Perfect Little Moments

My absolute favorite thing about the weekend is getting to spend good quality time with my little family.  During the week we are busy working, running errands, cleaning, caring for Hudson....  But, on the weekends (sometimes) we get to slow down.  We actually get to relax together.  Some people may thing this sounds boring, but my all time favorite memories and moments are quiet, unexpected, completely perfect times with my husband and son.

This morning, when Hudson woke up, Steve went and got him.  He brought him into our bed to cuddle.  This has unintentionally become a tradition in our home.  I can honestly say this is my favorite part of the day.  Not because I'm in bed lounging around, but because it is time with my family.  Anyway, as Hudson was being carried into our room by Steve, he looks right at me with this big grin and says "HELLO"!  Ahhhh How could I possibly love anyone more?!?!  So Steve plops him down on the middle of the bed between us and he is just talking away.  He is laughing at the dog and getting (and giving) lots of kisses.  Then out of nowhere, he looks at Steve and his hand shoots out and he grab's Steve's nose and yells "NOSE"!  I was completely proud at this moment, because I have been working with Hudson on body parts for the past week or so.  A few seconds later Hudson jabbed Steve in the eye and quickly announced that in fact he had just poked Steve in the "EYE"!  We were all laughing and spent the next hour taking turns tickling and kissing Hudson, talking, and watching Hudson's every move.  Steve and I both agreed that Hudson is changing daily and that he is so amazing.

It was a normal, wonderful, beautiful, perfect morning.  It is a morning I want to remember for the rest of my life.

These moments are such blessings and make me think about life and what is truly important.  I was reminded by a friend recently that these beautiful moments will all too soon come to an end and that I need to enjoy every second.  Children grow up so fast that you hardly have time to sit and enjoy the good times while they are actually happening.   AND THAT IS WHY, I WILL TRY TO CHERISH EVEN THE "LITTLE" EVERYDAY THINGS.  Those are the things that are really meaningful.

Joshua 1:9

I hate flying.

If you know me at all, this is no surprise.  I have never liked flying.  It always involves sleepless nights leading up to the impending flight, then tears during.

I just hate it.

In fact, I would rather give a presentation to a thousand critical people on a topic I know nothing about, while wearing nothing but my birthday suit.  If that tells you anything....

Well,  guess what?  In a few months the hubby and I will be taking a little trip and we are flying.  I have begged and pleaded to take a car, bus, literally ANYTHING but a plane.  I did not get my way.  We will be flying, and even thought our trip isn't for months, I have already started worrying about it.

Yes, I'm a giant chicken.

Tonight I started looking at information on-line to try to help me cope with my fear of flying.  I was reading article after article about plane safety and the underlying causes of fear.  Instead of feeling better, I started feeling worse.

I felt like I was in a small confined space and the door was shutting.  I started getting all hot and flustered.  My heart started racing, and tears started streaming down my face.  I was picturing myself walking down the terminal to the tiny door on the side of the plane, walking through and sitting in that claustrophobic space.  I was picturing myself looking out the window as the scenery started to flash by and we ascended into the air at a serious incline and speeds that cause you to sit all the way back in your seat.  I felt sick.

After about 15 minutes of this TORTURE, I just couldn't do it anymore and decided it was time for bed.

Before turning off the lights I decided to check out the Bible App on my phone and the verse of the day popped up.  It is a "random" verse that changes daily.  As soon as the verse came on my screen, my jaw hit the floor.  God was sending me message loud and clear.  TRUST ME!  PUT YOUR FAITH IN ME!  DO NOT BE AFRAID!


"I repeat, be strong and brave!  Don't be afraid and don't panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do."
Joshua 1:9

There is just no way that me seeing this verse just moments after being so upset and fearful was anything other than Devine Intervention.  Coincidence?  I think NOT!



Dear God,

Thank you for hearing my cries.  Thank you for caring enough about me and my little problems to reach out to me and let me know you are with me.  Thank you for comforting me in a time of need.  Lord you never cease to amaze me.  You know me better than I know myself and I am forever greatful for your constant love.  You are my rock.

Indianapolis Children's Museum

This past weekend (I realize I start a lot of my posts like this) we went and visited my parents and sister for the first time sense Christmas.  It was wonderful spending time with them, celebrating my little sister's 25th Birthday & taking Hudson to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis for the first time.  I remember going there when I was little and how BIG and Awesome everything was.  I was pleasantly surprised that even though I am about 17 years older than I was the last time I went, it was still really cool.  I think the "grownups" had just as much fun at the Children's Museum as Hudson did!!!

This was the art or sculpture in the center of the museum that was 4 stories tall (I think).

This might just be the best face/reaction EVER!

Believe it or not, Hudson had a wonderful time!  This was just bad timing for a picture.

He was so brave.  There were so many other kids there, but he didn't care.  Hudson just got right in there, wiggling between two girls to get to the sand.  We were all dying laughing.  He is just so darn cute and sweet.

Jessica loved playing with Hudson and he loved having her around.

Grandma and Grandpa Smith

They had a playhouse for the kiddos and Hudson just loved it!  He thought it was great that there were lots of doors to open and close.

