11 months

I am so behind! Like four blogs behind to be exact. Sweet boy just turned one and I'm just now getting around to blogging about his eleventh month. To be fair, I have been one busy wife and mama lately. Not only have I been planning Hudson's first birthday party, but I was also secretly planning Tucker's 30th surprise birthday party. And it is May, and I am a school teacher. It has been a hectic few weeks for me. I am determined to get caught up though!

At 11 months, Hudson was pulling up, and he learned how to walk behind a push toy. I was helping a friend watch babies at our monthly Sunday school service project. She has a son just a few weeks older than Hudson, and he had a Thomas the Train push toy. All of a sudden, Hudson pulled up on it and started walking across her living room floor. I was stunned! He has a push toy at home and never paid much attention to it, and now of course, he loves it! He is also bear crawling, or at least, that's what we are calling it. He crawls on his hands and feet without his knees touching. Before long, he will be taking those first few steps unaided!

This month, Hudson celebrated his first Easter at the lake. Easter Sunday, we went to our church and then had lunch with Granddaddy, Gigi, and Ms. Charlotte. Hudson also attended his sweet friend, Walton's birthday party, and a friend's baby shower. He played with his Sunday school friends at our month Sunday school social at the Robertson's cabin. While there Hudson found a pull up piano toy that he really enjoyed playing with. Tucker and I decided that's what we would get him for his first birthday, but to our surprise, Ms. Bradley gave it to us. Her son, Shep, didn't play with it anymore. We are blessed with sweet friends!

Hudson also went to his first Auburn baseball game! We watched Auburn play Mississippi State. Unfortunately, Auburn lost 0-3. Another fun thing Hudson did this month was to join his Daddy at the AU Club to hit a few balls. He didn't get to hit any golf balls, but he did have fun putting the balls in the hole and them taking them out again. Another Boswell has been struck with the golf bug! I have a feeling Hudson's going to love it just as much as his Daddy and Big Al!

And last but not least, Hudson helped me pull off his Daddy's 30th surprise birthday party. He was such a trooper running errands with me nearly every afternoon in preparation for the big party. I couldn't have asked for a better partner in crime :)

 Having a blast in the ball pit at Walton's first birthday party.

 Hudson's first taste of watermelon! He ate all of it!

 Thanks for my new toy, Ms. Bradley!

 "Look what I can do, Mom!"

 Loving his first Auburn baseball game!

Having fun watching Daddy hit golf balls.

First putting lesson

I can't believe this sweet boy is one already! I love being this boy's mom. I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with my best boy!

Amanda

Easter

Yes, I realize I'm a few weeks behind. Thank goodness, I can see summer on the horizon. I think I can, I think I can....

Hudson's first Easter was so special. The Saturday before Easter we all went to lake. We dyed Easter eggs and tried to get a few snaps of the kiddos. With Hudson and Prudence both on the move, it's hard to keep them still for very long. Hudson loved the brightly colored eggs. He kept trying to eat them. I'm pretty sure  he ate a few bits of egg shell and possibly some grass. What can I do? He was shoving things in his mouth before I had time to fish them out.

 Those two were definitely up to something!

Prudence helping me dye Easter eggs.

Prudence loves Hudson, and he's pretty smitten with her too. She doesn't always know her own strength though. The look on Hudson's face when Prudence plows him over with a huge hug is priceless. She only has so long before Hudson will start catching up. Watch out, Prudence! You've got some hugs and smooches headed your way!

"Mom, help me!"

I love this boy with all my heart.

Hudson's Easter basket was filled with goodies from the Easter bunny. He got an Easter book, a bunny, a movie, T-Rex dinosaur, scoop truck, plastic jet ski, and lots of kisses from his Mommy. I can't wait until Hudson gets a little older and can understand the true meaning of Easter. The colorful eggs and chocolate bunnies are fun, but all of that means nothing without the sacrifice of Jesus' life on the cross. I'm so thankful that I'm loved enough by my Savior to die for me and my sins. 

