The Pettijohn's

and...I'm back. Please, contain all that excitement.

2011-09-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

I was asked a couple of times during my self-imposed blogging hiatus, if it was because we were just 'too busy' that I stopped. Yes, but yes and no. I got quite lazy. It's not that I didn't miss the sound of the keyboard and such, but what little time I have left in the day for me - tends to end with me watching my murder mysteries. That's totally embarrassing to admit, but honest nonetheless.

Confession above, I can tell you that there are things in our life that are for certain:

That my Bear and my Cupcake have grown. Immensely. He now a full TWO years old. He's a sweet little muffin. Still a lover of 'lammy', his bff - and his 'bopper' the pacifier that we've finally started to wean him of. We didn't even know the mouth full of humongous toofies he was hiding in there....and that smile. Oh, that smile. It's rare to catch him with a big grin, but when you get it, it's quite possibly as pretty as sunshine. He's a handsome little soul. There are favorites of his - his grandparents and Daddy, take precedence over just about everyone but Lammy. It is an adoration worth sitting back and watching. Babies can love completely uninhibited, and his big heart sure knows how.

Cupcake is a week away from her very first birthday. There are days I'm still in disbelief that she is mine. It may have something to do with the silliness that I always 'knew' I'd have three boys. I don't. We were blessed with her tiny little self. So generous, joyous, gorgeous, and feisty. All girl, she is. Every morning, when I get her from bed she squeezes my neck as hard as she possibly can and hugs me until one of us eventually has to let go. She loves her momma something fierce, and the love I have for her and for what she's brought to our family is totally and absolutely inexplicable.

There are days when I have to laugh out loud, because I'll catch myself telling someone that 'I've finally got it!'. That I've mastered motherhood. Oh, the LIES. I do believe it sometimes, that I at last got the hang of it. Quickly though, I am humbled when Cupcake has a new 'thing' where when you change a dirty diaper she tries to snatch it and throw it before you've even cleaned her up. Seriously. Or, when the two year old fits seem like they last all day - or sometimes even for an entire week. I find myself in prayer often, hoping to make it thru nap time or that I get dinner on the table before 9pm. I've learned in my journey of having two babies of the ages of two and under - that motherhood has mastered me. It will on certain days, swallow me whole, but on most - it is a swell in my heart so full and overwhelming that above all...I know of the utmost certainty that I am blessed in ways I know, I do not deserve. That I was given the babies to be mine, and to have the responsibility of showing them the good, preparing them for the bad, and protecting their innocence for as long as is possible, is the greatest honor there ever was.

My favorite time of year is shortly upon us, and with mine and Bear's birthday's behind us - we now begin the celebrations of Belle, JR, and of course the holidays. I go a bit overboard with pumpkin spice syrup in my coffee, we play tirelessly outside, and I plan on a new recipe 3-4 nights a week. These are a few of the things that dominate our 'fall'. I started and took Hudson out of a mother's day out program. A wonderful one, actually. It seems though, that neither of us was quite ready to be away from the other. I missed him. He cried for me. We were just a mess. So, we wait until next year. By far, my hardest 'parenting' moment thus far.

After a much needed blogging break, I happily invite you back into our home as we enter the very best time of year. I must go for the day, as I have grocery shopping {ugh} and Pinterest :) to do. Happy Wednesday, friend.

in preparation

2011-04-05T11:01:00.001-07:00

there is no such thing as too early, for them to know. for my babies to know that Jesus died on the cross for them. he loves them more than they can understand. i'm preparing a few crafts for Hudson to do this year. projects that reflect the reason why we celebrate Easter. He is the Reason.

this is the jellybean cross activity. my preparation of it.

life via the iPhone

2011-03-16T08:48:00.001-07:00

If it weren't for iPhone evidence that we're alive and well, then you'd think we ran off to Miami and never returned :) not true, well atleast not yet!

Here is proof we've just been busy and busy and even a little more busy than that.

giveaway winner!

2011-02-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

The winner of the Opolis Clothing Giveaway is...............

Danielle L of The L Family!

She said: I'd love a sooners shirt for my little guy. super cute.

Danielle, please email me {natalie(dot)pettijohn(at)gmail(dot)com} your choice of shirt for you, choice of shirt for your baby boy, and your address please :)

life is...

2011-02-17T22:29:00.000-08:00

...putting flowers in her hair.

marry you

2011-02-17T08:56:00.000-08:00

i love you, i love you, i love you. and so happy to be your wife. life is so good.

OPOLIS CLOTHING GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!

2011-02-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

I get excited about much. So very many things. One thing that brings happiness to my day and life is sharing 'things' with you. This giveaway holds a special place in my giveaway heart because Opolis Clothing Company was started by two fellow Sooners. I will always support that which comes from the land of crimson and cream. You betch'a. They came up with a solution to a problem I know you've had if you're as die hard about your school as I am (all college gear looks the SAME). In their own words:

Pat and Zac met in Middle School in 1995. They went to college together at the University of Oklahoma. Pat and Zac were both taken into the college life…classes, fraternities, friends and of course, sports. It was then that the guys noticed a lack of quality vintage looking college t-shirts. They were determined to find an old Oklahoma vintage tee to wear to the next football game. After searching stores, websites, even thrift stores, nothing could be found quite like what they had pictured. They knew it was time for a change.

Pat and Zac wanted a vintage university t-shirt that was soft, comfortable, and made of good quality material. They wanted to create the old times of university life. They fell in love with the old mascots, chants, lettering, and styles. While creating their designs, they knew throwing an old design on a brand new shirt, or putting a brand new design on an old t-shirt just wouldn’t cut it. That’s why they took the best of both and created the unique style that you find at Opolis today. They had a few designs here and there and showed them to their friends. Everyone they showed loved the styles and wanted to buy the tees immediately. The guys knew they were on to something.

Their idea became a reality as they decided to come up with their own line of vintage tees for people of all ages from seniors to alumni, to students, to fans and even to babies. Their goal is to create the vintage style that so many people had expressed an interest in. This was the beginning of Opolis Clothing Company!

Ok! So this giveaway is for ONE women's t-shirt OF YOUR CHOICE and ONE baby t-shirt or onsie OF YOUR CHOICE!! Humongous!

To enter...

for one entry: become a follower AND tell me which of the items you would like to win

for two entries: become a follower, 'like' Opolis Clothing on Facebook, AND tell me which of the items you would like to win

for three entries: become a follower, like 'Opolis Clothing' on Facebook, post about this giveaway on your blog, AND tell me which of the items you'd like to win

Below are the schools they currently have designs for and the ones you can choose from! Arkansas-Kansas-Missouri-Oklahoma-Oklahoma State-SMU-TCU-Tulsa

Check out their website for their full line of vintage college apparel! This giveaway closes Thursday February 17th at 6pm!

are you busy, too?

2011-02-10T09:34:00.000-08:00

We've got company this evening (a friend of JR's), company tomorrow (one of the prettiest families I know) you might know of them! We have a birthday party celebrating a one year old in this most precious family this weekend, too. That's how we do :) busy, busy, and busy. We love it. I think our calendar is full into the middle of March. A calendar, hahaha! It always makes me laugh when my girlfriend's and I, 'put' each other in our calendars. Lame! I have to do that or I'll forget to shower, even. Lame! Do you have a calendar for your family?? Please tell me you do. I definitely have some blog world friends that I would LOVE to put in my calendar one day! Cheers to the totally creepy world of blogging!!

I was going to do one of my '10 things you should know about Natalie' posts, but I always think of them when I'm in the car listening to Kesha or something else horribly inappropriate for a mother of two to be jamming to. Alone. In the car. I then forget by the time I'm actually at the computer.I'll tell you one since I've already built you up with such anticipation.

#6 thing you should know about me: I use really cheap makeup. I read all of these blogs of girls who use high-end clothes, shoes (I do share in this, shoot - can't resist a nice shoe), makeup, toilet paper. Whatever. I've got two tiny's, a home I like to decorate, a dog that has some toys more costly than my clothes, and maybe one day a week that I actually wear it. My only splurge is Bare Escentuals eye shadow. They're stellar and shiny. Outside of that, my face is courtesy of whatever they stock at Walmart and Target. I hope you can't tell, and if you can just don't tell me.

Before I leave you with some fun and excitement tomorrow, I'll leave you today with two pictures I posted a few years ago of JR and I as tots. I'd say our babies are a pretty fair blend of the both of us, with more a lean towards JR :) I'll take that, he's hot.

do you like color?

2011-02-08T14:58:00.000-08:00

I love all white, but if not that, I'm starting to come around to the bright side. I'm loving homes with bold colors, but really have no idea where to start. Shoot.

If only JR would let me paint somewhere in our house this color:

Like a burnt mango color. Mmmmm. I love. Against that white. I die.

Do you have color in your house? where? tell me!!! please and please :)

the little things

2011-02-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

I always tell you about how fast life goes, especially mine. There are days that after changing 17 diapers, washing bottles 3x in one day, and throwing food in the crockpot - those little things slip by. The ones that make you grateful to be alive. Like these...

That 'family' sign above, was a gift from some of the people that share a gigantic part of our heart - Lauren and Rico - I believe it was a gift from them on our very first Christmas as married's. It's traveled from Texas, to Pennsylvania, and it now is home in Oklahoma. Everytime I look at it, I think of them. That's a little thing that makes me grateful to be alive.

I love my husband. He knows it. There are days though - that after changing 17 diapers, washing bottles 3x a day, and after throwing food in the crockpot that I forget...I forget to be sweet. I do. I'll 'fess up. Sometimes he comes home and I nag, about many things. In lieu of my lack of sweet, I've set up '30 reasons why I love you' all around our house. Some funny, some real. A reminder that I'm not always a nag, and I really do love you. Even when you leave your wet towels on the floor...even when. *sigh*

Leaving JR notes, that I know he appreciates...that's a little thing that makes me grateful to be alive.

I used to make us meals that came out of boxes when we first started dating. That was a long way from the ramen and hot dogs I ate while in college. I didn't even know Food Network existed. I didn't really care. Thankfully, things changed. I now cook, and I now love it. It doesn't scare me like it once did. I almost caught our Dallas apartment on fire. Really. What's even better is that every meal I make, I have JR rate on a 1-10 scale. We like games like that, keeps it fun y'all.

We're snowed in. We have been for a few days now. There's only two things 'people' do when you're snowed in, right? We won't name them here, publicly. As all are calling for a baby boom, I'm COOKING. Holed up in my kitchen. Our house will NOT be contributing to the snow day baby boom. Instead, I made you bread. If only I could blog the smell the bread gave my house. This was with no breadmaker, sister. Just me, flour, my kitchenaid, flour and flour. Did I say flour? It turned out delicious. The recipe called for six loaves, I ended up with three. What??? Either way it was fun to make, and I am dang proud of myself. It's so delicious and even nutritious! Beat that. Can't.

Being able to gift it though to your friends, is one of the little things that makes me grateful to be alive.

...oh, and these two faces. my angels. (my toddler-tempered baby boy, and baby belle). angels, 98% of the time. we're working on that other two percent :) oh, my heavens.

where i come from

2011-02-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

When thinking of this post, I had/have no intentions of this being a sap of a story...but I'm not sure that I can talk of my parents without it being somewhat of an emotional (happily-emotional) way of words for me.

Most that know me outside of blog life, know that both my brother and I were adopted. I've thought much of revealing this, only because I don't know that this is such a huge part of who I am. To me, adoption and being an adopted child play such a monumental and at the very same time, a very small role in what made me.

There is a 'thing' that I think wanders the minds of those blessed enough to be adopted - at least for me it did - that the idea of mothering and giving birth to your own children seems somewhat a suspicious thing. A curiousity. How can a parent that did not give birth to a child, love that baby as it's own? I was two days old when I was adopted. Two. At the age of seven I found out about my story, both my brother and I. My parents never hid the fact, and even encouraged us to seek out more about ourselves if wanted.

I chose to never know more of the two days before I was my parent's daughter. I had a mom. I had a dad. Two people that in the twenty seven years of my life have not once waivered their love me, their care for me, and the inexplicable bond I share with them as my parent's daughter.

