Our Baby...Toddler is 1

Our baby is a full blown toddler. While I know this is a very exciting stage and there's so many exciting things to come....this has made me cry several times. Surprise surprise huh? We changed a lot after his first birthday. We are now 7 days into no more bottle and whole milk and while it was an easy transition for bubba I think that's why I'm even more sad about my baby becoming a toddler. No more sitting in the rocking chair with a bottle...ok...I'm going to stop there because I will just start crying again. Our baby is so big!

What an amazing year we just had. I can't imagine what the rest of my life is going to be like. I'm just so lucky to be a part of this wonderful little love's life. Who knew any one's heart could feel this huge? My sweet baby boy is 1 and what a blast he had on his birthday.

We split the birthday parties up for baby buddies in the morning and family in the evening. Bubba played with the ever so sweet baby Noah Clem, James, Jack, Bowen, and Holt. Bubba had a blast with his buddies. He even pushed Noah around on his chuggington train. They were so cute. Wish Natalie, Matt and Noah lived right next door :)

Bubba took his afternoon nap that was then followed by a wonderful (long...sorry family) birthday party with family :). His great grandma Shirley, great aunt Shirley and 2nd cousins Kirstie and Lindsay drove all the way down from Oklahoma to be with him on this special day. Also, family from San Antonio came to see our sweet boy:  2nd cousin Cyndi, great aunt Betty, great uncle Jerry and great aunt Carol. Mommy (that's me :) ) made what was supposed to be sea turtle cupcakes and dada cooked Mickey Mouse shaped chicken nuggets and waffle fries which is one of bubba's favorite.

What's this boy up to these days? Oh man..so much. Let's see...he now says pawpaw. It's one of those things you have to have ears for and know that he's changed his tone from his usual babapapbaba noises. But he looks right at my dad and says it. So sweet. He also almost said nana for Karl's mommy! Still running like a mad man and never sitting still. We've tried a lot of new foods and he eats them all. :) Right now he's really loving string cheese, PB&J sandwiches and of course any fruit you put into his mouth. Bubba received a lot of books for his birthday. He is most definitely a reader. You can just see him soaking it all in. He's such a sponge! He loves to be read to of which we love. It's a very special time we share. We bought bubba a tunnel ball pit for his birthday and he climbs into the little house and (TMI sorry) goes #2. Thinking about sticking a baby potty in there to get the wheels turning. We'll see. :)

Bubba's 2 favorite songs right now are Some Nights and Pontoon. As soon as we turn it on he starts swinging those arms like he's playing an air guitar....or holding a lighter at a concert. He's ready to party. He is such a dancer. It's absolutely adorable. We took his 1 year old birthday photos yesterday. I can't wait to see how they turn out. The photographer was great. Chasing him around because of course he wouldn't sit still for any amount of time. She worked her magic though. I'm so excited. :)

I'm going to write another blog about this but just wanted to say...this has been the most amazing year of my life. I had an idea on how it would be to have a little one but can honestly say that I had no clue on how large my heart would feel and how I would do anything for this little love of my life. He has my whole heart and soul. I'm so thankful and still stunned to this day that me and his dada made him. What precious gift anyone could ever receive. What an amazing day, year, life....eternity. Our love is forever his. We love you sweet boy. You mean the world to us. Happy 1st Amazing Year!

First Birthday Date with Mommy

Today! A whole year later and I present to you my beautiful 1 year old baby boy! WOWSERS what an amazing year. Bubba's birthday party is on Saturday but today we had a great day together. Mommy took the day off from work and we had a special day!

First we woke up at 7:30 (not for the first time haha...that was 3:30) and we played upstairs. I chased my bubba around...taking as many photos as he would let me. Very special day you know! :)

Then at 9:30 aunt Ashley showed up with a cherry pie for bubba's first sweet of the day :). She even put a candle in it for him. Sweet sissy poo. We all played upstairs and had a face time conversation with nanny and Noah then my college student of a sissy went off to school.

After bubba's nap and a quick talk with nana over the phone we met Pops at Chick Fil A to get bubba some chicken nuggets and apple sauce. That boy loves ranch dressing. We get him the grilled nuggets to be healthy and of course we dip it in ranch. Why not? :)

Then it was off to shop for birthday party stuff. Sounds kind of funny but getting out of the house and away from my work computer is the best way to spend any day haha. Especially because it's all about me and my beautiful boy.

Tonight we made waffles for bubba and pawpaw was with us. He started off liking them and then wanted to eat them off of pawpaw's plate. He actually ate a lot. Then, as weird as it sounds, bubba was sleepy! We've never seen him like this. I don't normally give him a lot of carbs like this and so it was funny to see him a little relaxed. It was a delicious dinner. Can't go wrong with waffles, syrup and butter. Mawmaw stopped by for a birthday kiss.

