What a difference 8 months is!

Hudson, aka Stinker(for now), is 8 months old.  I can't believe how fast this first year is going.  Especially considering the fact that I've been awake for about 6 months.  This month is by far the most different.  Hudson is growing so much and doing new things all the time.  Here are some of his new things....

-Hudson started crawling 2 weeks ago.  He is on the move and into everything.

-Hudson can also pull up on things.  He's not real good at this one but he'll get there.

-he can sign "milk".

-he is still not a good sleeper but we are working on it.  we've decided to take a more natural route so he is taking all sort of "flowers and dirt".

- he has added the sound mamamamamma.  I love this one.

- he will say mmmmm after taking a yummy bite.

- he is starting to really want me all the time or at least be able to see me.

- Hud is starting to get a sense of humor and will laugh at silly things.

- I love watching and playing with this kid.  It is really cool to see him figure stuff out.  He is super smart...like his dad.

- he LOVES his dad.  He will perk up when Nathan comes home and get really excited.  They read together and wrestle.  I'm thinking he will end up a daddy's boy.

I can't begin to explain my love for this kid.  He is so happy and so full of joy.  I'm so thankful for him and his sweet spirit.

Hudson is 7 months!

Our little man is growing so fast!

Hudson is getting so big and doing so many new things.  He's had a cold and I've taken him to the Dr. twice so that they can tell me that.  It's hard when you they can't tell you what's wrong.  Anyways, because of that I know that he is 19lbs 2oz.  

Hudson is so close to crawling.  He was going backwards for a while but now he is turning in circles or rolling everywhere to get where he wants.  Yesterday was the first day he was into everything.  Nathan and I are going to have to baby proof our space real soon.  

We went to see my sister at Thanksgiving and Hudson loved her kids.  You could tell he wanted to be running around with them so bad.  He didn't really sleep very much because he was so into watching his cousins.  

We love our little man.  He is so sweet and kind and funny and smart and most important he really is filled with God's spirit.  

Hudson is half way there!(to one that is)

Hudson Wayne:
17.7lbs
27.5in


Our little man Hudson is 6 months old.  He is more awesome than ever!

It seems like everyday he does new tricks.  Here are as many as I can remember....

-he eats 3 meals a day now and loves it.  So far he has eaten butternut squash and sweet potatoes and apples.  He is doing really well.

- he has his two bottom teeth and i think more on the way

-he can now get up on his hands and knees

-he is a log rollin' machine. he can roll across the floor now

-when he wants something or is excited to see something he will wave his hands like crazy

-we started letting him sit up in the bath tub and he loves it.  he will cry when we take him out now.

-he has learned to "get mad" and it's pretty funny.  He will growl at usually only me and it usually means he is tired.

-he loves to be sung to.  His favorites are The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Oh what a rain it would be and You are my Sunshine(rock version)

-he is still really full of joy pretty much always

a word on his sleeping....

This week I tried to sleep train him again.  It was horrible and then he ended up getting a cold so now he can't breathe.  I've felt so much anxiety over this for about 4 months now.  So I decided to not be anxious about it and just let it be.  We are putting him in his crib at first but if he wakes up and won't go back in he just sleeps with us.  This has been great!  Since then he usually sleeps for about 3-5 hours on his own.  And I'm much less anxious and starting to believe that one day he will sleep all night on his own.  Praise God!

We love Hudson so much.  In fact we often ask each other if other parents love their kids as much as we do.  He is so great and such a huge blessing from God!

Hudson Wayne is 5 Months(and 2 weeks) Old!

Once again, I am late.  But at least our Hudson is still 5 months old.

He is so cute and getting cuter all the time.

Here are some of things about Hudson:

Hudson is talking a lot lately.  He has even talked to my sister and my mom on the phone.  I think he knows what to do with a phone.

He is getting into everything and he can't even move yet.

Hudson can almost sit up by himself.

He is eating cereal and really loves it.  In fact, if you don't feed him fast he will growl at you.

Hudson is getting better at naps but still doesn't sleep well at night.  He loves to sleep with us and we don't really care right now.  It's not comfortable but at least I feel like I'm getting some rest.

Hudson seems like he is playing with more meaning lately.  I'm not sure if that makes sense but he has a purpose when playing with a toy now.

