september

Dear Hudson,

This picture really sums up September. Drool everywhere!

Love,

Mommy

P.S. Sorry the picture's not the best.

cutie

Dear Hudson,

You have been really loving naked time lately. So far, I haven't been peed on yet, but I'm sure it will happen soon. You just kick kick kick your legs as soon as your diaper comes off. You also are so close to rolling over. You can get from your back to your side or your side to your tummy, but haven't quite figured out how to put the whole thing together.

Daddy and I think you have the cutest butt ever and can't wait to show this pictures to your future wife someday.

Love,

Mommy

bathtime

Dear Hudson,

I found this great little bath chair at a garage sale for you. You like to lean against it and it's much easier to bath you since your big tub doesn't fit in our little tub. We've been trying to teach you how to splash in the tub and you're starting to get it. You love bath time so much. Sometimes you are screaming and as soon as we put you in the bath, you are happy. And, who can resist all those baby fat rolls!

Love,

Mommy

bumbo

Dear Hudson,

We are borrowing Jennifer's bumbo seat. You were not so sure about it at first, but are learnign to love it. We try to sit in it every day while we're playing on the floor. Your legs are so chunky that they barely fit in the leg holes.

Love,

Mom

go pack go

Dear Hudson,

Daddy is so excited that football season has started. He loves cuddling with you during the games. He also pointed out that the Packers are undefeated since you've been born. We've been practing our cheers. Go Pack Go!

Love,

Mommy

fall festival

Dear Hudson,

Today we went to the Harvest Festival at the Abbey Winery. While not quite what we expected, we still had a good time. You took a great nap in the car on the way and enjoyed some fresh air and sunshine. We even met some Alpaca (which are close to llamas). After the festival, we went to a brewery, where you took another great nap. After your nap, you discovered Daddy's i-phone and picked out some music to listen to. We're so glad you're a pretty easy traveler so far.

Love,

Mommy

new friend

Dear Hudson,

Your friend, Corbin West Downing, finally arrived! We got to meet him in the hospital just 8 hours after he was born. He was 7 lbs 2 oz, but seemed so little to us as we held him. He's such a cutie and we know you are going to be great friends. We had to break it to you that you're not the littlest baby anymore and that everyone will want to hold him.

Happy Birthday, Baby Corbin!

Love,

Mommy

3 months

Dear Hudson,

It's hard to believe you are already 3 months old.  You are growing and changing every day.  This past month you got to go to Wisconsin.  Daddy is happy that football season is here.  There's lots of cuddles on Sundays during the games.

• Weight: 16 lbs 5 oz
• Height: they didn't measure you this time
• Sleep: usually sleep 6 hours right away and then another 4-5 hours.  We have had a few 7 or 8 hour nights
• Still hates tummy time.  You can roll from your back to side or side to belly, but haven't put it all together yet.
• Likes to sing songs and laugh & giggle
• Reaching for everything and can grab on sometimes
• Favorite Book: Baby Einstein Mirror Me - you love looking at the page with Webster the Sun
• Favorite Toys: Tiger (thanks Oma!) and Lion

We love being your parents!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy

holding

Dear Hudson,
This afternoon while you slept, I just held you.  You were starting to get fussy in your bouncy seat so I picked you up and snuggled you in my lap.  You fell asleep almost immediately.  I was so surprised, as I usually have to walk around with you, carrying you on your belly.  But today, you were content just being near your mama. 

As you slept, I just held you.  I closed the computer.  Turned off the TV.  Didn't pick up a book.  Just held you and listened to the cars go by outside.  I thought about how quickly 3 months have gone by and how much I was going to miss this some day.  So I just held you as you slept.

Every once in awhile I would kiss your head or smell your hair, but mostly I just thought about how much I love to be your mama. 

On Saturday, you spent your first night in your crib.  I only made it until about 5 am, because I had a dream that someone was trying to take you, so I brought you back into our room.  I definitely cried that first night you were in your crib, but your daddy prayed that you would sleep good and that we would learn to love these moments of you growing up.

I am finding that this is the constant struggle of motherhood.  The sadness of you growing and changing and the excitement of you growing and changing.  There are already things that you did as a newborn that you don't anymore.  I miss your sighs after you would nurse and the way you would snuggle when you slept, but I don't think I would trade it for hearing you laugh when we sing songs or the look on your face when you see your toes.

Baby boy, I know you have to grow up, but today, I just wanted to hit pause for awhile as you slept so peacefully in my arms.

Love,
Mommy

just keep swimming

Dear Hudson,

Along with all your other adventures in Wisconsin, we took you swimming for the first time. We went in Oma & Opa's pool on the only really warm day while we were there. At first, you were not a fan. You cried for about 5 minutes and we were about to take you out, but then you stopped crying and seemed to like it. Floating on your back was not okay with you, but you liked being on your tummy. Mommy showed you how to kick your legs and splash your hands. You even got a little taste of pool water in your mouth. We can't wait to take you swimming again!

Love,

Mommy

tired

Dear Hudson,

Being in Wisconsin sure tired you out. Good thing there were so many arms for you to nap in.

Love,

Mommy

wedding

Dear Hudson,

While in Wisconsin, we took you to your first wedding. And, it was even more special because Daddy was the one doing the wedding. He was marrying our friends Aaron & Alison Behnke. We hung out with Auntie Randa and her parents Friday night. Daddy had a great time with Ben & Aaron Friday night. They stayed up until 2:40 beating Super Mario Brothers 3. You hung out with Auntie Randa during the ceremony so I could watch Daddy. He did such a great job. You got to meet our friends Ben & Lisa and Dan & Jess as well. You had a bit of a melt down during the reception because you were overtired and hungry, but eventually you settled down and I got to have my first dance with you.

You were pretty cute in your sweater vest!

Love,

Mommy

oma & opa

Dear Hudson,

Oma & Opa were so excited to see you last week. They had lots of fun with you and couldn't believe how much you've grown and changed. Oma bought you some cute clothes and a tiger toy, which you love playing with. You got to read stories with Oma and watch a Packer game with Opa. They came to the wedding with us and took you back to the hotel for a few hours so Mommy and Daddy could have some quality time. Oma's not sure how she's going to make it until Christmas before she sees you. Good thing there's skype. You are such a loved little boy.

Love,

Mommy

family

Dear Hudson,

While we were in Wisconsin, you got to meet lots of family. You got to meet your Great Aunt Beth, Great Aunt Linda and Great Aunt Nancy (who spent the whole day with us). You also met cousins Kallie, Mitchel and Tucker (who are first cousins once removed-thanks wikipedia!). You hung out with your cousins Gavin & Ava, who were so excited to meet you. Ava loved touching your hair and Gavin would try to cheer you up when you were trying. We also spent time with Uncle Larry & Aunt Bonnie and Aunt Patti. They couldn't believe how big you have gotten. Cousin Aryanah was so excited to meet you. You were pretty fussy when we were with her, so she wasn't too impressed, but she did like to read to you and try out all your toys. Great-Grandpa V was probably the most excited to meet you. He's been so excited that you were born because you are the only boy right now to carry on the Van de Casteele name.

It was so great to spend so much time with family.

Love,

Mom

Lots of Family

4 Generations

airplane

Dear Hudson,

Last week, we took you on your first trip out of Colorado. We flew to Wisconsin for a wedding. You did a great job on the airplane. On the way there, you pretty much slept for both flights. The way home was a bit rougher, but you still were a super traveler. We're excited for many more adventures with you.

Love,

Mom