Hudson at 5 months

Hudson is five months old!  He weighs 13 lbs 15 oz and is 23.5" long (both in the sixth percentile).  His head circumference is 16.9" (25th perc).  He is between size 3-6 month outfits and is quickly outgrowing size 1 diapers.  It seems like just yesterday he was teeny tiny in his car seat and this month we raised the shoulder harness to the next height level.  It was rather tricky to take his monthly photo because he was grabbing the sticker with his busy little hands and was trying to put it in his mouth!

 

 

His head/neck control is improving every day!  He still favors looking toward the left but is a good boy and works hard.  He has physical therapy twice a week.  Sometimes Ms Jenna lets him watch a "baby movie" on her dvd (in order to bribe him to look to the right).  He visually tracks things well and especially likes toys that play music and/or light up!  His newest "trick" is grabbing our fingers and using his head to sit up from a flat position.  He often tries with all his might to sit up when in his car seat or during a diaper change.  It's only a matter of time, sweet boy!

 

 

 He especially loves to coo, eat, swing, bathe, be held and watch his big sis and bro.  He often protests about tummy time, long car rides and being hungry.  He has recently started clasping his hands together and often chews on the left one.  His baby blue eyes melt my heart!  He loves the attention when strangers talk to him and usually smiles and flirts. 

 

 

 He is extra smiley and chatty in the mornings.  He is exploring his voice and acts like we should know exactly what he is saying.  He is ticklish near his neck and even belly laughed for the first time on 8/8.

 

 

He visits the Spina bifida clinic at TCH every three months his first year.  His most recent visit was this week.  Clinic days are long and exhausting for all of us but it's nice to get everything addressed the same day.  Conveniently, we stay put and each of his physicians rotate in to check on him.  We saw representatives from neurosurgery, urology, orthotics, the SB pediatrician and a dietician.  Urology was pleased with the healing progress from his June procedure.  He also had head and renal ultrasounds which both looked stable.  Everyone was impressed with how content and smiley he was :)

 

 

He sleeps like a rock star at night and seldom wakes up.  He usually sleeps ten hours straight.  Most nights he manages to break his left arm free from the swaddle blanket.  Because he sleeps so well at night he only cat naps during the day and is often awake for long stretches of time.  He often snoozes with his eyes open.

 

 We sure love this little guy and love to watch him grow and progress!  He adds an abundance of joy to our lives and makes our family complete. 

 

Hudson at 4 months

Hudson is 4 months old!  That's 1/3 the way to his first birthday and I simply can't believe it!  He now weighs 12 lbs 8.5 oz (5th percentile), measures 23 inches long (5th perc) and has a head circumference of 16" (25th perc).  He is still in size 1 diapers and size 3 month clothes.  He lost some hair early on but it is finally growing back on top!

 

 

His big sister adores him and he loves to stare at her :)

 

He prefers to be held and would stay there all day.  He usually sleeps 10 hours straight at night.

 

He has gotten in the pool twice this summer and isn't so sure about it.  He would much rather to lounge in the chair and watch E & O :)

 

He is the most smiley baby ever!  It is fun watching his joyful personality unfold.  He is exploring his voice more and often coos back and forth in conversation.  He has most recently started mimicking our mouth clicks!

 

Hudson has enjoyed some road trips over the past few weeks.  He has been to Waco, San Antonio and Galveston.  For the most part he is a great traveler but eventually gets tired of being trapped in the car seat.  Big brother has the big job of keeping the pacifier available!  

 



Emma at eight-and-a-half

Emma is officially eight-and-a-half!  I seriously wish time would tick by a lot slower with this one.  She is quickly turning into such a wonderful little lady!  She is incredibly easy going, constantly keeps busy and is so much fun to be around.  She now weighs 80 pounds and stands 4 '5" tall.  She wears size 10-12 clothes and size 3 shoes. 

She enjoys playing Barbies, school with her dolls, riding her bike, playing board/card games, writing stories and reading.  She is very independent, considerate, clever, creative and is the best big sister! 

This was her final season for 8U coach pitch softball.  She played on the Yellow Jackets and enjoyed every minute!  Several practices and games were cancelled with so much rain this season.  One Saturday she was able to play in four games!  This season she played mostly pitcher and third base.

 

She represented her homeroom class in the annual spelling bee again this year and placed fifth.  She was required to spell lots of challenging words and we practiced more than she wanted :)  I was so impressed and thought she did a great job! 

 

She has a very busy summer ahead filled with an assortment of activities and camps!  She participated in UYP {University for Young People} at Baylor last week.  The kids created their own city which they named 'City of Paradise'.  Emma worked very hard on her campaign {with Lita' help, of course!} and was voted as co-mayor. 

