Baby's First Christmas!!

As usual I've been slacking in my blog updates..but it's been a busy month! With all the preparations for Christmas, working full time and enjoying Hudson I haven't found time to blog. But I am done training at work for now so I will update here when I have the time. Prior to Christmas Hudson turned 9 months!! I swear time just keeps going faster and faster. I can't believe his first birthday is right around the corner. It's time for me to start planning!

Lets see ....at 9 months Hudson can:
-Army crawl to get where he wants to go
-Climb over the legs of chairs, our legs, toys, etc.
-Eat 'finger foods' and raw fruit such as apple slices, pears, etc.
-Clap
-Wave (a little after 9 months .. he did this for the first time on Christmas Eve)
-Talk up a storm!
-Laugh at Maverick constantly
-Sleep through the night (usually..)
-Drink less formula and eat more solid foods
-Pick up small objects (such as pine needles off the carpet ..ugh!)

The weekend before Christmas, Hudson took his first plane ride to visit The Bloom Family in Spokane!! He did great on the plane sleeping the whole flight (although it was only an hour each way ..) We were so relieved he didn't have any problems since he had been diagnosed with an ear infection a few days before leaving. I guess the antibiotics and ear drops helped! We had a nice visit with the family, but as usual it went WAY too fast since we were there less than 2 days. We had a family dinner and gift exchange at Katie and Kyle's on Saturday, then Sunday we went and visited Grandma and Grandpa Bloom at their new Assisted Living home. We hope to make it back over to the East side soon .. once all the snow and cold weather lets up! :)

Christmas came and went much to fast, as it always does. We spent Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family and my Aunt Gail and Uncle Dan's house in Montesano. All the McIntyre's were there as well as the Ayres', Grandma Patty, Steve, Hudson, Andy and I. My dad and sisters didn't make it this year because they were on vacation in Oahu! Lucky ducks!! We had a fun day playing the annual "Christmas Challenge" my Aunt Gail creates, eating a delicious dinner of crab salad, Prime Rib (for the non vegetarians!), Sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, potatoes, Berry Pie and a variety of Grandma's Cookies and sweets! We then opened our gifts. Hudson got the Fisher Price Lil Zoomers Speedway, A Christmas story book, Corduroy book and I'm sure some others that I'm forgetting about. On our way home, we stopped at Nancy and Kenny's to say hi to everyone there where we stayed WAAAYY past Hudson's bed time. Luckily he had napped in the car, because by the time we got home and got him to sleep it was close to 11 p.m. On the plus note, he slept through the night until 8 am Christmas morning...a gift in itself! :)

When we awoke Christmas morning, Hudson, Andy and I opened our gifts to eachother and from Linda and Steve. Hudson then ate his breakfast while we waited for mom and Dean and Nancy and Kenny to come over for brunch. Around 11 they all came over and we had a delicious brunch and opened more gifts!! Hudson was such a spoiled little guy this year. Some of his gifts included: Rocking horse that neighs/winnys, Ride-on Fisher Price Ice Cream Truck, Busy ball popper, lots of books, a few wooden puzzles, Fisher Price trucks, fire truck and police car, Fisher Price Mailbox, Inchworm, Ugg boots, Lily and Jack boots, several pairs of PJ's and a couple of outfits. Of all the gifts he received I think he was much more interested in the boxes, paper, ribbon and bows! Although, that's pretty much what we expected! :) We had a pretty low-key Christmas day, everyone left in the early afternoon and Hudson napped while we got things cleaned up a bit. After he woke up we went on a family walk, then I got a few side dishes ready and we went to my mom and Dean's house for Christmas dinner. Overall we had a wonderful Christmas and I was so thankful to finally get the day off after having to work it the past 4 years!!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!!

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. It seems like we prepare for so long and then it's gone with the blink of an eye! Andy and I enjoyed our time together and with my family this year. Christmas Eve we spent with my dad's side of the family (which has become tradition). We went down to my aunt and uncle's in Montesano where we enjoyed spending some quality with my cousins, aunts and uncles, dad, sisters, brother and grandparents! We played some fun 'games' that my aunt put together, had a delicious Prime Rib dinner and opened some presents. As usual, my grandma went all out and got everyone tons of gifts. Andy and I got a food processor (which I asked for, to help make my own baby food later..), a Walmart gift card, some lotions/body washes and Hudson even got a cute little puppy jacket and some CD's.

