Boston Family Vacation 2012

This all started a couple months back, Dad and Kelsi have a conversation.  It led to Kelsi planning an entire family vacation to fulfill my dad's want of going to Bryce Canyon. The family rented a little (and by little I mean not little at all, it sleeps 20 or something) cabin in Duck Village (?) near Panguitch Lake.

Thankfully, as I've said before, I have a dream child who was a CHAMP on the  5-6 hour drive.  He didn't even really sleep and wasn't really grumpy in the slightest.  He just talked to his dad on his phone, learned to "snap" his fingers, and ate food.

Kelsi, Chris and the two of us were the first ones there.  It was nice to do some relaxing right when we get there before the family fun began. The cabin was really nice.  Much better layout than the past cabins we've rented. Best part of the cabin was it's creek in the backyard, the hammocks on the back porch, and the wi-fi (how sad that I am that kind of girl now)

Day 2 was a near nightmare.  I'm not going to sugar coat it.  It was probably the most frustrating day I've had with Hudson ever.  The plan was Bryce Canyon- which is about an hour away from the cabin- Holy Smokes! Let me back track a little, before we left Logan, Hudson definitely had some sniffles.  I didn't think anything of it because I can see he is getting 4 (yes 4) new teeth, 2 of which are molars.  He had a runny nose then so why should I have worried over that.  Oh, he was MISERABLE.  The poor boy had a cold and I was completely helpless- I didn't drive there, there was no grocery store to buy cold medicine at- He seriously screamed (not exaggerating) for a good chunk of the morning.  Can you see in our faces that we're not ok? "Smile damnit" is what my face is saying to me.

I am actually glad I am a stubborn, not wanting to miss any of the action kind of gal because I finally strapped him the baby-to-go and all seemed to be well. If I had left, I wouldn't have been able to hike Bryce Canyon (with that extra 22 lbs) and see it.  He took a good snooze and all was well later that afternoon. 

 Day 3 was MUCH better.  My parents and I (with Hudson, just assume if I say I, I really mean the two of us) took a good walk and he took a long nap (we're still a week later thrown off of our napping schedule) and boy, that Huddy boy's attitude is much better with some sleep.

 Truth be told, I was a lazy son of a gun that day.  HA! It's vacation right?  At one point Audrey stayed back with Hudson and I at the cabin.  I think Hudson really loves having another kid to play with.  Besides when on Wednesday when he's at the babysitters, he doesn't get to see kids.  Do you see that face? He was so happy.  He even kept trying to kiss her.  But she was "too busy" for that.

 Day 4- We went bright and early to Cedar Breaks for a hike.  I don't really constitute what we did as a hike.  But it was beautiful and the girl ate a few too many Red Vines over the course of the trip so a walk did me some good.

 Later that afternoon we stopped by an animal museum.  I don't know what I was picturing, but what I saw wasn't it.  That was some ANIMALS.  Hudson loved it.  He loves saying what animals say right now- all of which say moo or rawr.

I took a lot of pictures for Daren because I felt that was something he would have loved to see.  I just knew you wouldn't want to see them so I cut it down to a few that I thought were kind of awesome.

 Hudson got to feed the deer.  He struggled with it but once they finally licked the corn out of his hand he squealed! And was done.  He definitely loved it.  But wanted to just "moo" with them rather than feed them.

 After that adventure, we headed to Mossy something or other.  It was a waterfall.  The trail was closed but some family members (not me) went off and made it to the waterfall.  It was getting super hot at that point to me.  I let Hudson go into the little stream for a second.  Bad idea, that boy is a fish I tell you. He was upset to not get back in.

 Day 5 was literally spent all day in the car. You would think with the lack of sleep Hudson got he'd want to sleep in the car.  Wrong!  I think Hudson and I are done with car trips for awhile.  Except, I do have to admit some of the best times were definitely had in the car- Cry Baby gum chewing, being stuck while they were herding their sheep, Atomic Fire Balls,  singing many great songs but mainly Coming to America.

And for your viewing pleasure, a video of my darling boy.  It really doesn't do it justice.  He loves electronics  and turning them on.  There was a cd player at the cabin with a delightful cd already in it.  It was a band (I had to do my research I didn't even know if it was just a mix that someone had named this) called Alter Bridge.  Oh my laws, my child loves heavy metal apparently.  Who doesn't love a good early morning dance party.  He was doing a bunch before I was able to hurry and grab my camera. 

15 Months

 I love having my phone attached to my hand, it makes it so I can take tons and tons of pictures.  I am so upset with myself for not being a better picture taker back in the day.  But I am grateful that I have the pictures that I do of Hudson.  You really do start to forget some of the little things.

