BlogHer

When we were making our master plot to get pregnant, I became a blog stalker an avid blog reader.  Even though I have never met and more than likely never will meet those people, I loved reading about their pregnancies, adjusting to life with a baby, and seeing what they were doing with their little ones.

Many of the moms are from the Birmingham area.  Some are friends, some are friends of friends of friends, and some are complete strangers that live across the country.  That is one of the features of blogs that I love.  I would be reading a friend's blog, and click on a link to one of the blogs that she follows, and that's where it all started.  I really enjoy reading Birmingham moms' blogs.  I like to see where they shop, where they take their kids for fun, where they have birthday parties, etc.  My favorite blogs to read are mommy blogs that feature kids around Hudson's age.  I love to see what they are doing and anticipate what all we have in store.  Seeing these moms document their pregnancy journey and the life of their little one is what inspired me to start blogging.

I noticed this little ad on several of the blogs...

 

Many women get paid (although sometimes it is only a very small amount) if their blog is featured on BlogHer.  You can also get paid by letting people advertise on your blog.  Another super fun way to earn a little extra cash is to test out a product and blog your review of it.  That is something I would TOTALLY be into and practically have already done as you can see here.      

One of the criteria of the application process is that you blog frequently - at least 1-2 times a week.  At first this sounded really challenging, especially when thinking about going back to work.  But, my blogs tend to be pretty lengthy, and I realize that I could make them more precise and split them into more specific topics.  Also, with the fabulous Blogger iPhone app, I can blog anytime!

When Blogger revamped their dashboard, I tried to learn a little more about the features of Blogger, including the cool feature that even without a "ticker", they track the number of views for each post.  My Mother's Day blog was only viewed 59 times, while my 28 Weeks blog was viewed 229 times.  So, to get more people reading my blog, I want YOU, my blogger friends, to spread the news about my blog! I'm going to put up a "subscribe by email" feature to make it easier for you to see every post.  I'm also going to subscribe to the blogs I read regularly in hopes that these complete strangers will do the same in return!  

An inspiration...

Kelly Stamps is a SAHM (stay at home mom - acronyms are apparently a huge part of mommy/pregnancy blogging).  You can find her blog here.  I'm not sure how long she has been blogging, but she has OVER 12,000 MEMBERS!!! Just to clarify, that is NOT the number of people that read her blog.  I would say that number is at least doubled.  These are just people that subscribe to her blog.  Her topics usually include her 2 daughters, life as a SAHM, and life as a Christian.  She also has a REALLY cool feature called Show Us Your Life that she does every Friday.  I'm going to try to start being a part of that.  The topics vary every week, but there is one that she does a few times a year called SUYL Singles.  People write a little bio about a single friend, and people from all across the country can try to hook up a friend with someone they saw on SUYL!! Here is a link to the most recent one.  She has even had people getting married and engaged after meeting through her blog! How cool is that?!?!

Anyways, this is the end to yet ANOTHER lengthy blog.  Thanks for reading and don't forget to share!!! 

Baby Necessities

I've seen this on several other "Mommy Blogs," so I decided to write my own.  When I was preparing for our little one to come into the world, I read a ton about the must have baby items.  I also asked other new moms, and honestly, I feel like a new mom-friend's advice may be the best advice you can get.  

So, in no particular order...

 Nap Nanny

Yes, I know it is $130, but I'm telling you...WORTH. EVERY. PENNY.  I move it around CONSTANTLY every day.  I take it in the bathroom when I shower.  He watches his DVDs in it.  He hangs out, talks, and plays with his hands.  He spits up a lot, so the incline is perfect for right after eating.  He slept in it a lot when he was really little.  And unlike baby swings, bouncy seats, etc. he can use this even through his toddler years as a seat to watch TV/relax! It's like his recliner.  It's light as a feather. LOVE IT.

Video Monitor

  

This is the one we have.  It's about the middle of the price range for video monitors.  It has wonderful quality in sound and view, even in complete darkness.  I would definitely recommend it if you are a paranoid mom like me or if your nursery is pretty far from your master bedroom.

Dreft Stain Remover

This stuff will get practically ANYTHING out.  Big Man was having a blow out pretty regularly for a while.  He became a master of pooping out the side of his diaper, so many of his precious outfits had orange (breastfed baby) poop stains all over the bottom and inside the leg holes.  This got it out 99.99% of the time.

