VA & MD Visit

Just playing catch up here....

After Easter weekend, Hudson and I went up to VA for about 5 days to visit my side of the family. My maternal grandpa recently got diagnosed with liver cancer so we wanted to make sure we saw him before he got significantly worse (and from what I hear it is going to get that way soon). We were able to drive up to MD twice to visit with him. It was so nice to see him and be around him. Plus, some of my little cousins were able to come over (spring break for them) and play with Hudson. It was a lot of fun to be with all the extended family that we don't get to see often.

 Me and my sweet grandpa who just turned 83!

 with both of my grandmas

Hudson loved playing with all my little girl cousins

(Kaitlyn, Madi, and Bella)

Hudson had a little accident while we were up visiting. He fell off my parents' front porch (face first) and got himself his very first fat lip. He cried and I just about cried too. I'm so grateful it wasn't anything more than a fat lip though. He didn't want to keep ice on his lip, so grandma Lynn bought him a popsicle which put him in happy spirits soon after. 

 Fat Lip - Day 1

Fat Lip - Day 2

Hudson and I went to dinner with one of my oldest, dearest friends. I have known Anna since elementary school. She is one of the sweetest, most thoughtful friends I have! It's always a blast when we get together and catch up. I just wished our other friend Angelina could have joined us. 

Hudson and I both had a really good hair day while we were up there. That never happens, so I made sure to document it. 

 My dad took us mini-golfing one afternoon and gave Hudson a few pointers.

Hudson loved it!

 We went to Fredericksburg, VA one night to have dinner with my brother and go here. I wish there was one closer, but it is probably best for my bank account that there isn't one anywhere near Raleigh.

I found this picture while looking through old photo albums. After I saw this, I knew exactly why Hudson was so cute - he looks just like his momma! :) 

 Since Logan's family drove us to VA (after their trip to Raleigh), we got to take the train home!

Hudson LOVED it so much. He kept saying "choo choo" and looking outside the window the whole time. 

 He played with the iPad, walked up and down the aisle saying "hi" to everyone, and ate lots of snacks.

After a while, he was "choo chooed out" and fell asleep for about 2 1/2 hours. I took a nice long nap too.

Video: Hudson saying "choo choo"

It was a nice trip to visit my family, but we were excited to get home and be with Logan again. He sure misses us when we go on our VA trips, but he'll be able to join us when we go up again in June!  

Second Pregnancy

This second pregnancy has been smooth sailing, for the most part. The first couple weeks I was just tired and did nothing all day. I felt bad for Hud because we stayed inside and I let him watch way too many movies/shows while I lounged on the couch, and then Logan would get home from work and I'd still be on the couch while he made us dinner (best husband ever). Luckily, that only happened for about two weeks and then I decided to get moving and out of the house.

At about 15 weeks, I am feeling pretty great! I still try to take naps with Hudson during the day, but most of the time I get up before he does and can still get things done (he's been a GREAT napper lately - about 2-3 hours every afternoon).

I'm still with the same practice (the one that delivered Hudson) and I love them. It's a practice with midwives and doctors, which is really reassuring for me. I love seeing my midwives. They are the best - always really personable, caring, attentive, and I feel like they really listen and give encouraging feedback. It's such a blessing to have a warm, friendly practice to go too. It's called Triangle Physicians for Women, in case any of my local friends are interested. For those of you wondering, yes, I am going for another natural birth. Hudson's birth was such a positive, empowering experience. It was a dream labor and delivery for me! You can read about it here. I am really hoping to have the same kind of experience, but I know that is not always the case so I am making sure to keep an open mind through all of this.

One thing that I feel like I did better with the last pregnancy is exercising. I was going to the gym and taking my group exercise classes (Pilates, Yoga, and PiYO) right into my third trimester. With this pregnancy, I feel so lazy but chasing my 20 month old around is plenty of "exercise" right? I'm going to try to do better, especially now that the weather is nicer and there is a nice lake where we can take walks in the mornings. I'm also going to start doing Pilates again from home or put in my pregnancy workout DVD (the one Logan hates). I think because I was actively exercising I was able to go through an intense, quick labor with Hudson without any medication. I know it might not be the same way with baby #2, but I definitely want to make sure I am prepared on my part - that means exercising and staying active.

The next thing is eating. I think Logan and I are pretty healthy eaters, so this won't be too difficult. I am really loving my fruit this time around and meat. Not really loving my veggies, except for baby carrots, corn, and bell peppers. I don't think I have eaten a salad since I found out I was pregnant. I don't know, but the taste of lettuce just doesn't appeal to me right now. I'm sure I'll try again soon. It's so weird though because we almost always have a salad with dinner every night, but it has been awhile since I've made one. Again, lettuce sounds gross right now. Maybe I should try spinach salads.

And as far as weight gain, I've gained a pound so far. I'm thinking I'll gain it all in the end, just like last time.

Girl/Boy predictions? Let's hear it. Both of our families are saying GIRL. I want to believe it, but something in my mind says boy. Probably because we don't have any boy names. We are hoping to find out early - around 17 or 18 weeks. That means soon!

And, here are baby bump pictures. Like I said, not too much now.....but get ready for the whale of a surprise coming soon. Did I mention I'm going to be pregnant during the hot, humid summer? Yeah, really looking forward to that. ;) At least we have a community pool, so I'm sure that is where I'll be the whole summer (Hudson will love it too, I'm sure).

 12 weeks

almost 15 weeks

Easter Weekend

Wow, sorry for the lack of blog posts from me. It's been a busy couple of weeks, and most of my photo documenting is on Instagram now (follow me @abbycorbett). Bare with me while I play some catch up on this blog of mine.

Logan's parents and two youngest siblings came to visit us for Easter weekend which was a blast! We love having family come see us and showing them around Raleigh. Sadly, I didn't get as many pictures of everything we did but it was great to just be enjoying our time and not snapping pictures 24/7 (see my 2013 word here).

We sure packed a lot of fun activities while they were visiting including going to an indoor pool, playing at the wooden playground (Laurel Hills), going downtown for the annual Raleigh Easter Celebration (complete with overwhelming egg hunts), walking around the lake, dying and decorating Easter eggs, playing a new game called Dominion, attending church, preparing and eating a delicious Easter dinner, and visiting with extended family in Holly Springs.

It was a busy weekend, but it was super fun! I also loved that Hudson was old enough to help with dying/decorating eggs, and then finding them during our egg hunts. He's at such a fun age! Here are some pictures and videos...  

 Walking around the lake with Grammy and Uncle Austin

Watching and feeding the ducks

 Getting ready to dye/decorate eggs

 Pro egg dyer

 Beautiful Easter eggs. Corbetts are so talented. 

Video: Hudson searching for eggs

 Easter Sunday - after church

Sunday dessert with second cousin, Macie

 A week before, I took Hudson to see the Easter bunny and to our local community egg hunt. He was so brave and did not cry when he saw the Easter bunny. He was giving him high fives and kept smiling at him. I was so proud!

 At the community egg hunt with his bud, Ethan.

Showing off all of his Easter stickers. 

I love celebrating Easter every year. There is so much hope and energy surrounding the holiday. I love the beautiful Spring colors, the forthcoming warmer weather, the flowers blooming, the birds singing, and having my windows open. More importantly, I love being able to celebrate and reap in the knowledge that my Savior lives again..... 

He lives! All glory to his name! 

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same. 

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

       I hope everyone had a great Easter!