Three things Hudson loves right now: the stairs, the elliptical machine, and the shoe shelf.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The people in my life
Working at a community college the last 4 1/2 years has been a very interesting, challenging, deepening experience for me. I have worked hard at times, not so hard at times, and spent countless hours listening and talking with students about life issues I sometimes can't believe they are experiencing. My days are filled with encounters that I find both fulfilling and exhausting. When I think my life is complicated or difficult, I can stop and think of any number of students I've known here and feel silly for complaining or not being thankful for the abundance of blessings in my life. These students have taught me so much, and I can only pray that my life and our time together has impacted them in some small way as well.
Lately though, it's been hard to hear some of the stories my students have gone through. I'm thankful for the counseling classes I've taken, and the skills I've developed as I walk through life with these people. They often feel comfortable sharing their most difficult and personal life experiences with me, and I am so thankful they have. Yet there are days when the burden weighs very heavy on my heart, and I can't help but cry over their trials and tribulations. Abuse: sexual abuse, drug abuse, physcial abuse, mental and emotional abuse. Boyfriends abusing their kids, boyfriends beating them up, husbands making threats, witholding money, making their lives miserable. Cheating: cheating on husbands, cheating on boyfriends/girlfriends, divorce. Pregnancy: scares, miscarriages, stress over not having enough income, not having a father figure, not having insurance. Dealing with being gay, not sure if they should tell their family or friends. Fear of rejection. Lack of money, failing classes, alcoholism, parents and grandparents in the hospital. Death, suicide. Parents failing to be there for these students, when they need them most.
And I've only listed some of the topics that have come through my office this year...
How can I help them? What can I do? I do all I can to listen, support and love them. And almost always, that is just what they need. It breaks my heart more often than they know, and I should be praying for them every second I can. But I'm human, and i don't. Sometimes i'll just go home and cry. Or i'll hold it in until i watch a commercial with a mom hugging her son lovingly, and i'll just ball. Why do these horrible things have to happen? Where is God in all of it?
Lately I've talked to one of my students about the idea that "God never gives you more than you can handle." This woman has gone through more life trauma than a room full of 100 others will in their entire lives. Yet she comes in every day with a smile (almost every day anyway), she prays and thanks God for her life and her blessings, and she keeps moving forward. What more can we do?
I'm thankful for the opportunity i have had to be work in the field of Higher Education. It's so much more than anyone can understand without being in it themselves. It's hard. It's fun. It's sad. It's fulfilling. And because it's so many different things, depending on the day you ask me, I may love it or be ready to get out of it. But overall, i have loved the chance i've had to experience life with so many people.
Lately though, it's been hard to hear some of the stories my students have gone through. I'm thankful for the counseling classes I've taken, and the skills I've developed as I walk through life with these people. They often feel comfortable sharing their most difficult and personal life experiences with me, and I am so thankful they have. Yet there are days when the burden weighs very heavy on my heart, and I can't help but cry over their trials and tribulations. Abuse: sexual abuse, drug abuse, physcial abuse, mental and emotional abuse. Boyfriends abusing their kids, boyfriends beating them up, husbands making threats, witholding money, making their lives miserable. Cheating: cheating on husbands, cheating on boyfriends/girlfriends, divorce. Pregnancy: scares, miscarriages, stress over not having enough income, not having a father figure, not having insurance. Dealing with being gay, not sure if they should tell their family or friends. Fear of rejection. Lack of money, failing classes, alcoholism, parents and grandparents in the hospital. Death, suicide. Parents failing to be there for these students, when they need them most.
And I've only listed some of the topics that have come through my office this year...
How can I help them? What can I do? I do all I can to listen, support and love them. And almost always, that is just what they need. It breaks my heart more often than they know, and I should be praying for them every second I can. But I'm human, and i don't. Sometimes i'll just go home and cry. Or i'll hold it in until i watch a commercial with a mom hugging her son lovingly, and i'll just ball. Why do these horrible things have to happen? Where is God in all of it?
Lately I've talked to one of my students about the idea that "God never gives you more than you can handle." This woman has gone through more life trauma than a room full of 100 others will in their entire lives. Yet she comes in every day with a smile (almost every day anyway), she prays and thanks God for her life and her blessings, and she keeps moving forward. What more can we do?
I'm thankful for the opportunity i have had to be work in the field of Higher Education. It's so much more than anyone can understand without being in it themselves. It's hard. It's fun. It's sad. It's fulfilling. And because it's so many different things, depending on the day you ask me, I may love it or be ready to get out of it. But overall, i have loved the chance i've had to experience life with so many people.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
10 months!
And we have ourselves a 10 month old! One who is doing all sorts of things - continuing to keep us on our toes more every day!
Hudson had a very exciting 9th month of life. :) He spend 9 days at the beach in Southern California, got 3 rounds of shots after 2 tries with antibiotics to get rid of a lingering ear infection, and got his 5th tooth! OK there's more too.
1. Hudson is eating LOTS of big boy food these days - finger foods with every meal, and more "people" food every week. Right now he's loving the melons and fresh fruits of the season, and loves drinking out of his sippy cup still. He still has about 27-30 ounces of formula a day, but also has three meals and a snack! There hasn't really been much he's said no to as far as food, but he clearly favors things he can put in his own mouth. And he's showing a lot more interest in what we put in our mouths!
2. He has been furniture walking for months now, but has added the walker and other moveable objects to the list. We're practicing our walking while holding mommy's hands, and he loves doing that as well. He has always been cautious - sits down slowly, doesn't go over the edge of the stairs, etc. so he is a little cautious as well about walking without that support of something keeping him upright. So we'll see how long it takes for him to just go for it!
