Hudson Eleven Months

Hudson is growing and learning at a crazy fast pace. Mark and I are constantly saying, "quick look!" as he does something new. As you will see below he doesn't love tummy time, but he has figured out how to scoot backwards, just not get out of a corner quite yet. He can scoot forward, but doesn't seem motivated to crawl. If given the choice, he would much prefer to find an object to pull up on and be standing, bouncing, or his newest trick leaning with no hands. 

He wants to walk so badly. So badly. He moves across the room from toy to toy, but really wants to grab one of our fingers in each hand. Once he has a firm grasp, he is full speed ahead. 

Meal time has turned into family game night. Hudson makes a ruckus with hoots and hollers, nonchalantly drops his sippy cup to get a roaring response, and taps his head until he gets full attention. We all spend more time each meal laughing than actually eating. We are totally encouraging the crazy behavior, but we simply can't help ourselves.

Hudson has also started to play with a pile of books or the magnets on the dishwasher, but he will suddenly realize we left him alone and scoot to face us and flap his arms wildly. It is the absolute funniest things. And he performs without fail.

Gosh, the past few months have been so much fun with this guy. I can't believe he will be one in a few weeks. While I am not typically a weepy mess, I might be getting close. The baby squishy phase just seems to disappear over one sleepless night. 

^^^ And this picture, totally reminds me of a shot I have of Behr! ^^^

This crazy track suit? You can thank Mark.

Almost every time Mark dressed Hudson, it is in one of the way too many track suits we were given when Behr was born. They do look cute, I just never think to put them on. So this month I decided to document Daddy dressing Hudson. Isn't it funny how we gravitate towards different outfits?

See more of Hudson's Monthlies

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

Five Months

Six Months

Seven Months

Eight Months

Nine Months

Ten Months

Hudson Ten Months

Hudson is a talker. He has been saying a whole lot of "ma-ma-ma" and "da-da-da" but he hasn't specifically used either to get the attention of Mark or me. He also doesn't say either on command. In fact, Hudson doesn't really perform on command. In spite of efforts, he likes to leave us hanging. We proclaim how cute such and such is...and then...Hudson looks at us like we have four heads instead of following through with a performance. But he talks to his toys, as he stacks blocks or cups and knocks them over. He has a mini barn and he tells those farm animals lengthy stories as he moves them in and out of the barn with rhythmic sign-song notes. 

He loves music, dancing to music, clapping to music, music, music, music. I need to remember to play music more frequently during our days at home. When all else fails, I pull out our plastic maracas that we received as party favors over a year ago. They are long standing winners in our house, especially with Hudson.

He is teething a lot right now, mostly by chewing on our coffee table. Every time I turn around, he has moved over to there and started gnawing away. I have tried just about everything, but there are new teeth marks each week. The little stinker.

We've been playing lots of new games, especially peek-a-boo, balancing toys on his head, and rolling balls. It builds the bond between Behr and Hudson even more. Hudson has also begun to play independently. He entertains himself sometimes just by waving his arms around and making himself crack up in laughter.

 

Previous Hudson's Monthlies

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

Five Months

Six Months

Seven Months

Eight Months

Nine Months

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Hudson Nine Months

We got a bit of snow on January 3rd, so raced outside, all bundled up for a few candid moments. Hudson was quickly over it. He bundled back up and hung out in the stroller while Behr did a few snow angels and we had a silly snow ball fight. Hudson on the other hand maintained the above expression almost the whole time. Apparently he was not a fan of the wet cold snow.

Someone recently asked me if I thought Hudson would be louder than Behr and I said, "Yes, absolutely." To which our friend replied, "That's a scary thought!" Hudson has an ear piercing volume and a deep guttural grumble, the former of which sounds like a pterodactyl and surfaces primarily at feeding times. Not giving Hudson food fast enough? Not giving Hudson food he wants? Not meeting each of Hudson's appetite demands? The pterodactyl comes out. CLARIFICATION: we are not calling Hudson "pterodactyl" but he sure does sounds like one sometimes. 

The sippy cup has been a new mastery this month and perfect timing. It buys us, his parents, a few moments to actual eat our own meals while he gulps down his water. Hudson is giving us a run for his money. So much so, we placed solid bets he would top 20 lbs at his 9 month check up. He does have a big head...so maybe that is where all the food is going? I now have a new appreciation for what it means to "feed boys."

Hudson has been expressing a new wide range of emotions, making faces with his eyes, his tongue, and teeth. His eyes are full of compassion, ferocity, and joy. I can look at Hudson and see emotion in his eyes. His tongue is constantly exploring new things, occasionally the side of your face if you aren't paying attention, but it hangs out as he works hard.

For a few weeks, Hudson has been reaching for our hands and pressing up into the standing position. It is shaky, but determined. And then, he went ahead and pulled up onto his play table on his own, looking around to see who was watching. He doesn't do it often, but he knows he can. However, like any good younger brother, he waits around for big brother to step in for the assist. 

Consistently, Hudson's giggles boost our spirits and encourage our days. He is really, really funny.  

