Hudson's 1 Year Old!!

 I can't believe this little man is 1 already! He's actually 13 months as I type this... whoops!
Growth: At a little over 12 months... He's 24 lbs and 10 oz., and is 30 1/4 inches. Because he's been more mobile, he's evened out a lot. He's now at about 80% for weight and 70% for height according to boys his age.
Health: H had an ear infection (with a fever) in both ears a few weeks ago. We took him to the chiropractor and it cleared up in just a few days! He's feeling much better... and is more happy. :)
He had his one year check up and he's growing really well! I was concerned about a couple of things... he's not really "talking" (just signing sometimes) and his "yellowish" skin (jaundice?). The doctor reassured me that many kids (specifically ones who have talkative older siblings...;))don't start talking if they don't have to and not to be concerned until 15 - 18 months. He repeats us (not a hearing problem) and does let us know what he needs/wants. He just hasn't started using words, yet. Because Hudson loves sweet potatoes, squash and carrots, he has skin to match. Ha!

Eating: Hudson is starting to eat more "real" solids now... bananas (his favorite!), apples, pears, peas, cheerios, and gram crackers (his other favorite). We pretty much let him try anything that we're eating. He usually likes anything that is sweet but has to "warm up" to salty things (still doesn't like goldfish or mac and cheese like his sister!). He, also, still eats baby food out of the jar and those little pouch things (not sure what they're called). He drinks water from a sippy cup, but we still give him whole milk from a bottle a few times a day.
I weaned him very slowly, dropping one feeding at a time each week, and "officially" nursed him for the last time about a week and a half after his first birthday. It was honestly bittersweet. He handled it much better than I did. :) It took my body a while to adjust, but I'm thankful that I was able to nurse him as long as I did! It was definitely hard, at times, but worth it. I wouldn't have had it any other way.
Sleeping/Schedule: Hudson usually wakes up at around 7ish. We usually let him "talk" in his bed until around 7:30. We eat break fast and play. I put him down for his morning nap at around 10. I don't let him sleep longer than 1 1/2 hours. I get him by 11:30. He and T play while I get lunch and we eat around 12. B comes home a little after that and they all get to play. I give him a bottle of milk at around 1:30 (we won't be doing this for long) and he goes down, again, at 2. He usually sleeps 2 to 3 hours. We eat dinner at 5:30. We play until bedtime (7:30). At around a year, Tatum started fighting her afternoon naps (signaling it was time to go to one nap). Hudson is still going strong with two, so we'll see what happens in the next few months!
A few weeks ago (around H's first birthday), I was in the process of weaning him, he was sick, he was reaching new milestones, and we went out of town for a few days. During that time, he got in a bad habit of waking up in the middle of night... ready to play and hang out. After about a week, we decided to "sleep train" him. I'm not going to lie, it was awful, but worth it! It only took one night (about an hour and a half) of crying off and on, but that's all it took! Mommy, Papa, Hudson (and even Tatum) are all better off for it! :) He is now sleeping through the night, again. Hurray!
Personality: He's still super sweet and loves people. It's amazing to see the difference between both Tatum and Hudson. Last week, we went to someone's home for a meeting. There were probably around 20 adults a some kids there when we arrived. H lit up when we walked in, and T was a bit more cautious. I love seeing their personalities develop. It takes grace, wisdom, and patience, though. Speaking of patience...
The toddler days have arrived! I kind of forgot about them! :) Hudson is learning the meaning of no, and not loving it. It's amazing how we don't have to teach our kids to misbehave... it's in their nature. If Tatum is playing with something that he wants, he will "throw a fit" if he doesn't get it. It's hard to teach T not to give in to him. Sometimes she just wants to give him the toy so he'll stop crying. I usually try and distract him with something else or remove him from the situation. When Tatum was this age, she didn't have to share with a sibling. This is all new for us! We're slowly learning. :)
Other random things:

• He's wearing size 18 month clothes, size large AIOs, size 2 2-steps, and size 4 disposable diapers.
• He has 8 teeth (four on top, four on bottom).
• He pulls himself up to stand and cruises holding on to furniture.
• He loves to copy the things that we do... brushing hair, throwing a ball, songs with hand motions, calling Charlie (making kissing noises), pointing, playing with toys, etc.
• He's still getting used to the grass... haha! He'll sit on a blanket in the grass, but he does not like to touch it!
• He loves to go on walks and climb at the park.

Hudson's 10 months old!!

