Light the Night Walk

About three years ago, my dear friend Crissy lost her dad to cancer.  I remember exactly where I was when she went to the hospital.  My best friend, Nicole has her nail shop around the corner from Crissy's house.  I was just leave Nicole's and was driving down the road, when Crissy (in her little mercedes) pulled up next to me and said she was on the way to see her dad.  :(  

Joe and I, Cindy and Reagan and a bunch of other friends attended the funeral.  My heart continues to break for her and her family as they miss her dad so much!  God does work in mysterious ways though... to this day I believe that Sarah was born three month's early to spend that time with her dad.  AND Jacob was born one year to the minute that her dad passed.  How is THAT for God's hands?  

anyway... last weekend was the Light the Night walk in honor of Leukemia and Lymphoma.  Scott and Cindy (and the kids), Delia and Cooper, mom and I (and Joe), and John walked with Crissy and her mom, Melody.  

Before the walk, they had all kinds of entertainment, music and characters wandering around. 

 this large flower entertained the kids with bubbles. 

 when they finally couldn't take it anymore, they got up (well Joe first) to check out the bubbles. 

 

 finally reagan

 there was excitement

 and laughter

 they danced to the band and ran back and forth until....

 Joe wandered off and i couldn't find him right away.  That put an end to THAT fun! 

 but they did see the Astro bunny

 We took a group picture just before the walk started which was when the sun went down. 

 and we could light our balloons. 

it was a 2 mile walk through the Woodlands and there were a LOT of people in support.  It was a great walk for a wonderful cause.  I'm so glad to have been invited to walk with Crissy and her mom!  

Love you!

Keeping up with the Pregnancy: Week 13

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 13 Weeks
Size of baby: Baby D is the size of a peach 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: maybe a pound or lose a pound.
Maternity Clothes:  I love LILAC jeans and finally got the right size! 
Gender: Several more weeks. 
Movement: Still too early.
Sleep: I am in bed by 9:15 usually and sleeping fairly well.
What I miss:  spicy tuna roll.
Cravings: bagels bagels bagels...  and carbohydrates and frozen yogurt with chocolate sprinkles.
Symptoms: morning sickness seems to be getting worse. :(   

Best Moment this week: being in my own bed (no offense mom and dad!).  :)

Oscar winning performances, Houston Half Marathons & Team Hudson

My sister and brother in law chose the Houston Half to be their first (and possibly) their last half marathon.  They trained and they worked really hard... we are so proud of them!  

I headed to Houston early to go work at ChemSystems, leaving Joe with his daddy and on the way to Houston Jason asked me about getting shirts made for the Hudsons (surprising them).  My friend, Meg, is quite the aficionado when it comes to design work and she didn't disappoint with these!  I was lucky enough to find a printer in Houston that could even have them done by Friday night.  WOOHOO!  

In the meantime... while working diligently at CSI... Jason calls me and tells me he has to pick up Joe early from school and that he won't put any weight on his left leg!  We were of course, quite worried.  I made him a doctors appointment and after the exam the doc said he couldn't see anything wrong with him.  But to watch it and see.  

That night he refused to put ANY weight on it.  He would crawl wherever he wanted to go or he would just sit there.  How sad is THAT!  The next morning, he was still not walking on it, so Jason drove him to Centerville where he met my mother to bring him to Houston.  It worked with the timing and we would work out the logistics.  I continued to work.  

Well.. to say he deserves an oscar is really an understatement.  By Wednesday evening, he was dancing, prancing, playing and even jumping.  And we fell for it.  Hook.  Line.  and Stinker!  

Joe playing, pantsless, with his bobcat and "ment" truck. 

 He hammered and climbed

"who me"

tickling and playing with Mimi

and getting a goodnight story from Mimi.  So special.  

Then Bebe, Big Daddy, Aunt Erin, Uncle Kevin and the boys came down on Saturday for the race.  We all met at the aquarium and rode the train and played in the water.  We had a nice dinner and lots of visiting.  

After finishing dinner and visiting...  the baby (wink wink) was craving raspberry ice cream with chocolate sprinkles.  :)  So we met mom and dad at Berripop Yogurt and we (well most of us) had some delectable delights.  And Joe was too funny.  We were discussing who was a boy and who was a "grill" otherwise known as a girl.  

me to Joe:  what are you?

