Hudson at 7 Months

Ugh, really? 7 months already? Every month that goes by, seems to of been the quickest one yet. With Hunter, I looked forward to him growing up and seeing the little boy he was growing into, it never made me sad. Hudson is a whole different story, I tear up, I fight him not being a baby anymore. I'm sure it's because I knew that Hunter would not be the last and Hudson may be.

He is doing awesome, though! Hudson has got to be one of the sweetest and nicest babies. He's so full of joy and only fusses when hungry or tired. He's living such a peaceful little life since I've gotten to know him better. His cues have gotten so easy to read, I feel like I know just what he needs and when he needs it.

Eating: This baby loves his food! He's drinking about five 6oz bottles and eats solids twice a day. It doesn't matter if it's peas or bananas or green beans or apples, he gobbles it all right up. I've been much more relaxed with him than I was with Hunter in introducing him to new foods. He's had pieces of oranges, macaroni and cheese, little pieces of chicken, etc. this month.

Sleep: Hudson has become a dream baby as far as sleeping goes. (I never thought I'd be saying that about him!) He goes to bed between 7-7:30pm and sleeps straight through until 7-7:30am. No complaints here! He naps a lot. He takes three naps a day and they range from 1-3 hours. Usually at least one of the naps is 2+ hours. He's only awake for about 2 hours between naps, so doing anything with him, besides quick errands is a bit difficult still. That's okay though, not much to do here in Altus anyways! Oh yeah, and he still will not sleep anywhere but in his crib and swaddled for the most part. He knows what he likes.

Other: Hudson is wearing mostly 6 months clothes still and size 3 diapers. He's such a skinny little peanut! He sits up all the time unassisted like a pro. He likes to sit by Hunter while he's playing with toys and even joins in when playing ninja turtles. He's been responding to "kissy lips" and leans in for a big open mouth kiss. I'm pretty sure he's starting to cut two of his top teeth, but they haven't poked through quite yet.

He also LOVES his doggy. Henry and him are pretty much best buds. Hudson's eyes light up when he sees Henry. And Henry is pretty quick to lay down next to Hudson and give him kisses.

 

Hunter and Hudson have also become much better buddies lately. I think now that Hudson can sit up and grab toys, Hunter has an easier time "playing" with Hudson.

Christ's Blood

Easter always makes me really think about Jesus dying on the cross and what it really means. It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that my King died for me. That the only sinless man that ever lived, died such a horrible and painful death...to save all of us awful sinners. It's so humbling. It makes me really think about the life I'm living and want to better it, so that he didn't die to save me for nothing.

I've heard so many people in the past say that they don't go to church because they have a horrible past, that God wouldn't and couldn't love them. Those thoughts are straight from the devil, that's what he wants God's children to think. It is nothing but a lie. It makes me realize that there are so many misconceptions about "Christians" and "Christianity". 

Someone on Facebook posted this awhile ago and it really stirred something in me. It was someone that I knew from high school, and I had a pretty dark time during my senior year, and for a second, I thought maybe they were posting it about me! 

And then that didn't matter and I realized that it is just so sad that non-Christians think that Jesus lovers think like this! That those who love Jesus are most concerned with hiding their pasts. No! If anything, we hope that any struggles we have had, can be used as a testimony to where their lives turned. That even the ugliest of sinners can be saved! I'm not one to advertise my struggles and sinful ways in my late teens or early twenties, but that certainly does not mean that I am ashamed of my past. If I thought in anyway that my story or my experiences could help heal, save, or bring peace to others, I would not hesitate to be completely honest and forthcoming about things that I've been through in my past.

So quite contrary to this "funny" internet card, PLEASE REMEMBER WHAT MY PAST LOOKED LIKE! Because I am saved. I am the daughter of the King. And I have been forgiven. And so can you.

