Family Beach Day

Friday was a beautiful day to spend at the beach.  Even Hudson had on a bathing suit, but he never ventured to the water.  He was content to be held.

Haleigh and Stella had fun boogie boarding.

Cooper and Poppy played in the waves.

Cooper boogie boarded some too with the help of Daddy, but I didn't get any pictures.

Abby and I were happy to stay under the umbrella in the shade.

Michele was also having a good time! (That's not just OJ) :)

Cooper was excited to dig a big hole

Aunt Abby also enjoyed holding Hudson.

It was a good few hours at the beach.

Happy 4th of July

Our 4th of July started off slowly. Cooper, Nate and Poppy went fishing on the boat. Cooper was so excited. I didn't get any pictures of them before they left because Hudson and I had got up early to go to the grocery store early to beat some of the crowds.  Hudson was sure to wear red, white, and blue!

While the boys were gone, MeMaw had filled the kiddie pool on the deck, so when Cooper got back, he was ready for a swim. He said, "Mom, this pool is heated!"

He and MeMaw had a great time playing in the pool together. I waded a little with him too. Cooper kept saying "Hey" to get MeMaw's attention. I told him her name was MeMaw. He said, "She doesn't look like a MeMaw, she looks like a Hey."

In the evening we went to a pig roast/ potluck cookout with some of Nathan & Michele's friends. We had delicious food, and good company. From the minute we arrived until we left, Hudson was passd around and fawned over. It was a nice break for me!  Everyone loved our boys. Cooper was quite a hit, not being shy at all, the way he is aroind adults, and introducing himself to everyone as "Cooper James Smiff."

Cooper made a friend named Jacob, and they had a great time playing corn hole.

After dinner we headed to the beach in Emerald Isle to watch the fireworks show. I couldn't find my phone when we got there, so no pictures of us on the beach.  Hudson slept in the baby carrier the whole time, while Cooper primarily played in the sand. He did watch the fireworks for a few minutes, but then went back to playing in the sand.  He even buried his own feet and legs up to his thighs.  It was getting rather dark, and he said, "Mom, look at my flipper." He had somethin sticking out of his mouth, and I asked what it was. He said it was his flipper, "See how it flips up and down?" I asked Nate to see what it was...a cigarette butt. Yuuuuuck!!!!! Kids.

The weather was perfect all day/ night, and there was a breeze steong enough to prevent mosquitoes from bothering us. The fireworks were perfect. It was a great day.  We got home, and Nate's sister, Abby, and her girls, Haleigh and Stella, were at the house to sleep over so we could go to the beach the next day. We all stayed up late chatting on the deck. It was wonderful to visit with some of our family we don't see often.

As for the purpose of the day, to commemerate independence of our great nation, I thought about those fateful days in 1776 and all leading up to it (based on what I've read in the book 1776), and how God certainly had a hand in shaping our great nation.  I am so thankful for those faithful and determined me and women who had a vision of freedom, sought it, and fought for it from those first pilgrims and everything from then leading up to 1777, and all the wars fought and strife endured in between and since then, all in the name of freedom.  I am proud to be an American, and I'm thankful for those whose sacrifices have made this country great.  It's important to remember them and God on this great day of celebration. Happy birthday, America!

Road Trip to Visit Poppy and MeMaw

For 4th of July weekend we have taken a road trip to visit Nate's Dad and Michele, and other Outer Banks family. Both boys did exceptionally well on the drive. Cooper only had to stop at the side of the road for pit stops a few times, and never cried or threw a fit. He was too excited to get to see Poppy, and asked about every 3 seconds if we were there yet. The only time during the 7 hours on the road that he got upset was about the middle of the day when he said, "It takes SO WONG to get to Poppy's house!"

Hudson was also a great little traveller; we only had to stop once for him, and that was just a brief stop to feed him.

He was even smiley and cooing when he was awake, or quiet and just looking around. While he doesn't initially like being put in his car seat, he sleeps really well in it. His only meltdown was the last 10 minutes of the drive. Can't say as I blame him after being in his car seat for 5+ hours in a day. Nate was amazed at how well both boys did, but especially Hudson.  We are learning how laid-back our second child is when he doesn't have tummy issues.  Today Nate said, "Maybe he will be the calm after the storm after all."  We'll see, but it's certainly looking that way this far.

When we got to Poppy's house, Coop rushed out of the car to give Poppy a hug, and then it was less than 5 minutes before he was asking to go on a ride on the golf cart. Ha!

Hudson met his grandparents for the first time.

What could have been a disasterous road trip was pretty easy, even considering the amount of baby puke and blow out diapers I had dealt with. ;) Glad we are able to be here to visit our NC family!

