Well, let me just eat my words about the snow. We woke up two Tuesdays ago to about 4 inches of white stuff, and it just kept going until afternoon. What a treat! It was like Christmas for Lily. She pounced all around, ate snow and squeaked, and laid in it. Poor "Yiyay". She misses Colorado.
Matt had Alden out before 8, bundled up and on the swing set. We were supposed to have our closing that morning at 9:30, but it was postponed until the next day. Matt's office was closed, and we enjoyed having a day off together! We took the kids out for a walk and Alden was snow-angel crazy. She went sledding on "zach's sled" next door and thought going down the slide in the backyard was really cool.
Wednesday morning, we did finally close on our new house! Matt and I went by after we had signed all our papers, and before he had to go to work. Mom and I went back that afternoon and started doing some cleaning, although with 2 kids, our productive time only ended up being about 30 minutes. Thursday, I packed up the kids and took them over myself, only managing to vacuum 2 bedrooms, and wipe off a counter and mirror in the master bath before Hudson was melting down and Alden had a giant poop. My parents cleaned our carpets on Thursday night, which was a HUGE help.
Saturday was moving day! Matt and Dad had a group of YL guys who helped us, and they were done in 3 1/2 hours. AMAZING. We could not have done it without their help, or without Ashley, Andrew and Nana, who came up from Charlotte to wrangle kids. While the men were moving boxes, Amber and I cleaned the kitchen, and she and mom lined the shelves. Saturday night, we left Alden with my parents, and Matt, Hudson and I spent our first night in the new house.
I don't know how long the link will be there, but this is the house on the listing agent's website. http://www.gourleyrealestate.com/listingdetails.aspx?ListID=718833
Sunday afternoon, we made huge strides while the kids were asleep, getting our bedroom organized, and the kitchen put together. Monday, I worked a lot getting boxes out of the living room, so we could arrange furniture that night. Slowly, slowly, it is starting to feel like a home. It is almost like Christmas, too, finding things that we haven't had in 6 months. Alden has been thrilled to find 2 boxes of books and tons of old toys as we have unpacked.
Monday night, our neighbors across the street invited us over for cookies and milk. They have 2 daughters, 9 and 5. Alden and Isabel, the younger one, were upstairs reading books, and we had a bit of a riot when we told her we had to go. First thing the next morning, Alden asked if we could "go back to that house and eat cookies, and read books"??
Monday was also Lily's first night in the house. She was very hesitant to come in, and to walk on the floors. She still avoids the linoleum in the kitchen, and sticks to the wood and carpet. Funny, because the linoleum isn't slippery at all. We have taken her on some good walks on the greenway, and let her enjoy her fenced in yard complete with squirrels. I would say that she is pretty used to being there now, and I think she enjoys being able to sleep in our room again at night.
Wednesday was Alden's first day back at school in 2 weeks...and boy, was I ready. With the snow, and teacher workdays, it had been a LONG time. Hudson and I went to the Y, and I did NO work in the house. We all napped in the afternoon, and had our first dinner in the house...TACOS. Yum. The nap situation has been a little askew this week. Monday and Tuesday, Hudson was up almost the whole time Alden was sleeping, and then tired right before she woke up. Yesterday and today, we are getting back on schedule.
And, Thursday was Hudson's 6 month birthday!!!! I CANNOT believe how fast it has gone, and am very thankful to have these first 6 months behind us. He is pushing up on his hands and knees, and every now and then, will scoot one knee underneath him in a crawl-like manner. The pink medicine worked wonders for him, and since we have been in the new house, he has slept 8-9 hours at a stretch at night. HALLELUJAH!!!!!! His two bottom teeth are definitely in, and he is chowing down on cereal a couple times a day. I bought some sweet potatoes to cook for him just the other day, and some avocados to try soon. He loves watching Lily and Kaylee, laughing at Alden, and really lets us know when he wants someone to pick him up or play with him. He is super wiggly and wants to go everywhere and put everything in his mouth. The other day, he squealed and talked to the rocking horse for the longest time. Overall, he is super cute and cuddly, and very sweet.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Bababababa
Oh, the sickness continues. Since the week before Christmas there have been 4, maybe 5, nights that I have slept more than 3 hours at a stretch. Lately, Hudson has been sleeping a couple hours, waking up and eating, and then coughing for a couple hours, then sleeping, waking, eating, coughing, etc. Saturday, he got up at 4:45 (for the 2nd time that night) and was awake until 6:45. I had just laid him down when I hear the door open and see a little head poke over the side of the crib. "Haha coughing. Haha's sick." It is like a bad joke.
