take me out to the ball game

Dear Mr. H (that's what mommy calls you sometimes),

Tonight we went to a Sky Sox baseball game. You really enjoyed the first half of the game. Then you got kind of fussy for the second half. You dressed up in your baseball outfit and got to hang out with some of your favorite people. You got to meet Sox the Fox (although mommy wasn't happy that he touched your head). There were even fireworks that we watched from the parking lot.

We did learn that leaving the game with a crabby baby is not so much fun. We ended up walking around with you in the parking lot while we waited for everyone to leave so we didn't have to sit in the car with a screaming baby. You were fine once we were outside, and I think all that fresh air helped you sleep for 6 hours straight last night!

Love,

Mommy

aminals

Dear Hudson,

You love the animals that hang from your bouncy seat. You have really started to notice them the last few weeks. Yesterday, when I got out of the shower, I heard you making some noises and just listened for awhile and realized you were talking to your "aminals". Today, while I was baking, you were content to just look at hedgehog and owl and racoon. You would break into a huge smile and even start laughing at them. It's so fun to watch you discover new things.

Love,

Mom

where's hudson?

Dear Hudson,

Daddy was taking some pictures of you last night in your snugglesaurus sleeper and realized after the first picture that you kind of blend in to your sheet. You've had lots of smiles for us this week (and lots of crying. your little tummy is giving you fits).

Love,

Mommy

at home

Dear Hudson,

Today is the first day of school at the school where I used to work. I am so glad I get to stay home with you this year. It's going to be so much fun watching you grow and learn this year.

Love,

Mommy

P. S. We'd be in trouble if I had to go in to work since we got up at 10 today.

2 months

Dear Hudson,

Today you are two months old. You are growing like crazy and changing every day. You went through a very fussy growth spurt at 6 weeks, but now you are back to our fairly content baby. We love every minute of being your mommy and daddy.

• Weight: 12 lbs? (we go to the doctor on Friday)
• Height: ?
• Sleep: usually sleep 5 hours (sometimes 6!) right away and then another 3 hour stretch
• Can hold your head up and even make eye contact when you are laying on mommy or daddy
• Smiles and coos all the time now, especially when we're changing your diaper
• Still loves bath time. It's one of our tricks to calm you down
• Favorite Book: Is Your Mama a LLama (we do read other things, but this one is the most fun. We have the first part memorized already)

We have lots to look forward to this next month, including your first trip on an airplane and your first time in Wisconsin.

Love,

Mommy

thinking

Dear Hudson, Yesterday we hung out with Melissa and Alice and we took some pictures of the two of you. Some of the pictures are so funny. Your expressions crack me up and make me wonder what you are thinking. For example,

Hudson: I've got this holding my head up thing down!

Alice: Hmm, these fingers taste good. Hudson: STOP TAKING PICTURES OF ME!

Alice: Here Hudson, I will help you hold your head up.

Hudson: Mom, why is this girl trying to touch me? Don't they have cooties?

These next ones don't need captions. They're just precious.

I'm so glad you have a friend like Alice. It's going to be so fun to watch you two grow up. Love, Mom

growing

Dear Hudson, You are really growing. One of the ways I can tell is when I compare you to your friend Alice. Alice is 11 weeks older than you are. You are quickly catching up to her in size and weight. I can't believe how big you're getting! Love, Mommy

Alice & Hudson - Beginning of July

Alice & Hudson - Middle of August

happy birthday mama

Dear Hudson,

Tonight we went to Old Chicagos to celebrate Mommy's 27th birthday. All of our friends joined us for a great time. We had to wait a long time because they didn't have a table for all 16 of us, but we had fun while we waited. You got to spend some quality time with Jennifer once you woke up. During dinner, Jen and Carey both fed you some of your bottle. I had such a great time celebrating and was so thankful that I have my little monkey this year for my birthday.

Love,

Mama

Dressed Up and Ready to Go

Hanging Out with Jennifer

Melissa, Jen, Carey & Sarah

The Girls Waiting

visitors

Dear Hudson,

This weekend, Grandpa and Grandma Lohr came to visit all the way from South Carolina. We had such a great time with them. They brought you some presents, including some Packer clothes for you to wear while you watch the games with Daddy. Grandma Annette cooked us a yummy dinner Friday night. On Saturday, we went to the Airforce Academy. Grandpa Gene had such a good time because when he was in college, he was in the Airforce ROTC and was going to join the Airforce, but his vision was too bad. Saturday night we went out to dinner to celebrate Mommy's birthday. While we were having birthday cake at home, Grandpa read you Goodnight Moon before you went to bed. You were such a good baby the whole weekend. Grandpa and Grandma loved meeting you and can't wait to see you again.

Love,

Mommy

smiling

Dear Hudson,

In the last week, you have really started smiling. It's so fun to see you awake and alert and recognizing me and daddy. It helps mommy get through your crabby times. You usually are fussy in the evenings starting around 7 pm. We think that your tummy is getting upset so we're trying lots of things to help you. Today you took a nap from 3:30 until 7:30, and that seemed to help a lot, but we'll see how you sleep tonight. Keep smiling, buddy. Mommy loves it!

Love,

Mom