Summer time (August)

Well, it is September which means summer is officially coming to an end. Sad!

August was probably our busiest month of the summer - visits from family, beach trip (another post), and other activities. I'm going to miss these lazy days of summer, but we are looking forward to fall too!

Here is what August looked like (in pictures and videos - get ready for an overload):


Logan's parents and three youngest siblings came down to visit because Kate went through the temple for the first time in preparation for her mission (she's going to Chile Concepcion). She is such a sweet girl and we were really grateful she decided to have her first experience in the Raleigh temple so we could be there. Go here to learn more about our faith, temples, and missions.

 Kate and Logan outside the Raleigh, NC temple

 Kate stayed for a few days after the family left, so we went to the NC Zoo.

We went to play at Pullen Park one morning. Last time Kate was there, she sprained her ankle. Luckily, there were no sprain ankles this time around. 

 Kate made yummy HOMEMADE cookies and creme ice cream for us!

 We also celebrate Carson's birthday. He was such a good sport about the dinosaur theme (left over stuff from Hud's birthday party). 

Hud loved the ice cream and cake from Carson's birthday! 

He actually thought the birthday party was for him and kept asking for presents. Silly kid. 

We got tickets through Groupon for a Durham Bulls baseball game. It was extremely humid and hot, but we survived. Carson went with us too, and we also ran into some friends from church.

My sister, Aunt Mary and her kids came to visit for a day on their way back from South Carolina. It was really fun getting to catch up, and to see Hudson and Ethan play together. 

Hudson has been doing a lot of finger painting. He got this awesome kit for his birthday. The paint only shows up on the special paper in the kit, so it doesn't get on the walls or carpet or on clothes. Genius! 

Getting ready to go to the pool one day. I'm sad that our pool days are coming to an end!  

We painted a dresser/changing table for the kids' room in like two weeks time. I got the dresser off craigslist for $20. It was a process, but I love how it turned out. 

 First we sanded it down. 

 Then, we primed it - Hud helped too. 

Sanded it again. 

 First coat of white went on.

Sanded again. 

Then final coat and finishing wax to seal and we got this....

We went to the library a few times this summer, and you could always find Hudson and Logan like this....such bookworms, but I love it!

Love this happy kid of mine! I really think the summer time makes kids happier, and Hudson is no exception! 

My friends, Lindsey and Erin, are due with their second babies around the same time as me AND with girls! So exciting! It's been fun hanging out with these ladies this summer. They are awesome. 

  

We went to play soccer early on a Saturday morning (well, the dads and moms played - I watched these two - Asha and Hudson). 

Video: Hud crying on the way home

We just went to have lunch with dad on campus, and Hudson was sad the entire car ride home.

He cried and cried for his daddy. I had to take a video just so Logan could see. 

Video: Hud says "stegosaurus"

Longest word he knows!

Video: Hudson and Ethan playing in a puddle

These boys are best buddies, and have so much fun playing together!

Beach trip post coming soon....

Blue Bike

Hudson loves any kind of bike, but he especially loves motorcycles. My brother has one and every time we go up to VA he asks to sit on it and wear the giant helmet.

We weren't going to get him a bike until he was a little older, but my brother insisted on getting him one as a birthday present. Yes, I know - best brother/uncle ever! So, we did our research and next thing we knew a bike was coming. It had to be blue too - Hud's favorite color.

Here's a video of Hud when we told him his Uncle Tommy had ordered him a bike:

Pure excitement

A few days later, blue bike came in the mail:

Pure happiness

It's a Strider Balance Bike, so it doesn't have any pedals or chains. It is suppose to teach coordination/balance and steering before transitioning to a real bike with pedals (skipping the training wheels phase since kids sometimes get too dependent on them). Hudson is still learning how to use his new blue bike, but we think he'll pick it up and will be riding like a pro in a few months. 

Second ride on the bike
Notice how he makes motorcycle sounds. :) 

Update on baby girl

We are hitting the home stretch. I am 32 weeks today! I will start going to my appointments every 2 weeks from now on. Baby girl looks completely healthy and right on track for her due date of October 9th.

A few things about baby girl and third trimester pregnancy...

• She is not as active as Hudson was in my belly (hopefully that will remain the same once she is here). :)

• She has a name! We're 98% sure. It's been one we have liked since I was pregnant with Hudson and it's just stuck with us. Plus, Hudson has the cutest little nickname for her and says it in the sweetest voice which makes it hard to think of a better name. We will announce her name on the blog and FB once she's born. Here are names that have been on our list (or more like my list, since Logan is very selective and only likes a few), in no particular order: 

Elaine (Elle)

Caroline

Amelia

Sophie

Lyla

Kaycie

Reese

Gwendolyn (Gwen)

• My back is killing me. That's my only complaint about this pregnancy. I'm so thankful for Logan and all the back rubs he has given me. I was recommended by my midwife to go see a chiropractor for an adjustment, but I'm a little nervous to do so just from all the horror stories I've heard. 

• Second babies are less expensive than first babies, that's for sure! We are re-using just about everything we used for Hudson with the exception of clothing (obviously) and blankets (since it doesn't seem likely Hudson will be willing to share his). The only big purchase we have made is our Phil and Teds stroller with doubles kit - absolutely love it!

• We have a few big projects that we want to get done before she gets here including painting a dresser/changing table and possibly the crib too (if I can convince Logan to do all that painting for me). And a few smaller projects for me to do that involve sewing - breastfeeding cover, car seat cover, and (eventually) a blessing dress. 

• I gained about 10 pounds in 4 weeks. Pretty impressive, I think. I wasn't lying when I said I gain everything at the end. Weight gain has been normal though - about 22 pounds so far. 

• My birth plan is written down and ready to go, but my midwives are pretty clear on what I would like happen, and what I would like happen if things don't go accordingly. I'm registered at the hospital and pediatrician is selected (same as Hudson's). Just need to get the car seat installed and hospital bag ready, in case I go into labor mega-fast like I did the first time.  

• The reality of having TWO kids is kicking in. I think I will be able to handle the newborn stage a lot better this time around since I will know what to expect, but what worries me is having to split my attention between an active toddler and a needy newborn. Luckily, I will have my mom and then my mother-in-law visiting for a few weeks, and friends who have offered to help until I get the hang of things.   

at 28 weeks

baby bump
at 32 weeks


Less than 2 months until baby girl's arrival!
We are getting excited!

Summer time (July)

This summer is just flying by! I can't believe it is August already. Just one more week until we get to go to the BEACH with all the Corbetts. So excited!

July was a busy month. We had Hudson's birthday and his dino party (see here and here), family visiting, a few more birthday parties, lots of pool days, crafting, playing, and family fun.

Here's what happened in July (sorry for the picture overload):

Temple date with the hubs almost always includes a trip to Pelican's for snowballs. 

Yum!

Played at the park (either early in the morning or late afternoon when it is not too hot)

Lots and lots of pool time with friends

Getting to see a dear friend and meeting her little man, James. 

Sunday afternoon airplane watching

Meeting T. Rex at the museum

Chillin' in just a diaper (this is most days)

 Sewed this turban headband

 And these hair bows for baby girl

 And these burp cloths

Oh, and these maxi skirts for my little cousins and sister when they came to visit 

Baked and devoured everything in sight

Horse riding

Very insistent on wearing his winter hat one day

With my sister on the train at Pullen Park

Loved having family visit us, especially my mom!