Mama's Fish House

Once we landed in Maui, we grabbed our luggage and took off for Mama's Fish House. I was a bit nervous again about Hudson, but he was really good again. I think he loves new places. He was just staring at everything in the restaurant the entire meal. Before we left, I discussed our trip and what I should do about my diet with his pediatrician. Since his blood test came back negative (we know he is for sure allergic to something, but we still have no idea what)  and his new medicine seems to be working so much better, she gave me the ok to eat whatever I want. She said if I was nervous, just give him bottles for the next two feedings, but she said to just relax and enjoy myself. So I did!! :)

I had my favorite drink in the whole wide world: a Lava Flow! It was my first drink in 11 1/2 months and it was delicious!! I was practically drunk after the first sip and I was very giggly by the end of the meal. The food was incredible too! I had my favorite seared ahi appetizer, the fisherman's baked ono that was so moist it practically melted in my mouth, and I even had the homemade bread and butter. I thought I was going to faint from pure joy!! I love food so much and eating "real" food after weeks of following a very strict diet was heavenly. 

After the meal we got some family photos on the beach. It was the perfect way to start our vacation!! I feel so incredibly blessed!!!

Flight to Maui

I was really nervous about flying with Hudson. I totally didn't want to be the people everyone glares at for 6 hours because their baby is screaming the whole flight. I was also worried about bringing everything we would need for Hudson. For such a little guy, he sure needs a lot of stuff! I started trying clothes on him a few days in advance. Luckily I did because he now fits into some of his 3-6 month clothes. Since all his 0-3 month clothes still fit, I just assumed the 3-6 month stuff wouldn't, but he is actually able to wear both at the moment, which meant I had more outfit choices for the trip. ;) As I tried stuff on, I started making piles of what I would bring. 

The night before the flight I got maybe 3 hours of sleep, mainly because I was running around doing last minute preparations and going over my list again and again in the hopes that I wouldn't forget anything. We got up at about 4:30am to get ready. Hudson woke up around 5 for a feeding, which worked out perfect. (While we follow an eat, activity, sleep routine he still doesn't have a consistent schedule). 

Pretty happy guy at 5:30am!

We got picked up at 5:30 to head to the airport. Hudson slept in the car on the way. We were traveling with my mom and Tyler who are both premier flyers (they both got free upgrades to first class) because they fly so much. That made it way easier because they got a special (no-line) check-in and they got to check in 3 bags each for free! Thank goodness for that because Nic and I had 3 bags and Hudson's rock~n~play sleeper in a box as a 4th "bag." After the breezy bag check we went through security. Hudson was awake and pretty amused by all the people and action. It was actually a piece of cake. Even with all the new security annoyances since 9-11: taking off shoes, jackets, pulling out liquids, computers, etc. we were still more efficient than half the people around us. 

We got to our gate and I found a bathroom to change Hudson. I fed him in the airport (since he has never been a good nurser I was particularly nervous about feeding him in public, but he did really well) got him back in his car seat and we got everything situated and ready for boarding. We gate checked his stroller and had a seat for him so we carried him on in his car seat. He was pretty tired so as soon as the plane started moving he drifted off. He held my finger for take-off, but a few minutes in he let go as if to say, "ok, mom, I don't need you anymore, I'm a brave boy." He slept for a decent stretch...long enough for me to watch most of the movie and work on some scrapbooking pages. :) When he woke up I fed him, we changed him, held him for a bit (he checked out the people on the plane then discovered the tv, his favorite). The flight had quite a bit of turbulance, so we put him back in his seat and dangled one of his toys from the handle. He played for a bit, then fell asleep again. He took another long nap and I did some more scrapbooking, ate a few brownies that I made for the trip, and did my make-up. Hudson woke up again about an hour and a half before the scheduled arrival. I knew he was hungry, but was hoping to give him a bottle during the decent because i was nervous about his ears. Obviously, I couldn't make him wait to eat, so I fed him once he was hungry. Good thing because we ended up getting in a bit late so we had quite a bit longer before we started down. I was so nervous about Hudson's ears that I kept trying to shove the bottle or pacifier in his mouth, but he was fine. He actually loved the decent. he was smiling and laughing, we did a big turn and he got all excited like he was on a fun ride at Disneyland. When we touched down and it got all loud, his eyes got all big and he had that surprised face. It was hilarious! I wish we had video-taped him. 

