life is good.

bullets

• I could drink diet root beer til the end of time. All day, everyday. The possibility of this happening is very likely.
• I seem vain starting every sentence with I, but I will continue doing so. Judge me not.
• Our house is starting to look a lot like Babies R Us.
• I wish you earned frequent flier miles with every dollar spent at BRU.
• I'd probably be on my 4th trip to Italy by now.
• I'm not losing any weight. I have no loss to report.
• In continuation, I have flab that looks more like I belong in the frozen Pillsbury section of the grocery store rolled up into one of those pop-open cans. Dough ball.
• My husband tried to teach me how to do squats last night but Real Housewives of OC came on and the squats went awry.
• I was embarrassed to ever tell you I watched Real Housewives of Atlanta, but even more so admitting that I watch the OC one now, too.
• Pretty durn ashamed to admit too, that I thought squats and lunges were the same thing.
• I'm one step ahead of my a$$ though. One quick glance and you'll know immediately it knows no such things as squats or lunges.
• Sometimes I feel like I'm a man trapped in a Botox-loving, hair coloring, girly fool.
• If left alone to fend for myself I could eat mac n' cheese and hot dogs for days. Gross.
• I would never put up my laundry.
• Much less, do the laundry.
• I'd rather go buy new things, than wash what I do have. It worked in college.
• Finally stopped wearing bras from my pregnancy. Spare yourself the thrill and excitement...they're still the same size minus the nursing flap. Eeesh.
• I sing daily to my son knowing full well he will one day realize his mother sounds more like glass breaking than Mariah Carey. Until then, I will continue rocking it out.
• We dance, Hudson and I. I danced a lot pregnant and he LOVES music, so we now dance together {I dance, and he mimics me in his bouncy}. Probably one the cuter things of his time...
• His favorite song right now to dance to: Hey, Soul Sister by Train...and by his, I mean mine.
• I cannot stop buying Baby Bear more and more Christmas gifts.
• I assure myself that I do it only because it's his first Christmas.
• Next year though, I have a feeling I will justify because it will be his second and so on.
• He hates his car seat all of a sudden. This makes going anywhere about as fun as taking the SAT's 47 times.
• If I'm back there with him, he's great. Alone though, SAT's 47 times.
• My parents say it's payback, because they knew a little girl 26 years ago that did the VERY same thing.
• Payback's a B.
• I feel comfortable in motherhood, though. Like, we finally got our rythym and it feels SO good.
• He knows me, I know him.
• I don't remember much of life before him. Well, I do but this part is way better ♥
• I purposely want to wake him from his nap to try out his new Exersaucer :)
• and know I shouldn't do that.

the start

...of a new venture. A nameless one, too. I've mentioned in posts before, my desire to one day start my very own photography business. The name though, swirls in my head and I can never quite settle on one.

Might I add, I am overtly amateur but simply love spending a couple of hours behind a camera helping capture those sweet moments that seem to pass so quickly.

If I don't start pointing the camera at other people, my son may quit his baby modeling for me. He may grow up to believe a neck strap is part of Mommy.

My first go-at-it, outside of Hudson Bear.

Have you ever met The Braly's? If you haven't, you should. They have been the greatest blessing to our family since our move to PA, and forever friends will they be. Brett and JR are man-friends and do man-friend things together {golf, golf, and golf}. Kyndal is my dearest and is always coupon-cutting for me, and my mommy mentor {she's one of the very best}, and Kaiser is Hudson's BFF. As beautiful as they are on the outside, they are on the inside. I'll let the pictures do the talking/writing...oh, and that babe of theirs...one of the most precious faces I've ever laid eyes on. Thank you Braly's for giving me some time with you, it was truly a pleasure.

Here's a small batch of my day with Brett, Kyndal, and Kaiser.

the quickest love

Hudson Alexander,

Today you are three months old. Never have I fallen in love so hard or so fast for anyone in the world. I get sad knowing three months of your life have gone by, and quickly at that, but I so look forward to being your Mommy for the next million more.

You have turned our life into a dream. You are a dream, baby bear. The happiest of all babies, you are a tiny chatter box and a smiling wonder. A strong little stink bug too...yesterday you decided you could stand up and from then on anytime we hold you, you think we're just giving you a lift so that you can walk away and play.

Cartoons are your favorite, and you are literally watching them and sometimes even "laughing" with your big sweet smile. You've watched soccer games with PaPa and football with Daddy. You still love being held by Mommy and Daddy and if I'm holding you while on the phone you'll stay there all day and listen to me chat.

Quite the social baby bear you are, and we love seeing how much you enjoy being around others. You sat with your friend Kaiser the other day, and gave him a big ol' cheesy grin. Toothless, ofcourse. That however, seems to be changing as we've been alerted that you are a very early teether already having turned into a drool box overnight and your tiny hands are constantly shoved in your mouth. We're hoping those teeth come soon, so we don't have to watch you suffer that toofer pain...

