The Scribble Pad: Monthlies

Showing posts with label Monthlies. Show all posts

Hudson Nineteen and Twenty Months

Hudson, you catch me off guard and you know it. You get a smirk smile that comes across your face, even when trying to be serious. Or sometimes you throw me a knowing glance and then shoot your expression straight back to stone cold. Nothing with you is straight forward or overly logical, instead you toss out the curveball and then bring on the grins. I can rarely guess what you want to do or what you are about to do next. You test limits -- your own strength, how hot something is, how far you can jump or fall. I love the adventurous side of you, even if it keeps me constantly jumping to save you. Over these past two months, your risks have had better endings. Less falls, more victories. You are proud of that.

You still love everything electronic, metaphorical buttons as well. Talking on the phone is one of your favorite activities. You perk up when you hear the phone buzz or ring and often walk around pretending, soundlessly to talk to the imaginary phone you have pressed to your ear, head tilted and all. Throughout a phone call on speaker, you will repeat high at least once for every word someone else tries to say. You enjoy face-timing with faraway family, but often the iphone camera on reverse tricks you well enough.

You now say cheese and make the accompanying face whenever you see a phone or camera pointed in your direction, often preemptively "cheese-ing" before anyone even thought of taking a picture. As exemplified in the pictures below.

Communication is a strong suit of yours. Perhaps its your stubbornness, or maternally gifted desire to control, but words are few and far between. And yet, you communicate extremely well. I often joke you communicate without words better than most well-spoken adults.

The words you do say, even if rarely, include:

Hi, Hi, Hi (always when greeting passing people, but this also means "I'm hungry" for you)
Shhh
Cheese
Mom
Da (Dad)
Bye
Yeah, yeah, yeah
That
Hot
Dog
Up (you've only said this once or twice, preferring to head butt our thighs until we lift you)
No

We are actively working on Off, Up, and Please, but you flat out refuse.

You enjoy using the duster and sweeping, a cleaning streak that comes from your big brother and dad for sure. I am so grateful you and Behr clean up about half the messes you make. And boy do you like to make messes. If it can be dumped or poured, you do just that. As I start to make dinner, you begin taking items out of cabinets, unloading the dishwasher, or out of baskets, covering the kitchen floor with dishes and bowls, as if you are expecting a feast. A subtle, yes I am hungry, don't forget to feed me too. Come dinner time, you yank off your still-clean-bib the bite before you spill your food down your shirt. You cleverly open your leak proof cups and full plates of food get flung around the room, only for you to happily sweep it up later. A bowl of dry cereal or crackers is your favorite thing to dump. Sometimes I can't decide if you make the messes because you know it makes me twitch or if its because you want the chance to clean it up.

Not that I would ever stop loving you, but you work your charm and win me over again and again. On even the best days, you will find me and warm my heart again. It reminds me of one of my favorite hymns, Come Thou Fount -- the second verse is "tune my heart to sing thy grace" -- as you remind me of my own love for you, I am reminded that the love of God is even greater. We don't have to win the favor of God, but we do need him to help us be in line with him. Hudson, in ways that I cannot seem to describe, you point me again and again to the everlasting love of God. You help, tune my heart to sing of God's great grace.

"Cheeeeese!"

with squinted eyes and everything

My little one and a half year old, you are moving too quickly towards full blown toddler. You will be two before we know it, but I am cherishing these wild and crazy exhausting days.

You can see more monthly updates and posts about Hudson here.

Hudson Eighteen Months

Hudson, this past month you have been talking and climbing and climbing and talking. You have done a million things, but these two activities are highest on your list. You have scaled just about every conceivable surface in our home, including the wall AC unit to get up to and stand on our window ledge. You have jumped off the kitchen table and not learned your lesson. You fall off the back of the couch regularly. You keep me constantly on guard and break all the rules.

You eat crayons.
You chew on your bed rail, still!
You refuse sleep, adamantly pointing out of the bedroom the second we walk anywhere near it.
You scream and persevere in the fight against sleep.
If you get the slightest impression I might be cooking, you dump your plate basket and grab one to furiously bang on the counter until I feed you.
When I turn my back, you start the dishwasher, turn off the AC unit, or stash the TV remote in a super secret hiding place.
This morning you sent your first email, fortunately just to dad.
If there are buttons, you will find them and push them.

