Naked Time - June 16-24 - Finally Caught Up!!!

This week was bittersweet, as we packed up the house in anticipation of moving and said "see you soon" to our friends in Charlotte.

It was great to have Mom here for the week to keep us company and help with all the packing. Alden had swim lessons on Monday, and was whiny and fussy most of the day. I think she might be coming down with a little cold. She didn't even want to play on the playground at "Chick-shay" at lunch. We went to the park that night after dinner and walked around the pond and played on the playground. No turtles, although Alden did remember to be very quiet when we were looking for them.

Grammy probably didn't realize what she started, but every day after nap, Alden wanted to get out the bubbles and bowls of water and make a huge mess on the patio. She even got to eat a popsicle all by herself!

She has started turning lights on and off by herself, finally being tall enough to reach the light switches. We think that she has gotten taller just since her check-up.

We seem to be going through a naked phase right now. Alden is ALWAYS trying to take off her clothes, diaper and all. Sometimes it is under the pretense of wanting to try the potty, but most of the time it is just to be naked. I am ready to wrap her in duct tape.

Tuesday, Alden redeemed herself from her whininess the day before, and was great at swimming. She got to jump in the hula hoops, and pick up the sinky toys off the stairs, which is her FAVORITE thing to do. She will bend over and stick her whole head underwater to pick them up. She even let Grammy put a floatie on her and wore it for, oh, 45 seconds in the pool. She also let us put a life jacket on her...that went well until she got in the pool and it went up around her neck. Oh, Alden.

We drug all the baby stuff down from the attic. I had forgotten about how much gear a 8 lb creature needs. Thank goodness we have 3 cars driving back to Raleigh this weekend.

Wednesday, we played hooky from swimming, and had our last playgroup with our friends here. The girls went way overboard with an incredible lunch and an impromptu going away shower for Hudson. We had a great time being together, and letting the kids enjoy the pool and sand table at Megan's house. Alden especially liked the cupcakes! Mom and Hudson did, too. It was fun to get some new little boy clothes, and still weird to be opening blue things! It was sad to tell everyone goodbye, and to think we wouldn't be together the next week. The good thing is that Charlotte is NOT a long drive from Raleigh and now we have lots of reasons to go and visit.

Wednesday night, we met Nana for dinner at a little restaurant near her house called Foskoskis. It was delicious, and we enjoyed sitting on their back patio in the warm weather. Fortunately, we were the only ones out there for most of the meal, so Alden got to run around and play. She and Nana had a good time playing at her house afterwards, and Nana even let her jump on the bed...

Thursday, we had our final swim lesson, and Alden got her graduation certificate from Miss Jenny. It was weird to think that we wouldn't be going back to the pool again.

I had my last doctor's appointment in Charlotte on Friday afternoon. They did an ultrasound to check my fluid levels, and everything looks great. They said Hudson looks like he is about 6 lbs 2 oz right now, which makes me a little nervous. Alden was only 6 lbs when she was born and that seemed difficult. I hope he doesn't pack on the pounds these last few weeks!

Amber and Matt drove down on Friday night. Alden was SO excited to see them in the morning, and lo and behold, can now open doors. How about that. We had a baby shower at Nana's house with the family, which was really special. Aunt Vickie and Nana had writtten a sweet poem "Heralding Hudson", and we had wonderful food and time together. Hudson received some DARLING little outfits, and Matt even stopped by a little later to grab some food and visit.

Mom and Amber loaded up their cars full of stuff from our house, and took Alden back with them, too. It ended up being a huge blessing for Matt and I to have a night out by ourselves, and to get things done on Sunday. We felt like we had done a lot, but Sunday took longer than expected as we finished packing, and got the house clean. We are leaving our furniture out, and things on the walls, but wanted to get everything else in boxes. I am excited to leave the house sparkling and clean, and not to have any dog hair and toddler fingerprints getting it dirty again.

So, that brings us to Raleigh. We had our first doctor's appointment here bright and early Monday morning. Matt was able to come with me, and we liked the doctor we saw a lot. I got pre-registered at the hospital, and we are good to go for Hudson's arrival.

We visited the library in Apex for story time this morning, which was fun. We got to sing a few Raffi songs, which made Alden's day. I think we watch the Raffi video at least once a day, and have to listen to the CD in the car everytime we go anywhere. There is one song when Raffi asks the kids to close their eyes, and she always says "Raffi, night, night." She also likes the "Biscuits in the Oven" one, and sings, "Left, right", when they cross the street in that song.

I have found library things for every day Monday - Thursday, and am looking forward to getting our Y membership transferred and sorted. It is hard to be home with Alden during the day, and we both need to have something to do to get out. We set up her sand box on the deck tonight, which occupied her for almost an hour. Thank goodness. She has been an awful napper the past two days, which has me about to pull my hair out.

This morning, Matt left for work, and about 20 minutes later, I heard her in the hall saying "Daddy?" She has figured out how to open her door here, too, and was just wandering around. Luckily, she hadn't thrown anything in the toilet, or caused herself bodily harm yet.

It is good to be here at my parents, and we are looking forward to getting settled into a church and a house here, once our Charlotte house sells. I am grateful to have the help from Mom and Dad, and Amber. We are going to be really spoiled when we move out...