3. Aside from the nasty cold he had in April, accompanied by a horrible, drawn out ear infection, Hudson has been doing well with his sleeping, etc. He sleeps about 10 1/2 −11 hours a night, and has two naps a day. Because he's moving so much now, he pretty much needs those naps to refuel!
4. Play time is pretty much all the time right now (other than sleep time). Hudson is so interested in everything going on around him, and tries to copy anything he can - or just stare at it. He loves meeting new people, Lego, being outside, reading (or ripping up) books, you name it, he loves it. He is a LOT of fun to be with, though it can be exhausting. He does so many grown up things now, with his expressions. He will copy your hiccup and cough, he plays with his hair, and if he sees you chewing he will chew as well (on nothing). He makes great noises, and is happy playing with others as well as by himself - though he's still a mama's boy all the way.
5. For his 9 month check up we found out he was 22.2 lbs - at this point I think he has to be 24 or more! He's getting SO heavy! And he's still wearing his 12-18 month clothes just fine. Yes, he's a big boy.
This weekend for his 10 month birthday he got a visit from Grandma Rosdil and Uncle Peter! We've had lots of fun hanging out, going for walks, and getting into the cupboards! Time for baby proofing those things!
Hudson you are truly an amazing little man, and we LOVE being with you, watching you grow, and sharing in all the love, smiles and happiness that fill your life every day.
Hudson had a very exciting 9th month of life. :) He spend 9 days at the beach in Southern California, got 3 rounds of shots after 2 tries with antibiotics to get rid of a lingering ear infection, and got his 5th tooth! OK there's more too.
1. Hudson is eating LOTS of big boy food these days - finger foods with every meal, and more "people" food every week. Right now he's loving the melons and fresh fruits of the season, and loves drinking out of his sippy cup still. He still has about 27-30 ounces of formula a day, but also has three meals and a snack! There hasn't really been much he's said no to as far as food, but he clearly favors things he can put in his own mouth. And he's showing a lot more interest in what we put in our mouths!
2. He has been furniture walking for months now, but has added the walker and other moveable objects to the list. We're practicing our walking while holding mommy's hands, and he loves doing that as well. He has always been cautious - sits down slowly, doesn't go over the edge of the stairs, etc. so he is a little cautious as well about walking without that support of something keeping him upright. So we'll see how long it takes for him to just go for it!
3. Aside from the nasty cold he had in April, accompanied by a horrible, drawn out ear infection, Hudson has been doing well with his sleeping, etc. He sleeps about 10 1/2 −11 hours a night, and has two naps a day. Because he's moving so much now, he pretty much needs those naps to refuel!
4. Play time is pretty much all the time right now (other than sleep time). Hudson is so interested in everything going on around him, and tries to copy anything he can - or just stare at it. He loves meeting new people, Lego, being outside, reading (or ripping up) books, you name it, he loves it. He is a LOT of fun to be with, though it can be exhausting. He does so many grown up things now, with his expressions. He will copy your hiccup and cough, he plays with his hair, and if he sees you chewing he will chew as well (on nothing). He makes great noises, and is happy playing with others as well as by himself - though he's still a mama's boy all the way.
5. For his 9 month check up we found out he was 22.2 lbs - at this point I think he has to be 24 or more! He's getting SO heavy! And he's still wearing his 12-18 month clothes just fine. Yes, he's a big boy.
This weekend for his 10 month birthday he got a visit from Grandma Rosdil and Uncle Peter! We've had lots of fun hanging out, going for walks, and getting into the cupboards! Time for baby proofing those things!
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Hanging around La Jolla with the fam
We were staying real close to the cove where the seals come to hang out, so we went over a few times to check it out!
It's been five months since Hudson had seen uncle Jonathan, so we had to take some new pictures! I LOVE both of these shots!
Uncle, Auntie, we had a GREAT time seeing you both!! (and Theo too!)
One day we went down to PB and rented some beach cruisers to ride along the boardwalk. We stopped to eat lunch on the beach, and of course play in the sand and water! The wind was cooler that day, but Hudson was still anxious to get his toes wet. Seriously, it was so adorable to watch (and listen) to him get excited when he saw the water!
Family photo!
Touch the sand...
look at it...
taste it...
YUM!
Then he applauded himself. Good job Hudson, way to eat sand.
Time with Auntie Abbie
Hudson enjoyed chewing on my sunglasses...and he looks pretty good in them too!
Sea World
We went to Sea World one day with Abbie, Jonathan and Theo - it was lots of fun! Hudson made it through the dolphin show, but wasn't quite able to last until the shamoo show...:( but we have our year pass, so we'll be back!
Vacay continued: on to San Diego!
We rented a place in La Jolla for the week, about a block from the Wind and Sea beach - so our first day we walked down to let Hudson experience the ocean and sand - and he was instantly in LOVE. Every time we saw the ocean after that, he would start chattering and get all excited. It was the coolest thing for me...cause i feel the same way when I see the ocean. :)
Hudson quickly checked out the place and hit his head on every place he could. Childproofing couldn't happen quick enough.
WE had our own private patio, which was used for breakfast, snack, and just lounging while Hudson took his naps!
Mommy and son enjoying a slice of heaven - looks like Hudson needs sunglasses though!
First experience sitting on the sand...he didn't know what to think at first, but quickly realized he should try tasting it to see if that helped.
Once he got his hands/feet in the water, he was all about it!
This is where Hudson ate his meals - we borrowed a high chair from Abbie's friend, which was awesome! It was small place, not the best shape, but it was so great to be there and be able to get around so easily!
Happy boy - we went for walks every day, and man, the people in La Jolla have beautiful yards!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)