You have also been talking quite a bit more, but not necessarily more words. You say: HOT, hhhhhhot (with a raspy/throaty emphasis on the H), Up, and Hi, hi, hi (that one rarely comes alone).

Thankfully you now sign "more" and "all done" when it is appropriate. For a few weeks, our communication was touch and go, but we have developed a nice rhythm with hopes of your vocabulary growing. Behr thinks you say even more words that your Dad and I simply don't hear or can't seem to translate into common english.

You have also resumed snuggling. When I pick you up, you either touch my face with your hands or rest your head on my shoulder. Thank you for reminded me that I am in fact your momma and you do still need me. Your independent streak often leaves me doubting.

Incase you or anyone else is wondering, Hudson, you are the primary reason for my blog being neglected. Reread this post if you have any outstanding questions.

Hudson Seventeen Months

Hudson, it seems like every month I say you have developed your own little personality. And again, as I sat down to write this post, that is what is on the top of my mind. Perhaps because you have so much personality? You are determined, smart, strong willed, and able. You have spend the past month mastering so many new skills. You have climb to new heights. Literally. You have climbed just about every piece of furniture in our house, especially if climbing higher helped you reach something. When you summit the coffee table, kitchen table, or your newest feat, our bed, you do what we have begun to affectionally call the "sumo stomp." You get so excited, your fat little feet move so fast.

You are not deterred by limits. You do not want to be held back. When we tell you no, you frown, grimace, or fake cry, but you almost always spit. You spit again and again, like an old greek lady who is dissatisfied with her cooking. You wiggle out of most holds and hand holding is your least favorite activity. Conversely, you love button pushing, all varieties. One day you escaped down the hall and started all of the intern dishwashers! You are also a pro at removing batteries. If there are batteries to be found, you are the man for the job.

You make us laugh. Oh boy, do you make us laugh. Your smarts come into play here. You catch us off guard, or make something ordinary far more exciting, and we all burst out with joy. I hope and pray you keep this gift and share it often throughout your life. I am not supposed to tell you this, but your spitting is what makes us laugh the most...

When we are out and about, you are so happy. You say "hi, hi, hi!" every time we pass someone and sometimes even to dogs. You points to animals and say "ooh, ooh," making a surprise face.

For months now, you have been throwing things away. When something goes missing, we panic that perhaps it fell victim to you and the trash. We even thought you tossed Dad's watch for a few days. Recently you have showed us that you know when something is supposed to be thrown away and when you get it right, we whoop and holler and cheer! We love watching you learn. Behr loves teaching you new things. He also likes getting credit for your new achievements.

You want to do almost everything Behr does. From first thing in the morning when you join him as he pushes dad out for work. All the way through the day until the very end when you climb into his bed instead of your own. As long as he isn't hugging you (which makes you so mad!) you want to be right along side him.

During bath time you sneakily get a cup and try to drink the bath water. Every single time. You pretend you are going to pour the water out and then gulp, down it goes! And once we finally get you to stop drinking the water, you dump it straight out of the tub. Some nights we use five or six towels just because of you.

You are in the process of cutting 2-4 more teeth, its hard to tell exactly where they are coming in. We think because of this, you have a new found fascination with your toothbrush. You carry it around most of the day and frequently go into the bathroom, climb up on the stool, and wait for more water.

Word are coming slowly to you, but you still babble on all day. Here are your favorite words these days: hi, hot, dog, mama, dada, up, on, and sometimes we think you say Behr. But you still point as your primary means for communication, and you have it down to a science. When you are hungry or thirsty, you dump out the basket of baby dishes and start banging the counter. It reminds me of a prison scene in an old black and white movie, but I always know what you want!

I am so excited for you to start talking because I can see you processing all these ideas. But for now, we are trying to soak up all of the hilarious things you are doing at this stage. Thank you for being such a joy in our family. We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

