Bye October 2014

I meant to write before the end of October but time…just runs away from you huh? What's going?

Mommy and twin Shee turned 30. WOO! What did we do? We had an 80's party and did a Queen Sing-A-Long on a 9' x 12' movie screen with our huge 80's hair and 80's costumes. It was awesome! I even caught it moments before it hit the ground LOL but it was a wonderful night celebrating with our family. Bye 20's…we had some awesome times. The 30's should be even better.

On Mommy's birthday I wanted to take my angel to Sweet Berry Farm. It was so much fun. My sweet boy. Took classic pumpkin pictures with cousin Noah. Ran through the beautiful flowers (so cute!). Jumped on the balloon jumping trampoline thing (ha I don't know what it's called).

Hudson and I started decorating for Halloween back in August. We pulled out our little bucket of 3 decorations and I knew we had to get busy decorating. I'm proud to say that most of our decorations are hand crafted (and foot crafted) by Hudson. We had such a wonderful time. It was the best part of my year. Made my heart so unbelievably happy. We took them down this past weekend and it made me cry. Haha. So emotional I am. I love my baby's creations. We're going to have to start decorating for Thanksgiving now and Christmas :). Can't wait!

We also decorated because of our Halloween Party we had. Three sweet babes Hudson, Noah and Liam all went trick-or-treating together and it was so much fun. My baby was a pumpkin. He's been telling me for months now he wanted to be a pumpkin and of course he made an adorable one. Liam was a cute monkey :) and Noah was Darth Vader. We ate dinner, went trick-or-treating, carved pumpkins and made s'mores. I think we all had a blast.

The boys handed out candy at first but we had to cut them off as they were giving out a hand full of candy to each kid. We didn't really cut them off we had to go trick or treating but it was funny to see them handing out lots of candy. They loved it.

Before I end this blog I wanted to put some cute things Hudson is saying lately.

This week as I was putting my baby to bed and I started to sing to him. I thought he was almost out and he tells me, "another song mommy." These are the sweet things I will hold onto as long as I can.

Another sweet thing I love is when we're laying in his bed and I'm putting him to sleep he says, "mommy, get on my pillow" he wraps his precious arms around my neck or takes my hand and puts his little fingers through mine and it makes me feel like my heart are going to explode.

Our favorite quote that me and Hudson say over and over because we've seen Hotel Transylvania a billion times, "I'm Dracula blah blah blah…I've never said that in my life…I don't know where that comes from." Love to hear Hudson say it :). So cute.

"Mommy, you're the best ever." "I want you forever mommy." And of course I tell him, "I'm yours forever." My wild son…makes my heart go crazy (and sometimes my brain hehe). I love my life as this wonderful boy's mother. It's the best thing that ever happened to me.

What's Going On - In October 2014

Ok, I've given up on the monthly blogs because I'm not ashamed of saying my baby is 32 months (because he technically is) but I decided to change it up a bit and say…what's going on with us each month :). I missed last month :(. Will be better this month. :)

My latest favorite conversations with Hudson…

Hudson looks in mirror after he wakes up and mommy gets ready for work, "Oh no, my hair looks crazy." Mommy brushes it and he says, "hey…that kind of looks good."

"Dino…I'm proud of you….I'm just kidding."

With his play dough creations - "Mommy let's put it here so everybody will see it."

"Mommy, you are a genius."

I ask Hudson how his day was, he says, "It was good because I was with you." **Melt my heart**

About 5 or so weeks ago my awesome friend Avery told me to show Hudson Dino Dan. He was in love at first sight. We've been collecting dinosaurs, visiting dinosaur parks, watching Dinosaur Dan and Dinosaur Train. We've watched the movie Dinosaur at least once every single day. Yes..every single day. It's been fun to see it catch on like a wildfire and take his little imagination above and beyond. He's learned the names of several dinosaurs and will tell you. I started looking them up in disbelief (sorry) but surely enough he knows what they are. Amazing. 