After opening presents we headed back to Puyallup for celebration #2 at Nancy and Kenny's house. We stayed a couple hours and caught up with some relatives we hadn't seen since last Christmas. We then headed home to let Maverick out for a couple minutes before heading to the 10 pm church service at Calvary Community Church that we have attended off and on since moving to Puyallup. The church service was perfect, we sang some traditional Christmas carols, watched as the children told the youth pastor what they wanted for Christmas and he read them a story, then listened to a short sermon on "Hope." It was wonderful to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. I've always wanted to start a new tradition of going to church on Christmas Eve and I hope going this year has started that.

Christmas Day was more low key. Andy and I woke up around 9:30 and opened our presents from eachother and from his family that they mailed. We were thrilled to get a Canon video camera from Andy's parents!!! What a perfect gift to have just before Hudson is born. We can't wait to try it out and be able to capture all his milestones throughout his life. This will also make it much easier to share things with Andy's family since they all live across the state.

After opening presents we headed up to my mom's house for Christmas brunch. We enjoyed her delicious breakfast casserole with Nancy and Kenny, Mom and Dean, Steve, Shey, Bryce, Todd, Aunt Sharene and Tom and one of their neighbors. It was nice to spend more time with them since we hadn't seen them for long the night before. We finished off the morning/early afternoon opening a few presents and visiting before Andy and I headed home to relax before I had to come to work that night.

Overall we had a good couple days celebrating Christmas but we both agree that next year will be MUCH better with a little one around! Christmas really is about celebrating Jesus and children!!!

Andy finally got what he asks me for every year!!

Sisters!

Grandpa with a few of his granddaughters :)

Dad and Steve with matching sweaters from Grandma

Bryce and Cody playing football with Andy :)

Dean with Shey and Bryce

Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Kenny with Shey and Bryce

Cody loved the rawhide from Maverick! He didn't stop chewing it until it was gone!

Weeks 25 and 26

The last couple weeks have been filled with getting ready for Christmas. My shopping and wrapping is done and I just have a couple more things to bake tomorrow and we are ready for Christmas Eve!! I'm excited because tonight we're going to go look at Christmas lights then come home and watch a Christmas movie :) (probably The Grinch). This is definitely one of my favorite times of the year, even though it is filled with spending way too much money and eating way too much food!!



Baby Hudson is still doing great, he's been VERY active the last few days, especially when I'm at work. I was watching my stomach literally lurching from his kicks!! It's so amazing how strong he's getting. Another huge milestone we hit this week is hitting the DOUBLE DIGITS until his due date!! I can't believe in just over 3 months (give or take) we will have our SON here with us!! It's still so surreal :)



We've gotten some more done in the nursery, Andy put a second shelf in the closet and we put the valance and bedding on to see what it looks like. Now I really need to start organizing...it's just overwhelming to even think about how I want to do it. If you have any websites or blogs with organizing inspiration please let me know!!




How far along are you? 26 weeks!!! Where does the time go??



How much does baby weigh? Almost 2 pounds



Maternity clothes? Most definitely!! There's no getting regular pants (or even most shirts) around this belly anymore



Stretch marks? None yet...keeping my fingers crossed



Sleep? Finally adjusted to my shift at work, still sleeping ok, I just seem to wake up with a lot of back pain



Best moment this week? Feeling and seeing Hudson's kicks so much more often :)



Movement? ALL the time!! And I can't get enough of it. I love feeling this kicks, flutters and stretching out ..it's so amazing.



Food cravings? Surprisingly I haven't really had any. I still prefer salty foods to sweets



Milestones: In the double digits till our due date. Hudson could possibly survive outside the womb (although he can stay in there at least a couple more months)


(I'll update again after Christmas with belly pictures and Christmas pictures!)

24 weeks...and still growing strong!

Decorating Gingerbread Houses!

Me and Joy (me at 23 weeks 3 days, Joy at 26 weeks 1 day)
Daddy is so proud of the nursery he built! :)

Wow..where did this baby come from??!!

Week 23: Baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs about 1 lb! About the size of a large mango. He is able to hear things outside the womb, so all of Maverick's barking and our yelling at him will be familar when he's born! :) This week I have been starting to feel more and more movement. Some kicks have even been strong enough to see them on the outside of my stomach and through my shirt! Everytime I feel him kicking it puts a smile on my face. I just love knowing he is healthy and strong.

I also had my 23 week appointment this week. Just a routine checkup where I was weighed and the dr. listened to Hudson's heartbeat. She asked if I had any questions or concerns and I was on my way!