"I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!- John 16:33 

 

10 Months

Happy Sunday! We have had an exhausting weekend! Hudson gave us a huge scare this weekend. Tucker and I had to take him to the doctor Friday after I got home from school, because he had a 102.6 temperature. Turns out he has another ear infection! This makes the third one. Hudson woke up Saturday morning without a fever and acting like his normal happy self. We had Easter pictures scheduled later that afternoon in Clanton. After pictures, we stopped at Peach Park. I noticed then that Hudson felt a little warm, and I went ahead and gave him some Tylenol. By the time we got home, his temperature had spiked to 105.2! We were panic stricken to say the least. After a call to the after hours nurse, we gave him some Motrin and his fever started to slowly come down. I have never been so worried in all of my life!

Thank goodness, Hudson is feeling much better today. He woke up with a 101.4 temperature, but he hasn't had a fever since then. I think we may have finally licked this thing! We spent the day resting and enjoying this beautiful weather. After two worried nights of not much sleep, we all needed a day to recharge.

Hudson will be 11 months old on Wednesday, but like always, I'm a month behind. This month he learned to pull up all by himself! We were so excited! I was in the kitchen, and Tucker was outside mowing the grass when I looked up to see him standing up only holding to the side of the baby gate! His little legs are getting stronger everyday, and his balance is getting better too. It won't be long before he's walking! I can only imagine what he will be into then, because right now, his is into EVERYTHING!

We love watching our sweet boy grow and change! I can't believe he will soon be a year old! I'm bogged down with birthday party planning, but I'm so very excited. Right before Hudson turns one, his Daddy will turn 30! We have a lot of celebrating to do in the upcoming months!

Have a happy week!

Amanda

Spring Break

Why does spring break have to end?!?! I'm passionate about teaching, and I love my 19 school kiddos, but I also love being home with Hudson way more! We had such a fun week hanging out together. Friday, I was a little weepy. I realized it was my last day of spring break with my favorite little person. I'll be a mess tomorrow night, and I know I'll have to drag myself to work on Monday. I so treasure the days I get to spend with my Hudson.

We kicked off the start of spring break with a trip to the lake. Big Al had some landscaping he needed help with, and we all know that's not Shug's strong suit. Big Al, Andy, and Tucker worked on the landscaping project while everyone else played with Hudson and Prudence. Those two are already the best of friends. It's so sweet to watch them play and communicate with one another. Those two will keep us on our toes this summer for sure! We decided to stay the weekend to just get away and relax. It was a much needed little getaway.

I really wanted to do something fun over the break, so I planned a trip to the Birmingham Zoo. Shug, Mymama, Hudson and I met Andy, Emily, and Prudence for lunch in Birmingham. Then us girls plus Hudson (Uncle Andy had to go back to work. Bummer.) headed to the zoo. The weather was perfect for strolling around and checking out the many animals. Hudson's favorites were the monkeys and the Lorakeets.

The rest of the week was spent sleeping late (My child sleeps till 8; don't kill me!), running errands, and meeting our favorite UPS man for lunch. It was the best week! I've already started my days till summer countdown. I can't wait to spend this and every summer with my best boy!

Amanda

9 Months

The past 10 months have been the most joyous of my life. I say 10 months, because as of today, I'm officially one month and one day behind. I commend those moms that are able to keep their blogs updated. Unfortunately, I just don't have much free time anymore, but that's alright by me. Being a mom to my sweet boy is the best way to spend my time!

A good friend of mine just recently had baby number two, and it has reminded me about how truly special this time is. I was holding that sweet, precious newborn in my arms remembering that my angel boy was once that tiny. Seriously, where does the time go? I already find myself regretting not savoring every single moment of that precious time. Time I will never get back. Now, more than ever, I'm reminded to slow down and just be. Just be with Hudson. Enjoying his giggles and coos. His whines and cries. His smiles and silly faces. I just want to memorize him and his every move. I want to tuck these sweet memories away, so that one day, when he's too big for kisses and snuggles, I can pull them out and remember when he was my baby.

