My handsome little man

It's hard to believe this little guy will be three years old in only four months!

He has grown into such a little boy - and is still ALL boy, at that!

With growing up into the twos, and now almost threes, comes joys and struggles.

While I imagined raising a young boy that always listened, sat still when needed, listened and obeyed the first time, and used his polite manners, life showed me reality. Hudson is full of personality, strength, independence, strong will, and character. He knows what he likes, knows what he wants, and knows how he wants it done. And these things do no always line up with I like, know, or want done. I've had to really learn and stretch myself with Hudson.

However, he also has a sweet, funny, loving personality. He adores Foster, whom he lovingly calls Boppy, and has truly embraced the role of big brother. He loves helping with Foster, whether feeding him, changing him, playing with him, tickling him, or getting things for him. Just today we were heading to the park, and Hudson grabbed his own bag and put two of Foster's favorite toys in it just in case Foster started crying while we were in the car (enter melted Mama heart here).

He wants to do things on his own and to be independent, yet still wants and needs Mommy and Daddy for a lot.

He has a language of his own - and there's no other way to describe it. For example:

• star - "uppa aye"
• bus - "abu-doh"
• shoe - "ee"
• boat - "row row"
• tractor - "E-I-E-I-O"
• cat- "eow"
• dog - "oof off"
• eye - "audi"
• clean up - "ee - uh"
• park - "wee"

He loves trains, tractors, Elmo, playing on the IPad, looking at/watching pictures and videos on our phones, playing at the park, building forts with blankets, making hand print pictures, going on walks and collecting rocks/sticks/bugs, chocolate, and playing in the water (aka the kitchen or bathroom sink!).

He has just really started to develop a sense and a curiosity about God ("Deda-Gaw"). We read his toddler Bible at nap and before bed. His favorite stories are Daniel and the Lion, Jonah and the whale, and Jesus and the 10 men with boo-boos (the 10 Lepers). 

First well visit with the dentist and teeth cleaning

Hair cut day! Fresh spring hair do

Holding sweet baby Ellie. He woke up early and when she came upstairs, the first thing he wanted to do was hold her! He has a soft spot for babies!

On one of our walks. He usually brings his lawn mower with him, and this day he also found a big stick and a rock. 

He's such a good helper - helping to clean Mommy's teeth. 

When we got here, he decided to start boycotting naps. Most days he'll just play with his stuffed animals, or I'll give him some books to read after about an hour, but some days, he'll finally wear himself out and crash. 

We visited Discovery Place Kids Museum and he loved playing in the firetruck...

...and on the tractor!

Look closely at his left hand - he know loves his little "sass" friends (inch worms)

Hand print painting day. He LOVES to paint, but especially painting his hands. We look at Pinterest and find ideas, and then create what we can. 

We enjoy visiting the Children's Museum. One of his favorite stations is the kitchen. He likes to pretend he's cooking and serving me and Foster. 

He loves baby brother. He loves playing with him, tickling him, trying to hold him, feeding him.

Playing at the park. Anything outside and he's ok.

He loves to help clean up! Vacuum, sweep, and especially mop! 

And probably his favorite is playing in the sink. He loves playing in the water. He will one by one pull all of the clean dishes out of the drying rack and "wash" them again for me. I think when we finally move into our permanent house, I'm going to get him an outdoor water activity table as a welcome home gift! 

Hudson brings joy where ever he goes. I know the Lord has big plans for this little guy, and I can't wait to see what his life will bring. 

God Bless

8 months

I think I might actually get a Foster update out "on time" this month!
I don't have the monthly picture yet, but I have a lot to say and a lot of other fun pictures to share!

This has been a big month for Foster!

We have moved to Rock Hill, and Foster is doing great! He made the transition and move very well, and is adjusting like a pro.

He is crawling - ALL OVER the place! There's no stopping him now, he's on the move!

Now that he can move, he seems to be happier. He can get what he wants, go where he wants, play with Hudson more, explore, and unfortunately scare Mommy too!

He started pulling up on to his knees, and now even up on to his feet! He's pulling up on to anything and everything, which is not always a good thing as he learns balance and limits; for example, pulling up on a chair while under the table will result in a bumped head. :(

He puts everything and anything in his mouth! I don't remember Hudson doing this as much, but Foster will put anything in his mouth! We really have to watch him closely, especially with small toys and when we're outside. I've caught him on multiple occasions trying to put leaves, sticks, or rocks into his mouth.

He is eating like a champ! He still loves his baby pureed foods, but really loves his puffs, and Veggie Straws! I'm trying to give him more real food (not pureed foods), and he seems to like it. I can put a bunch of veggie straws or puffs in front of him and he can pick them up and put them in his mouth - more like shovels them in his mouth, but he gets them in there!

He still loves playing with Hudson the best. He will tackle, tickle, pull, and play on top of Hudson as much as Hudson will allow. For being only 8 months old, the kid sure knows how to hold his own!

He loves being outside. We go on a walk and play outside every day as long as it's not raining, and he loves being outside. Unfortunately, I think he's going to have bad spring allergies like his parents, but it doesn't stop him or slow him down now.

He likes going to the park. We've found some really good parks here, and now that he can crawl, he likes crawling around on the equipment and "chasing" after Hudson. And he loves swinging. He laughs and kicks his feet the whole time!

He LOVES baths!! He and Hudson used to take separate baths and Foster would play in on the floor or in the exersaucer while I bathed Hudson. Well now, he will literally fuss, scream, and throw down until I put him in the bath anytime it's drawn. He loves being in the water. He just sits, splashes, kicks, and has a ball.

This little boy is such a joy! He is full of life and personality, loves to laugh and play, and has the sweetest smile that light up his beautiful blue eyes. 

We love you Foster Scott

God Bless

7 months

Foster is 7 months!

And will actually be 8 months in 5 days, so before I miss this month completely, here are just some pictures. I can't remember what he was doing new then compared to now, so I'll just have an extra long post for his 8th month. My apologies. 

God Bless

6 months

My little guy is 6 months! I can't believe it! He's half way to a year!

He's doing so well and getting so big!

And look at these big, beautiful, blue eyes!

He's very active and interactive! Very aware, observant, and taking it all in.

He loves to play and is such a social bug!

He has the cutest, sweetest, deepest laugh!
He is sitting up on his own now.

He is more confident being on hands and knees, but still not crawling.

He is eating homemade pureed foods. As long as the vegetables are mixed with pears or apples, he'll eat it! He's a good little eater.
He is finally starting to sleep better. Most of the time, he'll fall asleep on his own (without me rocking him or anything), and is starting to nap better. He is still up 2-3 times a night, but hopefully longer stretches will be coming soon. (this mama could use a good night sleep!)

He was not a big fan of the snow when we had our "winter storm", but we did get some good pictures with him outside.

He got to go to school for the first time a couple of weeks ago! He did well, and Hudson had fun with his brother at school with him.

He is babbling more, and starting to mimic sounds.
He can hold his own rough housing with Hudson, and really enjoys the times they play together.

This little guy is amazing, full of life, and such a sweet baby!

We love you Foster Scott!!

God Bless