Baby Bump Photo

Here I am with less than 12 weeks to go. This pregnancy is flying by.

Baby Clothes

I went out to our storage unit the other day to gather the baby clothes. I pulled out 6, 18 gallon totes of clothes. When we moved from Arizona Carter was 15 months. That means I have 6 totes of clothes that go from 0-15 months. That's a lot of clothes.

Here are a few photos to show you just how many clothes there are. All 6 totes in the back of the car.

The next three photos are just the clothes out of 1 tote.

Our daddy is...

I overheard Carter telling the neighborhood kids today where his daddy is. He said "Our dad is at the airport."

Gosh he has been at that airport for a long time now. *grin* I keep telling him that his daddy is in Afghanistan but he keeps telling everyone he is at the airport.

I guess it makes since to a three year old, after all that's where we dropped him off at.

I am finally done....

painting the baby's room. Yeah. It's a pretty blue and Bryson wants to know when I am painting his room next. I told him the next time we move we will paint his room and he was satisfied with that. If Joe were here I may be more tempted to paint his room for him as he seemed so sad that his room wasn't painted but I don't feel up to painting another room. I will post pictures once the room starts coming together.

In the eyes of my boys....

a new president wasn't as important as a snow day. This is the first snow fall since last January so the boys were very excited when they woke up this morning. It continued to snow most of the day and left quite a bit. So much that there isn't any school tomorrow (fear of black ice). There wasn't any school today but that wasn't because of the snow it was for I believe a teacher assessment day.

I was going to post some pictures earlier but the boys would play and I would take photos we would come in and throw the clothes in the dryer and warm up and then back out we would go. When the mail came I received a package. What was in the package you ask? My new lens....it's splendid. I will start off with some photos from my other lens which works better in the sun and far distances and then I will show you photos from my new lens which is more of a portrait lens.

Making a snow angel in the street.

Best buds

Now photos from the new lens.

Not Me Monday!

It's time for NOT ME MONDAY with My Charming Kids



After last weeks Not Me Monday I realized there are a lot of things that I didn't do.

I DID NOT wake up at 2am one morning dreaming about french toast. After all I am NOT pregnant.

I also DID NOT laugh at my three year old when he walked out wearing shorts with socks and crocs on. Because the thought of Joe seeing him like that is just hilarious. That's a rule in this house, you can wear crocs with socks but not with shorts.

We had a spouse event here on the Air Force Base and I absolutely DID NOT laugh at myself when we had to take off our shoes and I was wearing different color socks. Here is a picture of those socks I was NOT wearing.


I am still NOT jumping up and down with joy with my doctors decision.

I also just DID NOT catch my cat humping my leg because dogs do that not cats.

What have you NOT DONE lately?

After four NO's finally a YES!!

I had my doctors appointment today and I saw another doctor. He may be the best doctor in the world at the moment because he said yes.

What did he say yes to you might ask....well, he said yes to a scheduled induction. I went into my very first appointment knowing that my husband would not be here for the birth of this child and wanting to have the support of family with me if at all possible. I saw the same woman the past four appointments and brought it up each time and each time she said no. She would only induce me at week 41 1/2 which would put me at May 5. That's Carter's birthday, I don't need two child with the same birthday but more importantly I would have to find someone to watch my boys for 48hours plus labor. I would have to find someone to come into the labor room with me to capture those first few moments of life. Who was I going to ask to do all this. How was I going to relax not knowing if my boys were behaving or driving someone else crazy becasue as much as I would like to think they are angels they are NOT.

Bryson and Carter were both induced so I didn't see the reason why this one couldn't be a scheduled induction. I would be able to have my family here. My kids would be taken care of and I would be able to focus on this brand new child that would need lots of attention.

Today..today was a good day. The doctor asked me what my number one reason was and I told him because my husband won't be here and it would be nice to have someone here that loves me and would support me. He said that sounds like a good enough reason. So ladies and gentleman, I have a date, and I couldn't be more excited and relieved at the same time.

Not Me! Monday

I have been reading other blogs that post about a NOT ME Monday. It's a list of things there is NO way I did this week.

Go on over to her blog and check out all the other NOT ME MONDAYS'S out there.


I most certainly DID NOT try to talk myself out of taking the kids to see Madagascar II because I didn't really want to sit through a kid movie for an hour and a half. Because that would just be wrong and then I would be a bad mom.

I most certainly DID NOT drive an hour to the big city to buy a car seat I have had my eye on for a few months even if it was cheaper because that's not wasting gas at all.

