Teddy Bear Park 1-28-11

Hudson,

We went to Teddy Bear Park today. This is one of our favorite places to go. It's in Highland Park. There are these giant Teddy Bear statues that we play with, and then we go on an adventure. We hike on the trail along Turtle Creek. We have a lot of fun. You really don't feel like you're in Dallas.

There is a huge bridge that goes over Turtle Creek that you must walk over to get to the bears. We run across it and you stop and look down at the big waterfall under the bridge. We hug and kiss the teddy bears and talk to them. I make a high voice and pretend I am the teddy bears. They tell you that they have missed you and ask you what you have been doing. The baby bears tell you how they have been eating too much honey. We give them all high fives.

After we see the Teddy Bears, we go on an "adventure," as you say. We walk on the trail along Turtle Creek. It's almost like a hike in Colorado. We stop at this huge rock on the creek and throw rocks into the water. We have been throwing rocks since you were very little. I have watched you throw rocks two feet in front of you when you were a little baby, and now, you are almost three and you throw them far into the creek! You love it. I point out the ripples that the rocks make and how the ripples look like big circles. There is a huge tree that hangs off a cliff over Turtle Creek and little stairs that lead down to look up at it. We always walk down the stairs and you sit inside this big hole that has been made on the side of the cliff under the tree. These are the best days my love. I love every moment with you. I love you sweet baby love...

Love, Mamma

"This is the time to remember
'Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
'Cause we won't
Although we'll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change"
-Billy Joel, This is the time











You have to cross a bridge over Turtle Creek to get to the teddy bears. Every time we cross the bridge, we look down at the waterfall and we see also see this "H" made of wood. Who knows how or why it is there, but you always say, "There's the H." We say it is the H for Hudson. You know the letter H and you know how to spell your name. Every since you were born, "I would get you out of your crib, walk you by your name spelled out in your room, and say, "H-U-D-S-O-N, what's that spell? Hudson!"

Hudisms 01/31/11

Hudson,
I have to write these precious Hudisms down because I don't want to forget them....

Today, Codi was eating a plastic knife. Codi eats everything, just like a Lab! You said, "Codi, you gotta stop eating everything." It was the cutest! You were so serious, but the way you said it was funny. You are funny Hudson, for real. Many people tell me this, even your teachers. You love our dogs, Codi and Gracie. You have now shortened Gracie's name to Grace. I said, "Gracie" the other day and you said, "No Mom, it's Grace." So cute!


Hudson Codi and Gracie at the park January 2011


Hudson, Gracie & Codi January 2011

We watched the American Music Awards today after school. I TiVoed them and we have watched it about a 100 times. You love it! We watch all the performances and we dance. Carlos Santana is one of the performers. I always tell you that he is an amazing guitar player, one of the best. You said to me while we were dancing, "No one will ever be as good as Santana at the guitar." You almost sounded dismayed. I said, "Oh baby, you can be as good. If you practice everyday, you can be better. I know it." You are 2 and a half and you say the most amazing things. Also, Usher is one of the performers and I have told you "Usher can dance. He can dance his teaso off." You said to me today, "Usher can dance his teaso off Mamma." Cutest.

We were in the car today listening to the radio and you know the words to so many songs! There is an Usher song called "DJ got us falling in love again." It came on the radio and I hear you say, "remember those eyes eyes eyes." I can't believe it. The line goes, "I think I remember those eyes eyes eyes." I mean the fact that you know these words astonishes me. You know the words to so many songs and you are not even 3! It's a talent (one you got from your Mamma, Daddy can attest to that). We will be in the car and you will just start singing a song I didn't even know you knew! AMAZING!


Carlos Santana, A Mexican American guitarist who pioneered salsa and jazz fusion. Rolling Stone named Santana number 15 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in 2003

Baby I want you to know that you can do anything you want. You are a star. I can see it. If you put your mind to it and practice, you can do anything you want and Daddy and I will support you every step of the way. We love you sweet baby.

