Fun to Do

Living in Raleigh is fun to do, fun to do, fun to do....think of the LDS Primary song.

It's amazing how much stuff there is to do in the Raleigh area. I am so glad we live here. It is a fun city with plenty to do. I know our families (mainly mine) want us to move back to Virginia, but honestly I am in love with Raleigh - no traffic, beautiful scenery, affordable housing, best parks, awesome museums, amazing church family, etc.

Just this week, we went to the Museum of Life and Science. It was our first time going in the 1 1/2 years that we have lived here, mainly because admission is $14 a person which is a little pricey for a museum if you ask me.

Well, we decided to just go and it did not disappoint - so much so that we ended up buying a membership - with the membership we also get into a lot of other museums and science centers throughout the country (including Sci-Works in Winston-Salem, museums in Richmond, VA and Pittsburgh, PA). Logan heard that we get free admission into the Carnegie Science Center with our passes (he's been talking about this place since we got married), and he was sold. Looks like a trip to Pittsburgh needs to happen within the year!

Anyway, back to this museum about 20 minutes away from us. It is AWESOME. There is a kiddie area, a mini-zoo, butterfly conservatory, train ride, Dinosaur trail, and Into the Mist in the summer. This place is so cool. We can't wait to go back, preferably when it isn't raining. Also, the best thing about the membership is that only one adult from the family has to be there. That means, I can bring a friend and he/she can get in for free! Best deal ever. Who wants to visit us in Raleigh?  

 the kiddie area

 cutest wooden slide ever

 Upstairs where all the science stuff was - this was a rotating magnet thing

It was fun until Logan set Hudson down on it and well...I'm sure you know the rest...

Hudson went spinning and rolling! Dads are so silly. 

Petting Max the cow. 

Hudson has a fun time mooing at him (yep, he knows what sound a cow makes - smart kid). 

 Outside after seeing the farm animals.

Building a tower with dad's help, of course!

Election 2012

This past election day was thrilling, to say the least. However, the moments leading up to it were filled with debates, research, prayers, discussions, and maybe a little bickering. You see, our home is somewhat divided based on our political views. And somehow word got around to our church friends (a church that is LDS, mind you) about our divisions. After that, many were interested in what Logan and I had to say, and we were happy to tell them. Many were impressed by our knowledge of the political candidates and the various issues, but ultimately I think what impressed people was how we make our differences work in our home. Honestly, that impresses me too because Logan and I are two very different people. We think differently about certain issues. We have different hobbies. We learn differently. But one thing remains the same - and that is our love for God and our family. Those two things will be something we always agree on. No matter what.

I started reading a book gifted by my MIL. It is called Deliberate Motherhood, and it is fantastic. If anything, this book has caused me to really think about what I do - how my choices, attitude, and opinions shape my child, and family. The first piece of healthy advice I heard was this quote, and I thought it was very relevant:

"Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House, but on what happens in YOUR house." - Barbara Bush

That quote put me right in my place. Because truly, isn't that what matters most? 

How grateful I am to have been part of such a significant election.

But even more grateful to be part of a family.

To be part of raising a family. 

To be part of creating success. Not just in my home, but society too. 

What a privilege, a true honor.

A blessing, really. 

Hudson = 15 months

I haven't done a monthly update in quite some time, so here is one for the Hudson fan club.

I'm not going to lie, Hudson at 15 months is exhausting! He is all over the place - jumping, climbing, clapping, yelling, running, and even hitting (ahhhh),  etc. Most days I can't keep up with him. We have to plan activities in the morning just to wear him out enough to go down for a nap. We play outside, go to the parks, visit the library, and play with friends. He is still an independent soul. He likes to do his own thing and is constantly exploring his surroundings. He gets into everything and it drives me nuts most days. 

15 month old stats:

Weight: 21 pounds and 3 ounces (24th percentile)
Height: 30 1/2 inches (21st percentile)

A few things about H....

• Nicknames: Hud, H, Hudson bear, stinker, bud

• He can say a few words: mama, dada, ball, bye, and oh no.

• He is going through a hitting phase. Watch out world. I don't know where he is learning it from, but he has already hit a 3 year old and made her cry. Ugh! What do I do? Any disciplining tips? I feel like he is still really young, but I want to do something. We tried time out, but I don't think he understands that concept very well. 

• He has 14 teeth!

• He no longer sleeps in his crib (wishing we would have waited longer to transition him). He has his own full mattress that we put in his room. He loves it and sleeps pretty well - about 9ish-8AM, occasionally he comes into our room asking for his milk.  

