Necklace disclaimer

Hudson,

You might notice in many of your photographs that you are wearing a necklace (much to the dismay of your Uncle Tyler).  

The necklace is a Baltic Amber teething necklace.  It releases succinic acid, which is a natural healing agent.  You are constantly teething these days and this helps make you more comfortable.  I can really tell a difference if we leave it off for a couple of days.   The necklace you wear is a cool, amber color and looks masculine.  You get a lot of compliments.  

All the cool kids wear them. 

Love,

Mommy

Mr. Personality

Hudson,

You've definitely come into your own.  You are a little person.  You have quite the personality.  You're usually fairly easy going...people comment often on how content you are, which is quite funny considering Mommy & Daddy know how feisty you can be!!  As long as you are fed, you've gotten the sleep you need and Mommy or Daddy are within ear-shot..you are totally content. 

It's funny because you are a lot like your father in that you have a very silly side and a very serious side.   There are times when you seem to just be quiet, stoic, and observant.  You will cuddle and be sweet.   And there are other times where you are loud and you babble,  "talk".   You like to make funny faces and love to get a reaction.  You are feisty and don't want to be held closely, you want to jump and buck!

 It is so neat to see you develop and change.  We love discovering who you are!!

Right now (7 1/2 months) you love other kids.  You love watching Dalton and his friends play and they love to make you laugh.  You also love to watch other kids when we are at the park or at a friends' house.  You get very excited and want to join in!!

 This is your sweet "morning" face.  You are a total snugbug when you wake up. 

You are SUCH an angel face. 

On the move!

In the last couple of weeks, you have begun scooting.  First, you began by laying on your back and bouncing your bottom in the air and digging your heels into the ground (or mattress) and moving yourself that way.  Then you began scooting backwards on your tummy.  It's very cute but frustrates you that you can't go forward.

Lately, you've begun to try to lift up your bootie and try to get on all fours.  You haven't actually taken off yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time!! 

We're rooting for you, little man!!!!!!

Brodster visits

Your 4 year old cousin, Brody, came to visit a couple of weeks ago.  He spent the weekend with us.  You loved the entertainment.    Daddy was traveling for work.  Mommy was totally outnumbered, but somehow survived. 

Here is some of the footage.  

                                                        Brody-boo is getting too big!!!!

My little FOODIE!!!

You love food.  Not that anyone is surprised, considering your lineage.  

For your first six months, you have been exclusively breastfed.  And, boy, have you thrived!  You are a chunk-a-munk.  You've tripled your weight in 6 months.  And, that will continue to be your main source of nutrition and calories for your first year of life.  You are a boob man.  (and I'm sure you'll hate me some day for putting that in writing.  )

(7 1/2 months)

But, we are definitely having fun watching you experiment with new foods!!

At 6 months, we started introducing solids.  We skipped rice cereal entirely (clearly you don't need the calories and mommy doesn't think fortified nutrients really cut it or believe that your tiny digestive system needs to deal with the carbs just yet).  Your first food was avocado!  You.  Hated.  It.  It was hysterical.  You gagged.  You shuttered.  You looked at me as though I had lost my mind and was torturing you! 

(but then I mixed avocado & banana mixed.  Loved it.  It's one of your favs.)

 We moved on to sweet potatoes, butternut squash (which was your first favorite), pureed apples, bananas, plums, green beans, peas, pears, peaches.....you love it all.  

In your highchair, clearly before eating.

You've also tasted blueberries, egg yolk, cantaloupe, chicken breast, Greek yogurt (just today and loved it).  Occassionally, we give you baby oatmeal with fruit in the mornings.  We've let you taste *tiny* morsels of filet mignon, hot dog (all natural, uncured, all beef!) and prime rib.  You love it all!!  You get so excited!  You want anything on our plates! 

"Give me your plate and nobody gets hurt". 

You can also drink water out of a glass like a big boy...  You never actually mastered the bottle....and we are trying to get you to take to the sippy cup but you really just play with it.  

sweet potato face

Bebe & Grandad visit!!

On your 6 month birthday, your Bebe came to stay with us for 2 weeks.   (she was bringing Dalton back from an excursion in Colorado and Texas-something you'll get to do with your grandparents when you're a big boy!!)  You LOVE your Bebe and we LOVE having her here!  Bebe absolutely adores you and is so good with you!  

She also adores your brother!!

A week later, your Granddad joined the fun!   Granddad is proud of you--I can tell :-)  He thinks you are pretty hilarious and loves spending time with you and Dalton.  

We all had lots of fun!   We went to the beach, spent time at the pool, went to lunch a few times and spent a lot of time watching you and laughing at all of your silly faces!!  Here are some more pictures of the time we spent together that week.  

Hudson at the beach in his tent

 Granddad & Mommy

 Bebe & Hudson

 Hudson & Daddy

Sweet boy!!

Hudson & Mommy

And another one of Hudson's silly faces!!

It makes your mommy so happy, Hudson, that you love your grandparents.  They are 2 of the most special people on the planet.  You are very lucky to have them!   And we will see them again in October, when we visit Texas again!!

Mommy is *gonna* play catch up!

I have seriously intended to post on this blog just about every day in the last 3 months...and haven't.   The next few posts will be a series of attempts to catch everyone up on the happenings at Camp Hudson.  Depending on how long this nap lasts...I hope to log 2-3 more today....but I'm on borrowed time as it is!! 



I offer the most adorable/hysterical kiss pic ever as bribery for forgiveness. 

"mu-ah"

*Hudson, *gonna* is not a real word.  It is slang.  Mommy will teach you correct grammar.

Tenth Anniversary of 9/11

Dear Hudson Kane,

This is a post that you probably won't really understand for many years from now.  Someday, I hope it means something to you. 

Today is September 11, 2011.   It is the ten-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country, when the World Trade Center towers were attacked in New York City.  Thousands of Americans lost their lives.  Many people lost their family members and friends. It was a very sad day for New York and America.  But, our country is resilient and was as strong as ever as a nation following the attacks.  I have always been very emotional about this event. Since becoming your mommy this year, I am even more so today.  I cannot even begin to imagine the emotional pain experienced by some of the survivors OR the bravery shown by those fire fighters, policemen and civilians (many of whom were parents) trying to save others at the expense of their own lives.

I know that as you grow up, this topic will be built into your curriculum at school but it will be hard for you to understand what an impact this awful event really had on all of America and how it has effected and shaped our country.

I hope I am able to teach you some things that I (mommy) learned from this event.

1.  The definition of a TRUE HERO.  While I'm sure there is an affection for Elmo, Superman and countless sports figures in your future, I hope to teach you the difference between them and real-life heroes.  I hope to raise you to revere and respect bravery, courage and a spirit of humanity. 

2.  Not to take one single moment with your loved ones for granted.  Hug your family and friends and tell people what they mean to you. (especially your mommy ;-)   Say you're sorry when you need to.  Speak your heart. 


3.  Every single day God gives us is a gift and a blessing.  We should try our best to make every single day count. 


4.  Be a proud American. And, *never forget* what was experienced on this day. 


Life moves SO FAST.   I recall this day in history as though it happened last week, and it has been 10 years.   I am praying these next 10 years don't fly by so quickly....you are already growing up so fast. 


And, just know, that every year on this day, you can expect a zillion mommy-kisses, snug bugs and squeezes.  At 7 months, you love it.   I'm not sure you'll feel the same at 17...but a mommy can only hope. 


I love you more than you'll ever know.


Godspeed~


Mommy