The flight attendants were obsessed with Hudson and when one of them saw me making scrapbooking pages she insisted that we get a photo with the captain in the cockpit. She arranged the whole thing during the flight, so after we landed Hudson and I went and sat in the cockpit and met the pilot. Hudson would not stop staring at the captain. The captain ended up standing next to Nic just so we could get a photo of him looking. I know if he had fussed the whole flight it doesn't make him a bad baby, and he isn't old enough to know to make a choice to be good or bad, but he was so GOOD on the plane!! Nic and I were so proud of him!!!!

Twelve Weeks Old

On November 14th, Hudson turned 12 weeks old. He weighed 13 pounds 13 ounces. He is still wearing 0-3 month clothes, but is just starting to fit in 3-6 months (except pants and shorts are way too long). He is solidly in size 2 diapers now. Smiles at people all the time, but as soon as he sees a camera he just stares making it very difficult to capture photo evidence. He loves to hold a blanket by his face while napping. He is holding his head up, but is still a little wobbly (he sort of looks like a bobble head). His favorite toys are his Octopus (Ollie) and Leo the Lion. We hang both from his activity gym. 

Hawaii Prep

I had so much fun getting ready for our Hawaii trip. Every morning, I would try a few outfits on Hudson before getting him dressed for the day. The morning photo shoots were so fun! 

Hudson hung out while I stacked all his clothes. I packed everything in ziplocs by group: all shirts in a bag, all shorts in a bag, all socks in a bag, etc. It seemed excessive, but it made it way easier to find things during the trip and it kept things like little socks and pacifiers from getting lost. When his clothes were set out in his room it looked like so much stuff, but we actually used almost everything we took.

Family Photo Shoot

On November 11th we took family photos. Check out the post here. I just adore how the photos turned out. Hudson's many faces crack me up. He is such a little character and I just love him to bits. 

Eleven Weeks Old

On November 7th, Hudson turned 11 weeks old.He weighs 13 pounds 7 ounces. He is getting much better at tummy time and he can pick his head up all the way. He always has his right arm out and left arm bent when on his tummy and usually grabs things with his left hand first. He has a lot more control when grabbing toys in his activity gym. He went to his first Laker Game this week, which he loved! He is babbling a ton, very drooly and always sucks on his fists. He can bear weight on his legs. He is in between size 1 and 2 diapers. I introduced eggs back into my diet without any issues and most impressive...this week Hudson slept one 5 hour stretch and a 6 hour stretch another night!!

Birth Announcement

Hudson's 1st Laker Game

On November 2nd, we took Hudson to his first Laker Game. When I took Hudson out of his car seat at Staples, I discovered that he had a huge diaper leak! I was bummed because he was already in his cute outfit for the game. Then as I was changing him I realized I forgot to pack extra pants (I only had another onesie and his jersey with me) and I became even more bummed. To make matters even worse, the diapers we were using were from my shower and had messages written on them. :) The poor kid had to go to the game wearing a message diaper with a jersey and a blanket wrapped around him to try and hide the fact that he was missing bottoms. By the time we changed his diaper, fed him, figured out his wardrobe, met up with Ashley and Andre and walked to our seats we had missed a good chunk of the first quarter.

Nic was nervous about how Hudson would handle all the lights and noise, but he seemed to handle it well. He sat and stared at first, then just went to sleep.The atmosphere didn't seem to phase him at all. He of course decided he was hungry during half time and I was still a bit uneasy about breastfeeding in public, so I went to the ladies restroom. I thought it had a make-up area where I could sit and feed Hudson, but I was mistaken. I ended up standing in the handicap stall to feed him. It was a bit challenging, but sometimes you have to be a little creative.