• He naps once a day, but it is getting harder to put him down for a nap. I usually try to put him down anytime between 1:30-2:30PM. He sleeps for about an hour. When did your kid(s) stop napping? I have a feeling it won't be long until H forgoes the nap. 

• He loves watching Yo Gabba Gabba and Sesame Street. I usually let him watch an episode in the morning while I make his breakfast. 

• He loves playing with his ball and can kick it pretty well. 

• He can tell you where his nose, hair, and belly button are. 

• He is sitting forward facing in his carseat now. I know most pediatricians recommend 24 months, but we felt like it was time to transition him and he likes it MUCH better. 

• He is a reader. He knows where his books are and loves to look at the pictures and pretend to read them.

• Not only does he fold his arms for prayer time, he starts mumbling in his own baby voice saying his own prayers. It is THE cutest thing in the world. 

• He likes to play rough. He tackled a 2 year old at church a few weeks ago. 

• We started doing more at home activities. He likes to color and draw, but it only lasts about 10 minutes tops. His favorite thing is playing with gak. I had a friend make us some at a playgroup we went to a few days ago, and Hudson will sit in his highchair for an hour playing with it. 

• He uses his blocks and Legos to build towers. It's actually really impressive. 

• His hair has gotten significantly lighter. I think it's from all the sun from the summer. It also got super long, but we cut it shortly after Halloween was over.  

• He is wearing 12-18 month clothing. He has a pretty solid build with a cute little tummy pudge. 

• He makes the cheesiest, happy face when we say, "Hudson smile!" 

• He is still drinking milk out of a bottle. I've tried multiple sippy cups, even ones with a straw. He drinks his water in it, but not milk. It's pretty discouraging, but I will keep at it.

Below are a few of my favorite Hudson expressions:

The focused face...

 The congratulatory, "I did it" face...

The cheesy face...

The kissy face...

The excited face...

The happy, but tired face (myself included)...

We sure love the many faces of our Hudson boy! 

What a blessing it is to be this kid's parent. I am so lucky. 

Hogwarts Halloween

I decided to get a little creative this year and make our costumes from scratch, meaning no pre-made costumes were bought this time around. It turned out better than I could have possibly imagined. I feel like I should be in a special league of hip mothers who sew their kid's costume for Halloween - is there such a thing? But, then I was reminded that mothers have been making their kid's costume long before I thought of the idea, like my MIL and mom.

I had the idea to do Harry Potter for a couple months, but I never settled on the idea until a week before Halloween. I came up with the whole pattern for Hudson's costume on my own. Maybe I'll write out a tutorial one day, but just so you know it was pretty simple and cheap too - I got all of the materials for less than $10. Score! Needless to say, I was pretty happy with how it turned out. I was super giddy all night after I finished making the costume - good thing we had plenty of opportunities for him to where it.

Let's start with our church ward's Halloween Party. There was a potluck dinner, games, and a trunk-or-treat. Plus, a few friends from our beloved Hogwarts. 

Hands down, the two best looking wizards!

We decided to draw Hudson's HP glasses using my eyeliner because, let's be honest, there was no way he would have kept a real pair on the whole night. 

Video of H on the way to the party. Listen to Logan talking about possible alternative Harry Potter titles. Funny stuff. 

The whole fam decked out in HP attire. 

 H with his best bud, Ethan the cow. 

 Some friends from Hogwarts - Mad Eye Moody and Professor Umbridge (but really the Howingtons are the sweetest couple, he's in our Bishopric and she's stake RS president).  

H found a broom behind the curtains on stage. Logan thought he should use it to fly, of course. 

A few days later, and after Hurricane Sandy (luckily, we didn't get hit too bad - just rain and wind), it was Halloween! We went to a few neighborhoods close by with some friends from church - the Hills and Strawns, and then later met up with the Williams. It was a little cold, but so fun! Hudson loved it, especially with the lollipop and chocolates he got to eat. Lucky kid. And we had a fun time reaping all the benefits of having a kid in costume; we've got candy to last us a few weeks. Awesome.

I'm a tad biased, but I'm pretty sure this kid is the cutest Harry Potter ever. 

A few days later Hudson's HP hair got chopped off. Finally! 

Trick or Treating with the Williams

And, as if that wasn't enough, we went to a day after Halloween party (because that's when everything goes on sale - duh). Our friends threw it and we showed up bearing treats. But we decided to go low-key and be athletes instead of Harry Potter characters. This was the only picture I got... 

Logan a red eyed, fiery, happy soccer player.

And Hudson, a cowboy baseball player.

I think it's safe to say we nailed it this Halloween!