Happy, Happy (late) Birthday!

Colin's birthday was May 20th. Unfortunately, we were on the road for most of the day, but we did get to celebrate with family before heading back. We grilled hot dogs, ate cake and ice cream, and did a little swimming. What more could you ask for? :)
Psst! Hey dad - can you pass a little of that my way?
Happy late Birthday, baby! Seven down(that we've spent together) and at least 100 more to go! I love you very much!

Hudson's First Beach Trip

It has been a long time since I updated our blog! We have had quite a lot going on! We had a great vacation in Destin, FL with Colin's parents. The view was awesome and the weather was PERFECT!

It was Hudson's first time on the beach. He certainly liked the sand.

He liked the ocean as well!


Two teeth came in during the beach trip (can you see those top middle teeth peeking through?), which Hudson wasn't too excited about :)

This is what Hudson and Daddy did on the beach all week.. :)



We had a great time, and I will leave you with our family photo we TRIED to take before leaving.. We will do it at dusk next time instead of in the morning - none of us could open our eyes!

Thanks Bill and Reamo! We had a great time with you!

See ya!

We are going to the beach this week, so I will not be blogging.. beach pictures to come! Have a wonderful week!

Mother's Day

I know I am a little late, but Happy Mother's Day! I, for one, was so excited to have my first mother's day! My little boy has brought me more joy and love than I could imagine. I don't deserve His blessings, but the Lord has blessed me beyond words. I am tearing up just thinking about the love I have for Hudson. He is such a wonderful, loving baby. His laugh makes my heart jump. His smile brightens my day. When he dances by his Leap Frog table, I want to dance with him! When he cries, I want to cry. Thank you, Jesus, for the precious gift you have given me. Although I don't and will never know the magnitude of your love for me, having Hudson has given me a clearer understanding. I can't fathom your love for me... thank you for calling me your child and loving me and guiding me.
"For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands" Ps. 92:4

Hudson (and Colin) treated me to breakfast in bed for Mother's Day (and a massage for carrying him around all the time) - see how thoughtful he already is?! I had a great day spending time with my two favorite people in the whole world, and I even got to go to the grocery store by myself!! woohoo! I took a looong time just browsing :)
And, I must not forget the woman who gave birth to me 28 years ago... I love you mom.. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I appreciate all your love and support through the years. I really do - more than ever now. Thank you for all your sacrifices. It is a blessing to see you with Hudson now. Happy Mother's Day!

A Hiking We Will Go

Colin had a random day off Wednesday, so we decided to go hiking! We were venturing into unknown territory. We had never done this with a baby, but you gotta try or you'll never know. So, we headed to Cades Cove and went hiking down Abram's Falls. It ended up being a great trip! I was pretty proud of ALL of us... Colin for carrying the extra 22 lbs, me for keeping up despite my out of shapeness, and Hudson for enjoying the trip! It was 5 miles altogether -UPHILL and down. Here's a LOT of pics from our adventures (sorry, I couldn't decide which ones to upload, so I uploaded them all!):

Before we started the trail:


Enjoying the cold mountain water from the falls:


Aren't they SO handsome?? :)


The family shot by the falls:


Hudson falling asleep on the way back.


And one more family shot -



And I will leave you with this shot of a momma bear and her three cubs grazing in the fields and a momma coyote running across the loop at Cades Cove. We also saw lots of deer and 2 fat turkeys. Hudson isn't old enough to appreciate the animals, but we sure did! It was amazing!

Cousins

We are back home from our trip to see my sister and her family. Unfortunately, in rushing around to get packed and leave on time, I didn't bring my camera. However, I do have pictures from our visit in March. We had a wonderful time, and as always, it is sad leaving. My sister is almost 10 years older than me. It is such a blessing to see how the Lord has brought us closer and closer together as we get older and have more in common. She is one of my best friends, and I get MUCHO mommy advice from her, too :). Those of you who know me know that I talk about her a lot!I am so thankful that our kids are so close in age... they are already great friends and I see a lot of fun in their future! Here is a pic of my mom, sister and me (It's a shame - I could only find this one from the pumpkin patch.. we need to take more sister pictures!) and here is a pic from March of Laney, Hudson and Bennett. (and there is one more cousin on the way in June - Franklin :) )





Colin got back from his trip to Boston as well. He had some great guy time with his co-worker friends seeing the sites, watching the baseball game at the local bar, and talking about their kids while chillin in the hot tub :) hee hee (that last one didn't sound too "guyish" but it was too cute to not mention)

On the road again..

We are on the road again. Last week it was Rome, this weekend it is Atlanta to see my sister and her family. I have to say, traveling with a baby by yourself forces you to do some thinking, THANKING, and praying!

Thinking... How do single moms do this ALL the time? Between changing Hudson's diaper at Cracker Barrell (which is pretty interesting - never thought I would use the bathroom with a baby in my lap!) walking my dog Tucker with Hudson on my hip ( and having a sweet, probably 75/80 yr. old woman help me lift my 40 lb. dog into the back of the car) and trying to drive safely while reaching for a paci in the car seat in the back as I listen to a screaming baby ( i was careful mom, I promise) I give props to single mothers out there. I admire them and look at them with a whole new sense of respect!

THANKING... I am so thankful for my husband. Always getting in there to help - dirty diapers(with a little coersion), baths, feedings, or just being the distraction so that I can get out of the room without Hudson crying. On the occasional day that I have had enough, I will greet him at the door with a smile and a baby ready to hand over :) . Colin gives me a kiss, loves on Hudson and rolls on the floor playing with him, even though he is exhausted from the stress and hours of his job. He is such a good daddy. The Lord has truly blessed me. On road trips by myself, I realize how much better we are as a team, and how much I miss him!

Praying...to distract me from the occasional screaming baby :) It's a great time to pray for my friends, family and my sanity!

Really , it's not quite as bad as it sounds. Hudson is a pretty good little traveler. I do wonder, though, if he panics every time I put him in the car seat - wondering if it's going to be a 10 min. drive or a 3 hr. drive! Poor thing..

Times are a changin..

Hudson is mobile! He has been for a couple of weeks now. He's having a BLAST! It's a lot of fun to see him moving around, but it sure does change things. No more leaving him in one spot and him staying there. His favorite things that he has discovered are the outlets, the magazine rack, and Colin's guitar - all no no's. Here he is getting under his exersaucer - it's so much fun until he realizes he doesn't quite know how to get out.

He also thinks the candle is very interesting - A couple of days ago, I left him for a split second and heard a crash, only to find him with the candleholder on top of him. So, I moved it to the landing on the stairs... he's working on figuring how to get to it.. I am sure it won't be too long! :) And the adventure begins....