Kensico Damn

1-6-13

Sometimes Mamma randomly looks up things to do on the Internet and we get in the car and go. Today, it was the Kensico Damn in Valhalla, NY. It was built between 1913-1917 and ultimately forma the Kensico Reservoir. We all had fun climbing the stairs up to the dam.

Xoxo Mamma

Ps always be adventurous!

A Day in Chinatown...

July 12, 2012

So, Mamma, who is 38 weeks pregnant, braved the heat with my baby and we adventured into Chinatown.  We took the subway down to Brooklyn Bridge in TriBeCa and walked to Chinatown.  We stopped at a great park on the way and you had fun playing while I sat in the shade.  Then, we walked to the Chinatown Fair.  There is a lot of history at this place and it just reopened in 2011.  We had so much fun and played all the games.  You won 400 tickets two times in a row on this spinning shell pirate game.  You were so excited and I was so excited for you!   You love going to game places - Mamma does too.  I love games!  Uncle Rhoni and I grew up playing games non stop.

I love you amore, Mamma

The Supreme Court in TriBeCa (my old hood)

Mott Street - Chinatown 

Chinatown Fair - Video Games - This place was established in 1958 - lots of history!

Hudson's Life is Changing

July 10, 2012

Hudson, amore mio, my love,

You are going through so many changes. It's all a lot for a 4 year old, however, it's good for you in more ways than you will ever imagine. You left your home in Dallas, the place you have spent your whole life, left school, friends, parks, Annette, all of it behind. You have been living in NYC the last month and you are loving it and doing fantastic! In fact, you dont want to leave (you are your mamma's baby-we heart NY!) and you are not so sure about moving to CT. We went to see our new house there and you said "I don't want to move there in that house. I wish we didn't have to move." I think because our stuff wasn't in there yet, it was weird and unsettling for you.... We will move to CT in a few weeks and leave NYC. You will have a new brother, a new home, a new room, a new town, new mates, and a new school. God bless you! But, you have been so resilient and so forward thinking and you have gone with it. This whole move has made you more flexible and this is a great lesson in life. One must always be flexible and going with the flow is one of the best traits someone can have, because go ahead and plan my love, your life won't turn out that way. Never does. I know this from experience. Life happens while making plans. This has been an adventure. A beautiful, fun adventure for us all and life should always be an adventure. You're living, learning and taking experiences with you and they become apart of who you are and it's awesome! Daddy and Mamma love you and you are always safe. Xoxo

Daddy and Hudson's Adventure to Bear Mountain

July 7, 2012

Today, you and Daddy went on an adventure and 9 months pregnant Mamma got some alone time and rested. You and Daddy had so much fun! First, you went to see Gracie and Codi. They are staying in a a doggie ranch up North in New York during our transition and move from Dallas to NYC to CT. The dogs were great and they were very happy to see you all. Then, you all went to Bear Mountain. You rode the carousel and hiked. It stated to rain hard during the hike. Daddy said you got very worried, and said "We have to head for shelter and we need to go check on Mommy!" Oh, my sweet, sweet boy- I love how you want to take care of your mamma and hope you will always want to :). I love you! You know you were as safe as you could be - Daddy is a protector by nature and would have never let anything happen. You are so precious my baby. Xoxo

Fact- Bear mountain is located on the west side of the Hudson River (your river). Bear Mountain offers beautiful views of West Point and became a state park after Sing Sing Prison, which was located on it, was demolished. You can hike, bike, boat, camp and even cross country ski there. It's beautiful!

Officially back in the Northeast - Goodbye Dallas

June 8, 2012

We officially landed at La Guardia today. Daddy met us at the airport and we all drove into NYC to our apartment. We are living in corporate temporary housing on the Upper East Side- 201 East 69th street, at the The Fairfax. You have been such a trooper Hudson. We have been on a big adventure and thats what we have been calling it. We moved out of our house, traveled for 2 straight weeks- to different hotels and visited all of or family and you have gone with it. I was worried when you walked into our empty house. At first you were weirded out I think- it's been your only home- you said "This is just a big empty boring house with nothing in it!" But, then you were ok. You have moments when you have told us you didn't want to move from dallas and why did we have to move and that you were tired if traveling, but rightfully so. It is a lot for a 4 year old. And all in all, we are so proud and impressed with you- You have been so flexible and you have had fun. I have talked to you a lot about being flexible and you get it. You even told aunt Shannon that you were learning to be flexible! Swear! This is one of the best traits a person can have, because Hudson, life can change on a dime. You gotta learn to go with it.

Hudson on the airplane on the way to NYC from Dallas. 

First night in your bed in the NYC apartment.  You did amazing.  You got right into the bed and went night night. 

This is your trick gum.  You got it at Chuck E Cheese the night we went with Kennedy, Kade and Aunt Stephie.  You pull it out and a cockroach comes out.  You did it to Daddy and you think it is pretty funny  You asked him 10 times, "You want a piece of gum?"

Final Days in Dallas at Teddy Bear Park

May 2012

Hudson, by the time you are 8 or 9, heck 5 or 6, you probably won't remember this bridge or this park in Highland Park in Dallas, Texas however, we roamed around and played here a 100 times for the first 4 years of your life.  This bridge leads to large teddy bears made of stone, which you climbed all over and I use to talk like I was the bears and you would talk back to them, kiss and hug them.  Underneath this bridge is a waterfall that we hung out by all the time.  We dug for dinosaurs there, you and Daddy fished and we all threw lots rocks in the water.  This will always be a special place!

