Lately...Picture Post

This is how Hudson feels about mommy going back to work...



but there's still time for fun with sweet friends, Barrett, Carter, Claire, and Avery Grace.

Hudson likes pushing Barrett on the fire truck...

and loves Mrs. Jennifer too.

Barrett is such a sweet boy for sharing all his cool toys.

Look at that buddah! The only time you can find me sitting still is when I'm watching Baby Einstein.

11 months old!

Whoa! These months are rolling by! Hudson is 11 months today and growing like a weed.

Some new things this month:

He's 22lbs

NO MORE PACIFIER!!!!!!

7 teeth with 2 more coming in.

H's eating mostly table food. He does have baby food sometimes so that I can make sure we hit all the food groups and that he gets enough.

So far, we have found nothing that he does not like to eat.

He LOVES blueberries, Mandarin oranges, and corn. (not together)

He's talking more and more. He consistently says mama, dada, mom, dat (that), nana, no, hey, bye-bye, ba (ball), mo (more) and other things that I am unable to interpret yet.

The boy runs as he cruises the furniture. He has all of the little walking toys that you push and he runs with those.

He took 5 steps by himself yesterday, He's SOOOO close to walking! He loves to walk/run with you holding one of his hands.

He will blow you a kiss when asked.

He likes to "give you five" when you ask him to.

My dad taught him how to shake hands like a real man. He's so cute doing it.

He's a monkey! He climbs on, up, around, and through everything.

He's really starting to test his limits, and knows the meaning of the word "no". He will laugh if I pop him on the hand. (grrrrr) I'm learning that he's VERY strong willed. My mom tells me it's pay back.

He's MUCH more independent, and wants to do everything himself.

We recently found out that Hudson will be having surgery on August 31st for his kidney problem. You can read the details in my previous post. Thank you all so much for the support, prayers, and kind words you have sent our way concerning Hudson's surgery. I still can't imagine going through it, but God is in control and is going to take care of our boy.

Summer is coming to an end and I am really going to miss spending my days with Hud. I know he will be really glad to be with Claire everyday again. It will be a big adjustment for me to get back into the swing of things with school. One thing that we are looking forward to is his first birthday party. I'm having fun planning it, but can't believe it's time. He continues to be such a joy in our lives. It's hard to believe that we tried for so long to get him here and now he's almost a year old

Here are a few pictures that were taken at Barrett and Carter's birthday party last weekend. They were taken by Ashleigh of Ashleigh Dees Photography.

Kidney Appointment Update

Hudson had another appt. for his kidney today. We went for an ultrasound first, then met with Dr. Donahoe. Basically, the ultrasound shows no change. Hudson's kidney and ureter are still dilated and he is still refluxing urine back into the kidney from the bladder. We've all been hoping and praying that the reflux would correct itself along with the blockage in the ureter. (There was a small chance this could happen.) Since it hasn't, Hudson will be having surgery on August 31st. The procedure should take about 4 hours and he will be in the hospital for about 2 days. He'll have a Ureteral Reimplantation. They will taper off his hydro ureter and fix the blockage down by the bladder. Since Hudson only has the one kidney, they don't want to take any chances by letting this go and "just monitoring" him.

I am thankful that his kidney has functioned well and that the daily antibiotics have gotten us this far so that his bladder could grow large enough to have the surgery. We have known of the possibility of surgery since before Hudson was born, but it does not make it any easier to digest. I am just ready to put this behind us.

Thank you all for praying for our precious little boy.

A fun PAR-TEE with Carter and Barrett

Happy Birthday to two sweet little boys. Carter and Barrett had their first birthday par-tee yesterday, and their mom did such a good job planning the golf themed event. The boys were so cute and everyone had such a good time. Thank you, Heather for inviting us!

Five

Five is a significant number. It's the age that children start school, and we count by intervals of five on a clock. It's been five years since the big tsunami and five years since the first video was uploaded on You Tube. God gave us five senses, five fingers and toes on each hand and foot, and he even used five loaves and fishes to feed the multitudes. Hudson's birthday, and my birthday both end in five, August 25th, and April 25th.

Five is mostly significant today because it marks the number of years Dave and I have been married. It's our FIFTH anniversary! On July 16, 2005, I married my best friend. It's been a fun road, and I am so thankful to have a wonderful husband that loves the Lord and his family. He's a fantastic daddy too. I'm excited to celebrate this day with you Dave. We have an amazing son this year and that means so much. Happy Anniversary!

July 16, 2005

Five years and a wonderful, precious, awesome baby boy later:

Little Traveler

Whew! We are finally back home and plan to stay here for awhile. Our beach trip was wonderful. Hudson had a blast! I must admit that taking a baby did bring challenges, but it was totally worth it. We love Hilton Head, and are excited for our boy to love it too.
When we got home from the beach, we turned around a few days later and left for Alabama. It was so good to see family and friends. I knew this boy would love the fireworks, and I was right. (He likes loud things.) He had a good time playing with Ella too. He did such a good job traveling on both trips, even the 5+ hour Alabama trip.
Here are some pictures of our trips. They are out of order, so I apologize for that. The first one cracks me up. This is how Hudson watched the whole fireworks show.

Ella and Hudson waiting on the fireworks to start.Ella and me. She's such a big girl.

The kiddos before we left to go watch the fireworks

Holly with Ella and Hudson

Action shot...

At the Prattville Parade

Waiting on the parade to start

In the pool at the beach.

Watching the turtles from the dock at the condo

One of our favorite places to eat at the beach...and of course we love the name too.

My handsome little man.

I love them!