2017!

So it has been quite the eventful year already!

- Right at the beginning of the year Jon's dad got admitted to the hospital and he has been there ever since. It has been kind of a crazy few weeks for Jon's family. I don't know if I should really go into details on here but I'll just end by saying that he is improving every day but he still has a long road ahead of him!

- At Hudson's 9 month appointment our Pediatrician told us that he wanted to have us come in again in a month to check up on Hud's weight gain and to see if his head had gotten any bigger. So we came in again in November and nothing had changed so he wanted to see us again in December! So we went in again and he gained a pound but his head was still the same!!!! So again we had to come in a month later to get him checked. We went in last week and his head and weight were the same!

Since his head is not growing as it should be, our Pediatrician told us his concern of Hudson having craniosynostosis which basically means that the bones in your skull fused together too early not leaving enough room for the brain to grow. Scary right?! Because Hudson is pretty advanced developmentally our doctor isn't super concerned right now but he wants to stay on top of it and if there is a problem he wants to know about it before anything could happen - which I am thankful for.

But anyways...Hud is getting a CT scan on Friday at Primary Children's to see what is going on with his little skull. And I may or may not be freaking out a little bit. Okay....I am freaking out a lot bit and I can't help but worry. I just can't imagine anything being wrong with my little baby - he's just so perfect and innocent. Please keep him in your prayers.

- I also celebrated my 26th birthday this month. It was really a great day. I love when your birthday falls on a Saturday. The day was filled with family, food, relaxing, more food, and ice....lots of ice. We went to the Ice Castles up in Midway and it was so magical and cold!
I am excited to see what this year brings, it's already proving to be very eventful!  

- I decided to give up social media for at least a month. I always go through these phases when I say that I want to give it up but I never go through with it because I love going on to see what my friends and family are up to. But now I really am going to give it up for a little while. I struggle a lot with comparing myself to others and it really does no good to my already low self esteem. This next month I am going to focus on building myself up, finding happiness with who I am, and just being present all the time with my family and friends.
Since I won't be on Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat I am going to try and get on here a little bit more to document what we are up to.

Hats, Oranges + Playing with Dad

Hudson has been growing and changing so much this month and I want to remember every little thing!

- He has this obsession with hats and can play with them for the longest time! He's a little crazy but he will get a hat and then put it on his face so it's covering his whole face so he can't see then he will walk around - that little dare devil! He has the biggest grin on his face the whole time too.

- He LOVES mandarin oranges, pizza, yogurt, yogurt melts, cheerios, cookies....he has just been eating like crazy the past few weeks.

- Whenever I am in the kitchen or getting some things done around the house he will come up to me and grab my legs....it melts my heart every time!

- He finally has one tooth! It has taken almost a month for the little bugger to come out! Teething has been quite the adventure.

- Hudson has been really talkative lately and has been making all sorts of new sounds. It sounds like he says "car" over and over again. He says "Mama" a lot more too! He also tries hard to say kitty, bath, and ball.

- He loves any kind of attention that he can get! When we go out to the store or out to eat he will stare at strangers until they look at him then he will hurry and look away with a big grin on his face and then he'll do it all over again. He has the cutest little personality - he is so fun!

- He loves playing peek-a-boo and just recently started playing by putting his own hands up over his eyes.

- He has become more and more of a Mama's boy....he LOVES nursing (I don't know how he'll do when we start to ween him off here in a couple of weeks! Eek!)

- Whenever I feed him when we aren't at home, he gets so excited! He'll pull the nursing cover up over him and he'll make excited noises until I'm ready for him.

- Hud loves to walk and explore - he has become very independent besides when it comes time to eat or when he is tired.

- He loves being chased around by his Dad - he squeals and tries to run away every time!

- He hates getting his fingernails clipped....it is always quite the ordeal! I should try and do it when he is asleep but I am always afraid of waking him up.

- With teething, the holidays, and some family things that have come up he no longer sleeps through the night. He is back to waking up 1-3 times every night.



