Suicide Mission

Dearest Son,

You, My Love, have had quite the last few days.  

Sleep has never really been your thing.  Ever.   Even when you were itty-bitty (oh, how I miss that itty-bitty snugbug!) and people suggested that newborns sleep ANYWHERE...at anytime...you didn't.  You didn't sleep in restuarants, the car, other people's homes...sheesh...you rarely slept at home...in your bassinet....with white noise....and swaddled....and rocked.  You only slept ON Mommy.   But, as you've grown, you come to accept that sleep is a part of life and some days you even welcome it.   Often, however, you decide that you aren't really feeling it.  And, when you don't sleep....neither does Mommy....or Daddy (that's not really true...Daddy sleeps....I just put that in so when he reads it he won't get upset ;-) .  

Because you have these AWFUL molars coming in, you are teething horribly and are quite miserable.  I feel so badly for you.  Teething has disrupted your sleep for the last several nights.  You wake up in the middle of the night and you wake up VERY EARLY in the morning (4:22am, 5am, etc) and refuse to go back to sleep.  Yawn.

On Saturday morning, you woke up at 5 am.  Daddy was up getting ready to leave for a work trip for 5 days, so he was happy you were up so he could play with you before he left.   You are all over the place...crawling, cruising (walking, holding onto furniture) and climbing like a billy goat...stairs, furniture, people, wherever you can gain traction, you climb.   You were crawling on the floor in my bathroom and fell on your cheek on the tile floor...POOR BABY.  You cried so hard.  And you have your first "shiner".  Your little cheek has a bruise.  :-(

Later Saturday, you and I went to Ann's house.  Mommy & Ann were catching up while you played with Addie and Ryan.   Ann happened to set down her (stemless) glass of white wine on the floor next to her and you managed to crawl over, grab it with 2 hands and take a swig!   I FREAKED OUT.  I don't think you actually swallowed it...but it definitely touched your lips.  You licked your lips and smacked them and smiled.   You are your father's son.  (hehe)

Today, however, was the icing on the cake.  Remember your hatred for sleep I mentioned...yeah well, you are insanely overtired because you haven't been napping well or sleeping  well at night.  You were up at 5 am today and throwing fits by 7.   Mommy was determined to get you to nap.   We went through our sleeptime routine...and I put you in your crib.  Where you talked to your blankie and your toys on the floor for an hour.  It clearly wasn't working so I got you up for 20 minutes.  We played and read.  And then I put you back in your crib, and told you it was time to go to sleep.   You were mad.   You cried for a bit, but then you calmed down and were quietly playing.  Many times, you just play/talk yourself to sleep..so this is normal.  Then you got mad again and were fussing.  All the sudden, I was downstairs and heard a *thud* and you SCREAMING.  I race upstairs and into your room.  You are sitting IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR BEDROOM...on the floor, crying.  You climbed/flipped/jumped (I really don't know) out of your crib!!!!!   You terrified me.  My heart was beating a million miles a minute.  I was bawling..you were bawling.  Luckily, your guardian angel (who has already earned her keep in your 12 short months on this earth) protected you and you were fine.  You scared yourself, which is hopefully a good thing.   Mommy lowered your crib ALL the way down, and you finally took a nap. 

No dull moments with you around, Hudson Kane.  I love you to pieces but would prefer that you stay in ONE piece. 

Love,

Mommy

One year ago tonight.....

One year ago tonight, I had not yet seen your face, I hadn't yet held you.  I had not yet kissed you. 
One year ago tonight, you had not yet made me laugh hysterically or cry from a sheer sense of pride and awe.

However, somehow, I already loved you.   I already adored you.  

One year ago tonight, Mommy and Daddy were at the hospital.   You were "due" to be born two weeks earlier, but you still had shown no signs of making an appearance.   Mommy tried EVERYTHING to entice your arrival, but to no avail.   Dr. Cap said that it was time to encourage your arrival medically.    We were anxious, nervous and filled with anticipation.   We were so excited to meet you!!

After many hours (21 to be exact) of Mommy in labor, you were born on January 20th at 3:54 pm.   I still remember the first time I saw your face.  You were perfect.   I can't wait to tell you the story of your birthday when you are a little bit older. 

I don't have the words to explain how my love has intensified and grown by the minute in the last year.    

Your first birthday is bittersweet to me, as I partly feel as though I am losing my baby, but also feel SO PROUD of the little boy you are becoming.  You have an awesome personality.  You are funny, smart, sweet and fiesty.  Nothing makes me happier than seeing your face. You are my best friend.  

Happy 1st Birthday, my sweet little Roo-Roo.  Mommy loves you SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

Your first word.........

...............................WAS MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I was so proud.

You said it for the first time on September 24th--4 days after you turned 8 months old!   You said it with intent and you said it multiple times that day!  

You are the love of my life, little man!!

Since then, you've added the words "Hi" (which you say to EVERYONE and a hundred times a day) and "bye-bye", both complete with waves;  You wave to your daddy every time you see him and you wave to strangers and say hi.  You are quite the social butterfly.   You also say "Dadda".  And, much to my dismay, you now also say "No"!!  I have tried to be very careful about using that word directed at you...for this exact reason.   You think it is hysterical.   You say it while laughing and crawling to places and things you know are off limits....such as electrical cords and outlets, Dalton's room, garbage cans, etc.  

