Hudson

is almost 14 months!

has had some first steps, but decided he preferred crawling

stayed with Grandmommy and Granddaddy for 3 whole nights

loves a good game of peek-a-boo

enjoys playing hide and seek with mommy

love his "push push" (as we call it) and uses it as his main transport around the house

has been sleeping 12 hours straight at night (thank you, Lord)
loves his cow milk!
has been weened for 2 whole weeks
has 2 new teeth
needs a haircut
tried on his first pair of jeans today (so big boy!)
thinks he might like his blankie afterall
climbs on the couch, plays in the pillows, claps for himself
dances when you sing to him
reads his books
hates to shop
had some cupcake to make up for his first birthday
makes us laugh and smile, makes us (me) cry
melts our hearts!

so far...

We've installed all of the new kitchen appliances- I love them all and cannot wait to use them! We also purchased some additional storage pieces. The kitchen cabinets will eventually be sanded and painted but for now I am sticking with the "old farmhouse" look. Some of our furniture has been moved in so that we can sit every once in awhile and eat at a table-oh and sleep on a bed! We are finishing up painting woodwork and cleaning and hope to move on to some bigger, more exciting projects soon-like installing a new front door and hanging new fixtures. Last picture is our awkward green bathroom. Jason and his dad installed a new vanity and a new toilet (gotta have new, fresh toilets =) ). It looks SOOO much better! So far, I love our little house! It's perfect for us, and I feel like all of our furniture looks good in it. I'm very happy with the way the paint color turned out too. Hudson likes his swing, but is still getting used to his new room. I'll get back with more updates soon!

house update

Sorry I've been MIA from the blog lately! Truth is, we've been so busy going back and forth from the apartment to the house. We got the keys to the house last Thursday! It's been mostly stressful for me and a little fun too. That's because I'm such a perfectionist when it comes to cleanliness and organization. If it could happen, I would have my house looking like a magazine in a couple days. I'm getting better though- since you can see improvement already! We have had lots of help from Jason's parents and sister-and from our sweet neighbors, The Larkins! Thank you all for spending many hours helping us make this our home-we appreciate it more than you know! I don't have any "before" pictures like I had planned-oops! I'll try to take some soon. I do have some pictures of what we've painted so far!

(top to bottom: new fridge moved in! old stove leaving soon =) , first coat of paint in eating area, living room walls painted)

This week, Jason and I have been taking turns going over to the house at night. We don't want to keep doing this, so we are trying to get the house into a livable state so that we can half way move in to finish up painting, cleaning, ect. Hopefully in a couple of weeks we can fully move over there. These folks did not like to update y'all OR keep things very clean apparently. Can't wait to share more pictures!

one

We had such a good weekend celebrating Hudson's first birthday, spending time with family and friends, and even getting a night away in downtown Austin-without our little guy! Our precious boy is no longer a baby, and it brings so many mixed emotions. On one hand, I wish the year had gone by slower and that I savored the baby moments more. I miss the early stages where Hudson slept in his car seat all the time and when there was really no "bedtime". I miss tiny onesies, pacis, and his breastmilk poops (I know some of you appreciate this!). Each stage of his life gets better and better though. It's so fun now that he's moving around and learning. It's precious the way he only wants me right now, is pleased at his tricks, plays and explores, and delights in the smallest things.
A big thanks to Jason's parents for allowing us to have the big birthday bash at their house! Thanks to everyone who helped celebrate. Mister Hudson knows he's loved!

oh my!

Chocolate Mug Cake...5 minutes?! I have never heard of such a thing! While everyone else in Houston is going nuts over the opening of Sprinkles Cupcakes, I will be microwaving away!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

found here.

stroller outing

Yesterday afternoon we headed to Rice Village to stroll around in the heat. We weren't too miserable since there was a little breeze. Hudson loves strolling when it's outside, but not inside. He knows just what he wants! Love his pink cheeks!

eleven

Hudson has changed so much this past month! This is definitely one of my favorite stages in his little life so far! It seems he grew into a little boy overnight and it's so fun! Here's an update on what he's doing these days:

Height/Weight: not totally sure since he won't go to the doc until a year. guessing 25-26 lbs/30-31 inches long

Foods: still nursing! trying to cut back, but it's hard. and painful. mainly eats table food now.
Loves fruit and chicken! not a picky eater yet, but has been tossing his veggies on the floor some lately. hmm

Tricks: crawls pretty fast, pulls up, cruises some. can clap his hands when you ask him to. has started waving hi and bye bye.

Activities: Loves dancing to music, strolling (outside only), climbing and exploring, playing rough with dada, watching cars outside the window, swimming! we are going to our first little gym class tomorrow-I think he will love it!

Hudson has gotten his 2 bottom teeth in the last month! I think his top 2 are not far behind.

Sorry, I'm slacking in the picture department. I'll try to do better =)