Hudson, me, Jessica, and Steve in front of a mammoth skeliton.

Father and son picture, photobombed by aunt Jessica.

Mommy and Hudson looking at dinosaur bones! 

TRAINS!!!!  Hudson loved watching all the trains going around the extensive tracks!  It really was fun.

Hudson had so much fun and was so exhausted  when we left that he immediately fell asleep in the car.  When we got home we had Ribs, BBQ chicken, french fries, coleslaw, and fresh bread for Jessica's Birthday Dinner.  I can't believe my baby sister is 25 years old already!  It is so weird to think that when I was 25, I was pregnant with Hudson and had him right before I turned 26.... CRAZY.  Anyway, I am so proud of her and who she has grown up to be.  She is so smart and funny and beautiful AND she has the most kind heart of anyone I know.  

This was the Birthday Cake Jessica insisted on making for herself.  It was delicious.  The cake was a chocolate and brownie layered cake with crumbled Oreos between the layers and chocolate moose for frosting.  AMAZING!

We stayed until Sunday at noon, then we headed back home so we could visit with Steve's family.  It just so happened that Steve's brother's family was in town for the long weekend, so we wanted to make sure we got to spend some time with them.  It defiantly wasn't as long as a visit as we would have liked, but at least we got to see them. 

We all met for dinner to celebrate Elitha's (Steve's mom) birthday.  Her birthday is next week, but because family was in town this weekend they wanted to celebrate it Sunday.  Hudson was just completely fascinated with his cousins.  They are so good to him and really help take care of him.  When he would drop something on the floor, they would rush to pick it up for him.  

This picture was taken of the cousins back Grandma and Grandpa Farmer's house.  Aren't they just adorable!?!?!

A day at the Explorium

Today we took Hudson to the Explorium down town for the first time.  It is a hands on children's museum.  We had so much fun!  Hudson played and played.  His favorite part was playing in the water.  I didn't get any pictures of it though because Steve and I were both trying to keep him from climbing in!  haha  He splashed and played and got completely soaked!  I'm just glad he ran around and had so much fun!  LOVE HIM!

We had such a fun day all together as a family.  :)  My idea of a perfect day!

Thank you God for this beautiful day.  Thank you for my family and for allowing us the opportunity to be together today, enjoying each others company.

Inexpensive Razor Cartridges

Razor Review

I know, I know... razors are not baby products, but I just had to share this information with you.  Let's just say this is a product for all the mommies and daddies (and aunts, uncles, grandparents, friends...). The potential savings is huge and I get really excited about saving money!  

My husband and I have been so frustrated lately with the price of razor cartridges!  That's probably because we recently had to fork over a small fortune for them a couple weeks ago....  Anyway, Steve came across this website that is absolutely amazing!!!!  This company makes razors (mens and women's) that are comparable to Galette razors (Venus, Fusion...).  After much research (thanks to hubby) we purchased some for ourselves.  I got mine in the mail yesterday (did I mention they offer FREE SHIPPING???) and tried it for the first time today!  I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked!  The shave was extremely close AND no cuts or scratches!  I personally liked it better and thought it did a better job than the Venus Embrace system I was using.  Who would have thought?!?!    If you have tried these razors, I would love to hear your opinion on them.

The best part about these razors...they are cheap!  I couldn't find Venus razor cartridges for less than $2.50 per cartridge (some were even over $3.00).  The new Shai razor (that's the one I got and LOVE) were less than half of that.  I got a pack of 24 razors for $28.05.  That is $1.17 per cartridge!!!  You do need to purchase a new handle that is compatible with all their cartridges though, but they are also inexpensive (less than $5).

If you change razor cartridges every two weeks that's a savings of $34.58 a year per person.  If you change your razors more often like I do, or if you happen to use the even more expensive cartridges, the savings are even greater!  These days every penny counts right?!?!

I hope you will at least check out the website and see what these razors are all about.  They have razors and cartridges for both men and women AND many options!  

HERE is a 15% off coupon and a link to the website.   It is good through February 28, 2013.  I hope you will at least check this out and if you like them, be sure to share this awesome savings will those you love.  

Enjoy & Happy Friday!

16 Months Old

At 16 months, Hudson has quite the little personality.  He knows what he likes and what he doesn't.  He knows what he wants, and he will let you know if he is displeased with you or a situation.  Hudson is a little clown!  I think he knows it too!  He loves getting us to laugh, and when he finds something funny...watch out!  Hudson will do whatever it is over and over again until it just isn't funny anymore.  It usually takes a day.  Then, the next day I will try to make him laugh with what was funny the day before and he just gives me this look like "Mom, that was soooo YESTERDAY"!  O... ok then!  I tried.

Hudson recently started shaking his head again.  He started doing it right around one year old.  I was worried at first (seriously), but after talking with his pediatrician, peers, and observing this quirky behavior, I have realized that (I think) he just likes to do it.  at about a year, he was learning how to say no, shake his head, and shake his little finger.  It scared me then because he didn't have the control yet and his movements could sometimes look jerky and a little spastic.  Of coarse I googled it and about a million possible and equally troubling possible causes popped up.  UGH!  Horrible idea.  Anyway, He stopped for a while, but now he is hearing "NO" a lot more and I think he's picking it back up.  The head shaking is usually either accompanied with or followed by him saying "no no no" and giggling.  It is no longer spastic and the movement is very fluid and controlled.  I don't know...  He is a funny little guy and I just love him sooo much!

