Hudson is 2!!!

Dear Hudson,
I don't think I can make it through this blog without crying, seeing that I started crying yesterday with just the thought of you turning 2 today.  It seriously feels like you were just born yesterday evening.  It was one of the best births ever!  (Brylee's was amazing too, but I was sick and they gave me some medicine and I fell asleep right after nursing her for the first time and felt groggy even when I woke up a few hours later)  With you, I had 2.5 ml of something, and it never made me bat an eye.  I had the best feeling after giving birth!  You were the most beautiful baby boy I had/have ever laid my eyes on.  You have taught your daddy and me so much about so much!  You are loving to the ends of the earth and back.  You are as stubborn as a mule.  You can get aggressive (which we work on on a daily basis)  You already have empathy for others.  You have taught us paitience when we thought there was none left.  You've showed us what true exhaustion really is, and  we still got up every morning ready to start a new day.  The rocking chair that we bought from Walmart on a whim because I thought I wanted one has become one of our most favorite things in our house.  Daddy and I use it to rock you every single day at nap time and every single night...and it has had many uses in the middle of the night too. =)  Brylee loves to play in it and Darbie loves to sit and read in it.  We may never get rid of that thing! 

Well, let's talk about you being 2!  You weigh 32 lbs and are 37 inches tall.  (I'm not sure what percentile you are in.)  You haven't had any immunizations since either 9 months are 12 months.  Not for any serious reason, although we steer clear from a few...It's just whenever we go to the doctor, it never seems like a good time to jab you in the leg =/  Your doctor, Dr. Posang, always encourages me to get them but smiles when I tell her "maybe"  She has been a fabulous doctor these last two years and I truly believe she loves all three of you guys!  Food allergies... You were tested via a blood test about 6 months ago and they came back negative.  We actually do think you are good on soy now.  Twice, you've had meat marinated with a mixture and soy being in it and you've been fine.  Eggs still upset your tummy terribly.  You LOVE eggs and during Thanksgiving this year, you'd beg us for deviled eggs.  =(  You settled for the egg yolks, which you arent allergic to anyways.  We had high hopes of putting you on cows milk at 2 but that can't happen.  We've tried to slowly introduce dairy into your diet for the last 6 months, and although it doesnt seem to upset your tummy anymore, you break out from head to toe in exzema.  Only problem is....you LOVE yogurt and cheese.  I have to hide both of these from you in the fridge. 

When you say yogurt you sound like a German guy!  It IS the funniest ever!  the word "water" is the same way.  Your vocabulary is steadily increasing on a daily basis.  You are an actor.  You love to "act" things out.  If we can't understand what you are saying, you'll either act it out for us, or take us by the hand and lead us to it.  You currently call your headsets in the car radios...You aren't big on animal sounds, which is driving your daddy nuts.  For some reason, he thinks  you should know and be able to say the animals sounds and you just wont do it other than a puppy...which is a high pitched barking sound you make.... its pretty cute!  Today, as I was singing "happy birthday" to you... you jumped right in and started singing it right back... we sang it all day long and you loved it!

You are into Cars, Monsters Inc., and trains right now!  You are 100% boy!  You are starting to love books but still wont sit and listen to more than a page or two.  You like tv but are usually too busy to sit and watch anything.  You are very adventurous.  You have no fear which gives us great fear.  If it can be climbed, you will climb it.  If it can be crawled under, you will wiggle your way under it.  You love to jump on things.  You get bruises on your face/head on a daily basis. 

You had your brithday party at The Bounce House and it was Cars themed.  You had a blast!!!  IT was perfect for you!  Your friends had a lot of fun too!  We normally go out to dinner on your actual birthday but daddy is out to sea right now, so we had a nice "Hudson" dinner at home tonight.....mac and cheese, hot dogs, and veggies....all completed with cup cakes that you picked out =)  Tonight you skyped with Nana and Papa for over an hour and you showed them every single toy you own! 