I was theirs, I am theirs. They chose to love me, and although it is a strange thought to feel gratitude for the love of your own parents...I do, and it sometimes overwhelms me the life they have provided for both my brother and I. They are the two best people I know. There is no better. Both are my best friends, and have supported the both of us in anything and everything that's ever come along our way - ever. I know that must have been hard with me!

They now share the overflow of love in the lives of my babies. The roles shift in life and I now know the feeling of being a parent. The joys, the fears, the triumphs, the tears, and the true true happiness that a child brings. I have yet to find a greater experience personally, than to share the babies with my parents.

They love me, the same way I love my babies. The very same way. I say adoption is and isn't a big part of me, because my parents made it that way. It was never to make us feel different, nor to define us. It never did for me, and I rarely - if ever, think of where I came from. My life started with my parents. Didn't yours?

long distance love

2011-01-26T20:39:00.000-08:00

They haven't met yet, but between families we've arranged a baby love for these two...

meet Porter Knight Braly {how many kinds of cute/precious/omgaw is he??}

He's the newest babe in a family so so so very dear to us, these folk. 'These folk' happen to be the kind of friends that are family, you have some like that. We don't share them, though. Mine. Porter was born only two weeks after our Belle Monroe, and they share a baby love they are just not quite aware of yet.

You see, shortly after Belle made her grand debut we received a package in the mail from Pittsburgh. Inside, was a sweet little dress for our baby doll and we told her it was from Porter. So, this is her personal thank you to her baby boyfriend. Don't think we haven't been way presumptuous and envisioned these babies to be roaming Soonerland one day with their older brothers...Belle Braly? How CUTE is that? omgaw. They're sweet, smart, handsome, and DANG cute. She can date a Braly.

She was so excited to send her message to Porter, that she forgot her BOW! We quickly corrected that situation and she was ready for her shot.

Dearest Braly's, if relaying messages via our babies/phone calls/texts is how we stay connected we'll take it. Counting down the days. We love you! all FOUR of you!!

want to come over?

2011-01-25T10:42:00.001-08:00

My most precious Bear is very very sick with an ear infection and sat with a 102.9 degree fever in my arms all day yesterday :( break my heart. eesh. to shreds. I can say now that it is fact that seeing your children sick or suffer is the worst thing ever.

JR is home too, today with a stomach bug--so I'm playing nurse to both of my boys today. I sent JR upstairs in hopes that the wicked bug stays clear of me and my babies. I've been whipping up some rice the way my mama makes it for me when I'm sick, and loaded up a tray with some crackers and a big glass of 7up in hopes that I can nurse JR back to health, soon...

Doesn't my house sound SO fun and SO germy. Ick.

----on a happy note, I could dedicate an entire post to my love of Bruno Mars' voice. It makes me happy, and this song I leave you with I cannot stop playing over and over and over and over. Since you can't come over and play today, I'll share the song with you.

house shuts down

2011-01-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

If it weren't for my ma-in-law, our house seriously would have shut completely down. I have been out of commission since last Sunday. I had an epic night last Saturday, having been within 5 feet of Sam Bradford (whom we named our pup after). If you aren't in the world of Sooner, I'll inform you that he is my athletic crush-- a former OU quarterback and currently the Rams' QB. He is dang cute, and I about lost my marbles when I came upon him. Here's phone evidence of this epic moment in my life.

I think the intensity of that situation shot my immune system, and I've been sick now since last Sunday. Fail. I then passed it on to my both of my babies. JR woke up sneezing today, and I know he's next...JR's mom has rescued us all and helped me care for my babies. Thankthestarryheavensforher.

Upon return of my healthy self, I'll be back to catch up on blog life with you. Hope your house is virus-free...

it's a new year

2011-01-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

It's two thousand eleven. Wow. It's so hard to believe that 2010, came and went. That fast. I can barely keep up.

I'm sure you were awake last night in the wee hours of the morn' wondering what my New Year's Resolution was...

Worry not, I'll tell you. There is no appropriate way that you can keep me accountable so you'll just have to take my word for it, that I vow to hold true to my resolution this year.

I resolute to not get pregnant in 2011. I do remember that I previously gave you permission to slap my face if I did in fact bear another child anytime in the near future. I'm not quite sure that resolute is the correct word, but you catch my drift. No babies. I'm going to raise and thoroughly enjoy the tiny tots I've got currently roaming my house. All bets are against me.

What's your resolution? Do share.

can i?

2010-12-30T09:02:00.000-08:00

Can I brag ? We're so close (you and I) that you won't mind that I brag right now and tell you that as of last night it is official: I am now a mama to TWO babies that sleep TWELVE hours a night.

Do you see? Do you see the glory in what I just wrote? This goes beyond huge. This is more in the category of humongous. I think it was their Christmas present to me.

As much as I love the holidays, I'm actually kind of happy that we're moving on to the new year---the explosion of all things Christmas turned my house into a war zone. One I have yet to conquer.

I have the most horrid habit of coming home from trips and leaving my bags packed fo'eva. After a Spring Break trip in college, I left that bag packed until the next Spring Break trip...an entire year later. Worst part is, that doesn't embarrass me at all. When JR gets irritated at my Natalie'isms, I just tell him, that makes me who I am. That irritates him all the more :)

Oh, my point was--as I do my unpacked bags, I would like to do with our Christmas stuff. Just leave my tree up year round and decorate it with seasonal items. Yeah? Leave the nutcrackers up, etc...my husband is strongly against this, so eventually Christmas will come down. I guess.

...and so, because this post was simply to tell of the joy that has filled our home since we turned a new leaf in our levels of sleep--I can tell you that I wake up singing harmonious songs, breakfast is served piping hot every single morning, all of the laundry is done by 5pm, and every night a new recipe is served.

THE LIES!!!!!!!!! I still wake up cursing the rise of the sun, my singing doesn't start until I've spiked myself with a few espresso's, breakfast is oatmeal or eggs (those are your options, Mon-Fri), it takes me a week to do all of our laundry, and the recipe I tried last night was no bueno. Fail.

Either way, I am more pleasant to be around with more sleep behind my eyes. Yes!!! You're welcome.

Lastly, I leave you with the best family picture we got the whole wknd. What a heinous look on my face! It looks like I HATE SANTA. I got made fun of for this snapshot. I'll show it to you, because you're my bffff. I hope your Christmas was good, fantastic, and so many kinds of merry!

our Christmas gift

2010-12-23T06:24:00.000-08:00

This year, we've been blessed in an obviously inexplicable way...

As a family of four, this year we celebrate Christmas eternally thankful for not only one healthy, precious, and beautiful baby BUT for TWO healthy, precious, and beautiful babies.

It is us, JR-myself-and our Bear, who have received the greatest gift under the tree.

Daddy got his 'baby girl', I got my princess, and Hudson got his Sissy Belle.

Jingle Joggers?

2010-12-22T06:41:00.000-08:00

This is too funny not to share.

Me, running. This is me, not on a stretcher {how JR thought I'd leave the race}.

This actually, is the iPhone evidence of us post-'run'. It was a 5k, a small feat for you...a marathon for me. 3.2 miles for you, is like 26 for me. The only exercise my body has endured in the last three years would be giving birth to my babies, and I was loaded up on some epidural.

I was sans epidural for this run, and by the last of it I thought my lungs were going to explode for it was a frigid Oklahoma tundra out there, the cold air felt like knives in my throat and I'm a giant baby. The elements got to me, yes? I ran with two fellow friends, they actually ran ahead of me. Eventually, I did catch up to Emily and Elizabeth and be it the cold, the prospect of cupcakes waiting for us at the finish line {yes, really---and they were frozen. Fail.} but, we MISSED the finish line and kept going. Only to later realize, we were the only ones doing so. Who does that? Who misses the finish line? Me. Us. Me and my friends.

Our husbands rooted us on during the race, from the car. Lucky ducks.

My New Year's resolution for 2011 is to do a wholelotta 5k's. How stupid of me. I already hate myself for burdening myself with such a task. I failed miserably at this one, because I'm too embarrassed to tell you that it took me an hour to finish the ol' Jingle Jog. You do the math.

Again, E for effort. Can you see the competitive beams of light I radiate? um, no.

december happenings/major catch'n up

2010-12-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

The only appropriate way to follow up a Thanksgiving post the week before Christmas is to do a recap December post. Can you tell I'm frantically trying to fill you in? I should get an E for effort.

The day the tree goes up is a big day at our house, officially marking the beginning of Christmas---this year, there was a little extra anticipation for JR and I...as this is the first year to see Hudson notice a Christmas tree for the very first time. His reaction was as magical as I had wished for.

All of the holiday season is infinitely more exciting and wonderful through the eyes of my babies.

It's also the perfect excuse to outfit my babes, in their Christmas gear. Seriously, how fun!

oh! and the most perfect excuse to PARTY! Baby party, that is. We have a few college friends, all of whom have had babies within the last 3 months---so we hosted a college reunion/baby party and called it our 'Show Off Your Baby Party'. Brilliant. We had a slew of food, a slew of babies, adult beverages, more pack n' plays, diapers, and bottles than you ever did see. It was plain awesome. {Tommy holding Belle Monroe, JR & Aspen Sage, Ryan & Reyd Parker, Blake & Camden Russell}

Our Christmas celebrations have been many, with a few more to go. I have no complaints, and neither does Hudson. He was bewildered with the decorations at his Nanny's house. The lights, the toys, the tree...oh my.

We've had the chance to hang out with some friends that we don't often see {what a treat}, and Hudson never minds hanging out with some pretty girls---these red headed beauties, he is quite fond of. We happen to be quite fond of their parents, too :)

No Christmas is complete without the meeting of Santa. This is how ours went this year:

Bear turned 16 months old, and Baby Belle celebrated her 3 month birthday.

We are currently in transition of removing Hudson's 'bopper' {aka, pacifier} as he's learned how to shove the entire thing in his mouth. Hello, scare my pants off. It is not going well. Any recommendations? He thinks it is a part of his anatomy, and I am not sad to see it go as it inhibits us from seeing those big teeth he's got sprouting and hearing the few words he's building in his baby vocabulary. For the record, he calls me 'mama' only in moments of need---but overall, I am referred to as 'gaga' by my baby boy. Yes, yes. Gaga.

I have a tendency to spoil my babies. There is no way I can help it. Their grandparents, too, seem to have the inability to help themselves either when it comes to these babes.

A few early Christmas presents have been opened, and Hudson got his very first Christmas cupcake from his Abuelos. We ended up with chocolate reindeer cupcake, in every room of the house. If there's such a thing as a cute mess, this was it.

These babies have parents, I know you don't see us much. We do exist, and we actually have 7 pictures together from all of 2010. More or less. Here are three of the seven. I'll let you guess which one is the most 'jr & nat'.

BINGO.

It's now Tuesday, the week of Christmas, and I have not one present wrapped. I have high hopes of accomplishing this maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow? I'm kind of obsessed with trying new recipes lately, thus delaying my gift wrapping. Excuses, excuses. I know. Don't hate.

This ain't even it, y'all. There's still all of this week! My new curtains just came in, I'm still working on Belle's room---so stick around'ish, check in on us---so that I can continue sharing what the rest of 2010 bears for us.

sand, surf, turkey {updated)

2010-12-17T05:58:00.000-08:00

{I bragged on our stroller find, and never posted the name of it. I would. It is a Baby Jogger City Mini Double, and we love love love and love it.}

It's a cloudy, potentially snowy day in the OK--and I've started my morning quite early with Hudson and my espresso. Belle Monroe is our last to wake up, thanking the starry heavens above for babies that love their sleep.

It's quite early for this level of pep, so I'll seize the moment and give you a mini-recap of our Thanksgiving holiday at the beach. By now, my reader friend, you...you know of our love of Miami and all that comes with. We're big fans, and after looking back thru our pictures it is quite obvious that my babies too, will be even bigger fans I hope.

I find it very important that my tiny's feel the sand in their toes at a very early age, I think it's an essential part of their development :) This is true.

There are few things I have found more precious and cute, than my babies tiny feet in the sand.

Hudson came from the womb, a rather fearless tiny tot, thus turning our relaxing days at the beach into quite the task as we try and keep our Bear from running head first into the blue Miami waters. ohmystars.