You are my doll, and forever will be the best thing that ever happened to our life.

My favorite book to read to you is one given to you by your Aunt Lu; On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman...and it goes like this:

On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, "Life will never be the same." Because there had never been anyone like you...ever in the world.

So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain that they whispered the sound of your wonderful name. The sound of your name is a magical one.

It sailed through the farmland high on the breeze...

Over the ocean...And through the trees...

Until everyone heard it and everyone knew of the one and only ever you.

Not once had there been such eyes, such a nose, such silly, wiggly, wonderful toes.

When the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn.

From faraway places, the geese flew home.

The moon stayed up until morning next day.

And none of the ladybugs flew away.

So whenever you doubt just how special you are and you wonder who loves you, how much and how far, listen for geese honking high in the sky. {They're singing a song to remember you by.}

Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo. {It's because they've been dancing all night for you!}

Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind. {Listen closely...it's whispering your name again.}

If the moon stays up until morning one day, or a ladybug lands and decides to stay, or a little bird sits at your window awhile, it's because they're all hoping to see you smile...

For never before in story or rhyme {not even once upon a time} has the world ever known a you, my friend, and it never will, not ever again...

Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born.

Baby Bear, we love you to the stars and after that and after that and after that...

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

the pettijohns: found

Bet you thought we went missing, huh.

I haven't been home in TWO weeks. Our Texoman vacation was all that, and then some. Hudson Bear is down for a nap, so I'm down for a recap----one especially for you.

Here goes {best served with a cup of coffee}:

I first went to mom and dad's mostly because I'm still a Daddy's girl, my Momma can still comfort me like no one can, and I just missed home. Bad. {Up until our move to PA, we lived across the street from them and I worked with my dad.} and no, I have no separation issues. I'm just a baby like that, and not ashamed to admit that in the least.

Beyond my needs, was that Hudson was in dire need of some time with his MiMi and PaPa {abuelos}. The i-miss-you's were mutual at this point, and every morning they whisked the babe upstairs for breakfast together and one morning I came up and my heart melted a thousand times over.

Two of the men I adore most in this world, and I don't quite know that words could ever explain the joy I feel when I see how very much my parents love our sweet baby and how much love I know he will have for them.

In a house where the last baby was around 23 years ago...they had the whole place BABY. Ready for us, the minute we walked in the door. We were able to keep Hudson Bear all in routine, huge relief for ME.

Extra spoiled I was, because I got an extra long visit from my dearest, Hudson's Aunt Sissy. She came to stay with us a few days and got a lesson in Baby 101 :) If you want me to delay your baby desires, I'll offer you the 4am feeding we've got at our house. It's hard to make friends with 4am. We're still not getting along.

Sometimes you just need girl time, lots of it. I got it too, from someone I so deeply care for and love love love. Do you have a friend like that?

Off subject, but not really---remember my husband's 29th birthday I posted about last? well. Ashley {Aunt Sissy} was selling her 2 door Tahoe, which Chevy discontinued in '99. Have I ever told you that I have had a mad crush on this car since we were 16. I told Ash, if she ever sold it to please give me the chance to buy it first. I have endless memories in it {first car I drove to OU in}, and it's a TANK. All black, spotlights, ENORMOUS tires. A dream. Especially for my husband. Ever buy someone a present but you sorta benefit? Don't lie. You have. So I bought it. Happy Birthday babe!!!!! and rest assured, he has already tested out it's capabilites...and then some. Our new toy.

Another thing that has kept me from blogging has been finally starting to work on Hudson's baby book. I could very well be, most likely am---the world's most unorganized person. Ever. I'm just an in the moment {take a picture} kind of girl. Not the notebook keeping, schedule making type. I would likely find more success in climbing Mt. Everest naked, than to be an organized write-it-down mommy. I kind of revel in my lack thereof, actually.

Uncle Alexander and Hudson Alexander

The Texas half of our trip was a huge success, and we were able to squeeze in as much as we possibly had time for before it was time to load up in our new Tahoe with Daddy and head up to the OK.

Our first stop, THE parade. and guess who got to be in it? does that bear look like Daddy?

The utmost priority for this leg of vacation was spending time with our family and very dearest of friends. Hudson has some cousins that are madly in love with him, and one specifically that absolutely adores him. I'm talking changes diapers, adore...and she's only 7.

The most nurturing and tender sweetie she is. Literally tends to him, rocking him, helps bathe him, feed him.

...and the best bath a babe can get around these parts is from Hudson's Aunt Kourt. Hands down, one of THE very best momma's I've ever known.

Hudson has grown into quite the alert and attentive little Bear; and during bathtime, he would just watch and watch and watch his Aunt.

From there it was back to the Farm, our favorite place in OK. It's the kind of place that when it's time to leave, makes me want to throw the biggest hissy you've ever seen complete with tears. I just want to look out and see this everyday.

...and when I turn around, he's there too.