You try to say "Hudson" and do a decent job :-)   You also say "uh-oh" as you continue to throw food from your highchair.    You say "up" when you want out of your carseat or highchair.  And you say "ball", which is one of your favorite toys. 

You also give (slobbery, open mouth) kisses, that I happen to adore.  You clap at yourself whenever you are proud of your accomplishments.  You have *the best* clap ever!!   It is full of excitement and you clap your hands up and down so they swipe one another, as though you are dusting off your hands--rather than a direct clap.   We adore it.  

You are a little babbling chatterbox constantly.   Wish we knew what went on in that little head of yours!!

****PICS WILL BE ADDED***********

Lesson in Procrastination

Dear Mr. Roo-Roos,

Hopefully, you did not inherit my tendancy to procrastinate.   It is not a good trait. 

I have intended to write to/about you almost every day.   I'm going to do my best to catch up.  So much has happened in your little world since I last wrote to you.  

And, you are more awesome every day! 

Love Mommy

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

SLOW DOWN.....6 months old?? WARNING: PHOTO BOMB

Hudson Kane,

Mommy cannot believe you are 6 months old!   You are growing so quickly and changing so rapidly, it is facinating.  

We had your 6 month well baby check-up on the 28th and you were 21.4 lbs and 28&1/4" tall (94% for both!). 

At 6 months you still have beautiful blue eyes, with a hint of gold in your right eye, you are beginning to get some hair and it is very light blonde.  You also now have 2 bottom teeth!

You are BEAUTIFUL.  Like, show-stopping beautiful (at least your mommy thinks so).   Your daddy and I stare at you in awe daily.  Mommy gets stopped in grocery stores and on the street with strangers admiring you!  You are usually very social and give 'em a wink and a smile.  Or at least a raspberry in their face.

Your grandma Bebe says you look like a cherub from heaven and I've decided that is the perfect description of you!  You are plump and have a perfect angel face. 

We had your 6 month photos taken last week and here are a few of my favs:

                                                                        So Dapper. 

                                              A gentleman never leaves home without his hat.

                                                            Look at those thighs!

                                                 Your paws.  You've finally grown into them. 

                                                             You can be quite serious.

                                                         One of your new faces.  Duck lips.

                                                                             My love. 

                                         You love your toys and you love to sit like a big boy.

                                  You look SO MUCH like your Granddad, Lindsay, in this photo.

                                                                         Happy Boy.

    

                                                                     I love your arms.

                                                                            Our motto.  

Camp Hudson Takes it on the Road.

Camp Hudson spent last weekend in Laguna Beach....our first ever family vacay, or "staycay", rather.   Hudson is, however, a seasoned traveler at this point in life, having spent a weekend in Huntington Beach with Mommy & Daddy AND with a week-long trip to Texas under his belt, or uhm, bib.

Anywho, we lucked into fantastic weather and we all enjoyed the change of scenery.   Hudman and Mommy spent a lot of time in the hotel room, as to maintain his sleep schedule.

 But we ventured out to meet up with Daddy & Dalton at the beach and stroll throughout the town. 

Hudson seemed initially fascinated by the ocean.   (Yes, we LIVE at the beach, but he has only been once *gasp*.  Sand and spit up are a bad combo).  We were excited to see his reaction to the ocean.  However, after about half an hour of trying to figure it all out, the natural white noise had him zonked out on my chest.

 The next day, he was excited again and we even put his toes in.   Otherwise, he spent his time people-watching and charming the old ladies in resturants (like father, like son). 

His brother had a great weekend and enjoyed an excess of sand, sun, junk food and fun with Dad. 

As it was Baby Daddy's birthday weekend,  Mommy tried to balance the trip with some grownup fun (despite the fact we all existed in a collective 400 sq ft).  We managed to put Hudster to bed early the first night and enjoy the sunset, sushi and vino on the patio of our hotel room.    (and by that I mean guzzle wine and stab sushi rolls in the dark while whispering as to not wake the baby and responding to consistent intermittent interruptions from Dalton).  My, how things have changed.

Sleeping proved to be a challenge.  Someone was always stirring or snoring and waking someone else.   I'm really not sure how (or why) people choose to co-sleep with their children. (nor will I ever understand why anyone in their right mind would ever purchase one of those RV homes and purposely live within 75 sq feet of their family members, but I digress)   Somehow, the first night, Mommy, Daddy & Hudson all ended up in one bed while King Dalton sprawled out in his own.   

In retrospect, while fun, we won't be taking this circus act on the road again any time soon.  And when we do, "Nanny" Bebe will be on board. 

                                           *wink* Right, mom??

Since our return, Hudson has mastered sitting up!!   He still occasionally "face-plants" after several minutes so we make sure he is on a soft surface, but for the most part, he is a pro!   

And, MY FAVORITE thing he does, as of late, is hold onto Mommy & Daddy's faces.  As we hold him, he cups our face with his soft little hands and gives a look that turns a heart to mush. 

The End.

***Camp Hudson will TRY to post more regularly*****