Happy Hour

"Happy hour" at our house is 9-10 am. BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby)

While Hudson may be fussy the rest of the day, he is usually happy sometime in the morning, usually about the time I get him dressed.

This morning was no exception. He was all smiles and coos; Lots of baby talk and gummy smiles.

Cooper, on the other hand, is happiest when he gets to play with friends. Tonight we went for an evening walk with our neighbors, Tammy and Braden. These walks have become an almost nightly occurrence. Cooper and Braden rode their bikes, while Tammy and I walked, me with Hudson in a baby carrier strapped to my chest.

Despite the threat of rain, we went ahead on our walk, since it's been too rainy for several days to be out at night. Tonight the rain had stopped, the temperature was in the low 70s, and there was enough of a breeze to ward off any mosquitoes, so we HAD to take advantage and get outside for a bit. The boys enjoyed riding through and splashing in puddles.

Seconds after this photo, it suddenly started to downpour without any prior warning!  We were about 1/8 mile down the street. Coop was able to ride his bike quickly, and I was running as fast as I could with baby Hudson, clutching him to me, trying to keep his head covered with his burp cloth. By the time we got home we were soaked fo the bone. I had water dripping off even my eyelashes.

That was the first time I had run in I don't know how long, and certainly the first since Hudson was born. I don't think I could have done that even just last week! It felt good to run a bit and realize how much all this walking has been paying off, and also that I'm ready to really start exercising again. Yay?!

Finding Our New Normal

Things have been a little crazy around here the past 6 weeks...

...but I think we're finding a new "normal" that looks something like this...

...with a few moments like this scattered somewhere in between.

Just when I thought things were normal again, Iron Man showed up for dinner one night.

 But we resumed our normal activity of going on an evening walk, especially since we now have a "two stroller," as Cooper calls it.  He can't decide if he wants to sit in the front, or stand in the back.  So far he's enjoyed sitting.

This past week we also went to the pool, and not a moment too soon.  Our A/C was out all last weekend, and I thought we were going to either melt or bake.  I was so relieved to get clearance from my doctor to go swimming.  Woohoo!!  Cooper was ecstatic to finally go to the outdoor pool/water park like we did last summer.  We went with our friends, and my friend took care of supervising Cooper and her two kids, while I primarily waded into the water just below my waist, with Hudson strapped to me in the baby carrier, covered with a light blanket so as not to get too much sun.  Nate went with us one day too.

With all these "normal" activities coming back into our lives, I am starting to feel like I'm finally breaking in to being a mother of two.  Hudson, on the other hand, looks a bit skeptical.

Cooper and Grandpa

While my Dad was visiting, he and Cooper were playing on the swings, and Cooper was giggling and squealing with delight.  I tried to capture some of it on video, but Dad realized I was taking a video and mellowed out.  So while this video isn't exactly as cute as they had been together beforehand, it's still a video Cooper loves to watch over and over of him and his Papa.

Cooper and Grandpa on the Swings

Hudson 5-6 Weeks

I feel like a horrible mom for not having blogged yet about Hudson's 4-week old visit to the doctor, or his 5 and 6 week milestones.  Such is the life of child #2.  I knew better than to swear that I'd never be that mom that did all the stuff for the first child, and then let it slide for the second.  I knew it would naturally happen, and thus it has.  But at least late is better than never.

Hudson visited the doctor for his one month well visit a few weeks back.  His stats:

• Weight - 10 lbs. 13 oz. (75th percentile--one ounce shy of 3 lbs gained since leaving hospital, over 2 lbs gained since birth!!)
• Height - 22-1/2 inches long (75th percentile--he'd already grown 2-1/4" since birth!!)
• Head Circumference - 15 inches (50th percentile)

Summary: No wonder the kid is ravenous all the time--he's growing RAPIDLY, which is wonderful considering his reflux.  His head is also significantly smaller than Cooper's was at this age.  Funny though that Cooper was so much stronger with head control, and had rolled over by now, whereas Hudson is still bobbing around like a bobble-head doll.  I foresee more tummy time in his near future...

 For weeks the poor little guy was plagued with the worst case of newborn acne.  You can kind of see it in these pictures from 6/15.  Almost looks like freckles on his cheeks.  The top of his head was COVERED in pimples, and not just the small, white bumps.  He also had it all over his neck and chest.  It was quite unbecoming, and so hard to leave it alone.  I think it was brought on by it being hot, and the fact that being a newborn he has no ability to sweat.  Poor guy.  But that has all finally subsided.

 Check out those cheeks (6/26)!

