Gigi and Grandpa

Dick and Mary came down for the weekend to visit us and it was so nice.  They loved on both grandkids and watched them so Brian and I could get out and have some fun for a few hours.  

Beckett has become really smiley the past week and was really showing off for Gigi and Grandpa.

Gigi loving on the boys

Sunday before they had to leave.

Poor Beckett gave us a little scare Saturday night.  I was changing his diaper and saw it was a little bloody so I called the triage nurse and she said if it happened again in the middle of the night to go to the ER, but if it happened in the am to call the office to be seen.  Sadly, it happened again, so we took him to the doctor.  It looks like it might be a cow allergy, so I have to cut all dairy out of my diet and they wanted to also do some tests to make sure it's not an intestinal issue.  I'm praying it's an allergy and will cut out dairy.  The little guy is not so little anymore, he is up to 11 pounds, already.   I think Hudson was at least 3 or 4 months old before he weighed that.

We had such a fun weekend with them and miss them already.

Family Pictures

Our wonderful friend and neighbor took some precious family pictures for us earlier this week.  She's so talented and I really love all of them.  They're so special to me.  We started in our other neighbor's backyard because it is so pretty and well landscaped.  We're in the midst of the 5th wettest August on record, so everything still looks beautiful and green instead of dry, brown and crunchy.

Here's a handful of my favorites, although it was really hard to narrow them down, she did such a good job.  I love the colors and lighting in all the pictures, you'd think she was a professional.

We really do feel blessed beyond measure.  I love Hudson's face in this picture - cracks me up.  

We were having to come up with some action shots to keep Hudson's interest.

Brian was actually blowing raspberries on Beckett's stomach, but it ended up looking like a really sweet kissing picture.

I love Beckett's eye color in this picture - he's got such pretty blue eyes

I really love this one.

I'm sure you'll see a lot of these on our Christmas card this year.

1st Day of School

Today was Hudson's 1st day of school and he did GREAT!  He was really excited and did great at drop off.  He is in the Kangaroom Room this year.  He even wore big boy underwear and pottied before class started.  

Such a big boy.  He wanted to style his hair a little differently today, so we went for more of a spikey look.  I also let him choose between 1 of 3 outfits and he chose his orange dinosaur outfit.

He wanted to sit for a minute

Class getting ready to start - Ms. Tasha standing there with the blonde hair is his teacher.  She's great.

My little boy is growing up.  So proud that he had such a great day.

Family Reunion

We made the trip to Indiana yesterday for Brian's family reunion.  We had a really good time, but it was a lot more difficult to travel than we anticipated.  We had several bathroom mishaps (I'll spare you the details).  It ended up taking an hour longer to get there than we expected and we were pretty exhausted by the time we got home.

Halas and Hudson playing in the sand volleyball court

"I Wanna Hold Baby Beckett!"

I hear that phrase at lease a thousand times a day and if I don't oblige Hudson, if I step out of the room for a second, he is reaching for Beckett's bouncer trying to pick him up or trying to pick him up off the floor.  So I try and let him hold him quite a bit, so if I step away for a second, he won't take matters into his own hands.

Not exactly the best selfie, but it's a pretty accurate representation of Hudson holding/loving him.

Poor Beckett is going to have to end up tough.  I definitely feel like his protector right now.  Thankfully Hudson LOVES him, but is still learning to be gentle.  

Happy 1 Month

Dear Beckett ~

Happy 1 month!  Honestly, I can't believe it's been a month already.  It's been really fast for the most part.  You really are a sweet, lovable, cuddly little guy.  The first two weeks after you born, I think I was running on adrenaline and felt really good, but these last two weeks, I feel like I've hit a wall and have been completely exhausted.  We survived our first week at home without any help and actually did well.  I was really worried about Hudson potty training, coordinating both of your nap times, and feeding both of you, but thankfully, everything worked out pretty well.  

Sleep:  You've had several nights where you've gone 5 hours in between feedings, but you mainly go 4-4.5 hours at night and then eat every 2-3 hours during the day.  We're so ready for you to stretch out your night feedings.  I've had to switch over to pumping because you didn't gain enough weight initially, it's difficult to coordinate feeding you, then pumping, but it's so worth it to give you the best start possible.  You really love laying on our chests and we usually accommodate for at least 1 of your naps.  It's sweet, precious time.  