Hudson was very alert during the third quarter and became the hit of our area. People from a few sections over on either side were waving to me, smiling and mouthing how cute he was. His favorite thing was the jumbo tron. He seemed to be fascinated by the screen and all the lights. He looked so cute in his little jersey (despite being pant less) that I thought they would for sure put us on the kiss cam, but they didn't. :( 

We took a few photos and then the little guy was asleep again. We were very impressed with how good Hudson was and we had a lot of fun with Ashley and Andre. Next time we all go to a game together they will have a little baby with them as well. :)

On top of the game being a success, Hudson went to sleep around midnight (when we got home) and slept for 5 hours straight! Because he went to bed so late, Nic and I actually got 5 hours of sleep too, which felt amazing!! Maybe we should take Hudson to Laker games all the time. ;)

Happy Halloween/My 28th Birthday

On October 31st, I turned 28 years old! Spending the day with my little man made me feel especially blessed this year. :) I started off the day by getting Hudson dressed and torturing him with my daily photo shoot. ;)

Then we walked down to Starbucks to meet up with Lindsay for breakfast (I brought my own packet of oatmeal from home). As I was walking home my dad called and asked if Hudson and I wanted to come to Oma's for lunch. I quickly changed and fed Hudson then we raced down to Oma's house. Oma's birthday is on Halloween too, so it was nice to celebrate together. It also made me happy that she and Opa got to spend a little time with Hudson. :) (While I was holding Hudson, my hair fell over his head and my dad insisted and getting a photo of Hudson with hair..hehe).

While at Oma and Opa's, I noticed a photo of Justin in a pumpkin on the wall. Justin was about 7 months old in the photo and Hudson was about 2 months in his, but I still think Hudson looks a lot like Justin, especially when he smiles.

After the quick birthday celebration at Oma's, I raced back home to meet Rachelle for lunch. She brought me a CPK salad (one of the few restaurant meals I can eat). It is actually really delicious and it was great to see Rachelle. She gave me the most beautiful bowl for the kitchen and she had the best time with Hudson. 

That night I opened up my present from Nic and Hudson. I teared up when I saw my first ever "Mom" card. Hudson really is the best gift! My actual gift was the next best thing though, one of my favorite photos of my favorite little guy. :)

After I opened my presents we got dressed up in our Halloween costumes. 

We did a little photo shoot and video in the backyard before heading over to Tim and Lindsay's house.

I almost forgot, Tyler came over to spend Halloween with us. :)

We go over to the Mirkovich's house to celebrate Halloween every year. Lindsay always makes delicious chili and cornbread and we get to see the girls dressed up in their costumes. This year, Tim even dressed up! He was Honey Boo Boo. It is always fun to spend time with them and it was really nice that Tyler and Hudson could join in the festivities this year. After dinner at the Mirkovich's, the kids went out trick-or-treating and we came home to get Hudson to bed and pass out candy to trick-or-treaters. It was a jam-packed day, but a wonderful Halloween and 28th Birthday!!

Ten Weeks Old

On October 31st, Hudson turned 10 weeks old. Hudson weighed 12 pounds 14 ounces. He was in between size 1 and 2 diapers. He has started doing a bit of a fake whiney cry this past week, but he also smiles quite a bit to make up for it. :)

Photos of Hudson

Here are some of the photos we have taken of Hudson recently. A lot of the time I take photos on my iphone because I usually have it nearby and it is quick and easy. Unfortunately, I have the old 3GS phone so most of my pictures are pretty grainy. I guess it is still better than not having the photos at all. Life is just moving too fast and it seems like our little guy is growing and changing by the second!

On 10/10, Hudson and I went for a walk. I love our street so much. Even in Southern California, we get a little feel for fall.

I took these on 10/12. Hud's faces just kill me. He is such a little character.

Nic took these photos Saturday 10/13.

Justin came to visit Hudson on 10/14.

My little pumpkin.

Walk to get coffee with Lindsay. :)

This is one of my ALL TIME favorite photos of Hudson. On 10/20 I tried on all of his hats and by the end he was not thrilled. haha.

10/24-play mat time.

10/25-before his 2 month doctor appointment.

10/26-checking out his mobile.

10/30.