In worship today, part of the lyrics of one of the songs, spoke about how the blood of Jesus took away our shame. Amen! The freedom we have in Christ is like no other! It truly is amazing love, that I strive to know more and more about. God gave his only son and watched him suffer on that cross. As a mother, I cannot even begin to imagine how painful that must of been. And for Jesus, our Savior, to of lived a perfect and pure life, to go through what he went through. Man, if that doesn't bring tears to your eyes... 

I pray that I can walk with the Lord for the rest of my life. I confess my sins and know that you have forgiven me. That the holy spirit with grow within me. That my life is one that will glorify God. I love you Jesus and what you have done for us sinners will not be forgotten. Let the story of your life and resurrection be forever etched into my heart. 

Week in Instragram Pictures

Hudson is 6 Months!

I feel like I just gave birth to this precious little boy yesterday, but it's been over half a year now! He is such a blessing and I feel so lucky to be his mommy. Hudson has changed so much in the last few weeks, part of that makes me a little weepy, but mostly it's just fun.

 

Stats:

 

16lbs 2oz (25th percentile)

28.5" (95th percentile)

 

He's a long skinny baby, but the doctor isn't concerned because he staying on the same growth curve. That's just the way the little peanut is built.

 

 

Sleep: Oh glorious sleep. Hudson was waking up 2-4 times a night at the 5 month mark. For the last two weeks...he sleeps from about 7:30pm-6:30am straight! It is a wonderful, wonderful thing. He still sleeps swaddled, yes, I know that he's 6 months old...but I need sleep, too!! We're slowly transitioning him out of it by leaving one or both arms out. When he wakes up around 6:30am, I swoop him up and bring him into bed with me. This is such a special time for us. I wrap my arms around him and then he turns onto his side and cuddles into my chest to sleep for another hour. Oh how I love his sweetness...and an extra hour of sleep rest.

He naps really well, too. He almost always takes three naps per day, they vary in length between 45 minutes and an hour and a half.

We put him down awake at all nap/bed times. 75% of the time he doesn't make a peep, but sometimes he fights it a bit. Even then, he fusses for a few minutes and just falls right asleep. I feel so fortunate to have kids that don't need to be rocked to sleep before putting them down. When he wakes up before I know he's gotten enough rest, I just put his pacifier back in his mouth and he usually falls right back asleep.

 



Eating: We introduced Hudson to solids this month. He loves food! So far he's had apples, butternut squash, bananas, green beans, and peas. I give him food 1-2 times a day. I've also been trying out some baby led weaning approaches and he seems to really like that. He ate almost a whole banana one day, just holding it and taking bites of it all my himself. He drinks a 5oz bottle every three hours or so. So...that means that he weaned from nursing this month. It was a pretty smooth transition and it was time for both of us. He seems to be happier and I was ready to have my body back. There has been much less spit up, as well.

He started sitting up by himself this month. He seems much more content to not be held now that he can sit up and see what's going on around him. He also usually insists on holding his bottle himself, too. He'd rather feed himself, as well. See a pattern? Yes, we have a very independent little guy on our hands. Oh yeah, and he has two bottom teeth!

He's wearing mostly 6 months clothes right now. I've been putting him in some 6-12 month and 9 month clothes, but they are still pretty big on this little guy. He wears size 3 diapers. He really likes his big brother and dog, he's constantly smiling and laughing at them.

He's starting to really like playing with toys, especially with Hunter. The weather has been so nice here, that I've been putting Hudson in the Ergo carrier and taking the boys to the park. Hudson relaxes in the carrier while I swing with him and he just seem so peaceful! We've been known to swing for almost an hour while watching Hunter play around us. It's such a wonderful time for all of us.

He brings so much joy to our family. Hudson, we love you so so so much.

Life in Oklahoma

Now that we've been moved into our new house for over a month, I feel like we're settled and have gotten into a new routine. Life has definitely slowed down for us, and I have to admit, I'm very much loving that.

