Introducing Hudson...

It all started on a quiet morning on the 17th of April. This time around we had a much better idea of what lay in store for us. None of that running around water breaking business, oh no. This time the doctor scheduled a c-section as a precautionary measure. So, before Bryn had even awaken for the day, we packed up the car and drove to the hospital. Long story short, Hudson made his appearance shortly before noon weighing in at a healthy 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 21 inches long. He and Bryn looked so much alike we actually dug her newborn pictures to compare the two side by side. Needless to say, they are undoubtedly siblings.

Jen spent a few days at the hospital and made a remarkable recovery. She was up and moving around much earlier than the last go round. Everybody seemed to be as happy as could be. In fact, the worst part was when she came home from the hospital. Let me rephrase that, the worst part was when Brynlee got sick the day Jen came home from the hospital. Turns out Bryn had contracted RSV, which we later found out is incredibly dangerous for infants. Bryn was hopelessly congested, coughing, dry heaving, and miserable for almost an entire week. It. Was. Miserable. Luckily, for us, Jen's mom was a saint and really helped us through that tough first week as Bryn, Jen, Hudson, and I all had a bout with sickness. In the end, everyone recovered and we were all feeling really pretty good the day Steph flew home.

Somewhere, in all that general crumminess, we found the time to snap a few newborn pictures. Jen had insisted that she have some really good pictures taken this time around. What we didn't realize is that a professional newborn session runs between 900 and 2,000 dollars. So as we contemplated dropping a large chunk of cash down on some pictures we started looking at some photography stuff. We figured that since we had a nice camera and a few good lenses we might be able to take the pictures ourselves. Here are a few of the shots....

After looking at some photography blogs we found that there were a few keys to taking really good studio photos: lighting, a good flash, flash diffuser, tripod, and props. So, to outfit our little "studio" we bought some light stands and umbrellas, an external flash, a soft box (big canvas cover which goes over your flash to soften it), and then started looking for some good props. We grabbed a few baskets, sheets, pillows, and shag rugs and set up shop.

In the end we were really pretty happy with our first "studio" shoot. We still need to fine tune our lighting and ended up with some really good shots that were just a little blurry. But, all in all, we spent about $250 (saving $650 from our lowest quote) and we got some great photo equipment out of the deal. We also get to keep all of our originals and aren't limited to a certain number of prints. 

So, here's our little Hudson and his tiger Hobbes. He's very pleased to meet you!

A little preview of things to come.....

Hudson Owen Burk, or H.O.B.S for short.

Born April 17th at 10:50 a.m.

7 lbs. 9 oz.

A little teaser for you all. More pictures to come....

2 Years Old!!!

We're gearing up for the birth of our little boy Hudson on Tuesday and have been trying to get everything done early. We have a feeling that things are going to get a little crazy over the next month as we have a baby, find a job, figure out if we are moving, welcome family as they fly in for graduation, etc. So in that spirit Bryn's 2 year update is coming a week early this year!

We pulled this questionnaire off of a pediatric website and here is how Bryn measures up in 15 questions.

Q1: Does your child point to the correct picture when you ask them to "show me...."

A1: Seriously? Bryn has been pointing things out since she was 6 months old.

Q2: Does your child use a two word sentence?

A2: Yes. She's been talking for sometime now speaks in paragraphs, sings songs, and tries to tell stories.

Q3: Without giving your child clues can they accomplish 3 of these tasks... (they list several commands)

A3: Yes. Dad has taken advantage of this since she could walk asking her for the remote, to throw away trash, etc. 

Q4: Can your child correctly name things you point at?

A4: Most definitely. She has now turned the game around on us and quizzes us on things she sees outside. Her favorite things are busses, trucks, airplanes, heckickopters, birds, bunnies, ducks, and kitties. We began asking her what color those things are about 6 months ago and she'll tell us blue bus, white bird, etc.

Q5: Does your child walk up/down stairs?

A5: Our child doesn't let us carry her up or down stairs anymore.

Q6: Does your child kick a ball?

A6: Yes. Her little red one she got from Grandma Steph for Christmas 2010.

Q7: Does your child run well. 

A7: Surprisingly yes. Her legs flail about as she runs but she manages to stay on her feet 99% of the time.

Q8: Does your child jump with both feet leaving the ground?

A8: Only when she's mad.

Q9: Does your child get food in her mouth using a spoon?

A9: Everyday. She eats her 'honey cereal and milk soup' for breakfast. She even drinks the milk after her honey nut cheerios are gone.

Q10: Does your child turn the pages of a book by herself?

A10: Yes, when the book isn't being eaten, torn apart, or used to stand on to get something off the table.

Q11: Does your child thread a shoelace through an eyelet?

A11: She puts her velcro strap through the brass ring on her white sandals. Does that count?

Q12: Does your child pretend objects are something else?

A12: Ever since she found out she could use her foot as a phone, yes.

Q13: Does your child put things away where they belong?

A13: Only if treats are involved.

Q14: When playing with stuffed animals does she change them, rock them, cover them in blankets?

A14: Yes. Her 'friends' are her babies. They do everything for her and she does everything for them.

Q15: Do you think your child hears well?

A15: Only if she likes the question. 

There you have it. She's our little princess, stink bug, turd, terror, girl, and friend. And we love her to death!!!

Easter Eggstravaganza

For the past couple years we haven't been too terribly involved in Easter. We color eggs once in a while, our Easter decorations never even make it out of the box, and Easter baskets are a rare sight these days (maybe now that Bryn's older we'll have to make an effort!) But, the one thing we always try to squeeze in is a good ol' fashioned Easter egg hunt.

For the third year in a row we didn't draw out for the White House Easter egg hunt. I guess we can be glad we didn't succumb to lottery fever last week and plop down 30 bucks to try for the 250 million dollar jackpot. On the other hand, Bryn on the other hand, probably had more fun playing with all of her best friends at the park. Every year our ward gets together and everybody brings a half a dozen plastic eggs to hide. The adults hide them while all the kids are playing and then we set them loose! It was great to see Bryn enjoy herself so much, she really is going to miss all of her little buddies if we end up moving away. Sad. But Easter was a success, and we even managed to slip in lessons about what Easter is really all about. Someday we'll throw a passover feast and try and teach our kids about all the symbols represented in the feast.

On a side note. We've already posted about Bryn's dressing habits now. Well, they got worse!!! Now she won't let us put a pony tail in her hair. But, if by some miracle we do get one in her hair, she waits until our backs are turned, rips out her hairband and starts running around shaking her head yelling, 'Crazy Hair!!!' A newer development is that she does not sleep without some kind of skirt on. Here she has chosen a lovely Minnie Mouse swimsuit with a pink ruffled skirt and paired it with a blue tank top and white frog pajama top. Girl has taste! What can we say?