Are you still there? Probably not. I thought I'd post a few pictures, but a few is swiftly turning into millions. gah. I'll continue, in hopes, that you too are eyes wide open with your Hudson and your espresso and looking for something to read this morning. eh? yes.

See that double stroller above. I could be the spokesperson for it. I love it as much as I love food. We were at the Miami airport upon arriving, and we saw people like 'us'. I'm like stroller patrol. I'll check you out if your stroller fascinates me. There are so many doubles out there, but some weigh 475 lbs, others are too long, but this one----oh, this one. We asked the nice couple how they liked it, and they more or less told us it was do or die with two babies. Ok, done. We bought one in Miami, and left our now lesser-loved stroller, the Chicco in the great state of Florida.

Every month I get teased by JR, because it is every month that Hudson and Belle turn one month older that I find myself saying, "this is my favorite time with him/her, he's/she's so fun at this age!"...but how can it be? how can every new month with these babies be better than than the one before? I'm baffled I tell you. Baffled by the boundless love and obsession I have with these babies we've made.

I'm derailing off of my original post, but it is now 9:52 pm, well beyond the appropriate time for an espresso. This is how long it really does take me to post in one day.

I often go back to look at my pictures, and when I see the faces of my happy babies I know I've done right. Now, before you think this is a toot-your-own-horn moment---wait, wait, wait. I've done awholelotta things wrong in my days. Oh, eesh. So very many. I'm wildish of sorts. So, I used to wonder if my love and desire to be a mother, would and/or could translate into actually being a good mother.

Now, good in my book does not mean feeding my tiny's all organic, hand-picked vegetables from my very own garden that I've sown from grainy seeds--dress them in the finest of hand pressed linens--sing lullabies to them with my beautiful voice, and read to them only the classiest of tales.

Good in my book means, making sure my babies are nourished, loved, cared for, kissed, hugged and kissed and hugged more than they would even like. That they feel the endless love their daddy and I have for the both of them. I'll pull out some frozen nuggets for dinner, or shovel some peanut butter sandwiches two days in a row...there is no garden I sow, our pup would have already eaten it--there are days, the finest linens we all get dressed in are walmart sweats, and although I do sing and read to my babies everyday, it is with something very far from a beautiful voice. They will know though, one day how much we have enjoyed giving them as wonderous and blessed a life that they could ever hope for.

That being said, when I see my babies smile---I know for all the wrong I've done in my days, them I've done right. Finally. The very best thing I've ever done are the two faces of Hudson Alexander and Belle Monroe.

Every beach trip gets more and more fun with Bear, as he starts to understand more of this world and the fun it offers :) It is a joy to watch him discover more and more of his surroundings. Not much slows him down, ever. Thanksgiving morning though, he woke up with a rash covering his whole entire tiny body so off we went to the ER with our itchy, rashy, sad Bear. This slowed my Hudson down, and covered every little bit of him. Ugh.

Upon arriving home post-ER, we had family in and Mom of course, whipped up a most delicious Thanksgiving dinner---one JR said, was one of the very best he'd ever had. She's quite talented, my Ma.

I never asked JR if I was allowed to post a picture of him in an apron, but he was the official turkey cutter for the family and Mom wasn't going to give him the honors without an apron. So, as his wife and bearer of his children--I get the honor of posting the picture.

I told you...there was sand, surf, and turkey. All in one post.

renewing of the vows

2010-12-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

...to my blog. I, for the ever-loving life of me have found it dang near impossible to sit down and blog in the month of December. I very much overbooked our family, in between several Christmas celebrations and jam packed weeks---my little ol' blog has suffered greatly.

Thus, following December 31st I will renew my vows and committment to you, my one sole reader, and to this blog. Until then, expect a totally random end blog-style to 2010. See, I haven't even recapped Thanksgiving and it's almost Christmas. bah. So, to slam you with a recap of your year, via picture overload, I leave you today with our 2010 Christmas card.

Merry December 16th.

I enchilada, you enchilada

2010-12-03T13:19:00.002-08:00

We've just come home from our Thanksgiving week in Miami, but before I dive into that post let me first enlighten your day with the news that I've got THE very best enchilada recipe to share with you.

It's so good in fact, that JR took leftovers to work the next day. Leftovers getting eaten at our house is monumental. A rare occurance. I'm not a good cook, but I can follow a recipe and after following this one, I couldn't help but think of your dinner tables and think that you needed this dish served at your house too. I'm thoughtful like that.

That's what bff's do, right? They share recipes. Lately, I've been rummaging thru my recipe box trying to find some I've never made before and this one caught my eye, and the ingredients I've had stored at the house. You're welcome.

Cottage Cheese Chicken Enchiladas {seriously, even if you don't like cottage cheese (Lauren Neaves) you really don't even taste it, it just gives it the flavor it needs to make these dang delicious}

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - boiled and shredded
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (7 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups cottage cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
12 (6 inch) corn tortillas
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 (10 ounce) can red enchilada sauce

1. To Make Meat Mixture: Heat oil in medium skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, onion and green chile peppers and saute until browned, then add taco seasoning and prepare meat mixture according to package directions.
2. To Make Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl mix sour cream with cottage cheese and season with salt and pepper; stir until well blended.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. To Assemble Enchiladas: Heat tortillas until soft. In each tortilla place a spoonful of meat mixture, a spoonful of cheese mixture and a bit of shredded cheese. Roll tortillas and place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with any remaining meat and cheese mixture, enchilada sauce and remaining shredded cheese.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Upon the completion and success of my recipe, I finally got our Christmas cards designed and ordered. Sheesh. That was after my attempt at getting a picture of my tots together. Fail. Here's the evidence:

In between the pulling of hair bows and a tantrum or two, I did manage to snap them alone. My Bear and Belle Monroe.

giving thanks

2010-11-15T10:02:00.000-08:00

It's so easy to pass the days and not once stop to be thankful--although, Thanksgiving is the 'assigned' day to appreciate and be grateful for that which we have been given, when I shut my big mouth full of gripes, complaints, and naughty words long enough and get a smile from my babies or a hug from family and friends...I am thankful.

Thankful for those around me that make this life so worth living. Thankful, just really really really thankful that I'm surrounded by some of the very best people. Some new, some old, some states away, some only weeks old--but all such a huge part of our life.

so many more thanks to come.

the lion, the brunette, and the baby

2010-11-10T09:16:00.000-08:00

I fully believe now that what 'everyone' says about the holidays being more fun when you have babies is the truth. They speak no lies.

This year, our babies had a full entourage of grandparents, strollers, and a very excited set of parents to share in this candy filled day.

We may have had too many with us, when a few of the houses we stopped at commented on our large numbers. They were then briefed on the fact that this was Bear's first Halloween to actually 'trick or treat'. If you'll recall, this was our Bear on this day last year--the cute is overwhelming.

This year, Bear was a lion. Our lion Bear.

He didn't fully understand the concept of course, but at just shy of 15 months, he made it down four streets before we called it a night and headed back to our camp.

We bjorn'd our Belle and she was pre-partied so hard, that she slept the whole trick or treat'ing way.

In all honesty, Hudson had way more fun greeting fellow costumed children at our house than he did getting the goods at theirs...he's social like that. Really, he is.

Worry not about what we handed candy out of, nor that Hudson's custom was a whole size too small, or that I disguised myself as a brunette :) --we all had so much fun celebrating our first Halloween with Belle Monroe and our second with Bear.

a quick look back

2010-10-29T10:40:00.001-07:00

In the midst of diapers, tantrums, sippy cups, and leaky teets I love to go and look back at times when it was just the two of us. That's where it all started, right?

I'm going to have to go dig up some oldies :)

You know - 1

2010-10-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

I'm starting a new 'column' of my blog. Column sounds rather presumptuous, but I can think of no better word.

I started tanning the other day, and am now an official spray tanner. You radiate an odor of stank all day long- but gosh dang, I'm not transparent anymore. I could see my veins. Gross. I'm also a brunette now, so to avoid the vampire look, spraying myself was a must.

My 'column' will be named, You Know You Don't Get Out Much, When...

My first tanning experience at the salon went all wrong, their computers crashed upon my arrival. The ladies working went into a spiraled tizzy over this, as more and more college girls and myself tallied up in line for the next bed/spray. I turned old and uncool right before my very own eyes, as the girl in front of me was sporting her sorority T, while working on a Rubix cube, while on her cell phone texting with the other hand. I'm unsure as to why that is cool, but the fact that I was desperate in line knowing I had a small window of time before I started milking everywhere because I'm 27 years old, a mother of two, and I nurse. Therefore, causing me to milk, made me very uncool. If a dang plane goes by, I milk. My body obviously has not yet gotten that baby cry thing down. ohmystars.

Though the wait for my precious spray was long, I realized how little I get out these days because I had FUN waiting and talking to these girls. In what normally would have made my impatient self into a piss-pot, turned into a 'girls night out' for me. How lame. A girls night out with complete strangers, a good amount of years younger than me--as I schooled them on being a mama. Something they clearly could care less about in their days of date parties and Pita Pit.

I was even tempted to discuss my newest love of espresso, rather my need for it. I doubted they were espresso drinkers just yet.

That being said, You Know You Don't Get Out Much...when a trip to the tanning salon turns into your 'girls night out' with complete strangers, college girls, and a Rubix cube.

One day they will be at home with their naked babies, covered in paint, driving their Spiderman cars around so for now I sit blogging thankful for the journey I've been on, having recently been in their shoes after late nights at O'Connells and such...knowing what they have to look forward to. Every chapter of life, really is beautiful.

Mama's, now it's your turn. Do you have moments where you realize you don't get out much? Email me and I'll post your submissions. Let's unite. Me and you.

model monroe

2010-10-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

Belle Monroe is now in her fifth week of life, so three weeks later I'm finally posting her two week shots. My model had to be soothed to sleep to snap the few we managed to get of our doll--and what the pictures don't show are the baby yells I got in the face in between pictures.

Life with her is much, much different. She is as girl as they come. My babies are very different from one another. She, more laid back no where near as alert as her counterpart. She can sleep throught the thundering chaos that is her Bear, and is glad to be attached to her mama at ALL times.

She is petite and lean, with the skinniest of feet. Her brother on the other hand, has to get special shoes for his extra wide grubs. Everyone told me how opposite boys and girls are to parent, and only five weeks in...I can agree.

Many have asked us the inevitable question of when we will be adding to our family. The chances of me getting pregnant in the next ten years is as promising as...well, just think of the most unlikely occurance. That's me. Not pregnant. If you do happen to see me pregnant again, you can just slap my face. I'll let you.

one month of four

2010-10-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

I'm behind. It's likely you're not in the very least, surprised.

JR turned 30, Belle Monroe turned 1 month old, I smell of maple syrup and spray tan {can you guess why--ohmystars}, and Hudson is the sweetest, naughtiest, most precious 14 month old Bear that ever was.

Oh, and a dog that's eating every new plant in our yard.

Our dryer almost caught on fire but we're fully stocked with a new set now. Goodbye, clothes lines. Yes really, we had clothes lines. You can't have two babies, and no dryer.

There will always be broken dryers, stinky dogs, and dirty diapers--but I would have never believed you if you would have told me years ago that I'd be this kind of happy at 27 years old.

...more to come.

int'l delight

2010-10-05T09:25:00.001-07:00

I just had a rather invigorating breakfast--banana dipped in Nutella with an espresso, spruced up with some Caramel Macchiato creamer by International Delight. It is that, a delight.

That tiny espresso is what will later get me out of my robe, hopefully by noon. Although, the transition from one to two babies has in all honesty not been as difficult as I had thought--the midnight feed I give my Belle Monroe, is still at war with my post-pregnancy self and my mornings last well until noon.

I'm happy to report that Bear has taken quite well and fallen as in love with his sister, as a now 14 month old can.

The first few days he 'noticed' her, but I think two weeks later, he has managed to gather that she is in fact human and he loves to come pat her on the head--which yesterday progressed into a slap on the forehead. That made her cry, and inevitably him. I had two babies crying at the same time, and all I could do was laugh.

As I progressively get less tired, I'm able to nap Belle Monroe and spend some one on one time with my Bear. We even got some Momma/Bear time at the duck pond last week. He loves his grandparents and of course his Daddy, but there are moments in the day when only Momma will cut it, and I'll take that. I will always take that.