Joe:  a boy

what am I? 

a grill

what is papaw?  a boy 

what is mamaw:  a gril

what is baby?  baby's eating.  oh and it's a grill.  

ha ha ha!  

Sunday morning we headed down to the Doubletree and had a nice breakfast and watched the boys run.  Then we went out to the finish line to watch for the runners to come cross.  :)  

What a fun weekend.  :) 

How is it possible?

That I have had this many blog posts in a row with NO pictures??? 

eegads!

 Joe's latest (or not so) favorites are his tool belts, bobcats and hardhats. One day he found Jason's "minor" light and added it to his ensemble.  Is he not the cutest thing EVER? 

 On October 16th, Jason Joe and I rode in the Clean Air Bike Rally. While we waited for it to begin Joe enjoyed "riding his horsy".  Such a funny guy.  The bike ride is great.  It wasn't fast and it was a great family thing. 

 The very next day was Jason's (and Scott McMichaels) second triathlon in Denton.  It was set up super cute with costumes and other halloween decorations.  They had great monster music playing.  This was Joe talking to one of the decorations. 

 Jason coming out of the bike area transitioning to the run.  

 Joe wanted to race with his daddy so he ran to the finish line with him.  

They are definitely number ONE in my book!  

Keeping up with the Pregnancy: 12 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 12 Weeks
Size of baby: Baby D is the size of a lime or an apricot.  

Total Weight Gain/Loss: maybe a pound or lose a pound.
Maternity Clothes: A few clothes but mostly those clothes that I wore when not pregnant anyway.  :)

I love LILAC jeans and finally got the right size! 
Gender: Can't wait to find out!
Movement:Way too early although I swear I am going crazy and feel bubbles.  But I know, that's nuts. 
Sleep: I am in bed by 9:15 usually and sleeping fairly well.
What I miss:  sushi.
Cravings: bagels bagels bagels...  and carbohydrates
Symptons: I'm still nauseous in the morning and still pretty tired.  

Best Moment this week: it's been a pretty average week.  Probably seeing my buddy yesterday.  (I'm in Houston and he was home).

My Pregnancy 11 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 11 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby D is the size of a Fig

Total Weight Gain/Loss: the same. 

Maternity Clothes: A few clothes but mostly those clothes that I wore when not pregnant anyway.  :) 

Gender: Can't wait to find out!

Movement:Way too early

Sleep: I am in bed by 9:15 usually and sleeping fairly well. 

What I miss:  still a glass of wine. 

Cravings: bagels bagels bagels...  and carbohydrates

Symptons: I'm still nauseous in the morning and still pretty tired.   

Best Moment this week:running my 10.54 miles on Saturday morning.  :-) 

Choices

So, we went to lufkin this weekend (pictures to follow) and we had a great time.  On our way home, we stopped at the office the way we always do for Joe to ride the forklift.  

He had been so well behaved ALL weekend, no temper tantrums, no time outs, nothing.  He was, quite simply, an angel.  

So, we went to leave the office and he didn't want to get back in his carseat.  He wanted to play.  (surprise surprise).  So, I was putting him into his carseat and he was arching his back.  

I said to him.. "Joe, do you really want to end a great weekend this way?"  

his response to me...  

" I AM MAKING BAD CHOICES!"  Said at the top of his voice!  

I just busted out laughing.  It was too funny not to!  

At least he knew.....  ha ha ha

Keeping up with the Pregnancy: 10 weeks

Another blog that I follow does this and I think it is too cute.  I'll work on a picture to add to it.  :)
 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 10 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby D is the size of a Grape

Total Weight Gain/Loss: hovering between losing/gaining. 

Maternity Clothes: A few clothes but mostly those clothes that I wore when not pregnant anyway.  :) 

Gender: Can't wait to find out!

Movement:Way too early

Sleep: I'm sleeping okay - except when I have to get up to pee. 