     
Promise me you'll always remember...
You're braver than you believe,
stronger than you seem,
smarter than you think
and loved more than you know.
-Christopher Robin to Pooh

Hudson at 3 months

Hudson is 3 months old!  He wears size 1 diapers and is almost wearing size 3 month outfits.  He weighs 10 lbs 11 oz and measures 21.5 inches long.  It was definitely a little sad packing up preemie and newborn outfits once and for all.

He has just started to focus and briefly track objects/toys when encouraged.  He dislikes tummy time but our goal is three times each day for a total of 45+ minutes.  He has finally started to enjoy bath time and is usally quiet and calm.  He prefers a warm washcloth on his chest and a gentle stream of water trickling on his head and shoulders.  When cold water is poured directly on his legs they immediately move out to the side.

 

Hudson would eat all day long if allowed to do so!!  Feedings don't come quick enough for our growing boy!  I've started giving him more formula to keep up with his hearty appetite but he still nurses frequently.  He now eats approximately 28 ounces per day.  He is a great little sleeper but now stays awake for longer stretches of time.  He usually sleep through the night and cat naps throughout the day.   Noise doesn't seem to bother his sleep. 

Although it seems a bit early, his PT {Jenna} suggested we try him in the Bumbo seat.  He usually seems to like it but tires pretty quickly.  His neck muscles are getting stronger!

This month Hudson had has first MRI {out of utero} and did great.  Up until the very last minute the plan was to sedate him.  Fortunately the nurse suggested we swaddle him and he napped beautifully through the entire process without sedation!  This month he also underwent his second surgery.  He had an inguinal hernia repaired as well as a couple of other urological issues addressed.  We are so thankful for Dr Gargollo and the medical advancements TCH offers. 

He does better for long stretches of time in the pouch rather than the stroller.  Super sweet little napper :)

Little man has just recently started to smile.  He has also discovered his voice and coos. 



Owen's Pre K Graduation

We are so proud of our 2015 Pre K graduate! 

 

When he walked across the stage Mrs Anitra presented him with a diploma and an award for the "Most Imaginative"!

BFFs, Keaton and Owen {these two won't know what to do apart in Kinder this Fall!}

 

The ceremony included a sweet video.  Mrs Anitra alsocreated a memorable book that we will cherish forever and ever.



So bittersweet for a mama!

 

We enjoyed the last three years at Discovery Days.  Owen loved his favorite little friends and fun filled school days.  Mrs Anitra was wonderful and treated the kiddos like her own.  She did such a fabulous job preparing him for next year.  

 

 

Yay Owen!  You did it!  Officially Kindergarten bound :)

 

 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future.  -Jeremiah 29:11



Emma's award ceremony

Emma's award ceremony was at the exact same time as Owen's Pre K graduation.  I was disappointed to miss but especially thankful for technology!  Jarrod and I were able to Facetime parts of both kids' events to one another.  Lita also attended Emma's awards and took lots of photos!

 

Emma was the top reader out of second grade and accumulated the most 'reading counts' points for the year (330+).  She read books and successfully passed computer tests on them.  She hit the ground running last August and it certainly paid off!!  There is definitely some friendly competition among her classmates :)  Additionally, Emma was recognized for her reading assessment score, for placing in district UIL for creative writing and for making the all A honor roll all year.  She was also chosen by her teacher to receive the classroom citizenship award. 

 

We are so proud of our girl and can't believe she is headed to THIRD grade!!!

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. -Ecclesiastes 9:10

Hudson at 2 months

Sweet Hudson is two months old!  He is developing such a cute personality.  He now weighs 8 lbs 15.5 oz and has now completely outgrown preemie outfits.  He consumes 2-3 ounces every 2-3 hours but would eat all day long if allowed to do so!  He only wakes up twice during the night.

 

 

He has physical therapy twice a week at home.  Jenna, his PT, is great!  Hudson is not a fan of tummy time but must do it as often as possible.  He doesn't seem to have much feeling below his belly button.  Jenna explained the importance of stretching out his legs daily.  We are also trying to get him used to the idea of stretching his arm across his body in order to roll over when he is ready.

 

 

Although he still snoozes the majority of the day he is starting to stay awake and alert for longer stretches of time.  He sleeps especially well in noisy places and enjoys the music player in his crib.  He has recently decided that his favorite place to nap is on daddy.

 

He is more content in the carrier pouch than in the stroller when we are out and about.  He is such a good baby :)