All in all, it was an amazing day because it was all about my bubba. My life is about this boy and it always will be. I can't believe we are blessed with such a beautiful boy. He is the light of my life. Every day is the best day. I LOVE my bubba!!! Happy 1st Birthday my sweet beautiful angel. Can't wait to have your birthday party on Saturday!!

If Love Were A Song

We have always been a family of music. Always having a radio on. Especially since Hudson was born. Our little dancer knows just what to do as soon as the tunes come on.

Karl and I have always called each other when we are apart to say, "Put it on XYZ channel" and then hang up to then be surprised with a sweet love song or a favorite song. Our "romantic" nights consisted of stealing the laptop from each other to find songs on YouTube that make us think of each other. As silly as it sounds its pretty darn sweet :).

There are some songs that made me think of my future babies and now that Hudson is here there's even more. Just wanted to share these in case you are ever in need of a sweet tune for your loved ones.

Songs that made me dream of my future babies:

1. I Wish You'd Stay by Brad Paisley .... grab a box of tissues! Yes, I'm going to be that kind of mom haha. Love this song!

2. Little Dreamer by Christina Aguilera

3. All I need by Christina Aguilera

4. She is Love by Parachute - I love this song for a boy or girl. Not really for a baby but the chorus is the best :)

5. You'll Be In My Heart by Phil Collins

Here are songs I sing to bubba all the time now that will rip your heart out (or at least they do mine ... haha):

1. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Leona Lewis - bubba knew it was bedtime early on as soon as I started singing this song to him. Oh my goodness! Makes me want to cry now haha.

2. Anything Like Me by Brad Paisley - speaking of loving music. We had Pandora radio on during labor. This song came on right when Hudson was being born. Seriously! Talk about amazing! So far...he is beautiful and amazing just like his daddy :)

3. Before These Walls Were Blue by Wade Bowen - saw this guy in concert in December before bubba was born. Didn't know we were having a boy but this song was really sweet.

4. A Thousand Years by Christina Perry - LOVE this song

5. I See The Light in Tangled - sweet song for my bubba :)

6. Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) by Dixie Chicks 

Ok, I could go on and on with love songs for our bubba.

Cheesy alert! I warned you :) (as if this wasn't cheesy enough haha).

If Hudson could hear our hearts they would sound like love. So, Hudson tune into mommy and daddy's heart because you will hear the best love song yet! You make our hearts crazy! Can't believe you are 1 tomorrow! What a lovely year it has been!

The Things That Make Him Laugh

He makes my heart crazy. I can't get enough of this munchkin. There's not a day that goes by that I don't feel like the luckiest person.

Our bubba has the best smile and laugh. I've recorded him giggling and it just makes me so happy. He sounds like one of those babies on funniest home videos.

What makes my bubba laugh? So many different things. My favorite reason he laughs is by me just looking at him. I kid you not if I just look at him in the slightest funny way he laughs. He knows I'm up to something :)

Guess it's not hard when momma always tries to make him laugh. ;)

Pinning him down and tickling him under his neck and (this is a very important step you can't leave out) say "momma's going to get that baby!" In a high pitch squeal of course. That gets the laughs a rolling.

Chasing Hudson is almost always a sure bet that he will laugh and also playing peek-a-boo. When you scare him so that you think he would want to cry from being startled he laughs. Pretty much anyway you almost scare him he wants to laugh at you. It's like he's saying is that the best you got? :)

Peaking at Hudson below my cereal bowl also gets a giggle out of him. He is seriously like a ray of sunshine into my heart.

He especially chuckles when momma and dada tag team. Dada grabs his arms and mama tickles his armpits. It's almost too much for him. Cute boy.

When I'm changing a poopy diaper. I peak in and close it real fast while saying, "oh my goodness" and he laughs. Oh speaking of "boy like laughters" he laughs when he burps. This boy definitely belongs to me. :)

Dancing with him and dipping him gets the biggest smile and a chuckle. Such a special moment. Absolutely love dancing with this boy.

When dada smells his feet or dances funny bubba laughs at him :).

I could go on and on. He truly is truly one of the Eight Wonders of the World. A must see. We are so lucky to have the best seats in the house.

Austin Trail of Lights 2012

So, I'm a little behind. Lots of catching up to do.

I'm so glad the Austin Trail of Lights is back but not so crazy about the craziness of people. We took bubba the last day it was open and it was a madhouse. There was a long line to get in and we didn't get to see much BUT bubba still had a grand ol time. I can't wait to see how excited bubba is about Christmas next year because Christmas 2012 was the best yet!

We've gone to the Austin Trail of Lights / Christmas Tree for a long time. It is a tradition that my mawmaw and aunt Wendy started when I was probably 11 or 12. I've always made a point to go each year. I know my mawmaw would have loved it.

