Birthday Party!

It's Hudson's 1st Birthday,

and he's just wishin'

that you would come over

for some huntin' and fishin'!

That was what Hudson's birthday invitations said...he had a camo huntin' and fishin' party! It was so much fun to plan for. The idea came easy since Kelly loves to hunt and fish...and there is so much camo stuff around these days. We set up the backyard with baby pools...one filled with magnetic fish and fishing polls, one with ducks, one with balls, and one with water. We are so blessed to have so many good friends with young kiddos that were able to share in Hudson's special day. At one point during the party, I looked around the backyard and just had to smile at all of the kids walking around and playing...it was just precious! :)

This was the front door. (Kelly made all of the signs and they turned out just perfect ~ very rustic looking!)
His cake matched the invitations...I just loved it!

Hudson and Reid playing in the balls.
Avery, Tanner, and Colton playing in the duck pond.
Colton, Quinn, Emily, Jacob, and Chapman playing in the balls. (They were a hit!)

Sweet baby Stone in the background, Jacob, and Reid all taking a break!

Daddy, Hudson, and Mommy (and George too!)

We made a last minute decision and pulled his high chair outside. I was VERY GLAD we did this once it was all over!!

Trying out the icing. He wasn't a big fan of the icing...he wanted the cake!

It took a while, but he finally started to get his hands in it.

After Hudson was done with the smash cake, he promptly got a bath. It was also nearing many of his friends naptimes, so most of them started heading home. He opened a few gifts before he went down for a nap himself. I'm not sure if he enjoyed the toys more, or the paper!
Unwrapping a wooden train.


Griffin helping Hudson unwrap a gift.
This picture just cracks me up...it looks like Griffin and Hudson are discussing the toy!
Taking a ride on his new bulldozer.
Nana got inside Hudson's tunnel and he thought it was hilarious!
It was such a wonderful day and I still can't quite comprehend that a year has gone by!

Happy Birthday Baby!

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." ~Elizabeth Stone

Is Hudson really one today??? I just can't believe it. If it is true what people say...that each year will go faster and faster, then I wish I could have a pause button every once in a while because having a child is the most amazing gift and I truly do want to cherish every moment. (Even the trying ones!) Every month I take a picture of Hudson next to his pillow and today wasn't any different. I put all of his montly pictures below so you can see how he has changed. It is amazing to me! He really does seem to get more fun as each week passes. He is definitely in to EVERYTHING these days. He doesn't like it when mommy says no, but is finally learning to stop when mommy says it! I get a grunt and a stare down in return, but we are making progress. :) He loves getting under things...like tables, toys, or legs that are propped up. He "talks" all the time, but his words that we can understand still consist mostly of mama and dada. He is starting to want to cuddle a little bit more which I LOVE! When I walk into his room for nap time, he immediately lays his head on my shoulder and grabs my arm...it completely melts my heart. He is drinking milk from his sippy cup like a pro now and eating many new "real" food items each week. He continues to be extremely social, but has acted shy a few times by burying his head in me when we see someone. Too cute! This past year has truly been amazing and I can't wait to see what this next year holds.

1 Month
2 Months
3 Months
4 Months
5 Months
6 Months
7 Months
8 Months
9 Months
10 Months
11 Months
1 Year Old!!!

"A new baby is like the beginning of all things - wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities." ~Eda J. Le Shan

One more day until Hudson's first birthday!!

Here is a video compilation of Hudson's first year. Turn up your speakers and enjoy. :)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." ~Author Unknown

"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven." ~Henry Ward Beecher

Our Pregnancy Story:

Kelly and I had been trying to get pregnant for about 6 months. I started and ended each day with a prayer, knowing God had a plan. My sister's birthday is December 30th, so all of the family came down to celebrate her birthday and New Year's Eve. I thought there was a chance I could be pregnant, so the morning of December 31st, 2006, Kelly went to get a paper and a pregnancy test. (What a combination huh?) It is funny because I normally had a stash of tests in the bathroom, but had run out from taking them like crazy the month before. I also had grand ideas of how I would tell Kelly and the rest of the family when I finally was pregnant, but none of that happened! Well, Kelly got home and we stood and said a prayer while we waited. When we turned around, the test flashed PREGNANT! We hugged and cried and then proceeded to wake the rest of the family up with the news. It was by far the best New Year's Eve ever ~ I couldn't quit smiling all night.

Kelly and I before leaving to celebrate!