Playmat/Gym

This is the playmat/gym we got for Hudson.  I chose it because of the black and white pattern in addition to the bright colors.  Since babies' eyesight develops gradually, he would be able to see the contrasting colors even at a young age. Also, the little cat that hangs from the middle plays two "songs" and flashes different colors.  It is also detachable, so I frequently take it off for him to look at during tummy time, etc. This keeps him entertained for a long time, and he LOVES it.  He talks and squeals the whole time he plays.   

Wipe Warmer

Some people love them, some people say they are a waste... Hudson definitely prefers it!  I feel bad when we are out somewhere and I have to change him.  If the wipes are cold, he almost jumps off the changing table! Little Prince is use to his warm wipes! Also, if you are having to wipe off your baby's face, or you are trying to change your sleepy baby's diaper, a warm wipe makes a difference! It doesn't startle them as much.  

Changing Table

We bought a dresser as part of Hudson's bedroom suite, but after taking the advice of our mothers, we decided to get a changing table.  Many people are using the dresser as a changing table, but with the hutch full of knickknacks and picture frames, I don't know where you would put all the things you need: diapers, wipes, lotions, diaper creams, Vaseline, q-tips, pad liners, etc.  Not to mention when your little one decides to have a blow out IN THE MIDDLE OF A DIAPER CHANGE or decides to turn on the pee pee fountain while you bend over to get a diaper... no one wants pee and poo on their expensive new dresser!! 

Smart Phone

It has a great camera, but even better is the ability to video and instantly upload it very quickly to YouTube - for those who care to see every little milestone.  ; )

Car Mirror

This is one of my favorite things in the world to see now.  I love looking in the mirror seeing him observing everything, or seeing that sweet chubby face sleeping soundly.  

White Noise Machine

When I was reading about getting your baby to sleep better, I read a lot about white noise machines. This cute little fella plays 4 sounds (2 playful beats, 2 "sleepy" beats - one is white noise), has a volume dial, and has 3 different timer settings for helping baby fall asleep.  We use it everyday.  

The next few things don't need much explanation... but if you are going to breastfeed, GET THESE ITEMS!!!! It will make your life much more pleasant. 

Buy the Medela brand - HUGE DIFFERENCE!!  Use it everytime you nurse for at least the first 2 weeks.  Trust me, you'll be hurting and this definitely helped me.

Put these bad boys in the fridge.  After you nurse, apply cream.  Then apply chilled soothies. Then, TAKE A NAP.  Wake up and thank me later.  ; ) 

Keep these in unless you want your shirt to be soaked when your baby starts crying.

Nursing gown and sleep bra. Otherwise known as the nursing mom's uniform or "everyday wear" for the first month.  So comfortable and convenient! GOTTA HAVE 'EM!!!

Well that pretty much sums up my must-haves for the first three months!! I hope any new moms or mommies-to-be can benefit from this like I did with other mommy blogs! 

Three Months

Hudson,

You are three months old!

You did not have a check up this month, but Mommy and Daddy think you weigh about 15 1/2 pounds according to our digital bathroom scale.

You measure about 25 inches long.

You are still wearing a size 2 diaper. 

You are wearing just a few 3-6 month onesies and sleepers, but are now mostly in 6 month outfits.

We believe you are teething because your fist is CONSTANTLY in your mouth.  Here recently, you enjoy gnawing on your arm instead of looking around during tummy time.

We have switched from the Avent Soothie paci to an orthodontic nipple paci.  You were constantly spitting the other one out. 

At 11 weeks, you rolled over for the first time.  Mommy was a liiiiiiiittle excited, as you can hear see here.

You did this twice, back to back, then didn't do it again for over a week.  

 

The next time you did it several times, but have yet to do it again.  Mommy is the only one who has seen it in person, so you are usually a one man circus when we have visitors, trying to get you to roll over again! 

You discovered your fists a few weeks ago and love to stare at them and make your fingers meet.

Just a few days ago, you found your feet.  You can't grab them yet, but you lift them in the air, or when you are sitting, you will pick them up and move them around while watching them.  

