Life As We Know It

Monday, October 29, 2012

Happy Birthday Hudson!

TWO! I don't know how but this big boy has grown up before our very eyes. He's two and he knows it! We hear "my do it!" about a zillion times a day and meltdowns are just a part of the day but we can't help but love and spoil our last little buddy. He can be such a terror but he can also be such an angel! He is absolutely our cherry on top and completes our family in a way no other little one possibly could. He loves his paci, his mommy and daddy, his brothers, his toys, his aunts, uncles and grandparents, and couldn't live without Nunu, Pop, and George. He also loves dogs, trucks, animals, school, and loves to read book after book, especially if they involve any form of transportation or Goodnight Moon. He is a good eater for the most part and will pretty much try anything. He naps once a day for 2-4 hours and sleeps in his crib still thankfully:). He goes to bed with his brothers and sleeps through the night most every night. He has such a happy, cute personality and doesn't miss a trick. He's the first to point out birds, animals, trucks, police cars, or whatever else seems to catch his eye on car rides or walks! He talks constantly and has his fair share of words for his age. We love this little guy like we never imagined possible and hope that the terrible 2s stay far, far away from him and us! Happy Birthday Huddie!

Wouldn't trade this solemn morning face for anything.

It's all good once I get to eat my birthday donut!

We went to Hillridge Farms for Hudson's birthday and the boys couldn't get enough of the slide, corn, train, hayride, or pumpkins!

Love this belly!

Waving to the people!

Waving to the ponies.

My turn!

He loved it and was all smiles talking and petting his horse.

We had hamburgers and hot dogs followed by a Carolina birthday cake, picked up by Hudson. I think the person who decorated it must be a Clemson of Virginia Tech fan to put orange icing but oh well!

SO proud!

You saw that right?!

Present time!

Daddy's favorite present, finger paint;)! Hudson loves it and has obviously done it before in school because he was so neat!

Just Another Day In Paradise

Thanks to my amazingly helpful and wonderful parents, Jamey and I were able to go to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. Jamey planned the entire thing and thankfully I was just along for the ride. I was so worried that I'd miss my children terribly and be ready to come home but that was about the furthest thing from the case. We had an absolutely awesome time together and had definitely forgotten just how nice it is to have one on one time with each other without the constant interruption of little voices! Don't get me wrong, we missed our babies and talked about them constantly but also were able to enjoy each other so much and I honestly think more than we thought. Jamey told me about halfway through the week that he couldn't believe I wasn't bored with him by then and that we were still talking instead of reading!

We've never been the type to just sit on the beach and read for long so this beach was perfect for us. You could boogie board, kayak, do the Hobie Cat, walk, drink, eat, ride horses, and the list goes on! We mostly stuck with walking, doing the boogie boards, drinking, eating, and swimming in the pool but did venture out on the horses once and our rear ends are just now recovering from the adventure! Jamey had quite the renegade horse named Pablo who liked to do his own thing while mine had a foot in the grave and barely made the trek without collapsing. We met so many nice people, especially the waiters and bartenders. They were all so kind and welcoming and really made us enjoy every second of our trip.

When the time came to come home, we were both sad to leave but I think happy to get back and see our kiddos. I don't know why but it hit me like a ton of bricks on the plane coming home and I could not get to our babies fast enough! We kissed them in their sleep once we got home and wouldn't trade anything in the world for the happy wake up call of Carter and Cooper jumping onto our bed to welcome us home. While I enjoyed our 7 days in paradise, I wouldn't trade anything in the world for the everyday days in paradise right here at home!

Thank you so much Jamey for still loving me like you do after 3 babies and 10 years together. Our relationship keeps getting better and better and I can't wait to see what the next 10 years will be like! You are an amazing husband and daddy, my very best friend, and my soul mate and I love you more than you will ever know! Thanks for letting me be your "lady"!

Our bell boy insisted on a kissy picture in front of our anniversary door!

I was a little weirded out by these beach beds but they were so comfortable and a nice change for your bottom after a rough horseback riding experience!

This was the beach restaurant where we ate lunch every day. They had other options but this one you could wear your bathing suit and stay on the beach.

I had a hard time finding a drink I really loved until one bartender named Miguel came up with something for me. He wouldn't tell us what was in it but would always just say, "special for the the lady!" It was indeed special and delicious!

The best beer there is Presidente Light in our opinion but when the bar ran out, this is what they served Jamey...it was called "The One". It actually wasn't bad, we just loved the name.

Carolina was our favorite waitress inside and made sure to always take good care of us.

Oh Pablo and let's just call him Glue.

This was Sandy, our favorite beach waiter. He was always smiling and happy!

The bartenders were having a competition to keep me happy so it seemed! This drink was another "special for the lady" from another bartender named Omar and he called this his "Omar special." He would always bring me two each time, no matter what time of day it was and when I'd ask why he'd just shrug and say, "Happy Hour!"