No, you didn't read that wrong... he IS actually 10 months old. The end of December was crazy... with Christmas, sickness, and traveling. I wasn't able to blog, so I decided to just skip his "9 month" instead of doing it super late. Poor guy...
Growth: Hudson is 24 pounds. I feel like he's not gaining as much, now. He's moving a lot more, so he's thinning out... a little! ;) I'm not sure how long/tall he is.
Health: H has still been healthy. He did have a diaper rash right before Christmas, but it cleared up (I was using disposable diapers, and I think that may have contributed to it (also the fact that he was on antibiotics). Like I mentioned, during Christmas time, we had some sickness going through our house... stomach flu (B and T) and I had the whole "fever/sore throat" thing. Hudson stayed healthy the whole time! Praise the Lord! I actually read that when a nursing mommy gets sick, her body creates antibodies that get transferred through her milk... protecting her little one. How awesome!

Good morning!

Eating/Sleeping: When we were sick and when we were traveling at Christmas, our schedule got a little funny, but since we got home, things have been back to normal. Now that H has been eating a lot more solid foods, I've decided to slowly start the "weaning" process. I now nurse him 4 times a day (in 24 hours). I'll do that for a few more weeks, then do 3 times for a few weeks, then 2, etc. We want to have him weaned by a year (when he can start to have whole milk). He won't really drink from a bottle anymore, which is fine with me... one less thing to wean him from!
He usually wakes up between 7 and 8. (He sometimes wakes up earlier... like 6... but he'll usually "talk" to himself and fall back asleep. I nurse him. He plays until around 9. He usually eats cereal or cheerios and some kind of fruit (and water). I put him down for a nap after that (around 9:30). He sleeps until around 11:30ish (I usually don't let him sleep longer than 2 hours in the morning... makes for a longer afternoon nap). I give him lunch... usually a vegetable, fruit, and some kind of finger food. Benj comes home for lunch so he can play with he and T. I nurse him (at around 1 or 1:30) and then put him down for another nap. He usually naps from 2 until around 4ish. I nurse him when he wakes. He and T play until Benj gets home. We eat at around 5:30... Hudson still eats "baby food" at that time, as opposed to what we're eating. He really does love finger food, though. I nurse him right before he goes to bed... around 7:30.
H will pretty much eat whatever we give him. The other day, B gave him a graham cracker. After that, I gave him squash. As I was feeding him that, he tried to pick up every last crumb of that cracker on his tray! Haha! I don't blame him... I would much rather have a graham cracker, too! :)
Personality: It's so fun seeing this develop in him. Now that he's more mobile, he can "get into things" more frequently. He knows he's not allowed to touch the heater. However, he'll go over to it, look at me, and touch it... with a smirk on his face. It's hard not to laugh. He's a stinker. It's also so fun to see he and T play together. For the most part (so far), they get a long pretty well. He still loves to do everything she does, so it works out for them. :) It is funny, too, how he has his favorite toys already. He loves balls and things that make noise. He, also, loves splashing in the tub with T.
He loves people and still hasn't had "stranger anxiety", yet. He's a fun, sweet boy.
Other Random Things:

• He's wearing 12-18 month clothes. 
• He's wearing size large AIO, size 2 2 steps, and size 4 disposable diapers.
• He just learned how to wave, last week. And we're pretty sure he knows how to nod, yes (it's not very consistent, though).
• He doesn't crawl on all fours, but he scoots where he needs to go.
• If we lift him to stand holding on to our ottoman, he can hold himself up for a couple of minutes.
• He now is working on his seventh tooth (he has four on the bottom and two... almost three... on the top). 

We're so thankful for this little man!

Hudson's 8 months old!!

Please don't mind the half destroyed/work in progress kitchen!