Hudson has decided that he is a bit of a home body. He likes to nap every two hours or so...and he only likes to do that in his room. There is no rocking him to sleep, snoozing in the car seat, dozing off in the swing anymore. He wants to be swaddled and with a pacifier in his room. And if he doesn't have that, he gets pretty upset with me. So, you can imagine, I don't like to leave the house with him for more than a couple hours. And oddly, I'm really adjusting to that just fine. It's forced me to slow down and just focus on my little guys. Hunter likes the alone time with me while Hudson naps. We cuddle up and watch a TV show, read books, he helps me unload the dishwasher, clears the floor of all his toys when I want to vacuum, etc. It's a good routine.

Every week, pretty much looks the same for us:

Monday night; I go to women's fellowship by myself at the church.
Tuesday: Hunter has preschool, Hudson and I grocery shop during that time.
Wednesday: Whole family goes to church service that night
Thursday: Hunter has preschool
Friday: Cheat night from Paleo eating....almost always pizza.
Saturday: ???
Sunday: Whole family goes to church

I never thought that having such a "boring" life would bring me so much peace and contentment. But that's exactly what it has done. I don't ever feel bored or cooped up. It has made me much more aware of God's presence in my life. "Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10. It allows me more time for reflection and intentional living. I have time to read my bible or other books and have started a spiritual journal, too. It's just so calming and freeing not to be tied up with a million errands and obligations.

A big part of the contentment I feel is due to Jesse's job. He is home all the time, which is a huge change. He flies a few days a week and is gone from either 7am-5pm or 5pm-3am, otherwise, he has a normal office job. We can actually make plans in advance and know he'll be around. Such a change from him being away from us 200+ days a year. He comes home for lunch everyday that he's not flying and is around every morning when we wake up.

I do miss all my family and friends. I think of them often and talk and text with them, too. But I cannot dwell on not being there to see them. I have to just use the resources I have to stay in contact and keep close relationships with them.

Overall, we are so excited to be where we are. Jesse is loving the rural living and we are all loving the almost continuous sunshine! It's so nice to take a walk with the family after dinner or be able to take Hunter to the playground almost anytime! I'm sure I won't be loving the sun nearly as much come summer when it's 100+ degrees everyday, though! I'm almost certain I will be buying some last minute plane tickets home to get out of the heat at some point!

The Move to Altus, Oklahoma

So yeah, I know we moved over a month ago. How has it already been that long ago?! But the blog took a backseat during that time.

We were a little weary about driving 2,000 miles with Hudson, but with the help of my dad, it was pretty painless! Jesse and Hunter rode in the truck and my dad, myself and Hudson rode in my car. It worked out perfect. I pumped in the back seat and then gave Hudson a bottle the whole way so that we didn't have to stop every other hour. He did great everyday, there was no real crying until 6pm every night...that's when he hit his limit and was done with the whole road trip thing. So everyday we drove until 6pm. It worked out perfect, it was time to stop, eat dinner, and get settled in a hotel.

The first day, we drove from Snoqualmie, Washington to Yreka, California (505 miles!). Then from Yreka, California to Fresno, California (429 miles), with a stop in Roseville to have lunch with some friends of ours. Day three was Fresno, California to Holbrook, Arizonia (681 miles). Holbrook was a cool town! We learned that a lot of the Cars movie was modeled after it. We even saw the Wigwam Inn and the tee-pee hotel rooms.

The last day was from Holbrook, Arizona to Altus, Oklahoma (618 miles)! We drove into Altus after dark, but the last couple hours I was full of anticipation. We were driving to the place that would be home for the next four years and I had never even set foot into the state! What does it look like in the light? What little towns surround it? Like a completely geek, I wikipedia'd all the small towns leading to it for the last hour of the ride (while my dad drove). I looked at their population (most under 1,000), the trends in population, their businesses, any famous people who came from there, etc. My dad so patiently listened. Ha!

We stayed in temporary lodging from that night (Thursday) until Tuesday. It was a two bedroom duplex, it worked out great during that time. We found our new church that Sunday, Jesse finished up the duck hunting season on Saturday and Sunday with some local guys, my dad flew back home Monday, and we got the keys to our new house on base on Tuesday.