We are trying all the typical things, vaporizer, saline drops, nose sucker, tilted mattress, etc, and I have even given him (gasp!) some children's cough syrup. I don't know who the idiots are who removed all the infant cold and cough medicine from the shelves, but they obviously don't have sick, can't-breathe-through-their-noses babies or any sympathy for people who do. Part of the reasoning they removed it supposedly had to do with the medicine not working in infants, but that is just a lie. Hudson is much better after half an mL of "pink mediss".
Enough of my rant...had to get that off my chest. Anyways, today we went to the doctor, and I think he felt sorry for poor Hudson, because he did prescribe us some amoxicillin. Hopefully, it will do something. It can't hurt. Of course, our resident drug addict Alden, was interested in trying the new "pink mediss" too. What is she going to be like when she is older??? Wow.
Hudson had gained 1 lb 5 oz in the past 3 weeks or so. His appetite has not suffered at all in the midst of the sickness, thankfully. He has been busy lately drinking water from a cup with Bebe, saying "Dadadadada" this weekend, and "Bababababa" today. Ironically, that is also what my sleep-deprived brain function feels like too...babababababa.
Bebe and I took the kids to the mall this afternoon to ride Black Beauty and get Chik-Fil-A. Alden just really, really needed to get out and run around a little. Maybe if it snows, she can play outside for a while tomorrow. Of course, when there is a forecast for snow, it means that it will be 60 degrees. I am not holding my breath.
Bebe was helping Alden get dressed this morning, and Alden was NOT interested. She managed to get away from Bebe, and said, "Bebe, don't DO that!" She has also pooped on the potty the past couple days. Still no peeing in the potty or wearing of the panties, but we are making strides.
We are trying all the typical things, vaporizer, saline drops, nose sucker, tilted mattress, etc, and I have even given him (gasp!) some children's cough syrup. I don't know who the idiots are who removed all the infant cold and cough medicine from the shelves, but they obviously don't have sick, can't-breathe-through-their-noses babies or any sympathy for people who do. Part of the reasoning they removed it supposedly had to do with the medicine not working in infants, but that is just a lie. Hudson is much better after half an mL of "pink mediss".
Enough of my rant...had to get that off my chest. Anyways, today we went to the doctor, and I think he felt sorry for poor Hudson, because he did prescribe us some amoxicillin. Hopefully, it will do something. It can't hurt. Of course, our resident drug addict Alden, was interested in trying the new "pink mediss" too. What is she going to be like when she is older??? Wow.
Hudson had gained 1 lb 5 oz in the past 3 weeks or so. His appetite has not suffered at all in the midst of the sickness, thankfully. He has been busy lately drinking water from a cup with Bebe, saying "Dadadadada" this weekend, and "Bababababa" today. Ironically, that is also what my sleep-deprived brain function feels like too...babababababa.
Bebe and I took the kids to the mall this afternoon to ride Black Beauty and get Chik-Fil-A. Alden just really, really needed to get out and run around a little. Maybe if it snows, she can play outside for a while tomorrow. Of course, when there is a forecast for snow, it means that it will be 60 degrees. I am not holding my breath.
Bebe was helping Alden get dressed this morning, and Alden was NOT interested. She managed to get away from Bebe, and said, "Bebe, don't DO that!" She has also pooped on the potty the past couple days. Still no peeing in the potty or wearing of the panties, but we are making strides.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The Fruit of our Portrait Session
*Note: They had removed the Christmas background...at least we made it before Easter!
Haircuts, Kisses and Endos
Here I am, updating from last weekend. Saturday was a really fun family day, despite our initial dread. We had scheduled the kids' pictures for the morning, which any parent can tell you is no cup of tea. These were the Christmas pictures that didn't quite get done before Christmas in the midst of our sickness. However, much to our surprise, Alden was exceptional compared to her other picture experiences, and Hudson did great, too.
Alden's pre-picture haircut.
After pictures, we went to Southpoint for some lunch in the food court, and for Alden to play on the playground, which was her incentive to behave for photos. We had a really fun time together. That night, Matt and I went out on a date to the new pizza place in Apex, which was ok, and then to Kilwin's for ice cream, which was very good. The weekend before, we has rented Batman Begins, so we all settled in for the slightly disturbing The Dark Knight.