At 6 weeks old Hudson has noticed the toys hanging from his bouncy chair.  One morning he suddenly stared at them, then started to kick and squirm and coo at them.  I was able to get him to do it on video a little later.  In case it doesn't embed in the emails that get sent from this blog (apparently videos have not been sending :( !), I'm also including this link.  Hudson coos at toys

Cooper and Hudson are still learning how to get along with one another, something that I'm sure will never change, but will just evolve over time. I mean, do siblings EVER really get along until they're adults? ;-)  Last Sunday after scolding Cooper for the millionth time for hurting Hudson (pinching him, pulling his arms and legs, patting him way too hard, etc.), I asked him why he continues to do these things to his baby brother.  He said, "I'm just frustrated.  I just want him back in your belly!"  Wow.  He said that again a few days later when I was nursing the baby and couldn't play with him.  Having a sibling is an adjustment for Cooper, and having a second child is an adjustment for Nathan and I.  Oh, and apparently 3-1/2 is like the WORST time to have a sibling for an only child.   From what I'm reading online in blogs and forums, we are not alone in this, and it's all normal behavior for his age.  I just wish he'd be as sweet to Hudson as he was before the baby was born.  I know, give it time.

This afternoon Cooper and I were playing, and then Hudson woke up, so I decided to try to show Cooper ways he can play with the baby.  Let's just say Hudson is not the biggest fan of Cooper, either.  The picture says it all.  Nate says Hudson and Brody (our dog) are going to form the "We're afraid of Cooper" club.  They both seem to be on the constant lookout for our Tasmanian devil emotional oldest child.

It's nearly impossible to get a picture where the two of them both look at the camera.  This time Hudson was calmed down, but Cooper moved.  Still cute though.

And then a few minutes later, Hudson was about to drift off to sleep.  It's more of a coping mechanism when his brother is around, I think.

Hudson at 6 weeks old (6/30)

While Hudson's reflux continues to be challenging at times, like today since I messed up giving him his medicine at the wrong feeding interval, he is doing much better.  Still not as great as I'd hope, but at least he can sleep on his back most of the time, and isn't in pain from the burning all the time.  He does continue to spit up A LOT, and has lots of bubbles and upset stomach.  I've never known a baby to have so many burps after each feeding.  Today at church another mother was in the mother's lounge feeding her baby.  She finished up, put the baby in her carrier, and left.  Meanwhile, I was still sitting there trying to get Hudson to burp, as I'd been doing for a good 10 minutes.  I was so jealous of that mother for a moment, being able to just feed and go.  But then I remembered all the babies in the world with much worse problems, and was thankful for my little burpy, spitty, otherwise healthy little guy.

Hudson does smile here and there, but still doesn't smile a lot.  I'm wondering if it's because I don't smile at him as much as I should (read exhausted and stressed out mommy), but I'm working on that, trying to greet him with a smile every time he wakes up, by smiling at him while I'm nursing him, and smiling and playing with him more.

Hudson prefers me whistling over singing.  I don't have the greatest singing voice, but I didn't think it was that bad.  The other night Hudson was fussy before bed as I was putting on his pjs, and I was singing to him softly.  Then I started whistling Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and he immediately stopped crying, looked right at me, and listened intently.  He prefers high pitches to low ones in whistled songs, singing, and even talking.

Hudson also continues to try to suck his thumb.  I think once he finds his hands, the pacifier vs thumb battle may come to an end, thumb winning.  But for now I continue to offer the paci, and he likes it pretty well, as long as he can't find his thumb.  Just went in to check on him since he was making some spitting up sounds while sleeping.  It wasn't spitting up, it was paci out, thumb in.  Time to be thankful for a self-soother and leave it at that.

Lastly, I was thinking Hudson isn't a great sleeper, but this week he's seem to have improved as I've re-read the "sleep lady" book, and reminded myself of a few things as far as getting babies to sleep on their own.  Reading the part about 6 week old babies, I realized that his sleep patterns are not only completely normal, but they are exactly on track for what she suggests to aim for at this age.  The only setbacks we have are the nights when he has a bad belly ache, and neither he nor I can help that.  Comes with the territory.  I am thankful for a baby who already does well going to bed drowsy, but awake, and being able to fall asleep on his own.  That didn't happen with Cooper until he was almost a year old (totally my own fault).  This go-round I was much wiser, and I'm trying to get off on the right foot.  It seems to be working thus far.  The other night Hudson slept from 9 pm to 2:30 am, a 5 hour stretch.  I had gone to bed at 10:30, so I'd gotten a solid 4 hours of sleep, and felt AMAZING the next day.  Hasn't been repeated since, but I think it's not far on the horizon.  Here's hoping.

Meanwhile, I just can't get enough of my snuggly little baby who loves to be swaddled and held.  Trying to savor these newborn moments.