Tacky but Tasteful

Hudson, on our way to see the lights!

"Tacky but Tasteful"

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is ready for 2008! We decided we would go out for some lights on Christmas Eve. We loaded Hudson in the car and headed off. A friend told us about this house in his neighborhood - we couldn't believe it when we turned down the street! Lights Everywhere!! All Kevin could think of was Clark Griswold and kept quoting lines from the movie! The owners of the house met everyone outside with homemade fudge and actually said "Does everyone like it...it's Tacky but Tasteful!"


This was our attempt to take a Christmas Eve picture with the boy by our tree!

Hudson is ONE!!

I just can't believe an entire year has gone by! Our little man has grown up so much and it has been so much fun! Every stage has been my favorite (except maybe 7-8 months old...I just didn't know how to communicate with him)! But this stage has really been fun...you can tell him to do something & he actually does it!! It's amazing how much they know and understand!

We had a terrific time at his big party! Thank you to all of our friends and family who were able to join us! Here are a few pics from the party...I'll be posting more on his babyjellybeans website after his dr's appt tomorrow!

Watching the big kids play football!


Mommy & Daddy helped me blow out my candle!


BIRTHDAY BOY!

Party Time

I love Christmas time...the lights, the smells, the great mood everyone seems to be in, and of course, the parties! Each year we look forward to the Christmas "Casino" Party hosted by Kevin's company! It's so much fun to get all dressed up, eat some great food, and gamble with fake money! We are so blessed that Kevin works with some really fabulous people...And, we went down with Brian & Ashley Gott (Ashley is expecting baby #2, so she offered to be DD - THANKS!)...I think they want us to repay them next year...Although I can't promise baby #2 will be on the way!! Thanks to Grandma D (Kevin's mom) for babysitting! I think if she had her way, we'd be at a party every weekend! :-)

And He's Off...

Well, Hudson is WALKING! He surprised us last Thursday with his "First Steps"...the two steps + step and fall...but Sunday night it was different. He was looking out the kitchen window then noticed we had Salt & Vinegar chips...it was all over! He looked at the chip then took off towards us! We should have known food would be motivator! Our little man decided two weeks before his One Year Bday was just the time...mommy and daddy are a little scared for the Christmas Tree though! I couldn't be more excited but at the same time a little sad...it just reminds me that everyday is so precious. And this time is so short! But, hey, maybe I'll keep the holiday poundage off chasing after him!

(sorry the video is not of his face, maybe I'll get one soon)

6-0 Baby!!!!

Nothing is better than beating bama!!! And to beat them 6 in a row - something no other Auburn team has done - is just AUsome!! Although the weather was a little chilly & gray, we had a fabulous day of chili-eatin', game watching & tailgating!! I love my Auburn Tigers and can't wait to cheer for them in the bowl game!! WAR EAGLE Auburn Fans!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

Now, I don't regulary watch Oprah, but I always love her "Favorite Things" show! To see the audience get so excited is such a blast & totally makes my day! It's always great to take away a few gift ideas as well! So, she has inspired me to post a few of my favorite things...and maybe this will inspire some gift ideas for someone else!

For our anniversary this year, my wonderful husband allowed me a sort of "mommy makeover." Hudson was 4 months old & I had just decided to be a stay-at-home mommy, so it was one of the best gifts ever!! First, I went to Intimacy at Phipps Plaza and got all new bras!! I was so skeptical, but no lie - there was a complete difference - especially after breastfeeding! I think for any girl, this store is definitely worth the trip!

I also went to Bare Escentuals boutique...they make Bare Minerals makeup...you know, the one on the late night info-mercials! I always wanted to try it, but again was skeptical...well, I've been using it since April and will never go back to any other makeup! My skin feels so much better and it's actually a little cheaper than my old favorite, Clinique!

Along with a little girly stuff, I was on the hunt for a "feel good" pair of jeans. I wanted ones that I could crawl around in with Hudson, but still looked good in when Kevin got home! After eagerly trying on dozens to no avail, I wandered into American Eagle. Yes, I know I'm not 15, but I had to try something. What do you know? Those jeans fit like a glove...and were a steal at $40!!! I even went back & bought another pair when I dropped all my baby weight!

NILLA WAFERS MINIS...Silly, I know...but I love that Hudson eats "normal" food now! It's fun to snag a bite of his snacks!

And, so I'm not constantly eating Hudson's snacks all day long, I've finally realized the importance of breakfast. Since Hudson eats ASAP when we get downstairs, there is not much time to cook breakfast, so I have an Ensure most mornings! While I know I'm not 15...I also know I'm not 55, but these things are great! They really fill you up...my favorite is Chocolate of course!