Hudson Sixteen Months

Hudson has entered an entirely new stage this summer. So much of the baby is gone. He is a big kid now. At least he thinks so. The best part of this new stage is watching him discover new things. He no longer just observes cause and effect, but has begun to experiment with creating them. Exploring new boundaries and having lightbulb moments seem to be daily occurrences. Among the recent ones...
...realizing that money can buy things, he is constantly finding coins or raiding wallets and trying to trade us a coin for what he really wants.
...he grabs a cup and plate whenever someone appears to be cooking, as if lifting the plate means asking for food. Usually we do pick up on this not so subtle cue.
...buttons of all sorts, shapes and sizes are his favorites these days. He is especially fascinated with our building security fob, nearly demanding to swipe the fob each time are in the elevator. He also steals my calculator from my desk on the regular. And both boys carry keys and flashlights around.
...games, like his big brother he plays games to get results, but this also means we get to have fun playing games with him, peek-a-boo, knocking over towers, dropping or picking things up to see what the reactions will be, and building tracks or dominos to set in motion. These games often result in Hudson's best laughter.
...climbing has been his latest adventure, seeming to test new heights each day. If only he would quickly learn to climb back down safely.

Hudson can most often be found carrying a book, fork, spoon, or cup. He likes to perform activities with objects in each hand. He treasures small objects, hiding them in his fist when he happens to find them, likely because he knows he is not supposed to have them.

We officially quit the pacifier this month, although he sometimes seems to miss it, substituting other objects. Without it, we are hoping he will continue to get more verbal. He makes plenty of sounds and talks often, but very rarely uses proper word association. Hudson is fully aware when we want him to say something we know he can so instead he laughs at us and shakes his head no.

Hudson is entranced with big brother Behr. The two play very well together, but we have noticed that over the past few weeks, their play is sometimes like watching a shadow. Whatever Behr does, Hudson does a moment later. An activity which often results in the two of them bopping each other on the head until someone screams. It is definitely my favorite, but not really. Hudson also loves when he gets to ride Behr's scooter. Looks like I know what is going on his Christmas list.

He is a strong willed, very determined boy and I have taken to calling him "the destroyer," a term which has equal impact on food, objects, and ear drums.

Hudson Fifteen Months

These aren't the greatest photos. The hazy summer sky and fast moving toddler left things slightly out of focus. These few haphazardly captured photos send me into a weepy puddle of tears. This is my baby, being anything but a baby. Sure he is rocking his honest diaps, his knees are still chunky, and arms poised as he is not quite stable on his feet. But in the few weeks since this photo was taken, those shoes no longer fit and his arms are no longer hanging in the ready position. And dare I say, he has almost started running? He does this hilarious run shuffle when trying to escape with contraband, usually someone's stolen iphone.

Speaking of iPhone, Hudson spoke his first word to siri. Yes, the automated apple voice won. He began picking up the phone, saying "Hi!" in a very enthusiastic voice, and then putting the phone back down. Repeat ten or fifteen times and we caught on. He's talking!!

Hudson is mastering his yeses and his nos. When trying to tell us what he wants, when we land on the correct object, he about whoops with excitement. Yeah, yeah, yeah, arms flailing up in the air or clapping enthusiastically. Other words he uses regularly include "mom" "alld" (translation: all done, with clapping no less) and "ba" for pretty much anything else he doesn't quite have a word for. He sputters when it takes us too long to understand him. I say he should just start using his words...but he is adamantly opposed to most ideas suggested by me.

I've noticed his arms aren't always up in air when he walks. Sometimes they swing at his side, making him seem dramatically older in an instant. Hudson is so proud when he walks, eager to get out in new places and walk this way and that. Often times his first action is to bump into Behr in some way or another. The two of them are constantly exchanging little jabs with one another. There must be a magnetic pull between brothers. they are unable to get through any activity without smashing or slyly bumping into one another.

And I think I forgot to mention we cut Hudson's hair. Just a trim around the ears and the back, mostly to keep the mullet from getting out of control. But again, he is such a boy now!

I will spare you the long list of Hudson's monthly posts...but if you want to see more of this sweet face, click here.

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Hudson Fourteen Months

Hudson is a moving and a shaking. In mid-May, he started to crawl, but without touching his knees to the ground. It was a haphazard looking movement that didn't get him very far. On May 30th, Hudson stood up and decided to walk, unprompted. (video here) This is the Hudson way. He does things on his own schedule, often without much excitement. But the look of accomplishment in his face says it all. Often I can tell he has learned something new just by his expression -- intrigue and delight cross his face.

He walks with his hands up, poised to block a passing swing from Behr, catch his own fall, or grab something just within reach. Hands, always at the ready. I can't even remember when Behr was just learning to walk, so I don't want Hudson to ever stop.

