A weekend in St Louis

While John went to a boys weekend at the lake with some friends from Law school, the boys, Nana and I headed to St Louis for the weekend. They both did great in the car, thanks to the DVD player for Hudson.

Jack attempting to chew on some cables:). He is getting faster and faster each day. If you tell him "no" he thinks it his hilarious and goes faster until you get to him. He is going to keep us busy!

Hudson walking two of his favorite things - Minnie Mouse in the stroller and Sparky. We are always quite a site walking the neighborhood.

We got to stop and see Sam in Columbia for lunch both ways which was so much fun. Hudson immediatly hi-jacked her phone to listen to a Madagascar song and had to be bribed with an orange popsicle and fruit snacks to give it back.

We got to see a sneak peek of Pa's new house. It was built in 1860 and is a perfect place for him. We can't wait to make a trip back once he gets moved in.

Hudson sure loves Pa. Before bed one night, he told me that Pa is his "best buddy". They had fun swimming, playing, watching movies, and had a trip to the mall to ride the train while I went to a bridal shower.

Jack exploring Pa's house.

Hudson had so much fun swimming and playing that he fell asleep like this on the couch! If he would only nap like this at home!

Jack went to his first bridal shower for an old neighbor and had a great time, despite the heat that night.

The boys' love Nana's new purse. Hudson loves to steal change out of it and carry it, which thrills his daddy, and Jack thinks it is the best teether ever.

Celebrating mom's 31st birthday at lunch in Columbia. Hudson was so excited for candles and birthday cake!

A HOT week

While Hudson spent the night with Nana, John and I took Jack out to dinner at a new restaurant in Park Place. We both laughed that we used to think taking one baby out to eat was a challenge! I suppose it is all relative. Although, Jack is pretty easy to dine with. He gnawed on a chunk of bread for a good 30 min. He is finally starting to eat some food! He isn't very interested in baby food or a spoon but has eaten a few noodles off my finger and picked up peas and French toast this week. Progress!


It has been one HOT week here, but I swore I would not complain about heat after the cold, icy winter we just had! Fortunately, when you are three, a balloon is good entertainment. Hudson and Jack played with this balloon for HOURS this afternoon. Jack thought it was just hilarious when Hudson would play with it around the room. Hudson loved that everything turned orange when he looked through it.
Jack was supposed to be napping, but he had pulled himself up and Hudson had joined him. Jack is very proud of his new skill and giggles each time he makes it up there.


Jack crawling under the table which I am certain is spotless:) . If I could only figure out a way to attach a mop to his belly we might actually have a clean floor around here.

A few photo of the boys in their Madras plaid outfits along with "Ironman" which Hudson has worn for about three days straight.

This cloudy picture shows how hot it has been here. My lens steamed up as soon as I walked outside.

Clifford x 2

This past week we went to the Clifford exhibit at Crown Center and it was so much fun we went again! The first time we went with Nana, then we went back with Ashley, Clayton and Sam. Hudson is really into the Clifford books right now and of course, Emily Elizabeth which he pronounces as if it was one word!

The best photo I could get of Jack and Hudson by Clifford!

Sam and Clayton

At the Hallmark Visitor's Center

With Nana, and some mail:)

Trying to keep Hudson still enough for one more picture!

Hudson's favorite things!

NANA. He loves her. He wakes up every day and wants to go to Nana's house. Lucikly it is a 20 minute drive instead of a 4 hour drive. We are so thankful she lives to close. Here she is at his school's Fourth of July Parade. We are so happy she can be here for all the "little things". BUZZ and WOODY. Enough said. He walks around talking in Toy Story language. He jumps down every step in the house or from the car with a "To infinity and beyond....chooo!!!" and rides Tanner with a "hold on cowboy!". If he gets in trouble, he does to pretend to shoot me with his lazer, but it could be worse I suppose. Thank you Aunt Sis for the newest Toy Story members!

HIS GEAR. His new umbrella and rolling bookbag. On Sunday, we went to Costco with Nana and then stopped to have lunch. It is raining, yet again in KC, and Hudson spots a little boy with a Buzz umbrella. He just HAD to have one. We tried to explain why we couldn't go to the store at that moment, but we knew we weren't going to win that battle. We come home, Hudson tells us he is leaving his shoes on, he helps unload lettuce into the pantry, puts the boxes in the garage, tells John to stay with Jack who is napping, and gets the phone and computer to call the toy store to see if they have any. I don't think this generation will know what a phone books us. Thankfully there was ONE left and he is the proud owner.

We all know who the last one belongs to......SPARKY or SPARK as Hudson has nicknamed him but those two move so fast together it is hard to snap a photo of them together! He does have a shirt that Nana bought him with a dog that looks like Sparky on it. We have owned it three days and I think so far it has been washed 5 times in the short time it has been here. But we are all happy there is another favorite shirt besides the Toy Story ones!

Hudson's first sleepover at Nana's

It really should be...Hudson's first sleepover at Sparky's! Hudson got his Buzz and Woody suitcase on wheels all packed up and ready for a fun night! He packed his 2 new Clifford books and off he went. Nana and Hudson made a playhouse out of the box that Mommy's and Daddy's new bedroom nightstand came it and that was a huge hit! Of course, Sparky spent the entire night tethered to Hudson and spent quite a bit of time in the playhouse before sneaking out the side window. They had to take a walk around the neighborhood and as Nana walked Rogan, Hudson had Sparky and all around the block, squeals of laughing and "to infinity and beyond...fffew!!!", "let's go cowboy", and "there's a snake in my boot" were said over and over as Hudson ran with Sparky in tow.
Even though to us humans the treatment Sparky receives doesn't always seem the kindest, Sparky definitely has a differing opinion. He has never jumped up on Nana's bed to sleep, but with Hudson in that bed, he jumped up and spent the night at Hudson's feet.
The last words spoken before sleep...
Nana: "I love you Hudson"
Hudson: "I love you too Nana....and Sparky"

All better!

After last week's fever, followed by the ear infection over the weekend, we are thrilled to have happy Jack back! He has changed so much this week. He is scooting faster, pulling up on everything and walking around furniture. He has two top teeth almost in. His hair is growing. He squeals louder. I think second borns have to in order to get any attention. And he even started a little bit of food. He now eats about 1/4 of a yobaby yogurt and is starting to pick up food like cheese. We are making progress. He somehow is getting even chubbier. He weighed 23 lbs last week at the doctor! Here is the our sweet, fat man.

Jack is 8 months old! (a little late)

Poor baby Jack greeted his 8 month birthday with his first fever. Here he is after a little Motrin though. He has his two bottom teeth and his top two are coming through. He greets almost everyone with a big grin then promptly places his head down being shy on mom or dad's shoulder. He has learned sympathy cries and his little lip turns under and he bursts into tears if he hears his brother cry. This of course has turned into a big game for Hudson as he fake cries to get a reaction. This is especially fun in the car. He is wearing 12 month and 18 month clothing and a size 4 diaper. Many of his clothes and pj's Hudson wore when he was over a year old. Luckily for us, even though they were born in opposite seasons he can wear many of his brother's old clothes! When he is sleepy in the car, he hums till he falls asleep. He is starting to eat a little baby food but thinks bottle nipples and pacifiers are chew toys. He is a sweet baby boy and we are having so much fun watching him do new things each day.
Jack now creeps across the room pretty quickly in a motion that resembles the "worm". For having a few extra lbs to get from here to there he does a pretty good job and is especially fast if he spots a dog bone, shoe, cord to the computer or Hudson's toy across the room.

He loves trying to pull himself up onto something and gets so excited he nearly falls over once he makes it.