I love you my love, Mamma

Day 1 and 2 of Move - Dallas to NYC to CT

May 24, 2012

Today, the movers came to our house in Dallas and started packing.  You went to school and Annette and Erik picked you up and took you to the zoo all day.  It seemed easier for you not to be in the house.  Daddy and I were not sure how you were going to react.  We have been preparing you, but it is still shocking for a 4 year old boy to see his house and items being shoved into boxes.  I was worried about my baby, but thank God kids are resilient and forward thinking.  We should all be so lucky, but you are not when you are a grown up - ha!  Grown ups drag things out (avoid that if possible when you are an adult).  You walked in after the zoo and said, "This is our big empty house!  BORING.  This house is empty and boring.  There is nothing in it."  I was worried because I know that was your way of letting your frustrations out, however after that, you seemed to be ok.  The movers were all so nice to you and made you a fort with the moving boxes and you had fun.    We have explained to you that this was going to be a big, fun adventure.

My love, letting go, moving on, and saying goodbye will always be a part of your life.  It's not always easy.  Sometimes it's for the best and sometimes it just happens.  These events in  your life will make you stronger,  they will build character and they will make you who you are.  These events cannot be avoided and are a part of life. When change comes, look for the adventure, look for the lesson, and look ahead.  Know that as long as you have love and you love in return, you will be ok wherever you are.

We love you sweet boy, Mamma

Hudson and Erik. (above and below)  You love Erik, Annette's son.  he is 14 and he has tons of energy and loves to play with you.  We will miss him and Annette so much!

Huge moving truck                               Guest bedroom where I tried to rest.

The movers made you a fort.

Melissa and Jack (above) - some of our oldest friends.   We had a play date with them almost every week.

Our empty house. (above and below)

You and Daddy in our empty garage (above).

Mamma and Hudson in our backyard (above) - only the tricycle left.  You never rode that much.

Mamma is about 7.5 pregnant!  I am a trooper.  Moving during pregnant not easy. 

Hudson- the tree above is on the side of our house in Dallas.  You started climbing it when you were 2 - we use to lift you up.  Of course, you get up there on your own now.  It may look small, but it is not easy to get up there.  You are a climber and a very good one at that.  You climb everything, things other kids your age do not climb.  You climbed that tree so many times.  

Our Tornado Adventure

April 3 & 4 2012

So, we have been in NY and CT for three days looking at houses and schools.  We are currently in the middle of finding a new home in the NE and a new school for you.  We decided to bring you on this trip so we could slowly let you know that we would be moving away from Dallas to a place called Connecticut, which was close to NYC.

Well, you and I flew back alone on the 4th and we were diverted due to a tornado in Dallas!   You were watching a movie on the plane and the captain comes on and says, "Folks, I have some news.  There is a tornado on the ground in Dallas.  We are in a holding pattern and this could last for hours.  I am not going to do that to you folks.  We are going to land in Tulsa, OK."  I mean so crazy.   I had absolutely no clue.  So, I tell you what's happening and you think of it as an adventure, which is so great!  You get really excited because I tell you we are going to drive to Oklahoma CIty and see Siti for the night because there is a tornado in Dallas.

So, we rented a car and we drove to OKC.  You slept the whole ay.  You were just exhausted from all the travel. You were such a great sport though the whole thing!  You even helped me roll the suitcase through the Tulsa Airport.  I was about 6 months pregnant at the time so I was tired too.

It all ended up being a fun, good thing because we got to see Siti.  Siti, of course, was so excited as well.  We also had dinner with Uncle Rhoni and Bailey and you and Bailey got to play at Siti's house.   When night came, you had no clothes so you wore some of my little clothes from when I was a little girl!  A t-shirt that my Siti had given me and small little blur soccer shirts.  You looked so precious!!!

Siti drove us back to Dallas the next day and she hung out with us all day.  You all watched "Lady and the Tramp" on the couch with her and you gave her so many hugs and kisses.  Truly.  Siti was in heaven!  You love your Siti so much.

A fun adventure for us!  Remember my love, you can make anything into a fun adventure and a learning experience.  This is what life is all about.  Our move is going to be a wonderful adventure! I love you my love and Siti loves you!  xoxo Mamma

Happy New Year! 2012 Here We Come!

December 31, 2011

For New Years Eve, Daddy took me on a date to see Les Miserables at the AT & T Performng Arts Center. It really is a beautiful theater and Dallas has spent millions and millions on arts and culture - it's commendable. It was a perfect date, especially since I'm pregnant and can't drink and let my hair down! It was my first time to see Les Mis. Daddy has seen it many times and he loves it so he was excited to take me. I LOVED it! It was amazing. The performers were outstanding. Someday, we will take you to see it and you will watch the struggles of the ex-convict Jean Valjean.

Daddy and Mommy both love Broadway shows, and think, you have already seen one at 3- The Lion King on Broadway in NYC. You are so cultured already my love.

Fact: Les Misérables means "The Poor Ones, "The Wretched Poor" or "The Victims." It was written by Victor Hugo and is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century.

Happy New year my love, mi amore! This is going to be a very big year for you, full of change and adventure with a move, a new baby brother, a new city, a new house and a new school. It's going to be a wonderful adventure my love. Remember, life is an adventure - always new opportunities to learn and grow. Daddy and Mommy will always be with you and love you like crazy! CRAZY! I love you like CRAZY - it hurts. xoxo

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!"