You love your sisters!  You love to play with them and you cant understand why you can't always go with them...whether it be with Darbie to school.....with Brylee to ballet...or if I send them both to the bathroom in a store... you just dont understand poor buddy.  I can't say you are a mommy's boy or a daddy's boy... I think you are equally both.  You LOVE your gaga (this is what you have been calling your daddy for months and months now.  You are very capable of saying the "d" sounds and say it in other words...but not dada or daddy"  He has grown to love being called gaga...when he's out to sea, you miss him terribly.  You are his side kick.  Because I am home with  you all day, you love your mommy too.  You are the best helper when it comes to cleaning the house.  You love to wash windows and cabinets and you love unloading the dishwasher and putting detergent in it when its loaded ready to go.  You love to play with the settings on the washer and dryer.  You will help me pick up shoes and dirty clothes....when it comes to toys... its whatever mood you are in.  You can be very tempermental!

This has been   FUN year with you!  I love watching you grow, although I so wish I could stop the time, or slow it down some.  I try to cherish the good and the bad...the pretty and the ugly.....the tired and not so tired days.... because if time keeps zooming like it has in the last two years, you will be grown before I know.

So little man of mine, I pray that you continue to grow and that you love and serve God with all of your heart.  I pray nightly that you will become a Godly man, husband, and father.

You stole my heart 2 years ago at first sight....just like your daddy did many years ago.

We love you and can't wait to see what this year holds for you!

Love,
Daddy and Mommy

Pictures from this year!

Enough

When I started this blog a few years ago, I had every intention of "blogging" on a regularly basis.  Well, yeah, that didn't happen.  You see, I have a lot I want to say, but I am not a very good writer. Hmp, anyways.......I've been struggling with not being enough here lately.  It seems like there is never enough time in the day.....I've gained some weight after weaning Hudson....had I have known that, I'd have nursed him for forever!  Ive had to finally give up on the idea of ever fitting back into my size 4 jeans and pass them on to my ever so growing daughter....I am never enough.......(you insert it here and I have probably felt it)  But today, as I was sitting in Bible study (with some AMAZING PWOC ladies) listening to Priscilla Shirer......I heard God whisper ever so gently..."YOU are enough.... I have made you enough.....put your whole heart into me and depend on me and you will be enough"

Psalm 84:11-12
"For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.  He gives us grace and glory.  The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.  O Lord of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you."

Philippians 4:19
"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

On days where I am just not feeling enough.... I'm going to cling to these words and know, that in Him, I am.

Happy 4th Birthday to my sweet Princess!

Dear Princess Brylee,
I can't believe you are already 4 years and 21 days old.  Yep, I am a little behind.  Our life has been C-R-A-Z-Y since mommy went back to work "part time".  You have adjusted well and you love playing with one of your best friends, Riley while mommy is at work.  I haven't even gotten through the first few sentences and tears are already stinging my eyes.  Maybe this is one reason I've been putting off writing this...... I remember the day you were born just like it was yesterday.  I remember the car ride to the hospital with daddy driving and Nana in the back seat.  I remember so badly wanting to stop by Hardee's to get breakfast but they had told me no food.  I remember every tiny detail about my labor and delivery with you.  Just a few weeks ago something was said and I told you I had you being born on video.  You asked me if you could watch it and I was hesitant but decided to let you.  (I did turn down the sound of mommy yelling though)  You watched with amazement in your eyes.  You were grinning from ear to ear and you thought it was the neatest thing ever!  You talked about it for days and you then asked to see Darbie's birth and Hudson's birth.  Silly girl! 

You are now 40 pounds and 43.5 inches tall!  You are currently sick with what we think is strep throat.=(  You are starting to feel a little better today!  Finally! 

This year, you decided to eat at Chick-Fil-A for your brithday dinner!  It was right up your alley.  We ate outside and you and Hudson played!  You opened presnets from mommy, daddy, Darbie, and Hudson.  That night, you and mommy had to drive to Norfolk so you could have  a sleep study done at CHKD.  I don't know what kidn of information they got from you because you barely slept.  You had to have the sleep study done becuase your tonsils are about the size of bouncy balls in your throat and have always been HUGE!  The ENT doctor is trying to decide whether they need to be removed or not and the thought of you having surgery scares me to death!  You had your birthday party at Chuck E Cheese again this year.   You love that place and had a blast with all of your friends!

