Three Months

I can't believe how time is speeding by. The amount I have been told to "enjoy this time" is countless and lately I have really understood what that means. Everyday is a new milestone and Hudson seems to be changing overnight. In the blink of an eye he has...

Gone from 8lbs 7oz to 14lbs 7oz

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

Sleeping through the night and in his own room... YES!

Smiling and Interacting

Gained the Yummiest Physique... I Could Squish those Thighs All Day

Loving the Bath

Bonding with Daddy

Meeting Distant Family

Being Blessed

My Darling Hudson:

I never get enough of you. I spend all day, every day with you and can miss you when you're napping. I'm in love with your blue eyes, 4 chins, rubber-band wrists, baby boy voice, gummy smile and how there is never a time where you won't rest your head on my shoulder and let me cuddle you. You have taught me to use ALL of my heart and to love in a new way. There is no denying that being a Mother is hard work and endless, but I wouldn't change a minute of the sleepless nights, poop, spit-up and crying. I'm so fortunate to be your Mom and to say I feel blessed is a vast understatement. You are the thing I am most proud of and most protective over. Never will I be the same and only for the better. I'm overwhelmed that you chose us to be your parents and I thank you for that.

Love,

Mom

My Life in Surround Sound...

If you want to know why I have bags under my eyes, or why I'm napping in the middle of the day... here is a hint.

Like Father Like Son....

Could you sleep with these boys on either side of you?

Hudson Jay McCoy... Our Blue Moon Baby

So many prayers of gratitude have been said in our home this past 11 days. We are so in love with this little man and grateful for his safe arrival. We understand that conception, pregnancy and delivery aren't always perfect and that things could be very different. So we take a minute each day to say thank you for our answered prayers.

Hudson was born December 31st, 2009 at 5:47pm. Even after being induced it took him 26 hours to arrive. Because of the history of large babies in the McCoy family, how big he was measuring and the size of my body, the Dr's felt it was important to induce me. They arranged the induction on the 27th and because of actual laboring mothers and medical inductions we were bumped several days, finally being omitted on the 30th. I was given cervidil, pitocin, and some help breaking my water... still it was 26 hours. After 14 hours of labor (but only being dilated 4 centimeters) I was ready for my drugs. It made labor so much easier not only for me, but Colin too. Stubborn as he was Hudson finally came, cone head and all. 8lbs, 7oz and 22 1/2 inches of little boy.

It was so easy to fall in love with Hudson, but never did I know how much more I would fall in love with Colin. Changing diapers, feedings and just being an amazing Dad came so naturally. Watching him this past week reminds me that all the reasons we marry someone may be revealed over time. I had seen him for years with his nieces, nephews and friend's children and have often been told what a great Dad he will be... great doesn't begin to describe it. To say I don't feel worthy of these two boys is an understatement.

Lastly, our hearts are so full from the outpouring of love from friends and family. This little boy may never know or understand how lucky he is to have so many around him who love and care for him. We are continually amazed at how blessed we are and thank you all for your part.

Joy

Life has layers... like onions and ogres. I love my newest layer of being an Aunt to my sister's new baby.

Scout Amelia Ellis was born two months early on July 2nd, 2009. Weighing only 3lbs 13oz. Being the mini fighter she is, she showed us all that she was here and ready for life. For some reason, when your family members have children they are more beautiful and perfect. I can't get enough of this sweet little girl and watching my sister be such an amazing Mom. You really get to see who people are when they become parents and with no drugs and an early labor, Laura sure showed us what she is made of. It's amazing how much I love this little one who lives so far away -- I wish for baby Scout all the things I wish for her marinating cousin in my belly. I hope they grow up to be "best cousins".

Scout's First Day on Earth

Proud Parents

So Tiny

Laura and Scout on her Blessing Day

Scout and her Cousins Playing in her Bassinet

Baby Boating

I'm Pretty Sure Grandpa Couldn't be Happier

Look, Scout Sleeps with her Mouth Open Just like her Auntie!

First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage...

Then on January 3rd, comes the baby in the baby carriage....

Man in the Mirror

Look at the talent of my darling husband. I showed him the below picture and said I wanted these Mirrors for our entry way... 

and this is what he made... 

Pretty darn close and pretty darn cute in my opinion. What a talent - maybe I could get him on one of those remodeling shows - you know, like those cute carpenters they always have. I think he is pretty hot in his tool belt! 

He is also pretty cute in a bow tie...

Happy Birthday Colin

29 years ago today he was born and the world hasn't been the same since...

Growing up little girls dream of their future spouse - I was no different, but never in my dreams did I imagine someone quite as amazing as Colin. He has changed me for the better, is an example to all who know him, and I love and appreciate all he does for me. There are more than 29 reasons I love this boy, but I thought I would start with just that....