Only a couple more weeks until my baby is  O N E !!

And just like that my baby is 11 months old

11 month old Hudson Jon:

- Wearing size 3 diapers and clothes ranging anywhere from 6-18 months
- Eating anything we give him but his favorite thing these days are yogurt melts
- Does not like apple juice at all but LOVES drinking water
- Loves bath time!!! When we tell him it's time to take a bath he starts walking towards the bathroom and even says bath - it is the cutest!
- Loves being chased and played with
- Loves playing with his jazz ball and whenever he sees a basketball or a bigger ball he gets so excited, points at it, and sometimes it sounds like he even says ball
- Points at everything
- Gets into everything. I close all of our doors in our condo so when I'm home with him he only has access to our kitchen, living room, and the hallway - and that leaves him plenty of things to get into!
- He's starting to sleep through the night - sleep training is the pits! But it is nice to be getting more sleep for him and me both!
- He loves his sippy cup
- Still loves his soft blankets and binky
- He is super ticklish! His little giggles are the sweetest sound I have ever heard!
- His percentiles are still really low...his head his below 5%, height is at 15%, and weight is 18%. We are continuing to go see the doctor monthly to keep an eye on his growth.
- He loves watching Hotel Transylvania
- He hates it when he can't walk around when we go places - especially church! (That has become a major challenge for us)
- Hudson is so determined, once he sees something that he wants he doesn't forget about it and he does everything he can to get it.

I can't believe it has almost been a year already since Hudson joined Jon and I! It is definitely bitter sweet. But I just feel so blessed to have this amazingly sweet and happy little boy in my life. I can't believe that Heavenly Father has put his trust in me to raise him and be his mom - I will be forever grateful. I love Hudson so incredibly much!

Holidays with Hud the Stud!

The holidays were so great for our little family. Having Hudson there with us made Thanksgiving and Christmas so much more magical and special.

For Thanksgiving we went to Jon's parents house in Logan for a few days and then on our way home we stopped by my parents for a few hours and visited. Hudson loved playing with his cute cousin who was born only a few weeks after him. They always ended up in the same place and they especially loved pushing our cooler around the kitchen. We had such a good time with family. We ate lots of yummy food, played games, watched movies, had a pie contest, the boys played basketball, and we did a little bit of black Friday shopping. I made this yummy salted caramel apple pie....it was delicious!

On Christmas Eve we headed to Ogden to spend time with my family. My brother and his cute family came to town from Missouri for the holidays so it was so great to see them and just be together as a whole family. I love my family so much. My parents have always been so supportive, loving, and just all around awesome people. I lucked out with them that's for sure!

Hudson was a little night owl on Christmas Eve. He was up until about midnight just walking around and playing. Haha he is just the cutest and happiest little boy. But since he was up late on Christmas Eve, the next morning when we woke up to open presents, Hud was so sleepy and out of it. It was still so fun to experience it all with Hudson for the first time. We helped him open up his Christmas presents and then he just sat and played with the wrapping paper and a couple of his toys for a little while. The rest of the day was filled with family time, church, yummy yummy food, Christmas movies, and more yummy food!

After Christmas day we headed up to Logan to see Jon's family. It was so great because they planned to celebrate Christmas a couple days later so everyone could be together and it was so fun. We did a white elephant gift exchange, opened presents, had an appetizer contest (we made the winning appetizer....click here and here for the links), ate some more yummy food, played bean boozled, watched movies, and just enjoyed each others company.

This Christmas is definitely one for the books - it was wonderful!
Christmas just goes by way too fast!! We look forward to it and plan things for almost two months and then it just goes by in the blink of an eye!

Zzzzzzz

Sleep has become overrated in my life + that's ok...it's overrated but I definitely still love + crave a good nap or a good nights sleep! I remember in high school + even in college when I wasn't married I could sleep in until noon! Now sleep has become an inconsistent treat! 