We have started giving you a little cereal in your last bottle around 8:30-9:00pm and you really enjoy it.  You couldn't drink it fast enough!!  Our big guy was HONGRY!  Maybe we will be seeing our strong, handsome fella in a crimson jersey one day! ; )   

Speaking of HONGRY, you had a growth spurt (I'm guessing) at around 12 weeks where you were a little fussier than usual and DEFINITELY hungrier.  You went from eating every 4 hour and sleeping until anywhere from 4:30-6:30 am to eating every 3 hours during the day and getting up a couple of times a night.  One night you even ate every 3 hours!!  Around the clock - like a newborn!!  This was very rough on Mommy, but waking up to a smiling baby boy makes it all worth it. 

You still have your "fussy time" anywhere from 5:30-7:30.  This is getting a little less frequent and interestingly enough, you are usually not fussy if we are out of the house.  (Thank you Lord!)

You LOVE to be outside.  It seems to calm you down when you are fussy.  You have even made 2 trips to our neighborhood pool!  You were a total pro.  Mommy is going to make sure her baby is a water bug just like she was! : )

You are talking up a storm!!! It is seriously the sweetest thing I have ever heard in my 26 years on earth.  You stretch that neck out and move those little lips... makes our hearts melt. 

You still love your play gym.  You have a love/hate relationship with the swing, so we are trying it swinging back to front instead of side to side.  You usually fuss as soon as we put you in it, but if you are sleepy, you usually calm down after just a few seconds and doze off for a nap. We still couldn't live without the nap nanny.  It's like your little recliner and you LOVE it. 

You smile so big at almost anyone.  You are very friendly.  You haven't "laughed" yet, but Mommy and Daddy think your "squeal" is your laugh right now.  

You are enjoying tummy time much more now and can lift your head up really well.  

You have also been sitting in your Bumbo seat some! We tried you in the exersaucer, but you are quite ready yet. 

You really love your Baby Einstein movie and will almost break your neck trying to see the TV if you are just chillin in the floor.  You are also watching Macy and Cooper as they walk by now.  I know y'all are going to be best buds one day! 

Speaking of Cooper, a few weeks ago, Cooper randomly started to not sleep on his large, comfy bed.  Instead, without ANY direction from Daddy or me, he started sleep right in front of the pack n play.  He doesn't lie down until I put you down for the night and he doesn't get up until you wake up to eat around 5.  Anyone that wants to get to Hudson will have to check in with security first.  He is such a good big brother.

Last night was the first time I put you to bed in your crib.  Someone may have shed a few tears, and it wasn't you, my dear.  I knew we needed to start this soon so we could be in a good routine when Mommy has to go back to work.  I also thought you might sleep better in there because Mommy has heard she is a noisy sleeper. ; )  This is what I looked at all night every time I heard you move at all.  

I left you in there until you started rustling around and woke up about 2am.  Hey, it's a start. 

We love you SOOOO much Snuggle Bug! You are our entire world.

Happy Father's Day!!!

We celebrated Father's Day on Saturday with Rusty's side of the family.  We met for lunch at Mr. P's, a family favorite. After that we went to his parents' house and relaxed. And of course, little man was the center of attention! I took my camera in but forgot to get a picture before Hudson fell asleep. : (

Saturday night we spent the night with my parents.  The guys played golf Sunday morning while the Mommas stayed home with the babies.  We grilled out for lunch, relaxed some more, then headed back home.

When we got home, we decided it would be a good time to go to the pool.  This is the second time he has been, but this time was much better with the baby float. He was SO relaxed!  He whimpered just for a second while we were getting him in the float, probably because he is not use to the cold water.  After that, he kicked back in the float like an old pro!

We played in the pool for a while, then got him out, dried off, and changed into a dry diaper.  It was still warm outside, so I just let him lie flat in his stroller (LOVE his stroller) under the pavilion and relax.  He laughed and kicked and played, then passed out. I had his stroller turned away from the sun and I pulled up a lounged chair and sunbathed beside him.  Rusty relaxed under the pavilion behind us.  We are finding ways to do all the things we want to do, even with a baby! It just takes a little more time and effort, but it is well worth it! We really enjoy all of these "firsts".  He is developing so fast! 

We have booked a beach trip for late September and we are SO excited! Rusty and I are ready to get out of Birmingham and take our big guy on his first beach vacay! By then it will be much cooler, less crowded, and hopefully he will be sitting up by then.

