Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Hudson at 6 months

Happy HALF birthday, sweet boy! 


Hudson is officially six months old.  He weighs 14 lbs 13.5 oz and measures 24.5 inches long.  His head circumference is 17 inches.  He is now in all size 6 month outfits and size 2 diapers.  It's amazing to compare photos from March.  Here he is with the blue bunny his siblings gave him in the NICU. 

 
 
Hudson sat in his high chair for the first time at breakfast on Sunday 8/16.  He was so glad to be up at our level :)


We introduced baby foods this month and decided to make our own.  It was pretty easy with the Baby Bullet and the big kids enjoyed helping with the first batch.  He has tried butternut squash, pears, sweet potatoes and apples so far.  We allowed four consecutive days for each new food, just in case of an allergic reaction.  He enjoys his food and opens his mouth wide like a little hungry bird when he anticipates the spoon!  He has started babbling with each bite which certainly creates some royal messes :)

   
A few weeks ago Hudson was fitted for AFO {ankle/foot orthotic} braces.  Right now they are mostly to help with his dorsiflexion and to prevent foot contractures.   


Hudson was {mostly!} patient during the molding process.  The big kids were very helpful and even got to choose the design {camo}.

 
This set is expected to last for approximately six months and must be worn for a total of ten hours each day.  This sweet boy loves to accessorize :)


He now does physical therapy once a week.  Jenna is pleased with his progress and provides us with great strength exercises to do.  He still despises tummy time but his head/torso have become much stronger.  He is able to sit up unassisted while holding on to his feet for a short few seconds.


Our little man is very verbal and has recently started exploring a few labial consonant sounds {most often M and B}.  He often grins at strangers when we are out and about and really enjoys their attention.  He admires himself in the mirror and looks back and forth to be sure his reflection is still there!  He stayed in the church nursery for the first time on Sunday 9/6.  Weeks prior he seemed to either hiccup or 'chat' very loudly during the sermon :)



He continues to sleep very well at night and to mostly cat nap during the day.  There have been a few times recently that he has napped for a few hours.  He prefers to snooze in my arms opposed to his crib {which I don't mind at all}!


Rub a dub dub; he still enjoys the bath tub.  It seems to make him calm and content and starts his bedtime routine.  He especially likes having warm water slowly poured onto his tummy and isn't always sure about having his hair washed.   

 
We love this sweet boy! 


Wednesday, September 2, 2015

First day of school 2015

We were all smiles for the FIRST day of school!  Both kids are at Lansberry Elementary this year. 
 

We are thrilled to have two of our favorite teachers.  Emma had Mrs Meredith in first grade and she moved up to third!  Owen was very familiar with Ms Thornton because she was Emma's kinder teacher :) 


I made these spiffy supplies cakes for both teachers.  Hopefully they will come in handy soon {thanks Pinterest!}
 
 
Emma is in third grade.  Time flies!  She has lots of familiar faces in her homeroom class.  This year they switch classes and her teacher for math and science is Mrs Smith.
 


At Meet the Teacher Ms T gave each student a gift and instructed them not to open it until the night before Kindergarten.  It was magic confetti to sprinkle under his pillow.  He was thrilled :)
 

Of course we read 'The Night Before Kindergarten' at bedtime.....

 
The next morning this guy marched into the Kindergarten hall like a pro!  He even requested that I not walk him in from the second day on {sniff sniff!}


Kinder is such a bittersweet journey but we are excited for Owen as we know the many adventures that await him!

 
We pray that these two have the best school year yet! 
 

Galveston 2015

In July we enjoyed a few days in Galveston with Big Daddy and Lita.  Uncle Joseph, Aunt Natalie and cousin Tessa met us there.  Our beach house was right on the sand and the kids had such a fun time.  We got just the right dose of vitamin 'sea' :) 
 
We spent time taking walks on the beach...
 
 
 
Building beautiful sand castles and creations....
 

Searching for the perfect shells...
{he even brought home a huge collection!}


 Burying one another in the sand....
{this way he stayed still for at least a few minutes!}
 
 
...and making lots of salty memories :)
 

Our sweet beach babies :)

 
We explored the strand on our last day there.  We watched them make taffy at the confectionary, shopped, ate at Fisherman's Wharf {our fav!} and took part in a guided dolphin tour.   Arrrrrr!!  My favorite pirates on the strand!

 
Goodbye Galveston!  See you next year!