So this isn't too long, I will include just one more...Old Navy Cashmere Sweaters! I saw these fantastic sweaters just the other day. I must confess...I don't actually own one of these...it's more of a "I hope someone who has me on their gift list will get me one" favorite! It makes me want to spend a cold night out on the town having margaritas & champagne (paired of course with my fabulous AE Jeans)!


I hope everyone has a list of their very own (and maybe will post them so I can get peak)! I also wish everyone a wonderful Turkey Day - watching parades & football and stuffing themselves silly! I'm so thankful for all of my family and friends!! I can't wait to enjoy my time with all of them and the wonderful food all weekend long! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Sweet Caroline is 1!

Hudson's friend, Caroline, is turning ONE today! I can't beleive it! He loves having playdates with Caroline & they are so cute together! I just can't wait to see how they grow and learn over the next year! Time flies!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROLINE!

Who Does Hudson Really Look Like?

So, I saw this on a friend's blog and just couldn't resist! Now, I always thought our little man looked just like his daddy...but apparently he resembles me more by 4%!! This lovely page also says I look like Courteney Cox - and I'm hoping on these girls better days: Paris Hilton & Tara Reid! The best was Kevin - his included Fred Durst, Richie Sambora AND his #1 Look Alike: MOTHER TERESA!!!!! Enough said!

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Hudson and Beasley sure are ready for the Oldest Rivalry in the South! Now certainly, the bama game is by far - The Game of the Season - but for those of us who live in the Peach State, the Georgia game is a very close second. Growing up an Auburn fan, I didn't think any game mattered but the last regular season game. But as I've grown up and moved here, the Georgia game can be pretty important. It's always a great game to watch - even if you're not for one side or the other. And I must say, I've had a chance to work with some pretty awesome Georgia fans. Nevertheless - I WANT AUBURN TO WIN!!!!! So - to all the die hard Auburn Fans - WWAAARRRR EAGLE!

Busy...Busy

I always tell people I have no clue what I did before Hudson arrived & I would have absolutely no clue what I'd do if I had a "normal" job! To all mommies working "outside" the home - Here's To You!!! I stay busy...at what...sometimes I don't know! But for the last couple of days...I can at least point to a few highlights! It's a little long - but stay with me!

Most Exciting...I finally got my hair cut! I am the absolute worst about making hair appointments - I always wait until the last minute & there are never any convenient times. Well, a couple of months ago, I decided that Hair Cuttery couldn't screw my hair up that bad - I mean, it's pretty much one length & I just needed a trim. BOY, was I wrong. The girl wacked my almost-grown-out layers off to my ears & I was so embarrassed that I refused to go into Van Michael salon looking like I did! On Thursday, I told my sweet girl the story & she said not to feel bad, this was the 2nd hair-fix from Hair Cuttery in 2 days! She pretty much had to chop off all of my hair, but once the shock wore off - it looks tremendously better! (See Auburn pic below for semi-look at my new hair!)

Kevin and I also got to go on a DATE! Since Ariccia (at the AU Hotel) had lost his company's reservation during recruiting, they offered us a FREE meal! Date - alone with your husband - and FREE meal - it can't get much better! We arrived - table waiting - and were greeted by the manager with his apologies! However, he informed us alcohol wasn't included. What the heck though...I wasn't paying for my filet mignon! We took bets on drink costs - we both bet down since it was Auburn - not Atlanta! Well, we sure were shocked - a Vodka Tonic & Margarita - $18.00. Our free meal ended up being $40 when we added tip! Oh, well - it was still a deal! And Thanks Mimi & Pop for watching Hudson!

Friday, we ventured down to Lake Martin - why you ask - to ski of course! No, really - we went to winterize the boat. We took some pics & they sure are depressing! Hudson had fun playing peek-a-boo and watching Daddy in the boat. Hopefully, the water will come back up enough so we can use the boat next summer!

Our adopted in-law's dock - water usually goes up to the grass! I told you it was depressing!

Hudson had fun dancing with the back seat folded down!

Hudson went to his 3rd Auburn game of the year. I didn't think he'd make it to even one, but he sure has been a champ. It's so nice to hear from those who sit around you that you have such a wonderful baby! He's even adhered to Daddy's "can't leave before 0:00 in the 4th" rule!

Family Photo in front of the Auburn sign - you can sort of see the hair!

Monday, Hudson and I enjoyed a late afternoon walk. I figured we should go now since the "artic air" was moving in Tuesday night! It was so awesome to finally enjoy Fall! He's big on sharing now - he loves to share his snacks with me - which has to be one of the sweetest things ever! He also has a new laugh - the only way to really explain it is a "breathy Woody Woodpecker!" Hopefully he'll keep doing it so people can hear it - because it is precious!

Doing his "breathy" impression of Woody Woodpecker!

Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween!!!! It's Hudson's first Halloween! Boy, we sure have had a fun...We carved our pumpkin Monday night! Hudson had fun playing in the pumpkin goo...although we did have to pull a few seeds from the mouth!
The church where Hudson goes to Mother's Morning Out held a Trunk-or-Treat Halloween night! We didn't get any candy, but it was fun taking in all of the Halloween Fun! Grandma DeLine even got to come along! I think she had to most fun! :-)

"No, you eat it mommy!"

This pic is for Nana - thanks for my stinkin' cute bib!

Lion Hudson - King of the Pumpkins!

Family Fun at Trunk-or-Treat

Burt's Pumpkin Farm

So...it's a little late, but better Halloween than never huh?! The family (minus Beasley) went up to Dawsonville, GA (pretty much south Tennessee) to Burt's Pumpkin Farm! We've never been before but we thought Hudson's first pumpkin needed to be extra special! Wow...were there a TON of pumpkins & people! But we couldn't have picked a better day...sunny and very mild! Some of the pumpkins were sooo huge...and $100! Hudson didn't know what to think at first - but his love of pumpkins was soon found. We had so much fun picking out Hudson's first pumpkin and taking lots of pics! Now - he can pick out a pumpkin from a mile away - he points & we must go!

Mommy & Hudson by one of the $100 pumpkins!

Hudson even picked out a pumpkin just his size! He literally wouldn't let us leave without it!

This pic's for Pop!

Hudson & all of his pumpkins! They are the first thing he points to & we play with every morning!

Happy Birthday Kailey Anne Bice

Kailey Anne Bice at 2 weeks old.

So, two posts on my first day! I just couldn't resist another post in in honor of a friend's little girl! As all little children are miracles from God, this little one just reminds me of that everyday!

My friends Brian and Melissa found out about Kailey's condition during a routine ultrasound. All checked out okay until the technician looked at her heart. She couldn't find all 4 chambers. After a lot of hours at the hospital, the tests confirmed Kailey had a congenital defect called "criss cross heart." It only occurs in 8 out of 1,000,000 pregnancies. Yes, 8 in 1 Million!!!

The doctors spoke to Brian and Melissa about 3 operations to take place - Norwood, Glenn and Fontan. The Norwood procedure was to take place immediately after the birth, and a little one surviving this would be very hard so they wanted to make sure Melissa carried Kailey to term.

Well, 8 weeks later the doctors noticed part of her heart was closing too early which meant blood could end up flowing into her lungs. So, on Oct 24, 2006 - 6 weeks early - little Kailey Anne was born. 4 pounds, 4 ounces. To everyone's surprise, Kailey's condition looked much better than expected. A true and tangible miracle from God. Kailey would not have to undergo the Norwood procedure, but she did need a shunt - placed by open heart surgery - to help her circulation.

After blood transfusions, catheters, ventilators, countless tubes & wires, Kailey weighed in one month later at 5 lbs, 3 oz & came home! There were a few bumps during the first couple of months at home, but at 2 months old, this little one was up to 9 lbs, 11 oz!!

She continues to grow and develop at all the milestones for her age! She can even give Hudson a run for his money when it comes to playing! She's still got 1 or 2 surgeries left, so please pray for the Bice's, doctors and nurses as Kailey grows!

It's amazing how the Bice's just wanted to glorify God through Kailey and the joy in return you can see in her smiling face. Well, she's ONE today! Happy Birthday Kailey!!!

I wish I had a better picture of Hudson and Kailey - but I can't compete with lots of toys!

Also, another little miracle was born today - Georgia Ann Vaughn! Congrats Scarlotte, Dale & Tripp!

Rainy Days...

Bad mommy...or completely hilarious! Yes, Hudson is eating his Cheerios off of the floor!

Well, it's finally raining here in Atlanta. YEA!! Maybe we'll have drinking water for a few more days. Not much going on...I'm doing laundry and my little man is taking one of his fabulous naps! Napping myself would be great right now, but I just can't stop reading blogs! It's so neat to see everyday lives become so interesting!

So, after much time spent reading about people I feel like I know through this wonderful chain of blogs, I've decided to start blogging myself. I hope to feel semi-adult again for a few minutes during the day rather than just mommy.

I have a terrific husband - Kevin, a golden retriever - Beasley, and a 10 month old - Hudson. I love all of them dearly! I sometimes wonder what I did when I was single. My life is so full at this point, and I can't wait to see what each day holds.

We love Atlanta and all of our friends here, but our hearts are in Auburn. I grew up in Opelika and couldn't wait to come to Atlanta. So much - right at my fingertips! Kevin grew up in Atlanta and has wanted to be back in Auburn for years. Now that I have a little family, I can see his point & hope we can return one day soon. Something I'm still astonished that I can even write!

Hope you enjoy!