Hudson's Monthlies

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

Five Months

Six Months

Seven Months

Eight Months

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Hudson Eight Months

It is a rare day that either of my boys is photographed without the other. Its about time Behr made an appearance in Hudson's monthlies. Already, Behr is Hudson's greatest champion, source of humor, frustration and some days even pain (just scroll down). These two are inseparable and have reached a turning point in their ability to interact and play together. I become increasingly grateful that I am home with them able to provide them an opportunity to form their bond in their own unique way and to get to be a constant observer.

Hudson is determined. Determined to sit, determined to stand, and most significantly determined to feed himself. He flat out refuses any food from a pouch, spoon, fork, or even my hand. If he can't grasp it and get it in his mouth, he wants no part of eating it. Meal time is now both tricky and messy.

Hudson's favorite activities include standing and "dancing" at his music table, banging on musical instruments, or jumping in the door jumper. We rotate between these three on days we are stuck inside. The door jumper has become all of our favorite. Hudson really gets going and actually starts to get air! He jumps like crazy and usually giggles hysterically the entire time.

Hudson's Monthlies

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

Five Months

Six Months

Seven Months

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Hudson Seven Months (and Blurb Gift Center!)

You Eat! Everything. And your favorite activity during dinner is grunting, red face and all. Your top two teeth are begging to burst through, but nothing so far. I can not quite figure out what to feed you. There are no clear winners. Within the same meal you might seem to love something and then turn up your nose two or three bites later. Behr thinks this is hilarious and often begs for your left overs.

You are losing interest in many of the things you loved last month. Now you are all about being on the move -- stretching your arms to reach new things, leaning until you start to roll, and even propping up on all fours which is where your often get stuck. Crawling is right around the corner, but I am going to keep you in my arms as long as I can. Now when we go to the park, you like to sit up on the play equipment and be in the middle of all the action, swinging your head around to keep up with the activity.

You have also learned that you don't have to fall asleep, you have a choice in the matter. You fight sleep like crazy when we are home. But I won't protest too horribly since you have started to mellow out when we are in the car. We can actually go places with out you screaming the entire trip.

Most days you don't scream or cry at all. Most days you yammer away (like I said last month) but I am realizing you have a whole world of communication with your brother. He has already started interpreting things for us. When you are nursing and start to make noises, Behr says, "Hudson says it is very yummy." When you knock block towers over and squeal, Behr says, "Hudson is excited and very strong." Most of what Behr and I now talk about is what you are apparently saying.

Your hair is growing in like a buzz cut that makes you seem so much older all of the sudden. Your long wispy baby hair is still on the top of your head, but after a bath time (which you love!) you resemble a fuzzy tennis ball, a hair quality you likely received from Dad.

Hudson's Monthlies

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

Five Months

Six Months

Speaking of these monthly posts...I am hoping to have them bound together in a book using Blurb. They are my go to photo book source after several failed attempts with other similar websites. Have you checked out their Gift Center? They offer a host of gifts as well as creative book ideas and templates such as: 

Getting inspired with the Blurb Gift CenterThere are a lot of gifts you could give this holiday season, but when it comes to something really meaningful, there’s nothing quite like the gift of a book you’ve made yourself. But before you start having visions of gluing and sewing together pages, check out the Blurb Gift Center.

Blurb lets you make seriously beautiful books using their free tools. Just add photos and text, choose your options (like paper and cover type), and then order. Of course, you do have to decide just what kind of book you want to make. But the Blurb Gift Center offers a host of creative book ideas and templates such as.

The Blurb Family History Book, for the genealogical buff in your family, Blurb Baby Books (and you can pay a bit extra for a PDF which the grandmoms love to keep on their iPads), and if you’re a food blogger, think about making a Blurb Food Book to give as a gift this Christmas.

I can attest, the Blurb Books are fabulous -- there really is a book (or PDF) for everyone.

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Hudson Six Months

 

Hudson you are a charmer. You have a few tickle spots and let out the world's best giggle. Your smile is broad and you love your brother. You and Behr have started to be able to play and interact together. It is so beautiful to see you play together. No matter what he tell you during the years, know how much Behr loves you. He is always the first to check on you, make sure you are okay, even wake you up from naps when he just wants to hug you. His favorite activity recently has been to climb into your crib and cuddle with you. It makes me a bit nervous, but it is so sweet, I can't help but love it.

You sleep on the go, not yet settling into a normal nap time. This has been a huge perk with the nice weather. We spend most days out and about in the city and you cruise and snooze at least one nap a day. Thanks for being so flexible little buddy!

Actually, I shouldn't call you little. You are quite the chunk. And you are begging for food each chance you get, trying to swipe our dinner plates and food right out of our hands. You are eager to eat, but we are holding off feeding you until October when we aren't traveling as much.

You love sitting in your bumbo in the middle of all the action, especially when Behr and Daddy are playing trains. You also like your door jumper in the kitchen or in the front door when all of the neighbors are coming home from work. As long as you can move a bit and be part of the action, you are a happy camper!