Here are two videos of Rusty and Hudson playing after bath time last night.  Hudson is trying so hard to repeat our sounds!

We hope you had a great first Father's Day, Daddy! We love you!

Two Months

Hudson,

You are two months old!

You weigh 14 pounds, 8 ounces. 

(98th percentile)

You are 24 inches long. 

(85th percentile)

 

Your head is 15.75 inches around.

(50th percentile)

You are a growing, healthy boy! The doctor said you looked perfect.

You got 3 vaccinations today, 2 shots and 1 set of drops.  You were a trooper. 

You wear 3 month, 3-6 month, and even a couple of 6 month outfits.

You wear a size 2 diaper.

You have been nursing about every 3 - 3 1/2 hours during the day, but we are going to start stretching that to 3 1/2 - 4 hours now.

At about 5 weeks, we changed your night time routine a little to bath time at 8:30 pm and last feeding at 9:00 pm.  This seemed to work well and you started sleeping until 2:00 am.  You are now sleeping until at least 4:00 am, with a little assistance from the pacifier.  You go back to sleep until around 8:00 or 9:00 am now and Mommy usually joins you.  

More facts about you at two months:

• People "ooooo"ing makes you smile.  Daddy's silly faces have also started making you smile.

• You are most playful first thing in the morning and right after your bath if you aren't too sleepy.  You love to coo, ooo, laugh, and smile.  The first video is you at 7 weeks old.  The second one is from today (nine weeks old).

   

• You LOVE your soothie pacifier.  You almost have to have it to fall asleep.  If I give it to you when you are really hunger, you look like you are attacking a hamburger.  It's pretty funny, and really cute.  

• You are a very fast eater.  Your alertness with Momma's fast let down makes for an average 10 minute feeding.  This is great because we have had to eat in several different places.  We are busy people, but you do just fine.

• You love to be held when you are sleepy.  You still prefer someone holding you in their left arm with your right arm under their armpit.  This position while patting you on the butt with a pacifier in your mouth is the "go to sleep" routine. 

•  You are still sleeping in the pack n play.  Momma just can't send you to your room just yet! My goal is to have you in your crib at night by the end of July.  I'm in no hurry! I love having you so close!

• You have discovered the lights and sounds of the world around you, your tongue, and your fists.  You also love to kick your feet. You swat at your toys and are very alert when we go places. 

• You are very good at raising your head and holding it steady when someone is holding you, but you do not enjoy tummy time yet. 

• You went to your first birthday party! It was Ryleigh's first birthday!

 

Mommy and Daddy have so much fun with you! You are at such a fun age and we love making you smile and talk back to us.  We love you very much!!

One Month and Two Months

Mother's Day

Every holiday, Rusty and I keep the roads hot between Oneonta and Homewood.  Our families mean the world to us, so we want to see them and spend time with them on the holidays.  However, it does make for a long, busy day.  So, when Rusty asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day, I told him I wanted Saturday to be just the three of us, and I just wanted to do whatever I wanted to do.  So, that's exactly what we did.  

Rusty got up bright and early to take Macy to the vet in Homewood.  This is something I usually do, but he did it for me.  When he got back, the three of us went to Cracker Barrel for a wonderful late breakfast.  

It was so weird to hear "Ashworth, Party of Three" over the speaker.  It put the biggest smile on my face that no one could wipe off.  We are a little family now!!

After that, we came home and RELAXED.  We have been pretty busy on the weekends since Hudson was born, and I wanted us just to have some lazy time as a family.  So what did we do? SLEPT.  We ALL 3 took an hour and a half nap at the SAME TIME for the first time.  It was GLORIOUS.  We did a little shopping that afternoon and watched a movie that night.  It was great.  

Sunday we went to see my side of the family at lunch.

We went to see Rusty's side of the family at dinner.

We are very lucky that both of our families are close enough that we can always spend time with them, especially on the holidays.

I am looking forward to Rusty's first Father's Day already!! I think we will do something similar to give him some special time of his own, too.

Blog-cation

I feel like I have taken an unintended vacation from blogging. We have been a little busier this 2nd month of Mr. Hudson's life, but more on that later. I'll be doing a full 2 month post next week after we go to the doctor for his checkup. Until then, here is (as it is referred to in the blog world) an iPhone photo update.