Busy Busy Times!!

I have been so busy lately, I haven't even been able to stop and blog!

Things lately:
-We took our last beach trip a few weeks ago (mid September).  We went down with my mother in law, brother in law, uncle and a cousin of my father in law's.  Later in the week my dad, step mom and grandmother joined us!  We had a great time!!

-The day we got home we went to our good friend's house to celebrate her 31st birthday!  We were exhausted but wouldn't have missed it for the world!!

-The next week we were back over at our friend's house celebrating their youngest son's 1st birthday!!  Where does the time go?!

-We just got back this past weekend from Georgia for my sister's baby shower!  We have now started to have one for the first born of all the cousins!  A tradition my grandma would be proud we are keeping going!  She had a great turn out and it was great seeing all our family!

In other notes,  I have started two big things....going to the gym and couponing!!  I'm obsessed with the latter more than the first!!  I have had two successful trips to the grocery store!  First was, I spent $60 and saved $70 and that was 2 weeks worth of groceries.  Went back a second time and spent $18 and saved $35.  The gym I have enjoyed (I guess :))  I have enjoyed getting out and doing something healthy and for me....but I want to see the results now!!

IN OTHER BIG NEWS!!!!  Last Tuesday,  my wonderful hubby and his friend surprised me and my friend with an impromptu trip to Chicago!!!  We leave Thursday and will be back on Sunday!  This has apparently been in the making since February and they just now sprung it on us!  Can't wait to see the city!  We have fun things planned such as a brand new show called Kinky Boots.  It is only in Chicago for a month and then will go to New York where it will open next Spring.  Kind of feel like a trend setter!!  We have plans to tour the city by boat, see some museums and no trip would be successful without shopping!!  The guys will have the kids while we are gone....so may the force be with them!!

Happy 3rd Birthday!!

Happy Birthday, Lawson!!!   The past 3 years have flown by!  We blinked and you turned into a little man!!!  We love you more than you will ever know!! 

End of An Era.....

Last night we decided to take Lawson's paci away.  He only took it at naptime and nighttime.  But I wanted him to be done with it before he was 3 so I figured no time like the present (since he will be 3 on Monday).  He asked for it....or begged for it.  We didn't give in.  He cried for 30 minutes until he tired out.  He did great during naptime today.  He still asked for it but no crying was involved.  It made me a little sad because that was the last "baby" thing he still had.  He is completely potty trained and now paci free!  I'm so proud of him!!

I'm Going To Be An Aunt!!!

My baby sister is having a baby!!  It's hard to believe because I still sometimes see her as the lanky little girl that pestered me!  She found out she is having a BOY!  We are super excited since Hudson and her baby will be 10 months apart.  Partners in crime they will be.  I can't wait to hold that sweet baby!!  We can't wait to meet you, baby Barrett!!

Lawson's First Day of MDO

Awe.....I have been looking forward to this day!!  I love my big guy but boy does he have energy!!  He was so excited to go to school!  He went right into his class and started playing!  Never missed a beat with me leaving.  Because he loves it so much is why I look forward to it.  He loves to play with other kids and it has been really hard with a newborn to really take him to do the things we used to do (like the zoo and mcwane).  He is growing up so fast.  But I guess that is part of life!!  

Hudson 4 Months

On August 13th, our little Huddy Buddy turned 4 months old.  He is definitely surpassing his brother in height and weight!  He is the happiest little baby ever!!  Hardly ever cries unless he has a reason to.  He started eating baby food.  The doctor said we could bypass rice cereal since he is taking it in every bottle to help with the reflux and spitting up.  He is eating 4 bottles a day and eating breakfast and dinner.  He is a GREAT sleeper!  Sleeps from 8p-730a (sometimes later) and takes 2 naps during the day from 1 1/2-2 hours.  He is such a joy in our lives!!!  

Happy 4 months baby!!

July Beach Trip 2012

We just got back from our annual beach trip with our friends, Brian and Rachel and their kids.  We were down there for 8 days and had a great time...despite the rainy weather!  Our first full day was a little on the rainy side and overcast.  The rest of the week was pretty nice until Wednesday and it was hit or miss. We at least got some time at the beach but not near the entire day like we had all hoped for.  

Lawson had a great time swimming in the ocean and pool.  He built sand castles with his buddies.  Some of our other friends came down with their kids (their parents happened to have a place a few house down from my parents) so we enjoyed hanging out with them.  Monday night, Rachel, Sarah and I decided to have a girls night out and enjoyed a nice quiet dinner at Cobalts!  Tuesday, Mitch and Brian were supposed to go fishing but the weather was unpredictable so they decided not to go.  Rachel and I let them have the afternoon by themselves (since we had a night out) and we took the boys to see Ice Age.  