Growth: Hudson is 23 pounds. I'm not sure how tall (long) he is, but I know he's growing. His pants are starting to become short!
Health: H has officially had (and has) his first ear infection. Last month, he had a cold and was cutting teeth. He was "better" for about a week. After that, he had cold symptoms, again. He's also teething, again (4 teeth now!). However, during Thanksgiving, while we were in Michigan, he was a little fussier than normal and his left eye was a little swollen, red, and weepy. I took him into the doctor and he has an ear infection. Poor guy. I really don't like putting my kids on antibiotics, but we decided to because he has been fighting this "cold/infection" for about a month. So far he hasn't had too many bad side effects, and he seems to be feeling better.
Eating/Sleeping: Hudson usually wakes up around 7:45 and I nurse him at around 8. I, then, give him cereal at around 9. I put him down for a nap after that (around 9:30). He usually sleeps until around 11:30 (or 12). I nurse him and we all play. I usually give him lunch at around 1 or 1:30. I nurse him, again, and then put him down for his afternoon nap (at around 2). Lately, he's been sleeping a full 3 hours in the afternoon. He wakes up around 5. I nurse him and then we eat dinner. He sits with us and we feed him dinner when we're done. We play until around 7:30. I nurse him and he's in bed by 7:45. Once he is done fighting this ear infection (and doesn't need the extra fluids), I'm going to take out one of his feedings, I think. He's not nursing as long and doesn't seem as interested in nursing. However, we're going to go as long as we can (up to a year!). I really don't want to have to wean him onto formula and then milk this late in the game. We'll see what happens!
As far as solid foods go... he's had squash, peas, avocado, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, bananas, pears and apples. We tried some of those rice cup things (I don't remember what they're called), but he just tried to shove the whole thing in his mouth. The only "finger foods" he's had are little pieces of banana. It is hilarious watching him try to do that, though. It takes him five minutes to get even one piece in his mouth! Poor guy! He is patient, though. I've debated making my own baby food. However, I want to make sure he really likes the different foods before I make it. I froze pieces of avocado, and apparently he doesn't like avocado, now. His favorite is banana.
Personality: Hudson is still so pleasant. You look at him, and he laughs. So cute! He loves his sister and definitely has her flare for drama, as well. You know exactly how he feels by the expression on his face. The only times that he is fussy is when he's cutting a tooth (he's now on tooth number 5!), tired or hungry. He's a smiley goof ball, and we love him so much!
Other Random Things:

I know that this picture is  the worst quality, but I just love his smile!

• He's pretty much wearing 9-12 month clothes. 
• We made the switch to size 2 2-steps (with large inserts). He, also, wears large AIOs and size 4 disposables.
• He just started signing "more please". It's not very consistent, but we're pretty sure he knows what it means. He, also, just started clapping... so cute.
• He's still not crawling, but his very good at sitting up. He can't go from lying to sitting, but he's getting better at going from sitting to his tummy without the awkward fall.
• The other day, he started fussing when T wouldn't give him the toy she was playing with. This is new. He used to not care if she didn't share or took toys away from him. However, he's definitely becoming more possessive. It's a rude awakening for T, but interesting to watch them interact. :)
• He just started figuring out that when he drops something, it's gone. He looks for it, too. It's very cute.

Every stage has been so awesome, but this age (8 months) has been so much fun! H is definitely developing a personality and it's so great to see him do/learn new things every day! We're so grateful that he is a part of our family. We are blessed!

Hudson's 7 months old!!

Growth: Hudson weighs 22 lbs and 3 oz. He is 27 and 3/4 inches long.
Health: H is struggling with a cold, right now... runny/stuffy nose and a little cough. However, he is also cutting his first tooth, so it could be that...? Either way, he is still a pleasant and happy little (ok, not that little) one!
Eating/Sleeping: Hudson is still on the same schedule, however, we've added some solids to his eating schedule! He usually has "lunch" around 12:30 and "dinner" right after we eat (around 6). He's had oatmeal, avocado, pears, and bananas. So far, he's loved them all! However, it took him a few times to really like pears... he, literally, gagged the first time we fed it to him... haha! I still nurse him 5 times a day, but I'll probably cut out a feeding in the next few weeks. Since he's started solids, he doesn't nurse as long during the day.
He still takes 2 naps. His morning nap is usually 1.5 hours to 2 hours long. His afternoon nap is usually 2 to 2.5 hours long. He sleeps 12 hours at night.
Personality: I'm starting to realize how social H really is. I think I noticed it this past weekend at the youth retreat we went on. We brought H with us (mostly because I still nurse him) and my mom stayed with T. He just loved all the students, and he especially loved the mall! As soon as we walked in, he didn't stop "talking". It was so cute! A man after my own heart. :)
He still doesn't fuss too much... unless he's tired or hungry. I can't believe how well he adapted, this past weekend... eating at different times, sleeping at different times (and in different places), and being in the car a lot. However, he does really thrive on routine... he takes after his mother. :)
He is in love with his sister and loves to be tickled by and play with her!
He hasn't gotten into the phase of "stranger anxiety", yet, but I feel like that is coming right around the corner.
Other Random Things:

• He's wearing 6-9 month clothes. However, his pants are starting to become a little short... that never happened with T!
• He's wearing size medium and large AIO diapers and size 1 2 steps. However, I think I might switch him to size 2, soon. Also, he's wearing size 4 in disposable diapers.
• A few days ago, we switched him to his new carseat... a convertible as opposed to the infant one.
• He's getting better at sitting up. However, he will still fall backwards (into our laps if we're sitting behind him) and laugh. He thinks it's a game.
• He's getting really good at playing peek a boo.
• He's not crawling, yet, be he rolls to where he needs to go.