We love Hudson so much and are blessed every day by this little boy.

Hudson Wayne is 4 months old!

Our little Huddy Buddy is 4 months old now!  In the last few weeks he has learned so many new things.  It's amazing how he grows so quickly.

Here are some of the new things he is doing...

He can now roll-over from back to front and is really close to getting front to back.

When he rolls over he is really good an reaching for toys or getting them out of the way.

Hudson can now pull up to sitting position while holding my fingers.

He can also put his toes in his mouth and suck on them.  It's super cute and also very messy.

He smiles a lot and will listen to conversations really well.

Recently we went to Oklahoma so that my side of the family could meet Hudson.  While we were there he got an ear infection.  It was really sad but I'm glad that it is on the mends now.

Hudson is not a great sleeper.  Since he rolls over now he is not sure how to sleep.  It's been a long couple of weeks.  But we are in sleep camp right now so hopefully this phase will pass.

His doctors appointment is next week so I'm not sure how much he weighs yet or how long he is.

Hudson is such a blessing and full of joy.  We love him more and more everyday!

A little bragging...

Hudson has been really watching us eat lately.  He will follow every bite from the plate to your mouth.  Tonight he was watching me eat and as I put the food in my mouth he would put his hand in his mouth.  He is so smart.

Later tonight while Nathan was putting him to bed he started "singing".  I was in the room and wondering what if something was wrong when I remembered that I forgot to sing him his going to bed song that I sing every night.  So Nathan sang it to him and he stopped singing and went to sleep.  

Hudson is so smart and fun.  I love this kid more everyday.

3 months old

i am late on this post and hudson is actually 3 1/2 months old now. Hudson is awesome.  We love everyday with him and feel even more blessed.

Hudson recently had to go to Mercy Children's Hospital to get a hernia checked out.  He does not have to have surgery just yet but will if we see it again.

They weighed Hudson and he is 14lbs 2oz.  He is still so long.

He can do lots of fun tricks now.

He sits up really well and can sit in his Bumbo Seat and his Exersaucer really well.
He will stick out his tounge if you stick yours out at him.
He can almost roll over.
He is very smiley and will laugh at us now too.
He is starting to like his car seat a little bit more which is so a relief

Hudson is truly full of joy. You can't help but be happy when your around him.  We love him more and more every day and will most likely burst soon.

2 Months

Hudson is 2 months old!  I love how much he is growing.  I always hear people say how sad they are that their child is getting old but I'm loving it.  It's so much fun to see how much they learn and how each day is new.

Here are some of Hudson's stats...

11 lbs 8 oz
24 inches long

Hudson  is smiling a lot lately. He smiles at us and will laugh at us too.

He loves his play mat and will lay down and hit and grab at the toys.

He loves looking in the mirror at the baby who makes funny faces back at him.

He can roll over to his side and I think he will most likely sleep on his tummy some day.

Hudson sleeps great.  He wakes up usually around once a night and goes to bed anywhere from 7-8pm.

He is our Happy Hudson and we are blessed!

Hudson Wayne is One Month!

Actually Hudson is 6 weeks but I've been behind.

Hudson came into our life really about 10 months ago. But he made his appearance on April 22nd.  He was 8lbs and 1oz and 20ins long.  Nathan and I have been in love with him from the first day.  Hudson is amazing and totally a gift from God.  He is a great baby and we are filled with joy now that he is in our life.

At Hudson's one month appointment he was 9lbs 6oz and 22in. He is our growing boy!

He has started to smile more and is focusing more on our faces.  I'm pretty sure he can identify both of our voices.  He likes tummy time and I think he will sleep on his tummy when he is a little older.  He sleeps really well for a newborn. He is waking up about 2 times in the middle of the night. Naps during the day are still a mystery...somedays he takes them and somedays he waits till 4 to nap.

We love Hudson and can't thank God enough for him!

We cannot begin to imagine...

Yesterday Nathan's mom got us our baby book.  One of the pages in it has things you list things that are going on in the world when your baby is born.  I was looking at it last night and I mentioned to Nathan that there are so many news stories going on and maybe even more when this little guys arrives.  There are so many life changing events happening in our world right now.  I'm kinda glad that the only top story won't be the Royal Wedding.