Hudson's vocabulary is slowing growing.  It's so funny because when I say a phrase or a sentence, he might not be able to say all the words, but he will pick up on my tone and inflection, and he will copy me syllable for syllable.  haha  The boy has a good ear.  We are working on colors at the present time and he can say them (or his very close version to the name) but isn't connecting the color to the name yet.  It might still be a little early for that.  I'm not really sure...

Hudson LOVES figuring out how things work and fit together.  He gets so memorized!  He likes building and destroying.  Hudson's all time favorite toys though are daddy's iPand and mommy's iPhone.  We have a Micky Mouse Club House app on there that he has figured out.  He pushes all the right buttons and really enjoys to play it.  I am seriously impressed that he can work them so well.  Steve and I laugh, because he has been able to flip to screens we didn't even know existed!  Who knows, maybe we have a computer engineer on our hands. 

At 16 months Hudson:

• is transitioning from a size 4 to a size 5 diaper.  They just seem to fit him so much better.
• is transitioning from size 18 month clothes to size 24 months.
• loves looking at books
• making animal noises
• LOVES watching Mickey Mouse Club House.  He really watches it now and sits there paying attention like a little human.
• plays with Sadie and enjoys tackling and pulling Milo's tail.
• has become pretty independent.  He can go down little slides all by himself.
• is boycotting vegetables.
• doesn't care as much for yogurt.
• LOVES graham crackers a.k.a. "COOKIES".  Hudson gets all excited and calls them "kekes"
• LOVES Mickey Mouse.  He has a stuffed Mickey that he carries with him and calls him "MeMe"
• has really figured out the concept of splashing and thinks it is soooo funny.  He has almost grown out of his little whale tub!  :(
• really understands what we are saying.  When we say "ok, lets go change your diaper", he will run to his room.  When we say "bath time", he will run to the bath room and try to climb in the tub!  haha  And at bed time we will say "OK, time to go night night" and he will say "nigh night" and run as fast as he can to his bedroom.  He really melts my heart.
• Started saying "hello" as a greeting to others.  While at the store today, we passed a woman and Hudson turned to her, waved, and yelled "Hello".  She said it back to him and he got so excited!  HILARIOUS! 
• Said my sister's name, Jessica, for the first time.  It came out "je-ka-ka".   Close enough!  So stinking cute!
• When Steve leaves for work in the morning, the door will shut and he will call after Steve saying "bye bye da da"
• He likes to turn the lights on and off and will say "lllliiiiii"  aka "light" while doing it.
• LOVES the blow dryer.  
• Says "BABY" when he sees another little kid or baby!  
• is taking one 2 hour (give or take 30 minutes) nap daily and is not getting up much in the middle of the night.   
• goes to bed between 7&8 every night and will wake up between 7&9 almost every morning.  
• is playing peek-a-boo and actively participating!  He will cover his own face and then pull off the blanket AND say "p-boo".  Then laugh uncontrollably and do it again.  
• is very sensitive.  If he gets scolded, he acts like his whole world is crashing down.  He cries and wants cuddled and loved on.  He will even cry if I make a sad face.  I try not to do that though, because seeing your son cry because he thinks you're sad or hurt is the most heartbreaking thing ever, and I mean EVER!
• likes to tell me "No".  Sometimes he uses it the right way, but other times he just says it randomly.  So I don't get upset with him.  I don't think he fully understands the concept just yet.  However, it is funny when I say "Hudson, give mommy a kiss" and he starts shaking his head no and laughing....that always makes me feel good.  haha He will eventually lean in and give me a kiss, but I think he just likes torturing me! 
• Finally seems to be over all of his sickness!  YEA!!!!
• Has 6 teeth total poking through.  I think he is working on a few more though. 
• likes to climb!  He is our little climbing monkey!  He will usually say "up" as he is climbing.  SMARTY PANTS

As you can probably see, we are 100% totally and completely in love with our baby boy!  He is surprising us every single day!  Just when I think it can't possibly get any better than this, it does.

Hudson,

Happy 16 month birthday!  I know I say it every month, but time is just going so fast.  I will say though that I honestly don't remember what or life was like before you.  In the short amount of time you have been with us, you have turned our lives upside down, and changed so much.  BUT  I don't know what we did without you.  It is like you have always been with us....weird right?  We love being your parents and thank GOD every day for picking us.  You are such a joy and a blessing.  We love you and look forward to every tomorrow.  This is the best adventure in the whole world.

Love,

mom and dad

How cute is he!?!?  I wanted him to look at me so I took the iPad away from him....BIG MISTAKE!  We had a little meltdown!

But...he soon found something else that entertained him!  Mommy's camera lens cover.  haha

I guess he was ready for me to STOP taking his picture...notice how he is putting the lens cover on my camera....