Play Hard, Sleep Hard

A couple months ago, we tried to get this wild little guy to stay in his crib that we decided to transition into a toddler bed...it turned more into a hangout pad/bouncy house and it was somewhat of a nightmare for Mom and Dad! It was a long two weeks of no naps and several waking episodes in the middle of the night. But, we're no dummies:) Just as quick as we took that front crib bar off, we slapped it back on and decided to wait a titch longer. We weren't ready to give up sleep!
Now (as of last week) we went ahead and got an official "toddler bed" that Hudson completely loves. Amazingly enough, he has taken a whole new approach to this bed. He feels like such a big kid AND he sleeps!!! BAM! Win for all. Hopefully Hudson now won't feel that his little sister is taking over his bed once she starts sleeping in the crib. It was an exciting realization as we raised the crib mattress for our baby girl that is coming next month!

On the 4th, we got together with our ward and had a BBQ and played games. Hudson was absorbed in the bubble station for at least an hour of complete bliss.

In hea-ven...

We forced Dad to take a break from studying from boards part one to have a little relaxation time. Although we were a bad influence on his study habits, we lived it up and were happy to have had the afternoon to play together!

Later in the afternoon, we went down to our beach with our best friends the Tranters. This is Emily and Hudson embracing if you can call it that... Yes, she totally wears the pants in this relationship---nearly having a year on him:) I love these two.

We finally got Dad down to the beach after his strict study/school schedule this year! After this Wednesday we are hoping to be able to get more time with him at the beach. Fingers still crossed!!!

Hudson is crazy about his trucks, along with the water and sand combination that the beach presents. It is a recipe for filthy dirty and it has his name all over it. We can't escape without every inch of his body, hair, face, and every crevice being completely caked with sand. It somehow turns into glue on his skin. Don't ask me how. Our car is quickly becoming a sandy beach of its own, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We are loving the beach weather that has finally hit.

These two were difficult to capture on camera given they were racing, jumping and rolling all over the beach. It was soooo fun to enjoy a beautiful beach day!

Hudson slept hard that night upon returning from fireworks close to 11 o' clock at night. Hudson loved every minute of the firework display to say the least. He was running around, jumping, yelling....the excitement was just too much for one little body to hold in. We had a great time munching on freshly popped popcorn that I popped before we left---something Thomas claims my Dad would have gone to the work to do:) Of course food makes everything a better experience. Even if it is just popcorn. Happy 4th!

Baby, I'm 2!

Hudson turned 2 this month and we are so grateful for all the happiness he has brought our family the last two years! He is full of sunshine and joy:) We love you BIRTHDAY BOY!!!

The night before Hudson's birthday, his crazy Mom stayed up for an extra two hours blowing up balloons (a kicker to the cheeks!) and decorating the house with birthday paraphernalia. I think it was totally worth it for Hudson to wake up to a room filled with colorful balloons! He was in heaven. He didn't stop kicking, bouncing, popping and playing with them all day. Pretty exciting stuff.

Nothing like some good ol' syrupy waffles and ketchup with eggs (no, I didn't mix that order up) for a birthday breakfast on the "You are special today" plate:)

Hudson is crazy about BIG construction machines so I decided to make him this construction site birthday cake (with the contractor expertise of Dad, of course). Each machine had it's special placement on the cake and it was fun to make the cake much less than beautiful. Digging holes in the cake... throwing Oreos here and there... smashing up Crunch bars... hammering out Butterfingers...that is what I call making a cake!

Hudson was sure the cake was part of the gifted toy experience. When we took the toys off of the cake to start eating, he was so confused and kept asking for the cake only to put the machines back on it to continue construction as usual:) "What Mom??? We are supposed to eat this dirt pile and I can't play with my trucks on this thing tomorrow??? What a joke."

Along with some fantastic clothes and a cool DJ radio from Grandpa and Grandma Montague, Hudson got several SA-WEET model cars. I don't know who was more excited about them, but I'm pretty sure Dad was a close second.

That night Hudson refused to let any of the 5 construction trucks out of his arms. That has got to be comfortable sleeping on a dump truck, digger, steamroller, front loader and bulldozer. This little guy didn't see himself sleeping any other way.

All in all, it was a completely successful day! We got to play with Hudson's best buddies, Carter and Owen at the park while eating donuts and juice. Hudson got to kick balloons, watch some Curious George, play with his cake and new toys and have his way--- the whole day. Life is good when you're 2! We love you!!!

Round #2 Anyone?

