Combined Baby Shower

This was my second shower that I helped plan (see previous one here). I teamed up with a friend (Kim) from my church ward and together we planned a combined baby shower for THREE women. It was effortless planning this shower, mainly because I had help from Kim - she is so organized and thorough. I took care of the decorations and drinks - all under $25. Seriously. We chose a yellow and gray theme because we wanted it to be gender neutral since two of the women are having boys and the other woman is having a girl. This was also not a typical shower because these women are carrying their 3rd or 4th child, so it was mainly a get together filled with good food and good company.

I have grown to appreciate these three women so much in the past year that we have been living in Raleigh. They are in the playgroup/mom's group from my church ward and they are wonderful. I have been able to get to know each of them and their families. They have also watched Hudson for us on occasion. They are such good examples to me of what kind of mother I want to be and I appreciate them so much. I love being able to talk to them about mothering questions I have or just hanging out with them from time to time. It sure makes living in this area a better experience, especially with good "girl" friends like them.

Clockwise from top right:

1- yarn wreath with felt flower embellishments and "baby" paint chip sign

2- yellow and white pom poms over the food table

3- the pregnant women (due in July and August) left to right: Kimberly, Sharon, and Christy  

4- lemonade and water in mason jars with gray/white striped straws

Not pictured: yellow/gray balloons, paint chip garland, banner, and more of the guests. 

Congratulations, mama friends! I can't wait to meet and hold your new little ones!

Hudson = 11 months

This post is a few days late, but Hudson is 11 months old now! It's crazy to think that in a month's time he will be a year old. I love getting to be at home with my little boy. Some days are hard, but for the most part we make the most of it and have a lot of fun together. A typically week involves going to the park, running errands, having play dates, going to the children's museum, the pool, the library, and just hanging out at home. He makes me laugh every day and we have a blast together. I love his little personality and his cheesy grin. Life is so good, especially with a kid like Hudson. He definitely keeps me on my toes.

Some facts about H...

• He has 7 teeth and one on the way. He loves to bite and put things in his mouth. When do kids stop putting things in their mouths? I feel like we will never reach that point!  
• He is starting to spit, especially his water from the sippy cup. He thinks it is the funniest thing to do. We are trying to teach him not to do it, but at the same time it make us laugh because he really only does it to get a reaction out of us. 
• His favorite foods right now are eggs, rice, and spaghetti. He still likes waffles, but I am trying to give him more variety. He really does love food. If you have food in your hands (especially crackers or goldfish), he will be your new best friend. I finally figured out a way to get him to eat fruit by making smoothies and putting it into his sippy cup. His favorite is strawberry and banana smoothies. He loves it. 
• He is tough. He'll bump his head or fall off the couch and just get right up.
• He is still very curious. He loves to find new things to play with or watch me when I am cooking. Sometimes he will want to help in the kitchen by climbing on the dishwasher and pulling all the utensils out, especially steak knives - those are his favorites, but not mom and dad's favorite thing for him to play with. 
• He is so sneaky. He will take our keys or wallet and hide them. His hiding places are getting pretty good - underneath our bed, bottom of his toy chest, etc. He also likes to find places to "hide" like underneath his tool area or underneath our computer hutch. 
• He is starting to "play" with kids his age. He gets along with other kids pretty well. Sometimes he will grab a toy from someone or pull hair, but for the most part he is easy going and is more of an independent soul. He is not a follower by any means.  
• He is still taking two naps, but I am thinking of transitioning into one nap since his morning nap is usually 30 - 45 minutes long and his afternoon nap is about 2 hours. Any suggestion on how to do this?
• You can tell when he gets tired because he will grab his blanket or anything soft and put it by his face and cuddle with it. It's so cute. 
• He can get himself off the couch and our bed without any hassle.
• He has a pooping spot. Really. He will go to the spot near his tool area or underneath it and poop. It's happened a couple times already. 
• He is wanting to be held and cuddled with more and more. It is the BEST thing ever.
• He has transitioned into a big boy car seat. Finally! He seems to like it much better. 

Thanks for making the past 11 months the best ever!

We love you so much, Hudson!

 At the children's museum with his buddies, Ethan and Leilani

 Playing hockey

 Hiding spot #1 - underneath the computer hutch, on top of the printer

Dad wasn't too happy about this. 

Hiding spot #2/Pooping spot - underneath his tool area. 

Sometimes he gets himself stuck there.

Eating spaghetti is a messy task.

We really need to teach him to use a fork. 

Hiding spots

Hudson is such a little stinker. Seriously. The kid will take things, mainly important things AND hide them. I swear he does it on purpose too.

We couldn't find Logan's wallet for 2 days. Where did I find it? Underneath our bed.

We couldn't find his bottle for 3 days. Where did I find it? In his toy box, buried by all the toy cars and stuffed animals. 

I couldn't find my keys all day. Where did I find it? Underneath our bathroom sink in a basket with all my hair brushes and head bands.

Here's the face he gave me when I asked him where my keys were.

And here is my face after I found them! Whoop! 

What a sneaky little man. I can't even be mad because his hiding spots are getting better and better. But maybe he can start hiding his own toys instead of important things? Here's to hoping I don't lose him one day because I might not ever find him, especially with how long it takes me to find all the things he hides. 

First Father's Day

I am so grateful for Logan. Not only is he the best husband, but he has quickly become a great dad in my eyes. His love and patience towards Hudson is so endearing to see. One of my favorite things to watch is Logan coming home from work. Hudson runs over with arms wide open, with the cheesiest grin, and gives Logan a huge hug. It makes me smile every time. It is just the sweetest, cutest thing I get to see about 5 times a week.

I'm not one to brag (well maybe just on this blog), but I can't help to reflect on some things that make Logan a great dad (in the short, few months he has been one). Of course, there are a lot of qualities but there are two things that stick out in my mind:

1) He is patient. So unbelievably patient. It drives me nuts how patient he is (mainly because I am so not patient). He rarely gets upset even when Hudson pulls his glasses off a million times, or when Hudson hides his wallet and we can't find it for a few days, or when Hudson climbs up on the dishwasher and pulls all the utensils out (mainly the steak knives). Logan is always so patient and uses moments to "teach" Hudson rather than talk down to him or yell at him. I could seriously use more of his patience.

2) He is playful. This will come in handy as Hudson gets older and we add more kids into the mix, but Logan knows how to make things fun. We will be at various events and he will be playing with the kids rather than talking to the adults. It happens every single time. Kids LOVE him. Every single kid. I always get compliments from other women who say, "that is a great dad right there!" especially when he is the only adult playing with the kids. I totally lucked out when I married Logan, if anything, for his ability to make life fun.

We love you, Logan!!

Thanks for being the best dad to Hudson. 

He may not look like you, but he sure does want to be like you - and that wouldn't be a bad thing at all. 

 No one makes H laugh more than his dad. 

candy card gift for Father's Day

Logan teaching H to run on our Father's Day walk

And, here's to our dads - for being our heroes. For their unfailing love, giving hearts, and patient listening.