We Like Our Turkey With A Little MEAT On Em'!!!!

Why kids love sweet potatoes...

For Hudson's first Thanksgiving, my lovely sis, Ash and I posed Hudson "Anne Geddes style". We snapped the pictures, and Hudson had all the flare. It was not only a great combo, but a Thanksgiving belly jiggler...literally.

 BUTT-ER-BALL bonding. Need I say more??? 

Hudson had his fair share of Thanksgiving feasting- we had him try his first mouthful of yams, avacado and even a lick of turkey.... apparently the gag reflex is a very real thing (shown in the video above). 

"Alright, it's you or me buddy... and it aint gonna be me."

The Yam Man. What a good sport right?

Hopefully all of this gives you a good laugh, like it did for us:) 

6 MONTHS AND HAPPY TO BE

Oh the joys of being a mother and just laughing as you watch your child!

WHAT?! I'M HOW OLD???!

You bet yer bottom dollar I'm 6 months...

This is Hudson busy at work. We don't know exactly what he's busy doing, but all we know is he means business when he's in this basket of toys. Tom made this little play box for Hudson to explore in. HE LOVES IT. We die laughing at how involved he becomes. 

NINJA HUDSON! He is full of fast moves. He can really get around when he puts his mind to it.

Although still VERY top-heavy... I'd say he is really doing well sitting  by himself. This takes a whole lot of balance to keep upright when you consider the head-to-body ratio. What a stud. He does really well while he is trying to maintain balance, but when he gets distracted by things around him, he topples... We're still trying to master multi-tasking.

I thought this outfit was very fitting for the occasion:) It says "Big Guy" on the badge. Hudson has nearly tripled in his weight since birth! What a tank:) As I think back on all the things Hudson has learned in the first short 6 months of his life, I am utterly amazed! Tom and I are trying not to wish things by---he'll be running around all too soon. NO RUSH BUDDY!

The Word "FREE" Sure Has A Nice Ring To It

For part of Thomas' Fall break we went with our dear friends, the Tranters, to the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago---which is FREE! Not to mention it is an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G zoo. We heard a lion roar and saw him tear apart a big ol' femur and watched an excited hippo rub his snout on the floor of the aquarium and then jump to resurface ----just to name a couple favorites---:) A few things we learned include: the hierarchy of apes, polar bears can survive off of lettuce leafs, leopard spots, jaguar spots, and cheetah spots are really difficult to differentiate, a conservatory is filled with plants---not birds... the biggest cows come from Holland, and piglets don't stay piglets longer than a week before they're massive. Quality lessons to life right there.

This is a nice little shot of the outline of the city and our little family, with our newest addition "BOB" the stroller. Love you Bob.

When my brother, Spencer, was in town we went to the "Signature Room" restaurant at the top of the Hancock Building just to look over the menu to see the view... this time around, the Tranters convinced us to fill our bellies and get a great view (which wasn't such a bad idea) :)

The infamous Tranters! Jennie, Devin, and their sweet little girl Emily. It's always a good time with the Tranters---Monop, Hotes, and some major property dealing are a favorite Sunday evening pastime of ours:)  Needless to say, we love them. Jennie also discovered a great way to keep Emily's mouth busy and happy during lunch---DUM DUMS:) Great thinking Jen.

"Rendezvous In Old Nauvoo..."

Thomas had a Fall break from school so we decided to head to Nauvoo for a few days. After getting lost only a few times... We finally rolled into the little town of Nauvoo after the sun had gone down. We headed down the main drag straight for the temple. What a magnificent sight in such a small town! It was a bummer that it was closed for cleaning the week we chose to go, but what a blessing it was to marvel at its beauty and spirit that radiated from its walls.

While in Nauvoo, we wanted a real cabin experience so we stayed in one of the Old Nauvoo Cabins. This particular cabin was owned by the Ferrin's. They were a pioneer family with 5 children in this tiny, yet charming cabin. Although we were fortunate enough to enjoy modern day comforts during our stay in the cabin (I have to say I don't think it would have been as charming to use a bucket as a toilet and rough it without running water and a toasty heater....) we definitely grew to respect the many pioneer families that made so many sacrifices.