1st Best Christmas

All these years I finally realized what it's like to be a parent who couldn't wait to see their baby's face on Christmas morning. We just happened to luck out that our 11 month old angel had a smile on his face when we woke him up at 6 AM. He was soooo sweet. Then..it just got better. We took him downstairs and he knew how to reach into the stocking and pull things out! I can't believe how curious this boy is. It absolutely amazes me! Before we headed down to Mawmaw and Pawpaw's house we gave him a coupe car. Thanks to our neighbors across the street who have two boys a little older than Hudson. We recycled their coupe car and gave it to Hudson. He got right in and started hitting the horn and waived bye to the camera. He just makes everything amazing.

We packed up the car and headed to Mawmaw and Pawpaw Wilson's house. Christmas started at 8 AM. The house was full of presents and my entire clan including Hudson's great great mawmaw Leatha from Louisiana. My bubba's absolute favorite toy is the Chuggington train he received from pawpaw and mawmaw. He's been sitting on it every day all day.





































At 10 AM we headed to Pops and Nana's house. Bubba dug in dada's stocking and his. So cute, sticking his head in the stocking looking for more. Bubba got lots of books :). He is a reader for sure. After bubba took a much needed nap we ate lunch and my sweet bubba loved green beans and uncle Patrick's awesome potato casserole. YUM!

5 PM we packed everything up and heading back to Mawmaw and Pawpaw's house for dinner. Bubba played with his cousin Noah. He even tried to kiss and hug him. He definitely loves his cousin Noah. Always looking to see what he's doing and tries to play with him. Two great cousins for sure!

We had such an amazing Christmas. I can't believe how smart my little boy is. Digging in stockings. Looking in boxes. Pulling wrapping paper. He catches on quick!

We are so thankful for our wonderful family and the wonderful time we had with our beautiful smiley boy for his first Christmas.

The best present in the world is my bubba and getting to watch him smile. Most beautiful smile I've ever seen!

11 Month Old Cuddle Giggle Bug

Don't let the name of this blog fool you. Just because I said "Cuddle Bug" doesn't mean he actually sits still for any amount of time. HAHA.

11 months down the road...almost a year and it still amazes me that I have this beautiful gift. I can't believe I have this amazing boy. Who knew that any one's heart could feel this huge.

Bubba is saying momma even more these days which just makes my heart melt. I've come to find out that he doesn't say it as often because...we're always together (go figure). However, when he's scared or tired he calls me and I know he knows who I am. Most. Amazing. Feeling. Ever. He is also fully aware who dada is. He's known for about 3 months now but will most definitely look straight at this dada and say dada. Awesome :). Bubba's other word is "no." He's learned it from the many times we've had to keep him from climbing over the ottoman by the stairs or to pull the tv on himself. Oh and one other word bubba likes to say is "bubba." That's what mommy calls him all day long.

 

Yes that's 7 teeth now! :)

This boy LOVES to eat. I can't say that enough. It's truly a wonder that he's not larger than he is...well actually I guess it's not a wonder. Like I said earlier...this boy doesn't sit still so...there goes all the calories. Meatballs are still his favorite. He LOVES french fries. Especially when mommy puts ranch on them (who doesn't love that?).

We have discovered one thing that will stop this boy in his crazy tracks and make him sit still....Elf. My favorite holiday movie. Bubba absolutely loves it. Plus there's lots of great music on it too. My bubba is a Christmas boy. Maybe he wants to be an elf when he grows up :).

Bubba watching Elf

Something new this month. Hudson takes a break every now and then to hug and kiss his momma and dada. It's the sweetest cuddle ever. He puts both of his arms under his chest and just melts into yours. I love it when he rests his head on my shoulder. We are so lucky.

Bubba's favorite thing to do right now is walk mommy to the mailbox. We walk all the way there and all the way back (about a 1/4 mile). He stops to look at the Christmas lights. I love to see his face light up. Then he goes onto the next house. When we get to the end by the mailbox there's a blowup NASCAR Santa display that he always stops and looks at the longest. I think this boy will definitely know who Santa is next year. We are soooo excited!

Bubba also loves to look at his turtle light at night before bedtime. He turns the turtle on and looks up waiting for me to turn the lights off so he can see the stars on the ceiling. As his mother of course I say this but...he's just so smart!

A few more new things....bubba is an aspiring river dancer. He just gets those feet moving in place. It's the cutest thing. Oh and back on saying the word no...when you tell bubba no he makes a pout face and looks at you like, "what the heck mom and dad."

 

Bubba's Pout Face

I can't believe how sweet this boy. He loves to run to your arms like you saved the day and man that's the best. He bounces up and down in his bed when he sees you after he wakes up. He's the light of our lives and he makes us feel like we're his! Happy 11 months sweet boy!