Hutson's 11 month

My little boy is 11 months old today.





This past month (really the past week) has been a huge growth week for Hutson. Here are his big milestones this month.

On Jan. 5th he got his 5th tooth


He loves his sippy cup.

He learned how to go from a laying position into a sitting position. I was very taken back when I saw him sitting up in his bed for the first time on the monitor.

First he mastered how to walk using/relying on Dino, his walking dinosaur. Then he took his first steps! First he took 4 steps on his own, then 6, and then 2 days later 17!

He started crawling. Yes you got that right. Walking first and then crawling. He also does the one legged craw and butt scoot. So cute.

He has a new scrunchy face.




He makes a clicking sound with his tongue and then laughs because it tickles.

I have been doing sign language with his since he was 6 months, and he still can't sign back, but he has learned to point to the sign that he wants.

He had his first snow!





He really examines items and how you are doing something. This goes double with other children. And he loves books and turning the pages.

Hutson's 11 month stats

Height: 29 inches
Weight: about 20 lbs
Diaper size: 3
Teeth: 5
Words: Mama and Dada (actually used correctly) other sounds, Baba, gaga, mmmmmm
Sleeping: Nope, still not sleeping through the night, but is consistently only waking up once. This is progress folks.
clothes: 9-12 month clothing
Milk: Only nursing 1 time in the middle of the night. Takes a bottle 4 times a day, when he wakes, 11:30, 3:30, and 7:30.
Favorite foods: bananas, chicken parm (minus the cheese since he is allergic to dairy), avocados, pears, pineapples, peaches, and lentil stew.
Words: Mama and Dada (actually used correctly) baba, mmmmmm, gaga

Can't wait to see what this next month brings. We are looking forward to celebrating the big 1, but don't want our little Hutty bear to grow up so quickly.

6 years

Six years ago today Phillip's and my love story began.



It is hard to believe that we have been together for six years, and then at the same time I think only six years. I don't mean that in a negative way at all, but I think about all that we have accomplished in
this short period of time, and it just makes me even more excited about the future. I couldn't have imagined a better best friend and partner to journey through life.

Here are some highlights over the past six years.






May 12, 2007, We graduated from the University of Georgia



June 4, 2007, Phillip proposed and I said "yes!"



July 1 2007, We moved to Memphis and Phillip started Dental school and I began teaching



June 21, 2008, We got married



June 22, 2008, Honeymooned in St. Lucia



October 23, 2008, We became Auntie Alex and Uncle Pa



June 4- 22nd, 2009 backpacked through Europe



June 25th, 2010 Found out we were expeccting



February 26, 2011, Welcomed our baby boy!



May 27th, 2011 Phillip graduated from dental school and became Dr. Phil



June 1, 2011 We moved to Nashville

We were too busy to take a picture

June 19, 2011, Went on our first family vacation.



January 19th, 2012 Are still madly in love

Birthdays on the Mind

My wonderful husband turned 27 on January 3rd. (I can't believe we are getting that old.) I'm convinced that early January birthdays are the worst. It is after the hustle and bustle of Christmas and the party planning of New Years. Not to mention that your holiday break is usually over by then and it's back to work or school. For this reason, I always try my best to do up his birthday. And this year was no exception.

In June of 2009, Phillip and I went backpacking through Europe. Thus began our love for biking. We always said that once he was out of school, and we had the money, then we would buy bikes. We discussed getting them for Christmas, but we opted to upgrade our 32 inch TV to a 50 incher, which we are enjoying greatly. I knew a bike would be an awesome birthday gift, and it would be unexpected.

Buying a new mountain bike was out of the question, as the price tag far exceeded my budget. I enlisted the help from my cousins Nicky and Dale (AKA biker extraordinaires). They suggested I buy used, and after searching Craigslist a couple of days, I found the perfect bike. The only problem was that the bike was in Cooksville, TN, which is an hour and a half from Antioch. We had only been back in town 2 days from traveling to Atlanta and Chattanooga, and I wasn't sure Hutson had a 3 hour trip in him. But, I could get a barely ridden bike that originally retailed for $440, for only $125. So, I had to try.

I called the seller and negotiated the price down to $100. We made an appointment to meet later that day, and I packed up Hutson and headed for the car. If you have seen my car recently, you know that I drive a Toyota Avalon. Despite being a full size sedan, there was no way I was getting a bike into that car. So, I call the seller back and set up an appointment for the next day.

That night I asked Phillip if we could switch cars tomorrow. I immediately got 20 questions I wasn't prepared to answer, since I cannot lie. So, I turned my face away and let him lead himself into thinking I was getting him a UGA license plate for his car. I woke up the next morning, rushed through breakfast, got Hutson ready, headed out to the car and saw my car sitting in the driveway. Seriously!?!? Then I started thinking maybe this was not meant to be. I sent Phillip a text at work that expressed my frustration with the situation. The guilt and remorse he felt only made me want to surprise him even more. So, I called the seller to schedule a third appointment to meet. (I'm pretty sure he thought I was the craziest person ever.)

Trial three was a great success. Well, only in the sense that I brought the bike home safely. Hutson napped great all the way there and screamed all the way back. We stopped twice on the way home to get out and play, since all of his CD's were in my car along with the DVD player. (Rookie mistake). But, the 3 hour trip along with all the planning and stress were well worth it to see Phillip's reaction when I showed him his bike (a couple days before his birthday because I was just too excited I couldn't wait). He spent the night singing, "Bicycle, bicycle, I want to ride my bicycle."

