Swim lessons

Hudson started swim lessons this month at Lacamas Swim and Sport. His lessons are twice a week for 30 minutes and each session is four weeks. There have definitely been some rough patches but once in the water he usually does great. I'm so proud of how far he has come and am excited to watch his skills and confidence improve over the next few months.

Here are pictures from his last class of the first session. It's only him and one other boy so he gets a lot of one on one time.

Ten months old!

Harper is 10 months old!

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Stats: To come at 1 year check up

Nicknames: Her nick names continue to evolve. The most common is "baby sister".

Eat: Continues to breast feed every 3-4 hours during the day (5 times). She sleeps for about 11 hrs straight through the night. She will occasionally wake up once in the night or early am but goes right back down after a I nurse her. Takes a bottle when Mom is not available. ;) She drinks about 5oz. Likes to drink water from a sippy cup, but drops it down to the floor when she's done, just like her brother used to do. She takes a binkie for naps, bedtime and anytime she finds one laying around or is fussy. When we're out of the house, I usually attach one to her.

Solids: She is a very adventurous eater and eats anything and everything you put in front of her. I have some purees in the freezer that she'll eat but she prefers small pieces that she can pick up. Will eat pouches if were out of the house. She eats an egg, dry cheerios (while waiting for egg to cook) and fruit for breakfast. She LOVES eggs! Eats lunch (sometimes a pureed veggie and/or fruit) around 11/11:30am but lately will eat whatever we are eating. Dinner is usually what we eat but also a pureed veggie and/or fruit around 5/5:30pm. Still munches on puffs and mum mums for snacks. Signs- (more, all done) we are still working on, she smiles and sometimes giggles when you sign to her but also moves her arms around.

Sleep: Naps- Two: 9:30-11 and 1:30/2-3:30. Starts on her back and flips to her belly to sleep. Wears sleep sack, and has a binkie and white noise. We moved her crib down a couple weeks ago because she was standing up. She actually fell out. :( Thankfully she is okay but major parent fail, I felt soo bad.
Bedtime- I nurse her at 7 and lay her down with binkie. Usually goes right to sleep on her own. She's waking up between 6:30/7am. Still a pretty flexible sleeper and naps great in her crib, ergo (30 min), car and pac n play.

Activity: Is crawling everywhere and a week ago found the stairs. We let her climb up when someone is there to stand behind her. Hudson has been a great help letting us know if she is around the stairs and cheers her on when she is climbing. Still chews and sucks on everything. Likes to stand against things and can pull herself up to standing. Favorite games are peek a boo and patty cake and any song you sing to her. She loves the singing bear that was Hudson's. Bath time is always a favorite, especially with Hudson. She still sits in her infant tub inside the big tub. Has been standing while in there.

Social: Has been playing by herself for longer periods. Likes Hudson's toys and always makes her way to his Duplos. Still doesn't like when people leave the room especially if she is alone. Very ticklish all over. Is very chatty and loud, especially if Hudson is around and being loud to her. Loves to stick her tongue out and will mimic it if you do it to her. Definitely has stranger anxiety, she needs plenty of time to warm up to her surroundings. Does not like being told 'No' or have things taken from her. She will cry and get mad! Adores her brother and is always looking for him, gives him big smiles. Knows how to wave but won't always do it on command.

Words: Mosly just babbling but has occasionally looked at me and said, Mamamama, and also baba

Teeth: 5 (2 on bottom, 3 on top)

Temperament: usually happy but determined and vocal too

Appearance: Big brown/green eyes, long eye lashes, dark hair, big cheeks. Olive complexion. Some people have said she is looking like Matt. I think she is a good combination of both of us right now. 

Pictures from the last month...

Christmas Brunch

We had our second annual Christmas brunch with friends yesterday. It was a so fun with yummy food and a lot of laughs! We actually missed last year because Hudson had a fever and Harper and Matt missed out this year because Harper had her first stomach bug. Hopefully next year, everyone will all be healthy.

Santa and his elf made an appearance and brought each child a wrapped gift. Hudson's reaction was absolutely adorable.. he was so excited to sit on Santa's lap for the third time. ;)

His poor friend Addi as well as a couple other kids were not so keen on Santa. LOL

Santa and his elf aka Matt and Piper 

Playing with his superman Duplo set from Santa

Love him even when he's a stinker and won't smile

The kiddos

The whole crew

Proud Mommy moment that I must share... During the kiddo picture, Hudson defended Addi and her toy from a boy trying to take it. He held his hand over her toy and said "No". Addi's mom melted when she saw and then when she told me, we were a puddle together. When leaving, Addi and Hudson shared a sweet moment together looking at her jewelry box. 

Her mom said it was a big deal that she let Hudson hold it because she is very protective of that ring.

Mit the Elf

The elf came back to our house this year. Hudson named him Mit, he really wants a baseball mit for Christmas so it was fitting in his world. ;) The excitement each morning to look for his friend was quite adorable. And Hudson obeyed the rules by not touching him, but plenty of conversations happened. Thankfully Mit was never naughty but he sure was a silly Elf.

He brought two place settings a note and the Elf movie on his first visit, December 1st.  

 A few silly things the Elf did on his visits to our house.

Hudson already talks about Mit coming back next year, and hopes he'll bring a friend for Harper. He calls Mit on his phone every once in a while and still asks to watch the Elf movie that he brought. 

Polar Express 2015

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit then head out on The Polar Express in your pajamas! We started the evening at Scamania Lodge with friends and took a bus to Hood River where the train awaited our arrival. A couple friends planned the whole excursion and it really made the experience such a fun and memorable time! Hudson loved every bit and couldn't wait to get on the train! 

An adorable gingerbread town display at Scamania Lodge

Writing a letter to Santa

Holding his golden ticket and listening to the conductor tell everyone the train was ready

Ready to get on the train... we went at 7pm but despite the late night, the kids did so good!

The hobo even made an appearance on the train

True magic while he looked out the window at the North Pole

I think he had three cups of "warm" cocoa and loved every one. 

Eating her golden ticket

Sibling love 

Harper and Webb flirting ;)

Cheers with Stanley!

Hudson being punched onto his golden ticket

He hopped right onto Santa's lap and asked for a mit

Harper was not a fan of the big man... poor girl.

Harper crashed in my arms on the bus ride back... she was such a trooper 

 Once back to Scamania Lodge, Stan and Victoria planned a whole spread of food, drinks and smores for everyone.

The whole group minus a few who didn't stay for the after party.