We didn't conquer to many dinners out with all 4 kids!  We did get to eat at one of our favorite places, Louisiana Lagniappe and enjoyed some fried food at Bubba's.  Thursday morning, Rachel and I took Lawson and Cole to the Hangout for the pirate breakfast!  It was a little corny but the kids seemed to like it.  The rest of the week they insisted on wearing the pirate bandana and eye patch.  Well worth the money!!  

Been awhile!!

So looking back it has been AWHILE since I blogged last!  Guess that is what happens when summer is in full swing.  

So here is a quick recap...

-We took a trip to the beach mid July with some friends.  We do it every year and this year didn't disappoint!  Four kids all under the age of 3 made for an interesting trip!  The weather was ok.  Not the best.  Rained almost every day.  It poured the last day so we took the kids bowling and after we got done the weather cleared up and turned out to be a gorgeous day!  

-Mitch and I took an adult only trip to the beach for his birthday!  We had a great time!  It was my first trip away from Hudson so I was definitely ready to come home and see my boys.  Some of our other friends were down there so we enjoyed some nice adult dinners (with no kids screaming and not at 6).  We even saw a movie and went out dancing one night!  

Hope everyone is getting back into the school groove!!!

Lawson's First Movie Experience

I took Lawson (and Hudson of course) to see Madagascar 3 with his little buddies Cameron and Cade.  I was a little nervous as to how he would do and how many times he would ask to go to the bathroom, but to my surprise he did GREAT!!  He sat in his seat with his popcorn and icee and watched the whole thing.  The last 30 minutes were tricky.  He asked to go potty once,  with no success and then asked about 5 minutes after we got back from the first trip.  That time...we had success!!  The last 10 minutes he and his friend, Cameron stood and danced to the music!  All in all...I call this a SUCCESS!!!!  

Allergy Testing

Last week, I took Lawson to get allergy tested.  He has had really bad eczema for a while and should have outgrown it by 2 but it seemed to be getting worse.  I took him to a dermatologist last year and we switched around his lotion, sunscreen and bath soap and he gave us some cream to help it but it only helped for a little while.  Lately it just seemed out of control and I was ready to figure out what his triggers were.  I knew horses and dogs were probably going to be one because we were at my mom's house a few weekends ago and he got near a horse and his face was red and swollen.  I figured he was allergic to dogs too because whenever he would put his face on somewhere the dog had been he face would get red and swollen.  Well....I was right!!  He is highly allergic to horses and mildly allergic to dogs and cats.  I guess it is a good thing we gave our dog away (she was old and had become really aggressive with Lawson and I didn't want to take chances with Hudson).  As of now,  those are the ONLY things he is allergic too.  The doctor said we would need to have him retested in a few years because this could just be the beginning since both me and Mitch are allergic to pollen, ragweed, grass, ect.  

Lawson was a trooper and only cried for a few seconds!  The doctor gave us a new way of taking care of his skin.  No lie....within a day of doing what he told us....his skin looks AMAZING!!!!  He said once it gets out of control (which his was) you have to use really strong steroid creams but only for a few days and then after that it is all about maintenance.  It has a been a week of using the "maintenance" cream with the new lotions and oils and his skin is great!!  I'm so relieved!!!  He would scratch and be in pain with it.  Now if the zyrtec would kick in and help with the running nose we would be in business!!!  

My Little Fish!

Lawson has turned into quite the little swimmer!  Last year,  he did ok but really wanted no part of anything to help keep him afloat.  Toward the end of the summer,  he got the hang of the puddle jumper and this year he does GREAT with it!!  He has NO fear of water.  Within the first few minutes of being at the pool the first time this summer, he was jumping in off the side and swimming across the pool! We took him to my mom's house to swim and he was jumping off the diving board and going down the slide himself!  He is definitely my little fish!!

Father's Day 2012

We had a very low key father's day this year!  Since it was the first one since my father in law passed we wanted to just take it easy!  We went to eat Saturday night with my parents at PF Chang's.  On Sunday, me, Mitch and the boys went to Waffle House for breakfast, the grocery store and the park!  That afternoon my mother in law and brother in law came over and we grilled out and went swimming!  It was a really nice Father's Day!!  

Happy Father's Day, Mitch!!  You are an amazing father!!!!  We Love You!!!!

Happy 2 Months, Hudson!!

Hudson is now 2 months!  Can't believe it!  He is now sleeping through the night...YAY!!!!!  He still wakes up around 4a but will go back to sleep.  He is all smiles!!!  He continues to be the spit up king but hopefully after an expensive round of medicines we will see it go away some.  He loves to watch his crazy big brother run around the house!!  He loves to be rocked and cuddled with!!  He has brought so much joy to our life that we didn't even know we were missing!!!

Happy 2 months, sweet Hudson!!