What a beautiful time of year! We loved this tree and just had to snap a picture of it's brilliant color. As we walked down the "Trail of Hope" with its many markers from journals of the Saints and the bitter wind and chill blowing right through our bones, we were filled with a better understanding of how cold it must have been those first weeks of February when the Saints left Nauvoo and traveled across the frozen Mississippi... I don't think I could have done such a difficult thing!

Thomas was taking a picture of Hudson and I when we heard a voice coming from the bushes say, "Woood ya like me ta take a pictah of ya???" (imagine that in a thick English accent) ... Not every day that you hear a talking bush---let alone in a British accent... We had a good laugh together:) So our newly-made friend from England that was grooming the temple grounds and nearly startled us to death took this fine picture

We picked a bitter cold week to visit Nauvoo--great for crowd control, but rough on our frozen little bodies! Hudson pretty much lived in this cocoon to keep warm as we went from site to site down the streets of Old Nauvoo. We now understand that we are in for the coldest winter of our lives!!!

We just had to take a picture by the guns good ol' William Clayton shot in his day which were made by Jonathan Browning, who was a terrific gunsmith during the pioneer times.

This solemn room, where both Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred, had a very tender spirit present while we visited. Our hearts were very full and our testimonies were strengthened from this very touching experience. 

PRAISE TO THE MAN WHO COMMUNED WITH JEHOVAH! HONORED AND BLESSED BE HIS EVER GREAT NAME!!!!

I Found The True Meaning of Halloween!!!!

Halloween is ALL about dressing up cute little babies in costume and parading them around to give everybody a good laugh. It is completely worth making a holiday. After first fighting to pull the costume off (shown in the picture below), Hudson soon got comfortable with his new look and began to prop his arm up on this banana like a gun holster ...Watch out ya'll! This here is the Wildest Monkey in the Midwest!!!! My Dad would be proud of Hudson's Western skills.

So after just putting Hudson in this costume, he began to overheat and tried to rip it off-----He had had enough of playing dress up! But of course to get some pictures I kept him in it for a couple more minutes...He pulled a fast one on me and spit up ALL over his cute monkey suit. PREDICTABLE? You'd think I would eventually learn:)

Our chubby monkey was thoroughly enjoyed by the neighbors- we delivered cookies and tried to cheer the old people that live around us. Hudson enjoyed the attention and I think it may have even been therapeutic for our lonely old friends.

 I wanted to be the "Woman in the Yellow Hat" like Curious George's friend, the "Man in the Yellow Hat" but all I had was the yellow coat and boots. Tall, yellow hats just don't grow on trees I found. I was a monkey trainer instead...not my favorite look.

I always wanted a monkey for a pet growing up... I would cut out pictures of monkeys I found in National Geographic magazines and save them as a little nerdy kid would. I didn't know at the time I would have the most adorable monkey in the world for my very own kin! And right in my front room too:) We had a moment.

Full-length shot of this lovable fur ball:)

I'm Glad That I Live In This Beautiful World Heavenly Father Created For Me!

As Hudson and I went walking through our lovely little neighborhood today, I couldn't help but let the primary child in me free!  My mind immediately started singing my rendition of "My Heavenly Father Loves Me"...  

"Whenever I hear the song of a bird, or look at the blue, blue sky... whenever I feel the rain on my face, or the wind as it rushes by... whenever I touch a velvet rose, or walk by a lilac tree... I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me!... He gave me my eyes that I might see the color of butterfly wings... He gave me my ears that I might hear the magical sound of things... He gave me my life, my mind, my heart, I thank Him reverently! For all these creations of which I'm a part-- Yes! I know Heavenly Father loves me!

I couldn't help but post these beee-aut-iiii-fullll pictures of this gorgeous Fall season out here in the Midwest. I know it's a bunch of trees...but I went crazy and couldn't resist taking a million pictures! It was a blast:)

Hudson braved the weather and enjoyed the colorful show of Fall with me! We try and get out as much as we can now before the weather gets unbearable and we are forced to order groceries in and hibernate for the winter. We have been told that people come out of their houses at the end of winter like moles out of the dark ground with eyes squinting, pale skin, and some extra pudge to keep em' warm... Looking forward to that one. Don't think I'll be posting those:)

 My dear little partner in crime looks like a thug in his beanie:) he's been enjoying nibbling his fingers of late. His Dad isn't thrilled about that one. It makes me recall my parents going to great lengths to get me to stop sucking my fingers... Those spiked braces were both really attractive and not-so-kid-friendly. GOOD RIDDENS! Hopefully yucky tasting goop will be enough to get the job done with this guy if the habit sticks. We just love our chunky Hudson man!!!