Birthday Parties and Church 1/30/11

This weekend was full of birthdays! You had lots of birthday cake and cupcakes, which you loved. Saturday, we had Henry Morgan's 7th birthday. There were a lot of big boys at the party. You were playing with the pool net at one point and a big boy grabbed it from you and you got very angry. I could see you saying, "NO!" from the house and I knew right when he grabbed that net, you were going to get really mad. Daddy went out there and you were hiding behind the bushes. Hudson, sometimes you get embarrassed. You don't like when someone takes something from you or pushes you around (I don't blame you. Don't you ever let anyone push you around). You get upset and sometimes embarrassed. If we reprimand you in front of people, you get so ashamed and embarrassed. You cry and it absolutely breaks my heart.... Remember, if someone is being mean to you or does something you don't like, walk away. There is always plan B.

That same day, we had Charles Brewer's 3rd birthday. You had not napped and you were not in a great mood. You would not get dressed for the party. I tried to get you dressed for one hour. You were so obstinate. You just kept saying, "No! I don't want to get dressed. I don't want to go the party." Mommy got so frustrated that I went down the stairs and let Daddy deal with it. We finally left, but we were an hour late to the party. I almost went to their house and dropped the present off, but I told you, that it was not ok. I told you that Charles was a special friend and we needed to go celebrate his birthday with him. I told you that you would want your friends to celebrate with you when your birthday came along and you that needed to do the same. You had fun once you got there (you almost always come around and have fun in the end). You ate a ton of pizza, in fact you were the last one eating! Everyone kept saying you were a big, growing boy.

We also had William and Ava Benbow's 3rd birthday party. It was at Pump it Up, a place with huge bounce houses. You had a blast. You sat down for the group picture, which I was so excited about because you wouldn't sit for it at Charles' birthday.

Sunday, we all went to church. Daddy takes you to church every Sunday. He takes you to the contemporary service, which has a band and loud music. You love the music. For a very long time, you would not leave Daddy's arms and he would dance with you. You have finally come out of your shell though and you stand up in the front row and dance and play your air drums and guitar. Ladies come up after church and tell daddy how precious you are. One lady said, "I watch Hudson now instead of the minister." I went to church with you all today so that I could see you in action. You were amazing! You are such a little ham. You get in a zone and you dance in front of the whole congregation. You don't care. It's like you are a pitcher and you have completely drowned out the noise and the people. You give high fives to the drummer. It's fantastic! You are beautiful baby. I love you my love, Mamma


This was a picture taken at William and Ava's 3rd birthday party. I do not know all the chldren's names, but I know some - William, Ava, Charles, Stella, Jackson, Charlie, Anna, Sosie, Hunter, and my baby, Hudson.

NFL Experience 1/29/11

Today, Daddy took us to the NFL Experience. You started off tired and in a bad mood, but you woke up and realized how much fun it was and we all had a blast.

This coming week is a very big week here in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The Super Bowl is here on Sunday February 6th at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. The NFL Experience is a temporary theme park operated by the National Football League during the week of the Super Bowl. It is a combination of interactive attractions and special events. You threw the football with Daddy and made all three of your shots in the net (they let you stand close), you did two obstacle courses and you got to kick the football. You were so cute on the obstacle course. You ran with the football and the people who worked there were cheering you on. You had a great time and it was so much fun watching you throw the football through the net! Daddy did awesome. He can throw the football like a champ. He made his first throw in the net and it was awesome! He was very far away from the net and I couldn't believe he made it in the net on his first throw. Your Daddy is a natural athlete. We took some fun pictures.

My Favorite Place to Be

When we are cuddling, I always tell you, "My favorite place to be is next to you, my baby." One night, I laid next to you in your crib (yes, I crawled in there) and we were snuggling, and you said, "My favorite place to be is next to my Mommy." I almost cried. It was so truly sweet, from your heart.

amore mio, il mio posto favorito è vicino te. ti amo, mamma

Hudson, Hudson & Boden, December 2010

Hudson,

Here you are with the children of our dear friends, Jarrett and Melissa Kovics. Hudson is 6 and he is standing by the drums. Boden is almost 4 and he is sitting on the chair. They came over for dinner one night before Christmas 2010. I don't think they were use to so much drum banging and guitar playing. You are unique Hudson. Not every child likes to listen to music and play instruments all day. You are one of the lucky ones. You have music in your head, like your Mamma. I live you my little rock star.

