Merry and Bright

Christmas is so much better when you have kiddos! Hudson being 19 months made it even more fun! He understood a little more about Christmas than he did last year. He would say "Santa, Ho, Ho, Ho!" anytime he saw Santa Claus, however, he was not Santa's biggest fan. We attempted sitting in Santa's lap twice this year. He was happy to look at Santa and would even give him a high five, but no way was he sitting in that guy's lap.

December was jammed pack full of festive activities. The weekend after Thanksgiving we went to Gilbert's Tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree. Hudson loved the hay ride and running through the fields of trees. Once again, we picked a tree that was way too big for our living room. Can anyone say, Clark W. Griswald?!?! What can I say? They look much smaller in the field! We also co-hosted a graduation party for Tucker's cousin Katheryn. She graduated from Auburn in just 31/2 years, and she already has a real job! We are so proud of her and her many accomplishments. She is going to do great things! It was also just a good excuse to get the family together to celebrate, something we do really well! 

This year, we also made our yearly trek to Pine Mountain, Georgia to Fantasy in Lights. We bundled up and rode the Jolly Trolley. Hudson loved  it and was in awe of the lights. After each Christmas carol we would sing, he would clap and say "Yay!". Our fellow riders thought he was the cutest thing ever. I had to agree! At the end of the tour, they told us to say "Merry Christmas!", however, Hudson wasn't having any of that...he shouted a big "War Eagle!". His Daddy beamed with pride!

Each year my side of the family gets together at my Grandpa's house. Hudson had a wonderful time visiting with his many beautiful girl cousins. Taylor, Rachel, and Chloe just adore him, and the feeling is mutual. They taught him how to take selfies. I can't tell you how many they took, but they had a great time doing it! 

We also took Hudson to his first Auburn basketball game. Auburn played Xavier, and just my luck, the game went into double overtime! Hudson was such a good sport. He clapped and cheered for his team. He even fussed at them a few times when needed. We are so fortunate to live her in Auburn and have the many opportunities that we do. So far, Hudson has been to a football, baseball, and basketball game, and he's not even two yet!

This Christmas,we hosted Christmas Eve dinner. Shug, Mymama, and Big Al came over to celebrate and help us get ready for Santa. Santa brought Hudson a cozy coupe truck and an activity slide. He got a Pottery Barn anytime chair from his Shug and Big Al. He also got new clothes, New Balance tennis shoes, books, and a wooden train. I'd say he was a good boy this year!

Christmas day we traveled to Wetumpka to visit with Aunt Kathie, Will, and Kate. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and opened more presents! We also got to visit with Emily, Andy, and our favorite girl, Prudence. She and Hudson loved playing with the Christmas ornaments Aunt Kathie used to decorate the staircase. Needless to say, that was a hot area for a while for those two. They also enjoyed rocking in the chairs on the front porch. Whatever Hudson did, Prudence had to do and vice versa. Those two are the best of friends!

Merry Christmas,

Amanda

Thanksgiving

I don't know about you all, but Thanksgiving snuck up on me this year! I was definitely ready for a three day break from school and spending some much needed time with my family. Every other year, we host Thanksgiving at our house. When we host, I cook the turkey and dressing. Both were a hit again! This Thanksgiving was extra special, because Hudson and Prudence were able to spend it together. Those two are the best of friends! They had the best time chasing each other, giggling, and loving each other. Watching them grow up together makes my heart so happy!

 Chasing each other is so much fun!

Sharing sweet giggles.

A little rough housing with the best Shug ever!

 "Let's go for a ride, Kate!"

Kate needed some help!

This was the best family picture we could get!

The struggle is real!

I have so many things to be thankful for this year... my precious family, Hudson and Tucker, my health, my job, and so much more. My goal is to thank God for my many blessings everyday, not just this one day of the year. 

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. "

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Amanda

18 Months

In the blink of an eye, 18 months has flown by. It's hard to believe my baby boy is becoming a toddler. Everyday he learns something new. I love to watch him explore and discover new things. He makes life more meaningful, more fun, and more joyous.

Having a toddler is challenging to say the least. Hudson knows what the word "no" means, however, he doesn't always obey it. Timeout is a joke, and spanking his hand only taught him how to hit. Parenting fail. So if you see me out and my child is pitching a good one, say a prayer for me. We are  at our wits end with this discipline thing. Hudson is a good boy for the most part, but he is headstrong and stubborn. He knows exactly what he wants and he wants it right then. Poor child...he gets it honest. Someday these qualities will be his greatest assets...I hope.

Hudson still loves to be read to. His favorite books are "I Love You, Stinky Face", I Love You, Through and Through", and "Who's Hiding on the Farm". He has discovered trains and can say "Choo-Choo". When you ask him where something is, he will throw his hands up and say "I don't know!". I'm impressed everyday with his vocabulary. He has always been very expressive. He can identify his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, head, feet and belly. When you ask him where his belly is, he pulls up his shirt and slaps his belly. I think he learned that from his Daddy.

