Hudson is 1!! (and a little bit)

Our sweet #4 successfully turned the big 1. The night before he was so excited, he could hardly sleep. He had visions of balloons, wrapping paper, and his own birthday cake with no competition from his siblings dancing around in his curly haired head. How glorious!

While I was up with my birthday boy in the wee hours of the morning, it got me thinking about his real birth day. Instantly he became my favorite, since he came on his own (without the aid of a pitocin drip), and 2 weeks early. I had yet to have the experience of the twilight husband nudge and the rush to the hospital, something I really hoped I would eventually have. My labor started at about 11:00 the night before and pushed me into a house cleaning, laundry doing, dish washing frenzy that had been about 9 months neglected. Then, at about 2:45 a.m. I nudged John-Erik (hooray!) and told him that we needed to go to the hospital. His reaction was a dramatic moving over in the bed. After more persuasion and a few more not-so-gentle shoulder prods, we grabbed the bag I had prepared and called my dad to get my sister over here pronto. My dad responded with "uh, um, uh, oh... labor?" I responded affirmative, and off we went. Less than 2 hours later, we were now a family of 6.

Hudson was born looking exactly like that guy in the Princess Bride who says "Inconceivable!!" all the time.

He blessed us with 2 teeth before he had turned 3 months old. He was an adventurer from the start!! When he grew out of his new baby cry, he developed his signature fuss, the "Forrest Gump". You know that scene in Forrest Gump, the part where the school principal tells Forrest that "your mama sure does care about your schooling, son". Hudson has Forrest's breathy "eee, eee, eee" reply down. And he has never even seen Forrest Gump!!! Amazing.

But when pushed into a further fit, he doesn't cry with an "aaaah" like other babies. His is more of an "ooooh" that makes his lips stick out in the most delicious pouty face I have ever seen. Sometimes I make him cry just to get his adorable pucker lips going.


He is so close to walking right now. He lets go of things just to test his balance all the time. That is when I swoop in and kick his legs out from under him. We have got to keep this one small for as long as possible. It's gone by too fast already.

Happy Birthday, my Buster Blue Eyes. Your goofy gap toothed smile and lack of a real laugh is such an immense blessing to this crazy circus family. We adore you.

From the Mouths of Babes

As soon as Leah learned how to write an "M", I started having her write "mom" all the time. I know, a little self-serving, but we mom's have to take our rewards whenever we can, right?


Well, sometimes she can't remember how many O's and M's there are. So sometimes there are two of each.



Then, the other day we had Harrison's friend in the car with us. We were driving along and the boys were trying to impress each other with their spelling prowess. They would each take turns spelling harder and harder words. Leah was so excited to get involved in this and said "I know how to spell mom!!!" The boys encouraged her with their sweet amazement and asked her to do it. Slowly she spelled out "M....o....o". I waited and waited for that other "M", but it never came.

I think I need to get back to the gym.

A good day

We received good news today. My mom called me with gladness in her voice. It was like opening up the windows and letting in a warm spring breeze. Even better than that (can it get better than that?) - she laughed. A real laugh. Her true "I'm feeling happy" laugh. Her laugh is wonderful. It was like music to me today. I haven't heard it for a while now. But, there it was. Right at the surface just like it used to be. She was wonderful. And then, she told me that I had helped her. I started crying. Isn't it funny that no matter how old you get, that you now have children of your own, it still feels so good to have your mom tell you that you have done well. I think of Abigail sitting at the piano, practicing her little heart out. She then turns to me and says "Was that good, mom?" Aren't we always looking for approval? And doesn't it feel so delicious to have it? It was like warm sunlight shining right down onto my bald head.

I had been feeling a little helpless for awhile. I have these 4 beautiful children, and I can't always be there for mom. It's a delicate balance with the frantic effort in trying to do whatever I can for her, and the reassurance to the kids that grandma is going to be okay. I have become a tight rope walker, which is not fun at all. But there I was on the phone with my sweet, wonderful mom, having her tell me that I had made something a little easier for her. As I drove to her house to take her shopping, tears of joy came with. She is working so hard right now, and doing it with such strength and grace. She is doing all the heavy lifting, and still she said that I had eased that burden - even if it was by just a little bit. She managed to comfort me. And then we went shopping, just like we always did. She colored with Leah and laughed again as she teased her. There was sunshine again. It was amazing; almost as amazing as she is.