“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul”
-Plato

Hudson Rock Star

Hudson, my love,

Are you a little rock star or what? Your teacher, Miss Elizabeth (who you love), calls you her "little rock star." Even she sees it. You got a microphone for Christmas and you were jamming out, making up songs, singing like you were in front of an audience. Sometimes, you will say "ladies and gentleman." Is that not most precious thing? You are a songwriter too. You make up your own lyrics, it's awesome. Maybe you will be a songwriter too. WOW.

The pictures of you with your guitar were taken months ago. You had just gotten that acoustic guitar. You freaked out when you got it. You were so happy. You know the difference between and acoustic guitar and an electric guitar. You know it well. You point out acoustic and electric guitars. Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum plays an acoustic guitar. I TiVoed a lady Antebellum concert for you and you have watched it 100s of times and you will say, "I like Dave's acoustic guitar. It's cool." You know all the members of Lady Antebellum - Charles, Hilary and Dave. It's amazing. You know so many instruments - bass drum, electric guitar, horn, saxophone, piano, harmonica, trombone, flute. You are amazing!

Amore, I love you, Mamma


December 28, 2010 - 2 yrs 8 mos old



October 2010 2.5 years old

Hudson & Jack

11-11-2010, You and Jack eating lunch with me and Melissa.


Jack Carpentar is one of your good friends. His mom, Melissa, is one of my good friends. We have a lot of play dates. Jack is about 5 weeks younger than you. You all look very similar and many people have said that. Jack has an older brother, Cash. Cash is almost 6. You think Cash is super cool and you follow him around. You have spent many of our play dates following Cash around and ignoring Jack. Jack is a second child and he is tough. He has been pushed around enough to handle himself. You grew faster than Jack, but he is catching up with you now. Lately, you all have been fighting, pushing one another around, and not sharing well, much to the dismay of your moms. Melissa and I spent our last play date saying, "No Hudson. Don't hit Jack," or "No, Jack. Don't throw that stick at Hudson," or "Boys, you have to share." I am hoping this phase will pass with you two. Maybe it is competition? Maybe you are just being boys? I am not sure. Jack and Cash came to our house about a month ago and you all literally beat one another up playing dodge ball on the trampoline. It was crazy and I had never seen you be so rough and aggressive, ever. I was freaking out of course. Melissa, having two boys, says she constantly plays referee. It was crazy! I guess boys will be boys, but I don't ever want you to be aggressive. I feel like that play date changed you a bit.

Jack likes guitars like you do and you all have jammed out a time or two, but lately, you seem to fight over the guitars. "It's mine!" "No, it's mine!" UGH, that word, "mine." I would be happy to never hear it again! Nothing is really your in this life time my love, only love you can take with you.

I love you, Mamma


January 2011 - Hudson (2 yrs 9 mos) on the microphone. Jack on the guitar.

Jack on the guitar. Hudson (2 yrs 9 mos) on microphone.

American Music Awards

Hudson,
I TiVoed the American Music Awards on November 21, 2010 and you watch it over and over. For awhile, you only wanted me to hold you and dance with you. You are getting so heavy so it's a workout for me, but I love it. You now play your drums in front of it and watch them. You love it, of course! Some of the performers are Enrique Iglesias, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Train, Kesha, Carlos Santana with Gavin Rossdale, Train, Usher and Justin Bieber. You dig Justin Bieber, the Black Eyed Peas and you now know that Carlos Santana is one of the best guitar players ever. You know the sequence in which the performers play. You have memorized it as well as so many of the lyrics. Let's not forget that you are not even 3. WHOA!

I wonder where Justin Bieber will be when you are 10. He is only 16 now, so he'll only be 26 at that time. Heck, he will only be 36 when you are 20. Justin has a great story. He was raised by a single mother in a low-income household. He taught himself to play the piano, drums, guitar and trumpet. Pretty amazing. Bieber's mother posted his performances on Youtube when he was only 12 and his following grew and grew as she posted more. There is a movie about him right now and when I see clips, I think of you. He was drumming everything and jamming on the guitar as a little boy, just like you do.