Sunday, we went to church and I had Laura's shower at noon. It was fun to see the girls two weekends in a row, and to get excited about all the little baby things Matt and Laura received. Baby stuff is so fun. We all bundled up that afternoon and walked down to the park by the pool. Alden enjoyed walking Kaylee.
This past week, we started getting back on track sleeping wise. Hudson had 4 nights in a row where he just woke up once. It is amazing how just a little more sleep can make you feel like a functioning, productive human being. But, as luck would have it, 2 nights ago, he started with the congestion and coughing AGAIN. I can't wait until spring. The good thing is, he will have remarkable immunity to all these bugs after the past 6 weeks.
Hudson also started giving kisses and hugs this week. He grabs onto Matt or I and squeezes as hard as he can, sliming us with a kiss. It is really cute. He can get up on his hands and knees, and basically moves where ever he wants to go by rolling and scooting across the floor. He is eating his cereal like a champ, which I think has helped with the sleeping. Maybe next month we will try some veggies.
One of his cool tricks is to pull himself out of the Bumbo seat using the playgym.
Hudson and I got to go to school with Alden on Wednesday to help make pizzas. Her class is talking about hot and cold this month, so one day last week, they held ice cubes, and this week, the pizzas were their example of "hot". It is so fun to see her and the other kids in her class in that environment. She is still bossy.
Alden got bucked off her bouncy horse Maverick (My-nack) last night. I was in the kichen and Amber was sitting with Hudson on the couch, and the next thing we know, Alden has done an endo, over Maverick's head, onto the floor. Luckily, she was fine...and you have to fall off 100 time to be a cowboy so there's 1!
Alden's pre-picture haircut.
After pictures, we went to Southpoint for some lunch in the food court, and for Alden to play on the playground, which was her incentive to behave for photos. We had a really fun time together. That night, Matt and I went out on a date to the new pizza place in Apex, which was ok, and then to Kilwin's for ice cream, which was very good. The weekend before, we has rented Batman Begins, so we all settled in for the slightly disturbing The Dark Knight.Sunday, we went to church and I had Laura's shower at noon. It was fun to see the girls two weekends in a row, and to get excited about all the little baby things Matt and Laura received. Baby stuff is so fun. We all bundled up that afternoon and walked down to the park by the pool. Alden enjoyed walking Kaylee.
This past week, we started getting back on track sleeping wise. Hudson had 4 nights in a row where he just woke up once. It is amazing how just a little more sleep can make you feel like a functioning, productive human being. But, as luck would have it, 2 nights ago, he started with the congestion and coughing AGAIN. I can't wait until spring. The good thing is, he will have remarkable immunity to all these bugs after the past 6 weeks.
Hudson also started giving kisses and hugs this week. He grabs onto Matt or I and squeezes as hard as he can, sliming us with a kiss. It is really cute. He can get up on his hands and knees, and basically moves where ever he wants to go by rolling and scooting across the floor. He is eating his cereal like a champ, which I think has helped with the sleeping. Maybe next month we will try some veggies.One of his cool tricks is to pull himself out of the Bumbo seat using the playgym.
Hudson and I got to go to school with Alden on Wednesday to help make pizzas. Her class is talking about hot and cold this month, so one day last week, they held ice cubes, and this week, the pizzas were their example of "hot". It is so fun to see her and the other kids in her class in that environment. She is still bossy.
Alden got bucked off her bouncy horse Maverick (My-nack) last night. I was in the kichen and Amber was sitting with Hudson on the couch, and the next thing we know, Alden has done an endo, over Maverick's head, onto the floor. Luckily, she was fine...and you have to fall off 100 time to be a cowboy so there's 1!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Tastes like...
The other day Alden was picking her nose and eating boogers, and Amber told that was gross, but asked what Alden thought they tasted like. She said, "Carrots."
Alden is becoming a pro at bedtime stall tactics. Ever since we took the passys, she has been adding 1-2 things every time she gets in bed. Right now, there are:
4 baby dolls - 1 naked, 1 with hair, 1 "blue" baby, 1 "purple" baby
1 giant Elmo
1 Big Bird that used to talk when Ashley was little and is broken now
2 stuffed brown bears
1 stuffed white bear
1 cat
1 bunny
1 tiger
1 horse
1 green pillow from Hudson's play gym
1 Beanie Baby cow
1 Beanie Baby black bear
2 Beanie Baby 1999 bears
1 Beanie Baby rhinocerous
1 Beanie Baby kangeroo
1 captain from her Little People
1 clapper party favor - missing one hand because I threw it against the wall the other night when Alden was up from 12:30-3
1 yellow jingle ball from Hudson's toys
1 Taggie mini-blanket
1 Build-a -Bear duck that says "I love you"
1 magic wand with jingly bell
2 pink blankets
....and one 2 1/2 year old wearing Santa pajamas. Hopefully, she will stay there for the night.
