Thanksgiving Post...Finally!

Man, I am so behind. I say better late than never right? Our Thanksgiving was wonderful. What is not to love about a holiday revolving around eating and being with family...2 of my favorite things!

This year my mom would not let me cook anything, seeing as I had surgery a week before, so Jackson and I made cookies. Nothing gourmet, just some festive slice and bake. Jackson really enjoyed "cooking". For some reason, he felt the need to sniff alot of the cookies. (don't worry as soon as he sniffed them I put them aside. I did not serve them to anyone.)

  

Jackson kept saying "Oh, they're cute."

Our plate of goodies

We spent Thanksgiving day with my parents. Of course everyone had to get a chance loving on Hudson.

Buddy and Huddy

Mimi and her favorite boys

Nanny and Gaga get their hands on him too

and so does Aunt Shawn

and a picture of the 1st Thanksgiving shirt

On Friday, we went to my Aunt and Uncle's house to eat dinner with my Dad's family. (Yes, Hudson is wearing the same thing. I had to get all the wear I could out of the 1st Thanksgiving shirt.)

Hanging out in his peanut shell.

Jackson and his buddy William

I love Thanksgiving...and what am I thankful for this year? My wonderful husband who is my best friend, my spunky 2 year old who keeps me laughing-oh, how I love him, and my 1 week old who has taught me to slow down again and take in the small things-oh how I love him too! Thank you Lord for all the blessings you have given me.

Hudson-Through Jackson's Eyes

*Wow, two posts in 1 day....What is the world coming to?

When Hudson was born, we wanted to give Jackson something special as a big brother present. We thought what would be better than a camera so he could document Hudson in his own way. So Jason and I got Jackson...

the Vtech Kidizoom camera. It can take pics, video, add extras to pictures, and even let the kids play video games. It is a pretty neat camera. Even the grown men had fun with it. So now for your viewing pleasure...Hudson's birthday through Jackson's eyes. (In 2 megapixil)

*a very flattering picture of Jason's tummy (I hope he doesn't get mad at me when he sees this on here)

*My hand

*Jackson's shoes

*and my I.V.

Then my dad and Jason got a hold of the camera. Needless to say, they had LOTS of fun with it...

*Jackson the viking...

*Hudson the pirate...

*and my sister the devil.

The Rest of the Hospital Stay

I have been a little busy lately...can't imagine why, but my blog has been lacking. I wanted to post the highlight pictures from the rest of the hospital stay. (since this is my way to document)

Got his hearing checked-and yes, he passed.

I got a WONDERFUL shower and got out of the terrible gown

Jackson gave Hudson his Build-A-Bear that he made. Hudson loved it!

Jackson spent some time "riding" my bed. Can you tell that Jackson's hands are up like he is riding a roller-coaster? Silly boy

We snuggled ALOT

Got dressed up....(check out those skinny legs.)

...and in our car seat...

...and went home.

THE END

He's here!

My little man is here and I couldn't be more in love! Yesterday started super early. We checked in to the hospital at 5:30 for my 7:30 c-section. My c-section was surprisingly easy. My spinal took and everything happened so quickly.

*This is our last picture as a family of 3

*C-section in progress

*Hudson Bennett Haynes

7 lbs. 14 oz

21 inches long

7:46 am

*I am absolutely in love with this sweetheart.

*My sleepy angel

*My 2 boys!

Jackson is so in love with his brother. He has become quite the baby hog! He always wants to hold Hudson and is not a fan of sharing. Jackson has needed a little more attention lately-but I was expecting that. All in all, he has been a wonderful big brother-very loving and gentle. I could not have asked for a better, sweeter birthday for my sweet Hudson.

Last Weekend as a Family of 3

Bittersweet! That is how I am feeling right now. Don't get me wrong, I am SO excited to meet my new little guy. I am just so used to my simple life with 3 of us. Well, this weekend we decided to have some fun and celebrate our last weekend with 3 of us.

Saturday, We got up and Jackson and I read the newspaper while Jason ran an errand. When he got home, my mom and I went to Mullins Crafts fair. It is one of my favorite things to do with my mom...We both have a love of crafts fairs.

After we left the crafts fair, we went to Muddy's to get a cupcake. I came home and devoured mine!!!

Sunday, we skipped church and went to the zoo. We really wanted to see the new exhibit, Teton Trek, and we figured this may be one of the last times that we would be able to see it for a while.The weather was beautiful, so we got there early and I waddled for a few hours of family fun.

*Jackson thought that the wolves were myparent's German Shepherd. He kept saying "Hi Jake."..so cute!

*Daddy and Jackson taking a little break in the rocking chairs.

*Looking at the polar bears.Don't be fooled by the smile on his face, he is terrified by them!

Last weekend as a family of 3 was a success! I am sad to leave this part of my life but so excited about what the Lord has in store for us in the next chapter.

Work Shower

Yesterday, the sweet girls at my work threw me the greatest baby shower. I am so blessed to have wonderful friends...I am so thankful for all you ladies!

Isn't that cake so cute? And it was so yummy too!

Just a few of the presents. They were so generous. We got gift cards to Babies R' Us and Target, so many clothes (Hudson is going to be so stylish!), a few teether toys, a blankie, burp clothes, bibs, and diapers. Thanks again girls. It was way more than I could have ever expected.

On another note, I just wanted to document 2 funnies that Jackson said today:
1. On the way to see my mom today, he kept saying "Ow, my eyes." I asked him "Jackson, is the sun in your eyes?". He said "No, it's just my contacts."

2. Today, I was telling him that he was going to go see my mom. He said "Mommy, Mimi's not here, she is in my heart."  I have told him before about Jesus living in our heart, but he must have so much love for his Mimi that she is there. It melted me!

Thanksgiving Traditions-Brown Bag Turkey

(*I got this picture off of Google. I am not that good.)

One of my favorite bloggers, Kelly is asking people to post their favorite Thanksgiving traditions. Well, since I will have a 1 week old this year, I won't get to cook what I usually do...however I can blog about it. Two years ago, I took it upon myself to cook Thanksgiving dinner for my family. I have always been intimidated of turkey. Not sure what it was about it, but I just thought I couldn't handle it. Well, I found a super easy recipe on the internet and decided to give it a whirl....Brown bag turkey. Try it, you will LOVE it!

1.Preheat oven to 350. Remove the "bag of stuff" from the cavity of the bird. Rinse the turkey off (inside and out) and pat dry. Put whatever veggies you would like to inside the turkey-I used an onion, celery, and carrot. On the outside, I sprinkled poultry seasoning and salt and pepper all over and rubbed him down with vegetable oil.

2. Take a supermarket brown bag. Rub vegetable oil all over the bag-You want to saturate it. This is super messy, you may want someone to assist you because you will be up to your elbows (literally) in oil.

3. Take your prepared turkey and put him into the greased bag. Roll him up, staple it shut and place the turkey in your roasting pan.

4. Place roasting pan in oven making sure that the bag is not touching the heating element. Cook turkey 11 to 14 minutes per pound. (internal temp of 180 degrees in the thigh) Take out of the oven and allow to rest in the bag at least 15 minutes. Carve and enjoy!!!

It is such a foolproof recipe and absolutely delicious. I also make my macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes. My mom makes the BEST sweet potato casserole (with pecans instead of marshmellows). Oh man...Now I am ready for Turkey day. Gobble, gobble!