Nine months was a huge month for my H man. He is now a baby on the move! He started with what I call a military crawl. He was basically using his arms to drag himself from place to place. After about two weeks of that, he started crawling on his hands and knees. There's no stopping him now! He is getting faster and harder to keep up with, and of course, he's into everything!

Hudson has also reached another HUGE milestone. No bottle! We switched him to the the sippy cup, and there was no turning back. He took to it without any problems! I was excited, but sad at the same time. Every milestone he reaches is another reminder that he is growing up.

Hudson can now applaud for himself. He learned to clap this month! It's so much fun to watch him get excited and clap for himself. He also tried many new foods this month. He no longer eats "baby food". He mostly eats right from the table. This month he tried mac n cheese, watermelon, and cheese. So far it seems he's not going to be a picky eater. And if you've seen him lately, you can tell he doesn't miss a meal!

 This boy loves being outside!

 This is the only still shot we were able to get!

 On the move already! I love his silly faces!

This boy has stolen my heart!

Amanda

Twenty-nine

I can't believe I'm 29! I remember thinking when I was 18 how "old" 29 sounded. Now that I'm here, it doesn't quite seem so old! Ha! When I was 18 I had several goals that I wanted to achieve by the time I was 30. I was going to get married, get a good job, and have two children. And of course, live happily ever after. After a few bumps in the road, I have achieved most of my teenage dreams. 

My life is so full! Full of joy and happiness!  I wake up every morning thanking God for my many blessings. Two of those blessings are Tucker and Hudson. I love those boys to the moon and back! So on my birthday, I played hooky from school and spent the day with my two favorite people. 

My birthday included a fancy brunch at the Waffle House, nine holes of golf with my main squeeze, and a night out with my girlfriends. The next day, I was treated to a day of pampering at the spa. I can't think of any other way I'd rather celebrate! 

This was the best birthday ever, because it was my first birthday with this little dude! 

I can't wait to see what's in store for me this year. It's hard to imagine that it could get any better than this. Here's to the last year of my twenties!

Amanda

8 Months

Hudson turned 8 months on January 16th. He's a little less than a week away from being 9 months old. As desperately as I try to stay on top of this blog, I seem to always fall behind. Do I get credit for at least trying???

Hudson had a big month! At 8 months old, he helped his cousin Prudence celebrate her first birthday party. Prudence's grandmother, Amanda, gave Hudson his first taste of cake and ice cream. He loved it! Along with cake and ice cream, he also tried peas, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and fed himself puffs! Peas were not his immediate favorite, but he will now tolerate them, meaning he doesn't gag and spit them back out. Applesauce is by far his favorite. He would be happy eating sweet potatoes and applesauce everyday!

Prudence giving Hudson some love!

Hudson reached another milestone this month, one that made this mama very weepy. He moved out of the infant room into the next baby room at day care. New teachers, new room, anxiety ridden mama. Hudson transitioned just fine, I on the other hand, did not. I'm a creature of habit and don't care much for change and while his new teacher is sweet, she is very young. I hesitate to even say anything about age, because I was once a fresh faced, bright eyed, 22 year old first year teacher. (I know. Hard to believe.) I know there were probably many a parent unsure about entrusting their child to me. I try to keep that in mind everyday. It's getting a little bit better...

Hudson was also able to help his great Grandpa celebrate his 80th birthday! Not many kiddos can brag that their great grandfather can still do cannonballs off of the diving board, but Hudson can! He also got to meet lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles. He sure is a lucky little boy to be loved by so many!

Hudson with his great-grandfather, Bob.

It's hard to believe Hudson will be 9 months in a few days. This first year is flying by us quickly. I'm already beginning to plan his first birthday day party. It's almost more than I can handle, so therefore, I'm soaking up every minute of this snow day with my little guy!

Best 8 months of my life!

Amanda