And this is the inventory after we removed three Santas to the attic this past weekend. It is incredible that the child has room to sleep.
What is even more incredible is that she knows exactly what she should have in her bed, and if ANYTHING is missing. This is a big component of her tactics for us to locate the creatures that have traveled around the house during the day. Then, she usually throws in a request for "pink mediss" (pink pedicine - Robitussin) that she had been getting when she was sick. She is no longer in need of it, by the way.
Alden is becoming a pro at bedtime stall tactics. Ever since we took the passys, she has been adding 1-2 things every time she gets in bed. Right now, there are:
4 baby dolls - 1 naked, 1 with hair, 1 "blue" baby, 1 "purple" baby
1 giant Elmo
1 Big Bird that used to talk when Ashley was little and is broken now
2 stuffed brown bears
1 stuffed white bear
1 cat
1 bunny
1 tiger
1 horse
1 green pillow from Hudson's play gym
1 Beanie Baby cow
1 Beanie Baby black bear
2 Beanie Baby 1999 bears
1 Beanie Baby rhinocerous
1 Beanie Baby kangeroo
1 captain from her Little People
1 clapper party favor - missing one hand because I threw it against the wall the other night when Alden was up from 12:30-3
1 yellow jingle ball from Hudson's toys
1 Taggie mini-blanket
1 Build-a -Bear duck that says "I love you"
1 magic wand with jingly bell
2 pink blankets
....and one 2 1/2 year old wearing Santa pajamas. Hopefully, she will stay there for the night.
And this is the inventory after we removed three Santas to the attic this past weekend. It is incredible that the child has room to sleep.
What is even more incredible is that she knows exactly what she should have in her bed, and if ANYTHING is missing. This is a big component of her tactics for us to locate the creatures that have traveled around the house during the day. Then, she usually throws in a request for "pink mediss" (pink pedicine - Robitussin) that she had been getting when she was sick. She is no longer in need of it, by the way.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
First Cereal
Sunday night, in attempt to space out Hudson's every 2-3 hour meals, we gave him his first rice cereal. I wouldn't say he loved it, but he did eat some, and today downed a little more.
He was a little more interested in grabbing the spoon.
All his eating is making a big difference. He is so much bigger than even at Christmas time. He wants to grab and touch everything, and has enjoyed all of his new toys.
He was a little more interested in grabbing the spoon.All his eating is making a big difference. He is so much bigger than even at Christmas time. He wants to grab and touch everything, and has enjoyed all of his new toys. Another biggie for him is that we moved his crib into Ashley's room, since she is in Charlotte for a few weeks. Hopefully, we will all get more rest with him in another room. Ever since our bout of sickness earlier in December, he has been up 2 or 3 times a night. That is just not cool.
I have to record, too, that Mrs. Leonard said Alden spent 20 minutes at school the other day looking at the new books they have about winter. She was talking about the pictures and telling stories, although Mrs. Leonard said she didn't understand everything Alden was saying (I told her we don't either). Alden has enjoyed her books a lot lately. She got a Little Golden Book of 9 bedtime stories from Scottie that we have all read about 800 times in the past week and a half. However, the story of Little Black Sambo is now called The Boy and the Tigers. Hmm.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Christmas - New Years and Beyond
Wow. Where do I even begin...Settle in and get comfortable...this is a long one.
Christmas Eve, I went to the barn in the morning and Alden made cookies with Bebe. Matt and I walked the kids and Lily to the park before naps. We did spaghetti casserole for dinner, which has always been a tradition at Nana's house. We braved the 7:00 traditional service at church, and the kids did well...making it about 3/4 of the way through. Matt and I figured we probably won't be enjoying and really participating in a Christmas Eve service for another 5-6 years.
Alden loves this green pillow that came with one of Hudson's playmats and has adopted it as her own.
Hudson tries out the tire swing.
One of Alden's favorite things the Christmas has been our neighbor's elaborate display of lights and inflatables. Every night at dinner she proclaims, "After I eat, go see lights!" And then when we drive by during the day, "Oh, no. Lights not on."