Week 24: Baby has gained about 4 oz. since last week and now weighs just over 1 lb. He's also about a foot long, the size of an ear of corn. His body is beginning to fill out as he adds fat in the coming weeks and his lungs are developing so he can breathe outside the womb. Another big milestone his this week is what many call "V-day"--(or viability day) at this point in the pregnancy the baby COULD be viable outside the womb...although I'd prefer him to stay in there at least a couple more months :)

I can't believe how much my stomach has been growing the past few weeks. It's amazing how fast the changes take place. Hudson is still kicking and moving like crazy. This last week Andy had an awesome surprise for me. While I was gone at a get-together he painted the entire nursery, took the furniture out of the boxes and put the crib together!! I was so surprised and excited when I saw it. Now we can start decorating and getting it all set up for the little guy!! Next on the agenda...getting another shelf put in the closet so we can get the clothes organized.

Aside from the pregnancy progress Christmas is in full swing around here. Last week I pulled out the Christmas decorations and got most of them set up. Then Saturday Andy and I went and picked out a beautiful Christmas tree. Saturday night we went to Joy and Dan's Christmas party. Joy made a delicious dinner with all the fixings and afterwards we decorated Gingerbread houses! Unfortunately mine and Andy's house didn't want to stay standing, so it didn't turn out how we envisioned it, but we still had a blast.. thanks guys!

Now I'm just trying to finish up my Christmas shopping so I can get it all wrapped and done with early this year! I hate trying to last minute shop :)

Christmas Fun

Well, another Christmas has come and gone. I hope it was Merry for everyone!! :) Andy and I were very excited that we both had Christmas Eve and Christmas day off, that's unusual with my job! Christmas Eve was spent down in Brady at my Aunt and Uncle's house with my extended family on my dad's side. Even with all the snow, we all made it down safely for a fun day. We opened presents, played a fun game where we passed a present around, along with a cup of dice and when we rolled doubles had to put on a hat, scarf and gloves and attempt to unwrap the present as the dice went around the circle and the next person attempted to roll doubles. It was very entertaining, especially when the guys had the pink hat and purple scarf on!! After presents we enjoyed a delicious dinner of crab salad, clam chowder and also a choice of ham with potatoes! :) As usual there was plenty of food, as well as plenty of goodies to follow up with! Unfortunately we weren't able to stay long after dinner as we had another party to try to get to.

After leaving my Aunt and Uncle's house, we stopped by Nancy and Kenny's (my stepdads parents) for some more socializing with the extended family. It was nice to see a lot of family we hadn't seen all year and catch up! We had planned to go to church at 11 pm Christmas Eve, but after so much driving and visiting, we were so exhausted by 9 pm that I didn't think I could even stay awake that long!! So we just came home and let Maverick out before getting to bed and waiting for Santa to come!! :)

Christmas Day was pretty low-key. Andy and I woke up and opened presents together, which was very nice (and he was COMPLETELY suprised that I got him the I-pod touch). Then my mom and Dean came over and we opened a couple presents with them and ate breakfast together. Then we just relaxed for a bit before meeting Todd (Dean's brother) up in Bonney Lake to see the movie Marley and Me. Which was a great movie, although I spent the last 30 mins bawling :(. If you haven't seen it, be sure to bring plenty of tissues! I was somewhat prepared though, as I had read the book.

All in all it was a wonderful Christmas and I hope yours was the same!! Now on to New Years!!

Deck the halls...

Well...December is officially under way, and I've been LOVING the Holiday season this year :) I'm not too sure what's gotten me so into it..but I've pretty much finished all my shopping already, got the house and tree decorated and even started some baking today (which I've never done before!) My first day of Christmas baking involved making some pretzels with chocolate, snickerdoodles and fudge :) mmm...I'll probably do a few more things next week and am hoping to deliver some to our neighbors and friends!

Other than shopping and decorating, not much has changed here. Andy and I are still trying to get used to my new schedule (ok, mostly me!), but honestly it isn't as awful as I thought it'd be.

Yesterday I met my friend Brad and his daughter Avery for some shopping and visiting at The Commons mall, we had fun and it sure beat sitting at home alone all day!! Then, last night Andy and I went to Pacific Place in Seattle where we met Katie and Phil and Joy for dinner at Gordon Biersch, which was pretty tasty...it was also fun to catch up with them since we don't have nearly enough time together anymore! And the Christmas Decorations in Seattle were pretty...especially the SNOW that falls at 6 pm inside Pacific Place each night :)

Speaking of snow...apparently this weekend is supposed to be COLD with a chance of snow!! But we'll be in Spokane/Pullman for Andy's brother's graduation and an early Christmas, so I'm sure we'll see plenty of snow over there!