And I most certainly DID NOT justify driving that hour to eat at one of my favorite restaurant McAlister's because who drives an hour just eat at a restaurant...NOT ME.

I most certainly DID NOT agree with Bryson when he came up to me and said "Mom do you wish dad was here to wipe Carter's butt?" because there are many more important reasons I miss him.

And I DID NOT contemplate taking a picture of Carter's favorite shirt that he decided to cut a hole in with a pair of scissors. Because then he would think that I thought it was a good idea.

I also DID NOT let my 6 year old bring over his Nintendo ds to my friends house that was cooking me dinner so that he would be still and not run around all crazy. Because my kids are angels and don't need electronics to make them behave.

What did you NOT DO this past week?

Deployment week 1 down.

Joe has been gone just over a week now and the poor guy still isn't done traveling yet. His next segment will be in a few days and it will be a several hour convoy ride. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

It's hard to believe that he is only done with one week of this deployment yet he has been gone for 11 weeks now.


All three boys and I are doing good. Bryson started school on Monday and is doing well. Carter and I hang out and play with Bryson's Lego's while he is at school. Shh...don't tell him.


Still unnamed baby boy #3 is doing well and growing. His movements are getting stronger and stronger with each passing day. I will get a belly picture this weekend and post it for you.


The day after dropping Joe off was a rough day. The kids and I were fighting like crazy, all day long. So finally at 3 I rewarded them with their bad behavior by taking them to a movie. I know it really wasn't their fault as we were all having a rough day and we were all in a much better mood afterwards.


The biggest thing I did this week was a photo shoot with a newborn. She is just the cutest little girl on the block. I met her mother through the PSA here on Pope, PSA stands for Pope Spouse Association. I begged her to let me take some photos of her little one since she is the first newborn I have been around since getting my new camera. I wanted to take some maternity photos as she was also the first preggo woman since getting my camera but the timing wasn't right. Here is a picture of her feet. I won't add her face since I haven't asked her mommy, but maybe she will let me share her with you later.

Here are a couple of photos that JCPenny's took for us. They turned out just alright. Boy it's hard to let someone other than myself take photos of us. They just never turn out how I would like them to be.

Question?

Can I leave the hospital without giving my baby a name? Don't laugh...I'm being serious!!

Saying Good Bye

January 1st, 2009

Our New Years day was spent getting Joe's last few things together. For lunch he cooked me one last meal, a meal with lots of luck, money and a steak.

At 2 we left to pick up his guns from security forces and then we headed off to the airport. There were a few people there to say their good byes to him. I then went to the ticket counter and picked up my special gate pass, and guess who we saw at the gate.....The Butikofers. We knew they would be up there but they ended up being on the same flight as Joe headed to Atlanta. The Butikofers are moving to England. Well, they should be there by now. We said our good byes to them and then I spent some alone time with Joe while the boys played with their boys.

Here are our good bye photos.

I then took the boys to Olive Garden. I figured it would cheer them up and if anything cheer me up. I was a little bit of a mess. We came home and the boys took a bath and then headed to bed. I stayed up for awhile and then I also headed off to bed alone.

This is not how I would have pictured spending my New Year's Day a year ago.

2009

Dear 2009~

Please forgive me when I say last night when the ball dropped I did not jump up and cheer, I was not yelling Happy New Year, and I was not ready to welcome you!

You see today marked the day of my husband leaving us for half of your year, and he will be missing many big events.

Let me explain why it's NOT that big of a deal.

*Our Anniversary- because lets face it, your really don't need your spouse to celebrate. I mean why would I care if the man I walked on the beach with was here or not. After all it is the second one he has missed in a row thanks to the military.

*My Birthday- because celebrating my 30th by myself is exactly what I want to do.

*The birth of our third child- because after all I created this life on my own and it's only fitting that I give birth alone. Why would Joe want to see his son brought into this world?

*Carter's Birthday- because what little boy wants their daddy to celebrate with.

I may sound like I am having a pity party or complaining and I just might be a little but once again forgive me if I curse your name a few times here and there.

Here's to wishing it was July,
The Hudson Crew

The end is near!

That speaks true for two things.

A new year begins in just a few short hours. Though it's just another day it marks the beginning of a new adventure for our family. Joe leaves tomorrow for Afghanistan. What a way to start of the new year huh?

2008 was a great year for the Hudson Crew. Bryson turned 6 and now reads and loves Star Wars. Carter turned 3 and learned how to ride his bike with no training wheels. Joe became a captain, and together we created a new life.

Though I am anxious for 2009 to begin for each passing day brings Joe closer to coming home. I fear leaving the safety of 2008.

