Guess who's 5 months old?This guy!
What do you think about that?

4 Months Old

Happy birthday!  You are more special than you could ever know. I will be back later in the week to share about all about your new discoveries and what we have been doing this past month.  Here's a sneak peak of what you learned today:

Love you, Buddy!

Dear Hudson,

A year ago mommy and daddy were newly pregnant and thinking about what our life would be like with a baby.  We were so excited to have you and become a family.  We could not wait for the day that we could meet you, cuddle you, kiss you, play with you, and watch you grow.  Now you are here, already 4 months old, and ours forever!  You are more special than we could have ever expected.  Every smile, giggle, kiss, and hug we get from you makes our hearts grow. 

Daddy went to India for work. While he was gone we went to Gammie’s for a few days and had a blast, as always.  We also stayed in Santa Rosa for a few days, just the two of us.  It was a lot of fun having you all to myself, but we were both exhausted by the end of the day.  You were so excited to have Daddy back when he got home.

This past month has brought on a lot of changes for the three of us, and each of these hard or happy times have only strengthened the bond between the three of us. 

Some of the highlights of this past month were:

*Meeting Kate and Pete from Cincinnati. They were mommy and daddy’s great friends from Duke.  While they were here we went to Muir Woods, Sausalito, and did some wine tasting.

*Going on a walk with Auntie Judy and Uncle John.

*Having a few playdates with Kennedy and Kaden.  You all wore one another out!  They even feel asleep, but you wanted to stay up and hang out with the mommies!

*Going to dinner at your friend Jadon’s house. You had a great time playing with your friends.

*Going on Howarth Park train.  The whistle was WAY too loud for your ears and you cried once they blew it.

*finding  you FEET!  You found them on your four month birthday, and they have become your favorite toy EVER!

*letting mommy play with your hair.

*drooling!!!

*practicing taking naps without being swaddled.  You didn't enjoy it too much, but you were able to do it a few times.

*practicing walking.  You think it's just the coolest.  You would "walk" all day everyday if you could!

*being adorable.  It comes naturally to you.

*Watching the launry in the washer and dryer is quite possibly your most favorite activity. 

We love you more than life itself, Lovebug.  You are such a sweet, mellow, loving, fun boy.  You fill our lives with so much happiness.  We love you to the moon and back.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Sooo Kissable!

Look at this face. It is soooo kissable.

Good job Duke!

Three Months Old

Dear Hudson,

Happy 3 month birthday, Buddy!  It’s truly hard to believe that I am writing you another letter.  It feels as if I wrote your two month letter just a few days ago. This morning I realized that I became pregnant about one year ago.  That is so crazy!   During my pregnancy, I imagined what you would look, act, and be like.  Boy have you surpassed my expectations.  You are so handsome, fun, determined, and loving.  I fall more in love with you every day.  We have been having so much fun that I only took out my camera once this month.  Thankfully the iphone is always handy, so we still have some pictures of you this month.

You have become quite the talker. You really like to talk to mommy and daddy and yourself (when you are looking in the mirror).  It seems like you really like to hear your own voice. You are really polite and take your turn as we talk.   It’s pretty cute if you ask me.  You also gab away during mommy and me.  It cracks me up because you like to talk to the other babies whether they are right next to you or across the room.  I just love it.

You really like to stand.  You just learned how to stand from a laying position if you hold on to my hands, and I pull you up.  You get pretty proud of yourself when you are up.  You also love standing at the library and watching the “big kids” scoot, crawl, and walk around.  You really watch them and try to figure it out.  Lately, you have been tapping your right foot when you stand.  Daddy thinks you are trying to dance like Elvis. J

You don’t like being straped into your car seat.  Oh boy, you just cry when I start to strap you in.  Once we start moving you calm down though.  You used to fall asleep in it right away, but now you are awake for longer periods of time when you are in it.  If we are in the car, you usually talk to yourself for a while.  If we are on a walk or running errands, you usually sleep, but recently you have been more awake and you check out the scenery.

You haven’t enjoyed sleeping as much as you used to, but I think it’s because you are getting older and don’t require as much sleep.  You are awake for much longer spans now, which is fun because we get to play a lot more.   Naps have been hard for you if you are in your crib or bassinette.  You usually wake up after about 45 minutes and can’t sooth yourself back to sleep. 

You have been drooling like a champ.  I often put bibs on you because your shirts get so wet.  The past few days you have also started to chew on your tongue.  I am not sure if this is early teething or just your own way of soothing yourself.  I guess only time will tell. 

At times, you roll from your tummy to your back.  Mommy and Daddy cheer for you every time you do.  Sometimes you forget and your do amazing pilates moves and then start to get frustrated, so I usually help you start to roll over and you finish it.

Earlier in the month you were sucking on your hands, but you haven’t done that in a while.  It was funny to watch you because you would bring your hand to your mouth and as soon as you would begin to suck on it you would make a face like you were so disgusted with the taste.  You would do that with your toys too.  Your face is pretty priceless.

 Some of the highlights from this past month:

*Meeting Jocelyn

*Meeting mommy’s college roommate, Loren, and her baby, Lea.  You guys are only a few weeks apart.

*Celebrating Gammy’s and Grandma’s birthday

*Going to babytime at the library (Central and Rincon Valley)

*Being babysat by Gammie, Auntie Melanie and Alisa while mommy went to Cooking Club (thanks guys!)

*Having a slumber party with Auntie Dayna and Auntie Laura

*Hanging out with the book club ladies (you refused to sleep the whole time they were here)

*Going to Bodega Bay and seeing the ocean

*Walking Spring Lake many times a week

Mommy and Daddy have just loved watching you grow.  Our life is so much more complete with you.  You bring an extra special sparkle to our life.  We are so blessed to have you as our little man.  We love you more than you will ever know.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

A Day at the Beach

Today was a beautiful day, and we wanted to take advantage of the sunshine. We decided to head out to Bodega Bay. We stopped by Howard's Cafe in Occidental for some brunch then continued on to the beach. 

Sadly, I left our camera at home. I still consider thus a family photo since you can see Chad in my glasses.

So thankful to live in CA. Our little Elvis.
Hope you had a beautiful Saturday!

"Pin"spired

I am absolutely addicted to pintrest.  I love all of the creative ideas that one can find on the site. Uunfortunately I find myself doing more pinning than doing. Am I alone here?
Today is going to be different. I am actually going to DO some of the things I've pinned. 
I plan on:
1.  Making these delicious looking cookies:

found here

2.  Cleaning my shower using this technique

found here

3.  Making this to add to my water

found here

4.  Making these for book club next week.

found here

And if I'm still in the mood, I just might

5.  Shave one of my sweaters.

found here

I'll let you know how it goes.