Skinhead Convention

So, my beautiful, funny, warm, loving, amazing mom has cancer. She has been going through radiation for a little bit and is about to start her chemo. At the end of radiation, she lost her hair. So we, her very rowdy bunch, wanted to try to show her just how much she means to us (even though that would be physically impossible), and decided to lop off our locks right along with her.


It started out just as a dad thing. He was not going to let my mom do this by herself. He is totally smitten and would absolutely do ANYTHING to make my mom feel better about all of this. My bro Brandon (Mr. AC/DC) was next, and he bic'ed his head down to the scalp. Then, bro-in-law Scott (with the goatee) got in on the act. But, the ladies in our family have never been outdone by the men. Never. So, we joined in. I went first (in the white), and my sis Tracy (in the blue) brought up the rear. Once the hair was flying, even the kids got involved!! Abigail, Harrison, and cute Isaac brought the total up to 8 baldies, and 1 super short new 'do.



I was so proud of my guys. They were completely involved in this exciting show of support for Grandma. Leah had cut her own hair just recently (she was so proud), so the only thing she was able to add were some hats. But, Abigail and Harrison went all out for the very best Grandma in the world.

before

after



Harrison was excited to be one of the guys. But, it was my sweet, sweet Abigail who really stole the show. My amazing Abigail, who has never had a "real" haircut (just trims from mom on the bottom) decided to cut off over 10 inches to donate her hair to Locks of Love in Grandma's name. She was so excited to be able to help out another little girl. I was so, so proud of my brave, supportive, wonderful kids.

But, that's my amazing mom for you. She brings out the best in everyone. She just radiates so much love and happiness, that there isn't anything we wouldn't do for her. Her smile is so infectious, and her laugh is wonderfully contagious. We would stop at nothing to make her feel better and keep those things right at the surface. Even cut off our hair and look like a we run a crazy skinhead circus. WHATEVER it takes, mom. It's all so, SO worth it. We love you bunches.

Our Bubba Lubba

Happy Birthday, Bubba

Our sweet Harrison is now 6 years old. I can't believe our chubby baby who had a mouth almost as big as his head is now the big 6. He is truly our boy's boy. He is rough and tumble. He is smart as a whip. And he is also the world champ at computer and video games. He probably is more computer literate than me. He takes such pride in learning something new, and will practice until he has mastered it. He loves to read, write stories, and play the piano. He is into all kinds of sports. But, the best thing about Harrison is his sweetness. He has the softest heart in that crazy on the go body. Even when he was tiny, he hated when I put Abigail in a time-out; even if it was because she had been mean to him. He would sit by the door until it was time for her to say her sorrys. He cares so much for his sisters and brother. They are really his best friends.

Some of our favorite things about Harrison are that has a SEVERE aversion to diapers, even to the point of almost throwing up when I change one. He also can avoid doing his chores by simply falling asleep. And he can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. If we get him at a 45 degree angle, he is out. And so completely out that I have even hammered a nail into the wall above where he was sleeping and put a picture up in his room with him not so much as even stirring. I can jump on his bed while he is asleep and nothing. Trust me. It's been proven.

Harrison makes us happy every single day. We sure love you, Bubba. I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

Harrison's top 6:

Favorite places to go: Toys R Us, Myan restaurant, Jaxon's house, Ryan's house, school, Grandma and Papa's.
Favorite things to eat: Cereal, oatmeal, fruit snacks, orange chicken, chips, licorice (isn't he so healthy?).
Favorite things to do: play with toys, play with friends, play with dinosaurs, play with transformers, write stories, play video games.
Things he is the very best at: exercising, getting stronger, eating better, being nice, reading, loving his family

All by Mr. Harrison himself.

Here We Go Again

After tickling the kids mercilessly this morning until they BEGGED me to let them get out of bed and get ready for school, I started opening the blinds in the house to let the wonderful sunshine in. And that's when it happened. I said a bad word (well, not really. But it does make this story more dramatic, doesn't it?). There was snow. Everywhere. More and more of that yucky white stuff that I despise. Even Abigail was not happy about it, and she is one of those crazies that like snow.


There was not supposed to be snow today!!! Where are the weather people?!? I want some answers!! I was expecting warm sunshine today. Short sleeves and riding bikes. Instead, I am accosted by this mess. Even the cookies that I had to put on the back porch because I burned them so badly last night are covered.



It was just yesterday that I was thinking about bringing in our little snowman from the flower beds because he was going to melt. But, it is still February, after all. I guess he still has a few more days to enjoy the outside. But, as of Harrison's birthday on Sunday, Mr. Snowman will have worn out his welcome.


