Earthquake + Hurricane Adventure

It has been quite an eventful, adventurous week for us in North Carolina. First, we had an earthquake!! Yes, we felt it all the way in Raleigh, NC. Logan and I were both sitting on the couch when we felt the shaking. Logan first looked on our balcony to see if it was construction. My parents were in town visiting for the day. My dad thought it was coming from our closet where the water heater was (we had just gotten a new water heater that day). My mom was in the other room. It was about 30-45 seconds of mild shaking - nothing drastic, but it was definitely a different feeling. Immediately after, Logan decided to look it up online - sure enough, it was a 5.8 earthquake that hit the Virginia/D.C. area. Crazy! We started calling family to make sure everyone was okay, but of course the phone lines were being slow! We eventually got in touch with family and everyone was doing fine, just a little shocked. It was Logan, Hudson, and my first earthquake. I'm so glad it wasn't bigger than it was and that everyone was safe.

We also survived Hurricane Irene! We actually drove down to Holden Beach on Thursday night to spend a day at the beach with the Corbett family. I know; we are crazy for going but it really wasn't that bad. We even went swimming in the ocean on Friday morning - the waves were huge and it started to rain a little, but it was a lot of fun. We ended up leaving Friday afternoon since there was an evacuation of the island. Even though it was just for one night, we had a good time! Hudson did great on the car ride except for the last 30 minutes each way. Hurricane Irene did not do too much damage to us in Raleigh - just a few trees that fell down and quite a bit of rain.

So, there you have it. We survived an earthquake and hurricane in one week! Go us! I'll update later with beach pictures because right now Hudson and I are in VA for the week with family while Logan is on his first business trip in St. Louis :)

Hudson = 1 month

Our baby is 1 month old today! He is getting bigger and cuter every single day.

I mean, just look at the boy...

I can hardly believe I gave birth (birth story here) to this sweet baby boy a month ago! It has gone by fast. It's amazing how well Hudson fits into our family and us to his little world. It has been a natural, beautiful transition for all of us. 

I'm not going to sugar coat the first month though - it was challenging mentally, emotionally, and physically. There were days I had to drag myself out of bed. There were moments where I just bawled from being exhausted or emotionally drained or wondering if I could really "do" this - be a mother, that is. Needless to say, things are getting much easier/better. I have learned to take a deep breath and to take each day as it comes. I've learned that motherhood isn't easy or peachy keen all the time, but it is worth it. So worth it. I know everyone says that, but seriously - it is so true. 

After being Hudson's mother for just a month, I can't imagine the future without him. I absolutely LOVE being his mama. He brings such a sweet spirit to our home and is such a blessing in our lives. I see little changes in Hudson every day. He is growing up (fast) and I am savoring every precious moment I possibly can. 

Here are a few fun facts about Hudson:

• He is a very laid-back baby. He rarely cries and when he does it is easy to calm him down. 
• He is so strong. It is getting harder to burp him because he likes to lift his head up and look behind my shoulder all the time. 
• He loves tummy time. He tries to scoot his feet and lift his head up.

• He likes the sound of running water. It soothes him. There was one night where he was just fussy and fighting sleep. I took him into our bathroom and let the water run for a few minutes - he fell asleep instantly. 
• He likes to sleep on his side (just like his dad).
• He has the most adorable pouty face.

• He is starting to smile more and it melts my heart every single time. 
• He loves bath time. 
• He does not like getting into his car seat, but once he is buckled and in the car - he falls asleep very quickly. 
• He loves his baby swing. 

• He likes being read to.
• He has the chubbiest cheeks. 
• He loves to snuggle (just like his mama).

• It is getting harder to keep him swaddled in his blanket. 
• He moves his little hands all the time - even in his sleep and it sometimes wakes him up.
• He loves going on walks. 

• He has really long fingers. 
• He makes the funniest facial expressions. 

• It takes him awhile to poop or maybe he just poops a lot. I'll change his poopy diaper and not five minutes later he'll poop again. Seriously.
• He's getting bald spots before Logan is. Poor baby.
• He makes the cutest cooing sounds.
• He has the biggest, brown eyes I've ever seen (he's still learning how to focus so he seems a little cross-eyed at times).  

And, yes, he is the most adorable baby. EVER. 

Happy 1 month, Huddy Wuddy :) 

monkey see, monkey do

Hudson wants me to introduce you to one of his friends. 

His name is Mr. Monkey. 

Mr. Monkey and Hudson love to play with each other. 

I like to ask Hudson what monkeys do. 

Do you know what Hudson does? 

He waves his arms and makes loud cooing noises, of course!

See for yourself...

Also, this just in, Hudson is way too smart for that little body of his. 

Forget sitting up, rolling over, or crawling...

Hudson is already practicing walking (with daddy's help, of course). 

Reason #92342857

for why my husband is amazing...

He PASSED the Series 7 exam (on his first try, too)!!! 

He got a 87% which is incredible since the average score is 73%. This exam is a requirement to be a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones and Logan rocked it :) He spent the last month studying and it definitely paid off! He has one more exam to take in two weeks - then off he goes for a week of training in St. Louis, MO.

And, yes, he did all this while helping me take care of our little guy....

Way to go, husband :)