2 Years - Week 26 - 2.5

Sweet Hudson,

Wowzer! How in the word are you 2.5 already?

I love playing trains with you, going to the park with you, and watching you ride your "wittle" bike! I am amazed at how many words you know, at the long sentences you put together, and at the thoughts you share with me. I love knowing what is going on in your little noggin' - and that we can communicate better: )

Your energy is boundless, and your laughter is contagious! You could play trains for hours, and you would run, run, run ALL THE TIME if you could! 

One thing I love about you is that you always want me to be happy! If I tell you I'm sad, you say, "Mama, be happy!" and pat my chest (the sign for "happy"). You get so serious, and you get a little shake in your voice like you're going to cry: ( It usually makes me want to cry (because you're so cute!), but it instantly makes me happy: ) 

You're getting to be such a big boy, and Daddy and I are SO proud of you! You make me happier than anything else in the world, and I can't imagine my life without you in it! Every day I wonder how in the world it is possible to love you so much, and then every day I love you even more! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being you!

I love you, sweet Bubba.

Mama

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About Hudson: Some of Mama's Memories of You at 2.5

• When we walk to the park, you look for your "buddies." Your definition of "buddies" is "anyone who happens to be at the park." When it is time to leave, you say, "Goodbye my new friends!" to anyone else at the park. 
• Your last night with your paci was the July 18, your half birthday. You had only been using it while sleeping at home - you gave it up at daycare in early March - but you are still struggling a little bit at naptime and bedtime. You picked out a new train - a caboose that plays the Thomas theme song - and we've been spending a lot of time talking about you being a big boy!
• At the end of every bath, you say, "Want to wear monster robe! Want to scare Mama and Daddy!" As soon as you have your robe on, you run around letting out your big "ROAR": )
• You don't like when we say "bless you" after you sneeze. YOU want to say it!
• Daddy told us that blue eyes are very sensitive to sunlight. Because of this, you tell us that the "sun is hurting your blue eyes" when the sun is in your eyes.

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Questions and Answers*
(*Answers by Mama!)

What are your favorite activities / sports?

playing trains, riding the "wittle" bike

What are your favorite TV shows / movies?

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Chuggington

If you could go on an airplane anywhere, where would you go?

North Carolina

What is your favorite color?

blue

When you grow up, what are you going to be?

train engineer, fireman

What is your favorite song?

Happy Birthday

What is your favorite book?

Grumpy Goat by Brett Helquist; The LIttle Dump Truck by Margery Cuyler

What three words describe you?

funny, happy, smart

What is your favorite snack?

cheese crackers

What is food do you think is the yuckiest? 

veggies!

Where do you like to go? 

Lolo's, downtown, to the market to buy muffins 

What are your favorite foods?

breakfast bars, muffins, bagel pizza (cheese), spaghetti and meatballs

Who do you miss? 

Papi, Grandmom

Who is your teacher?

Marilyn 

Who is your best friend at school?

Lolo

Who are your other friends at school?

Ada, Benjamin, Emma, Vivian, Karston, Zeekie

What is your favorite thing at school?

Lolo!

2 Years - Week 25 - NC Part 2

Saturday

This was another busy day! 

We were SO SO SO lucky to be less than an hour away from Stephanie and Chad's wedding, and I was SO happy to be able to join them at the sunrise ceremony! It may have been the most beautiful place I've ever been, and it was definitely the most intimate wedding I've ever attended. I loved EVERY second of it and am SO SO SO happy for these two! (I can't wait to see the professional pictures!!!)

Since the ceremony was so early, I was back at the lodge before 9am! We hit the road for Asheville and went to the Western North Carolina Nature Center! Hudson LOVED navigating with the map and was particularly excited about the farm animals and bears: ) I loved the otters and watching them swim under water!

We had Mexican food for lunch and then hit the hotel for an attempt at a nap. 

In the evening we went to a minor league baseball game - the Asheville Tourists vs. the Lexington Legends, a Royals team! Hudson did GREAT! He sat on my lap most of the time, and he accompanied me for food and drinks. He even ate his first ballpark hot dog: ) He loved all of the games in between innings - especially one where kids rode on top of bouncy rubber horses: ) The Royals team lost, but that was okay because evening ended with FIREWORKS! I'm not sure Hudson will ever stop talking about them!

