Halloween Photo Shoot

Since I've had Hudson, I admit I've been addicted to professional pictures.  I don't care if they are JCPenny's (which I love) or our summer pictures by Sarah G, or a mini session from a Hawk Pics.  So for Halloween I booked a mini session for my little Ewok.  Hudson is going to have a cousin in June from Jared's youngest brother Jordan and his wife Lissa.  Jordan asked Lissa if they were going to take as many pictures as we do with Hudson and she said "probably not".  I know, I'm a little obsessive but I LOVE LOVE LOVE them all! 

Bathtime Fun

Everybody Ready for the Barn Yard Carving

One of Hudson's favorite books is Sandra Boynton's Barnyard Dance.  It talks about getting ready for a barnyard dance.  I love to read this book and Hudson loves to hear it.  I can't remember the last time we actually carved pumpkins...maybe we never did!  Each year, my parent's neighbor Rod and Karen host a pumpkin carving party in their barn (hence the title).  I was STOKED when I heard we were invited along with all of the neighbors.  I love any excuse to get together and see friends that I don't always get to see.   I was worried though because it started at 1 and for those of you without kids, that is a scared time called "nap" that I live for.  So I knew it would be difficult but I was ready to mingle:).

Because I was chasing Hudson around, I designated Papa as our official carver.  

I chose a bat design.

Nana and Hudson watching intently.  The boy to the right is Evan who I had in my 2nd grade class when I was a student teacher soo many moons ago.  He is now in junior high, my how they grow!  My mom taught his taught his dad in 5th grade.  Small world, wonderful neighbors!

Hudson loved pushing his train all around but he was getting in the way so Nana 

held him and then he started to get a bit fussy....

Our hostess, Karen, is the farm girl in overalls on the far left.

The finished product

Rod had made these cool saddle chairs that Hudson thought was fun:).

Rod and my dad ride Harley's together so I thought it was appropriate that Huddy 

wear his biker gear (aka the shirt).

It was a fun time with fun neighbors.  I can't wait until next year!!!

There's a First Time for Everything

I am full of surprises:).  After this rough fall, I had been wanting to do some painting.  I'd been thinking about it and I knew that it wouldn't happen until after his CPA (2 down, 2 to go) which means this summer:(.  So after a long week of running a conference in Coeur d' Alene (Jared leaving around 5am and returning around 7pm) he got a half day on Wednesday.  So what did I do?  I went out and bought paint without any discussion and decided we would paint that night.  Do you know how my loving, sweet, caring husband reacted?  He started getting ready to paint!  He put down the plastic, took off the outlet sockets, and didn't say a word.  I love that man!!!  

Hudson had so much fun and would run up and down the plastic saying "Fun!  Fun!"

 The ladder was a big hit too!

 During this whole "painting" session, Hudson was sick:(.  This is the worst ear infection he had.  So between running on the plastic he would climb up on the couch with his animals and "snuggle" as he says:).

 Then he likes to hand his animals to us and he always says "Thank You."

Coat #1-We chose a green accent wall for our living room. 

His favorite spot was the bottom of the stairs.  Notice the animals are always near by:).

Daddy helping with coat #2.  Overall, we put 3 coats on this wall.  It took us a full week; 1 week that Jared didn't get to study for his CPA but it sure made one mamma happy:).

 Thank you Jared for all your help!!!

Wordless Wednesday

18 Months Old

I blinked and he turned 1 1/2.  The past 3 months have been busy, chaotic, and frustrating but now I'm adjusted and so is my little man.  I would give and do anything for my baby boy...look at that face, wouldn't you?!

This fall has been full of changes.  This is Hudon's first time in daycare.  I was excited for daycare at first because I thought he was ready for it.  I loved that he would learn about Jesus, sing Bible songs, interact with other children, and get more stimulation...on the other hand I wasn't ready for the sadness it caused him.  He would tear up and cry but always got over it!  Now he loves "school" and is excited to go each morning.  Thank God!  Each morning when I set him down, he goes and sits on the floor with his classmates to listen to  the teacher for puppet and circle time; so cute!