With the weather cooling off, I can only wake up thankful everyday that I have two beautiful, healthy babies whom I adore and will get to share in these upcoming holiday filled months. Yummy candles, pumpkin pie, and our fire going all the day long----this is what dreams are made of. Mine, atleast.

week one of parenthood x 2

2010-09-30T08:12:00.001-07:00

I really have to use the term 'parenthood' lightly because we've had an army of help--it's more like parent/grandparent-hood. I wouldn't have emerged from my cage of nursing yet if it weren't for the help we've had since arriving home from the hospital, a family of four.

We only stayed one night in the hospital, due to a complication free delivery {minus one snafu, I will later tell a delivery story} and outside of coming home to the most precious Big Brother I've ever known--I too, came home to this...Aunt Lu.

My best. She drove all the way from Dallas--for the day--JR had known the whole time, only to surprise me and of course to meet her newest niece. We got to chat/hug/cry for all of 30 mins before she had to get back on the road, but to share that moment with my friend is a never-forget kind of thing in life. Thank you, Lu for somehow always managing to find a way to share in literally, all, of the huge moments in our life. We love you, big.

I only know one way to be, blunt. My blog is my blunt-ness outlet--therefore, I must keep it real and say that JR and I had many a'conversation about how on earth we could love this new baby as much as we love our Hudson Bear. With your first, it is as if your heart will burst if you could even fathom loving them anymore than you do...I sincerely worried that I wouldn't have enough to go around for both of my babies. I felt shamed to even think the thoughts of such, but it was a true concern of mine. How very wrong I was. How very wrong, we both were.

You, Belle Monroe are perfect. You were Made for us. You were meant to be ours--Daddy's, Momma's, and Hudson's. From the minute I heard you cry, and Daddy put you in my arms it was as if my heart quadrupled in size within an instant and my Mommy heart instantly fell in love, like, obsession and adoration with both of my babies. Your Daddy gazes at you, and is already wrapped around that itty bitty skinny pinky of yours. I'm not sure I've seen him gaze much, maybe at your Momma some :) but sweet baby, he is yours. All yours.

You've got a Brother Bear, whom has yet to fully understand who you are/what you are--but we've caught him a few times sneaking you a kiss and peeking over your bassinet when he hears you cry. Little do you both know, you've now met the best friend of your life. My two babies, you will both love each other more than your tiny minds can even understand right now--and that is a thought that brings me to tears.

Momma. I'm your Momma. A momma to a baby girl. Growing up, I always imagined myself a mommy to three boys. Why? No clue. Never, never saw nor could see myself a mommy to a girl. After growing you, and now knowing you I cannot bear to think back to a life without you. My daughter, you are a gift to me and to our family--but have opened up a whole new side of my understanding of being a mother and an even greater appreciation of my own.

You are beautiful beyond words, and my second Sooner baby. This time, a Sooner babydoll--one I can put bows on for gameday :) a small dream of mine.

I'm able to nurse you, and that in and of itself has been a miraculous time spent with you. I know now how quickly my baby will grow and I look forward to those moments I spent attached to you. Even the 3am moments, believe it or not...I love knowing that it is me, that nourishes you.

A week, documented of your first week of life Miss Monroe. What a week, and what a joy it's been introducing you to the world. On to week two of loving you, baby girl.

{and a last funny, of how I found you in the car after your first dr's appt}

Our Daughter

2010-09-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

Belle Monroe Pettijohn

Born September 20th, 2010

7 lbs 7 oz

20 3/4 in

2:26 pm

38 weeks - 5 days away!

2010-09-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

I'm rotund, and am growing a more burgeoning Belle belly daily. She must be packing on those ounces, because my sleepless nights are here and my lungs feel like I've run a marathon daily {which we all know ain't so}.

{pay no mind to my sausage roll arms, gag - my collection of OU hats, my 6 inch pre-preg heels, or my leopard slippers, what?}

My updating was delayed because after a night of what I was dang sure were 'Braxtons', I found out at my doctor's appt last Wednesday that I'm strolling around town 2 1/2 cm dilated and 75 % effaced. Like, whoa. {JR thought that would cause her to just fall out - I reassured him this isn't so although sounds much more appealing than the hoop-la it takes to really birth a tiny human princess. He then recalled August 5th, 2009 and realized there's no falling out involved.} That sent us into a baby-prep tizzy because this momma didn't even have diapers for my Princess Belle - I know, I know. Hey, I've got a melt-your-heart-kinda-precious one year old that demands much of his momma. Diapers and wipes for a teeny tiny tush have been far from my mind. Hello, denial? procrastinator? ohmystars.

I can now say proudly that after MUCH help from my ma-in-law and now my ma, we are 88% ready for her arrival should she decide to close up shop before Monday which is our induction date. In fact, after watching the Today Show this morning I'm hoping we make it to Monday because they prepared a pork chop/onion/apple meal that I'm planning on 'whipping' up this wknd for our family. Dang yum.

If you recall we were Pittsburgher's for a short while last year, and my nearest dearest and greatest from P-town- Kyndal, sent me some make-ahead recipes and I spent one night this week fixing batches of food to feed my family as we enter the unforseen world of parenting two babes 13 months apart. So far I've got Mexican Spaghetti, Chicken Broccoli Stuffed Shells, and Egg Noodle Casserole - food for weeks. I high-fived myself upon finishing. It really is worth spending a few hours in the kitchen to know you've got meals saved up. I'm lazy like that.

I've caught you up on our happenings, and as we enter 5 days to go - I hope to keep you all posted via blog on the updates of the arrival of our BELLE MONROE!!! Until then, many hugs and a Boomer Sooner :)

diaper rash - a recommendation

2010-09-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

This actually from our end is far more than a recommendation - rather a true life saver/sanity saver/sleep saver...

A few weeks back, we were battling some of the more atrocious diaper rash I've ever witnessed, I'm talking baby blood. It was gory, sad, and every diaper change made us both cry. I hurt for my Bear. After a trip to his pedi, and some calls to triage nobody could give me any solution to our problem. I knew some pedi's recommended some prescription type ointments, but mine {grr} wouldn't nor claimed to know of any product outside of the usual Desitin, etc... fail. Huge fail.

So, as most angry and desperate mommies do, I googled {which to be very honest, I've sometimes found more answers via google than the dang doctor - I'm kind of a self-diagnoser, and quite accurate I might add :)}. Lo and behold, I came across review after review after review of Triple Paste and immediately ordered a tube online crossing my fingers that maybe this would provide some relief for my baby.

I was at Walmart that very same day, and my eyes lit UP, when I saw it in the baby aisle!!!! I likely peed myself, and bought the LAST tube they had left. I now pick one up everytime I go.

It really and truly worked baby butt wonders, and after TWO days he was cured. He had been going on a week of every cream, ointment you can think of and this stuff was miraculous in it's healing powers after only two days :) Hudson has had a very rough go at teething, and at the first sight of any redness or irritation we lather on some Triple Paste at night before bedtime and prettystarsabove, the next morning it's gone!!!

I don't often do recommendations because I always fear that what works for me may not work for you - but I can guarantee that if you too have diaper rash episodes, this will save your life and that precious tush of your babe's. A few places you can find it at are:

Diapers.com

Walgreens.com

Amazon.com

meet the newest Pettijohn

2010-08-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

Our happy story kinda, sorta starts with a sad one - before I introduce the newest member of our family I must first tell that we are down one kitty. Our Big.

JR and I adopted two brother kitties, 4 years ago, Beanie and Big. They've been our 'babies' long before babies were really a thought. Beanie is the slower of the two, and the one most drawn to me - while Big was JR's kitty, the feisty and more intelligent cat. Well, a couple of months ago they moved outside to be outdoor kitties after not taking to the new house well and leaving us 'gifts' - really disgusting, heinous gifts around the house. Nope. The transition didn't go too bad, until one morning Big was gone, and since then has not returned :(

Beanie is still meandering out there, but has been very lonely without his orange counterpart. He left us with a kitty void, and since Big was really the only kitty Beanie will tolerate we felt that maybe it was dog time at the Pettijohn House. Dog. With a baby on the way. Arewecrazyorwhat?

After long searching for the perfect dog to fit into our family - we think we've found the one. We were actually picky this time, with breeders and such, considering we have to have a dog that a) likes kids b) can live outside c) big but not enormous...we're lab lovers so that of course helped narrow our search. We saw a few different pups, and to say that the one we got was 'meant to be' is the dang truth. I'm talking, the one we picked up the week before had a SEIZURE two miles down the road after paying for him. A seizure. We were freaked out of our ever dang minds.

Nothing will replace Big, but we have found someone with a cute face that has helped Beanie come back to life a bit - and given us just one more 'baby' to raise :)

Meet Bradford.

He comes from a long line of hunting dogs {thus, he'll likely get thrown into some wintery animal hunts, eeeek, if my husband and pa-in-law have any say} and upon checking him out we knew he was the pup for us. We were so pleased with the breeders, and feel confident we made the right choice! Since the weather has been so nice, we've been getting Bradford used to Hudson and Hudson used to Bradford. They've butt heads a few times, but overall it's a lot of fun to spend our days outside now with our Bradford pup!! He is only crated at night, and not once has cried - much less whimpered at nighttime. We're feeding him three times a day, and he goes 'potty' in the grass, away from where we play. Score. So far, so GOOD!

The only problem is, when we are outside, we can't keep Hudson out of this:

He loves, loves Bradford's crate. In and out, in and out! It's hilarious when they both end up in there together.

We keep saying he's our 'Marley', and the only dog our babies will ever know. So as we approach meeting our Baby Belle, we are spending our days outside with Bradford getting ready for what's to come :) That does include Sooner Football ----------------that alone, will get it's own post{s}.

Before I get into football, I'll sparkle your day with what sparkles mine - this face.

p.s.

2010-08-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

...since I started the draft of Hudson's birthday weeks ago, once published it has done so a few posts down - so, if interested it's down there somewhere :)

Happy Thursday'ing to you!

plain awesome

2010-08-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

what I would look like if my cartoon self came to life. plain awesome.

assistant

2010-08-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

I need a blogging assistant - much like a ghost writer...someone that could take my daily thoughts and then type them out via blogger along with pictures, etc.

As we approach meeting our Belle Monroe, in only 5 weeks time, I'm finding time to blog - scarce. Laundry, groceries, LIFE, you know...the usual.

There is an entire post dedicated to Hudson's first birthday party, yet I can't sit still long enough to finish it! {I had so much fun with his party, I already have in mind birthday party #2 - ohmystars} This frustrates me, thus my seeking of a blog ghost writer.

I'm 34 weeks all-kinds-of-pregnant today, and I'm sure I owe you a nice, fat belly picture but until I can muster up the energy/attention span to really finish a post in one sitting, I'll leave you with a family picture of the three of us. A rarity, as it's usually momma behind the camera. JR for once, doesn't look like a single dad :) Happy Tuesday, wherever you pretty self may be!

the ONE YEAR bash

2010-08-10T09:17:00.001-07:00

Initially, when I began thinking of Hudson's first birthday celebration, finger foods came to mind. Just a small gathering, casual, nothing that would require a lot of prep - considering I'd be 8 months pregnant at the time.

That quickly faded as my inability to not spoil my firstborn consumed me and I immediately became swarmed with ideas of colors, custom cakes, balloons, patterns for tablecloths, etc...

I'm not a big 'theme' momma, and knowing that Hudson will one day come to me wanting a sports/movie/whoknowswhat kinda theme I put together a celebration centered completely around the colors of the invitations I ordered from Tiny Prints:

We started preparing about three days in advance, buying groceries and finalizing all of the decorations. The day of, was a whirlwind of no less than 3 people in the kitchen, JR outside working on the yard, and two of the biggest helpers {my bests, Ashley & Lauren} of the day helping put together my dream party for our one year old angel baby.

Our Boo Bear, didn't quite know what to think as his guests started arriving...but the balloons all over the house were a huge hit with my one year old wonder.

We had tons of food set out - dips, fruit, chips, empanadas, sandwiches, pigs-in-a-blanket...you name a party food and we served it! A very big thank you to our momma's too, who helped prepare and set-up the three food tables. This was about the extent of my time in the kitchen...