Our Little Sunshine In Cold/Getting Colder Chicago

Hudson is nearly 5 months old this week and I am absolutely bedazzled at how fast time flies! He is so much fun. Every day seems to have it's surprises. Hudson has decided he actually does LOVE rice cereal (especially all over his face, body and Mom), LOVES talking to himself and anyone that will listen, LOVES story time, LOVES splashing the bathwater all out of the tub and getting Mom as wet as can be:), LOVES when Dad makes him giggle, LOVES being rubbed down with lotion before bedtime and LOVES the dog's barking at the grooming shop  "Shaggy" right below our apartment (we make WOOF WOOF sounds when we hear them and Hudson enjoys watching Mom make a fool of herself), and I think the train that goes through our living room every couple minutes has also grown on the whole family:)
As of 2 weeks ago, Hudson has started to roll over! At first, he got really scared at what had taken place that his eyes flew wide open and he started breathing really fast. Then he just smiled when he realized I was clapping for him and he had done something pretty nifty.

Sitting up is a lot easier when you don't have a little Pilsbury dough-boy belly in the way. I'm impressed at how well Hudson maneuvers his chubby little body:)  We are proud of this little man's efforts to sit up all by himself! 

What a big kid! Hudson has figured out how to master his top-heavy figure-- He balances by bobbling his head around with both arms and legs out to support him with his eyebrows raised high, HIGH, HIGH and eyes WIDE open:) I don't know how this guy figured it out, but it works folks! This scenario usually ends with Hudson leaning too far to one side and then toppling over or just flat out face planting.

Hudson sings to his toys. It makes Tom and I crack up. EVERY TIME. Without fail. I figure it stems from me singing nursery rhymes to him with his stuffed giraffe, Jerry. Ever since then, whenever we give him a toy to focus on he starts singing. I love this kid:) Please don't tell me I have a Donny Osmond on my hands.

I FINALLY FINISHED THE ROCKING CHAIR GRANDPA!

After much sanding, more sanding, and a little bit more sanding, I FINALLY got to painting this rocking chair (that my mother also rocked me in as a baby) to match Hudson's crib. The project took 4 cans of paint, but it is now a finished product! My next project is curtains that I promised Thomas...Will somebody PLEASE nag me to make sure I complete them???

THANK YOU GRANDPA MONTAGUE FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND EXPERTISE TO FINISH THIS CHAIR! I will always think of you each time I look at or rock in this chair:)

This Kid Is A Riot- I Realize Other People's Children Aren't As Funny As Their Parents Believe Them To Be

The BUMBO has got to be one of the baby industry's finest inventions. Hudson did the bobble head and had his arms straight out to his side for the first little bit but now he is pro! It will do as our high-chair for the time being.

Hudson and Mom have been enjoying our walks through the crunchy, Fall leaves that line the sidewalks and seem to be doubling in number daily! This is Hudson's Fall, flannel, harvest shirt. Tom teases me for how much I love dressing Hudson. It's just that as a little girl you miss out on the good stuff--- it is WAY more fun on a real baby:)

Hudson is getting much more control with his body movements such that tummy time has become more productive for Hudson rather than janitorial for me. He is no longer launching all the food in his tummy to get out of working on his neck and back muscles:) I really feel like he had some sort of plot going on for a while... 

This is Hudson's little BABAR "dining set".  Talk about cute. Grandma Lisa brought them out when she came to visit and it was such an exciting event to try them out after the go ahead from the pediatrician just this last Monday. Our big boy has gained 5 pounds in 2 months!

This first rice cereal experience was not as glamorous as I thought it to be! Can't say I wasn't laughing  the whole time:) Hudson was trying so hard to figure out what was going on. "Ok Mom, I just got the whole sucking thing down---why do we have to even do this?" I thought that one through and quickly realized it's because I love him enough to not let him be the only kid chugging a bottle of milk down at the 7th grade lunch table. Point and case buddy. We ARE figuring this out.

The good news is that even just after rice cereal experience #2, things were looking up. Although nearly covered from head to toe, mission accomplished. It is just getting easier each day! In fact, today he inhaled two bowls in 7 mins flat.