Election Day Off = Halloween Weekend Recap

Gwinnett County gave us the day off for Election Day today so I figured I'd use the opportunity to upload my photos from this weekend to share with you. Enjoy....

A happy boy on Game Day

 All decked out in Halloween gear, and split between Georgia and Florida!

 Opening his present from Aunt Kara and Aunt Christine!

 A house divided!

...but we still love each other!

 Trying water out of a sippy cup for the first time.

Halloween Night. An angel and a skeleton.

 Going trick-or-treating in the wagon....like big boys!

 A witch and a ghost answered the door!



 All tuckered out after eating all that sugar.

Just kidding. :)

....And go vote!!!

I Had a Dream

I had a dream last night that Hudson and I were on a jet and, for some reason, in order to protect Hudson or save him, I had to put him in a pod and eject him from the plane while we were over the ocean. I knew that by doing so he had the best chance of survival, but it was nearly impossible to do. As I watched the pod with my baby in it plummet toward the ocean, I thought about how crazy it was that I was putting his safety in the "hands" of that pod and fate, but that I had to have faith that what I was doing was going to save him.

When I left Hudson at Open Arms, his daycare (or school as I'm calling it), for the first time this morning, I felt the familiar feeling that I'd felt during my dream. I know that he'll do great at school and that he's going to learn so much and make friends, but it goes against my motherly instinct and every. bone. in. my. body. to leave him in the care of people who don't know him (no matter how sweet and caring they are--and Miss Angela and Miss Erika certainly are), love him and would die for him.

But I have faith. I have faith that God has him there for a reason. And I know that He loves him even more than I do.....even if that seems impossible. :)

Bright and early before school...too excited to eat!

 On our way!

Playing at school the moment we arrived...there are so many more toys than at home!



Pumpkin Love

Do you love pumpkin as much as I do?!?! If so, check out the following from fellow bloggers, family and friends....they are tried and tested by moi. :)

1. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/2010/10/my-eyelids-are-held-open-with-toothpicks/
(You'll have to scroll a ways down for the recipe (easiest thing I've ever made!), but as a reward, you'll get to see Darby's little rovers and her other creative projects.)

2. Pumpkin (or squash) Risotto
http://igameals.com/?p=167
This recipe is from a girl I knew in high school! It's not too pumpkin-y and went really well with rotisserie chicken and pear and praline pecan salad. (Thanks for the help with pairing the food, Mom!)

3. Fran's Pumpkin Pie Dip
I got this recipe from Jay's aunt. Mmmm....

10 oz. cream cheese (I used 1/3 less fat)
3/4 c. pumpkin
1/2 c. packed brown sugar (I used the Splenda kind)
1 1/2 Tbsp. orange juice
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves

Process in food processor until smooth. Serve with gingersnaps (or 'Nilla Wafers!).

4. Pumpkin Baby
Take small bites, please!

Do  you have any pumpkin recipes you can share with me? Due to my fear of a pumpkin shortage, I just bought an insane amount of canned pumpkin and would love to use it in some new recipes! Please share in your comment. :)

Happy Halloween! xoxo

You know you've been a parent for 6 months when....

....you completely forget to turn the monitor on one night and don't realize it until it's time to get up the next morning!

P.S. Please don't turn us in to DFACS. :)

Hudson @ 5 and 6 months!!!

Hello?!?! Is anyone there?!?!

Probably not, but in case there's a lone soul out there who still checks my blog, here's a sampling of the latest pics of Huddy Buddy from the past month....

Chillin' on his tummy, playing, wanting to crawl...@ 5 months

The best "nest" picture I got of Hud @ 5 months...except I forgot the egg! Grr...

Comforting the sweet boy after he decided he no longer liked the "nest."

One more try....

Okay...we'll just play with the egg on Mommy's lap then!

Seriously--he's that happy. And he makes me that happy!

Sitting all by himself....the day before turning 6 months old.

He's loving being able to sit by himself!

Those eyes. Those cheeks. Those lips.

And this is the other face he makes when he's not smiling. So serious and deep in concentration!


Happy 6 month birthday Hudson!

Opening up his half-birthday present. :)

Blocks!

Mmmm....the citron block is yummy!

We got to have a play date on my furlough day with Kelly and Kaden! It was so precious to watch the boys interact with each other for the first time.

Kade was waaay better at "army crawling!" That smirk on his face reads: Eat. My. Dust.

His 6 month "nest" photo shoot went much better than @ 5 mos. now that he thinks he's a big boy.

....I'd really like to take a bite outta this egg....

Well, that all for now. I'd like to say you'll hear from me soon, but who knows when the next time will be. At least know I have ideas for future posts that I would love to work on when I find the time. ;)

Besos!!!