Hudson can be shy at first when meeting new people, but warms up very quickly. You never know how he will react. Sometimes he's shy, and at other times, he doesn't meet a stranger. He can give high-fives, and his Mama taught him how to give bones. I'm so proud!

Hudson pretty much eats whatever we eat. His favorite foods are french fries, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, and fruit. He's not much of a meat eater just yet. We've tried chicken, but he usually spits it out. He's been drinking 2% milk, due to his high percentile in weight since he was 15 months old. However, that has done nothing to slow his weight gain. I told the doctor I was raising an Auburn tight end, and there was really nothing I could do about his weight. He's always been big. I mean, he was 9 pounds 1 ounce when he was born. He is also tall for his age, so that helps to balance out his weight. I have no idea where he gets this from. Neither Tucker or I are big people. No matter, I think my baby is perfect in every way!

Hudson's major accomplishments for 18 months include going to his first Auburn game and giving up the paci. I wasn't ready for him to wean from the paci, but his Daddy put his foot down. It was easier than I thought it was going to be, and I know if we had waited till later it only would have been harder. It was three rough nights, but after that, he went down without even a whimper. That boy makes everything seem so easy!

As I have said before, we love this sweet boy to the moon and back. Words can not describe my love for him. He makes my life better and gives it purpose. His laughter is infectious, and his sweet smile brightens everyday. I'm so blessed God chose me to be his Mama. Happy 18 month birthday, Hudson!

Stats:
Weight: 28 lbs 10 oz
Height: 32.5 inches

Amanda

Halloween 2014

Hudson had a blast this Halloween! We celebrated all week with fun and festive activities. Hudson carved a pumpkin, had a party and costume parade at daycare, and helped Mommy  and Daddy pass out candy on Halloween night.

Of course, in Hudson tradition, he was sick on Halloween. Our plan was to trick-or-treat with friends downtown, but earlier that day I got a call from daycare that he was running a temperature of 101.6. I took him to the doctor, in fear that it was another ear infection. Turns out, his ears were clear! Whew! Dr. Johnson couldn't find any reason for the fever other than the common cold. I think Hudson knew Mommy's kiddos at school were acting wild, and she needed to start her weekend a little early. That's my boy!

Plan B included dressing up and doing a little trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. By that point Hudson had some meds in his system, and he was feeling like himself again. He played and played while Tucker and I passed out candy. You never would have known he was feeling a little puny earlier that day!

Happy Halloween!

Fall Break

What a wonderful fall weekend we have had! Friday night was spent relaxing on the back porch. I had a toasty fire, a glass of wine, and my favorite boys. It was a perfect evening! Saturday morning we headed to the pumpkin patch. After a little research, we decided the best place for us was Jack-o-Lantern Lane in Lafayette. We were not disappointed!

The pumpkin patch included a mini petting zoo. Hudson got to pet rabbits, horses, and a donkey. He got to see chickens and turkeys. His favorites were the donkey and turkeys. There were two huge fields with pumpkins and sunflowers. There was also several set ups for pictures. After the hayride and petting the animals, Hudson went in search of the perfect pumpkin!
                                             

The evening ended, once again, on the pack porch next to the fireplace. Tucker set up the TV, so we could watch all the football games outside. I was skeptical when we got the fireplace this spring, but I'm so glad we made the investment. It has become another room for us,and it's a great entertaining space. We've already enjoyed it several times this year. 

Happy Fall!

Amanda

Tailgating Fun

We tailgated for the first time this year for the LSU vs. Auburn game. This was Hudson's second tailgate, and boy, did he love it! That boy did not meet a stranger! Thank goodness for his Shug! She was happy and content chasing him all over the place. Mama, on the other hand, was exhausted just watching him.

We invited our sweet friends from church, the Epperson's. Blake and Lybbi have a little boy named Walton, who is only about two weeks older than Hudson. Walton and Hudson had the best time together. There's no telling what those boys will get into when they are older. We are so blessed to call them friends and have our boys grow up together. 

Hudson loved sitting in his mini Auburn Tiger tailgate chair that his Shug and Big Al bought him. He had the most fun shaking his Auburn shaker and taking a ride around the tailgate spot in the wheelbarrow pushed by his daddy. He chatted up lots of pretty college girls and climbed up and down every set of stairs he saw. Poor Shug, she had to be exhausted, but she followed right along!

           

The day before we took Hudson downtown. He had his first Toomer's lemonade and played on Samford lawn.

         

         

         

We can't wait to do it all again for the South Carolina game! War Eagle!

Growing Up

Almost every weekend, we have another birthday party to attend. We love celebrating our sweet friends' babies birthday, but it's another reminder that our babies are growing up. As each friend turns one, Hudson gets closer and closer to age two. While I'm so happy that I have a healthy, growing boy, my mama heart aches because he's more and more "toddler" and less and less "baby" everyday. Sometimes I just look at Hudson in awe. It's amazing how fast and how quickly he's growing and changing. I'm truly blessed to be his mama.