Frozen Fever

If ever a child had an obsession, it was our Emme's obsession with Frozen. I mean, really. It started with her watching "Let it Go" on Youtube, but the Elsa dress that Santa brought just sealed the deal. The first Elsa dress was tattered and hanging off her by the end of March, as you can see below. And it's no suprise as to why. This kid wants to wear her Elsa dress ALL the time.

So just imagine her amazing luck that her beautiful Aunt Jamie happens to dress up as Elsa for birthday parties. Let's just face it, Jamie is just about the most gorgeous woman out there, and she makes the Disneyland Elsa look downright pathetic, if you ask me. The first time Emme saw her dressed as Elsa, he head almost exploded...and then she asked Jamie to take off her dress so that she could try it on. Repeatedly.

A few days later, when I was asking her how she wanted her hair for church, she responded, "Anna braids!"

Emme was even more thrilled when Jamie brought her beautiful sister Katie to come and see her. After this, Emme said she was grateful for Elsa/ Jamie and "Anna big one" in her prayers for weeks.
They came again a few days ago and it just cracks me up how she is so nonchalant about them being there. Of course, she knows Jamie well, but she doesn't know Katie as anyone else but Princess Anna. She says, "Hi, Anna," not questioning why a princess would be over at our house.

With how tattered the old Elsa dress was, the Easter brought Emme a second one. She was appropriately thrilled. We were in Pine Valley at the time, so I got this fun picture of her dancing in the fields. It looks like Elsa brought back summer. :)

A few days later, Jamie let Em try on her Elsa wig. I think she straight up believes she's a princess. I see so much of myself as a little girl in her. It makes me so happy that she believes.

February in Other Pictures

February in general shaped up to be a fun and eventful month. Here it is in everyday pictures...

Snuggling my babies in bed on a Saturday. This is Hudson's favorite snuggle position--on his side, facing me. I never thought I would love cartoons again, but when I hear Emme clopping across the hardwood floor toward are room in her Elsa dress up shoes in the early morning (and by early, I mean 7 a.m. for these night owls!), I sure am grateful that we can turn on some show for her and sleep for a bit longer.

 My church calling over the past 6 months is Activity Days. It is super fun, but I'm pretty sure Emme enjoys it more than anyone. All the girls are darling to Emme. They're little mothers in training. Before Valentines Day we did a little cookie decorating, and after Em ate way too much frosting and sprinkles. I continue to be in this calling. It is a little bit tricky because I had 2 partners before and they have both since moved, so now I run the show. On top of having to plan everything, a lot of the girls don't come. One week, I only had 1 girl show up. They are sweet darlings, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to figure out with my 2 kiddos.

This month brought an unusual opportunity. A man contacted me through Shaye's brother-in-law Jon and asked me to perform a Catholic art song for the archiving of his father's compositions for the University of Wisconsin. I was rather nervous about it, as I'm not a great classical singer, but I was so excited to get back in the studio. No one has ever paid me to record before, and it was a real treat. My dear friend Stacy, who is a fantastic accompanist, played for me. She was just about to move away from St. George, and I was so grateful to get some bonding time with her. The session went quick and the man who commissioned the work was thrilled with it.

February brought another fun little event. Shaye sold his car (pictured above--I included a picture here because I really loved that car) and got a new one (below). One thing that I adore about Shaye is how fixated and determined he gets when he has a dream. He was like that about me when he knew he wanted to marry me, he was like this when he found his passion in film work, and he was like this when it came to building our home. He uses all of his ingenuity and business savviness to make things work, and that's exactly how he ended up with a new car. We took the kids for a ride in the teeny tiny back seats and Emme just loved it. She is obsessed with Daddy's "white car!" and sees it as a big step up from Mommy's Prius. I can't imagine why, haha!!

Here is a picture of Emme on a fun date to "Donalds" (as my sister, Amy, used to call it) with Nana. She really loves those ice cream cones.

One day as I was doing the dishes, Hudson started to fuss. I asked Emme, "Brothers sad. Will you give him some lovin'?" "Okay, mommy," she said, and snuggled into his bouncer with him. So sweet!

Emme went on a playdate to the Bartons' house down the road. She had an unbelievable time and came back with a minnie mouse doll, dress, and purse. They have been regular fixtures in our home sense. Love this family!