Here's a few of his milsestones:

Milestones:

*Signs

• baby
• lately he has become so verbal that I just tell him the words but I do throw some signs at him randomly 

*Words

• EVERYTHING!
• football and basketball
• all animals from walrus, to tiger, to camal (the list is never ending...)
• Hudson, Kiki, Leesie (Lissa), Jordan
• pumpkin, leaves, tree
• fort, blanket
• coat, gloves, shoes, socks, hat, etc.
• mac n' cheese, sandwich, cereal (meaning cereal bar), snack, dinner, fridge
• car, home, train, airplane, boat, bike (motorcycle), garbage truck, dump truck, dozer, tractor
• He can say things "where are you" but its not as clear
• boy, girl
• He has great manners (he must get that from his dad) always saying thank you, please, again
• hot-although I don't think he really knows what it means
• coffee, drink, water, milk, juice
• if he likes something, he'll say "fun, fun"
• For snack, he likes "cheese" and "crackers"
• His favorite food might just be "ketchup" which he says
• Be careful what you say around him, he'll copy you:)

*Behavior

• He has started copying his mamma's "teacher face".  Its my stern "don't do that again" look.  
• Every older person he sees, he says "Grandma" or "Grandpa"
• Is busy!  He never sits still, maybe for a Baby Einstein but rarely for the full thing
• When he is hungry, he pulls out his high chair and says "milk" or "dinner"
• Jared has been playing on a basketball league with our neighbors and we go and watch.  When I tell him we're going to see daddy he says "basketball".  He is so good at the games, playing with his car and watching daddy.
• When Hudson is reprimanded for touching something or doing something he shouldn't, he usually listens.  He may test me 1 or 2 more times but then he stops and the game is over.  Definitely his dad's genes, not his mammas!  Right mom?!
• Tends to be a mamma's boy still, I'm not complaining!
• Wakes up most mornings with the biggest smile on his face and says "mamma"
• Goes to "school" three mornings a week where he learns about puppets, does art, fine motor skills, plays with other children, and learns about God

*Activities

• "outside" with his push train.  He always wants to go outside!!!  Sometimes we play inside with it when the weather is bad
• he loves Nana & Papa's house because of the long sidewalks for his train and four wheeler rides
• loves to watch the "kids" as he calls it, Jon & Kate Plus 8
• "Animals" watching Baby Einstein videos where he learns a lot of his vocabulary from
• Play in his fort with his chuck e cheese balls and his animals.
• Put his animals in his train caboose and push them around the house.
• Play Peek-A-Boo
• Run or as Aunt Lissa plays "Running, Running" chasing Huddy around the couches.
• Loves playing with cars and trucks
• Loves to listen to Toddler Tunes in the car-keeps him awake and he is already repeating parts of them
• Went to the fair this September and rode a train ride and looked at the "animals"

Spokane Fair 2010

Pigs!

 

In line for the train ride...a little nervous

 

It was so much fun, he did again with mamma!

*Health

• 1 ear infection in October~this one was by far the worst!

When Huddy was sick, "Animals" was the only thing that would calm him down so we could get his medicine in him.  He likes to watch them with his own "animals".  Such a nut!

*Developments

• Teeth: 4 upper, 4 lower, and 1 lower molar, OUCH! (amongst his ear infection)
• He still has a spot on his front tooth.  I don't know what its from but the doc and dentist said it's "Ok".  They think maybe its from falling as he was playing when he first got that tooth.
• We started some "room time" a few months ago where he reads, plays with puzzles, and listens to music~He loves it!
• He can eat like a tank!  He loves almost everything but is picky with meats, chicken, tofu, and other things of those textures...although he did love pumpkin pie.  I guess he's a carb lover like his mamma and dadda!  He likes to try new food on his terms.
• He can use his spoon and feed himself everything but soup.
• Starts to say home when we pull into our development
• At 18 months, he wears 24/2T clothing and size 5 shoes
• He can match his LeapFrog magnet toys that are vehicles (car, truck, boat) and the farm animals (sheep, pig, horse).  He can also do the bigger chunky and knob puzzles.
• Hudson now climbs!  He climbs on the couch, chair, his chair, the ottoman, etc.  You name it, he's trying to climb on it!

Mmm, yogurt!

Reading

Whoops!

I'll get it!

Back up again

Matching his Leap Frog

We take our role as parents very serious in the Haak House!  Its not easy at times but we want to raise him in the way of the Lord.  Huddy loves his mealtime and night time prayers and his Bible storie with daddy before bed.