This month, we were lucky enough to have both Grandma and Grandpa Montague make it out to see us here in Chicago! Grandma Lisa has seen us since we've been out here, but this was Grandpa Terry's first time so we were pumped to show him a good time. It was such a great few days. We were able to spend our time playing at the park, going to the Shedd Aquarium, flying kites, going for picnics and hikes, playing at the beach, and letting my parents enjoy our adorable City of Lake Forest in all its charm.

My beautiful Mother and Hudson's Grandma:)

My Mom finished and brought out with her this awesome quilt that was covered in pockets from jeans, jackets and corduroys I wore during high school. She had a great idea to make a game out of it for Hudson so we hid a bunch of toys in the pockets and let the hunt for goodies begin. I think Hudson was wishing there were more pockets!

The first evening my parents arrived in town, it turned out chilly...imagine that? Cold. Chicago? We managed to get out anyway and let Hudson run around with the soccerball, pop bubbles and explore the playground he so loves. My Dad was so cute with Hudson as he got a kick out of all the little things he does. 

It was a riot to watch Hudson's enthusiasm while at the aquarium! His volume was 110% the ENTIRE time:)

Oh my gosh Mom! Seriously, you never told me fish were this COOL!!! AHHHH! This is the BEST!

He couldn't resist. This little tornado was going 100 mph throughout the whole aquarium. Nothing was too bland or even semi-oridanry to him. I think the people around us were thinking, "Shoot, you really gotta get your little guy out more often..." We all concluded that watching Hudson was well-worth the steep price of admission:)

Just had to try out the penguin suit. As it turns out, Hudson is a complete natural and would have run away from home to join the penguins if we hadn't dragged him away from the scene.

Hand on the hip. Relaxed stance. Cute-a-licious smile. Hudson had soooo much fun having the extra eyes to watch him as he played and laughed hard.

Grandma absolutely spoiled this boy while she was here. He was doted upon in every way, cuddled, kissed... you name it and the "Grandma-of-the-year" catered to this little man's every wish.

Since the news of our baby girl coming in just a couple months (we're soooooo excited!!!!), I have been looking forward to making bows with my Mom. We got busy and were able to bust out quite a few! It was a blast to have work alongside her skills and creativity. Couldn't have pushed through without you Mom!!!

My Mom also has some serious skills in a lot of other areas---wreath making to name just one more. We whipped this little beauty out in a little over an hour and I am proud to take my tiny portion of credit for it:) It is so cheery and has made the entryway to our home so happy and inviting! Thanks for all your help and expertise Mom!

Mama's Day, Her Way

I can't believe how much I love Mother's Day. It has become one of my favorite holidays. Thomas is super sweet, appreciative and helpful:) (not that you aren't always just so Tom...), Hudson just keeps getting cuter, and we couldn't be more excited about our little girl coming in just a few short months. Now that I'm entering my last trimester, I am feeling like it's game time whether or no we decide to put on our gear, pads and helmets---put us in coach!

Thomas is in the final week of his second year at Rosalind Franklin University Medical School and we are pumped to say ADIOS to another year! Not to mention, this has been an absolute beastly year...Thomas has been swamped with every minute consumed by school obligations and we have missed him at home more than we can say. Once he takes boards in July, we will feel a huge weight lifted and hopefully get to see more of his cute face. Way to go Tom! One step closer.

Speaking of cute faces...Hudson has become a camera "ham". He was enjoying a smoothie one minute and then he is cheesing it for the camera the next. I love that I don't get the deer-in-the-headlights look from him anymore when he sees the camera.

This is anything but attractive, but look how proud he is of himself. Exploring his little-boy body. We are quickly noticing that Hudson loves to tease. He does things to make us laugh and then adds it to his repertoire of jokes to cycle through. Did anyone say, "almost two"???

As I used to say, while sticking my head out the car window as a little girl, "HI TO ALL MY FRIENDS!" This is our presently active, happy, social little boy. He has made quite a few comrades at the playground and has initiated himself as one of the big kids. It is really quite comical to watch as a group of 11 year old boys flock around him. The change in weather has given him an extra boost of energy (I frankly didn't think I could imagine any more energy) and he lives to run, jump and play outside. We are sleeping a little more soundly these days.

April Showers

Another month gone by and a few new things to report. We began our month with some exciting news on April 1st...

Hudson wanted to be the one to announce it...
I going to be a big brother this year!!!

Our little Sleeping Beauty---this is the only way we could get Hudson within an arms reach of the ultrasound picture without him destroying it.
WE'RE HAVING A BABY GIRL IN AUGUST!!!