Between the mom's and Aunt Lu, they had the kitchen covered. Wam-Bam.

I was on party patrol, making sure every detail was just right for my Bear.

It took me about two months worth of prep time, and I truly enjoyed the whole thing from start to finish. I found the most amazing cake bakery in town, Amy Cakes of Norman, and had them design a cake too, around the invites. Some of the best cake I've ever indulged in - thank you to Amy and Co. for the yummy treats! I found most all of the decorations at Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby - found some fabric I liked at WM and had tablecloths made for the food tables, and some helium filled ballons! voila!

We had no idea how Bear would react to the gifts, but he sat and opened each and every gift - sans meltdown :) He was so enthralled with the activity and the audience he had.

Of course once gifts were opened, it was cake time! I had been waiting all day for cake time, surprise surprise.

On everyone's way out, they were gifted with some party treats to go! I found these cute containers at Wal-Mart that we had filled with caramel and cheddar popcorn! I still have bags of it...

After months of planning, the party came together even better than I could have imagined it! We had our dearest of family and friends there to help us celebrate our baby boy's first year of life - and what a joy it was to have those closest to us, there.

the 'do

2010-07-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

Hudson has rockstar tendencies, thus it was crucial, he have hair to match.

she get it from her momma

2010-07-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

I've got some raging heartburn.

@*#$@*)())**@#& - FIRE.

It's not stopping me though, from giving you a womb-peek at Princess Belle Monroe. By the looks of it, her 4-d face is showing an exact replica of her momma! Wow-ie.

Hudson quite obviously is a JR clone {energy levels and all}, and it appears that our baby girl will be a Nat-clone. If this really is the case, and she ends up with my personality too, then we'll have a baby who likes a constant cycle of eat, sleep, cupcakes, eat, sleep, eat, sleep, and repeat {for life}. We obviously won't know for sure, for sure until the BIG day, but from what we can gather we are fairly certain she's my mini. Momma and mini.

-momma's big lips made the cut {side profile, identical}

she better sleep more out here than she does in there, yikes.

um, really. cutest womb picture, puppy-faced baby I've ever seen. squish ball.

oh my, walker

2010-07-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

It's official, 5 days after Hudson turned 11 months - he took off. My bear is now a walker. It is the most bizarre/fascinating thing to see my tiny, vertical. My two-toothed wonder is up on two feet making his way all over the place and it overwhelms me with joy to see such a huge milestone develop right before my very momma eyes.

{a very short snippet for the grandparents, the very first day he became truly mobile at his aunt and uncle's house}:

Belle'y pics, alas.

2010-07-08T15:39:00.000-07:00

It's 12 weeks now, until our Belle'y Belle makes her princess debut. She currently resides in my womb, making herself very very known. Very.

She is not a quiet one, this Belle Monroe. Neither is her big brother, but he waited until birth day to let us know. She though, is giving us advance warning of such. It is easy to tell where her head and legs are positioned because she goes 'alien' on us and attempts escape. Shame they can't enter the world, via belly button, like a laparoscopic surgery. Last I recall, there was a lot of nasty words spewing from my mouth and a glorious amount of epidural involved. No laparscopy birth, here.

12 weeks-away pictures of Mommy and Belle ♥

magically delicious

2010-07-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

...or totally ridiculous.

I have done away with an entire box of Lucky Charms within 24 hours. It's so embarrassing and disgusting all the same, that I just had to tell you.

I'm a sucker for marketing. I always fall for the bright colors and shiny boxes. Really, anything shiny....nonetheless...

As soon as I saw the new swirl marshmallows advertised, I had an in-the-moment craving and have since polished off the entire box in a day. One day. I don't even like cereal.

Here's to you Belle, and the 40 pounds worth of magically delicious marshmallows added to my thighs {face, arms, teets, etc...}

the first fourth

2010-07-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

The fourth this year, was Hudson's last day as a 10 month old. We are now officially in the one year old countdown. I lack literary emotion in this, because until the big day comes and the party is partied - I'm not sure that I can quite wrap my mind around the fact that I have been a mommy to my Bear for almost an entire year.

We spent our red, white, and blue day consuming mass amounts of food {huge plus}, playing, and of course introducing our son to the amazement of fireworks. It is quite clear from the evidence I captured, that he's a fan. Go figure! JR's son, a fan of something loud and fire filled.

i'm a fan

2010-06-30T09:23:00.001-07:00

Anything that has fast and FREE shipping, I'm a huge fan of. Zappos in particular is a favorite of mine - their service is a 10 and as we approach the walking days for Hudson, they had the best selection of wear for those fat Bear feet of his. I ordered him these two pair to start off our summer, and to say that I'm excited to squish those chubby toes into some shoes that look just like Daddy's would be a bold faced understatement.

Nike Kids Shox Turbo 10

Converse Kids Chuck Taylor

for me.

2010-06-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

these two are mine. and i'm dang proud to be theirs.

in the meantime...we dance

2010-06-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

...we are in anticipation of meeting our TinkerBelle and spend most of our days at the pool and playing outside, but in the meantime we find time to dance.

{we were watching Glee, and 'single ladies' came on, and the boy broke it down - long before I could run and grab the camera, but this snippet nonetheless made us laugh for days and you can even witness his mooching for ice}

'IT'S A ________'

2010-06-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

GIRL ♥

We are thrilled beyond words I can type, read, think, or say that we are adding a baby girl to our family. I've long delayed the announcement due to not having nailed down her name but alas, she, our daughter, is...

{we made it official when picking out paint colors for her nursery}

So without further wait, we would like to 'introduce' you to our angel baby,

Belle Monroe Pettijohn

Our Belle Monroe ♥

first this - and then an announcement...

2010-06-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

My blog feels like a perpetual announcement. Thus, so does my life ♥

I know all you're really waiting for is for me to tell you that we're having a _______!!!!!!! and this is _______ name!!!!

First, I must fill you in on a few happenings surrounding our reveal. A month ago we made a Pitt stop, and let these two babes reunite after some long lost time.

Those leg rolls are dang cute, and is quite similar to how I feel when I look down these days. Sigh.

After a couple of days with our beloved Braly's, we headed down to Miami for a week for our very first family vacation {alone} and our very last as a family of three.

We did this all in the middle of moving. Yes, yes. We moved again. However, this is a permanent stay and one we are over the moon about.

Back in my college town, this is a dream come true for me especially - in our dream home, with my Sooner baby (ies) and all the memories that come with being back in the land of crimson and cream :) truly, one of my favorite places on earth.

After being moved quite frantically to PA last year, in the middle of building what we thought was our dream home in TX - I can now look back knowing this was all very much out of our hands because in the end if I had been patient enough to see {which I was very much not}, He was bringing us back home right where we wanted to be - under even better circumstances.

I don't know that I have a patient bone in my body, and with that I struggle. Everyday though, I wake up pinching myself that we are moved in and busy everyday decorating, yard workin', grilling, and only five minutes from our friends, and The Mont.

Pictures of our house, to come soon - are you still my friend for making you wait to find out who Pettijohn #4 is?

okay, okay. that's next ♥

...a month later

2010-05-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't forgotten you, in fact I've missed talking to you.

There is so much to catch up on, it overwhelms me how many blog posts I am behind.

Today was the day I've had planned to share all of our big news - however I've got a 9 month old baby boy with a fever since last night, thus making me a very worried momma.

As soon as my baby is a smiley bear again, I promise some updates...

until then, Happy Monday y'all.

short and sweet and stressed

2010-04-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

My baby slept through the night, so when 7:40 {an hour earlier than his normal wake time} rolled around this morning I was eager to go see his squishy face.

He has cried/fussed/yelled in my face for the last 4 hours. I've tried it all, to obviously, no avail. Not a crier, my babe, this is a rarity in our house - and an event I am ill prepared for.

Does anyone have a non-alcoholic remedy for a stressed out morning of a cry-fest? oh my stars.

....on the plus side, good things are happening for our family this afternoon...to be continued...

finally - i show you how humongous i am

2010-04-22T19:33:00.000-07:00

First, I'll show you what you really want to see. My enormous 17 week belly. 17 weeks today, and in my defense this is after dinner at Red Lobster and a late night snack of Ruffles and dip. It's kind of this big all day though - that's what growing babies back to back will do to your muscles. They just give way, completely.

{grainy phone pic, too lazy to pull out the big dog}

We've been friends for awhile now, so I feel okay showing you what I really look like at the end of the day and 17 weeks pregnant. My pants and shirt don't match, but if you went to class with me in college, you'd know that I don't care too much for matching clothes. Getting dressed for an 8am pysch class in the dark didn't allow for a 'complete' outfit. That's neither here nor there, alas...me and Baby.

it's the most wonderful time of the year {part 1}

2010-04-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

I used to say the holiday season was the most wonderful time of the year - but lately, and pardon the sap, I'm finding it hard to narrow down my very very favorite. Our baby Bear is daily growing, and fast. Lightning speed, actually. Thus making, our whole entire year quite lovely.

Every month with him builds more excitement than the previous as he embarks on new 'talents' and 'tricks'. The warm weather has allowed us a lot of time outside, and even a visit from some of our very favorite people - my amazing parents, and Hudson's abuelos. I'll withhold the details of the laying out I've been doing and the subsequent heat rash I sported for 3 days. It felt like I had sat in a fire ant pile, for hours, and made snow angels in it. I took pictures of it and sent it to Lu, knowing a good laugh she'd appreciate. It's always good to have friends that find laughter in your rashes. Never had a rash in my life. Thanks, pregnant body. You're such a B.

To have them back in my favorite town in all the land, enjoying Sunday brunches, and my family - eeesh, makes this pregnant girl so very grateful.

I have so much, so so so so so so so much NEW and exciting stuff to share with you that I can't bog you down all at once with the happenings of our always busy, busy house. So, I'll leave you knowing that we have scheduled a 3d/4d ultrasound on Saturday morning to take a sneak peek at whether Tiny Two is a prince or a princess :) What's your guess?!?!?!?!?

my easter bun bun

2010-04-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

Our baby bunny had a weekend full of Easter egg hunts, courtesy of The Russell's and of course a Farm Egg Hunt with his cousins. I ate more deviled eggs in one day than I consume in an entire year.

Hudson took his 'hunts' with quite the serious face, and although completely unaware what the large basket and colored eggs were all about, we had a darn good time plopping him down on some green grass for a few pictures of our beautiful baby boy.

It baffles my mind that our next Easter will be spent chasing him around. I've googled ways to keep them babies longer - but have yet to find any successful and/or safe search results.

I hope you all had all the deviled eggs you could handle, and enjoyed your Easter weekend - Hudson sends you some bunny kisses.

the key

2010-03-31T19:38:00.000-07:00

No one had clued me in on the miracle that is Gerber Biter Biscuits. They allowed for lunch at Cheddar's and an hour long shopping trip at Target with Aunt Jen.

We had biscuit in our hair, on our face, feet, hands, Mommy and Jen. It's so worth being covered in what looks like a wet dog biscuit.

Miracle. They are the key to MY success, as a mommy.

{grainy photo courtesy of my iPhone & of course Jen}

fried steaks & egg hunts

2010-03-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

I don't quite know that anything makes me happier than warm weather, this face below, pizza, and cereal. The latter two, being a fault to cravings.

I 'mind-write' blogs while I shower. I'm most creative in there, and that is so weird to me. Atleast, it's not while sitting on the pot. That would be inappropriate. It's probably the boiling hot water I bathe in - must mess with my mind. It's too bad I can't 'save now' as I condition my hair.

I've just now wrapped my mind and thighs around the fact, that I again will be bearing a child. We've run a few names by each other, but I have one that keeps pulling me in - not one for keeping surprises, the thought that JR wants to keep atleast the name a secret is a monumental task for me. I can't even give you a hint, because I love it so much. The name.

Double strollers are out of the question for now. I'm not ready to be that mom. High praises for you, if you are - but I'd rather carry Baby in a basket and stroll Hudson before you see me attempting to load a 400 lb double stroller in the back of my Yukon. I'm short, it's tall - I look ridiculous trying to lift anything into that car. You're already staring me down, wondering if I've heard of 'the pill'...watching me lift a stroller would send you into a tizzy.