Hudson is an observer. He is determined. And he wants to do things himself. No help. Well, no help unless he really needs help. If he wants something he cant reach, he points and squeals. Immediately after nap time, he points to our bed to see if anyone is there, likely confusing his wake up for morning. Next he points for Behr, checking all the obvious places. These two drive each other a bit mad on minute and laugh hysterically together the next.

I am still learning so much about Hudson's sweet character. He fools me sometimes. He is mellow and wild, easy and a piece of work, likes to sit and focus on one toy and be on the move, never stopping for a second. Hudson is wild and unpredictable, these two things are certain. Our family is better off with him keeping us on our toes.

Hudson also had his first hair cut, shortly after the photo above was taken. We trimmed up the ears and around the back to get rid of his baby wisps. He is looking more and more like a big boy each day.

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Hudson Thirteen Months

Standing firm -- he knows his opinions and sticks with them. Insisting on only walking when he has your hands and complete attention.

He loves the playground. As we approach, Hudson pumps his fists and kicks his legs, as if urging the stroller to move faster. We now strategically avoid passing the park if we don't have time to stop, for fear of the angry toddler wrath. Also, I have had a hard time adjusting to calling Hudson my toddler. It means both boys are growing up, Behr my preschooler, Hudson no longer my baby.

Hudson rapidly switches from pure joy to hysterics. One moment he is making goggly eyes at someone else, the next moment he is screeching and hollering, reminding me of how much he still needs me. He doesn't use many words yet, but he is an extremely effective communicator, and at the very least a loud one. His screeches and hollers come in all decibels for a variety of needs -- when he gets to the end of a piece of furniture, when he wants something just out of reach, or when he is hungry.

Speaking of hungry, he eats so much food. I forgot about this stage. He wants all of everyone's food. Table manners are currently at a minimum unless you count licking the bowl clean.

Learning limits. Hudson know what the outlets are and that he is not allowed to touch them. So instead he cruises up along side an outlet and waits for you to look. Once he has your attention, he slowly points his finger to the outlet. As you discipline him, saying no sir, he squints his eyes and his lip begins to quiver, reaching for that outlet again. Moments later, the waterworks turn on and he is full on crying because you told him he couldn't do what he already knew was forbidden.

He also loves Behr. He constantly looks for him, tries to get in the middle of whatever Behr is playing with, and will snuggle with him at all costs. Or as most often the case, destroy whatever Behr is currently building.

Hudson Twelve Months

Hudson, I can hardly believe you are already a year old. It sounds so cliche. The past year has really flown. It has been most interesting to me to mark the milestones as if I were still working outside the home, if you were in daycare like your brother was. When I was pregnant with you, I was certain, emphatically convinced, that your first year would be different since so much more of our time would be spent together.

Your first year was certainly different, but simply because you are Hudson. It had nothing to do with time we did or didn't spend together -- working at home or outside the home and having you in daycare. As a mom, these are the things I get worked up about, but they really are just a minor caveat of parenthood.

Little man, you are full of personality. You know exactly what you want and go after it. If someone catches you in the act or in your pursuit, you laugh. Oh do you laugh. Deep belly laughs and you bounce up and down, bending at the knees. Secretly, I think you love getting caught.

You communicate most effectively though pointing. You point directly to what you want and manage to often make your desires known without much of a word. But you talk and talk and talk -- no clear distinguishable words yet. Sometimes you try and Behr finished your word for you. When pointing doesn't quite work, you are repeating a few signs, but mostly just pointing. The other day you wouldn't go down for your nap, I picked you up and you pointed out of your room, and then to my bed. The moment I laid you down on my bed, you rested your head and fell asleep. Pointing works for you, even when it gets the best of us.

You have largely skipped crawling. You will scoot to the nearest object and pull yourself up and then you CRUISE. You move so fast we can hardly keep up with you. You haven't quite dared your first step, but each day you stand on your own a little bit longer. You work your way up and down our long building hallway (over 100 feet!) several times each day. It never seems to tire you out. You have energy right up until the moment you fall asleep. And then you sleep like a rock. Thank you for this.

When you see something you like or someone you know you wave, generally with whole body excitement. You are so excitable. Behr loves to rile you up. Dad and I like to watch the range of emotions you express. Again, when you catch us doing this, you bust out laughing. Just like these pictures show.

Happy Birthday Little Man! I am so excited to laugh with you for years and years to come!

See more of Hudson's Monthlies

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

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.