~Update

Wow! How could it be that my last blog post was in April?? I guess I just have not been interested in updating the blog for a while... it is just easier to update on FB...

Well, lets see... where to start. Hudson turned 2 yrs old on July 25th. We had a wonderful party with the Toy St*ry theme. That was his big interest at the time so we went with it. We decided this year not to go all out like last year. So, we had a gathering at our house with family and a few friends.

At the beginning of August, Hudson started Parents Morning Out at our church. I was a little hesitant at first because I did not know how he would do with it, but I am so glad that we stuck with it. He really enjoys playing with his friends and seeing his teachers. I am so glad to see that he does enjoy it...he really needs to be around other kids his age since his cousins are all older than he is. Plus, it gives me a few hours a week to get the house clean while he is at school. I also enjoy my time by myself even if it is just for a few hours.

Hudson is really becoming a toddler and is no longer a baby... At his 2 yr check up he weighed 36 lbs and was 36 1/2 inches tall. So, he is the size of an average 3 yr old!!! CRAZY! When people look at him they think he is close to 3 or is already 3... My baby is no longer a baby anymore and it saddens me! :( He is talking all the time and coming up with all sorts of funny things. In just the past few days when a stranger ask him his name he will pat his chest and say "my name is Hudson... see my Daddy and see my Mommy"... He is just too sweet trying to introduce us to everyone. When he is eating or drinking something that he likes he will say "good tasty"... He really wants our cat, Dweeb, to play with him... I guess he thinks that our cat will chase a ball like a dog. lol! I am trying to think of other cute things he says and does but it is really late and I am getting tired.

I will try to do better with updating the blog... I am not sure if anyone still follows the blog but if you do, Thank you! ;)

~Talking

Lately, Hudson has been doing and saying so many new things. It is incredible how much information his little mind can soak in. I want to make a list of things that he says - this is basically for me but if you want to read it go ahead... I will warn you, this may not be interesting to most of you...

*Lobbies - lobsters (He saw the lobsters at R3d Lobster last night)

*Uh hugh, a do - Yes, I do... This is what he says when you ask him a question

*Opy - open

*Hoppy - hopping

*Dumpi - dump it

*Amls - animals

*Effant - elephant

*ball

*bat

*glove

*Marney - Barney

*Mouse - Mickey Mouse

*Minnie

*Daisy

*Duck - Donald Duck

*Tuto - Pluto

*Pandy - Panda Bear from the zoo

*Choo Choo - anything train related

*Pane - airplane

*Trash - garbage truck or trash can

*Deams - sweet dreams

*Time - "see you next time"

*La Loo - I love you

*welcome - You're welcome

*Dippie - Diaper

*boba - pacifier

*wypie - wipe

*watie - water

*baf - bath

*milk

*juice

*cup

*snack

*baba - banana

*touch

*look - when he says look, he really draws it out...it is too cute

*kime - climb

There are so many more words that he says but I can not think of them. Lately, Hudson has been showing us what a porcupine and a bumble bee will do. He loves to imitate anyone and anything. Just this morning he was putting his binoculars on his Pandy. He gives the best hugs and is so sweet...that is until he does not get his way. But, that is typical of anyone - young or old. He has also become a really tough little boy. He loves to play ball with his t-ball set. He will stand beside it with the bat on his shoulder waiting for us to say "Go"...then he will swing with all of his might. I know there will be many hours spent at the ball park and I look forward to it.

Oh, also, he has started to count. He will only go to 2, but it is a start. He loves to do his puzzles and his shape box. He will try to put the shapes in the wrong spot and will say "Noooo" and keep trying until it fits. I think he will enjoy puzzles as much as I do.

Well, I wanted to get some of this down so I can look back and see what he was doing at this age... Hudson will be 21 mos old on Monday. Time is really going by fast but he has been such a joy and blessing to us. God has done amazing things in our life and he is not finished yet!!!

~Down

Around this time every year I seem to get a little down. You would think that with the weather being so beautiful it would be hard to get down. But, for me, it is a hard time of the year.