Tonight in celebration of the start of Easter weekend, we're having the Taliaferro's over and I will attempt for the very first time, a meal that really gets my heart happy and full of grease - Country Fried Steak and gravy. I get nervous just thinking about the flouring and frying. I have a terrible habit of making meals I've never made before the nights we have friends over.

We have been successfully sleeping thru the night at our house for over a week now. I've been fearful to even type that sentence out, knowing that could quickly change back. It hasn't though, and after a two-night-cry-it-out we are all night sleepers. I even type faster, I'm so well rested. He was never really that bad because we stopped feeding him in his 1 or 2 night wakings a few weeks back, so that then led to him just waking up out of habit. We have broken that now too, and does it feel good. There was a sense of urgency, with thoughts of TWO babies up during the night, I made an executive decision and told JR it was time.

This wknd too, is JR's 10 year high school reunion and I'm dang excited because I've always wished to be an honorary member of their town. It's one of my favorite places on this green earth. I've done some shopping this week, in hopes of finding a few outfits for this wknd to shield my 14 week doughboy 'belly'. We wish you all a happy Jesus filled-egg hunt-food-family-cute dress Easter weekend!

thankful for this day

2010-03-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

{my favorite tree, the bradford pear, Shannon Springs Park yesterday afternoon}

"I thank you God for most this amazing day; for leaping greenly spirits of trees

And a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural

Which is infinite which is yes." — e.e. cummings

no words needed, well maybe a few

2010-03-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

I get asked often, as many of you do if you're a momma - what the best part is about having a baby, my baby? My answer is this:

These snapshots of my life, my husband and my son, I guard with all my might and all the fight I have in me. Them being mine, and I theirs is the best part about having a family. Ours.

baby sunshine

2010-03-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

He is my sunshine, every single day - and this is why:

He got my moves and rhythm.

...and the most infectious baby giggles that are the sweetest sounds of my life.

can't do without

2010-03-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

I hope you don't ever do anything I 'tell' you to do. This time though, please make an exception. It will bring us closer, I can guarantee that.

This is a recommendation, but even more so, a plea to you to get off of Facebook - run to the store and indulge in this...because it will make your life happy in all sorts of places. It did mine.

Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette

Per their website: "If you’re into stuff that tastes incredible, you’re in the right place. BRIANNAS is the home of the most delectable, mouth-watering, and insanely delicious salad dressings to ever caress a leaf of lettuce."

...and I can proclaim they speak nothing but truth because I am into stuff that tastes incredible and delectable. Furthermore, I know you would be a fan, such as I am, of insanely declicious things caressing your leaf of lettuce.

That sentence alone sold me. Caressing lettuce leaves. Provocative salad dressing makers.

swing baby, swing.

2010-03-15T13:22:00.001-07:00

We spent some time at the park, the day before my baby turned 7 months old. It is so true, when 'they' say how quickly our babies will grow. I am in awe at his ever changing capabilites and the wonder in his eyes as he accomplishes more in his tiny world, at only 7 months of age.

I sometimes though, get sad at just how fast he changes and that before I know it he will be a walking, talking little boy. As I begin to enjoy one stage {build anxiety} as he is now fully mobile, and the fastest crawler I ever did see - he is on to the next thing, and now pulls up and is going from furniture to furniture only preparing me of the walking that is just around the corner.

At church on Sunday, we were reminded to take life more slowly and to avoid the rush that comes with our fast-paced world. Being a mother, his, has taught me that very same thing. If we were to focus on our to-do lists, errands, laundry, etc...we miss the simple joys of playing at the park with our babies instead of nap time, reading to them, or just holding them a few more minutes.

I remember the day Hudson was born, and when JR handed him to me, I thought this was the most I could ever love. How wrong I was that day, because today 7 months later my love for our son has grown into something I find very hard to describe, much less put in to words.

Life before loving and knowing him, seems vague now, and one I don't go back to much because I've waited my whole life to be his Mommy...

...we've joined Gymboree classes and have music and art to look forward to this week. He's making baby 'friends', and we're finally getting out of the house since Spring is on the horizon.

Hudson Bear, how much I love my days with you. You make me a happy I never knew existed. you are my sunshine ♥

E for Effort

2010-03-11T13:03:00.000-08:00

* Before I start this post, I must first thank you/laugh with you/hug you for the sweet/hilarious/and shocked comments y'all gifted me with on our announcement post. I threw y'all for one heckuva loop, now :) So many of you comforted me with stories of being Irish twins, yourselves and have told of the closeness you share with your siblings. That ladies, gives me great happiness and comfort, and one only this small and wild world of blogging can give. I owe y'all a cupcake tea party in return for the encouragement and joy you've given us in your kind words - if only we could ever all gather ♥ I'd wear my finest hat, just for you {because a pretty hat is key for a successful cupcake tea party}.

- and now to my original post.

As I've mentioned the last 11 weeks I have looked and felt the part of an Oklahoma bag lady, and I now miss my highlighted 'blonde' hair, Botox'd forehead, and makeup'd mug.

Now before, you get to judging my vain-sounding self - give me one minute to tell you what living in sweats and smelling Gerber food all day does to a pregnant soul for 11 weeks. It's vile. I feel sorry even for my husband who gets the pleasure of seeing the rotation of my ever growing wardrobe of jammies, and my ratty hair in a ponytail. I think even Hudson has noticed.

I'm on the horizon of approaching the end of the first trimester. I can see the light and it is so brightly shining on my face. That, and I can feel Spring nearing. Both are neat. If you've been with child non-stop like I have, you know the feeling when your body slowly feels normal again, food isn't your worst enemy and suddenly you open your makeup drawer, and your makeup bag is dusty and lonely because you've neglected her for so long. You finally want her again, want to reconnect.

For the sake, of all.

The Botox will obviously have to wait many, many moons but you better DANG believe I'm gonna highlight my strands here in a quick minute.

I'm not the competitive type, and that may pain some of you to know. I live with the man who might well be the most competitive man-creature to have ever walked this green earth. Thus, quite the opposite of him, my motto has always been, 'E for Effort", because I always feel like if I try I win!!! He feels quite the opposite. Haha, that makes you competitive folk chuckle with sarcastic glee, doesn't it? Never pick me for your team, unless it's for sideline encouragement. I got sidetracked.

My effort is now devoted to showering, makeup'ing, hair do'ing, and attempting a look-good weighing a good 35 pounds plus. Yessssssssss.

To begin my efforts, which I will document, since you care {??} - I purchased this below, because the first step to feeling good is smelling good.

Give me your fragrance picks, what makes you smell pretty? give me suggestions aside from Lolita, please :)

from three to FOUR ♥

2010-03-07T13:16:00.001-08:00

The time has come. The time to finally tell you why I've been absent from blogging, showers, making dinner, makeup, etc...

I've lived in sweats the past few weeks, and my beauty regimen consists of brushing my teeth and a shower if the day goes just right. It's doubtful that my hair get brushed, just my teeth.

I feel way worse this go-round, than I did the first one. It's probably because I did it only 7 months ago.

We've sat Hudson down and explained that he is getting a baby. A baby brother or sister.

...and..............We're having a BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and that baby is swiftly growing and gaining speed inside the comforts of my womb as I type. Come September 28th-ish we will be a family of four, and after the initial {shock/suspense} our hearts are full knowing we are expanding {my waistline} and will have a baby-filled house.

I always wished to have all of my children by the age of 30. The rate we're at, we could have a bevy of tots by then. I kid. I hope :)

It is much more challenging to be with-child when your other with-child is a crawling, pulling-up, active 7 MONTH OLD who is currently spending his every waking minute perfecting his balance to WALK. Gone are the days, of laying around eating Ruffles and dip.

My energy levels are in the negatives, and my morning sickness lingers at night. Somehow I survive, and I owe that to some anti-nausea, the smiles I get in the morning from my Bear, and my husband whom I could not do without.

At only 10 wks in, I've already said goodbye to my skinny jeans. Goodbye, I love you. I hope this isn't our last encounter. You complete me.

All sickness and tiredness aside, we wake with very thankful hearts that we are blessed to have children easily, the luxury to share them and this time in our lives with our families, and a happy, healthy, baby-filled home ♥

So, I'm back. This time with Daddy, Mommy, Hudson Bear, and Sweet Tiny Two.

....and I come to you again, for advice.

2010-02-23T18:13:00.000-08:00

I don't know how new momma's survive without blog world. It gives me such relief and happiness when I can read about you sharing with me the same joys, wonders, and tribulations that come with parenthood.

So, I come to you now. This time about food. Baby food.

We are almost 7 months here, and were given the okay to start giving Hudson 3 feedings a day with bottles in between. I'm curious, and am asking you what your experience has been/is with your sweet babe at this age with meals, etc...

Hudson could really care less about eating, and has since the day he was born. He does love his bottles and eats very well off a spoon but has a 45 second attention span when sat in his highchair to be fed. I commited the ultimate Mommy sin, and have been feeding him in front of Yo Gabba Gabba or Sesame Street. I know, I know.

I will do WHATEVER it takes to nourish my Bear. I sometimes even dance for him as I shovel squash in his tiny mouth in the >1 minute he gives me. He breaks out a huge smile when I dance, which gives me the opportunity to throw some food in that precious smile.

Our day is still consisting of his same number of bottles, with sporadic 'meals' throughout the day. I usually get a maximum of 2 a day, if I'm lucky. I'm just having a hard time trying to gauge exactly how and when solids become more predominant over bottles. How was your transition from strictly bottles to a bottle/solids combo? Hudson may be right on track, but since this is quite obviously my first go-round I come to you, the experts :)

Thank you in advance for any and ALL help you can send my way!

generations

2010-02-16T13:29:00.000-08:00

I robbed this photo from our cousin Ash, but I just had to share a most precious capture of Hudson with his Great-Grandpa {PaPa}. The love is clearly mutual...

We're not all blessed to share moments with our great-grandparents, so any chance we get for Hudson to live some baby days with his PaPa, are very special to his Daddy and I.

gifting a half-year old

2010-02-16T13:18:00.000-08:00

I use just about any excuse to bedazzle my babe with new toys. I'm fully convinced he loves toys more than any other tiny in this whole green world.

Thus, when the day came for his 6 months of life---the perfect gift I was in search for.

I found this GIANT fleece ball, on Etsy, here. I knew right away, when I came across the 'farm' theme, this was THE gift for our Hudson Bear.

There are several theme options to choose from, and can of course be personalized.

Bear loves his giant fleecey, and it doubles as an awesome floor pillow for Momma.

{Pay no mind, to his mis-matched outfit nor the enormous life-size bear in the background. We play all day, and there is no toy that doesn't end up, front and center of our living room.}

strawberry delight

2010-02-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

...that's what we call it around here. I'm a lover of fruits.

Our store had the fattest, juiciest, red strawberries so I bought THREE cartons. You may not love fat strawberries as much as I do, and if that happens to be the case for you---a solution, I give you.

First, cut up your berries and put them on a pretty plate so that you can first marvel at the delicious fruit.

Secondly, serve yourself two large scoops of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream {I buy GV, b/c I'm cheap like that, and it's very delicious}.

-Now mix the two, and voila!!! Strawberry Delight. If you've ever had Sweet Cream and Strawberries at Marble Slab, this is a delightful homemade substitute.

winter'n

2010-01-31T15:44:00.000-08:00

OK got some snow. Just enough snow to help introduce Bear to the puffy white snow that falls here.

Walrus CRAWLER and did I just hear "MAMA"????

2010-01-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

I'm not much of a video poster, but in the last three days, our baby has sprouted into a walrus and has officially started babbling. My sweet tiny, is 'talking' and a magic word was said...

I turned my back and he was halfway across the room, CRAWLING! The video I have is not of his first time, but without further wait---here is Hudson the Walrus doing his walrus crawl!

I'm not sure if he quite realizes that he's saying the most precious word I have ever heard said to me, but we repeat it to him often------and as of this morning, at any point of frustration of tiredness, he babbles and says something VERY close to MAMA!

I couldn't believe my Momma eyes, BAH! 5 months has been quite the month for us :) Lots of changes in our baby BEAR.

a shower a day

2010-01-22T12:56:00.000-08:00

We're there. Hudson and I.

I'm at a shower a day, finally. You take for granted--your pre-baby self, that you can shower at your own pace, shave your legs {both of them}, and even double condition your hair.