First youth trip to Breakaway! Sleepy boy!

Hudson's 6 months old!!

Growth:(I'm not sure of the specifics but close to 21 pounds and somewhere around 27 inches long)
Health: Hudson is still very healthy. A few weeks ago, he had some constipation issues (he didn't poop for a few days), but it resolved itself and he has been super healthy ever since!
Eating/Sleeping: H is still on the same basic schedule. He wakes up/I feed him at 8:30am. He goes down for his morning nap around 10. He usually sleeps 1.5 to 2 hours. I feed him, he has some "Papa time" when B comes home from lunch. I feed him, again, at 1:30 and put him down for his afternoon nap. He and Tatum usually sleep at the same time for a few hours... I'm very blessed with that time to myself. He wakes up around 4 or 4:30. I feed him, and he's up until bedtime. I feed him at 7:15 and put him down for the night. On Sundays, it's a little different because of church and youth group. However, he sleeps at church, so that's very nice.
A week ago, we started cereal with him (his doctor told us to wait until 6 months because he's growing and sleeping well). We decided to start with oatmeal instead of rice. I read that rice cereal can cause constipation in some babies. Tatum has always had issues with that, so we decided just to skip it and go right to oatmeal. The following day, he had a little eczema on his cheeks (and they were a little pink). I don't know if it was an allergic reaction or just had to do with the weather changing (it's been a lot colder in the evenings). We took a break and gave him more today. We'll see what happens! He took it like a champ... this boy can eat! This past month, he has definitely been interesting in trying solids... staring at us while we eat, grabbing at our food, etc. I think he's glad that he can finally join us!
Personality: I think my favorite new thing he's doing is copying T's cries when she gets hurt or throws fits. As soon as she starts to cry, he immediately imitates her... like he's trying to steal her attention. It's hilarious! It is also hard for Tatum to not start laughing, as well. We end up all laughing together. I love it!
H is still super chill. As long as he isn't too tired or hungry, Hudson does not really fuss. It's actually kind of weird! We're definitely not used to that. As a matter of fact, one night while we were having small group at our house, he woke up and started crying about a half hour after I put him to bed. Benjamin and I just looked at each other like "what do we do?!". He never does that! It was kind of funny! It caught us off guard.
He pretty much lets anyone hold him, too. It's crazy how two totally different children can come from the same parents! It's fun to see how H's personality is so unique and different than T. We are blessed with both and are so thankful for them! 
Other random things:

• He's wearing mostly 6-9 month onsies, 9 month pants, and some 6 month onsies still fit. He's wearing size M and L (mostly because we have them... they are still too big) all in ones, and size 1 2-steps in cloth diapers. He's wearing size 3 disposable diapers (we know that because our washer broke, last weekend). 
• H still isn't rolling much from his tummy to his back. However, he always rolls from his back to tummy.
• He's been sleeping mostly on his side and tummy.
• Instead of his thumb, he's been sucking his 3rd and 4th fingers (just like his Papa used to do... cute!).
• H has been sitting pretty well! We don't leave him unattended (like we always sit behind him), but he'll sit and play for a few minutes without getting tired and falling. He grabs for toys in front of him, too. If he knows we're sitting behind him, though, he falls back on purpose and laughs... like he's teasing us. It's cute!

Hudson's 5 months old!!