The 25th of this month will be 7 yrs since we lost the twins. I know many of you will say that I should be happy since we have Hudson. Oh, believe me I am...but, I miss the boys. Yes, we did not really have them here with us on earth, but, I did carry them for 5 1/2 mos. Having Hudson makes me think of the many things we missed out on. Hudson has been a true blessing to us and we would not change that for anything in the world. Hudson will always know about his brothers.

April also brings some other things to mind. 5 yrs ago we thought we were pregnant. But when we went to the dr, there was no heart beat. Our log in date for the China adoption was also in April and my papaw passed away 12 yrs ago...(the same date that we lost the twins but 5 yrs earlier). So, needless to say, this is somewhat of a somber month for me.

Speaking of the China adoption...some of you may not know but we pulled our dossier after having Hudson. That was a difficult decision for me but I know it is the best for our family. At the time we started the adoption process we did not think we would be able to have children. And, the wait time was only 12-18 mos...but if we had stayed in the program we would still be waiting.

So, I am trying to stay positive and happy! I have everything I could ever want in life. I have an amazing Husband, a beautiful Son and a wonderful Savior that loves me! What more could a girl ask for?? :)

~Zoo

This past Saturday, Matt and I were able to experience something we have dreamed of for so long... We took Hudson to the zoo!! Ever since we were married, we have always dreamed of having children and being able to experience new things with them for the first time.

We had a blast on Saturday. Hudson also had a blast. I am pretty sure he did not know what to expect but he had fun. He would call the flamingos "geese"...it was too cute. At every animal exhibit, Matt would put Hudson up on the railing for him to see. Then after a few minutes he would want down and go on to the next animal. I do have to say that his favorite part of the zoo was the train ride. He would wave at everyone as we rode by...I think we will have to get season passes next year.

The Lord has truly blessed us with Hudson. We could not be happier!

Here are a few pics from our day...

*Just before going into the zoo

*Looking at the flamingos with Daddy

*Talking about the zebras taking a bath

*He loved the Gorilla statues

*Family pic on the train

~Playdate

This morning Hudson had a play date with his friend Brody. At first Hudson was not too sure about having Brody over and playing with his toys. He has never had to share before since he is an only child. But, he got over it quickly. They had a great time playing together and pulling each other around in the little plastic wagon.

Carla and I enjoyed being able to have some "Mom-versations". We are trying to make an effort to get the boys together at least once a week.

Here are a few pics of the boys today...

~Desires...

This past Thursday Hudson had a play date with Brody. It was so nice to be able to hang out with his Mom Carla and have a "Mom" conversation. Being able to hang out with another Mom sparked something inside of me. It sparked a desire to have friends, especially other Moms...

I think it is great to have friends that are in the same season of life as you and have the same beliefs. We have started going to a new church and I hope & pray that we can get involved. Not just for Hudson's sake but for us as well.

Now that it is getting warmer out, I hope we can have more play dates in the future...

~Missing...

Today we stayed home from church, again... Last week Hudson had a cold and this week his eye is a little red and swollen. We think it has to do with his allergies but we are not 100% sure.

I really hate that we have missed the past 2 Sundays. When we are not at church I feel like something is missing. I know that you can have church anywhere, but it just feels good to be in the house of the Lord. Plus, I miss the music and the preaching... :)

Yesterday we spent half of the day with my parents. We had a blast and Hudson really enjoyed seeing them. He actually cried for my Dad when we put him in the car... I know it made them feel good but it probably made them sad at the same time. We did get a few cute pics of Hudson with my parents...I will post them as soon as I get them off of my camera. Days like yesterday cause me to really hate the fact that they live so far away. Why is it when I did not have children they lived only 7 mins away? Now that we have Hudson, they are 2 1/2 hrs away... Something just does not seem right with this picture!! I pray constantly that God will move them back...if it is not in the same county, then at least a few counties closer. A girl can wish can't she??

I hope everyone is enjoying the 1st day of spring... The pollen will be here before too long!