Please pray for him and for our family.

A day with his boys....all three of them!

On Sunday Joe and the boys had a full daddy day.

The got up that morning and took a drive to pick me up some Starbucks and then on to McDonald's to pick up the boys breakfast.

He then took Carter to the commissary with him. For some reason Carter loves going to the commissary with daddy. I think it's because Joe lets him buy junk food I usually wouldn't, daddy's are so special. Bryson stayed home with me and played the Wii. He is addicted to Mario Kart.

Once Joe and Carter got back they all ate lunch and then off they went to golf. They played nine holes and took turns driving the cart. Bryson has a natural talent when it comes to golfing and Carter does not. He hits the ball more like a hockey puck. Bryson at that age could already hit the ball pretty far so I will have to work with Carter.

After golfing they went outside to ride bikes and scooters and then Joe took them to dinner. Carter wanted to go to the Mockey-Moley(Guacamole) place. It's a Mexican restaurant called Mi Casitas and Carter loves the guacamole there. He just can't get enough of it.

When they got home their day was over and they took a man shower and headed off to bed. I think they all had a great day!

Once the boys were in bed Joe sat down beside me and I placed his hand on my belly. His little son was quite active and Joe was able to feel his boy move for the first time. It was a special day here in the Hudson household.

***What was I doing this whole time you ask?? Absolutely Nothing!!!***

So...Were you Naughty or Nice?

We had a great Christmas this year. We all must have been very nice because we really made out.

Santa brought Bryson his Nintendo DS that he asked for, and let me tell you that's like a Christmas present for me also. My mom, Mimi bought Super Mario Brothers for it and I am on the last world, world 8 and I am having a blast with it. We bought Bryson the Star Wars game and he loves to play that as well. Bryson also got quite a few new Lego sets, some star wars figures, a new scooter, and various other things.

This year Santa brought Carter a bike with pegs. He asked Santa for a bike with pegs so that he could do tricks like his brother. Poor Carter has already fallen and hit his face. Though it wasn't because of the tricks it's because he can't stop the bike. It's an 18 inch bike and the brakes aren't the pedals they are on the handle bars and he can't quite get his hands around them. I am going to practice with him on how to grasp the brake probably when Joe leaves. I will have more time then.

Carter also got his beloved GEO Airport which he absolutely loves. He has been playing with it non-stop. He got a leapster with some games, quite a few Buzz Lightyear toys (which one is broken already), a new scooter as well since his old one was stolen, and various other little things.

Santa brought our family Mario Kart for the Wii and that has been a blast. We all have had fun racing each other and seeing who is the fastest.

Checking out all the loot.

My Nintendo DS!

Opening his scooter from Aunt Michelle.

Getting ready to open his GEO Airport.

He was so excited!
Carter on his bike with pegs.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve the boys opened up their one present that was filled with Christmas PJs and a special book. It's a book that Joe himself wrote and I added pictures and had made into a hardback book. It's something very special that I hope we will have forever. We had also forgotten to put the angel on the tree when we put it up so we thought we would just wait and put it up on Christmas Eve so that's what we did. We started out letting Carter put the angel up but he couldn't quite reach so Bryson finished up.

Merry Christmas

I have this set to post at a scheduled time so right now we are probably opening up presents.

Merry Christmas Everyone!! I hope you all are with those you love and are opening up so cool gifts.

This is what I did yesterday and thought you would love it.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I will write more about our Christmas later.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mom's birthday. I am sure it has to be hard to have a birthday so close to Christmas. You usually don't get two gifts but one combined one.

I am so lucky to have a mom like her. I love her so much and wish we were able to see her on a daily basis. Mimi, you are a great grandmother and my boys love you dearly. We can't wait to see you in April.

Happy Birthday Mom, I hope you get two gifts from everyone.

The day Joe got back.

He was gone for a total of 71 days. When he leaves in January we will have 179 days to go. It seems like so long.

Joe came back with four bags, a backpack and his riffle. It's a little scary thinking about him carrying this gun with him when he leaves. Bryson really wanted to check it out, but we told him maybe later.

When we got home we let Joe blow out the candles on his brownies and open his presents. He was so excited and surprised.

Then Joe wanted to show the boys some of his gear. The funnest part was when the boys put on daddy's bullet proof vest. It weighs about 30 pounds. Carter kept giggling it was so heavy.



Growing up I never tried on a bullet proof vest, that I can remember. No need to, didn't know anyone with one, it didn't even cross my mind. Here my boys are 6 and 3 and they don't even realize how important the vest is, and what it's job will be for the next 6 months.