Even sing.

Because that's what I do. I now sing though, to Hudson Bear, if he has neglected a nap and so desires to hear his Momma sing shower songs. Most of my shower songs are Christmas songs, too. I'm sure he's over that. I am.

We've been busy with our house, and setting up our new life back in Oklahoma. It hasn't been that hard, to be very honest. My brother lives an hour away, our niece and nephew---an hour away, The Farm--an hour away. OU--5 minutes away. You get it.

Life just feels good right now. The kind of good that makes your skin tingle.

Hudson has now 'learned' or rather, heard the word, 'no'. It is said quite frequently now, our Bear has swiftly morphed into an active {and by active I mean in the realm of maniacal}. He is VERY close to crawling, and yesterday did a frog-leap. A true toadfrog leap.

Pulled his arms forward and his two little legs jumped. Daddy and I laughed til we hurt.

His mobile, is no longer, as you can see above. I heard a clicking sound via monitor, and this is what I saw. One of the funnier moments I've walked into, in parenthood. He looked very perplexed at the fail of his mobile.

Maybe next week, if you're good, I'll tell you about my Craigslist addiction and I'll showcase my purchases.

I'm sure you're on the edge of your seat. I can tell.

...and I may even talk to you about how I've managed to sqeeze into my skinny jeans and the number of lunges I have to do around my house to zip them up---not my skinny skinny's. Just the skinny ones.

STROLLER RECALL

2010-01-20T12:26:00.000-08:00

Mommies of Graco Strollers:

{My dad sent me this article today, and although we are Chicco owners---I know many of you are Graco momma's and I wanted to send this your way in case you had not yet read/heard.}

About 1.5 million Graco strollers sold at Wal-Mart, Target and other major retailers are being recalled after some children's fingertips were amputated by hinges on the products.
The recall by Graco Children's Products Inc. includes certain model numbers of its Passage, Alano and Spree Strollers and Travel Systems. The Exton, Pa., company received seven reports of children placing their fingers in a stroller's canopy hinge as the canopy was being opened or closed. Five children had their fingertips severed and two children received cuts on their fingertips.

The strollers were made in China by Graco and sold at AAFES, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Kmart, Fred Meyer, Meijer, Navy Exchange, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart and other retailers nationwide from October 2004 to December 2009.

In announcing the recall Wednesday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said the strollers pose an amputation and laceration hazard to children when opening or closing the canopy. The government advised consumers to stop using the strollers and contact Graco to receive a free repair kit.

The recall involves strollers made between October 2004 and February 2008. The model numbers and manufacture dates are on the lower inside portion of the rear frame, just above the rear wheels.

This is the second major recall in recent months of strollers that led to fingertip amputations and injuries. Last November, about a million Maclaren strollers were recalled after there were 12 reports of children's fingertips being amputated by a hinge mechanism.
The safety commission is now examining all strollers with the designs that have caused the fingertip amputations, said spokesman Scott Wolfson.

"CPSC is taking a larger look at the entire product line to determine what steps need to be taken to keep children safe in and around strollers," he said.
For more information about the recalled strollers, consumers can call 800-345-4109 or visit http://www.cpsc.gov.

please help me!

2010-01-14T14:50:00.001-08:00

We are in full out teething chaos. I say chaos, because my angel baby turned into a full-time crab and both he and I have had the most exhausting week in his whole precious 5 months.

We are hands-free, NEVER. He wants to be held at all times, and even then isn't fully satisfied. He has a red tush, swollen gums, and there's nothing this Momma can do to make it all better. Teething is welcome to leave our house, so my sweet tiny can feel all baby better. I'm about to kick teething in the {bad word}.

A shower a day is sparce, and I type now in my pj's--from last night. Ick.

I come to you. Trusting you know way more than me.

Do you have any teething remedies, suggestions, {Happy Hour}, advice?

I just ordered Sophie the Giraffe, after reading blogs, ofcourse---but any other help would be so very appreciated.

Thank you,
one very tired Momma

different

2010-01-07T20:27:00.000-08:00

This is the second time JR and I have been to Uruguay together---the last time though was quite different.

I was his bride-to-be, with nuptials only 5 months away.

Our time at the beach was spent plugged up to my Ipod, mind-dancing all of my awesome moves to the coolest Britney song {don't judge me b/c I'm a Brit fan}. She may be one poo of a mom, but that girl has the best studio-processed voice I ever did hear...and it makes me WANNA DANCE. You probably like me more, that I told you that. Maybe less, a lot less.

I no longer spend my vacation thinking about what a being a wife is like, how my wedding dress will fit, and how ever I am going to learn how to make casseroles. I've always associated 'wife' with 'casserole'. How 1950's of me.

This trip I think about how many bottles I need to prepare before the beach, if we packed enough toys for Hudson, and if my bathing suit smells like milk.

Much has changed in two years. We skipped out last year because I was with-child, and now my with-child is here..and he is ever so beautiful and perfect.

We are in a different chapter in life, and it's more fun. Way more fun.

I initially began this post to tell you about Punta, because it's a lovely place and I wish I could bring you here to have a cup of tea with me by the sea. Rhyming makes it sound so fun.

Bear loves it, and I think you would too.

The vegatation inland more closely resembles a forest, but upon turning around there is ocean.

Dinner is usually around 9 pm, but the true vacationers don't go out to eat until 11 or so. The bars/clubs/nightlife goes until 6am...with breakfast at noon.

Argentines and Brazilians galore. With some cruise ships as visitors now too. Hello, Americans!

Dinner isn't just a purpose to eat. We have asados here. Argentine BBQ. A 6-hr dinner, and I love it.

There is la feria at night, where you can buy local goodies like sheepskin slippers and local art.

My dad has been vacationing here since he was 10.

I hope Punta del Este will be as special to our babies as it is to me.

It's a world away from home, but it is a true joy to share this place with our family and these two boys that have my whole heart.

it's a new year

2010-01-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

...and we're beachin' it. The temps around here hover in the low 100's so a rainy, humid day like our Monday is a welcome one.

That 'tummy bug' that plagued Bear in the previous post hit me on our travel day on the Miami leg of our trip. A 9-hr flight with a stomach flu could very well be, and I can actually proclaim that it is, the most heinous and revolting way to fly on a plane. We were in the middle section of an exit row, and I very much wanted to politely 'exit' myself off the plane.

Hudson needs a Momma, and even more so, I need him. Thus, my decision to stay put in my coach seat...was.

Upon landing, and once thru customs, Daddy said he wasn't feeling fabulous and wonderful.

The stomach flu won, and our little family of three missed NYE 2010. We laid in bed and recovered from the BIG BAD TUMMY BUG.

We were only 'out' a day, and by Thursday it was a-go. I've gained two pounds since arriving here, because the yummy deliciousness is plentiful. Those take place of the two pounds I lost via stomach flu, right? whatever.

The mornings start late, and the nights end around 1am which works out pretty well with our boy because we're four hours ahead here...so Bear thinks staying up til '9' is a PARTY with Mommy and Daddy.

We're working on our tans here, and making sure Bear stays heavily sunscreened and has plenty of room to work on his crawl.

I have millions of pictures to share with you, and we'll leave you with a glimpse into what our days are filled with. Baby and beach :)

More to come....

but more importantly---we wish you the happiest of new year's and a blessed 2010.

Advertise

2010-01-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

Under construction...check back soon!

100 miles an hour

2009-12-29T10:21:00.000-08:00

That's the pace I'm at right now.

We're supposed to leave for an overseas trip tomorrow, and this sweet face has come down with some sort of tummy bug and has thrown up twice.

I cried my first sad-mommy tears this morning, knowing my baby was hurting. Quite possibly the most helpless and horrible feeling I've ever known.

We've managed to keep down Pedialyte and we see the doctor at 2pm. For now, I've got him laughing with Momma's stinker song---because that's what we do as mommies...make up the silliest of songs that you would be so embarrassed for others to hear you sing.

I smell stinker, yes I do.

I smell stinker, how about YOU?!

on repeat----this will make Bear cackle all the day long.

I promise a Christmas post as soon as we're all healthy again...

merriest from us...

2009-12-25T20:35:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you, wishing you and your family lots of love and many many Christmas blessings.

{Hudson was 8 wks old in these pics}

BIG XMAS NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-21T12:08:00.001-08:00

This is how Hudson Bear reacted when we told him...

we were moving HOME to OKLAHOMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A full explanation later but for now: we were very blessed to come across a wonderful job opportunity for JR that would give us the chance to move home, and just in time for the holidays. We are all set up {surrounded by boxes} in our new home in Soonerland, and DOES IT FEEL GOOD TO BE HOME. I'm so happy, even my bones are happy.

It's the merriest of Christmas's at The Pettijohn house :) Our first one with our most precious tiny, and we get to spend our holidays and EVERYDAY now, at home.

Greetings from Oklahoma y'all.

Boomer.

hey santa

2009-12-14T20:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,

I've been very nice this year, and have one request.

{the colossal cables throw from anthro}

I have the two most handsome boys to snuggle in it with.

love,

nat

MIA

2009-11-29T20:43:00.000-08:00

I have a perfectly valid excuse for not blogging in a week, and it's this.

We were able to spend Thanksgiving week at Mom and Dad's this year in Miami. I have a special place in my heart for Miami; it was the start of the love affair and romance I have with my husband ♥ where Hudson will forever come visit his abuelos, and the very first place our baby put his feet in the sand.

Let me back track though, to the part where I almost threw an infant car seat at a flight attendant.

I won't go into too much detail about who/what/when/where other than the fact that this is a blog warning to you to NEVER REMOVE ANY WARNING LABELS FROM THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR INFANT CAR SEAT. Yes, those huge ones that come plastered all over the sides of all baby stuff with idiot warnings like: don't let your baby play with fire balls and whiskey.

Turns out there is a line this big at the bottom of one of the 4 stickers on ours, that reads: This car seat approved for all car and flight transportation. Really? Duh. Thank you. Mr. Sassy Flight kept threatening to REMOVE our car seat from the flight as it was deemed unsafe to fly because of a sticker. We had some rallying passengers on our side, but they too got sassed. We all got sassed. Each and every one of us. So, away went the car seat.

Very long story short about holding up an entire flight because of hissy/sassy flight attendant and one ANGRY Momma---he prevailed, we all got sassed {rallying passengers} , and we flew sans car seat. I turned all shades of pissy and stupid words were slipping out of my mouth, and was so grateful Bear can't spell out words yet.

*In our defense, this was Hudson's 6th flight with no previous "regulation" problems. I think his {FA} black patent leather lace-ups were on a little too snug that day.

I was told to bring it down and sit DOWN by my husband who thankfully was able to prevent us from getting kicked off the flight by fault of me. I pouted like a 4 year old the whole rest of the flight and I'm sure I GOT him when I eye-rolled refused a drink when offered by him. Take THAT.

To the A1A we made it, and Hudson had some verrrrry happy abuelos ready to show him Miami. He got them going around 7am.

This Zoolander face is what wakes them up every morning, and they LOVE it.

Upon making it downstairs, we set up shop and immediately the sand plagued Hudson.

From there, it was silly fun. Bear loved sand, so next was the ocean.

success.

and this is how we kept Hudson Bear entertained. Thanks, crinkly squeak toy.

Please forgive our milky appearance, it was our first day. I can assure my skin is a more toasty RED color today and I vow to you to never paste your eyes with this white-hued glow again. A picture of our family of three now. My family ♥

and perhaps my favorite pic of our boy child. Ever.

mint me please

2009-11-21T17:14:00.000-08:00

I'm a mom now which means I must do many things I did not do before...in other words, lazy isn't going to cut it. The only human on the face of this planet who is not subject to my extreme bouts of laziness is Hudson Bear. He is exempt, because he's got a smile prettier than sunshine - and it makes me want to do everything for him. That's not even cheesy, because it's fact.

I speak now specifically about Christmas cards. I had no problem getting them done last year, but this year I come loaded with roughly one million pictures of Baby Bear to choose from, endless design options, and the extreme lack of desire to address envelopes. Ick. You letter loving fools need to pay me a visit, because I'd rather text you our holiday cards. Don't roll your traditional eyes at me...a shower a day + hair + makeup is still quite a feat at my house.