We do have some hope of getting out of this rut. Every few days we are lucky enough to have a glimpse of the summer to come. On those days, we celebrate by wearing our dress up clothes outside, leaving the snaps to our pants undone, and having ice cream picnics in the front yard.




It will come. I know it will. The snow will melt and we will have summer. The bad times never last, and after we have made it through them we can really, REALLY enjoy the good. I can take the snow for a little bit longer. It will just make the summer that much sweeter.
It makes me think of you, mom. We just have to get through this last snowstorm, and then we will have many, many, many more wonderful summers together. Filled with ice cream picnics on your back porch, walks to get the mail, and watching hummingbirds from the kitchen windows. I can't wait.

Grandma Had a Heart Attack!!!

Our grandma had been gone for a little bit, and the kids were missing her terribly. When she came home they decided it would be fun to give her a heart attack to welcome her back.







So we broke out all the craft junk and got to work. These kids have mad crafting skills. They had a purpose. They were driven. They weren't going to stop until they collapsed. We lost count of all the hearts we made, but Harrison was convinced that it was over 100,000.


This is one of my favorites. It's a picture of Harrison holding Grandma's hand. He even drew her glasses.

The next morning, after a proper cleanup from the fire department, a HAZMAT team, and the Board of Health, we headed out to Grandma's and Papa's. They were out running some errands and had no idea what we were up to (insert an evil laugh here).






Thank heavens the weather cooperated with us, right? But, the heart attack was not completely covered by the snow before Grandma could see it, which was good. The snow did not last and had melted the next morning. So, all in the neighborhood were able to see how our Grandma is WAY better than anybody else's Grandma. Too bad that we are completely incapable of making enough hearts to show Grandma how much we love her. There isn't enough craft junk in the world to do that.
We love you Grandma. More than we could ever say.

Fancy Bums

You know those diaper covers that little girls wear?



The ones with ruffles all over the bottom? We call them fancy bums.



He's going to hate that name when he gets to High School.

My Arch Nemesis

Hello Laundry. We meet again.




I have succumbed to your powers in the past. I have been overwhelmed at the size and force of your numbers.



My attempts at defeating you in previous encounters have been thwarted by your partners in crime; the rummaging children, the multiple clothes changers, and the husband who can't tell a Leah shirt from an Abigail shirt.



But not today. Today, I have found the strength to wash, dry, fold, and put away 6 peoples laundry. Today, I will convince my children with every last "hooray for you!", "aren't you so helpful!", and promise of sprinkles on ice cream to get them to hang up their shirts and put their pants in their drawers. Today, I will have an EMPTY laundry room, and I will SLEEP WELL tonight!!!!

I will be victorious this time, laundry. Today, I will be Supermom. Until we meet again next week....

The Lean In

Everytime I need to carry Hudson anywhere (for a diaper change, to get in his high chair, etc) my lips are glued to his chubby cherub cheeks. I slobber all over him all the way down the hall. Sometimes the response is not so favorable. I get a grumpy fuss and the push away. But today was my favorite reaction. The lean in. I kiss, kiss, kiss and then pull away. He grins and leans those delectable, chewable cheeks right back to me for more. And repeat, and repeat. These are the times that I beg myself to burn into my brain, so that I can always remeber what he is like when so little and loving. When mommy is funny and magically knows everything, and her kisses are not just endured, but actually searched out and leaned into.

The Cabin in the Woods

John-Erik told me that this weekend we had been invited to our friend Ryan's cabin. A cabin? In the mountains? Where the snow is? To me, that sounded like my version of H-E-double hockey sticks. Heaven is a sunny beach with warm sand and seagulls attacking my lunch. That place where the naughty kids go is not hot; it is very, very cold with lots of snow.

Hudson's feelings on all the snow

But we were more than pleasantly surprised. The cabin was a fantastic place full of 60s warmth and happiness. It was a sunny and beautiful day, and the cabin was so sweet and inviting. Plus, the view was spectacular.


Then, the 2 bigguns, dad, and Ryan took off to sledding (Leah "does not yike" sledding. She's got too much of her mama in her). So much fun. Nobody broke any bones, and everyone was happy walking back in the door. SUCCESS!!













After consuming about a year's worth of hot chocolate, we just relaxed, soaked up the sun, and immensely enjoyed the company of each other. No distractions, just us and the kids to focus on. What could be better?






Thanks, Ryan. It was wonderful.