Our evenings are spent drawing with chalk, playing with dinosaurs, decorating and having funny conversations. 

Oh yeah, play dough..we've been through 16 cans of play dough (is it a can or a tub? haha). Hudson loves to make fossil outlines in his play dough. We accidentally let them dry out from moving on from one task to the other. Think that will be the last set of play dough we get for awhile. He loves making play dough mustaches. We've also gotten into a lot of arts and crafts. Finger paints, painting rocks, anything creative we're trying it. Love to see my little artist at work. My little spiderman is so cute (thanks pawpaw). 

We did a 5K together! The Friedeck's (me, Karl, Hudson, Pops, Nana) and the Biehle's (Shelly, Patrick and cutie Liam) signed up for a 5K to support our sweet cousins in their IVF adventure (they won!) Hudson kept yelling at me to go faster but it was up hill for the first half. Oy. That was a surprise. Never underestimate a 5K people. Especially when pushing a child in a stroller lol. We all had great fun. So proud of my baby for participating and pushing his momma to go faster. Can't wait for him to run with me one day.

We've hit up the zoo a few times as well. It's so awesome that it's less than 10 minutes from my house. It's super to go to on a Sunday when we have no plans. I love the new things I hear from my baby every time we go. He's come a long way since his first time. First learning to make noises like a monkey (thanks nana), to naming animals, to running to his favorites animals, etc. And always loving the train ride. Love taking my little explorer. 

Can't believe how big my angel is getting! Love when he snuggles with his daddy. :) 

On 9/26 Hudson drew his very first intentional smiley face. It's the little things y'all but this seriously made my heart swell. I'm so unbelievably proud of him. His little face was so proud too. I could not believe he drew a smiley face. So very cute :). We also took him to his first trip to Dave & Busters for cousin Riley's birthday party. As soon as Hudson saw the games he wanted to play. I usually don't do this but mommy loaded up a game card and Hudson had so much fun. He loved this game (that isn't for toddlers) that he played with uncle Thomas. There was yelling going on and lots of whoas. :) Oh and he also put his butt on Thomas and said he was farting on him. OH BOY. The lovely lovely things he learns from daddy and pawpaw.

Last weekend for the first time since he was a baby Hudson ate carrots. I couldn't believe it. All I had to do was act like bugs bunny when I ate it and he wanted to do it too. If you don't know me that well…my son doesn't eat any vegetables. When he was 1 and younger he did all the time. He loved cucumbers, green beans, etc…not anymore. LOL. So…mommy will have to get creative on making this fun. If he sees green..he doesn't eat it.

We also played a tiny bit in underwear. We've had a lot going on with our family and bubba stopped going potty outside or in his baby potty. I'm not sure but I think it has to do with some unfortunate events going on in our family. If we even mention underwear he would cry. He's not ready. I'm not ready. But the other day I showed him all the underwear he has and how cool they were. Then I asked him if he just wanted to see what they looked like. He said, "ok." We put him on and he shook his cute little hiny. He likes playing in them. That's a good start for me. Plus he's so darn cute in them even if it is for a few minutes. Today pawpaw and daddy told him that if he put them on that they would make him jumper higher. He put them on and was jumping all over his room. He kept saying, "look at me!" So very cute. He truly believed those underwear made him jump higher. Such a sweet little soul.

Since last weekend Hudson and I have been decorating like crazy for Halloween. It's brought so much joy into our days. Joy into my heart. THIS is the best time of the year. When all family gatherings are kicked off with Halloween. We are going to make the best of this year because make the best of the year makes the best of our lives. I have so much fun watching my baby be creative with painting rocks, painting ghosts, cutting construction paper for mommy, glueing eyeballs, making hand bats and spiders. This has been my favorite part of this whole year.