There isn't a whole lot more I could ask for than the life we have been given. Our blessings have been endless, and despite a hard move we can come home and be forever grateful for a healthy family, amazing friends, and a happy and fully blessed life together.

Oh, and thankful for these. Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. All homemade. by them:

Best cupcake makers I know.

A few paragraphs up----about her loving him. Wanna see?

..and he just sat there and snuggled with his cousin. He will always be her Hudson.

and my doll baby.

The few parts I didn't have pictures for, were frantic ones but so very special. Hudson got to meet his Uncle Tommy and Uncle Blake for the very first time. Two of Daddy's dearest of friends. It meant the world to us, especially to JR,to share his son with two guys that mean so much to our family. We all got to spend time together one night, and passed the babe around until it was time for bath and bedtime. Although it all came together last minute, it worked out seamlessly to all be able to hang out and introduce our son to our friends. They are the kind of friends you share life with, that love you no matter what, and always show care and concern for one another. Uncle Tommy is building a house as I type, and we got to see Uncle Blake's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful new home. It's all kinds of fancy and amazing and we had the pleasure of being their guests---and by guests I mean, Hudson turned their kitchen sink into his very own bath. Congratulations to both of you on your new home BUYS!!!

Our friend time was short, because it was then back for Halloween. Hudson Bear's very first Halloween. Bear went as a frog though, and the cutest frog I have ever laid eyes on.

We, no doubt had the best lookin' group of trick or treaters in town!!

Next year I'm dressing up. I felt left out. Maybe someone will offer to dress me as a frog and carry ME in a Bjorn.

um, and my almost 3 month old HOLDING his own bag. Genius baby bear :) frog.

In between all of that, we had some World Series baseball to watch---and even got to see John and Sonya who just so happen to be at GAME 6 TONIGHT. World Series. World.

and we're home. Home after one of our best trips yet. Thank you to all who made time for us, or for those who were able to squeeze in a kiss or two for the babe. Bye Texoma, we'll see you again soon.

the fill

Before the holidays/packing/trips/babies grab a hold of me...and don't let go...I'll fill you in on the latest at our house.

My boys are my true loves in life, but they also do share my heart with Oklahoma, THE University of Oklahoma. This year, I'm taking my wee tot down to Dallas for a week with his abuelos so that means momma gets to have some OU/tx FUN. I cannot convey the tremendous joy I have via blogger. It's big. REALLY big. Hudson can already sing Boomer Sooner.

Daddy will be joining us a few days later, so we are going to have all this OU/tx fun on his behalf---and more so because my husband turns 29 on Tuesday. I hope I've made him a happy almost-29 year old :) It will be his first birthday spent as a daddy, and I'm sure Hudson has some sweet baby kisses in store for him.

We finally have some pictures showing that we are indeed a family of 3---I always joke with JR that in our pics he looks like a single dad! Haha. Momma is always behind the camera. I can get this boy to flirt with his momma all the day long. I'm madly in love...with both of these handsome boys.

In other news, creature news. I'll spare you the images, but our big kitty has taken it upon himself to go burrow out moles from our backyard/patio area and bring them to our door. Yesterday, he brought me a half-dead one. I frantically ran downstairs for a broom and dustpan in an effort to save the teeny, fluffy mole. I put him back in the PA wildnerness, hoping my cat's ill attempts at ending his mole days proved unsuccessful. I'm too scared/emotional to go out and see if he survived the night.

After our Texas trip, we're headed north to the Homeland. My first stop post-airport is a stop for some Oklahoma BBQ. Ribs. I'm already making room.

Hudson got his 2-month shots this week, and ended up with a fever. We're going on day 3 now, and I can honestly say I'm suffering with him. It's true when "they" say you hurt for your babies.

He's feeling much better today, even with a dull fever so that makes momma feel better too.

In the last couple of days I've made two cobblers. Peach and cherry. A Paula Deen recipe. Do you want the recipe? They're delicious and all sorts of buttery. A true depiction of our family life below ♥

I've likely bored you to bloggie tears, so I leave you with a few more pictures of the love affair I have with my son to round out this spectaular post full of nothing.

a full heart

Aunt Lu and Uncle Rico paid us a visit a couple of weekends ago, and it was one of those laugh so hard, you pee yourself kind of trips. You have friends like that, I know. We even got to go pumpkin patch'ing, apple cider-drinking, and out for a few scenic drives...oh, and 2 flat tires.

I've offered them residence in PA, they have yet to accept my offer. No takers? No. Anyone?

Shenot Farm Pumpkin Patch---Hudson is hung there in the middle. Bjorn'ing it. Cool cat.

Aunt Lu and Uncle Rico

We were lucky enough to end our weekend with a trip up to a friend's cabin for some smores, beautiful trees, and of course skeletal remains of some poor creature. A good photo op, nonetheless.

JR, Hudson, and I cannot thank you enough for making the eastern trek to come spend some time with us. You made our October :)

Forever thankful we are, for the friends we have in you.