Here's us on a lovely picnic we took with Steph. It was fun to get out together, but it was also rather crazy. I think this is right before Em decked Steph in the forehead. Aunties are great help, but Emme also gets nice and razzed up too.

February was a wonderful month!

My Dear Blubber Chunks

One thing that I heard a lot before I had Hudson was how other moms were afraid they couldn't love their second like they did their first. I don't know if it is because of all that we went through to get Emme or what, but I never once wondered that. In fact, my overwhelming feeling was wondering how I could NOT love him just as much as Emme.

Even so, I wasn't prepared for the striking and unique bond he and I would share. I think because I'm such a feminine person, I wondered if I could jive with a baby boy. But, my goodness, was I wrong to worry about that. I feel every bit as connected to him as I did with Emme. He has my whole heart, this one.

That expression on his face! The happiness in his eyes when he looks at me is unbelievably sweet. I feel like he is ecstatic that I am his mom. Where Emme's regard to me has always been joy and pride, Hudson has a very grateful sweetness about him that is unique from his sister.

 Here he is at 3 months. I finally finished this kaleidoscope quilt for him. It was quite a bit of work, but also very fun to create. I love doing the initial monograms on blankets because it adds that extra something special.

At 3 months, H was just starting to roll over. He definitely was tracking by this point and showing lots of facial expressions. He began making this sweet shy face and hiding behind my shoulder. He started to really recognize and interact with Shaye and Emme. He started to really sleep well through the night. By the time he was 3 months, I had broken the co-bedding habit, which was definitely a good thing. After 3 months, he slept in his bed for at least 6 or 7 hours in the night.

Hudson has a bunch of nicknames. Hudsie Stud, Hudson Wudson (who knows?...), Lunch bunny, and Blubber Chunks. You can see why he's earned the last one.

 Those rolls. Is there anything more delicious?

 One thing that has been incredibly useful is my baby wrap. That thing is worth its weight in gold! I wear Hudson shopping, on walks, and every around the house occasionally. He loves to be close to me and it really doesn't put much strain on my back or anything.

 We take a walk pretty much every day now--rain or shine--and I love to wear Hudson, especially when it was colder earlier in the year. Here is Hudson all bundled up. Sometimes he gets all snuggly and falls asleep as we walk. I love feeling is little hands pressed against my neck and his little legs dangling and kicking up against my body.

We sure love this little guy. He has stolen my heart, and I'm just so grateful that I have lots and lots of time to hold him now while he's little. I hope he never gets too cool or too old for his mama.

Valentines Day 2014

Our Valentine's Day went a lot like usual. It was simple, sweet, and no-fuss. Truth be told, I love surprises and I love to be pampered. Shaye, however, is a low key guy, and so our Valentine's days are usually pretty chill. Though I did get some lovely yellow flowers this year and we went out for a fun lunch. This year, because Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday, we got kind of celebrated on Friday.

We went and heart attacked Daddy's work. Emme just loved it. I thought she might be loud and ruin the fun, but she was quiet as a mouse. She kept saying, "hearts for Daddy".  This was super fun!

 

Oh, my beautiful kids. I think my favorite thing about holidays is dressing them up and taking pictures of them. This day I remember noticing how much more interactive Emme was getting with Hudson. I can tell they are going to have a lot of fun playing together here in a few years.

Our home is full of so much love. It definitely not perfect and I feel like a wreck half the time, it seems, but God certainly is blessing are little corner of the world. 

Little Miss Personality

"Oh, Emme..." It's something that we say a lot, usually when we're getting an extra dose of personality. I'm not sure where she got it, but Emme's got this infectious energy and craziness that lights up our lives and can also be a little exhausting. We sure love her, in all her moods. :)

This day I just had to snap a picture because of how darn cute she looked. I mean, really...

The epic battle of cold weather was Emme's feelings about coats. They were the enemy. Once it started to warm up, go figure, she decided that she liked this coat.

A new obsession has been lipstick. Emme begs for it and wants to put lots and lots on. Once she has some on, she proudly makes kissy faces. "Liiiiiipstiiiiiiick, mama!"  

         
        

We have moments of dress up fun like this, pretty much every day. Emme's sense of fashion always surprises me...