Sunday

Sunday morning we went back to Tryon to visit with Dad and Grandmom, and we had a short visit with Claire and Arlo via Skype. We ate at Mr. Juan's - another Mexican restaurant! - for lunch and took pictures with Morris before saying goodbye to Dad and heading back to Asheville.

Hudson fell asleep in the car and actually stayed asleep, so I went to the mall while Nick did some homework. When I came back, the boys waved to me from the balcony!

We had dinner at Asheville Brewing, and the pizza was SO SO SO good! I would love to go back and try some more: ) When we got back to the hotel, we went for a very cold swim! Hudson LOVED swimming, as usual! Hotel swimming is so nice because we were able to just walk right back inside, take baths/showers, and head to bed. We didn't have to lug several bags, deal with wet clothes/towels, etc. SO FUN!

Monday

Monday was our last day: (

As we packed up our hotel room, Hudson put on his swim diaper and asked to go swimming again! He was cracking me up: )

On our way to the airport, we stopped by Grandmom's for one last visit.

It was so so so good to see her and to see her new place! While I was sad not to visit Sly Fox Lane, I was VERY happy to see Grandmom happy and at home in her new apartment. It sounds like there are many good people/friends nearby, and she is in a beautiful home and town! I'm SO thankful to be able to make this trip and am looking forward to our next visit: )

We made it home without any glitches - and sweet Hudson Bob even took a nap on the airplane <3

2 Years - Week 24 - NC Part 1

Over the long July 4th weekend, we headed to NC for our annual trip! 

Wednesday

I picked up Hudson from Marilyn's around 12:45, and we went straight home for his nap. Nick and I finished the packing, and then we all left for the airport. Our first flight was delayed a half hour or so, so we played "find the trashcan," a brilliant game that I made up to provide some focus for Hudson's running through the crowded airport. I tore up a paper bag (from our $44 dinner - of sandwiches and chips!!!) into little pieces, and we tossed the pieces into different trashcans.

Because of the delay, we were afraid that we might miss our connecting flight in Chicago. Luckily, it was delayed just enough that we made it to the gate just in time - phew! We had to sit on the runway for a bit, too, but at least we made the flight!

Hudson didn't sleep AT ALL on the plane, but he fell asleep as soon as we started driving in the rental car! He was totally knocked out when we reached the hotel!

Thursday

We went to the Greenville Zoo! It was BEAUTIFUL and just the right size! It was a pretty hot day, but there was so much natural shade! We had a great time and would definitely go back: )

Snakes!

Tortoise!

"Look! I'm in the jungle! Mama in jungle, and Dada in jungle, too!"

Feeding the bear!

"Look, Mama! Baby Eagle!"

Turtles on a log!

Fire truck at the COVERED park!

One of Nick's friends recommended that we go to Tony's New York Style Pizzeria for lunch! It was DELISH, and we had an awesome waiter: ) We even got to see Tony! 

We tried to nap at the hotel, but it didn't go very well...until we reached Tryon and Grandmom's new place!

We visited with Grandmom for a bit, and then she took us out to dinner at a fantastic BBQ place. I had a burger with fried green tomatoes on it (SO good!), and Hudson ate his entire grilled cheese! Nick and Grandmom had ribs - Nick said they were pretty good but not as good as KC BBQ; )

Friday

We were so busy this day that Hudson needed some coffee (a.k.a. milk from a coffee cup!) to start the day!

We met Dad in Columbus for the July 4th celebration! There were a few random booths selling crafts and other odds and ends, but most of the booths had AMAZING food: ) We enjoyed corn on the cob (dipped in butter!), fresh-squeezed lemonade, and BBQ sandwiches! 

Hudson LOVED the bounce house, carousal, and helicopter ride!

He also laughed at Papi and showed his patriotism by waving his American flag: )

Hudson was so worn out that he took a nice long nap while Grandmom, Dad, Nick, and I visited!

After a snack, we hit the road to Brevard to meet up with Stephanie, Chad, and their friends and family! The lodge area was BEAUTIFUL!

We ate dinner and played games before Hudson went to sleep. He had his own room and bed, and he had no problem going to sleep!

Just before we all said goodnight, Stephanie and Chad made a wish and let a lantern fly up in the sky!