Hudson was done, he struck again. Thank the Lord, this poop was contained. At the reception, we were able to show off our sweet and see some friends we haven"t seen in quite some time. We enjoyed delicious food, a much needed adult beverage, and super fun dancing. It was one of the most fun receptions that I have ever attended.

I didn't get to speak to the bride and groom that night, so here's my message for John and Lacy...

Lacy your dress was gorgeous and your were absolutely stunning. Your groom didn't look too shabby either :) Tucker, Hudson, and I wish you both many years of love and happiness. We can't wait to catch up with ya'll soon!

Love,

Amanda

Tailgating Rookies

Hudson and Prudence got to participate in a little tailgating for the first time for the Auburn vs. Ole Miss game. I can't help but brag on our babies.They were great! There was no fussing, just fun, lots of family, and a few naps in the shade.

I adore this boy!

 I think Shug & Big Al are pretty content if you ask me!

 Taking a break from all the action.

 I'm the luckiest girl in the world!

Look at this cutie!

 "Let me help you, cuz!"

 Two of my favorite girls!

 The Fuller's

 I don't think it gets much sweeter than this!

 The Boswell's

I melt <3

The weather was perfect for the babies. Tucker and I kept Pru while Emily and Andy went to the game. We had our hands full with two babies under the age of 1. It took every bit of both us to keep them both contained. Thank goodness they were both exhausted from a long exciting day, because I knew two adults who needed some rest themselves! We can't wait to do it again soon!

War Eagle!

Amanda

4 Months

I'm so behind! In a week and a half, my sweet boy will be 5 months old. Between being super busy, being a wife and mamma, and being a teacher to 18 sweet friends, it' s hard to find time to blog. At Hudson's four month check-up with Dr. Johnson (we love him, by the way) he received 5 vaccinations, two shots in each leg, and one orally. He was a champ! He weighed 17 1/2 lbs. and was 26.2 inches long. He's in the 89 percentile for height. We wonder if he's going to be tall like some of his other family members.

We switched up his eating schedule, and he is adjusting marvelously. He eats 8 oz. every 4 hours now, and he eats 2 tsp of cereal every morning and at night. That boy is just growing! He's already wearing size 9 month clothes, but he can still fit into some of his 6 month clothes. 

At four months, Hudson loves to take a bath. His Daddy gives him his bath every night. It's their special time. Hudson just kicks and splashes. He's still not a fan of getting out of the bath, but he is getting better. He loves to hear us sing to him. His new favorite song is "Elmo's Song". I change the words to "Hudson's Song". He thinks it's a hit!

At daycare, Ms. Marcia calls him "Preacher Man", because he talks so loud. He's really learning to express himself in a big way! We love our daycare and especially Ms. Marcia and Ms. Nikki. They take good care of our boy.

This little guy makes our lives so much sweeter!

Love him so!

Amanda

Hudson's Dedication

On Sunday, September 15, 2013 we dedicated our precious boy to the Lord. This was such a special time for us as Hudson's parents. Tucker and I did not have this ceremony just for the tradition of doing it. This decision was taken very seriously. We both knew we wanted Hudson raised in a Christian home, and we both want to be examples of what a Godly man and woman should be. I know we won't always exhibit Godly qualities 100% of the time, but I think it makes God happy to know that we are striving daily to be more like him and that we are teaching Hudson all about him.

Hudson and I have conversations all the time about God. I tell him how God made him and how He chose Tucker and I to be his parents. I tell him how blessed we are to have received such a gift from God. Most importantly, I tell Hudson about God's love for him. I read him Bible stories, and we sing lots of songs. I think his favorite is "He's Still Working on Me". I know he doesn't understand much of what I'm saying, but I think it's important to set a strong foundation, because soon enough, he will be able to understand.

We couldn't get him to be still long enough to get his picture!

 Hudson with his grandparents, Shug and Big Al.

 We were thrilled that our family could celebrate with us.

Hudson with his Mymama

The dedication ceremony was wonderful. At our church, First United Methodist in Opelika, the pastor takes the baby up and down the aisles of the church while the congregation sings a song written especially for the baby. I always cry during the dedication services, because they are so sweet. This day was no exception. As my tears were overflowing, so was the joy inside my heart. Tucker and I love our church home, and we are blessed with a wonderful church family. We know Hudson will be loved by many there. 

Amanda