This sweet site has got me smitten though, with graphics galore and I've narrowed it down to two cards. I've totally got a crush, a web-crush.

I can't give you a sneak peek because like with all things, I cannot make a decision.

Christmas cards '09. Check.

Want one?

life is good.

2009-11-16T15:48:00.000-08:00

bullets

2009-11-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-12T06:25:00.000-08:00

...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

2009-11-05T07:05:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-04T08:01:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

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.

WINNERS!!!

2009-10-12T17:20:00.000-07:00

We had over 100 entries---WOW!!! Thank you all SO much for participating, I know Ashley is truly honored to be able to send some out to you for your babes to enjoy :)

The winners are:

The Lanyon's

Luke and his Mommy

The Shearer's

Winners, please email Ashley at:

tricoteallday(at)gmail(dot)com

with:

Size of your babe's head {if you have it}, design choice, and your mailing address.

If you are still in need of a bean for your sweet tiny, you can also order with Ashley by emailing your design choice, size desired, and mailing address.

Prices are:

$18 for the Bitty Pumps {Holiday}
$15 for all other assorted designs

Payment can be sent by either check or money order to the following address:

1315 W. 9th Street
Austin, Texas 78703

You can also be invoiced through your PayPal account if you would rather, by emailing Ashley at tricoteallday(at)gmail(dot)com.

If you have any questions please email me!!!

Congratulations to all WINNERS!!!!!!

last chance

2009-10-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, last chance to enter for the baby beans GIVEAWAY!! Winners announced MONDAY NIGHT!! to only be fair to those girl momma's out there, Baby Hudson begrudgingly agreed to show off some of Ashley's more feminine choices :) There are a few more boy options below, along with their more girly counterparts. I'll have to delete this post as he grows older, and makes friends...

Sooner Baby {can be customized for YOUR university of choice}

we of course are partial to the crimson and cream.

Norman

Miami MiMi

Tucker

Momma Puff

Hershey's Kissers

Baby Toad {we had to show all 3 shots}

Sky Bumble

Huggles

...and we saved the best for last. Please. Meet Bebe Flamingo.

GIVEAWAY NEWS!!!!!

2009-10-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

I am SO glad you all loved the baby beans----in FACT, you loved them SO much we have decided to EXTEND the giveaway thru Monday, and not only that!

Ashley has added some MORE designs to choose from {will post momentarily}, eeeeek! AND there will be....

THREE WINNERS NOW!!!

....I'll announce the THREE winners on Monday!

the white

2009-10-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

I transformed this room all for under $100.

If I have a minute, you'll find me gazing at my finished project, the white room. I posted the other day about being inspired by a fellow blogger who does the most spectacular work in all white.

The project began with a stop at Lowe's for some white paint. It was a dizzying experience, as there are roughly 786 shades of white. I was just short of asking my two month old son for advice because the sea of white was overwhelming. Alas, chosen.

I started first with the two metal nightstands that have a woven wooden top---mistake. I will never paint metal again. It does not absorb the paint like wood does, and it took me FO-EVA to cover the brushed metal color. They did turn out lovely in white though, so I must say I am pleased with the results.

I've had these two antique prints from my mom, framed rather gargantuously with an ancient gold color. The frames though, divine and perfect. Immediately I saw white. and I looooooooove them.

Mentioning before in previous posts, my obsession with a nice bed. My latest tackle is to make all beds in our house "hotel" style. All white, with comfy sheets, a light king-size blanket all tucked in. Somebody else thought I was making it for him.

The fabric for the curtains I got at Joanne's for $40, and made them with a no-sew approach. Success.

$35 for paint/brushes/etc...

$40 curtains

$15 hardware

TOTAL: $90

GIVEAWAY!!!

2009-10-06T09:40:00.000-07:00

It's the holiday season, isn't it? Some may argue that Halloween marks the start of the finest months of the year, but I say that's silly.

Silly, because I would stretch it out to begin in early August...or even July 31st. My birthday. I'll let the holidays start on my birthday :)

The holidays are a time of GIVING, thus I feel like giving to YOU. Below is the first of my holiday season giveaways. It is also one very dear to my heart, because the following is made by Hudson's Aunt Sissy and she wants you to join in.

Ashley is the knitting hands behind tricotè all day, French for "knit all day". Up for grabs is your pick of one of her precious baby beanies! You can choose any of the ones posted or she can even do a custom order for you!! I have a strong liking for the model she chose, in fact I do LOVE him.

To win:

1 entry: Comment and tell me which one you'd like to win!

2 entries: Comment AND join The Pettijohns as a follower!

3 entries: Comment, Follow, and Post about the giveaway on YOUR blog!

bitty pumps

rainbows and baby toes

baby blues

puffy fluff

wiggles

snuggle bear

dolphin baby

chickadee fluff

I'll close the giveaway on Thursday and announce the winner on FRIDAY!!!! Good luck!

his aunt lu

2009-10-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

He woke up and got to meet his Aunt Lu for the very first time.

She flew 16 1/2 hours to see his tiny face.

They fell in love.

He gave her all kinds of smiles and decided to chat some Baby Crab talk.

We've shared wedding days and a childhood friendship but I now get to watch my Lu be Aunt Lu to my baby boy.

it's a thankful kind of day

2009-10-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Y'all are far too sweet.

I get tickled when you "award" me. Since I've become a momma, I feel like I can use the word "tickled" and it sounds age appropriate. I never used it in my pre-momma days. I'm now tickled that I used tickled publicly.

Both Melissa AND Lea Liz awarded me this snazzy:

and now...to come up with 7 random facts about me. Eeesh. I am NEVER good at these things. {in the meantime I'll eye candy you with some shots of my camo outfitted babe who is ready for a good Oklahoma hunt all thanks to his Uncle Tommy and the Neff's}

1) I love Botox. Yep. I'll just start it out with a bang. I can wrinkle my forehead like that of a Shar-pei and there is not a whole lot about that, that I like. Botox is a glorious toxin and fills those suckers in. {I bet you feel closer to me already, huh.}

2) I am fluent in Spanish. If I don't pass this on to Hudson and Co., I will consider that my greatest regret in life.

3) Furthermore, if there is any {ANY, ANY, ANY} type of Latin music on---be it salsa, merengue, Spanish guitar...I WILL BREAK OUT AND DANCE NO MATTER WHERE I AM. I love to dance, not the coreagraphed kind, just dance. According to my husband I have only one "move" but I think I do that move well. It's that college-girl-i'm such-an-amazing-dancer-don't-you-wanna-dance-just-like-me-cause-i'm awesome-move. You know it, because you did it too. We frequently have dance parties at our house {myself} and even danced a lot when I was pregnant---in fact it almost put me into labor one night {dancing to Michael Jackson's Free Willy song, in case you were curious}.

4) I love to vacuum. Hate most other household chores, but vacuuming is truly a joy in my book. I'm so weird. I know.

5) I'm considering starting up my own baby photography biz. Don't have quite the confidence I need yet to really embark upon it, but I'm praying for it daily. Already have the name for it, and that excites me tremendously...

6) I hear Baby Crab awakening. 6 will have to wait.

7) I have the best job in the world. I may say this all the time, but my moments as a mother trump anything I have ever felt and experienced in my life before. To share this all with my husband goes beyond any happiness and love I ever imagined for myself.

Naptime is over, and it's time to feed: so I nominate you ALL to post 7 random facts about you, because they really are fun to read and I will pass out awards momentarily...

p.s. the WHITE room turned out awesome.

just like his momma

2009-09-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

In the winter, a true Texoman girl {or is it Texhoman, my husband has me questioning} has footwear that consists of only cowboy boots and UGGS.

That's it. That's all you need to survive the chill { or the arctic tundra I currently live in}. While on subject, let me point out that if you see me in PA wearing my cowboy boots, you need not look at me like I stepped out of a John Wayne movie.

I'm from Texoma. It's part of our etiquette to wear cowboy boots. Those naughty stares you throw at my vintage boots are unneccessary and only make me think of how silly YOU look NOT wearing them.

Yee flippy haw, y'all.

Uggs. In continuation...

One of my dearest, Miss Laura, sent Hudson his first pair of Baby Uggs. I think Baby Crab looks so handsome and North Pole-ish, like he could guide you thru a blizzard with some sled dogs.

I just don't know that I've seen a such a thing cuter than a sweet tiny in some knitted Uggs.

Thank you so much Laura for gifting Hudson with such a thoughtful and precious gift.

look where it got me

2009-09-29T09:23:00.001-07:00

We all blog-hop. Blog hop sounds better than blog-stalk, I think.

You can't say you don't do it. We're all guilty of it. It's okay. Don't be ashamed.

I'm always inspired by your ideas out there, because I lack them. I lack ideas. Atleast, the good and creative kind.

From one must-read blog {Life at the White House} to another {Life in the Fun Lane} I am now with a basement lined with furniture to be painted and a bucket of white paint.

I have a mild obsession with all things white. I could live in an all white house. So clean and perfect and pretty. Behold, Life in the Fun Lane. She paints things white. White, white, white.

I quickly ran upstairs, found whatever JR would let me paint and I'm now seeing more white than I've ever wanted to see in my life. Turns out--painting DARK things WHITE takes many many coats.

Sweet tiny schedules don't allow for full-out paint sessions so I'm in a constant cycle of:

Eat
Play
Sleep
Paint
Poo

Eat
Play
Sleep
Paint
Poo....

you likely get the idea.

If it turns out good I'll show you. If it turns out bad, well...

I had to promise JR that no child would be painted in this project.

to be continued...

the difference

2009-09-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus. that bit...remember?

It holds true, atleast during bath time. This is what I walked in on, post-bath the other night.

I guess when your baby comes out with a full head of hair, it's fair game.

you'll know who cleaned baby up by his hair-do {mommy goes with the traditional comb-over} I have to say...I think my son wears the mohawk spike quite well ♥

the twang

2009-09-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

The Texoman twang. I have it, and you get to hear it. Unfortunately.

I mean not to bore you, but alas, this blog is of course read by the g-parents and after much pleading/begging I finally got around to posting a video for them.

It also proves that I am human, have a real voice, and talk baby all day long. Don't you sometimes forget that your fellow bloggers are real people?? We're not all computers. That's weird I know. I said it.

My favorite of the two is from today actually, showing one of my very favorite things to do with Baby Crab. Chat. This is more or less how our conversations go and I really could just sit with a cup of coffee and blabber all day long with this boy who stole my heart.

and the second is from last Friday before dinner, and while wiggling the babe we got a big ol' smile from him. People ask me what I do all day with a baby, and what life is like....here it is.

runway

2009-09-23T06:28:00.000-07:00

If he had a baby runway to spit-up on, he would be the star of the show---my tot. Project Runway Hudson.

Just because he's a he and not a she doesn't mean I can't play dress up with Baby Crab {who for the record seems less crabby today, but Baby Crab may stick}. I secretly love the multiple outfit changes we have daily only because I get to see him in so many cutes.

Now, I must add that as a child my grandpa had to install a lock on my closet door because I was known to change my own outfit all day long. Clearly I have a problem that went unresolved...my poor child now is subject to my clothes obsession.

Following suit of Lea Liz, who said it very well on her blog----that for now longalls, shortalls, and bubbles are so precious on their tiny selves. They have the rest of their lives to wear big boy clothes, and it gives us momma's time to play dress up with our pea pods. Thank goodness they grow opinions on such things, because I can see myself putting Hudson in a bubble at the age of 5 which would likely ensue with some bullying. Not okay.

I got a little wordy there {I'm positive you're shocked}, because all I really wanted to show you was this:

His Sooner wardrobe is growing, and in fact began the day after we found out Hudson was a tiny baby boy. We found out on a Friday and we were in Norman the next day shopping for him. I wasted no time preparing for my Sooner baby, that I had always dreamt of.

The longalls I got him will be embroidered with "Go Sooners" instead, and will be perfect for our Fall trip down to the Homeland. I bought it at PattieCakePretties on Etsy and they have so many custom outfits for the babes--college, holiday, and monogram. oh, monogram. the love.

Baby Crab would make my heart melt in this, for our upcoming beach trips for the end of the year. Mommy's precious Baby Crab ♥