Oh boy…my phone. My son asks for my phone at least every 30 minutes. "I play a game on your phone?" I give in and say go for it. He plays. He navigates on my phone like a pro. He knows which icon is the camera and he took 200 selfies today in 5 minutes. Take that selfie takers LOL!

Just love my angel and our goofy conversations. Love our daily adventures. Finding different ways to be creative. Playing outside. Finding joy in the little things in life. We are joyful and ready to start this joyful season.

Happy Fall Everyone!

Cousin Noah's New Beach House!

I've been slacking…catching up. A few weeks ago Hudson and I went on our first road trip. I was nervous. It was supposed to take us 3.5 hours and took us 4. Not too bad. We stopped at several gas stations to potty and get drinks and snacks of course (which resulted in another potty stop). 

4 hours later we finally got to cousin Noah's new house in Seadrift. They moved to the coast because James got an amazing new job. We are happy for them BUT MISS THEM LIKE CRAZY! We got some awesome play time in. Port Lavaca has an amazing beach :). A splash pad right off the water. Fluffy sand. Plenty of sand castle building material. Plenty of sweet cousin time. Hudson even crashed in Noah's bed as they were watching a movie the 2nd night. Those boys wore each other out. 

Can't wait to go back to see Nanny, James and Noah again.

A Few of my Favorites

In a posting mood. A few of my favorite pictures.

Wonderful Labor Day Weekend

This past weekend was definitely one for the books..or the blog. I've been slacking :(. Been one weird summer to say the least.

Thursday night Hudson and I built and painted a bird house. I loved watching Hudson's face as he focused so intensely. My little artist at work. Last week I pulled out the paints for the first time since last year and this year was different. Last year Hudson didn't want to touch the paint. This year he was so patient, doing 1 color at a time, creating his masterpiece. While working from home I'm having to get creative on keeping my bubba entertained. I'm so happy that he loves it. We also started watching Dino Dan and Dinosaur Train. Hudson LOVES dinosaurs. I'm sure that boys and girls are both fun to raise but this boy thing..it's pretty awesome.

Friday we got up and I decided that since we have this new love of Dinosaurs we should go dig some Dinosaur bones. Let's be like Dino Dan. I took Hudson to the Austin Nature & Science Center. We checked out all of the bones, fossils, bugs, animals and dug dinosaur bones. My bubba's curiosity was awesome. This has to be the best stage yet (I say that every month so maybe it just gets better and better :) ). Afterwards we hit up the Liz Carpenter Fountain to cool off. It was just us and one other family. Plenty of space to run around freely. It was perfect. Afterwards we split an ice cream from Sandy's. I love to share my ice cream with my honey…..love to share my life. I'm so lucky to be a part of his.

We spent the night with nana and pops so we could head down and see Hapa in San Antonio in the morning. Bubba showed hapa how he drives his toy car. Hudson pushed hapa's walker around and they shared strawberries. It's always fun to see hapa. He's pretty cool. We then stopped by to see Liam, Shelly & Patrick. Watched Liam crawl around like nobody's business. That boy is getting around. So reminds me of Hudson…when all the madness started haha. I knew it was on when Hudson started crawling. It's on for Mr. Liam too. He's walking around the coffee table as he holds on. He's ready to go! I love the way Liam looks at Hudson. It's like he's thinking…cousin..me and you…once I start running we are taking on this town! I love the way Hudson is so sweet to his baby cousin too. They have that adoring cousin look.

We ended the night with a  paint session with maw maw. Love my painter. My mom is an amazing artist too. She is amazing at everything she does. Hair, makeup, painting, designing, floral arrangements and so much more. My sister adopted more of those talents than I did (haha).

Sunday nana & pops took Hudson to a few stores and then to the Zilker Train while we were at a good friend's baby shower. They even did a little fishing.

