Carrington started 3 year old preschool at First Presbyterian today! She was super excited this morning, bouncing around the house while getting ready, a smile not leaving her face. At one point I asked her if she might be a little excited to start preschool. Her response; "No, I'm super excited to start preschool"!! After getting three kids out of bed, dressed, and fed we headed out the door only 10 minutes behind schedule. It was a zoo with parents trying to find their way around school, dropping off their kids, and taking pictures so no one noticed we were running a little late.
Carrington walked right into her class room and started playing. She was right at home and ready to take on a new adventure. We barely got a goodbye out of her. Grayson missed his big sister and continually said, "sissy". As if asking me where she was and why his sidekick wasn't with him this morning. We were all happy to get her back at noon and hear all about the first day. She told me they had snack, talked about the weather, made a craft, sang school songs, and played outside. She also told me that she didn't talk to any of the boys. I'm glad I don't have to worry about boys being a distraction yet!
The last thing she asked me tonight, "do I get to go to preschool in the morning"? I had to disappoint her and let her know she would have to wait until Friday...
I need to have t-shirts made that say, "we survived Labor Day Weekend". An unwelcome visitor, the stomach flu, showed up at our house on Thursday morning and didn't make it's exit until Saturday afternoon. I was the first to open the door and Aaron showed it the way out. Hudson was the only one spared (thank you, God). It hit us parents the hardest with multiple trips to the bathroom, fever, chills and body ache. And took us twice as long to recovery. We had planned a trip to Ridgeland, with lots of activities on the agenda, but needless to say none of that happened. Instead, we spent lots of time inside, on the couch, watching football, and trying to survive cabin fever with three small children. In between sickness we made it to the park to let the kids run wild and work with Carrington on riding her bike without training wheels. The kids also had a water fun day at the house when we could take staying inside no longer. It wasn't the ideal weekend but it did give us a lot of time together!
Daddy's newest Tiger
Poor Aaron, look at his eyes! He was so sick for the kick off of college football.
These two spent most of the day dreaming about football instead of watching it on TV.
Hudson isn't happy about wearing his Tiger uniform.
Taking the training wheels off
Swinging like a big boy
You spray me...
I'll spray you.
Go Hokies!
I post this for no other reason than to show they are definitely related!!
Carrington getting a start on riding without training wheels.
Hudson has been at home with us for three weeks! Everyone is adjusting and settling into the new norm. Hudson is still leading the way as our most laid back infant. He doesn't cry too much, although he has picked up the early evening fussiness that lasts about an hour before he settles back into chill mode. He seems to spend a lot of time awake (during the day) looking around and watching his brother and sister play. We continue to stay busy going to mom's group, indoor play areas, and keeping up with weekly errands. We've even gone out to lunch and dinner once and both times Hudson did great, sleeping the entire time. Grayson and Carrington spend lots of time loving all over their brother. They are great helpers too but you have to keep an eye on them because they think they can pick up their little brother and carry him places. We love our little Hudson!
Hudson's stats:
3 day doctor visit - 7lb 5oz, 20 1/4 in
2 week doctor visit - 9lb 1oz!, 20 3/4 in - 50th percentile for both
Sleep tight
His favorite spot to sleep...tucked under the covers in our bed.
Getting advice from his big sister.
The paci spends more time in Grayson's mouth than Hudson's.
First bath (2 weeks old). He likes the warm water.
I enjoy my life!
I feel like this picture needs a country song to play with it.
Hudson arrived on his due date! Born August 11, 2012 at 5:34am. He weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces, 20 inches long.
His birth story is very quick! I woke to a contraction at 2:30am. Timed them for 30 minutes each one at 10 minutes apart. I could tell this was the real deal even though they weren't close together. I took a shower, woke Aaron, packed, and called our neighbor Bonnie to come watch the kids. We were out the door by 4:00am, contractions were about 5 minutes apart and strong when we left the house. By the time we were in the car and a few minutes from the hospital they were coming every 2-3 minutes. I was amazed at how quickly they went from 10 minutes to 2 minutes but didn't have the feeling I was going to have a baby in the car. I had to tell Aaron to slow down a few times because he was thinking, "my wife is going to have a baby in the car." The nurse checked me at 4:30am and I was 9 1/2 cm!!! At this point the contractions were very strong and I was ready to have the baby. I remember hearing the nurse tell someone to go wake the doctor because we would be having a baby very soon. They quickly took me to a laboring room, which I walked to because I was not about to sit down in a wheel chair. Sitting was not comfortable so I ended up standing while they pumped a bag of antibiotics in my arm; literally pumping as fast as it would drain so they could break my water and I could deliver. I would have had Hudson standing if I could but they made me get in the bed, broke my water and one contraction later....Hudson was born!!! I remember hearing, "it's a boy", but it took a minute to process. The doctor told me to open my eyes so I could see Hudson and at that point all the pain went away. At least for me, Aaron was left with nail marks on his arm from me holding on so tight while delivering. Love comes with a little pain!