Sweet Hudson.
Christmas morning, Alden came and woke us up around 7:45, and I think she had forgotten that Santa had come. She was so excited to see the farm and wanted to play with each toy for a while before opening another one. It was great to have a relaxed day and enjoy playing with all the new toys. Hudson enjoyed the wrapping paper, and especially his new dancing bear thing from Auntie Amber. Alden racked up and decided that all the new toys were a good trade for the passys.
The day after, we made our traditional pilgrimage to Charlotte. Instead of the usual gathering, we switched things up and went out to dinner at one of Nana's favorite restuarants. They gave us a great big private room, which was great for Alden and Scottie to run around and play while the rest of us visited and enjoyed great food. We all headed back to Nana's for dessert and presents and then Matt and I stayed the night with the kids.
Hudson playing peek-a-boo with Kitty Scott.
Matt, Dillon, and Hudson
Alden got a tent and sleeping bag from Aunt Vickie, and the kids loved playing in it.
Saturday night, we did our annual Christmas with the Duprees. This is probably #20 or 21. It was fun to have all the kids together. I can't wait until Jess is in Charlotte!
Christmas Eve, I went to the barn in the morning and Alden made cookies with Bebe. Matt and I walked the kids and Lily to the park before naps. We did spaghetti casserole for dinner, which has always been a tradition at Nana's house. We braved the 7:00 traditional service at church, and the kids did well...making it about 3/4 of the way through. Matt and I figured we probably won't be enjoying and really participating in a Christmas Eve service for another 5-6 years.
Alden loves this green pillow that came with one of Hudson's playmats and has adopted it as her own.
Hudson tries out the tire swing.One of Alden's favorite things the Christmas has been our neighbor's elaborate display of lights and inflatables. Every night at dinner she proclaims, "After I eat, go see lights!" And then when we drive by during the day, "Oh, no. Lights not on."Sweet Hudson.
Christmas morning, Alden came and woke us up around 7:45, and I think she had forgotten that Santa had come. She was so excited to see the farm and wanted to play with each toy for a while before opening another one. It was great to have a relaxed day and enjoy playing with all the new toys. Hudson enjoyed the wrapping paper, and especially his new dancing bear thing from Auntie Amber. Alden racked up and decided that all the new toys were a good trade for the passys.
The day after, we made our traditional pilgrimage to Charlotte. Instead of the usual gathering, we switched things up and went out to dinner at one of Nana's favorite restuarants. They gave us a great big private room, which was great for Alden and Scottie to run around and play while the rest of us visited and enjoyed great food. We all headed back to Nana's for dessert and presents and then Matt and I stayed the night with the kids.Hudson playing peek-a-boo with Kitty Scott.
Matt, Dillon, and Hudson
Alden got a tent and sleeping bag from Aunt Vickie, and the kids loved playing in it.Saturday night, we did our annual Christmas with the Duprees. This is probably #20 or 21. It was fun to have all the kids together. I can't wait until Jess is in Charlotte!
Begrudgingly, we started a new week, although Matt just had to work Mon-Wed. I rode Monday and Wednesday, and Mom and I ran some errands. We went out to dinner with my parents and their friends on New Years' Eve, and had an early night. Thursday, I went to the barn again, and we spent some time together as a family. The Livecchi clan came over that night for the New Years Day collard/black eyed pea/ham fest. Alden said after they left "Boys are wild!"
Alden has an alphabet train puzzle that she put together and then put something on every piece. The "N" is a norwhal, which she likes, because in Elf, the norwhal says, "Bye Buddy. Hope you find your Dad!"
Friday, mom and I did some shopping with Hudson, and Matt and Alden went to the Y and did some swimming. It has been a couple months since Alden went to the pool, but Matt said she did great and remembered a lot of her old tricks. Matt had a great time with Alden, and she kept talking about all they did together.
Alden has really enjoyed playing with the watercolors Santa put in her stocking.
Saturday, we got ready to head back to Charlotte for my friend Elizabeth's wedding. We left Alden with Bebe, and felt like we were on vacation with just one child. We made a quick stop at Nana's to get dressed and made it to Shelby only a few minutes late. The wedding was beautiful, and the reception was a lot of fun. Ellie looked stunning, and we were so excited to celebrate with them.
Sunday, we enjoyed breakfast with Nana, and lunch with the Brys family. It was hard to come back knowing that we had to start a real week. What a great Christmas/New Years!
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