When I was pregnant with little Hud, I had the hardest time with sleeping + it was rough! I felt like I couldn't get comfortable + when I did get comfortable I would have to get up to go to the bathroom so often during the night! But I was ok with it because I knew that being sleep deprived was so worth what was coming our way + I always told Jon that Heavenly Father was just prepping me for the nights ahead with Hudson.

Hudson has been a fairly good sleeper...although he still does not sleep through the night consistently. But you know that's alright. I love being with Hudson + I love seeing how happy he gets when he sees me! I have also come to terms with him waking up in the middle of the night because I know that he will eventually grow out of it + then I will wish that I could cuddle him in the middle of the night. 

I am definitely not perfect though - some nights I get frustrated + impatient - but I try to remind myself that Hudson is just a baby....a really cute baby :) 

Even when Hudson does sleep through the night, I find myself waking up + not being able to go back to sleep. It takes me probably 1-2 hours to go back to sleep. GAH! I've looked into different things that could help + here's a few that I have found helpful....

- Exercise - I am trying to be more consistent with this. I do know that I always sleep better at night when I do workout.

- Reading - but don't read on your phone or tablet. I feel like anytime I pick up my phone or look at a screen it just stimulates my eyes + brain...if that makes any sense at all?!

- Mind Mapping - click here for a helpful website to get you started! Most nights when I can't go back to sleep it's because I have all of these thoughts racing through my head so when I mind map it helps me take my thoughts + put them on paper + then I can rest easier!

- Hot Milk Drink (YuM!) (Here's the recipe) It's the Sleepy Time recipe! :)  

Hope you + me both have a good nights sleep tonight! 

October Love

This has been a really great month. It helps that I already love October so much! Cool weather, pumpkin everything, fall decorations, changing leaves, soup, + pulling out my sweaters + cute boots! How could anyone not love the fall?!

Anyways...I feel like we are finally finding our place here in Utah County. I am not going to lie...it was a hard adjustment for me! The first month was particularly hard because I didn't know anyone in the area, I wasn't familiar with what was around me + we were pretty much broke. But Jon + I have made some new friends + we have been able to get out + go places so now we know where things are + about how long it will take us to get there. We have two Target stores + Ikea that are all 15 minutes away....now that was easy to get adjusted to!

Ever since Hudson was born I have struggled with getting into a routine + actually doing things besides binge watching TV shows on Netflix. But this past month I have tried harder to plan things throughout the week + I made a little weekly cleaning schedule + since I've done that I have felt a lot happier + more productive. Another thing I added to my routine was exercise (I AM SO OUT OF SHAPE! Seriously though, I've been doing some push ups...on my knees...for the past few weeks + my arms still shake when I'm doing the last few hah!). But I have been trying to get a little bit of exercise in at least three times throughout the week. I am debating about getting a gym membership here too but if I do that we would probably sign up for daycare + I worry about little Hud getting sick. I might just be a paranoid mama!? What do you think? How do you feel about gym daycares? I think I might just be thinking about it too much.  

Hudson is such a fun little dude. I love being able to spend everyday with him + I love watching him pick up on new things. He has started waving at people + it is just the cutest thing. This month Hudson...

- Has been walking around as he holds onto our furniture
- Has been such a curious little guy who never stops moving!
- Eats lots + lots of food. He loves anything with sweet potatoes, pears, apples, pizza, mac n cheese, + of course anything that we are eating. He does not like oatmeal, rice cereal, baby food veggies, + he still won't drink through a bottle.
- Says "dada" ALL the time + we love it!
- Loves being in our kitchen + bathrooms (he loves flushing the toilet + unrolling the toilet paper!)
- Learned how to open cupboards + drawers
- Sleeps alright....we probably get 2 maybe 3 nights a week when he'll sleep through the night. Other nights he'll wake up about 2 times. When he does wake up he is super super grumpy + he Hates...yes hates with a capital H....when we change his diaper in the middle of the night. I feel bad for our poor neighbors down stairs....