This is the same bear I posed Hudson with.

You have really pretty navy blue eyes, I hope they stay that color.  Your hair is brown, but in certain lights has an auburn look to it.  You have your Daddy's eyebrow furrow.  I'm not really sure who I think you look like, yet.  You love being held and are so content as long as we're carrying you around.  I got a Moby carrier and hope to start using it in the next couple days, I think I'll be able to get more accomplished.

I had just given you a bath before I took these pictures and rubbed Aquafor all over you to help your dry skin.  I couldn't see how greasy it made you look until I downloaded all the pictures - oh, well.

I think you're about 9.5 pounds by now, you're really filling out.  You're still wearing newborn diapers, a few newborn clothes, but mostly 0-3 month clothes.  You have your Daddy's long skinny legs and I think you're going to have more of his laid back personality.  You like watching and taking everything in.  We've only seen a handful of gas smiles.
Your big brother absolutely loves and adores you.  He is constantly giving you hugs and kisses.

This is what most of our evenings look like - exhausted, but somewhat peaceful.

We love you so much and can't wait to see more of your personality come through.  We're excited to see what God has planned for you and pray for you daily.  You're such a sweet, little blessing!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Just for comparison:

Hudson at 1 month

Beckett at 1 month -- Beckett is definitely bigger, Hudson has longer hair.  I really didn't think they looked anything alike until just now, I see a little resemblance.  I tried getting the pictures side by side, but I couldn't make that work

Newborn Pictures:

Hudson

Beckett --Sadly, I haven't taken nearly many pictures of Beckett.  I intend to change that starting now.  Also, I never ordered the iron-ons for his onesies.

Clorox Moment

My Mom and Brian's Mom started potty training Hudson the week he was in IN and he has taken to it really well for the most part.  We did have a Clorox Bleachable moment a week ago.  One of my friends stopped by to bring us dinner and I left Hudson in the bathroom for a minute to go answer the door and before I could get back to him, he brought the potty container to me, half naked and all.  He was so proud of himself.  We just laughed.  Thankfully Laura has 4 kids so she's seen it all and then some and was very encouraging to Hudson.  

Here's a picture of our little guy proud of his big boy undies.

Super Saturday

Today was Super Saturday in Lexington.  KET (local PBS) hosted The Cat in the Hat and Steve Songs.  We registered Hudson earlier in the week.  Brian took him and I stayed home with Beckett.  Brian met up with our friends, Matt and Sarah and their two little girls, Hannah and Clara.   Hudson had a great time.  Brian said the place was packed and the line to see The Cat in the Hat was way too long so they did other things. The kids are dancing to Steve Songs --sweet little Hannah on the left.

There was a lot of different activities for the kids - face painting, dancing, crafts, a chance to see bugs and birds,...   Brian thought the owl in this picture was fake until it finally turned it's head.

Hudson got to sit in Lexington's biggest fire truck.  It weighs 90,000 pounds and the ladder can reach up to the 8th story of a building.  

I'm glad they had such a good time.  

Nice Visit

We had a really nice, but quick visit with Brian's sister, Melissa and her Husband, Michael.  It was so good to see them.  They were on their way to Gatlinburg and made a pit stop at our house for a couple of hours.  They brought Beckett some cute onesies and Hudson a couple of cool magnetic books.   It's always so good to see them.

Aunt Melissa

Uncle Michael

1st Bath

Beckett had his first tub bath last night.  His umbilical cord finally fell off, so we were able to get the little tub out.  I expected him to hate it, but he seemed to really enjoy it.  He just sat back and took everything in and seemed pretty happy.  

Such a sweet little guy

To My Mom:

Mom,

Thanks so much for staying with us these past 2 weeks.  I don't think we could've made it without you.  You were so helpful and so much fun to be around.  I especially appreciate all the naps you had me take.   We're already really missing you.  I can't believe how fast the time flew.  Come Monday when Brian goes back to work, I'm sure it's going to be really stressful and difficult.  Hopefully we'll start getting in a groove soon and hopefully I'll get some energy.  Hudson definitely misses you, too, he keeps talking about you coming back.  

Thanks for all your love and support!  We love you!