Loss of a Great Man

On June 1st, Heaven got a special person.  My father in law, Steve, passed after a courageous fight with cancer.   He was diagnosed last July and did multiple rounds of chemo with no success.  Not once did he complain and always was in good spirits.  But mid May, he took a turn for the worst and passed away Friday, June 1st at 12:03 am.  He was a great father who instilled many of the qualities that I love and admire in my husband.  He loved my boys with all his heart and you could tell they were one of the joys in his life!  He will truly be missed....by many!!!

Hudson's Baptism

This past Sunday, we baptized our sweet boy, Hudson!!  We did it after mass which was said for my father in law who is battling cancer.  We all went to church and then immediately following we had the baptism.  We had friends and family there to celebrate this day!!  It was a great moment to share with everyone!!  

Afterwards, we went to brunch at Village Tavern where some more friends and their families came!!  All together we had 29 people and we had a wonderful time!!!  

We are truly blessed with wonderful family and supportive friends to help celebrate these milestones in our children's lives!!!

The big brother!!

the baptism ceremony

Hudson and Deacon Dan

Me, my sister (the godmother) and the boys

Me, Mitch, the kiddos and their godparents, Corky and Wes (Mitch's brother)

Our sweet family!!

from L-R: Brian, Corky, me, Hudson, Lawson, Mitch, my mom and stepdad

from L-R: Roger, Mitch's dad and mom, me, Hudson, Lawson, Mitch and Wes

My dad, me, Hudson, Mitch, my stepmom and Lawson and Makenzie

Lawson, Kennedy and Cameron (in the back) at brunch

Potty Training

So last Monday was Lawson's last day at school and I decided that that would be the day we go all in with the potty training.  We came home and in big boy underwear he went.  He has not been in diapers (except for nap time and bed time and its just a pull up) since.  In the beginning we averaged at least one accident a day and we didn't go anywhere far from home for the rest of the week.    I would take him every 30 minutes and that Monday night he stood at the potty for 45 minutes until he went.  We decided to go ahead and teach him how to go #1 while standing.  He thinks it's cool because it's like Daddy!!  

By Thursday, he told me he had to go and I took him to the potty and he went!!!  But we went accident free yesterday, and I have to say I was pretty proud since we went to church, Hudson's baptism and brunch afterwards!! I have a chart that he colors 20 stars and he can go get a toy!  We are on star 23 right now so needless to say we are going to Wal-Mart today! He still has not gone #2 in the potty.  He waits to do that when he is in his pull up.  Baby steps, I guess!!  

Sometimes we have to force him to go but I can pretty much tell when he has to go!!  Hopefully in a few more weeks we will have the hang of both and we can be out of diapers completely!!!  

Mother's Day 2012

I had a great Mother's Day!!  Mitch let me sleep in until 8 when I was awoken by Lawson telling me good morning and asking how I slept (his new favorite thing to ask us all..even Hudson) and giving me a card.  Mitch made me french toast (my favorite) and then the boys gave me my gift!  I got a gift certificate to The Fitting Touch (which all you mommy's know how things change once you have had a baby!)  I was so excited and went the very next day!  The rest of the day we lounged around the house because it was rainy outside.  That night we met my parents for dinner at Sumo!  

My heart!

one lucky mommy!

me and all my boys!!

me, my boys and my wonderful mom!!

It was a great day!!  I feel so blessed to be a mommy to two sweet boys!!  How did I get so lucky?!!

Happy 1 Month, Hudson!!

Hudson turned 1 month old on Sunday.  He is a growing and sweet baby!   He currently eats 6x a day of 3 oz of formula.  We are still probably going to have to put him on something for reflux but for now the doctor told us to put rice in his bottles to see if that helped.  As of now, he still spits up quite a bit  (just like his brother) and is always sporting a bib but it has helped some with his stomach issues.  He is only waking up once in the middle of the night around 3am.  We feed him around 10pm or so  and then he will go till 3am and then until about 6 or 7 in the am.  He has started staying awake for longer periods of time but he still sleeps a good bit.  After a few trips to the doctor in the beginning we finally got his weight up and his billirubin down.  He is still not sure about the paci.  Altough the picture below you would think he loves it.  He loves to snuggle with us, which makes it hard to really do anything!  We go back in a few weeks for his 8 week check up and shots :(   

Lawson has done GREAT with him!!  When he is sleeping, Lawson asks where his baby Hudson is and always includes him when he talks about his family!  I hope as they get older they have a great relationship.  

Happy 1 month, sweet Hudson!!!  We love you!!

Lately....