I sure love our sweet Hudson. He has been such a good babe.

The Past 7 Months

I have been so horrible at getting on here since Hudson was born! That should give me more of a reason to hop on + document everything! Here is a recap of the past months since our little guy was born!

February 2016

Of course the major highlight of this month was the arrival of our cute little guy! I posted his birth story in the previous post if you haven't checked that out already. Hottie Jon also had a birthday this month - I feel like a bad wife because I slacked big time in celebrating his birthday. Hudson was born two days before his birthday + I was dealing with some major hormonal issues along with adjusting to life with a newborn babe. I know.....excuses excuses....I do plan to make it up to him though :)

My mom helped us out a ton the first couple of weeks + we so appreciate her for that. She even went out + got Jon a birthday cake + ice cream. She's one heck of a mama - love you!!

We really appreciate all of the help we received this first month that we had Hudson with us. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hi, who brought us meals + those who even just sent us texts or congrats through social media. Thank you!

Fun side story....my dad thought the beanies they put on the newborns at the hospital looked pretty girly so he went out + bought Hud some baby clothes + beanies that looked more manly. Haha - he's a great papa! 

Those newborn days go by so quickly....some days I wish I could rewind + hold this little 7 lb babe again.

March 2016 - One month old

I was just going to choose one picture for each month to put on here but it was too hard to choose just one! March was a good month - we got more into the swing of things with this little guy + we started to get more + more smiles + personality out of him. 

We went on weekly walks with my friend from school + her little girl. 

This cutie pie + his love for bath time! :)

Hudson's baby blessing was also this month. Jon did such a great job - he put so much thought into it + the spirit was so strong. I looked forward to the day Jon would bless our baby long before I was even pregnant. I am so grateful for all of the men in Hud's life + for the examples that they will set for him. 

April 2016 - Two months old

Jon accepted a job at Bingham High School as a school counselor this month! This month Hudson started sleeping longer stretches throughout the night + that helped him mama out so much!!! We also confirmed with the doctor this month that Hud had an umbilical hernia (a belly button that sticks out pretty far). His belly button was pretty scary looking + to be completely honest it was gross. You could press down on it + it would make these gurgling noises. But thankfully after a couple of months his belly button was back to normal! Jon was the baby whisperer this month - I feel like everytime he held Hudson, Hud fell asleep within seconds. I love watching Jon with our sweet little guy - he is such a good dad!

Dad already starting some strength training! ;)

My little bear cub <3 td="">

May 2016 - Three months old

Jon + I graduated this month! Jon got his masters in Counseling + I got my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. We also moved in with my parents for the summer at the end on this month. We sadly had to say goodbye to Cache Valley. Hopefully we will call the valley home again in the future!

This month Hudson started laughing a little bit here + there + more often then not he was smiling. Our little guy is already making an impact on this world - he makes everyone smile! In May he also became a little wiggly fella + he started to really like tummy time + would try so so hard to roll over!

We experienced the 4 month sleep regression right around this time + it was no joke!!!!! We could not get this kiddo to go to sleep + stay asleep for more than 15 minutes! He was struggling big time in learning how to go to sleep on his own. So we let the little guy cry it out. It was SO HARD for us. I never could have done it without Jon by my side. I thought that letting your little babies cry it out was awful + I really did not want to do it but we were at our wits end + seriously I would probably do it again with our next baby. The first night was awful - he cried for about 1 + 1/2 hours. We checked in on him every 10 minutes (without picking him up...just soothing him by putting our hand on his chest + talking to him for a minute or two). Eventually he fell asleep + he slept almost through the night, just waking up once! The second + third night he cried for about 20 minutes + then fell asleep on his own + then after that he became such a champ when it came to bedtime! YaY!

Jon's favorite picture of Hud <3 td="">

Goodbye retro yellow kitchen!