I was looking through the newspaper today and was amazed at how much is going on right now.  Japan, Libya, Yemen, The Royal Wedding, Haiti, Egypt, March Madness, and if your local here in KC the train show are all headlines.

The first few paragraphs of the article about Egypt caught my attention.  Today, many Egyptians are voting for the first time ever.  Many of the young people are taking pictures of their ink stained fingers and sending them to each other via mobile phone.  The paper had one story of a 48 year old father whose son went to his house and lifted him over his shoulder because he couldn't walk and that man got to cast his vote for the first time today.  Amazing.

Every time I see or read one of these stories I always say, "We cannot imagine anything like this."  I don't think I've ever been that excited about voting.  I admit that if it weren't for those "I Voted" stickers I would have a hard time getting myself to go.  That's so sad to say.

Somehow through all the sadness and things that I cannot begin to understand, I'm reminded that God is there.  Praise God that people in Egypt are getting to vote today. I think these are the stories I will write in our son's baby book.  I want him to know that God is working in the midst of all the conflict in our world today.  I hope I can raise him to be thankful for things that I take for granted.

Ways I know I'm almost done...

I feel like I've been pregnant forever.  But the end is in sight.  I know this for a few reasons. 

First, I will not drive long distances anymore.  This is huge because I really don't like where I live and would love to go to the city or Columbia anytime instead of being here.  But I'm done until this baby gets here.

Second, I've been joking lately and telling the baby at night that he can't come today because I am too tired.  But today after not sleeping well and being in the car all day and feeling like I have mono right now....yes that is how tired I am...I have told him that if he wants to come it's ok.  Really he should wait one more week but it will work out.

Third, in the last week I have cried just about every day over really dumb things.

Fourth, we have a towel rack for a dish towel that is to be used for drying your hands.  My blood starts to boil every time I go in and find it on the counter instead of it's home.  I haven't told my husband how mad this makes me because I know it's just hormones and very silly.  So I'm trying to ignore it for now.

I have had an amazing pregnancy.  I haven't had too many complaints and for the most part I have enjoyed it.   However, I am more than anything ready to meet this little man.  I can't wait to see him and fall more in love with him than I already have.

If you look above at my count down....

You will see that my watermelon is almost home!  That's all.

Valentines Gifts

This was Nathan's Valentine.  So glad Mother Nature worked with me.

And the following is my version of an "edible" bouquet for Nathan's Mom for Valentines.  I also made the card.  This was before it turned over in the car.

A good book

When I was in Africa, my cousin Adam asked me if I knew a professor who taught creative writing named David James Duncan.  I had heard of him but not had his class yet.  Adam was reading a bunch of his books at the time and one he told me about was River Teeth.  This book is great.  It's a bunch of short stories that are written so well you feel like you are a part of what's going on.
If you are looking for a good book to read I recommend this one.  It's nice to pick it up and read some of my favorite stories every once in a while.  My favorites are Her Idiots and Mickey Mantel's Khoen.
Just thought I'd share.

Silwee Berries

I'm one of those people who notices things that most don't.  If you are going to a National Park you would want to take me because I will be the one who points out animals that most people won't see.  

Yesterday I saw some things in my strawberries.  I can hear my niece, Morgandy saying, "Aunt Lana, that's silwee."

This berry is very patriotic.  It's the USA...well minus Florida.

 This one is a chicken.

This one is just a smile.  

I tried really hard to see Mother Mary in one of these berries.  But she is not here.  I would keep looking but I have eaten them all in excitement of seeing what is inside.

Snow.

I love the snow.  I know it can be hard to drive in and can cause school to last a long time but there are so many good things about it.  Here are some of my reasons why I love the snow.

Snow makes everything peaceful.  

                                            

                                           Candles smell better and feel warmer when there is

                                           snow outside.

                                           Brownies taste better(notice the cute snoopy plate)

Hot beverages taste better and warm you up.

I made this chai from scratch and it is so good!

                                        

                                          Snow makes everything look pretty.  Even the most

                                          common decorations.

Snow give you great memories.  This is Montana snow.

I loved coming here to cross-country ski.  It feels like your in a post card or Narnia.

Snow is fun to play in.

