ONE YEAR

One year ago today, my little Hudson was born. He said his first hello to the world, peed on me, cried, then won our hearts over forever. It's strange to think about everything that's happened - in some ways it feels like it's lasted a long time, in other ways it seems to have flown by. I still think the first few months were the worst...but some of my favorite memories from this last year were in those first few months. His first smile, watching him figure out that he can control his hands - and get them into his mouth, the first time he rolled over on Christmas Day. And these memories were only a few months ago! Yea, time is a strange thing. 

Well, I want to make sure I capture who this one year old is as best as I can in this blog, so we can all look back on it and remember some of the little things that warmed our hearts so much and made us laugh. So here goes. 

Who is Hudson, the one year old? 

He is a boy who LOVES: 

• Water
• Laughing
• Being with people
• Pointing
• Lego
• My cell phone (yes, he knows how to unlock it and hand it to me to get his game open)
• Jumping on the couch
• Hugging his teddy bear
• His pacifier! After 11 1/2 months of NOT taking a pacifier, now he loves it. 
• Watching video of himself (our favorite dinner activity)
• Reading (he flips through the books and reads to himself)
• Being outside
• Playing Peak-a-boo
• Eating with his hands, and trying to eat with the spoon
• Chewing on his sippy cup, and occasionally drinking out of it
• Family - it's clear this little boy LOVES being with his family
• Dancing (even when you say the word he bobs up and down)
• Climbing - then jumping on whatever he climbs on
• Light switches
• Laughing
• Water (yes, these last two definitely needed to be repeated)
• And of course so much more...

At one year, Hudson wears 12 month to 2T clothes (depending on brand), size 5 shoe, goes to bed at about 7pm and wakes up between 5:30-6:00, eats three meals a day plus about 30 oz of formula and water, takes one to two naps a day depending on what's going on and who's around that he would rather spend time with than sleep, and still doesn't like riding in the car - unless he has a pacifier, which extends his tolerance by a good amount. 

He is a HAPPY boy, smiling and laughing easily at those he interacts with. He is fascinated, focused and determined - interested in the world around him and seemingly excited to learn the who's, how's and why's in his little life. He lights up when he sees his mommy and daddy, which sparks a feeling in my heart I have never felt before. He will play by himself, but prefers the company of others. He's learned to swing his arms and hit, but knows how to give "gentle touches" as well, when he wants to. 

Hudson started walking at 11 1/2 months, but still hasn't mastered the art of it, so goes back and forth with a crawl/furniture cruise/walk technique. He is amazingly quick to pick up on things, and we currently anticipate that he'll be excellent at everything he tries. :) Of course we do, we're his parents. But in all honesty, even the doctor told us he has excellent motor skills. :) 

The bottom line is, he is a fantastic child. He's the best part of our lives. And though we are often wiped out at the end of each day (especially when you add in the full time job part), I can't wait to walk into his room the next morning and see him sitting there smiling at me. 

I love you so much, Hudson. Happy Birthday little monkey.