This Moment

I have no excuse. I should have posted at least twice by now but have not taken the time to sit and write. So here I am, Hudson asleep all snuggled up to his favorite "black bear" having sweet dreams of climbing something and running at full speed I'm sure. For me time has taken on a new meaning in the last year. I used to measure time by days and weeks, working hard during the old 8 to 5, then looking forward to the evening and weekends to play. I now see time in much smaller increments. I have the "morning time" between 7 and 9 where we eat breakfast, play on the back deck, and do the dishes. Then the "play time" where we, well, play. Lunch soon follows - see morning schedule, only Daddy comes home to play and play for an hour. Afternoon brings a nap for Hudson and some much needed quiet time for me. We usually have an hour or two to play outside, or climb the furniture inside before daddy gets home for dinner. A crazy play time after ensues with daddy leading the way in lots of silliness and giggles. Then comes bath time, dishes and bed! I find it so interesting that time can go so slowing, and yet race by simultaneously. I may have said before, I recently heard a quote that sums life up perfectly. "The hours are long, but the years short", so true. My little boy is no longer quite so little. Last night we were at a friends home and our pastor brought his newborn son - 4 weeks old. I can barely remember when Hudson was that tiny, and if I didn't know better I'd swear he was never that small. But oh how I love each stage of life he has had. Each with its own moments, and discoveries. As a newborn he'd sit with eyes wandering around the room taking in each object as though he'd never forget it. As an infant he was giggly, content (as long as he was in some form of movement) and loved to be with people. As a toddler he wants to mimic everything we do. Whether it is walking up and down the stairs- and I do mean walking!, standing on the back deck yelling a greeting to each passerby, tucking his little chin down and running with all his might, or saying "uh uh" and throwing his head to the side when I try to feed him as he insists on feeding himself, he is his own little person with a personality that begs to be watched and interacted with. He is perhaps the most social individual I've ever met and even insists on walking the entire library, not content to relax with a book, until he has gotten every last person to say "hi" to him. I can't help but glow with pride as he is known in our church nursery as the "hugger",the "happy kid" and the "sweetheart". I could have done nothing do deserve such a little one, as I'm sure you all feel the same about your beautiful little ones. Well, I should be off to the kitchen before the dishes grow something actually able to call my name :). I hope you are a enjoying today, and the time spent playing with your little ones. Love, Kristi


Some rainy day box playing - always a winner!



Out for a snack by the river



We figure, it he is determined to climb, we should at least teach him how to do it right :)

Round and round he goes

Hudson, loves, loves his highchair and wants in it 20 times a day to play in, on and around. He can almost climb up into it now even, much to my dismay. Here is a little gibberish and silliness for you. Hope it makes you smile.

Ahhh, how I love Saturday mornings

I look forward to Saturday mornings now with great anticipation and joy. One thing we love about Canmore is the bagel shop on main street. For the last few weeks we can be found sitting at the tables on the sidewalk, soaking up the beautiful warm sunshine while we sip our mochas and eat our bagels topped with egg. Hudson has really taken a liking to it as there are inevitably a dog or two tied up near our table while their owners enjoy a nice quiet breakfast. We love to sit and watch the variety of people who show up before 9 am on the weekends. There are the rich weekenders who are on vacation, the random transient hippie, the hardcore athlete or olympian who is off to push their body to its limits, and the fathers with their children who are giving their wives a nice quite morning at home. Ahh, it is refreshing and like a bit of sunshine for my soul. We sit, we talk, we listen to the birds, play with the dogs, and enjoy ourselves immensely. From there we walk down the path to the river and park where Hudson throws as many sticks and stones in as possible (we think he may be trying for some kind of record). It is truly the highlight of my week to sit on the shore of the river watching my husband, who I love so dearly, and our son, who makes me smile more than I thought possible, search for stones larger than they can comfortably throw in order to make gigantic splashes and bring great delight to both of their adventurous spirits. They are both in their element as they run up and down the riverbank searching for objects to throw. If I'm lucky Hudson will even pick me flowers, and if I'm even luckier he will hand the flower to me instead of the river.

It's days such as today that I sit and thank the Lord for the oh so many blessings he has given.

 

 

 

 

Just for fun

Here are a few pictures that have been floating around on my memory card from the past week.

Our Mother's Day brunch excursion


Crazy hair day (most days)


Playing on the new (to us) jungle gym on the back deck (thank you garage sales!)

The Bookworm

Rarely does Hudson sit still, but the other day I came into the living room only to find him laying in the corner, on his beloved black bear, looking at books and singing to himself. It was one of those moments as a parent where I became overwhelmed with joy and love all at the same time as I watched my little boy sing "da da da" without a care in the world. I remember as I child when the biggest decision I had to make for the day was whether I wanted to climb the tree or dig in the dirt pile. One of my great desires is for my children to have the same carefree childhood. My only fear with Hudson is that he is a little too carefree. He climbs the furniture then turns to jump off not caring about what may happen at the end of the fall. He has also taken up trying to balance on the items as he climbs them. You can see the fierce determination and mischievousness in his eyes as he pushes the limits on his abilities. Never one to be content with the developmental stage he is at, he keeps me on my toes. We've been working on him calling out "Ma Ma" when he gets stuck climbing something, or needs me. It has been so much fun hearing his sweet little voice say the oh, so coveted words, but unfortunately he only has a vocabulary of one word at a time. Until recently he would only say "Da Da", even calling me "da da". Now he has switched, and will only say "ma ma" - although it sounds more like "meh meh". Dan works and works on him to get him to say "da da" but to no avail. In fact, the more we try to get him to say "da da" the louder and more commanding he says "ma ma". It leaves us in stitches with laughter every night. What a little ham and entertainer we have on our hands. He'll do anything for a laugh.

When you're having fun

oh how time flies! We celebrated our 7th anniversary this past week and I can't help but think of how much has happened during our time as Mr & Mrs. We've laughed till we cried & cried till we laughed. We've shared in the life changing experience of becoming the parents of a beautiful, joy filled, people loving, energetic, son. God's mercy has been poured out upon us through the years and we are living proof that He is in the business of revealing his heart to mankind through relationships such as marriage. We sharpen, test, encourage, applaud, entertain, praise, forgive, serve, and comfort one another. And I can't imagine life any different. So here's to marriage, and the perfect example of God's love for us that it represents.




I had to include this picture, as we got such a kick out of it. Hudson is used to, and enjoys, having his picture taken. So when I wanted to take a picture of Dan and I for our anniversary, Hudson naturally assumed he would be in it as well. As the camera's timer was counting down, Hudson walked over, sat himself down right in between us, and began staring up at the camera with a half cocked smile. He stared at the camera for about 10 minutes while we snapped away, laughing the entire time. Camera shy, he is not. We'll have to work on humility when he's a little bit older :) You can see more pictures of him from that night by clicking the slideshow.

How we spend our days

Just a little glimpse into a few minutes of our day.