I feel like God gives us snow when we need a break.  So enjoy your day off(if you have one) and take time to rest, read, write a letter to a friend, or talk to God. I'm thankful for the snow and the day with Nathan tomorrow.

So cute...

Look at what I found!  These are too cute and kinda expensive but really worth it.

Who will be Jesus to him...

When I was younger I hear a song on the radio with the words, "Who will be Jesus to them. Who'll show the love that restores them again. They do not need a judge, they need a friend. Who will be Jesus to them."  I heard it once and never heard it again.  This was before internet was popular or at least in my life so I couldn't go look up the name of it.  Instead it has been forever engraved in my mind.


There are certain times when this song comes back into my mind.  I'm sure it's when God is trying to tell me something.  Last Sunday this song was playing loud and clear.  I had been flying home on Saturday and it wasn't until late that night that I heard about the Tragedy in Tucson.  Nathan mentioned it to me right before I went to bed.  It wasn't until the next morning when I realized what a true tragedy it really was. I felt so bad for the victims and their families.  I have been through a tramatic time before and I couldn't help but think that this was only the beginning of this time for them.  The nightmares and constant thought of that day will follow them for along time.  I hope that they will seek help and I pray that they have comfort that surrounds them.  


But there was one person in all of this that I'm sure God has put on my heart, the young man who did all this.  When I see his photo on the news I can't help but think, "who was Jesus to him."  I'm sure most people would think I'm crazy and that he doesn't deserve a thought.  However, he was made by the same God who made everyone else in this world.  He was made to be a child of God and to have a purpose in life.  Unfortunately, he was lost. As most of us do, he got on the wrong track but he stayed there.  He was obviously very sick and needed help.  


Nathan and I are in the process of becoming church planters.  But first we are Christians and children of God.  We were both made for a purpose, like Jared Loughner.  Our jobs are not with the school district, but with Jesus. We are here to "be Jesus" to anyone and everyone.  In the media there are so many "what if" questions about what happened in Tucson. What if someone had crossed that young mans path and showed him Jesus days before the shooting?  Would he have changed his mind and maybe even given his life back to Jesus? It most likely doesn't help to ask "what ifs" in these times.  But it makes me think of something that Paul said in Colissians 4:5..make the most of every opportunity.  Every time we see someone we need to be sharing Jesus with them in some way. 


It's not too late for this young man to find Jesus.  As we pray for the victims and their families we can pray for him and for his family.  We can pray that God will put someone in his life now and help him see Jesus.  We can pray that this won't happen again and that others who are also lost will be found.  After all, "he does not need a judge he needs a friend. So who will be Jesus to him."

Trying to be great for God

I'm so thankful that I got to spend the holidays in Florida with my family.  It has been very refreshing to spend time with them and get to see everyone.  I love coming here and always get sad when I have to return.
I've had some major anxiety about returning to Missouri this time.  I am looking forward to seeing Nathan after being away from him for a week.  But that's about it.  Every day there is a challenge in just about every area of life.  I've spend the last week praying about going back and asking God to help me live a life for Him.  Today I had a feeling that I was made to do great things for God and His kingdom.  But in Missouri I'm not great.  I'm depressed and sad and just trying to make it to the next day.  I do try.  I try very hard to fit into a Missouri life.  This is where I go wrong.  I need to try more to fit into God's kingdom instead of this place that is definitely not my home.
I still have some anxiety about going back to Missouri but I feel like I've also had enough rest and encouragement here that I can work hard to live a great life.

Morgandy Moran...Super kid!

I'm very impressed by this 4 year old, Morgandy.  She makes me very excited and full of hope that I can raise an awesome kid.
Morgandy is the least picky eater I have ever met.  Her mom tells me that it's because she doesn't get a choice.  I hope to teach my kids to eat or at least try everything.  I want my children to be as healthy as they can be and learn that very early on.
She also loves to help around the house.  Helping out is fun for her.  She loves to help cook and clean and she even was excited to put up the Christmas tree today(my least favorite thing to do).  She took off ornaments and helped us put them in a box.  It was so much fun to see her excited and not think that being helpful is awful.  She even gets excited and asks to help you in whatever you are doing.
I look forward to having my own little helper...in a couple of years of course.  Don't worry I won't make my newborn do the dishes.  But I will make sure he knows that being a helper is fun.