Friday, July 21, 2017

{A not so!} Terrible Parable

The big kids enjoyed another week of Music & Arts camp at Highland!  They enjoyed art, Legos, rhythm, puppets, hip hop, ballet, choir and more!  What a wonderful program!  Ms Lawyer Barrister and my handsome soloist did a great job performing "A Not so Terrible Parable", the mysterious whodunit about the Good Samaritan.    







A pleasantly uneventful visit

In June we made the trip to Texas Children's for an annual check up with Dr. Whitehead, Hudson's neurosurgeon.  We think a lot of Dr W - he is world renowned and is the one who performed H's lengthy spinal surgery on day two of life.  It was Dr Whitehead who told me very early on to "just treat Hudson like a typical kiddo because that's exactly what he is!" and he was absolutely right :) 

We actually hadn't seen Dr W in a year and a half - which is a good and bad thing.  Good because it meant Hudson was doing great but bad because we had to visit with residents at our last couple of appointments who were totally lame (haha). 

Upon arrival we grabbed lunch in the food court.  Soooo many emotions ran through my mind since that is where we ate lunch every single day during Hudson's NICU stay.  It was almost surreal to have him there with us sitting in a high chair happily stuffing Chick fil A nuggets in his mouth ;)  After lunch we loaded the elevator and headed upward to the sixteenth floor of the clinical care building and checked in. 


We waited...and waited...and waited some more.  Hudson enjoyed army crawling around, flirting with fellow patients and admiring the tall buildings out the window.  Over an hour had passed and I finally touched base the receptionist.  She called his nurse who came out and informed us that Dr W had been called into emergency surgery and would be awhile. 


We decided to walk the halls of the hospital and asked them to call us when he was ready.  This is the sky bridge which connects TCH to the Women's center.  If I had a dollar for the number of times we walked this route back and forth during March 2015.....well, you know the rest!  :)


We went back down to the third floor and enjoyed Starbucks and visited the fish.  Hudson is REALLY into fish/aquariums these days {and calls them "nosh"}! 



Little man enjoyed a few sips of frappe before it was time to return to the sixteenth floor.


The visit with Dr W went well.  We were a little surprised that an MRI and imaging was not ordered this time and learned that it won't be unless there is as specific concern down the road.  Dr W is always kind and patient enough to answer my list of questions {oh yes, I take a long list!}  He is incredibly brilliant yet is always good at explaining things to us.  He said that Hudson looks terrific!  His head circumference is growing perfectly and there are zero signs of hydrocephalus.  Cheers for a pleasantly uneventful visit - those are the ones we really like!! 

On our way out we made a few more familiar stops.  We walked by both NICU levels, the Ronald McDonald house and the main hospital cafeteria.  Hudson enjoyed visiting the Choo Choo Hut on the first floor.  He loved pushing the button and watching the train move around the tracks. 


And here is a photo of proud big brother and sister at the same place the week Hudson was born :)

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Hudson 28 months

Hudson is now 2 years + 4 months old!  He weighs 27 pounds, measures 2'6.5" and his head circumference is 18.9".  He is starting to wear mostly size 3T clothes.  His favorite accessory is a hat!  He is quick to point out when anyone else is wearing a "haT"!


He enjoyed his very first carousel ride on 6/30.  He was enamored with the lights and motion and seemed to enjoy the ride :)


Hudson has enjoyed the pool this Summer and his most recent word is "water"!  Some of his other new words include "moRe, uP, hello, bye, shirt, puppy, kitty, fish ('nosh'), look (while pointing at something) and dino.


Hudson is a wonderful eater, sleeper and shopper!  He prefers to ride like this on our grocery excursions opposed to the front seat!  He is still a consistent napper but must be on his bed (usually will not fall asleep in the car or anywhere else!)


He is a happy guy!  He has recently started growing molars and constantly has his hands shoved in his mouth.  He now has 18 pearly whites!  He has also chewed through must of his soft sippy cup spouts as well as two Wubbabumb pacifiers.  Dad says he isn't getting another one.....


Last month he met one of my best friends' newborn daughter Avery.  When she was crying he instantly rolled over and started patting  and loving on her.  It was the sweetest thing ever :)



Therapy is going well.  Hudson is getting stronger each week!  He especially loves bouncing and balancing on the yoga ball!  He will be reevaluated for speech therapy next month.


Last week Hudson's first wheelchair was officially delivered!  There are a few more adjustments to be made but we are thrilled that it will offer so much more independence, freedom and hands free fun on a higher level like his peers.  Within hours after receiving it he had already taken things off the wall and had gotten into mischief just like any typical two year old!  His smile says it all :)


Friday, July 7, 2017

O Say Can You See

Happy 4th of July!  We spent the day exploring our last few stops in Galveston.  We enjoyed lunch at Fisherman's Wharf on the historic strand.


We stopped at La King's Confectionery and had a front row seat to watch them make fresh peach salt water taffy.  Amazing and delicious!  Hudson had a huge candy selection :)


Patriotic kiddos!


One last photo opportunity in the beach house :)


We drove back to Waco just in time to watch the fireworks show!


Cool dude :)


"For you have been called to live in freedom....use your freedom to serve one another in love." -Galations 5:13

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Carolina Creek 2017

The big kids always look forward to their week at The W!ld!  The main theme was "Foreverland"....
This was Emma's fifth year and Owen's second.  Here's a glimpse at the difference between Emma's first year (2013) and present.


Ready or not.....here we come, Carolina Creek!!!!!


Upon arrival we learned that Emma would be in the BEAR cabin and Owen would be in the GIRAFFE cabin.  I'm always just as anxious to find out as they are :)


It's safe to say that they had an exciting and crazy fun week!  They got to zip, swim, climb, play, golf, boat, sing and dance!  They always enjoy meeting brand new friends and reconnecting with older ones.  Their counselors are always fantastic and do a great job of caring for them all week long!


Bear cabin girls!


Owen's group enjoyed a boat ride in the lake :)


Emma received the "enthusiasm" award for always being energetic and excited when learning more about her heavenly father. 


Owen received the "confidence" award for always being sure in his faith and in any new activity he tried. 


Cousins make the best friends {and the best fellow campers!!}


It was pretty quiet around the house while the kiddos were gone.  Hudson enjoyed all of our undivided attention but was super happy to see the kiddos when we arrived at camp!!  It was a sweet reunion for sure.


"We didn't realize we were making memories.  We just knew we were having FUN!" -Anonymous