Little lady

In getting ready to go out on our errands run yesterday, Ansleigh came in dressed in one of her church dresses. She looked so pretty but a little overdressed for Kroger, Sam's, and Lowes. I said, "Ansleigh, let's go put on something a little more comfy". She said, "I want my pantyhose--I like them." I'm not sure, but I, personally never got the memo that pantyhose are comfortable. Anyways, I said, "It's really hot outside...a little too hot for hose, so let's wear some shorts instead." She then looked at me and said so casually, "Ohhhh come on Mom, just let me wear the dress." I was so taken aback at how she said it...it honestly made me feel like my girl was a young lady, not a toddler! I kept thinking, 'when did my child go from almost 3 to 13?'

She looked so sweet, of course I had to take some pictures of my angels.

5 months late

But I finally got most of Hudson's birth announcements out. So for all of you that didn't know he was born: he was! I am not still carrying him around in the womb (scary thought). If you got an email asking for your address...you'll be getting them a little bit delayed---well, even more delayed! Sorry about that! As you know, we seem to prolong things out a little (to make them last longer :o)....like birthday's, anniversaries, holidays, BIRTH announcements, you know--so if you get a card (or a gift) and it's un-fashionably late, just know, that's how we roll! I honestly made them about 1 week after we got home from the hospital, but I was so busy that I just never printed them out. Well, I finally did, and I'm glad that one little line has been scratched through on my "list o' things to do". Now if only there were about another 48 other lines scratched through.....

We sent one of his announcements to the White House too. When Ansleigh was born, we sent one and got a really nice note wishing us a big congratulations from the White House, and (fake) signed by President Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush. It goes great in her baby book and will remind her later of who the President was when she was born. It'll be a wonderful keepsake for him too. Just in case you want to do that too (you can send them for weddings and births and you'll get a response card back). Send an invitation to your wedding or an announcement of birth) to: White House Greetings Office, Room 39, Washington, D.C. 20500

Hudson will be dedicated at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in 2 weeks on Mother's Day, which also happens to be Ansleigh's THIRD birthday--May 10th! We'll be having a little SHINDIG that day to celebrate all 3 events. We're trying to get some things done on the house before everyone comes over. It's going to be a beautiful day today! Suppose to be 92 and sunny here in old Virginy. I wish we were going to Kings Dominion or something fun, but I'm about to strap Hudson on in the old faithful Baby Bjorn andddddddddd.......YARD WORK, planting, and deck powerwashing, here we come!!!!

Papa's surgery

Was a success! Thank you to you all for all of your thoughts and prayers. We got to the hospital around 11. That was around the time that he was done with dialysis (you cannot go in the room while he's on dialysis) and we were able to visit with him for a while. The surgery was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. but you know how that goes...about 4 hours later, they wheeled him back. He was STARVING! They didn't let him eat anything around midnight last night, and of course, after dialysis, it pretty much wipes you out, engery wise--so the first thing he normally does after his regular dialysis is eat--but he couldn't do that with the surgery today. He kept joking with the nurse saying, "Where's my supper?" and she said, "Here it is..." and handed him a small cup full of pills. Nice. While he was in surgery, Mom took Meme Baldacci, Ansleigh, Hudson, and I out to the Olive Garden for lunch (don't ever tell Papa). He loves the Olive Garden. Poor guy.

As for the surgery, they removed 2 of his toes. Despite how bad that sounds, we are thankful for this. It could have been a whole lot worse. We are blessed, and now pray for a quick recovery time in the hospital and after. I believe they said he could be in there for another week. He's hoping sooner! Please keep the prayers coming!

Love-Candace

Just an update!

Hudson has his 4 month appt. yesterday (he's actually 4.5 mo., Mommy was late in scheduling the visit). Anyways, everything is great! He's 16 Lbs. even, and 25 1/2 inches long...that's 2 whole inches since his last doctor's visit! He is now fully in 9 month clothing! Ahhhh! He received 4 shots and did NOT like that at all. Thank goodness he had his big sister there to stroke his head, give him kisses on his "ouchie-ouchie-boo-boo" and tell him that it was all going to be okay.

Papa is doing well and they've scheduled surgery for tomorrow. Please say a little prayer for him--anytime a patient has heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes AND has to have surgery, he'll be needing all the prayers and positive thoughts he can get!

Happy belated Birthday to Uncle Christian and Uncle Jeff and hope all you Aggies out there had a nice and somber Muster (4/21 is a big day in our family!).

Peace and love to you all-Candace

Holding the keys

I cannot even believe I'm about to tell this, but it's too funny not to:

Yesterday, Ansleigh and I were playing and reading books and I looked at her and said, "I love you baby...you hold the keys to my heart". She smiled her sweet little smile and said, "I love you too, Mommy".
Today, we had another moment, and I said, "I love you so much, honey". She said, "I love you too...and I'm gonna pee-pee on your heart" and that same sweet little grin spread over her face. Oh dear! God Bless her.

Cow story

Sunday night, I noticed a cow laying down out in the field and it hadn't moved in a while---I thought she may be in labor or maybe just napping for a while. I mentioned it to Roy, not really thinking much about it. The next morning, Roy told me that the cow was still there and that he had called Meme to let her know to call Mr. Arvis (the farmer who rents Meme's land) to let him know that one of his cows had probably died. So sad. Well, later that day, I was in our bedroom ironing some clothes and looking out the window. I saw three vultures flying around it and I felt a little sick to my stomach. Soon after, one of them swooped in, wings wide as can be, and landed right on the cows head. A few seconds later, the other two landed about 20 feet from the cow. All of a sudden, I saw this cow make a mad dash to the dead cow, scaring all of the vultures away. They didn't fly away completely, but just flew up and landed about 50 feet away at this point. He approached the cow laying there on the ground and let out the biggest MOOOOOO I've ever heard. The windows weren't open and I still heard the sound. All of a sudden, all the cows in the pasture began to make their way over to the cow laying in the field. One of the cows started to chase after the vultures who were lurking. They all stood there, around her, until Mr. Arvis and his guys came to get her. Even having grown up on a farm, I don't know much about cows and their characteristics, but I thought this was such a loving and compassionate act on the part of the other cows. I know this sounds ridiculous--but I took this picture at the beginning when all the cows were starting to approach her. By the end, about 30 cows were standing around this dead cow to protect her from the vultures. How sweet is that? I really felt like I witnessed a true act of love. (Don't laugh...and if you are laughing, you better stop). xoxoxox

Jealous, anyone?

So, our little guy is now able to sit in his lime green bumbo, which USE to be Ansleigh's lime green bumbo, which for some odd reason, she seems to remember sitting in 2 years ago (or must remember seeing a picture of herself sitting in) so she "lets" little brother sit in it sometimes, but she seems to get quite jealous if she doesn't get our permission first before he gets in it! Here's a picture of Miss PRISS sitting in THEIR bumbo chair (that she shares with little brother). It's way funny--can you see her pouty face?

Here's Hudson's first few pictures in the bumbo.