Can you believe he is 15 months old? I was thinking about how silly my though process was when he was a baby.  Like how dramatic I was that I wasn't going to get a good night sleep for weeks (all 7 weeks of his waking up at night is NOTHING compared to the 65 weeks of his life) Or how I was just all sorts of anxious for him to be able to eat "real" food by the time he was 4 months.

 For the fourth of July I wasn't going to let Hudson stay up for the fireworks and just have a typical night.  But at the last minute decided why not let the dude watch his first fireworks.  I am SO glad I let him stay up to watch them.  He was mesmerized by them. Before the fireworks started we played some croquet. He was more intrigued by the ants and bugs then anything else.  He is all boy.

 We went for another hike, again I hope we can stick to it- I quite enjoy the fresh air.  It was much, much hotter this time.  And there were KAZILLIONS of cows. Hudson only knows one (ok maybe like 4 but the main one) animal noise...which is moo.  So, when they moo'd he'd join them.  It was just so darn adorable.  Then he'd even hit his chest and tell them to come here.  I was terrified they were going to charge us.  One almost trampled not bright silly Meli.

 Hudson had enough of the heat by the end...We couldn't make him happy.  He thankfully fell asleep in Daren's arms. I won't be doing that particular hike again. It was still great but the heat and cows were too much for this protective momma.

 We do lots of fun things during the day.  

We torture(not really) the dogs by putting them in the backpack leash. 

 We work so hard on our lap tops.

 Hudson had hair cut #3 I think it's the best one so far.  It was probably the first real legit hair cut he has had.  It is short and so boyish.  He lost most of his baby curls and I'm a little devastated.  I even joked about letting him have a little rat tail because I wasn't ready to part with that hair in the back.

 Went to the doctor today.  My little guy is just a tiny squirt.  Who would ever have thought this boy was a gigantic 9 pound baby.  Ok, who am I kidding his head is still "large" 93%.  And who knows where he got his "height" from- 78%.  His 22 pound weight puts him in at a whopping 18%.

Am I a mean mom for taking a picture post shots? Probably so.  I couldn't comfort him he was just screaming SO loud.  I have NEVER seen him the way he was after his shots.  He didn't want that sucker(not at first anyway...) and I couldn't even get his clothes on.  He just wanted to get the heck out of there.  He cried for almost 2 hours after.  He didn't want to be set down.  He just wanted to be in my arms...something in which this mom won't complain about EVER.

Nobody Likes A Girl In A Hamster Ball

 OK, so remember that fitness challenge I posted about? And not knowing the winner? Well, I still don't know the winner.  I shouldn't let it get me down but I am.  However,  to reward myself I bought myself some snazzy new shoes.  Awesome right? Regardless of if I won or not, I haven't bought a new pair of running shoes since 10th grade (almost 10 years ago HA!)

 This particular relaxing moment was actually the first time Hudson calmed down all day.  He is glued to Michael Jackson music videos.  I love that the boy would rather watch that dvd than any other one in the collection.  I love the way he comes and just sits on my lap to watch it. As long as we bypass Thriller he's happy, the werewolf definitely scares him.   His current favorite videos are Man in the Mirror and You Are Not Alone.  Oh, just adorable.

 The family of 5 went on a 5 mile walk the other moment.  It has been such a long time since I hiked! I loved it more than I thought I would.  It was so relaxing!

 Hudson was content on Daren's chest and holding onto the camelback. I really didn't know how he would react during the hike and was absolutely prepared to turn around at any moment. He got a little tuckered out near the end.

 I just love this boy.  I don't know what I would do without him.  He definitely tries my patience each and every day but it makes the random kisses, tight hugs and choosing to snuggle instead of run around all the more special.

 Oh yeah, and it was annual swim night! We usually end up with some crummy weather but it was perfect! That heat wave was wonderful for a good ol' swim night.  Hudson still isn't too sure of a pool.  Dude may love little pools and sprinklers but large pools are not his favorite.  One day he'll like it.

Oh my laws, that picture is my favorite thing I have seen in a long time.  He exploded worse than he has in a long time on the way to my parents house for Sunday dinner the other night.  And go figure, me being optimistic I didn't put a change of clothes in the diaper bag.  Which meant he got to wear AJ's too small shirt.  Then to add to the awesomeness,  he insisted on wearing the Mr. Potato Head glasses.  Oh this boys little personality is a hoot.  Keeps me on my toes.

Sexy Fierce Fitness

 For the past 4 weeks,  I was part of a fitness challenge.  It seemed right up my alley.  I didn't know any of the girls participating.  It was completely random of me to join in on the "fun".  I am so glad that I did because it is exactly what I've been looking for to help me.  When I originally started the challenge, I thought I was crazy and kind of expected to not really push myself THAT hard.

