Final Days

Here are some pics from our final days in Nashville. I didn't always have my camera, so these don't give our final days justice. They were days filled with friends, fellowship, and farewells...days that I will cherish always. Miss you all still.

My heart almost broke into a million little pieces the other day when Noah got his new tricycle. He said, "Ride Nate's house?" "See Owen?" For the most part, he has adjusted extremely well...he loves the park down the street (although he has asked once or twice to go to "red swing" park or "white park" which are back in Nashville), and he LOVES the beach and the FL aquarium (pics to come). He likes his big boy bed and new room. Outwardly, I think he is doing fabulous! The only times I can tell he has been affected by all this are when we drop him off somewhere like the Y nursery yesterday or church nursery today. My independent, run-in-without-looking-back boy SCREAMED when we dropped him off both times. Today he calmed down MUCH quicker and had a fabulous time (he even gave his sunday school teacher a kiss!). Baby steps.


Enough of my rambling...here are the pics.

Swimming at Owen's house

Despite the fact that his teeth were chattering and his lips were blue, Noah INSISTED on eating his snack in the pool (similar to how he insisted on NOT wearing his bathing suit.) I gotta choose my battles with this one..:)

Farewell party at the West's house

Noah's 1st love, Mary Payton

"Ticka, ticka, ticka"

Going in for the hand-hold right before MP took off running...MP is too busy for love. Mary Payton's mom and dad (Claire and Matt) and lil' sis Lowell
From left: Alyson, Jenn, Natalie, and Kim
Blowing bubbles with Carter and Brady

Final visit to the Nashville Zoo

Checking on brother

Noah's 2nd love, Victoria...parting is such sweet sorrow...

Crockett Park

Noah's favorite red swing...at "red swing" park
Best buds Gabe in his swing
Mr. Innocent figuring out how to steal Victoria
"Bye, red swing!" Saying good-bye to our church

Eating at the "famous" Loveless Cafe

Not sure you can tell in the pic above, but Noah doesn't have shoes on...we were the redneck family who brought our barefoot 2 yr old to a restaurant. We were already halfway there when we realized neither of us grabbed Noah's shoes on our way out. Since Gabe was seconds away from a hunger meltdown, we didn't want to turn around. So, we just got over it and had a wonderful lunch anyway.

Unfortunately Noah also chose this time to say "Pee pee potty?" right in the middle of lunch. Fantastic. Eric and I just looked at each other. Since we couldn't pass this up, I carried my barefoot son to the bathroom and somehow managed to avoid having his feet touch the ground. He was successful (go Noah!), and he got a really good bath later that day.

Gabe enjoyed his time at Loveless too.

Move pics and house pics coming soon...

Happy (belated!) 2 Months, Gabe!

Gabe turned 2 months on June 18th, so I'm a little late. Better late than never. :)

He had his 2 month appt a little early on the 9th (before we left Nashville). His stats: 13 lbs. 2 oz (90%!!) and 24 in. long (90%)...and that was a week and a half early! We have a big fella on our hands! Last night I went in search of bigger pajamas and had to completely bypass the 3-6 mo. clothes (ahhh...hand-me-downs..poor kid). The pajamas that finally fit? 9 months!! My camera was in the car, but I'll try to take a picture tonight. His legs fit perfectly! Crazy! Today he wore a 6-9 mo. outfit. Here's a picture of of our handsome, big man in the outfit. LOVE his smile!!

Gabe's second month of life has been BUSY. He has already flown three times!! He is now officially sleeping in his crib in his room (at least until 5 or 6 am when he joins us in bed...don't judge...we need sleep :)) He LOVES his swing, but he loves mommy and daddy's arms more. He loves his big brother, Noah, and gives him lots of dimply grins. Yesterday morning, Noah greeted him in his normal way "Good monin', Gabe!" and Gabe responded with a big smile. To which Noah responded by lifting up his shirt and saying "Gabe dink milk? Gabe dink Wo-wah's milk?" Ummm, no. But funny nonetheless. :)

Despite the craziness of his 2nd month of life, Gabe has been a trooper, like his brother. We are enjoying him more by the minute (if that's possible!), and our family is truly blessed by his presence (except maybe at 2 in the morning...but every other time, definitely blessed...).

We love you, Gabriel Hudson!

June 7th

Sweet feet

Noah: Dude...I think your belly's bigger than mine!

Squishers

This was how Gabe spent his 2 month birthday...unpacking! Poor kid.