1. FUNNY - Nobody can make me laugh harder

2. Imaginative - The Scenarios that play out in his head are incredible

3. Friendly - I gave him the nickname "Coli-spaniel" early on

4. Talented - If I can dream it, he can build it

5. Ambitious - Maybe because he is so talented he feels comfortable with having big dreams

6. Big Hearted - He will always ask how I am feeling if, or if someone is okay when he knows things haven't been going so well. 

7. Excited about Life

8. Compassionate - He is always offering to help those less fortunate

9. Honest - He can be blunt, or embarrass his wife, but never tells a lie

10. He plays my games 

11. Generous - Except with his cupcakes

12. Smells Amazing

13. Can say he is Sorry 

14. Knows how to have a good time - Karaoke!

15. Silly - Ask him to make up a song on the spot... you will see what I mean

16. Brave - He always checks out the bumps in the night

17. Loyal 

18. He loves songs you get to yell when you sing 

19. Smart - Still remembers how to do every math equation

20. Athletic - He can still bust out back-handsprings and flips with no problem

21. Curious - He MUST know how it works and why

22. He lets me be me - Never once has he asked me to be different than I am

23. Hard Working - Even on his days off he is working on something

24. Authentic - I don't think he could be fake if he wanted to

25. Supportive 

26. Loving

27. Gentle - I love to see him with kids, he is so sweet

28. So Cute - I never get jealous when girls check him out... how could I blame them?

29. FUN - Never a dull moment in the last 3 years, or I'm sure the 29 of his life

Happy Birthday Babe!

Here are some of my favorite Colin Videos....

Not Gone... Just Away

(That title is for you A) 

We're here. So so busy, but still here. This last weekend Colin and I tried to find out exactly how much you could fit into 72 hours. The outcome? Quite a bit. First we started in the Dunes, with boys and their toys. Yep, I was the only girl. Then Friday night we made our way to San Diego to see the Campbell's and the ocean. Sunday we headed back to Mesa, but not without stopping in Quartzsite to see my Grandparents on another one of their motor home adventures. 

Studly Dune Cody

Colin's Idea of Romance = Mary & the Dunes

Colin's idea of Sand

Dune Sunset

Mary and Grandpa

Grandma and Aunt Lola

Mary's idea of Sand

Mary and Adrianne - Squinty, but Happy

Festive Lunch - Ole!

Hannah treating Colin and I to a story - Yes, 3 year old Hannah can read!

La Salsa

Let me please express to you... the wonder that is...  Rebecca Dent's salsa. 

In talking one day, my friend Rebecca explained to me that she makes and sells salsa out of her house. This was all new news to me, and Ms. Le Cordon Bleu chef mentioned it so modestly that I didn't really think anything of it, but I gladly placed an order. Once we received the salsa it only took us 3 DAYS to finish 3 containers. I couldn't get it in my mouth fast enough. Colin and I would do that "okay, just one more chip" game until we would finish an entire bag and were forced to finish. I have to admit that my stomach didn't feel very well from the massive amounts of tomato acid and tortilla chips... Really, I just couldn't stop! 

There are 3 amazing flavors -- Red (like you would have at a Mexican restaurant with chips before your meal), Green (This is Colin and his families favorite), and Chunky (which doesn't taste like chemicals and preservatives like at the store). I understand this is a lot to say about a little salsa, but I feel like when you come across a little gem like this you need to share. If you're interested, I am happy to pass on the Chef's information.

There's No Place Like Home

I don't think there is anything more comforting than Christmas with your family. Christmas is magical and fun - add your family and it's all the better. Every time we go home (Christmas or not) my parent's don't hold back on the fun (and food), and there really isn't much resistance from us girls.  I guess it's their tactic - leaving us always wanting more. 

I'm glad to say that I assisted in Colin's first white Christmas. Seattle was so white and full of snow we we're actually worried we would never make it. While cabin fever did set in around day 3 we still loved every minute. I can regret the extra lbs later...

Lets Start it off with double of the girl who 

has never shied away from the camera!!!

She takes so many pictures it drives her husband to drink!

(J/K - it's one of the many root beers consumed)

Dad and his girlfriend Lilly

Hey Mom, I know about this party....

Colin's first snow man (well, Hockey Man)

Adam, the snow native, showed him how it is done.

Mama getting ready for WhirlyBall. 

WhirlyBall involves electric carts, plastic scoops, a wiffle ball, 

and apparently when you play with competitive boys, lots of bruises.

We were all still friends in the end.

Dad making his famous pancakes

Snow from the Car

It's tradition to all get pedicures together while we're home...

Yep, even the boys!

Sisterly Love

Bro-Mance 

(they were sharing the blanket before I took the picture)

Girls doing a little shopping

Laura couldn't pass up another photo-Op

All that fun was exhausting...

Close your mouth Mary!

Thanks Mom and Dad for a Great Christmas!