I like The Black Eyed Peas because they also have a good story. Two of the band members, Will.I.Am and apple.de.ap both overcame a lot of adversity. Will.I.Am grew up in the projects with a single mother and apple.de.ap was raised in the Philippines by a single mother.

A quote for you my love, "Do not fear the winds of adversity. Remember: A kite rises against the wind rather than with it."

I love you, Mamma

Drums After Siesta - January 2011

Hudson,

You woke up from your siesta and you wanted to go downstairs and play your drums. It takes you awhile to get happy after your siesta, and sometimes, you are full on in a bad mood. I tell you, "It's ok if you need 10 minutes to be by yourself to wake up," and you say, "No! I don't want to be by myself." You did not want me to take these pictures, but you looked so cute in your big boy shirt. You don't like to put your pants on for awhile after siesta. You wonder all over in your pull up or your underwear. Honestly, you are so precious in your underwear or your pull up, you can run in them all day as far as I am concerned! You will only be this little once. Your teaso is the cutest thing ever and it should be bronzed and put in the Smithsonian!

Siesta is a good thing. I always tell you it is good to take a break in the day. It gives mommy a break and you a much needed nap. We sing this song, "Siesta, siesta, a nap in the afternoon. Take a break in the middle of the day, they say it's good for you. Es bueno that is true." You have always been a willing napper. You are are ready to get in your crib, your safe haven, and rest. You are a great sleeper Hudson. You're in bed by 7 or 7:30 and you sleep 12 hours a night. You have been doing that since you were about 3 months old.

There will be a day that you won't want to nap, but we will still take quiet time! We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Remember, there is nothing wrong with a break in the day, whether you are a child or an adult. It Italy, a siesta is common for everyone. At about noon, everything shuts down there for about three hours for lunch and siesta. This is why Italians live la vita bella. I need to practice what I preach, because I have never been a good napper...

I love you amore, Mamma

January 2011 - After siesta.

Back to Back Rock Stars

Hudson,

As you read all the time, we play music for many hours a day. You wake up saying, "Let's go in my music room." We have been dancing, playing instruments and listening to loud music since you were born. When you were a baby, I would cradle you and dance with you, and sometimes, you would fall asleep in my arms - beautiful memories. Mamma totally jams out with you. I play instruments, dance and I sing. I like to sing mostly. Mommy can't play any instruments in real life, but I could always sing. One day, you came out with this move below. You said, "back to back" and you got up against my back and we jammed out. It was the cutest! Daddy took this picture. You may have gotten it from the Lady Antebellum concert you watch. I TiVoed one of their concerts and you have probably watched it 200 times - no joke. Now, you say "back to back" and we instantly do it. I love it! We can jam out, however, you will be the musician, far better than I ever could have been. Learn to play at least one instrument well. Practice often. Practice often. Did I say practice often? I love you my rock star, Mamma


December 2011 - You are 2 yrs and 8 mos old

Kanye West Sunglasses - January 2011

January 28, 2011



Hudson,

You have these green sunglasses and you look super cool in them. I call them your Kanye West Hip-Hop Sunglasses. We got them for you in Crested Butte, Colorado last summer. It's funny, when you were a lot younger, you did not like hats and sunglasses, now you love to wear your sunglasses and you wear your baseball hat backwards and call it your "rally cap." Daddy taught you to say that. When we are in the car, you will say, "Mamma the sun is out. Do you need your sunglasses? I need mine." We have almost lost these sunglasses a 100 times. We even left them in Annapolis when we went to visit Ella. Anni sent them back to us. You are my little rock star. xoxo Mamma


You eating breakfast with your Kanye West sunglasses. 1-27-2011


In Mamma's car.


Popular hip-hop artist, Kanye West wears similar shades. West first rose to fame as a producer. After bringing a soulful, distinctive sound to artists like Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, he went on to win Grammys for his own career as a rapper and solo artist.