Monday daddy went Hunting and mommy and Hudson took off for a fun filled day. We went to get some dinosaurs and play dough. Then spent a few hours at the Liz Carpenter fountain again. I love that place. Hudson let some water squirt him up his shirt and at his butt. The look on his face was priceless. That night we ended it with watching our new movie Walking with Dinosaurs, building with play dough and pretending to have our dinosaurs talk. I love my son's imagination. I love how he shares his toys with me and wants me to play with him. I love my time with my angel. He's truly my best friend. I owe all the happiness in my heart to him. I am forever his.

Love my sweet boy. Thanks for the blast as always!

31 Month Old Driver

Pawpaw comes over twice a week and always brings a toy car. It used to be candy but now bubba gets to keep his surprises from pawpaw. He will tell you, "Mommy, you want to play with me? Pawpaw gave me all of these cars." We went to Garden Ridge (soon to be At Home) and bought two car rugs. I'm so glad we did. Bubba could drive his cars for hours on his car rugs. He stops to fill up with gas, washes his car, rides up the mountains then goes home on his rug. I LOVE his imagination. It just gets more and more creative.

Funny quotes from Hudson this month:

We went to the Texas Military Forces Museum a few weeks ago. Hudson saw a dummy dressed in military attire and he grabbed his hand. He took a step back and looked puzzled at me. He said, "Um mommy…he's not alive." I tried to explain he was fake and even though I think he understands he totally got creeped out. I've never seen my baby get creeped out. A pretty funny first.

I love to call my baby "my baby." Any time I do he says, "I'm not a baby, I'm Hudson. I told you that mommy."

My all time favorite:  "Mommy, you are the best." Especially when he says it first. Melts my heart!

When he's finished eating and we tell him he has more left on his plate he tells us, "I'm done, I have energy."

We're driving and he tells me, "Mommy, you can't hop down from that big bridge, you will hurt the car." Or he tells me, "Mommy, I want to walk home." After I tell him no he says, "I can't walk on the road mommy. You see that car up there (he points ahead). That car is going to run over me."

My son's fearlessness amazes me. He will jump from any height (haven't taken him anywhere where that could be dangerous lol). It doesn't even phase him. He has no fear of heights. In fact…I'm not really sure what he's scared of other than maybe a huge dog or something (oh and getting creeped out about the dummy that's not alive). It seriously blows me away. I hope I can keep him like that. I don't have a lot of fear but I do have some I do not wish to pass to him. Looks like I've been successful so far :).

Not sure if I've written about this but my bubba will ask me at night to hold him like a baby. Of course I would NEVER turn that down. He falls asleep and my heart feels full.

My adorable son has become a backseat driver. He tells me when to stop and go based on the color of the stoplights. The other day he tells me "Mommy, it's green go go go!" I had to tell him (like talking to a sibling), "I can't there's a car in front of me!" LOL! May be one of those moments that you'd have to be there but it's funny to "argue" with him. It's like he's my little brother.

I was looking at old videos and 1. It made me sad to see how much my baby has grown = too fast. I know, that's what's supposed to happen, just makes me miss my little baby. 2. Bubba had just started talking kind of good 1 year ago. Now he doesn't stop. He's learning so much. Remembers so much. We joke and say he's an elephant. He never forgets what you say. He'll tell you the same thing you told him days ago when you are repeating an activity. He truly amazes me.

Oh I almost forgot! Hudson has entered the stage of "what's this?" He asks that question a billion times. It's actually funny. Makes me laugh. Then I remember I need to give him a good answer. He's learning so much and wanting to learn so much. He also asks "how are you doing that?" which sometimes I think he means why are we doing that but I answer it in both ways. He also loves to win. Uh oh. HAHA. Mommy will try to tell him "we win" and daddy will teach him he doesn't always win. We'll see how this turns out. Haha. He likes to be faster, taller and a winner. Well I'll give him this. He stole my hear the fastest, I want him to reach for the sky and he has won my heart for all of time.