Our next big news is that we haven't been carried away in the floods of "April showers". Chicago has had some major flooding with the past 3 weeks of solid rain and thunderstorms...it has been kind of drab, but we are looking forward to those May flowers that supposedly come after the April showers:) Still wearing coats, but we have been determined to get out and play soccer in the yard (when we don't mind getting a little wet), hit the playground (while it's all ours before it warms up), or go hunting for worms and bugs around the neighborhood.

As you can see, this guy is the Spirit of Adventure. He relishes in being outdoors and bangs on the door to be let free when we are cooped up inside. Let's be honest--- if I could imagine Thomas as a little boy with all his energy and excitement, Hudson would be an exact replica. He loves running around, throwing stuff, kicking stuff, making sound effects, and being a little boy through and through. I absolutely love watching his excitement for everything, including the 5 million squirrels that live in the trees around our house.

One day, when it wasn't a complete downpour, we managed to get out while the sun was shining. It was a beautiful day and it felt so good to be down at the beach playground again. It got us all excited for summer as we looked around at the boats, the dock, the waves and sand with sunshine on our faces.

This is Hudson upon hearing an airplane in the sky. His face lights up every time! It has been fun to live where trains are everywhere. We get to hear/see and experience trains all the time and Hudson never tires of them. It is a HUGE deal EVERY time he hears/sees one:) The same goes for firetrucks, diesels, school buses and heavy machinery. It's all just too exciting for words.

Also during this month, we got to enjoy "trying out a sibling" for a week with another little boy in our ward. This is after shower time before putting the two of them to bed. Mason's family went out of town and we got to watch him and try and help Hudson adjust to the idea of another "baby" in the house. We need all the practice we can get at this point! Little baby girl will be here before you know it and Hudson will be in for a treat:)

Jokes On Us

Before leaving for DC, I made a cake for a friend's birthday. I love to make butter-cream cakes, but this one was my first time working with fondant so I wasn't sure what would happen. And whether or not it was a flop, I had to document the final product. I think it turned out looking not half shabby!

My friend Abby and I decided to be daring and head out to DC for Spring break to see our families since her husband is currently on medical rotations and Thomas is presently swamped with school. We woke up early, at 3:30 am Sunday morning, to put the 4 kids in the car and make the long drive in a minivan. What we didn't expect on our long journey was a surprise stop in Sturgis Michigan... Just 7 miles outside of this little podunk town we decided we needed a little more adventure and the tire blew. What? Yes. We had to flag down a patrol car, call a tow truck and spend 4 hours in a nasty Wal-mart while the tires were being replaced. Needless to say, it was a rough way to spend a day with 4 children and two very tired Mom's. 

We got to enjoy Subway for both breakfast and lunch and then we happened upon this delightful game room. My personal favorite was the boys that came in with green hair, camo jackets, and mullets:) We felt very white trash as our kids terrorized the store. The great part is we fit right in with all the riff raff. 

Once back in the van and on the road, the kids all crashed. It was a peaceful and much needed sight after nearly pulling our hair out in Wal-mart. Peace out Sturgis and adios Wal-mart. We carried on our merry way determined to make it into DC---even though we arrived close to midnight. IT WAS AN ULTRA LONG DAY!

While in DC, we just had to stop at the zoo. Hudson was loving life as he ran around feeling completely apart of the wild. He would follow the animals back and forth right up against the glass divide and try to mimic their movements. I got a kick out of him:) 

We got to spend time with Ashley and Spencer, Hudson's devoted aunt and uncle and my dear sister and bro. We ate at some awesome restaurants and got to push Hudson to his limit.

Hudson is showing Spence how he has mastered the operations of my phone. He can get around it like it aint no thang. It is pretty remarkable how children are growing up knowing how to "swipe", "tap" and run apps and electronics with such ease. 

We got to check out where Spence works and see some of his Homeland Security hood. 

At Tios Mexican restaurant, Hudson owned the chips and salsa. He was easy breezy while he was so preoccupied.

At Nationals Park DC watching a Yankees/Nats game.

I always love being able to capture these kind of moments. I'm just not always quick to remember to grab the camera and snap a pic. But isn't this precious?

Our last night out with Ash and Spence before we took off bright and early for another long ride home the following day. Fortunately, we were able to not have any mishaps along the way! 30 DVDs later, and with the children going totally crazy 500 miles beforehand, we arrived at Abby's, threw our stuff in our car to make the last little stretch to our home... But our car wouldn't start. What? Again? Seriously? Another road block. It made us feel better that we could have a dramatic beginning and dramatic closing to our Spring break story. Thanks for the good memories and great laughs Abby, chillens, Ash and Spence. It is nice to be home and back with Thomas.