It has been awhile since I have blogged...life with a 2 year old and a newborn has kept me quite busy.  Lawson's school let out yesterday...*sniff!  But a friend of mine told me that she was sending her son to one of the teacher's at their school's house who has decided to watch a few kids over the summer!!  WOOHOO!!!!  So Lawson will start going on Tuesday's and Thursday's in June.  I love my son but he is a ball of energy and gets so bored with just me.  And with a new baby it is so hard for me to take him places.  Let's just say he is quite the runner and wanderer.  He will scoot off from me in a hot minute so I am quite nervous at going to places like the zoo or McWane center without help.  This way he will at least be able to play with some of his friends a few days a week.  Luckily,  my mom can watch Hudson so I can do some special things with Lawson over the summer and I am sure we will be over at her house quite a bit using the pool.  

We are on the mends from a couple of illnesses.  Lawson had a fever virus and a misdiagnosis (in my opinion) of hands, foot, mouth and then shortly after that I got a bad sinus infection.  Luckily, I caught it sooner than later and got some shots and antibiotics.  

We have started potty training Lawson this week.  He is in big boy undies all day except for when he sleeps.  He went #2 in them yesterday and finally after 5 hours of not going and 1 hour at the potty we had success!  Unfortunately today he had his first accident...but I'm sure that is not the last!  

We are baptism Hudson this Sunday and looking forward to a day with family and friends!  

Hudson Mitchell Jones

We are proud to announce the birth of our second son, Hudson Mitchell Jones.  He made his big debut on Friday, the 13th of April 2012 at 9:23 am.  He was 8 lbs and 1oz and 22 inches long (which I now think they got wrong).  I was not scheduled to have him until the 23rd but on the 12th I started having really regular contractions every 2-3 minutes for an hour.  I decided to call the doctor because he was not moving as much as he had been and I was concerned the weeks of contractions were taking a toll on him. They told me to come in.  In a true chaotic fashion,  I call my mom to come get Lawson, Mitch was stuck on 280 in traffic after taking a employee to the doctor after a fall on the job so I loaded up the car with all our stuff....just in case and headed to Pelham to meet Mitch at his office.  

After arriving at the hospital and getting hooked up to monitors,  the contractions continued and were about 2 minutes apart.  Luckily, my doctor was on call so she came in an hour later and said that if they continued she would do my c-section in the morning.  They hooked me up to IV fluids and through the night they slacked off....of course.  I just knew she was going to send me home because just like with Lawson, these contractions were doing NOTHING but causing me pain.  My doctor came in that morning and said she was going to send me home and thought I was just dehydrated.  I begged her to do something....then she said the magic word....OKAY!!!  She was leaving town the next week and didn't feel comfortable leaving me knowing that I wasn't going to make it to my scheduled date.  

The second c-section has been an easier recovery.  We were able to come home that Monday.  Lawson has transitioned better than I expected.  He will talk to his brother but really doesn't pay him much attention right now.  

We are blessed beyond words!!  Even with the sleep deprivation and dealing with an active 2 year old (who came home Tuesday with a 102 fever and now has what we think is hand, foot and mouth disease...details in next post)  I can honestly say...my cup runeth over!!!!

Closer and Closer

T-minus 13 days!! I have been having really bad contractions but of course they are doing nothing but just causing me pain. My c-section is scheduled for the 23rd but my doctor said if I went into labor they would go ahead and do it. I am so miserable and hurt that I really wish he would just come on out but I am starting to think he is really cozy in there and is not going to come out on his own. So does this mean I am going to have another stubborn child??

As I get closer to my date, I am starting to get nervous. I know if is probably normal for all moms having another baby but I am starting to wonder how in the world I am going to juggle it all. Keeping up the house, potty training Lawson, keeping Lawson entertained, getting the baby on a schedule, not stressing about the small things...all on little or no sleep!! I am also worried about the c-section. With Lawson, I was so over being in labor that I had no time to worry about it. But now, I just hope that everything goes smoothly and I make a swift recovery! I also worry (as all moms do) that he comes out healthy! But I know I am in good hands at where we are having him! So from now until the 23rd, say a little prayer for us!! The nerves are starting to set it a bit!!

Easter 2012

We had our family over Saturday to dye eggs with us. The next day we got up and went to church. Unfortunately, we did not participate in the egg hunt following service nor did I get any good family pictures because my temperamental 2 year old decided to pitch a fit after church and went into total meltdown mode. So we just left afterwards. We came home, changed and gathered up a few things before heading over to mymom's house for the rest of the day. We had yummy BBQ, fished and hunted eggs. It was another gorgeous day outside. Lawson had visits from the Easter Bunny from both grandparents...so needless to say I am trying to re-organize to find room for all his new loot!

Cottontail Express

This past Saturday we took Lawson on the Cottontail Express out of Calera. We wanted to do something fun and different with him before the baby comes. It was a gorgeous day and we rode in the open train car. Lawson had a blast! We took the train to Peter Cottontail's field where they had an egg hunt, bouncy house, bubble and art station and a sandbox for kids to play in. I think Lawson's favorite part was the train and the bouncy house. I was so glad we got to do this and I didn't go into labor on the train!!