June 2016 - Four months old

Hudson got to start eating some baby food this month! This month he started putting everything he could get his hands on in his mouth! He was still smiling like crazy + loving bath time! This month he also started to roll from his back to his stomach - every time we set him down he would automatically roll over! We got pretty well adjusted to living with my mom + dad during this month. We sure do love them!  

This month Jon also got to go to Chicago with a couple of his brothers. He had a great time! He ate at some yummy restaurants + visited a lot of popular sights! Hudson + I sure missed him when he was away! 

We took a trip to Logan for my sister in law, Jenny's, graduation

Mornings out on my parents patio

4 month old pictures taken by my Mama - so cute!

First time in the little kiddy pool!

Jon at the Chicago skydeck!

Hud was all tuckered out from his first Lagoon trip!

Photo bomber!

July 2016 - Five months old

Hudson started making lots of cute noises + would babble quite a bit this month! It was so stinking cute! He also learned how to roll from his tummy to his back so he became a rolling machine! He loved eating pears, sweet potatoes, + prunes. He also loved to suck on watermelon, apples, + peaches! Whenever we went outside Hudson would go quiet in an instant + would look around at everything - this kiddo loves being outside!

This month we looked around at places to live in Utah County + we found a condo in Saratoga Springs + signed our contract in the middle of the month! We moved all of our stuff in near the end of the month but we didn't officially start living there until August! Geesh, it was a crazy summer + Hudson was such a champ with all of the changes!

Happy 4th of July!

Sitting up on his own for the first time!

Hud the water baby! My mom + I took him to the pool a couple of times over the summer + he LOVED it!!!
And this floatie was so much fun for him!

Hudson's first cabin trip + four wheeling ride

Hud + his cousin Graham....only 3 weeks apart!

August 2016 - Six months old

Hud the stud turned half a year old this month! It's so crazy how fast the time flies by with a little baby around! He makes our life so much sweeter. This month he started sitting up on his own + he started army crawling around like crazy - he became such a wiggly little fella over night! My days at home with him are anything but relaxing - haha - I am constantly chasing this kid around! :)

We officially moved to Saratoga Springs this month + have enjoyed our start here! Our condo is quite an upgrade from our little Cache Valley apartment!

At the end of this month we went up to Cache Valley again + went to Bear Lake with Jon's family. It was a fun little weekend away!!

Sitting up all on his own!

Visited Dad at his work! We had to see his office with his Lebron James poster up on his wall! 

We live on the third floor at our new place + Jon has been determined to not make more than one trip up those stairs with groceries....his hands are so full!!!!!!! I just try not to think about which bag has the eggs in it!

Time for a new TV stand!

Bear Lake! So pretty!

September 2016 - Seven months old

Hudson had been one crazy kiddo this month! He has been hating having his diaper changed. As soon as we put him on his changing pad he rolls right over + is up on his hands + knees! We have had to get creative in how to distract him! He graduated from army crawling this month + is now a crawling champ on his hands + knees. He pulls himself up on everything around the house + he is just barely starting to walk around the furniture slowly as he holds on to things. Hudson is such a smartie! He wakes up 1-2 times at night + is crazy grumpy until he gets food haha - I feel bad for our neighbors!

When he learned how to stand up in his crib on his own, Hudson would not go to sleep during naptime or at night! Oh my goodness! We had a three day stretch when we were up with him almost every hour throughout the night - it was ROUGH! But once he mastered this skill + realized that he could do it after he woke up he decided that he would sleep haha. Thank goodness! I did some research on why this happens + it's just something babies go through when they learn new skills! 

Hudson likes his exersaucer for other reasons than actually sitting + bouncing in it!

Most of my pictures these days are blurry - this kiddo is always on the move!

What nap time looks like more often than not!

Heart eyes for dayssssss! <3 td="">

Hud's first Bingham High Football game! Gotta support Dad's school!

If you made it this far - thanks for sticking it out + catching up on our life lately :) I sure do love my little family!