On January 3rd I made Phillip a cheesecake, as I do every year for his birthday, but this year I added strawberries.



We had our fabulous baby sitter (Aunt Missy) lined up, so Phillip and I could go out and celebrate, but unfortunately Phillip was sick. So, plan B was poppysead chicken and Sister Schubert rolls. He was feeling good enough to try out his new ride though.



The real celebration was at Ichiban for Sushi with Missy, Ned, and great friends, Amanda, Bobby, Whit, Justin, Clair, Kim, Danny, Todd, and Julia. It was so great to catch up with everyone and experience my first drink at a bar in downtown Nashville. Yes, I have lived here 6 months, but a 10 month old doesn't allow you to get out much.

Then Wednesday night when Phillip came home from work, he immediately put the trash outside for pick up the next morning. He came back inside and said, "Alex, What's that noise." I looked at him like he was crazy and said. "That's the garage door sweetie. You just closed it." He said no and went into the garage. My curiosity was growing and I just had to follow him. It took me a minute to process, but I found this waiting for me.



My favorite part is the basket! I knew he was looking for a bike for me for my birthday, which is not until February, but was shocked that he found one so soon. Now we need to get a seat for Hutson, and we are ready to cruise. I am so excited!!

Now, I must begin planning the big first birthday bash at the end of February. Where has this year gone? And that's why I have birthdays on my mind today.

Hutson's First Christmas

Has the holiday season really come and gone already? Even though we were truly a-hustling and a-bustling this year, I already miss the Christmas music, anticipation of Santa Clause, and get-togethers with friends and family. But, it is nice to get back to normalcy.

Christmas was extra special this year. Not only was it Hutson's first Deck-the-Halls, but he got to meet his Aunt Mary for the first time.



And of course he immediately fell in love with her. Mary has been working for Peace Corps in Guatemala for 2 years now and is coming home for good in March. We can't wait!

Hutson and I started our holiday vacation in Atlanta and had a great time visiting Grammie, Bumpa, Nana, and the rest of the family. He experienced his first stocking exchange and helped me present these gifts to the family.




Hutson wanted to try his on for size.



Giving these gifts of love to my family felt even better than I anticipated. I was so excited that they enjoyed them so much and can't wait until next Christmas to use them.

On December 23rd, Hutson and I headed to Chattanooga to celebrate with the Faucette clan and meet up with Phillip. We then had a great Christmas Eve and enjoyed some beautiful music before the service began at church. It lasted 30 minutes. Not to self for next year, make sure that we attend the children's service. The music was great, but not very baby friendly. All things considered though, Hutson did great!





Brady, my three year old nephew, made sure to put out cookies and milk for Santa. He also thought that the reindeer would enjoy some clementines. After that we tucked the boys into bed and the real fun began. Remember the adrenaline flowing through your body thinking about all the goodies Santa might bring and the possibility of hearing him and his reindeer on the ruff, making it impossible to sleep? Guess what? They return when you have children. I am convinced that Santa might be even more fun when you are an adult, and I can't wait until Hutson has an idea of what is going on. I never understood those parents who allow the Elf on the Shelf to destroy their house until now.

We woke up Christmas morning and Brady enjoyed all that Santa had brought him. Then we headed over to Phillip's aunt's house. Looking like this.



What? Your family doesn't wear matching pajamas with their name on them for Christmas? Hutson and I have been working on this little surprise ever since we saw a Groupon for family matching pajamas in October. We decided they were so ridiculous that we had to have them.


Here are some more great moments from Christmas. We had such a great time, we only wish we could have visited family longer.

A New Year, a New Start

2011 was an absolute wonderful year. We welcomed our little boy Hutson on February 26th. Phillip graduated on May 26th from dental school. We moved from Memphis to Nashville on May 31st/ June 1st. Phillip started working as a dentist in July. I retired from teaching on August 31st, and happily settled into my new job as a stay at home mom. 2011 brought so many blessings, that I truly felt melancholy New Years Eve to say goodbye to one of the best years so far. I couldn't pinpoint why I had these feelings, until Phillip and I were reminiscing New Years Day morning while looking at Hutson's photo books. I realized that my little boy was truly growing up. I then panicked and felt, as most mothers do, that I didn't document enough. Phillip suggested that I blog again. Now we all know how that turned out last time, seeing as the last post on here was before we found out we were expecting a boy. However, when I woke up this morning, I felt rejuvenated by the new year. A new year, new beginnings, new adventures, a new start. And what better way to document our life this day and age then blogging.

Since the new year brings a sense of starting over, here are a list of things I am going to try and do better in 2012.

1. Flossing- Yes, my husband is a dentist and no he doesn't floss on a daily basis either, but in 2012, I think it's important.
2. Working out- I found this to be much easier when Hutson was younger, but I am recommitting to myself to take better care of this bod.
3. Eating better- I am waiting with anticipation for the magazine my cousins Nicky and Dale subscribed for us on heathly eating and tasty meals. Unfortunately, I have fallen into a convenience slump recently which involves lots of greasy foods. Not to mention this new love for sweets that also came with a new baby and being restricted from everything tasty when I was pregnant.
4. Slowing down- I am a busy body in the sense that I have forgotten how to truly enjoy moments, as I am thinking about the 10 things that need to get accomplished. So with Gods help this year, I'm going to sit back and enjoy the scenery too.

I'll keep you posted on my progress. Now off to music class. Happy New Year!