         

We got a late snow in February. Emme was so thrilled about it. She was singing "Do you Wanna Build a Snowman?" and "Once There was a Snowman" and couldn't wait to play in it. Once we got outside, she had fun for literally 2 minutes until she slipped in some mud. Absolutely cracked me up!

         

 

Going to Grandma's house is absolutely one of Emme's favorite things. This day, they made no-bake cookies. How did I get so lucky to have such a wonderful Grandma?!

Emme loves to do art work. She loves watercolors especially, but gets a little too self-expressive sometimes. (Just kidding, there's no such thing!)

We sure love our Little Miss Personality! She is the sunshine of our lives.

Hudson's Blessing Day {2.1.15}

Hudson's blessing day was one of those days--a perfect day. I just can't think of anything sweeter than having the man that I love bless our baby. It struck me with such force that Hudson has a wonderful example to look up to. We were also surrounded by people who love us, and there was such a sweetness about celebrating our son in this light.

 Here is the blessing that Shaye offered. It truly touched my heart:

Hudson's Baby Blessing

Our Father in Heaven, by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood and in the name of Jesus Christ, we hold this infant to give him a name and a blessing. The name that he'll be known upon the records of the church is Hudson Shaye Scott. At this time, Hudson, we give you a blessing. A blessing that, first and foremost, you may know you are loved, and that your Father in Heaven loves you. We bless you that you might recognize this throughout your life, and know that you are a son of God, and with that responsibility or knowing this knowledge that you will bless the lives of others. 

We bless you Hudson that as you learn and grow and as you learn of the Plan of Salvation, that this will be something that brings joy to you, that this will be something that blesses your life insomuch that you will want to share it with others. We bless you that you might, when having the opportunity to receive the priesthood, that you might recognize the great blessing of having the power of God and the authority to act in His name to bless all of God's child.  We bless you that you might recognize the responsibilities that come with this and the obligations, and that you will have the opportunity and desire at a young age to serve a mission. 

We bless you that you might be able to learn and grow line upon line, precept upon precept, revelation upon revelation. That as you have the opportunity to serve a mission that you will be able to go forth as the Sons of Mosiah and teach with power and authority. Hudson, we bless you that you will be able to discern good from evil, that you will recognize truth from error, that you will realize the things that bring happiness--and lasting happiness--only come from the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

We bless you that you might be able to pass this knowledge onto your family and those who will come into your life as a father and as a spouse. We bless you that you might be able to find your eternal companion, and that this will be a great strength throughout your life and that it will bless your life as it has blessed mine. 

Hudson, we bless you that you will develop your talents, that you may use them to build the kingdom of God. That they will bring you happiness and bring happiness to those around you. Hudson we bless you that you will have a special relationship with your mother and that you'll heed to her council, and that you will recognize the choiced person that she is. 

Hudson, we bless you that you might have health and strength throughout your life, that you will be able to fulfill your mission that your father sent you hear to do. That you will be able to rely on the spirit as a teacher and a comforter and as a tool to understand your Heavenly Father's love for you. You are blessed to be here at this time. You are blessed to live where you live and be surrounded by those who love you. We bless you that you will stand on the shoulders of those who came before you, and that you will continue to go forth as an honorable member of the Lord's church. These blessings we bless you with at this time in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

After the blessing, we hosted our family at our home. I may or may not have stayed up until 5:00 a.m. getting the food and the house ready, but it was worth it. We had chicken salad sandwiches, fruit, salads, and desserts. My family was just awesome with helping to bring stuff too. We probably had around 50 people there.

I dressed Hudson in this little cable jumper. I didn't make his outfit as I did Emme's, but I did crochet his booties. I had to make at least something. :)

It's always fun to see both sides mingle. :)

Emme had an absolute blast running around with her cousins. She and Landon are particularly close, but she also adores Brinley, Andelyn, and Taisley. It was a bit wild with all the kids around, but the little girls actually organized our playroom toy closet that day. It's funny how kids get to a certain age and they become better helpers than they are trouble.

It was also fun to have Parker and Hudson together. It's always sweet to think of all the memories they'll share being so close in age.

Of course, seeing our family dote on Hudson was pretty special. He is so loved and so long awaited.

I changed him into this cute outfit that Gramps and Chrissy got him once most of the family left and our blessing luncheon transformed into a Superbowl party in our theater room.

What a wonderful day this was! I am still in awe of the blessing of having this little man and so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who blesses us.