Quick last pregnancy picture at 4:00am before heading to the hospital.
Our little peanut. Smallest of the three kids.
Making sure everything works properly
Hand print, foot print
Admiring my new son
Proud daddy
We called our family on the way to the hospital so everyone was out of their house by 6-7am and in Wilmington by lunch time. Bonnie had Carrington call us when she woke up so we could tell her the exciting news. Aaron went home that morning to get the kids so they could come meet their new baby. Hudson was in the tanning bed (warmer) when the kids arrived so they had to wait a little while to hold him and kiss all over him.
cousins perched like little birds
sister holding brother for the first time
the trio meet!
he found his thumb although has since taken to the paci
birthday cake to celebrate Hudson!
my boys!!
sizing him up...
"he looks alright, i'll give him a kiss"
MeMe with her fourth grandchild
showered with love
Papa, Granny and the grandkids
Hudson must taste like chocolate because Grayson can't stop kissing him.
My little baby boy is a big brother now! Two days before Grayson marked being 18 months his little brother arrived. It's absolute craziness that my little boy is not the youngest anymore. He still seems so little but got bigger over night now that we have an infant in the house(if that makes any sense at all). Grayson has taken to his role of being a great big brother. The first day I think he was a little confused by everything. He would point to Hudson and say baby, give him a kiss or two but then go on his way and wasn't really phased by his new presence. Day two, three, four of having a new side kick and he can't get enough of him. He kisses on him, CONSTANTLY! It's amazing to see how quickly the love between siblings occurs...melts this moms heart. The affection is huge for me to see. I wasn't sure how Grayson would deal with sharing my attention but he has done great. He doesn't seem to mind that I hold Hudson, feed him (Grayson did try to nurse today), or devote a lot of time taking care of him.
The world of Grayson is constant. Being held and taken care of is on the top of his list. He is my little side kick and doesn't go far from me. He knows what he likes, and what he doesn't. And, he isn't afraid to let us know when he doesn't like something! Meal time is a lot of fun and when he exercises his vocal cords and right arm throw the most. Food is a challenge with him since he only eats three things consistently; apple sauce, yogurt, and fruit. Again, he knows what he likes and just throws the rest down for Bear.
Grayson loves playing with his sister or picking on her when he gets the chance. If she has a toy he wants, he is quick to scream in order to get it from her. Though, he does a good job of sharing what he has with her. He is also quick to pick up on things he sees his big sister doing. Watching her swim in the pool and ocean has helped him begin to love the water this summer. He tries to go under and swim just like she does, coming back up with a smile!
He is a big fan of his daddy, Papa, and Peeps - preferring to hang out with the guys that are around. I think a lot of times he does a much better job of listening to his daddy than he does his mommy. Aaron can get through to him and doesn't give him a lot of room to act out. Where, I'm quick to pick him up or give him what he wants to make him happy. (I'll have to take this part of the post down in a couple years when he learns to read. I wouldn't want him to take advantage of me!)
As for development, he is doing really well. He speaks more and more each day. I love when he says a new word I haven't heard before. He can follow commands; understanding what we say to him and ask him to do. He is starting to pick up speed when walking around, doing a little baby jog when he wants to get somewhere fast. He can feed himself with a fork, spoon or just his good ol' handy fingers. He enjoys playing ball and throws like a future ball player. He can point to pictures in his book and tell you what they are. Everyday he learns something new - be it picking up his toys or climbing on something and jumping off!
So, what's one of my favorite thing about this little boy....his kisses and hugs!!! He is very affectionate and gives the best kisses and hugs. His kisses make the kissing sound and his hugs are tight and meaningful. Such a sweetheart!
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