You are growing up so fast. I snapped this picture with my phone while you were sleeping on my bed one afternoon. Most days you seem all boy, no baby. But this moment, I wanted to remember your baby chubby cheeks, your pouty lips and your fuzzy little head. I know the remaining baby moments are fleeting. Just don't grow up too fast on me now.

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Hudson Five Months

linking up to life lately with blair.

Hudson is getting so big and doing new things every day. He keeps sneaking up on us with new skills. He prefers to roll over to his right side and then lays there smiling, content to stay just as he is. Alternatively, he has no interest in tummy time or his left side. Go figure!

He also is sitting up like a champ these days. He can most often be found right along side us in his seat when we are cooking dinner, doing work at the table, or when Behr is playing trains. We have also discovered that Hudson sits up fairly well without the seat. Such a big boy! Do you see him above, that look of excitement? Curled toes and all, he loves sitting up. And then all the sudden, he makes a wildly jerky motion and lands nearly flat on his face, which he is not so much his favorite.

Hudson is a grasping machine. If you aren't careful, he is swiping your dinner fork, phone, train, and maybe even a piece of bread all squired away under his swaddle. I keep finding odd items that he has tucked in along side him with his stealthy grasp. This also makes playing with Hudson significantly more fun for Behr. The two sit and giggle as they pass toys back and forth to each other. 

Over Labor Day, we gave Hudson his first bit of food, a wedge of cucumber. He loved holding it, bringing it up to his mouth, and drooling all over it until it was too slippery to hold on to any more. It was equally adorable and gross. We will hold off on really introducing food until October, but for now he gets something to gnaw on every once in a while.

Hudson has also crossed the line between laying happily in bed until he falls asleep into ear-piercing panic screams because he realizes someone put him down. HE watches me a hawk and has minor spaz-outs when I am not within arms reach.  

Hudson 

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

And a bit about Behr...

Without even realizing it Behr has become a boy. The baby is all gone. He is skinny and getting taller, and doubling his independence nearly every day. He gets himself dressed, puts on his own shoes, and helps himself to snacks all day long. He also says the funniest things these days, often reminding me of thing I need to do like, "Mom, time to change Hudson's diaper," or "I can't go to school if I can't see!" (pulling down his hair over his eyes and asking for a hair cut.) Speaking of school, #littledays will be back on Thursday with Behr's first day of school pictures. I hope you can join us!

Hudson Four Months

Life lately...linking up with Blair.

// I first started this post on August 2nd in anticipation of posting it for the following life lately. That clearly didn't happen.
// My goal this year was to take August off from blogging, and then I was having a lot of fun this summer and didn't want to miss recording August. Here we are in the later half of the month, I haven't posted since the first. I should have taken August off.
// We've been on two family vacations and I unexpectedly had my wisdom teeth removed. I really should have taken August off.
// But all of this time not blogging, I am ready to go for August Book Club next Tuesday (8/27). I loved reading Carry On, Warriors by Glennon. And I am even more excited for your feedback. 
// Now, back to Hudson's update...clearly he is the second child. Sorry dude.

Hudson's 4 month check up was supposed to be when we were in Florida. Clearly we opted for vacation over the doctor's office and shots. So the details of his stats will just have to be updated in an untimely fashion at a later date. Regardless of when the appointment is, we know Hudson is packing on the pounds. He is also downing some major bottles!

This past month was a huge shift. I didn't realize or remember how in a few short weeks babies loose their infant pudge, develop a stronger core, and any resemblance of newborn disappears over night and you wake up wondering where the time has gone. Hudson, I will say this a thousand times, but baby, you are growing up way to fast!

Hudson is working hard at rolling over, he just isn't quite there yet. But at the rate he lifts his legs to his head, he might master the backward roll first. He tugs his pacifier in and out of his mouth, and waves it around just to get my attention some times. Once he does, the smile on his face could light an entire city. He is so expressive, it blows me away some days. I catch myself thinking, "Really, for me? That smile is for me?"

Along with his smile, Hudson keeps on giggling. He is contagiously happy most of the time.

Hudson is also teething. Not a single tooth has broken through the surface yet, but he spends most days trying to gnaw on something, and if all else fails, will chew his knuckles until they are bright cherry red. He has a constant stream of spit and drool streaming from his mouth and often surprises himself with an extra large spit bubble making a splash in his face.

Hudson 

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Little Days Hudson's Faces

Hudson is still living large in the days or "I have no neck." But little by little he is happier sitting more upright. Often times at the park, I plop him in the front of our stroller so he can take everything in without needing to be held in the sticky heat. We sit and make faces at each other while Behr runs around. It isn't much, but it is sweet time the two of us have. The way Hudson switches from face to face reminds me that he is just learning to flex these muscles. He will make a new face, looking as if it takes tremendous effort to reach this new expression and then just like that, the elastic springs back to his resting phase. It reminds me of testing out my sense of feeling after dental work and trying desperately not to publicly drool. Can you imagine what it would feel like to move your face in a new way for the first time?                                        Disclaimer: compensated affiliate links may be used in this post. 

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