checking in

The last few weeks have been a little crazy.

I think since I last posted we went to McKinney to visit my family while John was on the youth choir mission tour. He has a wonderful week and so did we.

We all got back to Victoria and our last days there were very full. We had our last Sunday at our church, celebrated Hudson turning 2 and me turning 30! Traveled to Austin to visit John's family. Came back to Victoria to pack up our house (well the professional packers did that), then the movers came, then we sold our house and said goodbye to a house that we've loved almost as much as a child. It was a VERY emotional few days.

We had to say goodbye to friends and a place that we've called home for 4 years. It was exhausting mentally and physically.

We are in McKinney now spending time with my family before we begin our journey to Birmingham. We will leave Monday and arrive in Birmingham Tuesday. All of our things will be delivered on the huge 18 wheeler moving truck (that Hudson was in awe of) on Wednesday.

I have not forgotten about this blog. But it has definitely taken residence on the back burner for a little while. I have lots to blog about (Hudson turning 2 and Emma turning 8 months, plus the rest of the home tour, our moving process, my 30th birthday, etc.) and I will get to all of it soon. But for now, I just wanted to check in and say that all is well.

Next time I blog, we'll be living in Birmingham!

Last Days in Victoria

Picture overload here. So many sweet memories of our last days in Victoria. 

Every morning after Hudson woke up, he would come into our room and play and watch his shows in our bed. 

Before we moved we had to go buy a crib mattress for Emma. We borrowed one from some friends before she was born and had to give it back. We also got snacks and water for the packers and movers.

Probably one of my favorite pictures ever of the kids.

One last dinner with our sweet friends, the Bakers. Dog pile of the boys.

Sweet calm Emma and crazy wild Hudson. Love this picture.

We had MANY trips to Sonic to keep us well hydrated during the move.

The morning the packers came, John stayed at the house, and the kids and I went to Chick-fil-A for breakfast.

After breakfast, John's dad and stepmom arrived to help with the kids. They were a huge help. Emma stayed at Erin's pretty much this whole day which made it easy just having Hudson. At lunch this seatbelt kept him entertained for a good 20 minutes.

We were able to go back to the house so Hudson could nap. They were done in his room. It was so weird seeing the house like this.

Later that afternoon, I went to Erin's to pick up Emma and our friend Sarah was there with Jackson and Grace. Jackson (on the left) was born 2 days before Emma! Rix is about 2 1/2 weeks older than Emma.

Even though we didn't do all of the packing and moving ourselves, we were still EXHAUSTED.

Which required a trip to Marble Slab for some ice cream therapy.

Pop Pop made a great nap shoulder for Emma James.

I miss this backyard so much. Watching these 2 play out there for the last time.

That night my view in bed was much different than all the nights for the 3 years we lived in that house.

Our last morning in Emma's room. 

Hudson's room all packed up and waiting on the movers.

Emma's room. 

The morning that the movers came, the kids, Pam, Spencer, and I went to IHOP for breakfast. 

Emma James at breakfast.

After breakfast we went back by the house and the moving truck was showing up at that time. Hudson was in heaven.

A 2 year old's dream.

He was so thrilled!

We spent the morning at the park where Hudson got to play for 2 1/2 hours! Emma James napped on me for about an hour.

After the park, Spencer and Pam had to go back to Austin so the kids and I went over to Erin's so they could nap. 

Emma James and Rix watching YGG.

I left the kids at Erin's while they napped so I could go back to the house to help John clean it after the movers were gone. It was so weird seeing our house empty like this. We've never seen it empty with all of the changes we made so it was really weird.

Master bedroom...

Hudson's room...

Emma's room...

That night we stayed in a hotel in Victoria. Hudson got to talk on the phone to Dora.

We went over to the Turner's house for dinner and Hudson was loving all of Nico's cars.

Such sweet kids who love our kids. (it was almost 10 pm here! My kids were TIRED!)

Watching Dora in the corner. The next morning we closed on our house in Victoria and then began our drive to Dallas!

If you made it all the way through...good job! Ha! Our last days in Victoria were exhausting but full of love and visiting friends. 

Emma :: 8 months old

Dear Sweet Emma James,

You are 8 months old! This has been such a fun month and we are loving the precious little girl you are turning into. You are so interactive now and watching you try to play with your brother is so sweet. I can't believe we are 4 months from your 1st birthday!

You are so very close to crawling. You start to move your arms but can't quite figure out how to move your legs at the same time. I know that you will be so much happier when you can crawl!

Bows are such a battle these days. Ha! As soon as you realize that there is one on your head (which is almost immediately after I put it on) then you rip it down and start eating the bow. I'm not giving up though. :)

You still don't have any teeth. You are constantly drooling and have something in your mouth. I know as soon as your teeth start breaking through you will feel so much better. 

These crying pictures just break my heart...teething is just the worst! You are loving any toy you can put in your mouth. Your favorite toys are Sophie and the colorful ring toy. You also play with any of your big brother's toys until he notices. :)

We are so in love with you sweet girl and we are so thankful that we are your parents. God has blessed us more than we could have ever asked or imagined. 

Happy 8 months sweet girl!

Love,

Mommy

::8 month stats::

weight: 17 pounds

height: 28 inches

eating: nursing 4 times a day at 7, 11, 3, 7 and eating meals at 8, 12, 6

clothes: 6 month, 9 month, 12 month, 3-6 month (you can wear a lot of sizes right now!)

diaper: size 3

Going Away

John's mom was SO sweet and threw us a little going away party with all of her family before we left Texas. It was so good to see everyone together and get to visit and catch up.

John and his Aunt Rosy singing and playing the piano.

Me and my favorite 2 year old.

I love my family of 4.

I've been told it is a right of passage to be hoisted up like this by Uncle Dwain. Hudson got his first turn doing this.

It was such a fun evening spending time with great family.