we're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo

Dear Hudson,
We went to the zoo this week with your friends Alice and Iris (and their moms).  It was your first trip.  You were pretty content hanging out and enjoying the fresh air and watching the animals.  You liked the giraffes at first but then they got a little to close when we fed them.  I think we'll be taking lots of trips to the zoo this summer.
Love,
Mommy

9 months

Dear Hudson,
How are you 9 months old already?  This year is going way too fast.  You're really on the move now.  Still army crawling but you are getting faster and more adventurous.  You've started pulling up on me and daddy and the couch sometimes. 

• Weight: 24 lbs (according to the scale at the zoo)
• Height: it's hard to get you to sit still to measure you
• Sleep: You're an awesome napper these days.  Usually 2 hours in the morning and another hour in the afternoon
• Nicknames: Bug, Mister, Big Guy
• Talking up a storm, says "mama" a lot and we maybe heard a "dada"
• Army crawling all over the place
• Favorite Book: Belly Button Book, Is Your Mama A Llama
• Favorite Toys: balls
• Favorite Foods: Yogurt, puffs
• Teeth: Two on the bottom, two on top

We love you so much!!!
Love
Mommy

visitors

Dear Hudson,
Hurray! Oma and Auntie Patti came to visit us.  We had lots of fun while they were here.  Oma took us shopping and bought you some cute clothes.  We went swimming at the Y with them.  You loved the water so much that we're going to take swim lessons in April.  On Saturday, we went to the St. Patrick's Day Parade.  You were a bit cranky but still had fun.  There were lots of snuggles and kisses.  You had fun showing off your eating and crawling skills to Oma and Auntie Patti.  It was a lot of fun to have visitors.
Love,
Mommy

laughing

Dear Hudson,

I love your laugh.

Love,

Mommy

new friends

Dear Hudson
It's been a busy couple of weeks around here.  You have had two new friends born in February.  Abigail Ann Klenke was born on February 2nd.  Her daddy got to come home from Afghanistan so our whole group is back together.  When we brought them dinner, you were very interested in Abby.
Then, Miss Millie Loretta Cheney decided she was ready to come meet everyone as well.  She was born on February 18th ( a few weeks early).  We went to visit her in the hospital the same day she was born.  I know you're going to be great friends with both of these little girls.
Love,
Mommy

Bringing the Klenke's dinner

Abigail

Meeting Miss Millie

8 months

Dear Hudson,

Today you are 8 months old. You are quite the bundle of energy. You haven't learned how to crawl yet but you have gotten quite good at rolling and scootching to get where you want to go. You are so aware of everything around you and rarely sit still. Even when we're holding you, you are looking around and trying to get down. It's kind of amazing we haven't dropped you yet.

• Weight: 22.5 lbs
• Height: 30 inches???
• Sleep: Much better now, we get some 4 and 5 hour stretches these days, naps are sometimes better.  You sleep great in the car
• Nicknames: Bug, Mister, Big Guy
• Talking up a storm, said "mama"
• Pulled yourself up from a sit to a stand
• Favorite Book: 
• Favorite Toys:
• Favorite Foods: You haven't been eating much.  Food makes  you throw up, which is so sad.  We talked to Miss Sarah (speech lady friend) and she said you probably just have a really strong gag reflex.  We'll keep trying.
• Teeth: Two on the bottom, one on top and the other top one is almost through

It was really hard to get you to sit still for this months picture.  It took both Daddy and I to get a decent one.  We got lots of other pictures with some very funny faces.

Love,

Mommy

bored

Dear Hudson,

We've had some super cold days here the last few weeks (below zero) so we've been stuck inside. I've had to be a little creative to come up with ways to entertain you. Luckily, just about everything is a toy for you.

Love,

Mommy

Puppy's tail is a great toy

Sometimes we have friends over to play

Sometimes we make new friends.  We like to call him "mirror Hudson."

You always have lots to tell "mirror Hudson"