I truly had a wonderful pregnancy...I had the usual fatigue and nausea at the beginning, but everything went smooth and I truly loved being pregnant. Hudson was due September 11th, but something (along with family) kept telling me to have everything ready a month early. With my somewhat obsessive personality, that wasn't hard to do! :) August 11th, I was helping host a baby shower for my dear friend Leslie. The day before my fingers started swelling and I had to get a fake wedding ring. Then, the day of the shower my ankles started swelling like crazy. We just assumed it was due to the heat and being on my feet all day. So, Sunday I tried to relax as much as possible. I didn't feel very well though, so I didn't eat dinner and went to bed early. Little did we know...

This was my last "pregnancy" picture the day before Hudson arrived.

Early the next morning I woke up for one of many restroom trips at 5:30 and realized that something wasn't quite right. I tried to go back to bed, but got up again and decided my water might be breaking. I woke Kelly up to tell him and he practically flew out of bed! We called the doctor and the doctor on call said we needed to head to the hospital. I of course (being me) asked if I had time to shower and she said yes! So, I got ready as Kelly madly packed up the car and checked batteries. (I had packed my overnight bag the day before!) We called the grandparents and friends on the way and arrived at the hospital at 7:30.

Kelly on the way to the hospital.

Kelly was so excited the entire way to the hospital. I had mixed emotions since Hudson wasn't due for another month...I was a little scared that something might be wrong and that he would be too small. Also, since it was our first baby and I didn't really know what was going on, I wasn't totally convinced that my water had broken. (Although something was definitely happening!)

When we got checked in, they had me change into a gown and the sweetest nurse ever came to check me. We were shocked to find out that I was 4 centimeters dilated! They said I would be having a baby that day. At that point, all of the family and some of our wonderful friends started arriving. All of my Oklahoma family made it just in time to see us...it was perfect!
Our last picture as a family of two!

Not long after being hooked up to all of the machines, my blood pressure spiked and they had to put me on magnesium. The magnesium was probably the worst thing out of my pregnancy and delivery...it makes you feel like you are on fire and like you have the flu...not fun! I started getting uncomfortable after a few hours and asked for the epidural. (Love the epidural!) Dr. Elliott came to check me around 12:45 and I was fuly dilated. It was time to begin pushing! I couldn't believe how fast everything was moving at that point. I began pushing at 1:00 and Hudson arrived at 3:39. Yes, 2 1/2 hours of pushing! I remember talking up a storm the first 2 hours. Dr. Elliott, Allison (the sweet nurse), Kelly and I learned a lot about each other and we were laughing and telling all sorts of stories in between pushes. Then, I remember the last half hour getting really tired and everyone just telling me that Hudson was almost there...they were all so supportive and I couldn't have asked for a more positive bunch of people. Hudson finally arrived and he was5 pounds, 10 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. He was small, but he was perfect!

Hudson's first picture in the labor and delivery room.

Meeting Mommy for the first time. Is there anything sweeter than that moment? I wish I could freeze time and go back there every so often.
Our new family!
They let Kelly go into the nursery and help put Hudson's first diaper on after his bath. We truly loved the hospital and everyone in it.
All swaddled up.
This is a picture the next day when they came to take his hospital pictures. It shows just how small he was. It is so hard to believe he was ever that little...sweet baby boy. He will be one in two days...unbelievable!

Let the Countdown Begin!

In three short days, my little boy will be 1! Even as I type that, it is hard to believe!! So...I am going to copy what several great blogging friends have done and dedicate the next few days to Hudson's upcoming birthday! Here it goes...

HUDSON'S FAVORITE THINGS

First and foremost, his mommy and daddy! I hope it is always that way! :)
Taking a very close second to mommy and daddy is George, Hudson's monkey lovie. We now have 3 "George" lovies that go everywhere with us. One George lives in the crib, one in the car, and one is always on stand by.
YoBaby yogurt...Hudson is addicted!!! He eats one every day for a snack. He gets so excited when he sees it come out of the refrigerator and even gets excited at the grocery store when he sees it!!
Splashing in the bathtub! Hudson is a pro at soaking whoever is giving him a bath and he cries every night when he has to get out of the tub. I truly think this is one of his favorite times of each day.

Paper! Hudson LOVES paper and cracks up if you tear paper...it is absolutely hilarious!
Playing with anything that IS NOT a toy! Here he is playing with a remote (an all time favorite) and a laundry basket. Add in a cell phone, calculator, hanger, and a flip flop and you would think you had a toy store!
Swimming! Whether it be the lake or the pool, Hudson is definitely a little fish at heart. He absolutely loves being in the water. He gets so excited everytime we get in...he immediately starts splashing away!
Drinking from a water bottle or a straw. Enough said! Rough-housing!! Hudson loves being thrown in the air, "flown" around the house, being held upside down, being tickled...you name it...he is ALL boy!