Gabe thinks he can dance too...look at those legs go

Ready for the beach!

Chillin' on his quilt from GiGi

Happy fella'!

Pics of the move and our final days in Nashville to come soon...stay tuned!

Wow...

I am SOOO behind in the blogging world! Not so much in posting (which is obvious) but in reading. It's almost midnight, and I couldn't help but read a couple of the blogs I stalk. Still so many more...

Must. Go. To. Bed.

More to come on our move to the Sunshine State. ("Denver...gorgeous!" Anyone???)

You know you're a mom...

of two (or maybe a mom in general?) when you actually enjoy folding loads of laundry...because it gives you a chance to sit down for 10 minutes. :) I'm sure I'll go back to hating it tomorrow, but for now, as both boys nap and I fold while watching Jon and Kate plus 8, it's not too bad.

No make-up today

I've been good. Despite knowing an entire year that we would be moving, I've been good. Despite being a hormonal pregnant woman and then a hormonal mom of a newborn and crazy two-year old, I've been good. Despite the whole stressful mess that is buying and selling a house, I've been good. Until now...

Having moved every 4-5 years since entering this world, I consider myself a pro at change. I've been able to see the good that has come from each move, and I've looked forward to each new chapter God has begun in my life. Sure, there have been sad moments, but the excitement has usually outweighed the sadness. And while I still look forward to what God has planned for us in Florida, the sadness of leaving is a little stronger this time.

My tactic this year has been denial. Denial that I have to leave my friends, some of the most amazing, Godly women I know...my support system and "family." Denial that I am uprooting my 2 year old from his first home and the only home he has known so far. I have put off thinking about it, knowing that if I did, the tears wouldn't stop. And it was a good thing I did because this morning I AM facing the fact that I have to leave in 5 days, and the tears aren't stopping.

It all started last night. Eric was helping our good friends George and Laurie pack up their pod. Laurie and I and our kids were sitting in her bare kitchen eating pizza. I couldn't help but flashback to our first meeting 4 years ago when we were both new to Nashville (and our husbands new to residency)--Eric had gone on a run and had found Laurie hanging out in her garage, having found out the hard way that her new doors may be locked even if the doorknob turns on the inside. So, Eric brought her down to our house where I was sitting in our bare living room eating a banana and peanut butter, looking like I just woke up (not how I wanted to meet our new neighbors...) But it was then that God decided to answer both our prayers for friendship in our new place...and our amazing friendship began. She is and will always be one of my bestest friends, and I'm not sure she knows how much she has touched my life and inspired me in so many ways. I love you, sweet friend.

So, that's when it all began. Then, this morning my sweet son was running down the hill in our backyard (due to the sloped nature of our lot), and I couldn't stop the tears. I know it sounds silly, but some of the smallest things that are so much a part of Noah's routine are the things I will miss the most for him (aside from his wonderful friends). Sure, the zoo was great, and our library storytime is fantastic. But all I can think about is the little things. And it breaks my heart when I ask him who he wants to pray for at night, and he lists off his teachers and friends from school or his friends from our playgroups. Sadly, I know he won't remember much about his birth city, but I will remember for him.

Now that I have written all that down, I feel better (blogging can be so therapeutic!) God has truly blessed our time here in Nashville, and I know he will do the same in Florida. I knew these tears would come...and I'm okay with it. It's just part of the process. And I truly am looking forward to our time in Florida! I'm just not ready to let go of here.

Some of my amazing Nashville friends!

(From left: Teresa, Sara, Alyson, Cynthia, Jenn, Laurie, me, Brooke, Tiffany, and Betsy)

We had a girls' dinner last Saturday night, and I honestly haven't laughed that hard in a long time (Alyson + Sara=freakin' hysterical!) It was the perfect way to say "see you later."

I refuse to say good-bye. So, see you later, Nashville! You will be missed.

Brotherly Love

(Note: This was supposed to post a while back, but it didn't for some reason....so these aren't necessarily recent pictures.)

Hanging with my bro I'm pretty sure Noah won't be kissing Gabe's feet much in the future
High five

Such a helper

Ahhh, love. (Gabe looks thrilled)
Kiss
Noah loves his little brother.
Itty bitty hands


"And this little piggy went WEE, WEE, WEE all the way home"

At Gabe's 2 week dr. appt.
Gabe: "You want a piece of me?"










Two peas in a pod

"I'm gonna eat you brother..."