What I miss:  a glass of wine

Cravings: bagels bagels bagels

Symptons: I'm still nauseous in the morning and SOOOO stinkin tired in the evenings er I mean afternoons.  And I am emotional.  I am usually pretty tender hearted but now...  I can get my feelings hurt at the drop of a hat. 

Best Moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat!

Joe goes to Big Tex (ie Texas State Fair)

My parents came up this past weekend for the sole purpose of going to the Texas State Fair.  :)  I got up bright and early and ran 9 miles (wanted to do 10 but had a bad "need the bathroom" experience).  I stopped to get donuts and kolaches before heading home.  :)  It took us all a bit longer to get ready... which should have been no surprise.  We had to get mom some extra medicine (she forgot her prescription) and joe dressed (with a few time outs) and me showered and presentable.  :)  

But, finally... we headed for the train station in Fort Worth to take the TRE to Dallas and then the bus to the fair.  And when we got there the train had just pulled out...  so we had to wait for the next one.  So, Joe walked.  

and Joe walked...  

He wanted to see all the trains.  He wandered into Subway to get a cookie.  She thought he was so cute, she gave him two. 

While we were waiting, we saw a bunch of people with race numbers on.  We, of course, wandered over to see what it was and it was a scavenger hunt.  So... what's an ex cruise director  and ex bartender (both social jobs) to do?  But help, of course.  

Finally the train arrived.  Joe was so excited.  

He loved every single second of it.  

And it took us about an hour on the train before we got to the bus in Dallas.  And the lull of the train put mom and dad right to sleep.  :)

We all boarded the bus and it immediately left for the fair.  It was University of Texas/Oklahoma University game day which meant it was very crowded but we did know that going into it.  And, luckily... we got there just as the game started and the crowds really weren't bad. 

Joe immediately wanted to play the water balloon game.  They didn't win but they had fun.  

Joe had to ride the merry go round.  :)  

 We had to get a pic right outside the Cotton Bowl Stadium.

apparently, the latest thing is these cute little dresses with cowboy boots.  Who knew? 

And Big Tex, of course.  

 A little fried margarita. 

Joe thought this was a lawnmower...  he could have sat there all day.  But we moved onto the children's petting zoo. 

 there were goats

 and baby goats

 Joe and Papaw were in line to see the real live Gigi (giraffe)

 who REALLY liked

 Bugles.  The handler had them in her hand and that giraffe kept

trying to get them right out of the bag. 

and a very handsome camel.  There was a baby that came up and gave Joe a kiss.  He wasn't sure whether to be excited or freaked out. 

We then found a farm co-op where he got to run through and do each aspect of a farm. 

 Take a basket

 put some corn in it

feed the cow, milk the cow

 plant some seeds

 ride your wagon

the wagon was a wee bit too big for him...  but he was determined. 

then go to the store and use your new money to buy a snack.  He bought peanut butter crackers but he wasn't happy with those.  He wanted his gold fish. 

Texas state fair is known for their fried food.  We had a corny dog, fried butter (which tasted like a heavy donut hole) to me.   Fried Bacon (which was the winner), and the fried margarita. 

We couldn't find the fried beer...   but oh well.  :) 

We did a bit of people watching... this girl took the cake.  She had a care bear on her back... which sadly, wasn't the biggest infraction........

Joe had to find the "bobcats" at the fair.  He and Uncle Todd.  Uncle Todd didn't go to UT but he was showing his support for us.  :)

We wondered how Joe would do with the rides since he's getting older.  He did magnificent.  Not surprising, his favorite was the four wheelers. 

He talked about riding the ferris wheel all day long.  We finally obliged and we all really enjoyed it. 

It was about this time that the Texas/OU game let out.  Texas lost.  :(

We walked around a bit more, let joe ride the four wheelers a few more times and realized it was 7:00!!?!  So we headed towards the bus, realizing that it would be 10 before we made it home.  And Joe was getting so tired... not that he showed it.  He didn't have one meltdown! 

The bus ride back was crowded and traffic was bad but seriously... there were no hassles. 

Joe stayed awake on the whole train ride again (so excited to be ON The train) and then got in the car and CRASHED.  He crashed so hard that he didn't even wake up when we got home.  Poor little fella.  :)

We seriously had the best time at the fair!  And we are so glad Joe took us all!