I also forgot to post about our latest fishing trip. This time Hudson got to watch a girl from Froggie's feed a dolphin. She almost pet the dolphin. Hudson thought that was the coolest thing. Our last trip was short but sweet. We got some good fishing in. Hudson and I walked to the store across from the camper every morning to get breakfast. We were living up the coast life ha!

Happy 31 Months Baby. Can't believe in 5 months my baby will be 3!

2.5 Year Old Water Boy

My son loves the water. Lake water, pond water, day old baby pool water, ocean water (also a drink from Sonic he loves)…just about any place you can find water. He even loves the sink water…so mommy has taken advantage of a dish rinser. He LOVES to help mommy wash the dishes. He has even cried saying, "but I need to wash the dishes." Remember that honey….I know I will.

I've been thinking about getting him a water table for outside but I just feel like it would be a mosquito attraction. Let me know what y'all think. I'm open to suggestions. He doesn't really need one but man…if I could buy my son the world..I would.

My sweet friend Natalie posted the cutest sayings Hudson's friend Noah has been saying (aka Natalie's precious son #1) so I copied her and started jotting down the funny things Hudson says.

One day while eating a cookie Hudson saw a bird and said "come here birdie..I'm trying to give you a cookie."

Hudson loves to say too a lot. He says, "daddy, I love you so much too too too." Or if someone says "too" he says "me three." Smart cookie.

If you say you love something Hudson will turn around and say "I love it too!"

I will say, "Aye Aya Captain" when Hudson asks me to do something. He says, "Aye Aya Captain Mommy" or when I say, "Thank you sir" he says, "Thank you sir Mommy." I LOVE it :).

Back in April we found out that Hudson loves to be at the coast :) yay! We've been a few more times since daddy's birthday. This past weekend he dug in the water & sand looking for a crab. I tried to explain to him that they have pinchers but he did it anyway. If you hand a fish to him right he will take it from you. His fearlessness amazes me. I tried to teach him how to cast out his line and we're getting there. Give me half a year and he'll be casting his line like a pro (or like his mommy hehe). He's got the reeling thing down. He's especially excited to do it when there's a fish on.

Yes, that's my baby peeing outside at the coast in the middle right picture :)

My favorite thing this month:  Pausing on each page of the books we read. Before I start to read he starts talking about what that page says (we read them a lot) then after I read I pause again and his little imagination takes off. The words out of his mouth are the ones the author left off. I love to hear what he comes up with.

Hudson's best little friend? Cousin Noah. Definitely should call them 2 peas in a pod. The future Marky & Riley (inside family note). These two are inseparable when they get to see each other. Hudson even cries for him when he's not here. They are the sweetest babies.

Hurdles this month? Hudson is smart. He truly amazes me by the second. This month he repeats what I say with intention. I have to remember through all things this is a huge learning experience for both of us. While I may not be perfect I will tell you it takes effort to try to be the best you can be so that your child learns how to be. Being a parent reminds you that we should always strive to be the best of who we are. It's not easy all of the time and that's ok. It's not supposed to be. So, when I say, "I'm asking you to be quiet please" and Hudson turns around and says, "you be quiet" (thanks to nana's advice) I say, "how about we be quiet together." I will have to turn things into us doing them together. He's been my shadow for 2.5 years. It only makes sense for us to do it all together.

Potty training. How's that going? It's going however Hudson wants it to go. Haha. We tried the naked for 3 days thing. Got 2 hours into it with tears and stopped it right away. Fun method but not for us. Daddy showed him how to pee like a country boy (outside) and now it's fun. He goes in his potty and outside as much as we remind him too. This is the pace I like. Hudson pace. Less tears, stress, and pressure.

A few more sweet notes for this month:  2 times this past month my bubba let me hold him like a baby as he fell asleep for nap or bed time. Made my heart happy. Every time bubba grabs my hand it makes me feel like my heart is going to explode. I love my bubba to the moon and back. Can't believe he's seen July 3 times now. Can't believe you are growing so fast and learning so much. You amaze me.