Growth: He's 20 lbs, 10 oz. (according to our scale at home) and still about 26 inches long.
Health: H is still very healthy. He's a drooler, however, the doctor said she doesn't think he'll get teeth anytime soon. His head is still rounding out, too! Hopefully it will just "do it's thing" and we won't have to do anything.
Eating/Sleeping: H still has the same schedule (ish). He usually wakes up at around 8:30. I feed him at nine (after I change him, etc.). I put him down for a nap at 10ish. H wakes up at around 11:30. I feed him between then and noon. We play (and get to see Papa at lunch). I feed him, again, at 1:30ish and put him down for a nap, again. This time, he sleeps for at least 2.5 hours. I feed him at 4:30. We start his "bed time routine"... bath, feeding, etc. at around 7. He's in bed by 7:45 and sleeps all night!
Personality: It has been so fun watching Hudson's personality develop! He's starting to have favorite toys (he loves being in his "bouncer", his squeaky monkey, and his yellow chicken). He and T have started to play together, sometimes... it usually consists of T giving him things and then taking them away (we're working on that...). He's such a smiley boy. He smiles at everyone. He loves having books read to him, too, and being outside.
Other random things:

• He's still wearing 6-9 month clothes, size 1 2-steps and medium and large AIOs
• He finally started rolling a little more. I've only seen him roll from his tummy to his back, one time. He usually starts on his back. When I got him from his morning nap, this morning, he was on his tummy (I always put him on his back). I don't think he slept that way.
• H was dedicated at church on Sunday (August 26th). It was so awesome to see all the people who have committed to pray for us, encourage us, and challenge us as we raise our children, in Him. We're so thankful for our church family!

I'm three!!!

Growth: 30.6 pounds, 3 feet and 1/4 inch (yes, that quarter of an inch counts!)
Things I like to do: I love to play outside on my swing set, color, play with legos, play with and take care of my babies, read books, play with play doh, go to the park, tease Charlie, Hudson laugh and help take care of him, play games or watch shows (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Doc McStuffins, PBS kids) on the ipod, dance, sing, and play "come back here".... plus, now that I'm three, I get to chew gum!! :)

Favorite toys: Duplos (legos), any baby and her accessories, my stuffed animals, my kitchen, and her new baby carseat.
How I've been sleeping: I usually go to bed around 8:30 (it's summer!) and wake up around 7 or 7:30. I usually stay up until 1pm for my nap. I still fight my naps, sometimes.
Favorite foods: mac and cheese, pizza, cottage cheese, goldfish, green peppers, grapes, frozen peas, pears, apples, cheese, whales, granola bars, bananas, cheerios, and rice crispies. I love chocolate and ice cream too (Mommy says I get that from her)!
Favorite songs to sing: any worship song from church, songs from Sunday School (the BIBLE, Lord's Army, Jesus Loves Me, Father Abraham, etc.)
Milestones: As of 5 months ago, I now go potty on the toilet! I still wear diapers at nap and night time, but I get to wear big girl underwear, now! I can use the potty all by myself, but I sometimes struggle putting my pants back on (with buckles, buttons, or snaps). I can jump really well and can dribble and kick a ball. I can climb up and down the stairs pretty well, now. I'm speaking pretty clearly and love to use my imagination. I can climb in my car seat "all by myself" and put my shoes on. I can, also, trace letters on paper and draw lines and circles. Most of the time, I know what sounds the letters make. However, sometimes I forget!
Milestones I'm working on: I'm still learning how to get dressed, myself. I'm, also, still trying to understand the concept of time... I usually think that things happened "yesterday" if they happened in the past. Mommy's working with me on how to draw letters. It's really hard, but I'm trying. We're, also, working on puzzles and coloring in the lines.

My personality: I'm a very sensitive and cautious girl. I can really empathize with people. If I hear a little boy or girl crying, it makes me really sad. I feel things very deeply. I'm getting a lot better at handling my emotions (like sadness, anger, and frustration), but sometimes I don't act very nice when I'm feeling this way. Mommy and Papa are doing a better job at preparing me for uncomfortable situations. I like it when they tell me what we're doing before we do it. I feel more prepared, and it doesn't catch me off guard... I behave better, too, because I know what's going on! If I have a babysitter, go in nursery at church, or go to a friends' house, I sometimes get a little sad, but I try and remember that Mommy and Papa always come back. That helps me feel better!
I am an encourager and very sweet (that's what Mommy and Papa say). I like to say "good job, Mommy" when she exercises, give her a hug when she's sad, and give her kisses just because. I always ask Papa how his day was when he gets home from church. I'm, also, very silly too! I do silly dances and make funny faces to make people laugh.
I love my new baby brother. Mommy and Papa say that I am a good big sister. I love to play with H, and give him hugs and kisses. I'm usually very gentle with him, because he is still a baby. Mommy and Papa say that I'm growing up so fast!