Currently, you still love the Disney Princesses, Minnie Mouse, Doc McStuffins, My Little Poney, Dora.....and just about anything else on Disney Jr.  You continue to have a LOVE for talking =)  You have turned into a little mommy, especially with Hudson.  You look after him so well.  You take care of him, you share with him, and you help him.  It is a sweet sight to see!  You love your big sister so much!  You look up to her like no other! I hope you all three always have a special closeness that nothing can tear apart!  You are very opinionated, especially when it comes to clothes.  I almost don't buy you anything without your approval first.  =(  You are missing our family back in Alabama more and more as you get older.  You guys just spend spring break and Easter in Alabama and that's all  you have talked about since.  You want to see Ellie bug.  You want Nana and Papa to come visit your home in VA.  You want to spend the night with Uncle Zach and Aunt Laura..... It breaks my heart and tells me that we are all ready to go home next summer for good!  You still love roller coasters and will ride anythign Busch Gardens will let  you on!  Your friends here in VA that you love to play with are Riley, Hailee, Addyson, Alicia, Jordyn, Austin, Riley, Ava, Abigail, Lincoln, Logan, Peyton, and I am sure a few more I am missing.  You can keep our social calendar booked!  Here recently, you orchestrated a water party that mommy knew nthing about.  You even invited Alicia over for it!  You have been on my case to have this party of yours so as soon as school is out for the summer, we are having it!

This year, you went to AWANA on Wednesday nights.  You went from crying when I dropped you off to crying when I came to pick you up.  you think it's your school, since you dont go to preschool like some of your friends.  You picked up ballet again in January and just finished your second recital!  You did an amazing job!  Mommy and daddy LOVE watching you dance!  You also tried out gymnastics and you liked it ok!  You are also playing in your first season of soccer.  You are hanging in there!  We will see if you continue to play =)

You are such a smart, sweet, caring, kind, giving, active, sassy girl who loves Jesus!  You love church and you loving doing your nightly devotionals.  You often ask us to pray for you for some reason and it melts our hearts.

Mommy and Daddy love you sooooo much and although we would love for you to stay little, we know that that can't happen and we are excited to see what God does with you!  He has big plans for you, Brylee Kayden Hill!  You are so funny and I can't remember what life was like without you!

You, just hours old!

this was walking into the mall to get your first haircut!  Yes, your first haircut right before you turned 4!!!  I miss these long curls (although it doesnt look very curly in this picture)

 

Yes, we told her to even it out not realizing how much hair that would be....about 6 inches later, you were in love with  your new haircut and mommy and daddy wanted to cry =)

Opening presents at Chick-Fil-A

At Chuck E Cheese for you birthday party!

Your 2013 recital.  It was during Hudson's nap time so he stayed at home with a friend!

You and Jordyn =)

Riley came to watch you dance =)

You little silly girls who love to talk during soccer games =)  It has been so much fun watching you two play soccer!

hippie-fied =)

I giggle on the insides when I think of becoming hippie-fied!  It all started a few years back.  Brylee had just turned one and all of sudden we couldn't keep her bottom clear of terrible diaper rashes.  I was tired of putting medication on her bum every diaper change...we switched from pampers (which I loved) to huggies hoping that would make a difference...nope....so I started secretly researching cloth diapers.  I had tons of friends who did this but I always thought they were a little crazy for doing it!  I mean, you have to wash out poop and who needs another load of laundry to do???  When I thought of cloth diapers the image of prefolds kept together with pins and the white covers (that you can still get from walmart) over them came to my mind....but I was desperate for my sweet girl to have a clear bottom.  I didnt mention it to Tim because I knew he would laugh out loud and tell me flat out NO.....but....one day he came home and caught me red handed looking up cloth diapers....he said "are you thinking of cloth diapering Brylee?"  I hesitantly said, "possibly... I mean... I don't know..." yes, I was stuttering and choosing my words carefuly!  He then said, "if you want to try it I will support you and do it with you."  and that is what started our journey of becoming hippies!  We researched, found what we thought was economical (since at the time we weren't having any more kids) and made our first order!  Obviously, we fell in love!

The next step to becoming a hippie family came not long after that when I decided I wanted us to start eating a little more healthy.  We already ate what we though to be healthy but I wanted to make a few changes....this came a little harder to pull over Tim but with the encouragement of our doctor in Charleston, we made some minor changes to what we bought at the grocery store...then the next summer we even started our own garden..some organic seeds, some not...but a chemical free garden!  We loved the whole process! 