Dinner with Daddy 01/25/11

We got back from Oklahoma City today and I was very tired so Daddy took you to dinner at Chipotle. He sent me this picture from dinner. You always get the cheese quesadilla, black beans, rice and chips when we go there.


01/25/11 You are 2 years and 9 mos old.

Chipotle is infamous in this family. Last year, you walked out of the restaurant, tripped on the railing, fell down and busted your forehead open. I grabbed you and I knew it was bad. I turned you over and there was blood everywhere and you were bawling. I was mortified! We took you inside and laid you on one of the tables. All the workers were bringing rags, band aids, water and it made you cry harder. I think it scared you. It was obvious by looking at the cut that you were going to need stitches. Daddy carried you all the way home. It was not close. I was so upset. I was crying and I did not want you to see me. We walked all the way to Dr. Bower's house. He is a pediatrician who lives down the street. He looked at it and said, "Oh yea, he's going to need stitches." I was hoping he wouldn't say that, but I knew he would. We got in the car and headed to Children's Medical. You would not let anybody touch you. You were going crazy, which I knew you would. I knew how very difficult it was going to be. You are not so fond of doctors. They had to give you a drug to calm you down so they could bond the wound, which was the one humorous part of this story. You were sedated and acting almost drunk! It was precious. You are never that calm. When they came in to clean your wound and bond you up, I had to leave. I couldn't watch! Daddy stayed with you and held your hand. He said they had to put you in a straight jacket so that you would not move. My poor baby! Daddy said he felt terrible and that you were looking at him like "Get me out of here Daddy!" It was quick though and they gave you a rainbow popsicle at the end. I hated to see my baby hurting. It made Mommy so sad! Daddy was sad too! You were so tough and such a big boy.


October 10, 2010. You are 2 and a half years old. This was taken at the hospital.

Hudson, Charles & Ella Summer 2010

These absolutely beautiful pictures were taken in June 2010, the summer before Ella moved. I think they look like postcards. You were playing with Charles and Ella in Ella's backyard. Charles and Ella were in your very first playgroup and in your first Mother's Day Out Class at Incarnation Academy. You all ran all over the backyard and had a lot of fun. You would run off and play by yourself at times. I am not sure you wanted Charles invading your time with Ella. Ha. You and Charles do get along though, however we have not seen him as much lately because we are in different schools now. He is a sweet and precious little boy. You are all precious. These pictures are so truly sweet.



Ella Marie Charron (2.4 yrs); Charles Brewer (2.5 yrs) & Hudson (2.2 yrs)

Natural Museum of History

We go to the Natural Museum of History and we have a lot of fun. The bottom floor is for kids. You get to dress up like a fireman. You had so much fun driving the play firetruck. You said, "I'm going to help people." You also like dressing up like a construction worker. You really like construction workers, dump trucks, cement trucks, and tools. We will be driving down the street and you will say, "Mamma, there is a cement truck!" And you know that cement trucks "make streets." You have this construction book that you were obsessed with for months and we read it so much, you memorized it. I mean you even know what a bucket truck is and you point them out. You have been doing this for at least a year.

You also have fun in the market area. You get a basket, collect fruits and vegetables and sell them at the market.

At the moment, there is a dinosaur exhibit. You want to go, but you don't. It's like you are scared, but also curious. We saw it once and you were a little freaked. The second time, you did not want to go. I don't blame you. It would be freaky for a toddler! The dinosaurs are gigantic and you can press buttons to make their bodies move. Plus, they have large, sharp teeth and you say, "Mamma, they are mad." You think all animals with pointy, sharp teeth are mad.

You do love the dinosaur dig though. They have a huge area filled with sand where you dig for huge dinosaur fossils. We get shovels and brushes and dig away. You know what a T-Rex is and you know that the dinosaur skeleton is a dinosaur. Personally, I think you are a bit fascinated with dinosaurs and I don't blame you. Gigantic creatures that lived on the earth over 200 million years ago and look scary are quite fascinating.

I love you amore. Mamma


January 2011 - 2 yrs and 9 mos old


January 2011 - 2 yrs and 9 mos old


Dinosaur dig - 2 yrs and 9 mos old