Tuesday was a disaster. We signed the lease in the morning and the movers were supposed to be there between 8 and 10am. Jesse met them at the gate and one of them failed the background check, then another one did, and then they finally got someone else by around 1pm. Really?!

They finally started unloading...the first thing off the truck was the top of our desk, with a big hole in the middle. Things got worse. Big scratches on our foot board, a dresser, a nightstand, Hunter's table, etc. The icing on the cake? A rat had got into the crate they made just to move the two paradise ducks from New Zealand that Jesse had just had mounted. The rat had chewed up the ducks. Jesse was almost in tears. So we have filed a claim for the damages and someone will be out on Friday to assess them. How will they put a value on those ducks?!

They got everything in the house and a couple pieces of furniture put together and then left until the next morning. The next day, one guy came back and unloaded every box into piles all over our house. It was awful! It took us a couple weeks to get the house somewhat organized and unpacked.

I'm Back...But Let Me Ease My Way Back

It's been FOREVER since I paid any attention to this blog of mine. Thankfully I've been keeping up with all my favorite fellow bloggers on Instagram, but still. We've been pretty busy around here. Just a 1900 mile drive with the family and my dad to move from Washington to Oklahoma. And then there is settling in here, and doing that with two kiddos. No, we haven't been up to much. ;)

So yeah, I'm not ready to get into writing about all the real stuff, so how about I gradually get back into it with some fun fluff?

5 Fun Facts about Yours Truly!

5 things...

...you will find in my purse.

Well, sadly these days my purse is a diaper bag, but that's alright.

1. My phone, don't leave home without it.
2. Car keys.
3. Wallet, I triple check this now that we're living on base...I don't want to get stuck off base without my ID and not be able to get home!
4. Checkbook/register. Yup, I'm the odd one who still carries these things everywhere. (I even balance my register to the penny.)
5. Diaper/wipes/pacifier.

...you will find in my bedroom.

1. TV. Watching a tv show at night is a must for me to get my brain to turn off.
2. Pack n' play. Hudson still wakes up at least twice a night. So after the first time, I put him back down in our room.
3. Bible/books on my nightstand. I try to have quiet time in the mornings to do some reading. Right now I'm back to reading "Parenting by the Book" because Hunter is showing us some terrible 3 behavior lately.
4. Hair ties/bobby pins. Those are always sitting on my nightstand from me taking them out before bed.
5. Dirty clothes. I wish I could only blame this on Jesse, but there is almost always a couple things laying on the ground.

...I've always wanted to do.

1. Mostly travel. I for sure want to visit Thailand, Costa Rica, and Tahiti. And Egypt...but don't think that will happen unless things settle down in the Middle East.
2. See my kids love each other.
3. Go on a mission trip with Jesse.
4. Own my own business.
5. Live as long as possible and watch my kids/grandkids and hopefully great grandkids grow up.

...I'm currently loving.

1. Our Nespresso Pixie machine and electric milk frother. This is a must when living a HOUR from the nearest Starbucks.
2. Meal planning. We've only eaten out a couple times since moving in and I've been able to stick to weekly grocery shopping thanks to meal planning. This is a must with two kids!
3. Our new church. THE NICEST PEOPLE EVER! :) (Hi y'all!)
4. Slower pace of life. Hudson is seriously the happiest baby here. The key is to never leave the house with him. Ha! (I'm not kidding)
5. Sunshine.

...Quirks I have.

1. When opening a container (like sour cream) the top plastic film has to be taken all the way off...none of this half flap business is happening in my fridge.
2. The kids cannot wear their heavy coats in the car seat. I know it's just a safety issue, but it drives me nuts and I can't stand to see kids wearing their coats in the car.
3. I'm pretty sure the boys are always better dressed than I am. I'm just funny about what they wear.
4. I count stairs as I climb them. (We have 9 and then 8 to our second floor.)
5. I have to balance the checkbook to the penny (see above).

Yup, so that's all I've got for today. But I'm back!!