Not long after cloth diapering I started looking into making our own cleaners and laundry detergent.  I went at it from the stand point of saving money...We had just went from a 2 person income down to a one so I could stay home with Brylee and I knew Tim would come more likey to trying these things if it was from a financial stand point!  HA!  I was right......we started making our own detergent and some household cleaners!  Let me say I love our detergent and all purpose cleaner and window cleaner... however I never did find a recipe for bathroom cleaner that I liked...oh well, method works great =)  I should say this though...when it comes to making laundry detergent, I may have made it the first two times, with the help of my lovely husband, but it quickly became something he loved to do and he took over it!  He makes all of our laundry detergent now and has for a few years.... he is a huge advocate of it and spread the news all of the time... he even helped a friend of ours that was about to have twins learn to make it... they had themselves a little laundry making party at our house one night!  (I thought it was pretty cute!)

The last adventure we have taken started a few weeks back....and we are back to foods....we have meal planned with e-meals for 3 years now and have loved it....it took out the fight of whats for dinner...it cut down on our grocery bill...and it has given me some amazing recipes....just a few weeks ago I was thinking of changing things up a bit and wanted to eat a little healthier and was thinking of changing our meal plan to a different one offered by e-meals when a friend posted a blog about the frest 20... I looked into it but was kind of skeptical... I didnt know if my family would eat the kind of meals they plan.... but at this time, Tim was making huge changes in his diet...he had cut out almost all artificial sweetners...he was trying to make healthier decisions with food and I knew I needed to join him... So, I asked him what he thought of changing our meal plan to The Fresh 20.... I told him a little about it and showed him a sample meal plan.  he quickly said it sounds great!  I was going to wait until our e-meals subscription ran out but he encouraged me to go ahead and make the switch.  We could always switch back to emeals after the 3 month subscription of The Fresh 20 if we didnt like it.....So I ordered it and we are on our second week!  Let me say we havent had a meal yet that we dont like!  They have been amazing and i know they are good for us and for our three miracles!  The meals are centered around 20 fresh ingredients each week.  My fridge is all of the sudden full of greens, and yellows...and reds..... and my pantry is kind of empty.  I am cooking with a lot of herbs and fresh veggies and we are LOVING IT!!!  Tim and I are loving cooking together...some of the meals take a little time to prepare but we both love to cook and it is sooo worth the time!  (There is a way to cut down on the time in the kitchen though and the meal plan tells you how each week.)  I found out this past week that Tim loves cooking with me.... I never knew that... We've been married for over 6 years and I didnt know!  I knew he loved to cook but never thought it mattered whether he cooked with me or not.  When we started this plan two weeks ago, he told Darbie, "mom is getting hippie again and we are changing the way eat and what we eat!"

I used to think the term "hippie" was bad...ugly...old fashioned...i dont know but I can tell you that if breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, detergent and household cleaner making,buying as much organic food that we can afford, and cooking with I'd say 75-80% fresh ingredients is "hippie....then that I am....and Tim Hill, you are a hippie lover!

Happy 12th birthday my sweet girl!

