Happy Halloween!

Hudson's first Halloween! Since H wants nothing to do with either of the costumes I bought him, this is what he wore to school today for their celebration.










And this is my costume. I got these orange, baby wale cord, Custo Barcelona pants in the Custo store in Vegas about 2 years ago. Thank you Halloween for giving me a reason to wear them!

Not much new...

There is not much new. Mike has been traveling (got home last night, a day earlier than planned - hooray!). I've been pretty busy at work. We are developing a new RIA from the ground up in Adobe Flex and this week a major feature got pushed to QA. So it's cool to see that come together.

We have an event for the shop this evening at Mura (a cool sushi place in North Hills) called 'Haute Halloween' so Ralph and Sandy are coming over to hang out with the Hudson.

I found these photos on the camera when I downloaded. It's odd to find pictures that I didn't take since I am the photo bug in the house. But these were clearly taken when I wasn't around. Looks like Mike tried to build a barricade to keep H from getting to the dog bowls. FAIL!








Haha! I outwitted you again, Daddy!

At nv, we carry a clothing line called Canterbury New Zealand. I am actually not a fan - it's kind of a frat-boyish, rugby-style. We were planning to drop the line, as it didn't do all that well over the spring/summer. When Mike heard that there would be no more Canterbury I thought he would cry. Last year they made a style of cargo pant that he loved. And I mean LOVED. He only got one pair because we only bought 2 colors and the other color sold in his size before he could steal - errr I mean buy - them from the shop. He literally wears these cargos 3 times a week at least. He's been asking me forever when we were going to get more in. I kept telling him that we were NOT getting any more EVER. The pants are available from other places, so he could have just bought them elsewhere.

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Mike: When are you getting more of those PANTS?

Nic: I've told you, we're not.

Mike: What?? But I want some more colors.

Nic: Then just go online, find them and buy them for yourself.

Mike: I don't want to pay RETAIL for them. I want them at cost.

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We've had this conversation (no exaggeration) at least five times. Finally I caved.

So, I had to call the rep (it's Wes, the guy with the mullet-hawk) and tell him that we had a 'client' that loved the pants and wanted to place a special order. Mind you, this is frowned upon because we haven't placed any Holiday or Spring orders from this line so it's becoming obvious that we are dropping them. The reps are generally disinclined to accommodate these 'special requests' when you are not going to be an ongoing client. Anyway, the 'client's' wish was granted and last week 6 pairs (in different colors) of the Gilooly Cargo Pant arrived to Mike's absolute friggin' glee. When he picked them up from the store Riley said she had never seen him so happy.

He tried them on one after the other and we had a little fashion show.

This video isn't great, but it captures some of what my evenings look like. Hudson eats his dinner, then I let him get in his walker (his favorite thing), give him some snacks and he runs around. Most of his snacks end up on the floor. The dogs try to get the food, Hudson tries to get the dogs, and the cycle goes around and around.

Mashed Potatoes

Not much went into the mouth, but he's learning.

First Grilled Cheese

Mike makes the best grilled cheese sandwiches. On Sunday he made Hudson his first grilled cheese and it was much enjoyed! You'll also notice that I gave him a few tater tots. Everyone in our family *loves* tater tots. Anthony and Penny even served them at their fancy wedding reception at the Jasper Park Lodge. Tots really are God's food.

It's The Great Pumpkin!

This little boy is the happiest, most inquisitive child. We are so grateful to know him!

Maybe time for some discipline

Or maybe I should put the camera down and redirect his attention. Either way, this evening when I got home from work with Hudson he crawled right over to Bella's crate, reached in for her water bowl and dumped her water on the floor. Well thank you very much!

I put the (now empty) bowl back in and closed the crate. I turned my back for a second and heard, 'clang, clang, clang'. This is what was causing the noise:

Catherine Clover

Hudson now has a cousin without fur. Her name is Catherine (Catie) Clover and she was born on Tuesday morning around 2am. She was 6 pounds, 13 oz at birth. Andrew, Jenny and Catie are home now, and they are doing as expected; not sleeping, trying to figure out a new little soul and loving every minute of it.

This was Jenny last Friday morning. Waiting, waiting.




The first pictures.

More Halifax Photos

This is Mike's version of feeding a baby in a hotel room when you don't have a high chair.

1. prop baby up with 6 pillows
2. cover baby with a full body bib (otherwise known as a hotel towel)
3. try to get a reasonable amount of food in the mouth

Breakfast at the diner near Andrew and Jenny's.

'I'll have toast, please.'

'I ordered a few minutes ago, this service is pretty slow.... And not now Mom, I am starving'

'Oh God, I think I might faint. Where is that food!!?'

'Oh thank goodness. No tip for that waitress and I'm never coming here again.'

Most Favorite Recent Photo

I am in love with this photo. I just downloaded it from my camera. Such handsome men I have.





Yes, I'll have the Eggs Benedict please.






And some chocolate milk.

So much news, so little time

We are back in Raleigh and there is much news. No real time today to write but here are some pics from the trip.

The best news is that Hudson now has a cousin. Her name is Catherine Clover. She is 6lbs, 13oz and was born in the wee hours on Tuesday morning. I will get pics of her up very soon.

The Halifax Public Gardens.







Back again with Anthony, Penny and Hudson the next day.

A beautiful morning on the Halifax Harbour.

This hat is awesome. Why would he hate it?

Hanging out at Granny's with the family.

Getting ready to pig down some greasy fish and chips.

Molesting Andrew and Jenny's cat, Rex. Penny was determined to make this cat love her. It did not.