 The easiest way to explain just what the challenge was about is it was a point system for things you did (or didn't) do every day.  There were some that were incredibly easy for me-- ie, no soda, 64 oz water, multi-vitamin, good portioned breakfast, 6-8 hrs continuous sleep.   Then there were some that I definitely struggled with-- no sugar(NO SUGAR, seriously like none- nothing with sugar in it) 5 servings of veggies a day, no unhealthy snacks.  There were other points that were hit and miss but definitely more on the easier side.  You could get a total of 15 points a day (I only had 3 perfect 15 point days)  Throughout the week you could do things to receive "extra credit points"- run a race, community service, report your new measurements, take time for yourself, and spend 1 hr with someone in your family doing something active.  Sounds intense right? It really actually got easier and easier.

 I typically in the past have always told people I hated Jillian workout dvds.  But the 6 week Six Pack is my favorite I've done in a LOOOONG time! I am blown away at the results I've gotten from it.  I'm definitely a fan.

 The days I went without sugar (there were 5 of them...) were surprisingly easy once I got into the swing of it. I have learned so much about my eating habits throughout the whole thing.  I definitely am an emotional eater(I already knew I was but not to the extent it was...) And I love me some sugar in the afternoon. I just love that there was a reason to push myself to actually not eat sugar.  This sugar addict saw just how easy it was to avoid the stuff.

 I think one thing I really loved about this, is how incredibly healthy I have felt.  Everything feels better.  I don't even know how to explain it.  As much as I loved my body bugg, I was working out 3- 4 hours a day just to give myself the ok on eating the entire package of cookies.  And I may not be down to what I weighed while wearing the body bugg, but I know I am absolutely better off now(down 4 lbs, not much I know but I'm ok with it, and 6 inches) I still walk my dogs 30-60 mins every day and a workout dvd at night (I highly recommend that Bob Harper one! It's exhausting but it is one of the better ones I've ever done....and I've done A LOT)

 But eating 5 servings of veggies(I had 24 days of that) a day is fantastic! I always thought eating healthy would be too expensive but it was fun coming up with meals to incorporate veggies.  I still struggle eating a baby carrot but boy did I gag down those 10 to get my one serving ;). Kale chips are my newest addiction.  Hudson and I can down a whole bundle in no time. You all should definitely try them!

 I am so grateful I had the opportunity to be part of this.  And yes, my competitive attitude was a huge help in pushing me.  I am a little nervous, tomorrow morning will be the first day where eating well isn't going to give me a "point" but I really think with how good I have been feeling I would want to keep it up.  I don't know if I accumulated the most points but I'm still incredibly proud of my 355 points I did get.  The competitor in me will be somewhat disappointed if I didn't win, but nothing can ruin the hard work I put in.

{Erica, just remember you feel the best you've ever felt.  Keep up the hard work!}

Warm Weather Suits Us Well

My life is so busy with a 1 year old! I love this! There really is no time to relax and I am just fine with that. The boy is nearly 14 months old! Hudson is a hoot.  He definitely is getting some of his mom's feisty attitude coming out more and more every day.  Oh the screaming! This better be a short little phase he's going through.  He screams in delight, he screams when he's upset, he just screams and screams and screams. Thankfully, with my phone I'm kind of better at taking pictures.  Just not so great at updating as things happen.  This will be random.

 He's still a pretty good eater.  The pickiness is coming at really weird times. I think because he just doesn't want to slow down to sit down and eat- he likes his snacks on the go, if you will. There isn't even a food I hesitate to give him.

 I always knew kids loved being outside but he REALLY loves it.  We spend a lot of time outside.  We walk daily, we water the flowers, we run in the yard.  He gets really upset to come back inside.  Letting the dogs out can be a chore sometime because he practically is running to the door to get to go out with them.

 We went to the only local splash pad.  Thankfully his aunt Kelsi was a champ and went and got wet with him. I still don't think he was a huge fan but he liked something about it because he kept smiling.

Before nap time the other day Daren was outside working on the yard so we went out and the hose was there...and then Hudson screamed until we let him play in it.  He LOVED it.  It was adorable. 

 Over Memorial Day Daren's family went camping.  Ha, we know I wasn't about to go!  They all came up to  Logan canyon so I was going to attempt going one day.

 But then the snow started.  I definitely don't do snow camping.  Thankfully Keera got some pictures of Daren while he was there.

 This past weekend Daren was gone to his parents house.  He took Kona with him.  I can't let him do that again.  I need Kona here.  And as these pictures show, Hudson apparently really missed her too!

 Oh Hudson needs to slow down.  He seems to get smarter and smarter every day.  He is quite the talker.  He points his finger and says "no, no". HA! I love it- for now.  He tells the dogs to "sit".  Juice, shoes, and socks all sound incredibly similar. He'll say Ma(no mama) only if BEGGED.  And just tonight I heard him telling Kona "good girl" after I had said it.

I love my life! I love working part time at the office/part time at home! I love being a home maker! I love taking extra good care of the dogs! But what I love the most, is being a mother to this boy.