A week and a half ago, you turned the big 1-2!  It is your last year before you hit the teen years....ooohhhh goooooddddnneessssss! =)  As I sit here tonight with you tucked tightly into your bed, I have a million things I want to say but I can't seem to form complete thoughts (Maybe because I'm exhausted, but I can't put this off any longer so here goes!)  Part of me wants to cry that another year has gone by.  So much has changed in these last 12 months!  You have had a fabulous year!  You have played two more seasons of soccer and gotten sooo much better.  You have picked back up piano, which I am not sure if you will continue or not, but you set a goal and we try our hardest to make you guys reach those.  You said a little while back you didnt enjoy it much anymore, but we are not sure if it's because it got hard for you or what....so for now, you are still tugging along with it.  It makes me a little sad to think you might not play forever because you are so good at it and I enjoy listening to you practice while I am cleaning....because that's what I do most of the time....clean =)  We applied to the Middle Years Program at a different middle school than what we are zoned for last year before school let out and you got accepted.  We left the final decision up to you.  I mean, we had just moved, you made new friends right away at your new elementary school, and if you went to the new middle school, it would be totally new kids, since you werent zoned for it.  We gave you all the positives it had and the one negative of not knowing anyone and once again, 6 months later starting all over with friends.  You decided to go and you LOVE it!  It's a good haul for us, but your brother and sister are champs in the car there and back twice a day!  You made friends right away.  Your faith has been tested not only by another student this year, but also by a teacher.  (which should have never happened but God used it for His glory)  You stood your ground respectfully and we have probaly never been more proud of you!  You have grown spiritually so much in this last year!  I feel like we have had soo many conversations of whats appropriate and what's not at your age.  So many people your age aren't given restrictions and they are allowed to watch and listen to things that they shouldn't.  They are allowed to wear things that you'll never own. Girls are allowed to text boys and who knows what else.  Our deal with boys right now is yes, you can like a boy...We believe that is natural...but at this time, that is the extent of anything boy related.  We feel like as you get older, that part of your life will be more appropriate but as of now, we want you focusing on other things and not becoming completely obssessed with boys.  Too much of a good thing is bad and right now you are just learning who Darbie is.  We want you pursuing God, and not a boy.   My daily prayer is that you will know that this is for the best.  That there will come a time when you can watch certain things because you will understand more and you will be more mature.  As of now, you dont question us and you accept when we tell you "no".  I know this will probably change as you enter your teenage years but for now, I just smile and enjoy this moment.  Your taste in clothes haven't changed much in the last year.  You still L-O-V-E Justice, which is probably an understatement!  You are not afraid to wear something just because of where it comes from and I love that!  You are more into following clothing trends of what other kids are wearing...not necessarily trends, but you are more into brands that others are wearing.  And that's ok!  Some things we buy for you and others we make you buy yourself.....like the 50.00 underaumor hoodie you want right now... yeah, you are buying that one little girl! =)  You are still  your same sweet self.  You look out for others and you are still kind.  I pray this a a trait  you'll never loose.  We teach you to treat others the way you want to be treated and you do!  At the moment, you still love playing with Brylee.  Partly, I feel she has kept you "young".  You still play barbies, babies, and whatever else she wants to play.  I know these days are sooooo close to being over but I still enjoy you two playing together.  she looks up to you like you don't even know!  She truly misses you every single day you are at school.  Hudson loves you too! I'm not sure if he misses you yet though =)  Daddy and I are learning how to raise you.  You are our first and we have made a lot of mistakes and I am sure we'll make plenty more.  We sooo don't want you growing up, but at the same time we are sooo enjoying watching the spritiual, loving, laughing, sweet young lady you are becoming!  We know God has HUGE plans for your life! We pray that you always follow His lead in everything you do! 
 

You decided you would rather like to spend the weekend at Great Wolf Lodge instead of having a birthday party this year.  It partly made me sad becasue I love planning your birthday theme with you, but it was what you wanted and I enjoyed our weekend get away!  We had never been and decided to not take anyone else with us this time.  However, when we got there we found out that they had upgraded our room to a suite, which was amazing and roomy!  While  you, daddy, and Brylee were at the waterpark playing, I had to take Hudson to the room to get a nap in and during that time I called your bestfriend from school's mom to see if she could join us for the weekend.  You had no clue she was coming!  You enjoyed having her there with you and I have no clue how late you guys stayed up...However, I know you were passed out at 1:30 because from that point until almost 5 am, you brother thought it was party time and we were up.  Because Great Wolfe Lodge is pricey, we didnt take you to your choice of restraunt for your brithday dinner.  You wanted Captain Georges, which is an all you can eat seafood restraunt that is amazing delicisou and amazingly expensive!  Yes, you have expensive taste in clothes, jewelry, shoes, and food! =)  And purses...even though you dont even carry one you are already asking me for my coach purse when I am done with it! We had a pizza party in our room that night with specialized desserts for everyone!  You had a slize of red velvet cake, which is one of  your favorites, Brylee had a cooke, daddy and I shared a slice of cheese cake, and Caroline had a cup cake!  I am sad that I didnt get many pictures but we were having so much fun at the waterpark I didnt want to sit on the side with a camera...afraid of getting it wet =(  Here are a few that I do have!

The funny thing about this picture is we stumbled upon you guys in the hallway while we were trying to get in the room and you walked withint 5 feet of Caroline and never even noticed her!

Yes, your sister got you a My Little Pony card and you loved it!  You just better be glad I talked her out of the my little pony toy she wanted to get you for your birthday =)

You blowing out your candle!

 

All in all it was a fun, special weekend!  Everyone emjoyed themselves and we had a great time!

 

We love you so much and we are soo proud and honored that God saw us fit to be your mom and dad!

 

Love always

Mom and Dad