Hudson's Fifth Week, Alden Starts School!

I am utterly exhausted right now, but am going to make an effort to knock this out, because I don't know when I will have another free moment to do it anytime soon. Good chunks of blogging time are few and far between.

Last Wednesday, Alden had her Meet-the-Teacher Day at preschool. It was raining, so she got to wear her ladybug raincoat from Auntie Leigh. She was a little skeptical about going in at first, but since mom got to stay, and once she saw the toys, everything was great. I am just SO glad she is going, and after visiting feel like this will be a great place for her and that she is going to have a great time. She went right for the Elmo and Barney animals, and played with playdough, the baby dolls, and the shopping cart. There is an older lady who does music time with them each day, too, and Alden thought playing the bells and shakers was fun. "Just like at the library!"

Today was her first official day of school. Matt met us over there, and we did a quick drop off. She cried for a few seconds, and then the teacher said she had a great time playing. She only stayed for an hour this first day, and Hudson and I stuck around for the parents' meeting. I am looking forward to her staying for 2 1/2 hours next week!Matt was off this past Friday, which was GLORIOUS. Granted, we didn't do anything very exciting, ran some errands, went to the park, but it was nice to have his company and help with the kiddos. We decided at the last minute on Friday to head to Charlotte for the weekend. Some of our friends were getting together for a cookout, and we are going to have an open house there next weekend, so we felt like it would be a good opportunity to check on the house, and show Hudson off.

We took Alden to the pool Saturday morning with the intention of wearing her out before the car ride. She swam a lot, and can go about 6-8 feet by herself now. She really surprised us by wanting to wear a float, which she had adamantly refused all summer. Once she had it on, she realized she could swim around all by herself, and thought it was great. "I don't need Mommy, I do it myself!" Unfortunately, she was not tired afterwards, and didn't sleep a wink on the way to Charlotte.

It was strange to be back at the old house. But, good, too. It felt like a beach house or vacation rental...the furniture was there, but nothing in the drawers or kitchen cabinets. But, it also felt great to have the space again. It looks great, and hopefully, the open house will go well, barring any interference from Hurricane Hanna.

We were able to get together with our friends the Fairchilds and the Johnsons, and their daughters, who have grown so much since we have been gone. It was great to have friends to catch up with. Jarred, who Matt originally replaced at Shea, and is on international staff with Campus Crusade, was there, too, with his girlfriend, Shelly. They haven't been back in a year or so. They are here now for a couple years to train and raise support before re-upping for another stint.

We went to church on Sunday, which was good, but depressing, too, since we LOVE our church in Charlotte, and haven't found anything that comes close here yet. We ran into some of our Bible Study friends, and were able to introduce Hudson to them.

Sunday afternoon, we all crashed and slept almost 3 hours. SO GOOD. We did an impromptu dinner with the Johnsons and got to see the Tolles, who are expecting TWIN BOYS in November.

Matt and I were really looking forward to a great night's sleep afterwards. Hudson had a great night, sleeping straight from 11-4, but Alden was up from 2:30-4:15. I felt like I owed her a certain amount of grace since we dragged her back to the old house, and none of her things are there, and that she probably was a little rattled. She was yelling, "Mommy, Daddy". When I asked her the next day why she was upset, she just said she wanted Mommy and Daddy. She was playing with her Little People Zoo animals later that morning and I hear her, with the zebra, and he was "crying" and needing his Mommy and Daddy, too. Alden was saying "It's ok, zebra," and then, petting it, and saying, "He's happy now!".

Monday was Nana's 88th birthday, and it worked out that we were able to meet her, Kitty Scott, Elizabeth, and Scottie for lunch. This was definitely the highlight of our weekend, as we have missed seeing our family in Charlotte since our move. Alden was so glad to see Scottie, and they entertained each other really well during lunch. Hudson was pretty fussy, and had to make a couple trips outside to settle down. Luckily, he gave in to sleep before our food came.

Alden crashed out hard in the car as soon as we drove out of Charlotte. We always joke that going or coming, she always stirs in Asheboro. True to form, as soon as we got to the city limits, we start hearing some "Eh, eh" sounds from Alden and Hudson. By the time we were a few miles down the road at the Chick-Fil-A, it had escalated to a full-scale scream-fest. Matt and I looked at each other. All we could do was laugh...and dream of the days when the crying will stop, or at least subside a little.

Monday night, we had a surprise party for my high school friend, Kristen. We were a little late, but were able to eat some cake and visit. Kristen is the first one of us to turn 30. I guess it hadn't really occurred yet to me that I, too, will be 30 this year. All of a sudden, it seems old. Wow.

And, we continue to be exhausted. Last night, Hudson had his best night ever, going from 10:30-5 before he woke up to eat. However, Lily wanted out about every hour and a half because she has diarrhea and needed to go out. We can't win.

And tonight, we made an effort to get Alden in bed before 8:30, and yet she woke up around 9:20, and was just crying for the last 15 minutes. AHHH!

The good news this week is that we have definitely turned a corner with Hudson. I think, as he is able to see more, he is more entertained and distracted, and thus, can be by himself now for longer than 3-5 minutes. He likes his Baby Einstein Star a lot, except when Alden practically flattens him as she tries to lay by him. Sometimes I think I need to put Hudson in an enclosure, or hang him from the ceiling so Alden can't maul him.

He is really holding his head up well, and has even rolled over, although inadvertently, from his tummy to his back. He gooing and gaa-ing and smiling more, too. I am liking him more and more. I would like him even better if his long sleep patterns keep up. He seems so much bigger. When we got back from Charlotte and put him in the baby tub, he looked huge. It is amazing how quickly he is growing!

Alden eating her corn in front of the TV. When we were ready to walk after dinner, she said the corn wanted to come and danced it around, "The corn is excited!" Alden and the corn rode in the wagon.

Reading books to Kaylee. I think we must read at least 50 books a day. And that is a slow day.